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Michigan => Ice Fishing Michigan => Topic started by: jdgambler on Jan 01, 2018, 10:46 AM

Title: benzie county.
Post by: jdgambler on Jan 01, 2018, 10:46 AM
Just wondering how much snow is on the ice. Has anyone been by crystal lake? how about big platte??
Title: Re: benzie county.
Post by: Higgins on Jan 03, 2018, 01:12 AM
I’m curious as well 🤔
Title: Re: benzie county.
Post by: jdgambler on Jan 03, 2018, 08:27 AM
I was going to be in the area this week but not now  :(
Would have to say big platte is good
Title: Re: benzie county.
Post by: steely456 on Jan 03, 2018, 09:52 AM
Crystal usually doesn't have safe ice until February or at least smelt/laker grounds.
 
Title: Re: benzie county.
Post by: jdgambler on Jan 03, 2018, 09:54 AM
right ,but this is a below average temp year so far .Mabey sooner than we think
Title: Re: benzie county.
Post by: netminder34 on Jan 04, 2018, 10:36 AM
Last report I got was ice to Railroad point a few days ago, but they have been getting a lot of snow also so if it stayed open a little longer it might be best for clear ice.
Title: Re: benzie county.
Post by: jdgambler on Jan 04, 2018, 10:43 AM
cool. I'm ready!
Title: Re: benzie county.
Post by: jdgambler on Jan 04, 2018, 10:43 AM
oh BTW. when was that?
Title: Re: benzie county.
Post by: netminder34 on Jan 05, 2018, 10:38 AM
Begining of the week, talked with Mom this morning she didnt have an update on the lake but said they got another 6in or better of fresh snow last night so she hadn't been out of the house much.  I told her to take the sled dogs and go check but she just laughed at me.  I am going to try to head that way in a couple weeks.
Title: Re: benzie county.
Post by: Joe in T.C. on Jan 05, 2018, 01:29 PM
Hi jdgambler,

Went by Crystal this morning and I seen people ice fishing   :thumbsup: :clap:

I did not check the ice, but here is what I saw:

(https://i.imgur.com/Wv75IKbl.jpg)
LobbRoad


(https://i.imgur.com/EbHCvSql.jpg)
The Beach


(https://i.imgur.com/LOt7rxcl.jpg)
Fishing off the Access by the marina


(https://i.imgur.com/LkOC8kQl.jpg)
Fishing off the White Ave. access


(https://i.imgur.com/BM2rwd7l.jpg)
Hurdmans Bay

Good Luck All  :tipup:

Title: Re: benzie county.
Post by: jdgambler on Jan 07, 2018, 08:55 AM
wow! ice in herdmans already. I'm  ready
Title: Re: benzie county.
Post by: netminder34 on Jan 08, 2018, 12:34 PM
Thanks for the report TC Joe.  I got the report Saturday night that Crystal is locked up, but lots of snow over the past couple days has me worried on the safety from Herdsman west.  The east side has had ice for over a week and is the first to freeze and be fished every year.  Looks like I will headed up next weekend for some work on the house, hopefully things will stabilize and grow some good ice to be fishable while I am there.
Title: Re: benzie county.
Post by: benzie rover on Jan 09, 2018, 09:00 AM
The east side was ice over before we got the big dump of snow over New Years - the west side locked up after that. Spud your way around either place right now!! east side perch/whitefish spots will be slow walking, likely slushy and possibly sketchy ice due to all snow. West side is just regular new ice - thin and untested in most locations.
Title: Re: benzie county.
Post by: pyro261 on Jan 09, 2018, 09:36 AM
I've been wanting to fish Crystal Lake for about 3 years now and it never freezes safely. What's the chances of it being safe in two weekends (the 20th)?

