Curly's Photo and Fishing Blog
Please Stop the Snow
Well the storm that was suppose to miss us did not and our lakes have slush and deep snow. Ice fishing continues but heavy snow cover will not only make travel on the ice difficult, but will also make it harder to see areas with pressure cracks and other dangers. Slow down and watch for snow drifts. Use extreme caution.
Higgins Lake when they can get out is producing perch and smelt. Also the lakers and whitefish are biting with many happy anglers catching fish.
Many lakes have slowed down this week with the cold front, and the snow on the ice. Dave on Houghton Lake reports things have slowed for two days then they bite so there is no pattern right now and hopes the warm-up gets the fish biting. He will be out checking thing today on the lake to see how much slush and snow are on the ice. Call him at 989-422-5230 for current conditions.
Check out the Buc’s facebook fishing report
Northwest:
Green Lake by Interlochen is producing smelt off the music camp, glow hali’s tipped with spikes and waxworms working best. Also the last few days lights are a must. Fisherman are getting out on the south access by the out let of the Little Betsie and doing good
Manistee Lake -Has a good pike bite right now with a few perch being caught
Lake Missaukee -Was good for panfish and pike were hitting on tip-ups with a variety of minnows.
Cadillac Area: Lake Cadillac - Is producing some crappie along with a few perch and bluegills. Pike action continues for those spearing or using tip-ups. Lake Mitchell - Is still producing a good number of pike.
Fife Lake they are catching perch,pike and some gills on waxworms.
Elk Lake has some brave souls venturing out for Lake trout.
Little Glen is producing pike and perch.
Big Glen has many trying with a few perch being caught..
Lake Leelanau has slowed on perch and walleye bite on the south end with some trout and walleye coming off the north-end. For bigger bluegills, try the south lake. Call the Fishook for the latest bite @ 231-256-9496
Long Lake is producing walleye and perch but the catch rate has slowed this week.
Portage lake the perch have started to bite, with some pike being caught.
Skegemog is producing perch with many small ones now with wigglers and perch minnows working best for the perch.
Lake Bellaire they are just starting to venture out on and a few big walleye being caught.
Around Leroy has safe ice with a good pike bite and panfish.
Lake Charlevoix - Walleye have been caught in the South Arm. Pike numbers appear to be on the increase as well as the overall size. Tip-ups with live bait seem to be working the best. Perch are biting on wigglers and perch minnows
Intermediate Lake - In Antrim County also has walleye anglers targeting the south end of the lake.
Manistee River -Not a lot of reports have come in since the return of arctic weather. Those brave enough to head out should still find some steelhead to catch.
Some are starting to get back out on Mullet, Black and Burt but be very careful.
Spider and Arbutus Lake by TC have been good for panfish
Haymarsh Lakes - In Mecosta County, were producing limit catches of bluegill.
Crystal Lake is froze many verturing out to the perch grounds and catching some nice perch. Lobb Rd. has not produced the smelt so far this year but perch have been biting. Good catches of lake trout off chimney corners.
Hamlin Lake - Should also be giving up bluegill, crappie and perch. For crappie, try the drop-off along the Narrows. For walleye, try just south of the Narrows and fish early morning or late evening.
Northeastern Lower Peninsula
Higgins Lake -Smelt have been caught in the evening along the west side of the lake between Big Creek and the North State Park. The fish are suspended in 30 to 40 feet of water. Lake trout and whitefish are still in the North Bay in 80 to 100 feet of water. Try gray shiners for lake trout or wax worms and wigglers for whitefish. Those pike spearing off Sam-O-Set Park have taken fish in 15 to 18 feet of water. Perch were also caught in the same area in 20 to 40 feet of water however anglers will need to sort out the small ones. Perch can still be found off Point Detroit and Flag Point.
Houghton Lake -Has safe ice with lots of small pike and walleye being caught. Still has good walleye action along the north shore and in the East Bay in 8 to 11 feet of water along the drop. Pike action is also good on the south end when using tip-ups. Panfish are hard to find and the bite is slow. Dave at Four Season Party Store in Houghton Lake is catching walleye and will give you info where his shanty is you can call or visit him at his store phone# 989-422-5230. Also he has started to rent shanties this week so give him a call. Also Dave got a shipment of Otter shanties in for sale.
