Curly's Photo and Fishing Blog
We are still Ice Fishing in Northern Michigan
Casey Richey boated the huge brown four years ago out of Frankfort Harbor that was a state record for awhile.
The snow storm wednesday put a crimp on anybody going fishing this week as most are waiting for spring fishing. The ice is good on most lakes in Northern Michigan but few are fishing. Higgins Lake the smelt are biting but few are fishing. Spring fishing was just getting started when Mother Nature decided to hit us with another blast of winter. The cold front will no doubt slow catch rates. Those heading out on any remaining ice need to use extreme caution. Those fishing the rivers will also need to be careful as the waters are high, fast, muddy and cold.
Higgins Lake they are catching smelt off the west access and quads were going out in full force today
Check out the Buc’s facebook fishing report
Northwest:
Elk River: Steelhead were starting to show up.
Lake Missaukee: Anglers are catching panfish.
Lake Cadillac: Is still producing some crappie for ice anglers. Most are fishing in the coves. Try jigs tipped with wax worms, minnows or spikes.
Lake Mitchell: Is also producing crappie in the early morning or late evening.
Manistee River: Steelhead have started however the cold front could slow things down again. Boat and shore anglers are tossing flies or jigs with wax worms and wigglers. Good catfish and crappie action on the Hodenpyl backwaters.
Pere Marquette River: Boat and shore anglers saw a push of steelhead. With the cold spell, concentrate on the deeper holes.
Lake Leelanau has been great this week for perch with a few trout being caught on the North-end Call the Fishook for the latest bite @ 231-256-9496
Long Lake is producing perch but the catch rate has really picked up this this week.
Portage lake the perch are biting great out in the channel as perch are coming in from lake michigan.One day they bite then they turn off so a little hit and miss
Betsie River: Look for steelhead if temperatures warm and we get rain.
Little Manistee River: Remains closed to fishing until April 1st.
Boardman river fish are showing up but the snow might slow the bite
Northeastern Lower Peninsula
Burt Lake: Was producing some big perch.
Mullett Lake: With the close of pike and walleye season, most are targeting perch. Fishing pressure has slowed but anglers are catching a few perch in 10 to 20 feet of water in the bays. No trout or cisco to report.
Alpena: A few brown trout have been caught in Thunder Bay. There may also be some walleye to be found as they start staging.
Thunder Bay River: The boat ramp was ice free. Those trolling for steelhead and brown trout had some success. Walleye season is closed.
Heart Lake: In Otsego County still had ice fishing and some rainbow trout were caught. Big Chub and Bridge Lake were also producing some rainbow trout.
Higgins Lake: Smelt are coming into the shallows.
Lake St. Helen: Has been good for bluegill.
Tawas: The only remaining ice is in the northeast corner of the bay near Jerry’s Marina where a few small perch and walleye were caught. The ice along the west side of the pier is gone and a few boats were starting to head out.
Tawas River: Is producing a light number of steelhead.
Au Gres: There is still ice and people out fishing in shallow waters 4 to 6 feet deep. They have caught some walleye and steelhead.
Au Gres River: Water levels are running high and the ice is breaking up. Those fishing the East Branch have caught a couple steelhead and brown trout in the surf near the Singing Bridge. Anglers were actually shore fishing from the icebergs.
Rifle River: No word yet on suckers.
Upper Peninsula
Lake Gogebic: Ice conditions are changing fast. Anglers should avoid areas near the inlets and outlets. Perch were caught up to 5 feet off the bottom in waters 20 to 27 feet deep however many are putting in a lot of time and coming up empty handed.
Keweenaw Bay: Good catches of smelt were taken northeast of the Baraga Marina. Whitefish were spotty. Coho were caught between Linden Creek and Perch Corner.
Falls River: Is producing some rainbow trout.
Marquette: Fishing was slow except for a few coho taken near the shallow bubbler in the Upper Harbor in 25 feet of water. Try a jig tipped with a twister tail or cut bait. Ice has moved out near the coal docks so anglers were taking a few coho and menominee when using a single egg. Ice has moved out of the Upper Harbor with partial ice in the Lower Harbor. Anglers are still launching boats off the beach by the bubblers. Strong east winds have been blowing the ice into shore.
Carp River: Is slightly higher with spring runoff, but no steelhead to report.
Little Bay De Noc: Ice conditions were deteriorating fast. Not many anglers and those heading out were traveling by foot only. Extreme caution needs to be used as ice conditions are changing daily this time of year. Most were perch fishing near Kipling in 22 to 30 feet of water when jigging wigglers or minnows. Those removing ice shanties and putting them at the Kipling boat launch are reminded that they can only store their shanty for 24 hours.
Escanaba River: A few shore anglers were looking for brown trout.
