FISHING CONDITIONS ON LAKES CADILLAC AND MITCHELL
FROM PILGRIM VILLAGE FISHING SHOP
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2013
Last report I told you I’d see you on the ice. The ice is here!
Ice conditions: Lake Mitchell froze before Cadillac. Expect 5/6 inches of solid, clear ice, some areas more. The first 20/25 yards from shore may be wet. Slush is forming under the snow. Past a certain point its dry. We’ve had snow showers everyday. The lakes have about 6 inches of snow with occassional drifts. Its not recommended but the ice is so solid that some are driving quads and snowmobiles to their favorite places. Fishing has started in the Big and Small Coves on the West side, Thirsty’s and behind Mitchell State Park.
Be more cautious of Lake Cadillac. The West side to Kenwood Park has basically the same ice as Mitchell. The East side, the last to freeze, has areas where a couple of hits with a spud go through.
Regardless where you fish use your spud to check the ice. Don’t go helter skelter because of the cold weather.
Catching numbers of pike on both lakes. Tip-ups should be your first choice. Many jigging for walleyes with Rapalas or spoons are catching both. More then normal walleyes have been caught. Several throw backs reported in the 12 inch range from past stockings. Large and Small mouths Bass eat the same baits. Some over 20 inches have been caught.
Panfish catches have been on the slow side. No known limits of bluegills/sunfish. Its been a few here or there. Perch catches have been the same except lots of 5/6 inchers. The bright spot has been crappie. Both lakes have given up some good numbers of crappie – some 12 inch slabs. Reports of specks seem to improve daily. Soft plastics on micro jgs seem to catch larger ones whlle spikes and wax worms are more consistent.
The season has just started and we’re exploring the lakes drilling holes until we find a school of fish. Check the weed beds you found in the summer.
The Darkhouse guys are taking advantage of the early ice. The 12th Annual Pike Spearing Contest has started