Fishing Michigan

I LOVE SPRINGING FORWARD, well kind of anyway.  One I don’t have to wake up so dang early to go fishing, but it also marks the nearing of the end for ice fishing.  That said, I made what could be the end of my season up to Saginaw Bay again.

We started fishing shortly after 7 am,   it was a slow morning with Adam (up above) catching the only walleye for quite some time.  We started shallow, moved to a hump and then to the “Black Hole”.  If you aren’t familiar with the term or place,  it is a deeper hole inside the bay running 22 ft or so.  Some spots deeper, but mostly that depth.

With late ice conditions we set out to cross some cracks, but not before inspecting them first.  I was still packing up some of my gear when Adam went over to check one out before we crossed.  I had asked him to stay over there while I snapped the shot.  Even though the ice was still 15 inches and plus in some areas, there were others eroded by the under currents.  Always get out and check them before crossing or jumping a crack.  Take a spud if you aren’t sure and inspect both sides first.

I  installed the bucket rack the other day, so this was the perfect chance to test it out.  Have to admit I was quite happy with it.  I used the middle bucket to keep my minnows in their water.  There were four walleye in the left on the way in, and I used the far right for my scoops and trash.

Even though it is hard to tell,  I had quite a bit of gear packed into the sled this trip.  Besides the usual fishing gear, I learned a lesson the last time up.  Cold sandwiches will feed the hunger, but something hot goes a whole lot better with a day on the ice.  Besides my spud,  7 rod bags, tip up bag, and  2 soft sided coolers inside,  I had packed a small Weber grill, the charcoal, coal starting chimney along with newspaper and matches.  There was also a board for putting the coal starter off the ice while it did its magic.  The grill is the large hump in the back of the sled.

After a long day, the old back tightening up, catching one silver bass and night fast approaching, we started marking fish on our Vexilars.  The bite turned on, and overall the group caught 15 walleye.  With ice conditions changing, it was time to head in before it became pitch black.  I just finished cleaning the fish, and have my bags of fillets and cheeks in the fridge.  Maybe, just maybe there might be one more trip in the forecast after this weekend.