Curly's Photo and Fishing Blog
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Higgins Lake has a Great Pike Bite
Don’t forget you can use 3 lines per person this year.
Higgins Lake is froze and I shot this image saturday, also One of the best pike bites in 20 years on Higgins Lake, and many are trophy class 20 pounds plus. There is 5 inches of ice on the lake with smelt and perch being caught also.
We have ice and lots of fisherman are getting out this week and trying there luck. The bite has been slow on many lakes still and hope things pick upslow this week as bad weather moved in for a few days. Mixed reports are still coming in regarding ice safety. Snow cover does insulate the ice and slow the freezing process. Avoid structures such as docks or pilings and stay off any soft or discolored ice. Always test the ice thickness with a spud. Use the buddy system and tell someone where you are going and when you expect to return. Be sure to wear a flotation devise and take rescue gear such as a rope, ladder, or anything that you could use to extend your reach.
Lake St. Helen is reporting good pike and walleye with a few panfish this week
Down at Wixom Lake they are doing good off the access site with panfish and pike..
Margrethe and Otsego have good ice and many shaties are showing up on the lakes with a fair bite. A huge muskie was caught on Lake Margrethe
Around Leroy, Farwell, Cadillac, Harrison and Sanford they have good ice and are catching fish.
Long Lake and Lake Leelanau by Traverse City have good ice for walking and perch and walleye are biting. Some are getting off the north-end.
Crystal Lake is froze on the south -end with a few guys getting out for perch
Portage Lake is froze, and they report a good perch and walleye bite. Also lots of pike being caught on golden shiners.
Skegemog Lake - Ice anglers are catching perch and many shanties out for spearing muskie and pike.
Lake Missaukee - Has ice and anglers are out targeting panfish.
Lake Cadillac -Is producing some nice northern pike for those spearing or using tip ups with large minnows. Walleye anglers were doing well when using tip-ups with light line. Those seeking panfish have caught good numbers of crappie along with some bluegills and perch. Many are fishing the west side of the lake.
Lake Mitchell - Is also producing some nice northern pike. The better walleye bite has been in the early morning or late evening. Black crappie were caught.
Hamlin Lake is reporting a good panfish and pike bite with lots of people out and about this week. At midweek the upper lake had around 8 inches of ice. And there is 4 or more on the bayous. Pretty good ice, but, still be cautious this early in the year.We are riding snowmobiles just about anywhere. The bait of choice for bluegills seems to be spikes over waxworms. There have been good catches in the mornings and evenings using bright colored jigs. ccording to Hamlin grocery the hot colors were orange and yellow and chartreuse and purple. The National ice fishing circuit comes to Hamlin lake Jan. 28-31, 2010 The first prize of 7,500 will certainly draw lots of anglers. This is a simple event, you fish for five hours with your favorite fishing partner, bring back your eight heaviest bluegills and crappies. You only have to beat the other 149 teams. The event kicks off Jan 26 above sportsman’s Irish pub. The next day there is a free ice fishing seminar and then on Sat. there will be a USA Team qualifier, which could qualify a team for the world championship tournament. Last years event was in Poland. Then there is a rules meeting at Ramada Sat night. Sunday the tournament starts at 8.am. Fishing ends at 1.00 with a weigh in and chili cookoff in the James street plaza downtown Ludington. We have rooms and snowmobiles available We also are having our free lodging special again this year. With the popular response we had, it seemed like the thing to do. If you rent a snowmobile for a day you get a free night, of a two night stay. If you rent a snowmobile for 2 days you get 2 nights free, on and on. The more sleds you rent the larger the free unit, up to 3 bedroom. Same goes for atv’s. The hot tub is on and hot, ready for soaking. Come on up and enjoy, give us a call, 888-845-5187, thanks,
Big Manistique Lake - Has ice and is producing walleye along with some perch.
South Manistique Lake - Is also producing walleye and a few perch. Both lakes should also start producing some pike.
Twin Lake - Near Newberry has ice and the bluegill anglers are out.
Higgins Lake - is froze- there were a couple shanties out on the south -end off of Lincohn RD
Houghton Lake - Ice anglers are taking northern pike on tip-ups with minnows. Walleye have been caught out by the Middle Grounds. Most are jigging along the weeds in 6 to 8 feet of water. Dave at Four Season Party Store is out looking for a good spot as last year hotspot the weeds are down and not holding fish. Lyman’s on the lake is putting his shanties out today and will be renting on the 26. We are also going to have a pike fishing contest which starts the 26 also. Dave at Four Season party Store is out looking for a good spot and has done well the last few days so give him a call at 989-422-5230 for his hot-spot. Lyman’s on the lake has shanties out and has a weekly contest