Curly's Photo and Fishing Blog
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Skegemog has a Bite
Lake Skegemog has a great perch bite this week with wigs and minnows working best. Many are reporting good size fish being caught also.
Houghton Lake finally has some gills being caught with wigglers out fishing waxworms today.
Smelt must of started biting on Higgins Lake as they have sold quite a few waxworms and spike the last two days.
Crooked Lake by Lake City is red hot for gills with limits being taken this week.
Friday, March 14, 2008
What a Nice Day
Many took advantage of the awesome day we had and caught fish. The warm weather has turned on the fish with reports of gills starting to bite.
Houghton Lake is finally reporting a gill bite the last few days, but it a early morning or dusk bite right now. Waxworms are working best.
Steelhead are showing up the last few day at Tippy and a few other rivers are starting to see some fish.
Perch are still biting in Ludington, and Manistee. Have not heard much about Frankfort, but Crystal Lake is still very good for smelt and perch.
Thursday, March 13, 2008
March 15 the last day for pike and walleye
Last day for pike and walleye in the lower peninsula is this saturday along with you must have your permeant shanty off the lake by March 15 also.
It is the last dance this saturday as pike and walleye close and you must have your ice shanties in the northern half of the Lower Peninsula need to be removed from the ice by March 15th. Consult the fishing guide to see which counties will be affected by this date. March 15th is also the closing date for walleye, pike and muskie on the Lower Peninsula inland waters not otherwise closed to fishing. .
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The bite has improved with the warmer weather but fishing pressure is down as many are tired of winter. The steelhead have started to run with Tippy Dam reporting a good bite this week
Lake St. Helen - Still has good ice. Look for pike and walleye in the First Lake. Look for bluegill in the south end of the Third Lake.
Wixom Lake has a great crappie bite
It seems Saginaw Bay is the place for walleye -It seems the Bay City State Park is the best spot to fish right now. Those fishing off Pine River and Palmer Roads reported good walleye action with some limits taken when going out 2 to 5 miles and fishing in 10 to 20 feet of water. Walleye fishing was good from Erickson Road and Linwood south to Bay City in 14 to 21 feet of water. Evenings were best. From Thomas Road, anglers are going all the way to the shipping channel and doing well in 24 feet of water. Some walleye were taken at night in 8 feet of water off Vanderbilt Park. Nice perch were caught near Spoils Island on the right day. The marina at Sebewaing was giving up small perch, but some bigger ones were caught at Geiger Road and Mud Creek. The fish were good size but not in large numbers. A few perch were caught in the harbor at Caseville.
Higgins Lake has great ice, perch fishing and lake trout are biting, but smelt still slow with 50 a night a good night. Most are off Big Creek for Smelt but no great reports yet. Perch are running small so lots of sorting this week but I have heard of some jumbos also out of shallow water around the weeds.. Call Phoenix Park Party Store 989-821-7220 or Higgins Lake Sport 989-821-9517 for the West side. Sport Barn 989-821-9511 for the south-end of Higgins Lake .
Green Lake is slow for smelt
Crystal Lake has a good perch and still a great smelt bite this week off of Lobb Rd.
They are hitting East Grand Traverse Bay hard this week with trout , whitefish and perch biting.
Portage Lake by Manistee report a great perch bite still with minnows working best. Also the walleye have started to bite with some nice hogs being caught. Also Manistee Lake reports a good perch bite as they got a perch run from Lake Michigan.
Anglers heading out onto Houghton Lake ,many are going off off Lymanville where the pike action has been fair. The best areas to try and catch walleye are along the north shore, on the east bay or by the middle grounds. Walleye fishing is still very good with very few panfish being caught.
Little Bay De Noc - Travel on the ice is getting easier just watch out for the deep ruts. Whitefish anglers reported fair catches off Sand Point jigging spawn in waters 70 to 80 feet deep. The better fishing has been in the mid-morning but the fish are running smaller. Perch reports were starting to improve. Anglers were jigging minnows and wigglers in 10 to 20 feet of water off Butler Island and near Kipling. All ice shanties must be off the ice by midnight, March 31st.
Muskegon Lake - Perch have been caught on the west end of the lake.
White Lake by Montague has a great perch bite, call Johnson’s Outdoors for the latest bite. 231-893-6688
Otsego Lake by Gaylord reports slow going this week but bigger perch being caught also a few walleyes on the north-end. They have the sturgeon shanties back out and are seeing a few with a 65 incher caught by Tbone this week.The ice is holding up on Burt, Crooked and Pickerel lakes near Alanson, where the perch, pike and walleye action is good.
Burt Lake - For walleye, try the weedbeds in 20 to 30 feet of water in Maple Bay. Some nice perch were caught on the north end of the lake. Perch bite is giid off of Maple Bay with wigglers working good.
By Alpena, fishing fair on Grand and Long lakes. Anglers using minnows as bait are catching good numbers of perch and walleye. Fletcher’s Floodwaters - Is producing good numbers of pike up to 10 pounds. As for panfish, mostly bluegills and pumpkinseed sunfish were hitting in the upper end of the reservoir. They ranged from 5 to 8 inches.