Another question... I've never fished the lake, only scoped it out on Navionics. Hurdmans Bay is where I have marked out a number of spots to try. Am I on the right track if I'm looking for lakers?
Title: Re: benzie county.
Post by: jdgambler on Jan 10, 2018, 09:09 AM
A lot of people say you need the 100 FOW and deeper range to find them. Honestly I've caught them in 30 and every other depth. I'm no expert on the lake. I've fished it every year since 1997. It's just to big to learn it would take a lifetime! Most guys go off lobb rd. it drops fairly quick there. Off m-22 there is a couple spots to park (very limited) It drops very quick there. to 100+ ft. If you can get out on herdmans bay that is an awesome area with the sunken island. I've fished that only a couple times. Just be ready to fight the wind . If the forecast says 10mph winds expect 20-25mph. for some reason it's a real windy lake.rarley calm.
Title: Re: benzie county.
Post by: pyro261 on Jan 10, 2018, 10:27 AM
Yeah I have a spot marked to try off Lobb Rd as well, Hurdmans Bay just looks a lot better to me (assuming the Navionics map is correct).  I don't mind getting skunked if it means fishing a new body of water. I just like fishing new places.
Title: Re: benzie county.
Post by: netminder34 on Jan 10, 2018, 01:36 PM
Its hard to say on Crystal like other lakes of its size where the fish are going to be and if they will be active.  We have caught fish Shallow and Deep throughout the years and every year is different.  I wouldn't say you need to be over 100 fow like JD said either and we usually will setup covering a wide range of depths when we are fishing.  I know a lot of guys that are really hoping for a good long season with there not being much ice over the past few years the winter pressure has been very little and that may equate to a great winter season this year.  You are not wrong on the potential for Herdsman if you are there at the right time with the right presentation and bait.
Title: Re: benzie county.
Post by: jdgambler on Jan 11, 2018, 09:14 AM
Ya for sure try a range of depths. We caught 2 coho in 35 FOW last year . WAS really neat seeing the school come in on camera. They hit a hali with wax worm. Couldn't hold them there. they were gone as fast as they came in. Never had seen that in 20 years of fishing, so you never know with that lake. Keep a dead minnow 3 foot off the bottom in 60 FOW the whole time you are there. burbot hit that.
Title: Re: benzie county.
Post by: pyro261 on Jan 11, 2018, 09:44 AM
Is there any place to park near Hurdmans?
Title: Re: benzie county.
Post by: netminder34 on Jan 11, 2018, 01:50 PM
No official parking just along the side of the road east of where M-22 cuts back to the north is where most park.  A lot of cottages there and some are year round so be mindful of the plowed drives.  Most people park on the North side of the road better space to get off the road and this leaves one side open for people to get past parked cars.  Depending on snow it can be close to 1 lane through there.
Title: Re: benzie county.
Post by: jdgambler on Jan 11, 2018, 02:11 PM
hopfully there will be enough ice for a machine soon
Title: Re: benzie county.
Post by: netminder34 on Jan 12, 2018, 12:31 PM
I am thinking next weekend I should be able to get out and see what is going on.  Might not be on a machine but maybe, when she locks up she usually builds ice pretty good with these conditions.  Would be nice to see some subzero temps again for a week but she should be building every day for the next 5 or 6 days for sure.
Title: Re: benzie county.
Post by: jdgambler on Jan 12, 2018, 05:59 PM
Let me know asap!! i'm ready to spend 72 hours on the most awesome lake in the state.
Title: Re: benzie county.
Post by: netminder34 on Jan 13, 2018, 07:22 AM
Checked yesterday with a buddy I fish with when I am up there and he didnt have an updated report for me yet.  I will be headed up Thurs or Fri and will let you know what I find.
Title: Re: benzie county.
Post by: jdgambler on Jan 13, 2018, 08:06 AM
I've got a local bait shop's number i'll call also
Title: Re: benzie county.
Post by: jdgambler on Jan 13, 2018, 08:40 AM
I called Backcast. in benzonia. they said most of the lake has 6" plus. but the far west end had 3" before warm up and nobody has went out since.but 90 percent is good right now and should be 100 percent within a few days. always use spud and a buddy and have saftey gear on this lake .
Title: Re: benzie county.
Post by: Epinephrine on Jan 13, 2018, 08:48 AM
Non-confirmed report of large 12'-ish crack near Lobb Rd. Use Caution!!
Title: Re: benzie county.
Post by: netminder34 on Jan 13, 2018, 11:10 AM
Checking the 10 day forecast, not the premium ice building weather I like to see but, should build ice all week before a small warm up the end of next weekend.
Title: Re: benzie county.
Post by: jdgambler on Jan 13, 2018, 05:52 PM
Thanks E. I won't be able to get up there until jan 30th
Title: Re: benzie county.
Post by: pyro261 on Jan 15, 2018, 09:10 AM
Anyone try out there this past weekend or would my best bet for an ice report be to call the fly shop?
Title: Re: benzie county.
Post by: jdgambler on Jan 15, 2018, 03:26 PM
i would call them.
Title: Re: benzie county.
Post by: pyro261 on Jan 16, 2018, 11:49 AM
Buddy called someone up there (not sure who) and they told him from Lobb east is ok but Hurdmans was open water last week... Did the rain last week screw things up that bad?
Title: Re: benzie county.
Post by: netminder34 on Jan 16, 2018, 01:41 PM
In my opinion no, the rain would have taken care of heavy amounts of snow that would have been insulating the thinner west side ice.  Crystal is a mystery sometimes on how she freezes due to the deeper water on the west end and Herdsman bay area, heck might even go as far as Railroad point west some years, and if the winds blow hard that can be a big factor too.  Crystal has not frozen completely in 2 years and has not had great extended ice fishing since '14.  Looking into the way back machine I can remember back in my younger days Crystal freezing before deer season was over, but in the last decade the west end not usually before the end of Jan.
Title: Re: benzie county.
Post by: Joe in T.C. on Jan 16, 2018, 02:46 PM
Fished off Lobb Road this morning, 65 feet of water and about 8 inches of ice.

