Fishing Michigan

You know when you have it bad, you start dreaming about it actually happening.  Its like a week of muskie fishing and you can see the big toothy critter swooping in to swipe your bait, or up at hunt camp, and you can see that big buck running through the woods and it all seems to be taking place in slow motion.

Well it happened again last night, I am out on the ice, hole hopping, running and gunning. It had to have been a result of my gearing up for the Wisconsin tournament on the NAIFC circuit in a couple of weeks. Last night I put the new electric auger together, fired up the gas for my backup and through on my Wisconsin tags on the quad.

Locally, if you have the bug there are a couple of options this winter.  First one that I know of is out on Wampler’s Lake.  Hosted by Jerry’s Pub on the south shore, its a fun big fish tourney open to individual anglers to catch the biggest crappie, gill, pike and walleye.  Its only 15 bucks to enter and there are lots of prizes, as well as the opportunity to win a lil’ cash.  Here are some details and how you can enter:

Sunday January 25th, 2009  - ” BIG FISH ” WAMPLERS LAKE

Registration and Launch Headquarters at Jerry’s Pub & Restaurant  http://www.jerryspub.com:80/ . The Contest will be restricted to one-hundred individual participants, so please register in advance ~ 517-467-4700, $15 Entry Fee ( Register morning of the Contest inside Jerry’s only if absolutely necessary ~ may be full ). All entry money taken in will be paid out in awards, 25% for each of the 4 BIG FISH. Cash Prizes to be awarded for the biggest fish by weight caught in the following categories: Bluegill ( IncludesRedear and all Sunfish except the Rock Bass ), Crappie, Walleye and Pike, ( No Pan Fish under 7 inches ). There will be gifts by drawing as well. Park from the back of lot to the front. All fishing will begin at 8 AM – weigh in at 1 PM, Awards inside right after the Weigh-In is completed. Weight will determine winning fish, length will break ties.

RULES AND REGULATIONS:

·          All entrants will abide by the laws of the state of Michigan.

·          Fish must be caught within the rules of the contest. Any decision by the judge is final.

·          Entrants must personally catch any fish entered in this contest to be awarded a prize. You may register the heaviest fish of each species you catch that’s listed in the Contest, Prizes will be awarded at 2 P.M. inside Jerry’s the day of the Contest. If no fish is caught in a particular category, prize will be awarded by chance drawing open to all entrants by tag number. All prizes will be awarded!!!

·          There is no age requirement on Contest participation.

·          Contestants must fish only on Wamplers Lake and any fish registered must come from Wamplers Lake between the hours of the Contest 8AM -1PM ( 5 hours fishing time).

·          Fish that are frozen, badly deteriorated, or dead for a long period of time might not be accepted ( Keep in bucket  of  water).

·          Times of the Contest are 8:00 A.M. – 1:00 PM, all fish must be caught by and registered at 1 P.M. the day of the contest. Awards at 2PM inside Jerry’s.

·          Contest participants must report to the Jerry’s Pub Channel front for quick inspection of gear prior to entering the lake. Tags must be visible. Inspection will start at 7:10 AM, Contest participants may go out onto the lake after inspection, drill holes, but shall not begin fishing until 8:00 A.M.

·          Contestants are responsible for their own safety, actions, and property at all times.

·          No spears allowed. Fish must be caught by hook and line.

·          Lake monitors shall have the right to inspect all containers and shanty’s before entering the lake and during the contest.

Protect the environment, remove refuse, including cigarette butts, from the ice when you leave.

Each entrant agrees to hold the sponsors and organizers, their agents or employees harmless from any liability of any nature and kind for any injuries, and or damages or disagreements suffered by the entrant before, during, or after the contest is held. An individual may be entered by completing the entry form and signing it. When completed this contract is binding and party agrees to abide by the contest rules. Entry fee is $15 and must be paid prior to contest start time.  Have fun and catch THE BIG FISH.

 Now, if you want to go after some bigger fish, pun intended,  the NAIFC has a qualifying event over on Devil’s Lake right here in Michigan.  Hosted by Knutson’s  (800.292.0857), the cost is only $120 per two man team, with a guaranteed payout of 10,000 dollars to the winning team.  Weigh in 8 of the biggest bluegill, and 8 of the biggest crappie you can catch, for a total of 16 fish.  Total weight determines your position in the standings.  And if you finish in the top ten, you qualify to fish in the circuit’s championship next December.  Its a pretty good deal, but the competition is stiff,  Michigan’s finest winter anglers participate.  With all that said, its a great learning experience,  and it can quickly get you up to speed on the latest trends, tactics and equipment available in the ice fishing world.