Out of the Boyne City area, the perch, pike and walleye action on Walloon Lake is fair to good. Anglers on Deer Lake are catching a few bluegill. Both waxworms and wigglers are being used as bait. Thumb Lake is producing fair splake fishing.
Long Lake- Fishing has been slow but anglers targeting walleye are finding keepers in 20 feet of water in the southern most bay. Some fish are coming on tip-ups baited with minnows while others were caught while jigging minnows. Walleye and perch were caught off Taylor Park while jigging in 20 to 30 feet of water. Walleye and jumbo perch were caught off Long Island and Picnic Island. The fish seem to be holding in the rock piles around the islands.
In the Kalkaska area, the perch fishing is good on Lake Skegemog with many nice size perch being caught.. Crappie and walleye fishing is slow on Manistee Lake. Anglers on Fife Lake are pulling a few perch and walleye through the ice.
Gladwin Counties has good ice with good reports of panfish and pike biting
Lake Missaukee - Still has a good gill bite.
Upper Hamlin Lake - Is a good place for bluegills and crappie.
Lower Hamlin Lake - Walleye were caught in 20 to 30 feet of water when jigging minnows.
Big Glen Lake - Perch fishing has been good but don’t forget about the lake trout and rainbow trout. Some are catching bigger perch on tipups using greys and blues.
Pere Marquette Lake - Perch are hitting on minnows and wigglers. A few pike were taken on tip-ups.
Upper Peninsula:
Activity around Copper Harbor picked up a bit this week for splake; anglers fishing the harbor are finding lures and worms working well. The ice is becoming thin in spots and most anglers are fishing off docks at this point.
In the Escanaba area, Little Bay De Noc is hit or miss for whitefish. The best location this week is the mouth of the Escanaba Harbor. Dead minnows and single salmon eggs seem to be working well when fishing on the bottom in 70 feet of water. The ice is still good.
Around the Bergland area, the ice on the harbor is good today, but anglers need to check day by day for changes.
Munising anglers are picking up a few whitefish and Coho in the Bay, but the ice is iffy at this point. Independence Lake is giving up a few perch. Fishing will pick up by the end of the month for Coho and steelhead season once the ice is gone.
Sault St. Marie anglers have a slow go this week with perch activity very slow and whitefish are hit or miss. The best location is in the upper river using wax worms and teardrops. Plenty of ice remains.
Around Drummond Island the ice is still two feet thick, the perch are hit or miss on Scott and Maxton bays and anglers are using minnows and wax worms with limited success.
Northwest:
Near the Alanson area fishing is decent on Crooked and Burt lakes for perch, trout, blue gill, pike, walleye and northerns. A variety of baits are being used with good results that include suckers, minnows, blues and grays. Ice is solid on both lakes ranging between 24-28 inches.
Boyne City anglers continue to have good ice, a warm up hasn??t occurred just yet, however the fishing is slow for the area with limited perch being caught on minnows.
In the Frankfort area, angling has improved for a variety of fish. Smelt is abundant when using spikes, wax worms, and small minnows. Whitefish are active on jigs and wigglers and plenty of perch can be taken from Crystal Lake but lots of smaller sized fish can be expected. Arcadia and Portage lakes are also producing decent catches on a variety of fish as well.
In the Kalkaska area, the ice remains very solid and thick. Angling action is good for perch on minnows and the steelhead are starting with anglers using spawn and jigs with good results.
In the Gaylord area anglers are still out ice fishing, but the activity is slow on the majority of lakes. As a reminder the walleye season ends for the area on Saturday. So far no steelhead moving at this point, but the pan fish and pike are on the rise. Lake Skegemog continues to give up decent amounts of perch on minnows.
West:
Anglers in the Muskegon area advise AAA that the fishing activity is changing, the ice remains thick and the tug boats start running today. Perch and pike are active near the south shore, or mid-lake. Try using wigglers, wax worms, and golden shiners. Steelhead activity is increasing.
Around the Ludington area the ice is very plentiful, thick and safe. Anglers are doing very well on Pentwater and Pere Marquette lakes for perch. Steelhead activity is increasing on the Pere Marquette River, as well as the Manistee, Pentwater, and Pere Marquette lakes. Anglers are doing well with spawn bags and sacks. Good action for pan fish and walleye on Hamlin Lake, as a reminder the walleye season ends on Saturday in the area.
Southwest:
Benton Harbor anglers are not seeing much action since the ice is blocking access to Lake Michigan. The piers are surrounded by ice this week.
In the Kalamazoo area, steelhead are running great on the St. Joe, the water has warmed up and the action is very good. Anglers are finding good results with spawn bags, wiggle warts and various hard baits. Charter boats are also doing well with steelhead. Crappie action is abundant at night using emerald shiner minnows. On most inland lakes the blue gill are picking up and on Sugarloaf Lake the crappie are decent when fishing at night. Good size perch (14 inches) are being caught on Schafer Lake in Lawrence. Be sure to take your fish finder since fish are three to four feet below the ice.