Marked fish at the bottom and had to down size my jig to find out what kind.

Turned out to be Perch, aggressive and lots of them. They would chase the jig up 20 feet from the bottom.
I also pulled up some nice green weeds from bottom.

looks like the center of the lake froze and then got broke up by the wind. judging by the exposed ice sheets.
the whole lake is locked up now though.

There was a shanty off to the right of me and a couple shanties across the lake in front of Hurdmans bay.

It was not windy at all today which is unusual for Crystal.

(https://i.imgur.com/HDvYtXEl.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/ieK7QJGl.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/sldsiDUl.jpg)

Good Luck All  :tipup:

Title: Re: benzie county.
Post by: pyro261 on Jan 16, 2018, 09:23 PM
Nice. Thanks for the report. Think I'll make the trip up this weekend
Title: Re: benzie county.
Post by: jdgambler on Jan 17, 2018, 08:10 AM
Joe is that your total haul? one fish sandwich?  ???
 ;D
Title: Re: benzie county.
Post by: jdgambler on Jan 17, 2018, 08:15 AM
I'll be up jan 29th- feb 1st
If anybody wants to PM me maybe we could meet up
Title: Re: benzie county.
Post by: jdgambler on Jan 19, 2018, 09:10 AM
Has anyone caught anything from crystal ? Or big platte?
Title: Re: benzie county.
Post by: netminder34 on Jan 19, 2018, 10:20 AM
Got up in time to try Smelt last night off the boathouse.  Saw a quad next to a couple shanties so figured it was ok to walk out as the sun was going down, had 6-8 inch of ice and she was making ice while we sat.  Fished 43 fow and marked a decent amount of fish through the night but the bite was less than desirable to be nice.  brought home a dozen and a half talked to another guy that had about the same.  Got the repairs on the house done this morning so have the rest of the weekend to do some fishing as long as things hold out.  Going to take a drive around the west end here in a few to check things out and head to Backcast for some bait for tonight.  Heard last night that west end ice was still not good so hopefully info was wrong but not counting on it.  Not a lot of snow on the ice which makes it easier to pull a shanty but not much to hold the shanty either as the wind blows and gusts are forecast to 20+ today.  If anything good happens I will post over the next couple days.

To also add there was a fairly significant pressure ridge about 100yds west of where we fished last night.  Looks like it stretch across the center of the lake.
Title: Re: benzie county.
Post by: pyro261 on Jan 19, 2018, 10:32 AM
Thanks for the update. I am planning to come up in the morning to fish. Still curious about Hurdmans if you make it that way while checking the ice, I'd be grateful for a report.  Probably go off Lobb if I can't get a report though
Title: Re: benzie county.
Post by: jdgambler on Jan 20, 2018, 07:00 AM
thanks for the info .did you try using those smelt for bait?
Title: Re: benzie county.
Post by: netminder34 on Jan 20, 2018, 03:29 PM
Sorry fished hard last night and didnt get a chance to reply.  Got up this morning and headed out for trout off the North shore.  Fished 100-120fow 2 for 3 on Tip ups and 2 jigging.  Lake was beautiful this morning, set up the shanty and didnt use it once big difference from the 25+ winds last night.  Grabbing a bite to eat clean fish and then head out to see if we can sweet tlk a few more smelt to bite.  Last night was the same as Thursday different location same result.
Title: Re: benzie county.
Post by: jdgambler on Jan 21, 2018, 08:28 AM
I'm heading up in a couple hours ,last minute trip for a couple days. I'll fish big platte tonight. Then crystal tomorrow. how much ice was on crystal
Title: Re: benzie county.
Post by: netminder34 on Jan 22, 2018, 09:58 AM
Ice on Crystal was holding when I left yesterday 8 in around Lobb and the Boathouse 6 in of clear ice towards the middle where we were trout fishing off the North shore.  I did see some guys walking out at heardsman when I went by there Saturday morning.  I did not hear of anyone going through but I am not sure how far they made it, I would not have walked out on that ice.  West end was not safe Saturday.

Sorry for the late post but I fished until 1 yesterday afternoon and then was stretching it to get on the road 2 hrs later than I wanted to.  Smelt saturday night was the worst night of the 3 I fished with a grand total of 6, I think we ended up around 40 for the 3 days.  Enough for bait for trout fishing and one meal for the wife and I.  Long days and nights with a very negative bite on the smelt would not recommend it right now.   Trout Sunday was slow also after the wind change ended up 1 for 2 on the tipups and nothing jigging, had a few lookers but would not commit.  Did have one interesting thing happen I had never seen before out there.  Bringing the smelt up after a suspect false trip on a flag, I had a small school of salmon swarming the smelt swipping at it about 15ft under the ice.  Didnt hook one but it was cool to watch through the hole, it was a pretty awesome sight that you just dont see every day.

