Fishable Ice
To start with, I would like to thank the Monroe Evening News for the opportunity to come aboard and contribute to community. This is my first post and will be somewhat shorter than most because I have to travel to the Columbus area in the morning.
A little background on myself:
I am 36 year resident of Ida, where my brother Scott (Monroe) and I were raised by my parents, Richard and Karen Mason. My fishing bug was initially fueled by watching my father and uncles leaving our camp in the Upper Peninsula to go pike fishing on Lake Michigan’s Big Bay de Noc. As a youngster, it was hard not to be impressed by 40 inch northerns tipping the scales well over 20 pounds back then. From there it was walleye fishing in Lake Erie, and the addiction just continued to get worse as the years passed by. Currently I fish the series of multi-state tournaments called Super Trap Attacks, run by the Ice Team every winter. Will be fishing the Michigan Walleye Circuit this spring and summer with my ice partner, Steve Webb. I am also, on the Pro Staff for CLAM, Northland, Vexilar., and Power Pro fishing line.
Now for the topic of this post.
It is the begining of March, and this year there are still areas where anglers can get out and ice fish. I would cross off Lake Erie and Saginaw Bay off my list due to recent rains and strong winds eroding ice conditions. Look to the Irish Hills area with its many lakes as a good place to start looking for fishable ice.
Wampler’s, Clark, Sand, Round and Devil’s Lakes still have foot plus ice. You can find good bluegill, crappie, walleye and pike fishing in each of these locations. Knutson’s of Brooklyn, Michigan is a good source of information, as well as meeting your bait and tackle needs.
There may also be good ice left at the Lake Erie Metropark off W. Jefferson in Rockwood, Mich. Much of the wind is blocked by the number of trees in the park and the ice may have been protected. Best bet is to call Bottom Line Bait and Tackle across the street from the park, 734-379-9762. There was some excellent perch fishing earlier in the season in some areas that were easy to walk to.
As with any late season ice, use caution. Always, fish with a partner and bring the essential safety items. A spud for checking thickness, a rope to toss if your partner falls through and some hand spikes to help yourself up if needed.
In some of the posts to come, there will be some hints of equipment care for your ice gear, a shopping list of must haves for the next season, gearing up for the 2007 walleye season, spring crappies and more. Some of the posts will be dedicated to making your own baits for walleye, how to rig up for steelhead, and springtime pike and muskie fishing. There will be statewide updates, the latest news from the DNR and information from the Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC).
If you are looking to target a certain fish and need to get outfitted, feel free to ask any question you might have. Same goes if you are planing to make a trip, I will do my best to get you set up, and do it within your budget as well.
Myself, Mike Smith, Dave Genz and Steve Webb, photo taken by Kevin Winkler of Minnesota.
Mason