Curly's Photo and Fishing Blog
Sunday, March 01, 2009
Cold Weather Cools Weekend
It was not a great weekend of fishing as below zero temps saturday and high winds with single digit temps made for a rough weekend. Smelt are biting on Higgins but after that fishing has been slow as we need some warm temps soon.
FISHING CONDITIONS ON LAKES CADILLAC AND MITCHELL
FROM PILGRIM VILLAGE FISHING SHOP
SUNDAY, MARCH 1, 2009
Enjoy the outdoors, even with the roller coaster weather weâ??ve had. There is probably only another month of ice fishing left. Off the couch, youâ??ll regret it if you didnâ??t make that trip once the ice goes.
Most of the permanent shanties were moved off the lakes with the last rain. Many of those left belong to the die hard spear fishermen. Theyâ??re taking advantage of the DNR regulation change allowing them to spear to March 15 when the regular pike season closes.
Portable shelters dot the lakes daily. Still a few have to drive trucks on our lakes. Is the convenience worth it? Many enjoy gambling. Quads and snowmobiles are safe and criss cross everywhere.
The 2009 licenses are now available. Your 2008 fishing license is valid until March 31. No price increase. No excuse.
2009 Major Regulation Changes
· Statewide - Three Rods
Anglers may now use up to three rods or tip-ups while angling regardless of species.
This allows use of three separate lines and up to six total hooks.
· Statewide - Northern Pike and Muskellunge Spearing Season Extended
The northern pike and muskellunge spearing season through the ice has been extended. The season now runs from December 1 - March 15.
· Statewide - Smelt Possession Limit
A new two-gallon possession limit has been placed on smelt regardless of method of take.
· Statewide - Chinook and Coho Salmon Possession Limit
A new possession limit now allows anglers to keep up to 5 salmon (coho and Chinook) in the daily possession limit.
Smelt:
Crystal - The Lake is well again and the shacks are back. Decent catches have been reported again. Big Smelt. Some near Master Angler size.
Green - Hasnâ??t changed. Catches of 50 - 60 a night.
Higgins - You canâ??t miss Smeltville, south of the west boat launch. Shacks are side by side. Catching them day and night. Lots of fun because theyâ??re in shallow. So shallow that some are spearing them and yes it is legal. Several friends are filling 5 gallon pails, and then regret cleaning so many. Get your fill now because starting this April the creel limit changes to 2 gallons.
Lakes Mitchell and Cadillac
Either lake, save 10 years of your life and bring a gas auger if you cut many holes.
The causeway area on the west side of Cadillac was hot this past weekend. Good catches of crappie, gills and pike. However, many were attracted to the permanent spearing shacks and fished too shallow. Best catches were in 13 to 15 foot depths. Anglers with underwater cameras tell of seeing large gill, crappie and even walleye that would not bite. Those that hung in there till dark finally got them to eat.
The fish on the west side of Mitchell have also gone deeper. Forget the 6-8 foot and fish as deep as you can find. Lately 10 to 15 foot has been best. Forget the bait stealers and hammer handles left in the shallows.
The beach area at Mitchell State Park on Mitchell was a good place for tip-up fishermen. A healthy cabbage bed keeps lots of small perch in the area. Pike and walleye are feeding on them. Several big bass were also caught and released from this area.