Curly's Photo and Fishing Blog
Tip Up Town Weekend
Michigan’s largest winter festival takes place on January 21st-23rd, and 28-30th. It’s the Diamond Anniversary +1 and promises to be bigger and better than ever before! Bookmark this site to keep up to date with all the activities planned for 2011. So starting making plans for the best fun that winter has to offer - Tip-Up-Town USA in wonderful Houghton Lake!
Safety issues are still a concern for ice anglers and those heading out need to use extreme caution. Avoid those areas near pressure cracks as well as inlets or outlets. Dead and distressed gizzard shad are still present in Saginaw Bay, Saginaw River, Lake Erie, Lake St. Clair, St. Clair River, Detroit River and their tributaries. The die-off is considered to be a natural kill and the Fisheries Division is aware of the situation.
Higgins Lake is reporting a good perch bite with perch from 8 to 12 inches. Higgins Lake has not had perch this size in many years. Many are fishing off of Sam-O-Set Park using waxworms, wigglers and perch minnows. Fisherman are reporting the are biting real lite so spring bobbers a must. Many are fishing in 12 to 20 feet of water and look for weeds. Also the south-end of Higgins has a good perch bite so look for the crowds and weeds. 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 the last two days, but the pike are biting on golden shiners, also he has shanties to rent this weekend call 989-422-5230
Check out the 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.
Manistee Lake -Has a good pike bite right now with a few perch being caught
Lake Missaukee - Has ice and anglers are doing well on panfish. Some limit catches were reported. Pike have been taken on tip-ups and by spear.
Cadillac Area: he Coves on Lake Mitchell are one of the best places to start if you’re looking for panfish, by pass the shallow water. Best catches of crappie, gills and keeper size perch are coming from depths of 10 foot and deeper. Find the holes surrounded by weeds and you’ll cash in. There are scattered cabbage beds through out both coves.
Crappie have been hitting on small minnows, their favorite- but red spikes are also working. Often they’re suspended severasl feet off the bottom.
Some where in time the perch have grown. Reports of 8 to 10 inchers from Mitchell. No limits, but a hand full in a pail. Mostly caught by the crappie anglers fishng on the bottom.
Bluegills are running hand sized and are biting waxworms or spikes. You may have to tease them into biting by using tiny dark colored jigs. They’ve been fussy. We catch our share of gills on Cadillac and Mitchell, but Lake Missaukee has the reputation for the best bluegill lake in our area.
Some of the local fishermen are doing well on walleye. Their choice of tackle has been light line tip-ups baited with medium sized blue shiners. Jigging Rapalas are also taking their share. We’ve seen impressive numbers and better then average size for our lakes. Lake Mitchell has been more consistent then Lake Cadillac with even a limit or two.
Fife Lake they are catching perch and pike.
Clam Lake some nice pike being caught.
Manistee Lake by Kalkaska is producing some perch and walleye as the snow has settled.
Little Glen is producing pike and perch.
Big Glen a few getting out but no reports yet.
Lake Leelanau has a good 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.
Long Lake is producing walleye and perch but the catch the catch rate has slowed this week.
Portage lake is safe with some pike being caught with some perch and walleye. They have a fishing contest there this week
Skegemog is producing some nice catches of perch and big pike with wigglers and perch minnows working best for the perch.
Lake Bellaire they are just starting to venture out on and a few walleye being caught.
Around Leroy has safe ice with a good pike bite and panfish.
Lake Charlevoix - Anglers are fishing the South Arm for walleye.
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 but be very careful as the ice is not safe yet.
Northeastern Lower Peninsula
Higgins Lake -Anglers still need to use extreme caution near the boat launch on the west side of the lake. Since vehicles went through the ice, it is no longer consistent and needs more time to refreeze. Smelt have been caught in the evenings in 30 to 40 feet of water off the North State Park and Elm Avenue. Lake trout and whitefish are just off the bottom in 100 feet of water in the North Bay. For lake trout try tip-ups with sand kickers or jigging. For whitefish, anglers are jigging or tight line fishing. For yellow perch, try 20 to 60 feet of water off Sam-O-Set Park, south of Detroit Point, the beach south of Flag Point, or near B & B Marina.