In the New Buffalo area the water has open areas on the Glen River but the fishing is fairly good for steelhead on suckers and walleye remain active, at least until the 15th when the season closes in the area.
Northeast:
In the Oscoda area, the steelhead are starting to run and anglers have caught a few this week. Inland lakes are good for blue gill, perch and crappie. The ice fishing is still good and anglers are using wax worms, spawn and minnows with good results.
Near the Houghton Lake area fishing has improved over last week. Anglers are having good luck with perch, crappie, pike and walleye, with jigs and minnows working well. The ice is 20 inches thick with no snow cover and anglers are advised to take along your cleats. Pike and walleye season ends this Saturday.
Higgins Lake is producing good amounts of perch in 50-60 feet of water and minnows are working best. Lakers are hit or miss in 70 feet or more of water and grey shiners seem to do the job. The smelt are picking up and wax worms are working well. The ice remains around 20-inches thick.
East:
Around the Linwood area, angling action has slowed mainly due to high winds earlier in the week. The ice remains good but anglers need to watch for cracks and shifting starting to take place, use extra caution. The walleye season closes on Saginaw River Saturday but remains open year-round on the Bay. Walleye action is good in 8-12 feet of water this week, with perch running slow at this time.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Many are Out for the Last Hurrah
With the 15th coming fast many are out trying their luck with the warmer weather for pike and walleye. I have not heard any glowing reports, but many are claiming the bite has got better the last two days.
Grand Traverse bay has been fair but ice will go in a hurry with any wind. Walleye and perch off the mouth of the Boardman, and East Bay whitefish, lake trout and perch.
Walleye are reports are good on Houghton Lake with the bite getting real good with the warmer weather.
Bay City State Park is the hotspot in the state for walleye as they are going out two miles and just getting limits of nice fish.
Monday, March 10, 2008
Houghton Lake Horned Owl
Here is a photo I took of a Great Horned Owl on a nest in the heron rook by Houghton Lake in the Deadstream.
Sunday, March 09, 2008
Artic Weather Slows Weekend
Below zero weather has hampered early morning fishing and many are waiting till the sun burns some heat in the artic blast. I have heard of some fishing picking up with a perch bite again on Lake Skegemog, Long Lake has picked up with walleye getting their last bite in before the season ends.
Higgins lake has reported a few more smelt in front of big creek with reports of 100 smelt being caught, but I see no increase in waxworm sales so I will have to wait and see later in the week. Lakers still biting good.
Houghton Lake still has a great bite with many walleye being caught.
Lake St. Helen still has a good gill bite.
Wixom is still good for panfish off the public access
Crystal Lake lots of perch and smelt in Horton Bay (75ft.) with lakers being caught out in 125 to 150 feet of water
Out of my realm off of the Bay City State Park they are catching all the walleye you care to catch in eight feet of water. All reports have been of a fantastic bite with blues the favorite flavor.
FISHING CONDITIONS ON LAKES CADILLAC AND MITCHELL
FROM PILGRIM VILLAGE FISHING SHOP
March the 15th is closing in. This date is important for two reasons. First it??s the last day for pike and walleye fishing. We pushed them hard this season. They need a rest. The last Saturday in April we??ll chase them again.
Second, by law, permanent shanties must be off the ice by midnight March 15. Portables must be removed after each day??s fishing activity. Most of the permanents on our lakes have disappeared already but there are always some procrastinators.
Pike fishing isn??t as ??for sure? as earlier but it is good. Pike ranging in size from 25 to 37 inches. Weights, over 3 to over 12 pounds. There??s no end to the quality of pike in our lakes. Why go elsewhere.
Panfishing is picking up. Tim Adams caught his limit of crappies. He started using pink, Gulp maggots and has been limiting out on a regular basis on Cadillac.
Jerry Lawhead is the bluegill King. He??s caught a master angler size gill taken ??somewhere? on Cadillac.
No perch pictures but they are co-operating. Numbers of up to 10 inches are showing up. Finally, some of those little ones have grown. Most of the better panfishing is being done in 8 to 11 foot depths. Late ice, especially when water rushes down the holes should be great.
OTHER LAKES:
Higgins: Few smelt, perch, fat pike and lake trout.
Green: Hit or miss smelt.
Crystal: Lots of big smelt, perch, and lakers.
Friday, March 07, 2008
Otsego Lake Hammerhead
Although Thomas Thatcher AKA, T-Bone / Hammerhead, has received a lot of harassment about catching a baby hammerhead shark on Otsego Lake, new reports, with photos, prove that hammerheads do thrive in our inland lakes.