Tawas - Catch rates for perch, walleye, and pike were slow. Fishing pressure was light due to deep snow.
Lake Margrethe has ice and the fishing has slowed for perch, and a few walleye and pike are being caught..
Otsego Lake off the state park has been good for pike, perch, and some are trying there luck for strugeon Bradford Lake a few are getting out perch fishing. Chub lake trout have been biting on blues
Harrison report all the lakes are froze and have safe ice with panfish and pike biting great with first ice.
Lake St Helen has a good pike and panfish bite with a few walleyes being caught.
West Branch has safe ice with many pike and gills being caught
Black Lake - Was producing some nice perch but catch rates were slow. A few muskie were also caught..
Wixom Lake has slowed with many fishing off the access site reporting catches of gills and pike. Crappie have started to bite.
Grand Lake - Is producing some perch and panfish. For pike and walleye, try tip-ups in Whiskey Bay or Black Bass Bay.
Long Lake - Try tip-ups with a minnow on the bottom for northern pike. Those looking for perch will want to fish along the north and south shores.
Mullett Lake - Anglers still catching perch on minnows and wigglers in 20 to 45 feet of water. Spearing action was still slow but those fishing hook and line did manage to catch a few pike. Cisco and walleye fishing were slow.
Hubbard Lake - Is producing a few walleye.
McCollum Lake - In Oscoda County, is producing good numbers of panfish.
Sugar Springs, Wiggins and Pratt Lake have been good for pike and a few gills being caught.
Secord Lake has had a good bite this winter for big crappie and pike.
Upper Peninsula
Keweenaw Bay - Yellow perch and smelt were caught out from the Baraga Marina in 30 to 40 feet of water. Best time to fish was sunrise to 10:00am. Lake whitefish and lake trout were caught in 80 to 115 feet of water east of the Baraga Marina. Coho and lake herring were caught between the lighthouse at Sand Point and south or west towards Bucks Marina. Be sure to check the ice ahead of you in this area. Coho, herring and a couple rainbow trout were caught out from the Fall’s River in L’Anse. Watch the ice, especially near the open water at the mouth of the river.
Little Bay De Noc - Ice conditions were good north of the Escanaba River however south of the river is still dangerous due to shipping activity. Anglers have started looking for whitefish off Sand Point, but no reports have come in. Walleye were caught near the head of the bay when using tip-ups in 13 to 20 feet of water and off the Center Reef when jigging rapalas with minnows in 22 to 28 feet of water. Some are also fishing near the mouth of the Escanaba River in 25 to 30 feet of water. Anglers have started fishing down near Portage Point. Those taking motorized vehicles out are reminded of the dangers in this area; extreme caution needs to be used at all times. Perch fishing was slow but some nice fish were still reported between the Center Reef and the Second Reef when jigging minnows in 18 to 25 feet of water or off the beach at Gladstone in 25 feet of water. A good number of northern pike were reported off the mouth of the Day’s River in 13 to 19 feet of water when jigging or using tip-ups with sucker minnows.
Indian Lake - Ice conditions are still poor near the mouth of the Indian River, just north of Silver Creek as well as north and south of the boat launch in Lange’s Bay. These locations will have poor ice all season so anglers need to stay away from them. The big pressure crack is still out there in the middle of the lake. More walleye have been caught near the rock pile in the middle of the lake in 5 feet of water but many were sublegal. Try tip-ups with 2 inch minnows or jigging a Swedish Pimple with or without a minnow. A good number of perch were caught along the northeast shore and in Lange’s Bay. Some were over 9 inches but most were smaller.
Munuscong Bay - Walleye are scattered so catch rates were still slow. Look for perch in shallow waters 3 to 6 feet deep.
Cedarville and Hessel - Cold weather helps the ice but slows the bite. Those willing to put in the time are catching perch along the west and east end of Hessel Bay. Try wigglers and minnows in 6 to 14 feet of water. Musky Bay had a limited number of anglers catching a few perch in 10 feet of water with wigglers, wax worms or minnows.
Southeast Lower Peninsula
Lake Erie - Walleye have been caught but reports were spotty. Anglers are still heading out near the Banana Dike. Bluegills were caught in the Metro Park Marina and Lake Point Marina. Try small tear drops with red spikes or mousies.