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 - Perch fishing is spotty in Tawas Bay but a few nice fish were taken in 20 feet of water when using Swedish Pimples and wigglers. Catch rates for walleye were slow. Pike spearing was also slow as anglers report the fish are not moving much.
Lake Margrethe has ice and the fishing has been very good for perch, a few walleye and pike.
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.
Wixom Lake has slowed with many fishing off the access site reporting catches of gills and pike. Crappie have started to bite.
Grand Lake - Had good ice fishing with anglers catching some nice perch along with a few walleye.
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 - Is producing some yellow perch and though many were small, a few bigger fish were also showing up. The south and east side were more productive than the north end. There was also a report of the occasional rainbow trout caught. Those spearing have not had much luck.
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
Lake Gogebic - Is yielding fair catches of walleye and perch at dusk.
Little Bay De Noc - Ice conditions were favorable north of the Narrows. WARNING…. In Escanaba, from the lighthouse south is open water. There has been ship traffic through the bay recently, and with the high winds the ice has blown out leaving this area with open water, so anglers are advised to stay north of the Escanaba River. Overall fishing did slow however the better walleye bite was off the Center Reef at night when using glow jigs or tip-ups with minnows in 18 to 24 feet of water and out from the Terrace Bay Inn in 25 to 30 feet of water at dusk. Several large northern pike were also caught. Perch anglers have been moving around to find fish but catch rates were spotty. A few fish were taken off the east side of Butler Island in 10 to 14 feet of water.
Indian Lake - Ice conditions are still poor near the mouth of the Indian River, just north of the West Shore beach (Silver Creek), and both north and south of the boat Launch in Lange’s Bay. Ice anglers are advised to stay in the area where all the anglers are and not venture to other areas. There is still a large pressure crack running north and south down the middle of the lake. Perch are running 6 to 10 inches but most are on the smaller end of the measuring stick. Try jigging or tip-ups with minnows. Walleye catches were slow but a few fish were caught on Swedish Pimples with a minnow or perch rigs. Most of the shanties are set up in the northeast section of the lake near the golf course or further north.
Munuscong Bay - Perch and pike are scattered throughout the bay. Try 3 to 8 feet of water with minnows.
Drummond Island - Is producing good numbers of perch off Grape Island, James Island and Rutland Island.
Cedarville and Hessel - Conditions have improved here however anglers should stay away from the points. Hessel Bay had some good perch and pike fishing for those using minnows and wigglers. Perch were averaging 9 inches in Musky Bay. Try 8 to 12 feet of water with wigglers and wax worms.
Southeast Lower Peninsula
Lake Erie - Bluegills were caught in the Metro Park Marina. Try small teardrops with spikes or wax worms. Perch are there but the bite is slow. Those heading out to the Banana Dike have caught perch however this trip is 3 miles out. Anglers have moved out to 19 feet of water in Brest Bay for walleye however no reports yet.
Huron River - Has shelf ice which is not safe for boat anglers.
Detroit River - Perch have been caught around Gibraltar, Horse Island and Airport Bay. Some panfish were caught in the marina at Wyandotte.
Lake St. Clair - Has lots of ice fishing for perch however the action was spotty. Some are catching keepers, others are catching small fish only, and some are not catching much of anything.
Lexington - Reported slow fishing.