This was a great gag as T-Bone was told there has been a strange looking fish going though the shanty every-night and it looked like a shark. He was not convinced but they kept it up for two weeks to get him primed for the prank. So T-Bone went out sturgeon fishing with creepy feeling about this strange fish around his shanty. As he looked down in the water with the underwater light giving a alien green glow to the water. The trap was set
They had a remote controlled hammerhead shark that they were going to send from one shanty to go though his hole and give him something to snap him out of his Miller Lite stupor. Also the fish eyes light red to give it a real erie effect at night.
So they tied a string to the hammerhead and sent it on its way and they missed the first few time and had to retrieve by pulling back by the string and the 6 time they hit pay dirt and T-Bone was screaming like a little girl and did not want to put his hand in the darkness of the hole to retrieve this monster.
Trouble for T-Bone there was a crowd of people on the lake rolling around on the ice howling up a storm after he burst out of his shanty scared the fish was going to get him. So T-Bone has a new nickname Hammerhead
Thursday, March 06, 2008
Fishing is Slow in Most Places
It seems that most places are reporting a slow fish bite on lakes that have had ice since December. Along Lake Michigan it seems perch are running up the rivers to the first lake and they are being caught in places like Manistee, Portage Lake, Betsie Bay, White Lake, Muskegon Lake and Pm Lake.
Lake St. Helen - Still has good ice. Look for pike and walleye in the First Lake. Look for bluegill in the south end of the Third Lake.
Wixom Lake has a great crappie bite
It seems Saginaw Bay is the place for walleye - Those fishing off Pine River and Palmer Roads reported good walleye action with some limits taken when going out 2 to 5 miles and fishing in 10 to 20 feet of water. Walleye fishing was good from Erickson Road and Linwood south to Bay City in 14 to 21 feet of water. Evenings were best. From Thomas Road, anglers are going all the way to the shipping channel and doing well in 24 feet of water. Some walleye were taken at night in 8 feet of water off Vanderbilt Park. Nice perch were caught near Spoils Island on the right day. The marina at Sebewaing was giving up small perch, but some bigger ones were caught at Geiger Road and Mud Creek. The fish were good size but not in large numbers. A few perch were caught in the harbor at Caseville.
Higgins Lake has great ice, perch fishing and lake trout are biting, but smelt still slow with 50 a night a good night. Most are off Big Creek for Smelt but no great reports yet. Perch are running small so lots of sorting this week but I have heard of some jumbos also out of shallow water around the weeds.. Call Phoenix Park Party Store 989-821-7220 or Higgins Lake Sport 989-821-9517 for the West side. Sport Barn 989-821-9511 for the south-end of Higgins Lake .
Green Lake is slow for smelt
Crystal Lake has a good perch and still a great smelt bite this week off of Lobb Rd.
Frankfort has a good perch bite on Betsie Bay along with some nice pike being caught.
Portage Lake by Manistee report a great perch bite still with minnows working best. Also the walleye have started to bite with some nice hogs being caught. Also Manistee Lake reports a good perch bite as they got a perch run from Lake Michigan.
Anglers heading out onto Houghton Lake ,many are going off off Lymanville where the pike action has been fair. The best areas to try and catch walleye are along the north shore, on the east bay or by the middle grounds. Walleye fishing is still very good with very few panfish being caught.
Little Bay De Noc - Ice conditions remain good and travel on the ice has improved with the snow settling. With the close of walleye season, anglers have switched over to whitefish. Fair to good catch rates were reported just off Sand Point when jigging spawn, wigglers and minnows in 63 feet of water. Those fishing off the Terrace Bay Inn were also catching fish in waters 40 feet deep or more. A few nice perch were caught off Saunders Point when jigging wigglers in 30 feet of water..
Muskegon Lake - Perch have been caught on the west end of the lake.
White Lake by Montague has a great perch bite, call Johnson’s Outdoors for the latest bite. 231-893-6688
Otsego Lake by Gaylord reports slow going this week but bigger perch being caught also a few walleyes. They have the sturgeon shanties back out and are seeing a few with a 42 incher caught and released as they have to be 50 inches.The ice is holding up on Burt, Crooked and Pickerel lakes near Alanson, where the perch, pike and walleye action is good.
Burt Lake - For walleye, try the weedbeds in 20 to 30 feet of water in Maple Bay. Some nice perch were caught on the north end of the lake. Perch bite is giid off of Maple Bay with wigglers working good.
By Alpena, fishing fair on Grand and Long lakes. Anglers using minnows as bait are catching good numbers of perch and walleye. Fletcher’s Floodwaters - Is producing good numbers of pike up to 10 pounds. As for panfish, mostly bluegills and pumpkinseed sunfish were hitting in the upper end of the reservoir. They ranged from 5 to 8 inches., and they have a contest this weekend.
Out of the Boyne City area, the perch, pike and walleye action on Walloon Lake is fair to good. Anglers on Deer Lake are catching a few bluegill. Both waxworms and wigglers are being used as bait. Thumb Lake is producing fair splake fishing.
Long Lake by Traverse and Lake Leelanau have slow reports of walleye this week.
In the Kalkaska area, the perch fishing is good on Lake Skegemog. Crappie and walleye fishing is slow on Manistee Lake. Anglers on Fife Lake are pulling a few perch and walleye through the ice.
