Curly's Photo and Fishing Blog
We still have good Ice Fishing
The ice took a huge hit today with the warm weather and sun but most lakes still have 10 to 12 inches of solid ice north of M-55. Higgins Lake the bigger perch have started to bite and the smelt fishing is still great.
Suttons Bay had a great jumbo perch bit but it looks like today will be the last day as the ice is getting bad and any wind will blow it out.
Portage Lake by Onekama has a good perch bite with pike and gills biting also.
FISHING CONDITIONS ON LAKES CADILLAC AND MITCHELL
FROM PILGRIM VILLAGE FISHING SHOP
Many from the Lower Michigan are calling looking for safe ice. At this writing we have plenty! See pictures of March 14 snowmobile races on Lake Mitchell, cars, trucks and trailers, parked like theyâ??re at Wal-Martâ??s parking lot. Thereâ??s 18 to 20 inches and the shorelines are still good. Gas augers and creepers are S.O.P., but your arctic ice clothing isnâ??t necessary with the spring temperatures. The lakes look empty now that the permanent shacks were removed. By law, March 15th they have to be removed. Many of our points of reference are gone.
With warmer weather, panfish activity has increased. Mitchell and Cadillac have picked up. Best size of crappie and gills are still in deep water. However, early and just before dark they are returning to the 8 - 10 foot depths. Sunny afternoons have been hit and miss, but it is pleasant out there with meal size catches.
Better size gills are finally showing up in the coves on Mitchell. Sorting is necessary but they are there. The best sizes are usually sunfish and normally caught on waxworms or spikes. Pre spawn perch are showing up but the majority you wonâ??t keep. A few perch, gills and crappie and you have a tasty dinner.
Levi Rowan shows off a mixed catch of bluegills and crappie. They ranged from 7 to 12 inches but he wonâ??t tell us where they were caught, only in Wexford County.
Before pike season closed the 15th, several nice pike were caught. Serious pike fishermen are now in withdrawal and donâ??t know what to do. Itâ??s been another great season!
PIKE ALERT
The DNR is considering changing the size length for pike. Go to their website http://www.michigan.gov/documents/dnr/PikePlan_270285_7.pdf or put Michigan DNR into search engine and click of fishing. The DNR has studied the pike fishery and feels changes are needed in the fishing regulations. They are asking the public to look over their options and make comments by April 30, 2009.
Theyâ??re recommendations are based on a 32 page detailed study. Be sure to carefully read page 21. It has 4 options that they want comment on. If pike fishing is important to you, make your opinion know. Is a slot limit necessary? Make your opinion known.
Steelhead
Catch rates on the Manistee River improve daily with the warm weather and high water. Ask Adire Long from McBain. Sheâ??s holding a 29 inch, 10 pounder. Do you think she was happy with her catch?
Spawn, waxworms or wigglers fished under a bobber catch most. A few are using crawlers successfully.
At Ludington the piers are open and a few steelhead have been caught.
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