Saginaw Bay - Lots of fishing activity but success was spotty. Ice conditions are variable out on the bay, so anglers are advised to be cautious. There are a lot of active pressure cracks, especially on the west side of the inner bay. Snow could make it harder to see areas of poor ice, so anglers need to be extra careful out there. Gizzard shad continue their winter die-off. In general, perch fishing is spotty with lots of sorting to do. It is still worth giving it a try as anglers manage good catches here and there. Try moving around frequently until you find an active school of bigger fish. Lots of anglers off Pine River and Palmer Roads but catch rates were spotty. Keeper perch were 6 to 9 inches. No walleye to report. Some are taking the occasional perch in 3 to 5 feet of water off White’s Beach, and some walleye about 3 miles out. Anglers are just starting to venture out off Erickson Road, but use extreme caution due to the active pressure crack. Perch and walleye were caught off the mouth of the Saginaw River however many of the fish were small. Near Quanicassee, a few perch were taken in shallow waters off Vanderbilt Park, but the walleye anglers were heading out about 5 miles where the action was hit-or-miss. Those fishing off Tietz Drain and Thomas Road were going out 5 to 11 miles however extreme caution needs to be used. Perch fishing was spotty from the Sebewaing VFW north to Mud Creek. Perch and bluegills were caught in the Sebewaing Marina. Walleye fishing in the Slot was just getting underway. Slow fishing at Port Austin and the Pigeon River.
Saginaw River - Lots of sorting out the small ones for both perch and walleye from the mouth upstream to the Independence Bridge in Bay City. Catch rates were dominated by sublegal walleye 11 to 14 inches which are present in large numbers. The same is true upstream from Bay City to Saginaw. These small walleye indicate the strength of the natural reproduction now taking place in Saginaw Bay.
Southwest Lower Peninsula
Fishing for bluegills has slowed in this area of the state however morning and evening were still the best time to fish. Ice conditions continue to be variable. Some areas have received a lot of snow which insulates the ice and stops the freezing process. Extreme caution needs to be used.
Grand River at Grand Rapids - Steelhead action was very slow. Anglers will want to go with light line and a jig with wax worms or a small spawn bag. Some walleye are still being caught.
Grand River at Lansing - Look for a few walleye over at Moore’s park. Pike were caught below the North Lansing Dam.
Lake Lansing - Is still good for pike fishing. Most are using tip-ups with sucker minnows or golden shiners. Bluegill and crappie were caught on wax worms, spikes and minnows. Largemouth bass have also been caught but that season is closed.
Park Lake - Had fair to good bluegill fishing. Try neon wax worms. Some nice crappies were caught on minnows and wigglers. Try about halfway down in deeper water.
Lake Ovid - Anglers are ice fishing however few reports have come in. For bluegill and crappie, try near the islands or the beach.
Sessions Lake - Is still producing bluegills, crappie and the occasional walleye. Better crappie and walleye fishing at dusk and dawn.
Crystal Lake - In Montcalm County is usually good for winter bluegill, perch and crappie. For perch, try minnows, wigglers or butter worms.
Reeds Lake - Anglers will want to avoid the area on the northwest end of the lake near the channel. The ice was not safe. Small perch were hitting on minnows, spikes and wax worms, but the fish were small. Good crappie action after dark about halfway down in 40 feet of water with minnows or wax worms.
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
The Coves on Lake Mitchell are one of the best places to start if you’re looking for panfish, by pass the shallow water. Best catches of crappie, gills and keeper size perch are coming from depths of 10 foot and deeper. Find the holes surrounded by weeds and you’ll cash in. There are scattered cabbage beds through out both coves.
Crappie have been hitting on small minnows, their favorite- but red spikes are also working. Often they’re suspended severasl feet off the bottom.
Some where in time the perch have grown. Reports of 8 to 10 inchers from Mitchell. No limits, but a hand full in a pail. Mostly caught by the crappie anglers fishng on the bottom.
Bluegills are running hand sized and are biting waxworms or spikes. You may have to tease them into biting by using tiny dark colored jigs. They’ve been fussy. We catch our share of gills on Cadillac and Mitchell, but Lake Missaukee has the reputation for the best bluegill lake in our area.
Thinking walleye.
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