Gladwin Counties has good ice with good reports of panfish and pike biting
Lake Missaukee - Still has a good gill bite.
Upper Hamlin Lake - Is a good place for bluegills and crappie.
Lower Hamlin Lake - Walleye were caught in 20 to 30 feet of water when jigging minnows.
Big Glen Lake - Perch fishing has been good but don’t forget about the lake trout and rainbow trout. Some are catching bigger perch on tipups using greys and blues.
Pere Marquette Lake - Perch are hitting on minnows and wigglers. A few pike were taken on tip-ups.
FISHING REPORT
Upper Peninsula:
Activity in Copper Harbor is slow this week due to very cold temperatures. The ice remains very good.
In the Escanaba area Little Bay De Noc has been quiet this week since the walleye season is closed in the U.P. Some whitefish are being caught in Escanaba harbor. Anglers are averaging two to five per trip and using minnows and salmon eggs for best results. Perch activity is also limited this week on Escanaba harbor with the best location near Kipling. Wigglers and small minnows are working well. The ice is solid and clear this week.
Fishing is slow to non-existent this week in the Manistique area mainly due to the heavy snow out on the ice making it difficult for anglers to get around.
Fair activity taking place on Munuscong Bay, anglers are catching decent amounts of perch on minnows.
Cedarville Lake, anglers are using wigglers to pick up some fair perch.
In the St. Ignace area fishing is extremely slow. The ice is still over a foot thick and minimal snow cover.
Northwest:
Boyne City anglers are finding very limited catches of walleye this week and it is slow for perch as well. The ice remains solid but the frigid temperatures this week are the main cause for angler??s inactivity.
In the Frankfort area, fair fishing taking place for trout, perch, smelt and whitefish. Best baits include minnows, wigglers, wax worms and jigs. The best location this week is near the southwest side of Crystal Lake and fishing in 80 to 100 feet of water.
Around the Kalkaska area, Lake Skegemog is producing good quantities of perch on minnows and small blues. Twin Lake is giving up smelt when using Haley jigs with wax worms. Torch Lake is producing decent amounts of whitefish and lakers on spawn, grays and glow sticks.
West:
Around the Muskegon area, the fishing is good. Anglers are taking limits on perch however plenty of sorting is required. Several baits are working well that include mousies, wigglers and wax worms. Perch seem to be very active near the west end of the lake, around the sand docks and the yacht club. Steelhead are becoming active and heading up the river. Anglers tell AAA that they believe it will be a good steelhead season. Pike continue to be active on the east half of the lake near 2nd Street. Anglers are finding good results with golden shiners.
In the Ludington area, the ice remains a solid one foot thick. Steelhead are starting to move in the Pere Marquette River, however other types of fishing is slow. On Pentwater Lake decent catches of perch and northerns on wigglers and minnows are doing well. Hamlin Lake the angling activity has been slow but starting to pick up on blue gill and crappie.
Near the Baldwin area, pan fish and blue gill continue to be fair on most of the local inland lakes. Steelhead are beginning to move up river.
Southwest:
In the Three Rivers area rain has pretty much put a halt on angling action this week. The ice remains safe, but has at least two inches of water covering it.
Kalamazoo anglers will find some decent blue gill and perch fishing taking place on Gourd neck, Gunn, Gull, Norris and Cedar lakes.
Around the New Buffalo area the fishing has been almost non-existent this week due to rain and fluctuating temperatures.
Northeast:
Around the Oscoda area, the ice fishing is still good on Van Etten Lake for perch. Wax worms, wigglers and minnows are working well. Steelhead are starting to pick up. Cooke and Foote Dam ponds are producing good amounts of perch when using wigglers or wax worms. A few walleye have been caught in Tawas Bay this week.
Near the Houghton Lake area fishing overall is slow to fair. The ice is still solid and safe. Manistee Lake is producing decent crappie and blue gill.
Higgins Lake is giving up fair amounts of perch and smelt.
Angling activity on Lake Margrethe is slow to fair for walleye and perch. Best location for the perch is the south end of the lake.
Otsego Lake is producing fair quantities of perch.
East:
In and around the Linwood area, anglers are finding good activity with walleye on the Bay when using jigs, spoons or minnows. Good action from Erickson Road all the way to Bay State Park and fishing in waters 12-18 feet deep. Perch action is decent on the Saginaw River this week.
In Bay City, some small fish varieties are being reeled in using a mixed bag of bait including Rapalas, do-jiggers, and cleos. The better fishing is for walleye in the Saginaw River and Saginaw Bay. The top locations again this week are nine to 10 miles off of Thomas Road, near Callahan Reef in 14 feet of water, and three to eight miles off of the State Park.
Wednesday, March 05, 2008
Perch Fishing
They are still going though quite a bit of perch bait in Manistee and Portage Lake. Some reports have been good while others say not good. Frankfort was slow saturday as many only caught a few fish, but during the week they were doing reel well on the perch.