Au Train: This may be the last week of ice fishing as conditions were deteriorating. The Rock River is slowly opening up with water running over the spillway and there is open water near the mouth of the Au Train River. Catch reports were spotty for coho and menominee in Au Train Bay. The better action was in the early morning straight out from the Rock River and near the mouth of the Au Train River.
Munising: Catch rates were slow as angler numbers decline. Recent weather patterns have made ice conditions unpredictable on a daily basis so bring cleats and use caution on the ice. Most anglers are fishing for coho but rates were spotty. Try jigging rapalas and Swedish pimples 10 to 20 feet down in 40 to 60 feet of water. The fish average 15 inches. Only a few whitefish were taken in 50 to 80 feet of water when bouncing wax worms or a single egg just off the bottom. Schools of smelt are still being marked on a regular basis however catch rates were hit-or-miss. Try hali-jigs with natural bait. The occasional splake was caught by those using minnows or a single egg with an artificial lure.
Indian Lake: Angler activity has slowed with the closing of walleye and pike season. Those seeking yellow perch were fishing on the north end and also in Lange’s Bay. Try minnows with a jig or Swedish pimple in 7 to 9 feet of water. Many are small but a few in the 12 inch range were caught.
Munuscong Bay: Catch rates were poor to fair throughout the bay including the north end and Fowlers Bay. Ice is still present and perch numbers are expected to increase in the next 7 to 10 days.
Cedarville and Hessel: Some perch were caught along the east side of Hessel Bay in shallow waters 6 to 8 feet deep however Musky Bay was a little more productive. Fish were caught in 10 to 12 feet of water off Duck Bay as well as out in the middle. Try wax worms, wigglers or minnows.
Southeast Lower Peninsula
Lake Erie: Shore anglers caught a few perch, crappie and bluegills.
Huron River: Is producing steelhead up near Huroc Park. Water levels downstream are too high to fish. A few suckers are starting to hit.
Detroit River: Boat launches are opening up and boat anglers are seeking warm water outlets with hopes of picking up a few walleye. Some are trolling the Trenton Channel but catch rates were slow.
Lake St. Clair: Ice fishing is done as most of the Michigan waters on the lake are open. The ramps are ice free but the docks are not in yet, so launching is difficult.
Clinton River: Activity was picking up with more anglers targeting steelhead. Water levels are high.
St. Clair River: Had no fishing in the lower river due to ice flows causing an ice jam.
Saginaw Bay: Ice conditions are not good. Active pressure cracks along with wind and warm temperatures have made the ice dangerous. Ice along the shoreline is getting bad. Several rescues have been made over the last week. The ice off the Bay City State Park has broken up with the strong east winds and this is causing a mountain of ice to pile up along the shoreline. The cuts from Quanicassee to Fish Point are open and fishable from shore. The ice from Sebewaing northward along the east side of the bay has become unsafe. Ice in the marina basins should not be trusted. Some anglers are using airboats to get out for walleye and perch fishing.
Quanicassee River: Is open and boats are launching. Shore anglers caught perch.
Sebewaing River: Water levels are high and muddy with floating debris.
Pigeon River: Is also high and muddy. Floating debris is making fishing difficult.
Southwest Lower Peninsula
Galien River: Is producing steelhead. Suckers are also starting to run in the small streams open to fishing.
St. Joseph: Boat and pier anglers are catching coho and a few brown trout. Rumor has it fish are being caught all the way up to South Haven.
St. Joseph River: Steelhead fishing did slow as it appears most of the fish below the Berrien Springs Dam have pushed up through the ladder. Anglers are hoping the recent rain will bring more fish up into the river. Sucker runs are just getting started.
Paw Paw River: Is producing some steelhead.
Kalamazoo River: Steelhead can be found up near the Allegan Dam. Try flies, spawn or crawlers. Suckers were also starting to hit.
Grand River at Grand Rapids: Still had good steelhead fishing at the dam. Anglers need to pay close attention to water levels and debris.
Grand River at Lansing: Not much to report except for some steelhead being caught in Prairie Creek, which is in Ionia. Best spot is behind the Bumper Plant.
Looking Glass River: Has high water levels.
Maple River: Has high water levels.
Muskegon River: Is high and somewhat muddy which makes fishing more difficult. Boat anglers were still catching some steelhead.
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 Calendar says it’s Spring but there’s still over a foot of ice on Lake Cadillac and Mitchell. Southern Anglers are shocked if they arrive without their power augers.
It’s anybodys guess how long the ice will last, but it’s solid now.
The few crappie anglers left on the ice have been doing well. Limits or worthwhile numbers are being caught. Normally, they’re suspended from just under the ice to the bottom. Both Coves as well as the Thirsty’s area on Lake Mitchell have been the most consistent. However, they can be finacky. For a while they’ll only bite on minnows then change to waxworms or spikes. As is normal, first light and just before dark will find them right under the ice and most aggressive. Red and white or pink tone jigs seem to be their favorite.
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