Ice still forming in some areas of state; fishing has been slow

SOUTHERN LOWER

St. Joseph Area

Ice fishing has been slow on Magician and VanAuken lakes. A few
bluegills have been caught. Coyote hunting has been slow with lots
of snow hampering success.

B.J. Sports (269) 429-8271.

Three Rivers Area

Ice anglers are out in force around Three Rivers, but the bite has
been slow. Coyote and rabbit hunting have been pretty good.

Bobber Stop Bait and Tackle (269) 352-1554.

Kalamazoo Area

Ice is running up to 8 inches thick on most lakes. Fishing has been
pretty good. Pike anglers are catching good numbers of fish on Gull
and Long lakes and in Pine Creek. Tip-ups have been producing the
best results. Crappies are hitting minnows fished in 10 to 12 feet
of water on Long and Baseline lakes. Bluegills are hitting on
Hogsett and Sugarloaf lakes.

D and R Sports (269) 372-2277.

Lake St. Clair

Perch fishing has been pretty good on Lake St. Clair, but frigid
weather and high winds have kept many anglers at bay. Anglers who
are getting out are catching fish on minnows fished off Cotton
Road, in front of the Selfridge air base, and at Metro Beach.
Rabbit and coyote hunting has been slow with light hunter
participation.

Lakeside Fishing Shops (586) 777-7003, (586) 468-9913.

Pontiac Area

Ice fishing has been good for lakers and splake on Maceday Lake.
The best bite has been on Swedish Pimples and minnows fished in 5
feet of water. Bluegills and pike are hitting on Cass Lake.
Walleyes are hitting on Williams Lake and a couple have been caught
on Pontiac Lake. There is up to 4 inches of snow on the ground.
Rabbit and coyote hunting has been good.

KD Outdoors (248) 666-7799.

Lexington

Perch and brown trout are keeping anglers busy on Lake Huron at
Lexington where there is up to 10 inches of ice. Mousies and
wigglers are producing the best results for both. Rabbit hunting
has been good with up to 6 inches of dry snow on the ground.

Anderson’s Pro Bait (810) 984-3232.

Caseville Area

Perch fishing has been good in Lake Huron off Mud Creek in 6 to 8
feet of water. A few pike are coming through the ice, too. Ice is
running up to 10 inches thick. Fox hunting has been good and a few
coyotes are also being taken.

Walsh Gun & Tackle (989) 856-4465.

Saginaw Bay Area

Walleye anglers report a fair bite in Saginaw Bay off Linwood Road.
The best action has been in about 18 feet of water. Ice is running
up to 9 inches thick, but is spotty. There is up to 5 inches of
snow on the ground.

Franks Great Outdoors (989) 697-5341.

Hoyles Marina (989) 697-4415.

Grand Haven Area

Anglers are catching bluegills and crappies on Millhouse and Sterns
bayous. The best action has been coming on spikes fished in 3 to 5
feet of water. Pike are hitting on Sterns and Bruce’s bayous. There
is over a foot of snow on the ground. Coyote and rabbit hunting
pressure has been light.

Lakeview Marine & Tackle (616) 842-2770.

NORTHERN LOWER

Weidman Area

Ice fishing has been slow in Isabella County. A few pike are being
caught on Lake Isabella and Chippewa Lake where ice is running up
to 16 inches thick.. Coyote hunting has been good; rabbit hunting
has been slow.

Schafer’s Bait & Sporting Goods (989) 644-3501.

Ludington Area

Anglers are catching pike and perch on Pere Marquette Lake, and an
occasional walleye is coming through the ice on Hamlin Lake. Coyote
and rabbit hunting has been quiet.

Pere Marquette Sport Center (231) 843-8676.

Indian River

Poor ice conditions on Burt, Mullett, and Black lakes have kept
most anglers at home. Coyote and rabbit hunting has been
quiet.

Northland Sports Co. (231) 238-9382.

East Jordan Area

There is no safe ice on Lake Charlevoix. A few anglers are
venturing out by foot and catching walleyes on Intermediate Lake
and in the south arm of Lake Charlevoix. Crappies are starting to
hit on Ellsworth Lake. Coyote hunting has been very good.

Tom’s Bait & Tackle (231) 536-3521.