Have not heard much as fishing pressure has been slow this week as fisherman are looking for open water as they are getting tired of ice fishing.
Higgins lake reports 50 smelt a night seems to be tops but maybe it will change soon.
Cadillac they are still doing great on pike.
Monday, March 03, 2008
Wixom Lake has a good action
Wixom Lake has been great the last week with a little city on the weekend. Crappie , gills and pike have been biting good
Lake St. Helen has a great gill bite with some walleye and pike thrown in.
Houghton Lake still reports a good walleye bite.
Higgins Lake is good for trout and perch but the smelt is still very slow.
Lake Missaukee has been slow the last few days, but will get better as the weather warms up.
Sunday, March 02, 2008
Perch Fishing Good
It seems the year of the Lake Michigan Perch running up rivers into lakes. Bestie Bay, Manistee Lake, Portage Lake, Arcaria Lake, White Lake, and Muskegon Lake seem to all be having a great perch bite this week with many jumbos being caught.
Many of the shallow inland lakes have the winter blus as the O2 levels are low and the fish are lethagic. Houghton Lake still has a great walleye bite but no gills so far.
Higgins Lake smelt are still slow but the perch (small) and lake trout are biting great.
Crystal Lake is still hot for smelt and lots of perch but lots of sorting.
FISHING CONDITIONS ON LAKES CADILLAC AND MITCHELL
FROM PILGRIM VILLAGE FISHING SHOP
Pike - Pike - Pike, regardless of the weather or time of day, the pike on Lakes Cadillac and Mitchell seem to be hungry. Tip-up anglers who set their lines about half the depth they??re fishing or just over the weeds are getting limits. March 15th the season closes and we??ll go into withdrawals.
Rex Swinehart from Manton is pictured with a 36 ¾ inch, the largest we??ve seen this week. He targets pike on Lake Cadillac on a regular basis and does well. The ??Big? pike on the Coves on Mitchell are harder to find. Usually lots of flags but mostly undersized. Lately it??s common to catch big, fat, healthy large mouth bass. Fun to catch but not legal to keep this time of year. Catch and release. Most of the season the largest pike have come from Lake Cadillac. This week was no exception. Fewer flags but bigger fish.
Few walleyes were reported this week. Catch a good one and buy a lottery ticket because it??s your lucky day. Those with cameras often see them but can??t get them to bite. Chip Zantello of Chippewa Outfitters did. He jigs for them using large Salmo lures and is seen with a 27 ½ inches, 6 lb, 10 oz monster for our area.
Perch fishing is picking up as we get closer to spawn. They??re coming to shallower depths. The Junior High area on the north east side of Cadillac has been consistent. The canal area by Mitchell Park is starting. With any perch fishing, there will be a lot of undersized. Stay with it because buckets of 8??s and some 10??s are showing up. Dry baits are working but many use wigglers to locate them, and then change to minnows for the larger ones.
Crappie fishing has been on and off. One day they bite, the next day they don??t. Most regulars tell us late afternoons to dark are best. Many are now lantern fishing in the dark and getting their share. The Causeway area on Cadillac is getting the most pressure. Crappie catches on Mitchell although sporadic usually are larger size. Often they run up to 12 inches.
Bluegills have been hit or miss. Some do well on the east side of Cadillac, others the Coves on Mitchell. Dry baits, waxworms or spikes are their favorite. Usually we see mixed catches of perch, crappie and gills.
See picture of 9 year old Wade Fullerton from Tustin. He??s having a hard time holding up his limit of pike. Good job.
Steve Hoekwater??s back! He recently caught a 41 ¼ inch, the largest we??ve measured this year. This trip he took a 26 and a 28 inch.
OTHER LAKES:
Higgins: Few smelt, good perch, fat pike and lake trout.
Green: Hit or miss smelt.
Crystal: Lots of big smelt, perch, lakers and Burbot.
Friday, February 29, 2008
Slow Reports Today
The reports have been slow today with Houghton Lake still reports a good walleye bite. Wixom Lake crappie are back on the bite today. Lake City still has a fair gill bite. Crystal Lake has a good smelt bite and perch have been fair.
Here are a couple more photos from this week.
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Leap Year Fishing Report
I shot this photo on my travels this week
Anglers are reminded that the season to take walleye, northern pike and muskie on Upper Peninsula inland waters not otherwise closed to fishing, Great Lakes and the St. Mary’s River will close on Friday February 29, 2008. The new extended harvest season will begin in 2009 as any regulation changes for the 2008-2009 fishing season will not go into effect until April 1, 2008. Northern pike and muskie spearing will close on Friday, February 29th.
It seems were in the doldrums of winter and need a shot of warm weather to get fish biting again. It seems the fish will bite one day then shut down for a while until we have a weather change, It was 6 below today and that is too damn cold
Higgins Lake has great ice, perch fishing and lake trout are biting, but smelt still slow with 50 a night a good night. Very few anglers off the West Access Site for Smelt but no great reports yet. Perch are running small so lots of sorting this week. Call Phoenix Park Party Store 989-821-7220 or Higgins Lake Sport 989-821-9517 for the West side. Sport Barn 989-821-9511 for the south-end of Higgins Lake .