There is not a lot of snow and probably not any on the ice today as I heard it was raining pretty good today.  I put spikes on my boots for the very first time ever after walking in Friday night in the 25+ mph winds and having the sled and wind pulll me across the ice a couple times.  Ice in the middle of the lake is very clear and smooth and mostly smooth around the other areas so be careful as always but I would recomend some sort of traction aid if you are going to be out walking around.
Title: Re: benzie county.
Post by: pyro261 on Jan 22, 2018, 10:26 AM
I tried to get out on Hurdmans Saturday morning but the shore ice was two hits with the spud so I didn't walk out too far.  Went off Lobb instead. Spot I had marked on navionics to try in deep water was covered by a large black area so I spudded it and it was about 2" thick.  Might have been better in other spots but I wasn't going to find out.  Turned around and made my way out to a different spot in 60'. was another spot that was suspect on the way there that I spudded and went through in two hits.  My guess is that the lake had opened up within the last couple weeks and the ice sheet blew under another one?  The spot I made it out to was probably 12" thick.

Is there any good perch to be had out there, or are they all dinks?  I literally couldn't keep them off my hook no matter what I was using so I tried sorting through them for a couple hours with no change in size.  Eventually caught a 30" northern and a burbot before I packed up so not a total waste I guess.  Would like to fish the lake again, but looking at the forecast I'm not so sure this year
Title: Re: benzie county.
Post by: netminder34 on Jan 22, 2018, 11:34 AM
So that was you pulling a 1 man flip over it looked like, lol, I am glad you played it safe it was open about a week ago from what I had heard with some heavy wind and waves for a couple days.  Sorry, I was pretty beat on Friday and didn't catch in your post you were going to be there Saturday or I would have had you meet up with us and could have answered a few of your questions in person.  There was a group of 3 guys a little farther east of where you were venturing out, they were sitting on some rocks looking at the lake and may have been watching you to see if it was ok.  The perch do get to be nice size but are far outnumbered by the dinks.  If you can find them you can get into some 12-14's but they are hard to locate for even some of the veteran perchers up there.  Heard a lot of complaining this weekend about the perch bite being off also.  There were a lot of guys fishing perch over by the marina but didnt hear what they were catching.  Not as many people out fishing this weekend up there as I thought there would be since there hasn't been much ice the past couple years.  I think the Ice is going to be ok from Lobb east but the west end is going to be in trouble and sketchy at best for another week.  it really is better with a few of these warmup to keep the snow clear and then if we can get a few days and nights of sub zero temps it will make that solid ice we all like.  Did you notice when you were off Lobb the slush under the ice after you punched through?
Title: Re: benzie county.
Post by: pyro261 on Jan 22, 2018, 12:09 PM
No worries man. I just like fishing new lakes so I would have enjoyed my time out there regardless of where I made it out on.

The spot I sat on with ~12" had a lot of slush at the bottom, yes.  I drilled more holes to the west to find deeper water and didn't run into the slush. Ice was also half as thick, so that's why I assumed the old ice sheet blew under another one at some point.

Maybe the bigger perch were off but the 5-6" ones would hit literally anything I threw down there including a laker tube jig and a 4" blue off a treble hook lol.

I saw people out in the deeper water but I didn't really feel like walking out that far. I generally look for spots on navionics before even going out... Do people just setup out in the 150' deep flat when fishing trout out there? It looked like people were right in the middle of the lake to me, but maybe they were right off the breaks?  I generally have the best luck off some kind of structure in deep water (points, humps, breaks), but I never expected to catch a northern out in 60' of water either so I guess I should ask someone who fishes out there regularly in case the ice is good enough to make it back up there this winter.
Title: Re: benzie county.
Post by: netminder34 on Jan 22, 2018, 03:26 PM
When we go after lakers we try to find breaks as well and fish several different depths to see where they are the most active.  We have regular areas we fish and most of the time it probably looks like we throw a bunch of tipups out on the ice and where ever they land we drill a hole but that is the the search and then adjust to a line or break if it is active.  last weekend we fished from 90-130 and most of the fish were taken around a small point where it breaks from 120 to 125 and we fished a 120 flat right before the break.  Fishing was slower Sunday and we moved off the break to find the fish in 130, active just not commiting to an actual bite artificial or live bait.  the breaks off the North shore are a little closer than from the south shore and were not a bad walk with cleats to grip the slick ice and sleds pulled really easy.

There were a couple pressure ridges that were in that vacinity but the biggest was by the boathouse and I didnt see that there but you may be right on the ice sheet.  I have seen it like that before just always figured it was a transition area that had been interupted.

