The entire state is ice fishing however; one cold front after another has kept catch rates low. Temperatures into the 40′s by the weekend should help get the bite going, but will also turn the snow into slush, which could make traveling across the ice a little more difficult

 

Northwest Lower Peninsula

Torch Lake - Has been good for lake trout when using a #9 Swedish Pimple in 140 feet of water. Whitefish were caught just off the bottom.

Elk Lake - A few lake trout averaging 18 to 31 inches have been caught off Gay Road, Angel Road, the Whitewater Township Park, and Kewadin when jigging spawn in waters up to 140 feet deep. More anglers are targeting whitefish near Kewadin, Ringler Road and Gay Road where some 18 to 21 inch fish were caught on spawn in 25 to 55 feet of water. Herring were caught in 30 to 50 feet of water. No steelhead or walleye were reported in the creel this week.

Skegemog Lake - Some 24 to 28 inch pike have been caught on large minnows in 12 to 15 feet of water in the flats between access site at Baggs Road and the mouth of the Torch River. A lot of perch anglers can be seen on the northwest corner of the lake near the narrows and fishing 10 to 20 feet of water with minnows, wax worms, wigglers or shrimp. Many fish are small but a few were ranging 7 to 10 inches.

Traverse City - No safe ice in either the East Bay or the West Bay thanks in part to the strong north winds that blew the ice out. No more ice fishing in Bowers Harbor.

Green Lake - Smelt action continues on the north end off the Music Camp. Look for pike in the shallows off the State Park. A few small bluegills and some perch have been caught.

Little Glen Lake - Has shown no improvement in fishing and even more shanties are being removed due to the poor catch rates.

Big Glen Lake - Catch rates have been spotty, depending on location and time. All the favorite spots such as the shallows, the marina, and Burdickville have all seen action at some point. Time seems to be the key, with afternoons producing the bigger perch. Recent high winds have caused some cracks in the ice and some locations now have 6 to 8 inches of slush, especially the area around Burdickville.

Crystal Lake - In Benzie County, has good ice and good smelt fishing. Most are sticking with a Hali jig tipped with wax worms or red spikes in 45 to 60 feet of water.

Lake Cadillac - Pike are still active. Those using tip-ups or spearing have done well. Catch rates for panfish should improve by the weekend.

Lake Mitchell - This has been a good winter for pike anglers but the panfish action has been slow. Catch rates will improve once the weather stabilizes and warms up.

 

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