Green Lake is low for smelt
Crystal Lake has a good perch and still a great smelt bite this week off of Lobb Rd.
Frankfort has a good perch bite on Betsie Bay along with some nice pike being caught.
Portage Lake by Manistee report a great perch bite still with minnows working best. Also the walleye have started to bite with some nice hogs being caught. Also Manistee Lake reports a good perch bite as they got a perch run from Lake Michigan.
Anglers heading out onto Houghton Lake ,many are going off off Lymanville where the pike action has been good. The best areas to try and catch walleye are along the north shore, on the east bay or by the middle grounds. Walleye fishing is still very good with very few panfish being caught.
Little Bay De Noc - Ice remains favorable around the Bay however snow and slush are making travel a bit difficult. Anglers can be found from the north end of the bay around the Day’s River all the way down to Portage Point. Those fishing near the Second and Third Reefs did catch some nice walleye when using tip-ups with large minnows in 35 to 45 feet of water. The Narrows, Black Bottom and the mouth of the Escanaba River produced fair catches. The best reports came out from the Terrace Inn when jigging or using tip-ups with minnows in 40 feet of water. Though catch rates were just fair, anglers were happy with the big healthy fish being caught. Perch anglers were struggling around Butler Island. Those fishing the east side of the Bay near Stonington reported taking some nice jumbo perch when jigging with minnows or wigglers in 25 to 30 feet of water. Fair to good whitefish action was reported off Sand Point when jigging minnows and spawn in 65 to 80 feet of water. Several whitefish were taken in 40 feet of water near the Terrace.
Saginaw Bay - Currently has so called “mountains” which have formed due to the large sheets of ice colliding with each other. These great walls of ice are making it difficult for anglers to get out to their favorite fishing hole. There are also areas where the slush on top of the ice is several inches deep. Those able to get out have reported good walleye action in 8 to 17 feet of water off Pine River and Palmer Roads. Some limits were taken after dark. Good walleye action in 13 to 21 feet of water off Linwood and in 15 to 19 feet of water off the Bay City State Park. There was very good walleye fishing off Thomas Road where guys were going out 7 to 8 miles and fishing the Shipping Channel in 21 to 28 feet of water. Perch and a few pike were still coming from the marina at Sebewaing. Those fishing up at Mud Creek were taking some nice perch in the early morning. Pike spearing has been very good with many fish over 30 inches.
Muskegon Lake - Perch have been caught on the west end of the lake.
White Lake by Montague has a great perch bite, call Johnson’s Outdoors for the latest bite. 231-893-6688
Otsego Lake by Gaylord reports slow going this week but bigger perch being caught. They have the sturgeon shanties back out and are seeing a few with a 42 incher caught and released as they have to be 50 inches.The ice is holding up on Burt, Crooked and Pickerel lakes near Alanson, where the perch, pike and walleye action is good.
Burt Lake - For walleye, try the weedbeds in 20 to 30 feet of water in Maple Bay. Some nice perch were caught on the north end of the lake. Perch bite is giid off of Maple Bay with wigglers working good.
By Alpena, fishing fair on Grand and Long lakes. Anglers using minnows as bait are catching good numbers of perch and walleye. Fletcher’s Floodwaters - Is producing good numbers of pike up to 10 pounds. As for panfish, mostly bluegills and pumpkinseed sunfish were hitting in the upper end of the reservoir. They ranged from 5 to 8 inches., and they have a contest this weekend.
Out of the Boyne City area, the perch, pike and walleye action on Walloon Lake is fair to good. Anglers on Deer Lake are catching a few bluegill. Both waxworms and wigglers are being used as bait. Thumb Lake is producing fair splake fishing.
Around Manistique, Indian Lake have good ice with snow making things tough going
Long Lake by Traverse and Lake Leelanau have good reports of walleye this week but slush is bad on the lake.
In the Kalkaska area, the perch fishing is good on Lake Skegemog. Crappie and walleye fishing is slow on Manistee Lake. Anglers on Fife Lake are pulling a few perch and walleye through the ice.
Gladwin Counties has good ice with good reports of panfish and pike biting
Lake Missaukee - Still has a good gill bite.
Lake St. Helen reports a good gill bite with waxworms working best.
Upper Hamlin Lake - Is a good place for bluegills and crappie.
Lower Hamlin Lake - Walleye were caught in 20 to 30 feet of water when jigging minnows.
Big Glen Lake - Perch fishing has been good but don’t forget about the lake trout and rainbow trout. Some are catching bigger perch on tipups using greys and blues. Lots of snow this week with up to 20 inches the last two days.
Pere Marquette Lake - Perch are hitting on minnows and wigglers. A few pike were taken on tip-ups.
Upper Peninsula:
Anglers are doing well on Copper Harbor catching decent quantities of splake.