Detroit River - Airport Bay is still good for perch and bluegills for those using spikes, mousies and minnows. Gibraltar was good for jumbo perch 8 to 12 inches. Shore anglers are fishing off docks and boat anglers were fishing the canals.
Lake St. Clair - Ice fishing is going strong with mixed reports coming in. Perch fishing was fair at best. Heavy snow in the forecast will create slush and make travel on the ice difficult, especially for ORV’s.
Lexington - Fishing pressure was light however a few rainbow and brown trout were caught by those jigging small spoons with minnows or wax worms.
Port Sanilac - Is producing some brown and rainbow trout. Try 16 to 20 feet of water with minnows or wax worms.
Saginaw Bay - Cold weather continues to hamper catch rates. Deep snow is beginning to make travel more difficult for all-terrain vehicles. Anglers need to use extreme caution when traveling across the pressure cracks. Watch those areas closely especially after strong winds this week. Those with cameras are seeing fish but had a hard time getting them to bite. A few perch were caught anywhere from 1 to 6 miles off Pine River and Palmer Roads. Watch out for the pressure cracks. Perch were caught in shallow waters off White’s Beach, but the fish were small. Walleye and perch anglers are going out 5 miles off Pinconning Road. Walleye anglers were 7 miles off Erickson Road and 8 miles off Linwood. Perch were still caught in 5 to 7 feet of water off Vanderbilt Park. At Thomas Road, anglers are heading out 10 to 12 miles across The Bar to fish waters 30 feet deep. Few anglers were perch fishing between Sebewaing and Rose Island but those spearing pike did well in the marina in Sebewaing. Some are looking for walleye out near the Slot. A few more were perch fishing at Bay Port and Mud Creek. Catch rates were spotty so move around until you find a school of fish. Lake trout were caught at Caseville.
Saginaw River - Lots of sublegal walleye have been caught between Saginaw and the mouth of the river. Those fishing just past the Independence Bridge did manage to catch a few keeper walleye and some perch. Again, those with cameras can see the bigger walleye down there but can not get them to bite.
Southwest Lower Peninsula
St. Joseph River - Weather permitting, steelhead have been caught. Watch for shelf ice on the colder mornings.
Diamond Lake - In Cass County is producing some bluegill. Try a tear drop with wax worms or spikes.
Coldwater Lake - Had a good number of ice anglers. The bluegill bite was best in the morning or evening.
Gun Lake - Is also producing some bluegills in the early morning or evening. For walleye, try jigging rapalas off Murphy’s Point. For pike, try tip-us with sucker minnows.
Kalamazoo River - Steelhead were caught up near the Allegan Dam. Watch for shelf ice.
Duck Lake - Had good reports of panfish action, mostly bluegills.
Grand River at Grand Rapids - Steelhead fishing was slow but a few walleye have been caught near the 6th Street Dam and the bridge at Fulton Street.
Grand River at Lansing - Is still good for northern pike at both the Moore’s Park Dam and the North Lansing Dam.
Lake Lansing - Is producing a lot of pike on tip-ups with sucker minnows. Most of the fish are running small but anglers were still having fun catching them.
Muskrat Lake - Had some good reports on panfish but more crappie than bluegills.
FISHING CONDITIONS ON LAKES CADILLAC AND MITCHELL FROM PILGRIM VILLAGE FISHING SHOP 231-775-5412
FISHING CONDITIONS ON LAKES CADILLAC AND MITCHELL
FROM PILGRIM VILLAGE FISHING SHOP
Fishing and catching are coming back together. Some improvement over last week. However, skill and the use of electronics are making the difference on what’s in the skillet.
Vexilars and Showdowns tell us if the fish are there. Cameras confirm it in clear image. Most underwater cameras show the water depth, the water temperature and camera direction. We know what species and what presentation makes them react. For the most part panfish anglers have been satisfied with their catches. In both lakes, crappies are the majority. Hand size gills are second. Lastly, keeper perch are in the minority.
Walleye catches have slowed. An occassioal one reported, usually caught on a tip-up fishing for pike. No hot-spot, bait or tactic. Catch one and buy a lottery ticket because it’s your lucky day.
Pike are back. Under 30 inchers are common. Those over are scarce. Either lake try the drop offs close to weed cover.
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