A buddy and his wife fished off Lobb for perch with the same type action sat and sun.  We caught a couple small perch while smelting but no size either.
Title: Re: benzie county.
Post by: jdgambler on Jan 26, 2018, 05:35 AM
I also found a school of dinks .in 28 fow. moved out to 40fow and they must have followed me! I guess I should have went deeper. I've caught a mixed variety at that area of fish in the past but not yesterday! I did get this walleye though. not from crystal.
(https://s18.postimg.cc/3scxn4aet/IMG_2699.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/3scxn4aet/)

(https://s18.postimg.cc/3scxn4aet/IMG_2699.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/3scxn4aet/)
Title: Re: benzie county.
Post by: netminder34 on Jan 26, 2018, 10:17 AM
Nice eye.  Did you make it to Crystal?  Looks like some cold weather coming in again next week, planning a trip in a couple weeks heading back up there.  Here are a couple pics from the last trip.
(https://s18.postimg.cc/jaj9sv1jp/IMG_20180120_100827716.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/jaj9sv1jp/)

(https://s18.postimg.cc/as9tojagl/IMG_20180120_132036747.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/as9tojagl/)
Title: Re: benzie county.
Post by: jdgambler on Jan 27, 2018, 08:20 AM
I did make it to crystal. I had the wife with me and didn't get to my favorite spot. too long of walk for her. I wasn't sure if it was safe for a machine so I didn't bring it. There was 9" of ice where I fished. I guess I could have brought  my snowmobile. I'm going back to Benzie Monday. been doing very well on pike perch and walleye on big platte. It's going to be hard to go to crystal with those big eyes calling my name.
Title: Re: benzie county.
Post by: jdgambler on Jan 27, 2018, 08:26 AM
how big is that laker ?
Title: Re: benzie county.
Post by: jdgambler on Jan 27, 2018, 10:31 AM
forgot to ask how much ice were you on? and where ?
Title: Re: benzie county.
Post by: netminder34 on Jan 27, 2018, 12:25 PM
About 9lbs was the biggest went off north shore east of herdsman.  100-130 fow is were we fished around 6-8" most places we fished good clear ice when we were there, I would use caution if I were going out this week but after a couple cold nights beginning of the week I would think it will be ok with the lack of snow now.
Title: Re: benzie county.
Post by: jdgambler on Jan 27, 2018, 01:50 PM
I'm thinking wed or thursday for me on crystal. doing platte on tuesday
Title: Re: benzie county.
Post by: netminder34 on Jan 27, 2018, 04:59 PM
Good luck, I might have a buddy going out on Thursday on Crystal but probably won't get a report until Friday.  If I hear anything I will try to let you know.
Title: Re: benzie county.
Post by: jdgambler on Jan 27, 2018, 09:04 PM
ya same here. I'm going to launch from the new dnr launch and go out NW about a mile. i'm taking my snowmobile this time.
Title: Re: benzie county.
Post by: pyro261 on Jan 31, 2018, 10:01 AM
Going to try and get back out on Crystal Sunday. Any notable changes in the ice in the past couple weeks out here?
Title: Re: benzie county.
Post by: netminder34 on Feb 01, 2018, 06:44 AM
Nothing that I have heard as major change.  With the cold front coming in I would think the West end should tighten up and be better than questionable but use caution as always.  My sister fished Tuesday West of the boathouse and didn't say they were on anything sketchy I will see if I can get a better report today.
Title: Re: benzie county.
Post by: dfishman on Feb 01, 2018, 10:10 AM
I just called the back cast.  The gal who answered the phone said that people were fishing off lobb road, but heard mans bay is open water. 
Title: Re: benzie county.
Post by: netminder34 on Feb 01, 2018, 12:24 PM
Talked to my sis, said they had 10-12 west of the boathouse but she did not have any info on north shore, herdsman or the west end.  She was going to try to find out more for me today.  I cant make it back up until the 16th, planning on being able to use the quad and hopefully my normal spots will be good with the forecast temps coming.  Snow is forecast for the next 4 days and they got about 3" last night.
Title: Re: benzie county.
Post by: Joe in T.C. on Feb 02, 2018, 01:43 PM
Fished off the south shore this morning - Friday February 2nd 2018

125 FOW and at least 8" of ice

Grabbed my Walleye rod instead of my Laker rod.

With a 125' of mono out its hard to stick a Lake Trout.

lost two and landed one using a sand kicker.

34.75" long and 13.44 pounds

took almost an hour to get him in , but what a riot.  :woot:

Good Luck All  :tipup:



(https://i.imgur.com/7Vmu3Kbl.jpg)
Title: Re: benzie county.
Post by: jdgambler on Feb 02, 2018, 04:56 PM
nice one joe. herdmans is froze over right?
Title: Re: benzie county.
Post by: Joe in T.C. on Feb 02, 2018, 05:51 PM
I didn't check Herdmans, but I didn't see any open water in that direction.
I will check it the next time I'm there
Title: Re: benzie county.
Post by: jdgambler on Feb 02, 2018, 07:24 PM
thanks. I was just in Benzie. for 3 days. I just couldn't get away from big platte. found a hot spot.
Title: Re: benzie county.
Post by: netminder34 on Feb 04, 2018, 10:24 PM
Sorry for the late response, at the inlaws all weekend without internet, but yes as of Friday herdsman was fishable with guys fishing it. Talked to my sister and she knew the guys out there so it was a solid report.  Spent the weekend taking the father in law ice fishing on the lake he lives on north west of Clare.  Couple nice Pike, biggest was 32in, on tip ups and lots of dink perch and gills.