In the Bergland area, Lake Gogebic is producing good amounts of perch o9n wigglers and walleye has been decent all week as well.
Around the Escanaba area Little Bay De Noc has been good all week for walleye fishing. Anglers are finding good results with buckshot spoons, jigging, and tip ups with sucker minnows. The ice is great but has a lot of snow cover. Whitefish are picking up considerably right off the mouth of the harbor. Salmon eggs and small minnows seem to be working best.
In the Manistique area, Indian Lake fishing activity is poor.
Munuscong Bay anglers are experiencing the best walleye season in 15 years. Anglers are using a variety of baits including jigs and minnows. The perch and pike action is also good using the same types of baits.
Around the Cedarville area the perch action is excellent.
Northwest:
Out of the Alanson area, the walleye and perch fishing is decent on Burt, Crooked and Pickerel lakes. Minnows are working best. The ice is good due to very cold temperatures and anglers can get around well with no snow cover.
In the Frankfort area, smelt fishing on Crystal Lake is good using wax worms, spikes and some jigs. Perch is spotty but the keepers are decent. Fishing for lake trout is not so good at this time. Near Arcadia the perch and pike are decent on wigglers and minnows. The ice is in good shape with only a dusting of snow cover.
Lake Skegemog, Twin and Manistee lakes near Kalkaska is producing decent catches of walleye, perch and pike. The best baits include blue, grey and golden shiners, minnows and perch minnows. The ice is good and plenty of ice shanties are noticeable with snowmobiles getting across well.
In the Cadillac area, the pike fishing is decent on both lakes Cadillac and Mitchell and the crappie fishing isn??t bad on Lake Cadillac. Minnows are working well.
West:
In and around the Ludington area, perch and northerns are active on Pere Marquette, and Portage lakes, as well as Lake Michigan. Anglers are finding best results when using wigglers. Bluegill and crappie is good on most of the inland lakes when using wax worms and mousies. Most of the rivers are producing some steelhead on slammers. Pere Marquette lake has good ice measuring at least 18-inches thick.
Perch and northerns are active on Pentwater Lake and wigglers are working well.
In the Muskegon area, minnows and spikes are working well on large fish while just about any bait is working on smaller fish. Perch is active near the south end of the channel on Muskegon Lake while pike and walleye are active on the east half of the lake near 2nd Street. The hot spot during the day for walleye is near the SPX Building and Rafferty??s Restaurant.
Around the Baldwin area, pan fish and bluegill are decent on most of the local inland lakes. Anglers are using mousies and wigglers with good results. Some steelhead are moving in the rivers and a few pike.
Southwest:
Plenty of action in the Kalamazoo area, perch is good on wigglers and minnows on Shafer, Eagle and Gourd neck lakes. Anglers on Sugarloaf, School Section, and Little Fish lakes are catching decent blue gill on corn bores and wax worms. Huzzy Lake is producing decent pike. Pike action is good on Long Lake using tips ups with shiners and anglers on the Kalamazoo River below the Allegan Dam are catching a few steelhead on spawn sacks. Walleye action is also decent in the river using minnows and a jig.
In the Three Rivers area the bluegill and perch action is decent when using minnows on the inland lakes.
Northeast:
Out of the Grayling area, walleye and perch fishing is fair on Lake Margrethe in 15 feet of water. Good locations are near the south bay and the middle ground, and anglers are using wax worms with good results. Otsego Lake is producing decent perch when fishing in 100 feet of water near the east shore. Manistee Lake is slow to fair for crappie and blue gill activity this week. The pike action is good on River Lake when anglers use sucker minnows or wigglers.
Around the Oscoda area, the ice fishing is good on Van Etten Lake particularly for perch on minnows. Walleye, pike and perch activity is good on both Cooke and Foote Dam ponds. Anglers are using wax worms, and minnows for best results. The Au Sable River is very slow for steelhead activity, steelhead caught were on spawn sacks.
Higgins Lake has great ice measuring in at 16-inches. Good activity this week for perch using minnows and lakers on grey shiners.
East:
Near Linwood, anglers need to use caution and watch for some open ice three to four miles out near Harrison Road. Best fishing is between Linwood and Pinconning for perch. The Saginaw River near the Independence Bridge is a hot spot for walleye.
Around Bay City, the walleye action is very good on both the Saginaw River and Saginaw Bay. Hot spots on the bay include nine to 10 miles off of Thomas Road, near Callahan Reef in 14 feet of water, and three to eight miles off of the State Park. The walleye action is good up and down the river and between the Cass Avenue Bridge and the mouth of the Saginaw Bay. A variety of bait is being used that includes jigs and Rapalas, crocodiles, minnows, wax worms, shiners and wigglers.
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Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Higgins Lake Pike
Great pike have come out of Higgins lake this winter, as they have a great food source with smelt which makes them grow big. Most are caught in about eighteen feet of water over weed beds.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Platte River Sunset
Went Saturday to the Platte River and shot a few photos of a sun sunset.