Gander Mountain in Taylor is also trying to organize a locally held tournament to take place about that same time as the NAIFC event, to be held out of the Grosse Isle Yacht Club.  I believe that also, is only 15 bucks to enter, and it is also a big fish tournament.  The categories include; crappie, perch, walleye and pike.  They used to get some BIG pike in that area back in the day, so it could be a lot of fun.  Two tiers of fisherman, a kid’s tourney, and the adults start at 16 yrs old and go up from there.  If that tickles your fancy, ask for Bob at that Gander location, he is the manager of the fishing and archery departments.  Here is a number to the store. 734.287.7420

What is one of the most overrated terms in winter fishing, thinking its the term “ice lines”.  its basically a hook to catch guys into buying expensive little spools of 50, 75 and 110 yd spools of line to spool up one or two reels.  If you want a good line in a mono that won’t break the bank, get 2, 4, 6 or 8 lb Trilene XL in the regular sized spools for open water times.  Its soft, doesn’t coil and great break strength.  Even in my choice for braids, 5, 8, or 10 lb Power Pro, the regular sized spool in Moss Green.  In most cases, your “Ice Lines” are repackaged versions of the so called warm water lines.  If you want a high vis line, Stren Gold/Hi-Vis Yellow, again in the filler sized spool. One box of 2 lb did my 4 Power Noodles for gills, one box of 4 lb did my other four for crappie. 7 bucks a box/spool.  Throw on a little more backing than I did, and you get a few more reels spooled up with the same box.

There is only one type of line that I have found that doesn’t perform well in really cold conditions and that is basically any brand that sells a fluorocarbon coated line.  That coating will peel off eventually, which makes your line look like its fraying. If you want a fc line, then buy an 100% fc line.

The only rule you need to follow is this, mono for outside, braid if you like the comfort of a shack with heater. Ok, take that back, second rule you need to follow, choose a line that will be straight with the type/weight/size of jigs that you are using.  6 lb mono will keep a curl on a size 12 or 4 mm jig.  Keep it balanced, and you’ll get it right.

When you walk in the door, you know its the ice season right away.  Two rows of ice shanties are in what can be called a breezeway of sorts.  You really have to love a store with Michigan roots, where some corporate office in some far away state isn’t making all the wrong calls on what product goes on the shelves.

I will tell you  the best new product that I have found, and what stores have them in stock after I finish up with some of the store reviews.  Its related to a salmon fisherman’s favorite spoon.

Anyhoo, the guys at Jay’s new their stuff, inside and out.  While I was there I worked with a employee with a customer gearing up for a Little Bay de Noc trip.  Picking out some rods and lures that work up there on Lake Michigan.

They had the three hottest fishing suits on display from Ice Armor, Vexilar and StrikeMaster.  All the flashers and newest in lures from the big boys.  Augers, sleds and rods oh my……couldn’t help myself.

The Upper Peninsula is ice fishing however conditions in the Lower Peninsula are still questionable, especially on the bigger and deeper lakes. Extreme caution needs to be used. Steelhead can still be found however deep snow has closed off many of the boat launches. Bass season will close on December 31st.

The report will not be updated next week due to the holidays. If conditions improve for ice fishing, a small report may be generated the week of New Year’s.

Southeast Lower Peninsula

Lake Erie - Still had open water and no ice as of this report.

Huron River - The occasional steelhead is still being caught by boat and shore anglers. A jig and wax worm seemed to work best.

Detroit River - Shore anglers are still taking some nice perch in the canals around Gibraltar. Anglers will want to try fishing along the edge of the entire river. The perch were hitting on shiners.

Lake St. Clair - Still has ice but anglers need to use caution. Anglers are fishing in and around the marinas and off the docks for perch and crappie, however the perch are running small.

Port Sanilac - No one was fishing in the harbor yet, because the ice was broken up.

Lexington - Anglers started ice fishing late last week and were catching rainbow trout from 15 to 18 inches long on spawn or wax worms. They were also getting some perch a couple days ago.

Saginaw Bay - Ice fishing for perch off Palmer Road near Standish was good but did slow last weekend. Heavy rain and those very strong winds may have compromised ice conditions around the Bay, so anglers are advised to proceed with great caution. Test the ice before you go. Anglers continue to fish in marina basins at Linwood, Sebewaing, and Caseville; sometimes on the ice and sometimes through the ice while sitting on docks.

Southwest Lower Peninsula

St. Joe River - Water levels were up and the flow increased with all the rain and snowmelt. The only action right now is for walleye up near the Berrien Springs Dam. Catch rates were slow but the fishery should pick up once the weather improves.

Kalamazoo River - Try up near the Allegan Dam for steelhead and walleye.