Still planning on the 16th back on Crystal but that might get moved up a week not sure yet.

Nice Laker Joe.

Friday and Saturday were pretty nice fishing but today with the wind was down right brutal on the hands and fingers.
Title: Re: benzie county.
Post by: ThreeDogsDown on Feb 09, 2018, 07:25 PM
FOUND ON LONG LAKE:   Jig box, well organized.   Found it pretty much around the center on the lake.  PM me and describe it.  I shall return it. 
Title: Re: benzie county.
Post by: jdgambler on Feb 10, 2018, 08:01 AM
any of you guys goimg to make it out on crystal this weekend? 2-10 - 2-11? I'm going to be in the area on 2-15 - 2-19. I'm thinking about herdmans bay or traverse bay if its ready
Title: Re: benzie county.
Post by: netminder34 on Feb 10, 2018, 09:09 PM
I will be headed up on the 15th it looks like.  Going to try to fish on the 15th everyone is backing out on me so may be fishing solo for the weekend.
Title: Re: benzie county.
Post by: jdgambler on Feb 11, 2018, 12:22 PM
where abouts you be fishing? On crystal I presume.
Title: Re: benzie county.
Post by: netminder34 on Feb 11, 2018, 02:17 PM
Thursday night for sure unless I hear something between now and then to change my plans.  The rest of the weekend will have to depend on the fish I guess.
Title: Re: benzie county.
Post by: netminder34 on Feb 12, 2018, 11:06 AM
Heard this morning 2 guys went through on Crystal on the west end yesterday.  Dont have a lot of details on if they were on exact location, machines or not, but looks like they made it out ok from the initial report I have.
Title: Re: benzie county.
Post by: pyro261 on Feb 12, 2018, 12:59 PM
Keep us updated if you can. I'd like to come up this weekend and bring my sled if possible
Title: Re: benzie county.
Post by: netminder34 on Feb 12, 2018, 02:21 PM
I will try to find out somemore info as I can.  I am planning on bringing my quad with me for the weekend also.  Should be ok where I am fishing but I think some of the lake has heavier snow cover than others which can be a big issue on the west end with the deeper water and last to freeze.
Title: Re: benzie county.
Post by: netminder34 on Feb 13, 2018, 11:55 AM
From what I have found out the guy was spudding and was on 6-8in of ice when all of a sudden he went through.  I will hopefully get a better report on snow cover tomorrow but last check was there were areas with little snow and some with drifts so be cautious as always and stay safe.
Title: Re: benzie county.
Post by: pyro261 on Feb 13, 2018, 12:17 PM
Is pretty much everything east of Lobb fine? 
Title: Re: benzie county.
Post by: netminder34 on Feb 13, 2018, 09:30 PM
I have not heard of any issues of ice on the East end or Herdsman.
Title: Re: benzie county.
Post by: ThreeDogsDown on Feb 14, 2018, 11:12 PM
We fished Lobb Road Monday night and there was 12+ inches with quads and snowmobiles most everywhere.  Even with it warm up today and tonight, we would have only lost the snow cover and a little ice.  Should be no problem. 
Title: Re: benzie county.
Post by: netminder34 on Feb 16, 2018, 09:17 AM
Got up late last night but went out for a couple hrs to the smelt gounds.  Got enough for bait and a few extra, moving kinda slow this morning with the late night.  Most likely going to hit the same spot tonight just earlier and planning on trout fishing tomorrow on crystal.  Ice last night was 12+ with a little slush and water on top but freezing over as I left around 230am.
Title: Re: benzie county.
Post by: Chad scholten on Feb 16, 2018, 01:44 PM
Anyone know how the ice condition is onbig platte and maybe a fishing report. Thank fellas
Title: Re: benzie county.
Post by: netminder34 on Feb 17, 2018, 06:48 AM
Haven't been to Platte but Crystal has not lost any ice and most of the snow is gone so surface slush has tightened up.  Hit the smelt again last night for another round about way he same results maybe a little better.  Did manage 2 burbot and lost one at the hole.  Headed out for a little trout fishing now.
Title: Re: benzie county.
Post by: netminder34 on Feb 17, 2018, 02:01 PM
Wow what a brutal wind today, not much snow and heavy winds not a good combination.  Pulling the sled with quad and spend most of the driving sideways as the wind would slide the shanty and rear of the quad right around.  Going into the wind was the only way to keep in line.  Not much action on the trout , a couple flags but all but 1 I am sure were wind trips.
Title: Re: benzie county.
Post by: netminder34 on Feb 19, 2018, 06:41 AM
Well trout fishing was a bust this weekend for me.  Had a few flags, watched several fish come up after jigs and smelt but no solid hookups.  Seems they were just slapping at them and not committing fully.  There were a few trout caught that a saw but few and far between for the weekend.  12-15" of ice everywhere I fished hoping it hold over the next couple days will be back on the 28th for some fishing.  Smelt bite was picked up for me over the weekend as I tested a new light, some were still struggling.
Title: Re: benzie county.
Post by: pyro261 on Feb 19, 2018, 10:04 AM
Had pretty much the same luck Sunday on trout. Had one hit we missed and caught another one. The positive (if you can call it that) is those are the only two marks we saw so they were at least biting if you could find any. The one I caught had a belly full of 8 smelt and still felt hungry enough to hit my lure. Wind was brutal, was blowing our shanty and my snowmobile that it was tied to across the ice on big gusts.
Title: Re: benzie county.
Post by: netminder34 on Feb 19, 2018, 01:52 PM
Thats no joke on the wind.  Everyone I know and the ones I talked to were doing about the same just a slow weekend.  I needed to find a couple of those hungry ones as the smelt I had down weren't sexy enough to entice a bite I guess.  Can't complain too much it was time on the ice.
Title: Re: benzie county.
Post by: jdgambler on Feb 23, 2018, 08:03 AM
I fished big platte for a week. Am bite is the best for me. Fought a few walleye and landed 1. Also got a 31" channel cat in 4 fow. good mess of jumbo perch. Several flags with 40 feet of line pulled out and no fish. Lots of action. 12" of good ice as of 2/23
(https://s18.postimg.cc/pvzfzpf05/IMG_2816.png) (https://postimg.cc/image/pvzfzpf05/)