Traverse City Area

Ice conditions are marginal around Traverse City with up to 20
inches of snow on the ice. Anglers are venturing out on the east
shore of Crystal Lake and on Skegemog Lake and catching a few
perch. Steelhead fishing has been fair on the Boardman River.
Coyote and rabbit hunting has been slow.

WildFishing Guide Service www.wildfishing.com

Cadillac Area

Ice is running up to 10 inches thick on lakes Cadillac and
Mitchell. Anglers are catching crappies on Cadillac in 20 feet of
water, and pike fishing has been real good on both lakes. Coyote
hunting has been very good with up to 10 inches of snow on the
ground.

Schaefer’s Bait & Sporting Goods (231) 775-7085.

Houghton Lake Area

Anglers are catching good numbers of pike throughout Houghton Lake.
Walleyes are hitting minnows fished in East Bay and at the Middle
Grounds. Bluegills are hitting off the weedbeds in front of the
Admiral Station. Ice is running up to a foot thick and there is 6
inches of snow on the ground. Rabbit hunting has been good.

Lyman’s on the Lake (989) 422-3231.

Sportsman’s Resort and Marina (989) 366-5471.

Higgins Lake Area

Higgins Lake is completely frozen over, but ice in some spots
remains thin. Smelt are hitting on the west side of the lake in 40
feet of water and a few perch are being caught off B&B
Marina.

Higgins Lake Sport & Tackle (989) 821-9517.

Phoenix Party and Bait Store (989) 821-7220.

Hubbard Lake Area

Ice is improving on Hubbard Lake and anglers are catching some nice
perch and walleyes. Perch are hitting in 10 to 12 feet of water at
the south end of the lake, and walleyes are holding in 20 to 30
feet of water at the south end. Snow is running up to 6 inches
thick.

Side Door Bait and Tackle (989) 736-6418.

UPPER PENINSULA

Pickford Area

Walleye fishing has been slow in Munuscong Bay. A few fish are
hitting minnows and jigging spoons in the shallows. Perch fishing
has been slow, too. Ice is running up to 7 inches thick. Coyote
hunting has been fair.

Wilderness Treasures (906) 647-4002.

Drummond Island Area

Ice fishing has been slow at Drummond Island. There is up to 12
inches of ice in Scotts Bay where anglers are picking up a few
perch and an occasional pike when fishing in 6 feet of water.
Predator hunting has been fair.

Johnson’s Sport Shop (906) 493-6300.

Curtis Area

Fishing has been slow on Manistique Lakes with high winds keeping
angler pressure to a minimum. A few muskies have been caught on
South Manistique Lake. Light numbers of walleyes and pike have been
caught, too, but there have been no reports yet of any substantial
perch action. Coyote hunting has been pretty good.

J.R. Sport Shop (906) 586-6040.

Escanaba Area

There is up to 8 inches of ice on Little Bay de Noc, but some areas
have less. Walleye anglers report a fair bite between the second
reef and the Terrace Bay Inn. A jigging Rapala tipped with a minnow
has been the most productive presentation when fished in 20 to 40
feet of water.

Bay View Bait & Tackle (906) 786-1488.

BayShore Resort Bait & Tackle (906) 428-2950.

L’Anse Area

Keweenaw Bay was just starting to freeze over last week and anglers
were beginning to venture out. In Houghton County, slush on Portage
Lake is making ice travel difficult. A few walleyes are being
caught, and pike fishing has been pretty good.

Indian Country Sports (906) 524-6518.

Bergland Area

Fishing pressure has been very light on Lake Gogebic with
blistering cold temperatures putting a damper on outdoor
recreation. Ice is running up to 18 inches thick and there is about
2 feet of snow on the ground.

Gus’ Guide Service (906) 364-4459.

Maple Ridge Bait & Tackle (906) 575-3545.

Bear’s Nine Pines Resort (906) 842-3361.

Iron River Area

A fair number of northern pike are hitting on most area lakes
including Chicagon and Indian. A few perch are also beginning to
bite on Chicagon Lake, but walleye action has been slow. Ice is
running up to 18 inches thick. Coyote and rabbit hunting has been
pretty good.

Luckey’s Sport Shop (906) 265-5339.