Grand River at Grand Rapids - Water levels are up so the steelhead are moving out of the deep holes and up towards the dam. Those using white bunny jigs with 3-5 wax worms have caught fish. Those floating bucktail jigs and walleye minnows off the bridges have caught walleye. Jigs and wax worms have caught a fair number of steelhead and walleye. Boats can still be seen on the river. The launch sites on the east side and at Johnson Park are still open.

Grand River at Lansing - The occasional walleye or pike have been caught below the dams.

Lake Lansing - Anglers have been ice fishing in shallow waters only.

Looking Glass River - Might produce a big pike or two for those willing to brave the cold.

Muskrat Lake - Some anglers have been venturing out however use caution.

Muskegon Lake - Whitecaps the beginning of the week kept the boats on shore. Anglers are hoping for enough ice by the weekend to start ice fishing in the cuts and canals for panfish. Those fishing at night caught a few pike.

Muskegon River - Steelhead fishing has been good up in the Bridgeton area for those willing to put in the time. Boat anglers are using the drop back method with spawn.

Northern Lower Peninsula

Van Etten Lake - Anglers should be able to fish along the shoreline for perch by the weekend. Use caution and take a spud to check the ice first.

Oscoda - Has open water, but no anglers have been out on the piers.

Au Sable River - Those in drift boats are catching a few steelhead. They are putting in up river and drifting down. A few pike were back on tip-ups in the backwaters up near Foote Dam.

Higgins Lake - Skim ice has started to form but there is no safe ice yet.

Houghton Lake - Recent rain melted the snow and ice is forming. Anglers are fishing for walleye off the north shore and in the East Bay. Bluegills and pike are being caught in the weed beds off the south shore.

Lake Margrethe - Word has it anglers are ice fishing for perch and walleye. Use extreme caution.

Northwest Lower Peninsula

Mullett Lake - Is wide open and had no ice to report.

Crooked Lake - Was starting to ice over and may support angler traffic by the weekend. Try walleye fishing in the shallow waters only off the north shoreline.

Traverse City - Both the East Bay and the West Bay have open water.

Little Glen Lake - Anglers are starting to fish for perch and pike along the weedbeds.

Betsie River - Those willing to brave the cold could very well hook into an occasional steelhead.

Lake Missaukee - Arctic weather conditions have limited fishing. A few more anglers have ventured out on lake however caution needs to be used. It would be wise to stay in the shallow waters until the lake has more time to produce good ice.

Lake Cadillac - Has ice but not too many anglers are venturing out yet. Those that do will want to be safe and stay in the shallow waters. Rain melted the snow, and that should help the freezing process.

Lake Mitchell - Has ice; however anglers should avoid the deep areas. Fish the weedbeds in the coves for pike and bluegills.

Manistee River - Steelhead fishing is possible, but the recent heavy snows have kept many boat launches closed.

Pere Marquette River - Steelhead fishing is possible if boat anglers can find a place to launch.

UPPER PENINSULA

Lake Gogebic - Had slush on the ice. Anglers were catching walleye in the South Bay but the fish were small.

Perch Lake - In Marquette County is producing some splake.

Michigamme Reservoir - More anglers are heading out for walleye and pike. Target the waters along the edge of the weedbeds.

Bass Lake - Near Iron Mountain is producing some splake.

Menominee River - Whitefish are still being caught when jigging wax worms. The occasional walleye has also been caught however the bite was slow most likely due to all the whitefish in the river. There is ice, however use extreme caution and check the thickness with a spud before you go. Bluegill and crappie are hitting on wax worms and minnows.

Menominee - Has no fishing to report. Green Bay has open water.

North Manistique Lake - Ice shanties have started to pop up as anglers are catching some walleye.

South Manistique Lake - Anglers are catching the bigger walleye here. Fish measuring 25 to 29 inches have been caught on tip-ups with minnows. Find the edge of the weedbeds in 5 to 15 feet of water.

I found one of my favorite, but hard to find walleye spoons while working at the Dick’s store in Okemos on Monday.  The Acme Phoebe is such a go to spoon while chasing walleyes.  I first got turned onto it while trying the smaller sizes for crappie in Minnesota back in 2005.

I had been targeting suspended crappie in this small bowl when I noticed some movement on the bottom on my Vexilar screen.  I dropped the blue and silver spoon down and started to pop it off the bottom.  Next thing that happened was my UL Avid was bent over and after a few minutes up came a nice 17 inch walleye. The color of the fish was incredible for a guy used to see that light green on Erie, just a beautiful almost gold/brown coloring.

Since then I have been hooked on Phoebe’s.  The metallic perch has also become a fav color pattern.  I have found them also at the Dick’s store in what was Franklin Park, the shopping mall down there.  I know it has a new name, but I forget.