(https://s18.postimg.cc/ye8w48gfp/IMG_2823.png) (https://postimg.cc/image/ye8w48gfp/)

(https://s18.postimg.cc/o46h55ybp/IMG_2822.png) (https://postimg.cc/image/o46h55ybp/)
Title: Re: benzie county.
Post by: jdgambler on Feb 24, 2018, 09:07 AM
I'll be back out on platte lake the 27th for a few days or until ice is unsafe. Hopefully walleye action heats up before the ice does!
Title: Re: benzie county.
Post by: Doeslayer on Feb 24, 2018, 02:45 PM
That's a helluva inland lake eye.... I gotta meet up with you next season... I'm a bit of a walleye imbecile... I fish for them way more than I catch them lol
Title: Re: benzie county.
Post by: netminder34 on Feb 24, 2018, 08:50 PM
Headed back up Wednesday for what I am thinking will be my last ice trip for the season.  Hoping the ice holds as the new light has been performing very nice with lots of light and 6+ hrs on a SLA(Vex style battery).  Would like to get a couple more nights of smelt fishing in before ice out and maybe the trout will be a little more cooperative.
Title: Re: benzie county.
Post by: jdgambler on Feb 25, 2018, 08:02 AM
its supposed to be a good moon phase by the end of the week. Hopefully I can show ya'll a limit on those hog eyes. I just hope the ice holds up. If not then steelhead should be in the river.
Title: Re: benzie county.
Post by: netminder34 on Feb 27, 2018, 12:13 PM
Not sounding good for conditions to be favorable and put me on the ice this weekend as hoped.  Lots of breakup around the shore on Crystal and guys pulling shanties are having a hard time getting them off, with reports of water out deep.  Not really sure if it is open water or just sitting on top of ice but no one really seems interested in going out to check for me, lol.  Conditions seem to have deteriorated a lot faster than I was expecting.  Well guess I will be thinking really hard tonight about my planned trip, crap!  Be safe if you venture out.
Title: Re: benzie county.
Post by: jdgambler on Feb 27, 2018, 12:22 PM
I'm heading up right now to check it out. I'll be on big platte
Title: Re: benzie county.
Post by: netminder34 on Feb 27, 2018, 12:26 PM
Good luck, Stay Safe.
Title: Re: benzie county.
Post by: iluvgillz on Mar 04, 2018, 06:30 PM
Hey fellas, any chance I could get one of you to help me out?  Heading to Crystal second week of August in our annual trip, gonna try to fish it for the first time.  I would love to exchange some pms if someone were willing.   I have a lot of good in-state fishing(mostly hard water) I'd be willing to exchange.  Most likely target perch, thanks in advance guys.  We pull our pontoon up btw and stay on what I would call the north East end by the marina. 
Title: Re: benzie county.
Post by: jdgambler on Mar 07, 2018, 05:46 AM
I went out Monday morning on 8" of ice on big platte. Has anybody been out on crystal lately?
Title: Re: benzie county.
Post by: jdgambler on Mar 10, 2018, 07:01 AM
wow! nobody??
Title: Re: benzie county.
Post by: Doeslayer on Mar 10, 2018, 06:11 PM
Put my ice gear in the rafters.... Walleye are running and suckers are next
Title: Re: benzie county.
Post by: jdgambler on Mar 11, 2018, 10:36 AM
i'll be back in Benzie within a week. If I don't see anyone on crystal I will be on the peir or in river.
Title: Re: benzie county.
Post by: TCTUNA on Mar 14, 2018, 07:54 PM
checked crystal sunday still looks good few guys out ,the gentelmen at backcast said 10" yet,when i asked why not alot of fisherman out he said guys are fishing rivers now.
Title: Re: benzie county.
Post by: jdgambler on Mar 15, 2018, 08:00 AM
thanks for the info .much appreciated
Title: Re: benzie county.
Post by: Barker1 on Mar 15, 2018, 08:58 AM
I have heard the Benzie River is hot right now, as is the Muskegon down state while fishing spawn.
Title: Re: benzie county.
Post by: jdgambler on Mar 15, 2018, 09:17 AM
betsie river in Benzie county
Title: Re: benzie county.
Post by: netminder34 on Mar 21, 2018, 11:44 AM
There have been some good days on the Betsie this spring.  Lots of beach fishing going on also last weekend from what I understand.  Fished the South end of the Big lake last weekend myself did well on early Coho.  Going to try to make a trip home this weekend.
Title: Re: benzie county.
Post by: jdgambler on Mar 21, 2018, 06:32 PM
I made it out on crystal for the past 4 days. ice conditions improved every day herdmans 6-9". Beulah bay 8-11". lobb road 7-9". newer dnr launch 8-10". should be good for a few more days. landed a coho and lots of perch some smelt.
Title: Re: benzie county.
Post by: netminder34 on Mar 22, 2018, 09:02 AM
I should be out trying smelt Saturday night.  Extended forecast looks like this might be the last weekend for decent ice.  Can only make it up for one night so far but may try to stay for Sunday night also.
Title: Re: benzie county.
Post by: DaveSS1 on Mar 22, 2018, 10:31 AM
I made it out on crystal for the past 4 days. ice conditions improved every day herdmans 6-9". Beulah bay 8-11". lobb road 7-9". newer dnr launch 8-10". should be good for a few more days. landed a coho and lots of perch some smelt.
How did you do on smelt?  I was out last Friday and ended up with 31.  Bite started late around 9:00 and slowed down by 11:00.  I measure a solid 10" on the SW side off one of the access points.
Title: Re: benzie county.
Post by: jdgambler on Mar 23, 2018, 06:56 AM
I don't try for smelt. I got a dozen. They are good bait.
Title: Re: benzie county.
Post by: jdgambler on Jan 08, 2019, 05:40 AM
Has the ice held up in this mild weather?
Title: Re: benzie county.
Post by: netminder34 on Jan 08, 2019, 12:48 PM
What Ice?  I heard there was a small section last week forming on the east end of Crystal but that's gone with these conditions.  The Bay has been locked up, then open, then locked up, then open on about a 3 or 4 day cycle.  I have only gotten report of a few of the smaller panfish lakes that have been fishable.  I have not heard any info on your favorite lake either, I may have to check into that one.
Title: Re: benzie county.
Post by: steely456 on Jan 08, 2019, 01:52 PM
Is arcadia lake froze???
Title: Re: benzie county.
Post by: netminder34 on Jan 08, 2019, 03:19 PM
Portage has ice but was not 100% locked up last weekend, guys were fishing around the Marina.  I have not heard anything on Arcadia and have not been by there myself but I would guess yes, at least in the basin I don't think it would be froze where there is water flow.
Title: Re: benzie county.
Post by: jdgambler on Jan 08, 2019, 04:36 PM
" my favorite lake"    LOL

It had people in it for a while.
Title: Re: benzie county.
Post by: netminder34 on Jan 08, 2019, 05:42 PM
It was raining earlier today in Frankfort but was supposed to change to a wintery mix and maybe some snow.  The rest of the week it is forecast to be cold but still above single digits so Crystal will probably get some ice forming at the east end and the other lakes like Herring's, Betsie, and "Platte" have a good chance of building ice through the weekend I would guess.  I am thinking mid Feb and I will be spending some weekends in the area until then I am scouting some lakes around the new house.
Title: Re: benzie county.
Post by: jdgambler on Jan 09, 2019, 06:41 AM
Net. Pm me when you are in the  Benzie area. maybe we can share a couple hot spots.
Title: Re: benzie county.
Post by: netminder34 on Jan 09, 2019, 03:27 PM
Will do, most likely 3 to 4 weeks depending on Crystal's Freeze.