Author Topic: Good first ice lakes around Grand Rapids (Read 1659 times)

danspazman · « **on:** Dec 15, 2011, 12:02 PM »

I moved up here to GR last week to find a job and now that I'm employed, I'm wondering what are some good lakes to try after they grow a roof. I'm looking for something within an hour and half of Grand Rapids that isn't too large and has a public access.

Once the ice is solid, I'll hit Gun, Lake Mac and Muskegon. But till then I'd like something smaller and accessible.

Incogneato · « **Reply #1 on:** Dec 15, 2011, 04:39 PM »

41 views and this is the first reply. Welcome, not much lake name dropping here. Hopefully you will get some pm's.

crosscobra · « **Reply #2 on:** Dec 15, 2011, 07:59 PM »

I will drop some lake names but you will have to do your own homework on where to fish. Big and little whitefish, reeds, wabisis, camp, cranberry, duncan, fennesy, big pine island, bass lake ( ne kent county) . These are all good lakes wthin half hour of downtown gr. Dnr website has lake maps of all lakes as well.

Doc Hollywood · « **Reply #3 on:** Dec 16, 2011, 01:11 AM »

I agree with Cobra, I could add a few more but they are all private and no public access. I would add Dean lake it freezes fairly early if you stay away from the big hole. The harbors have 7 ft max and freeze fairly early relative to other lakes. Many people arent going to name drop and give you lake specific information, they may offer to take you along sometime, but its something you still have to work for a bit to help out the group

tip ups · « **Reply #4 on:** Dec 16, 2011, 01:35 AM »

If your talken Gun lk. in Yankee Springs. hope your catch and release only!! been around that lake my hole life and I won"t eat from there........ IMO

pzoch · « **Reply #5 on:** Dec 17, 2011, 08:44 AM »

I thin C.C. covered the list pretty well.When we actually get some
safe ice, give another shout out and maybe someone will offer to
take you along to one of the lakes.

Iceassin · « **Reply #6 on:** Dec 17, 2011, 08:51 AM »

Big Crooked out past Cannonsburg usually freezes ealier than most.

TK81 · « **Reply #7 on:** Dec 17, 2011, 05:16 PM »

Quote from: tip ups on Dec 16, 2011, 01:35 AM

If your talken Gun lk. in Yankee Springs. hope your catch and release only!! been around that lake my hole life and I won"t eat from there........ IMO

Yo tip ups...would you mind sharing why you wouldn't eat fish out of Gun Lake? I could be in big trouble. My boy and I just gobbled a big plate of perch I got there yesterday. I know the water was a bit iffy before the sewer system went in in the 70's, but the water has looked great for years.

icyveins · « **Reply #8 on:** Dec 17, 2011, 05:24 PM »

keep in touch im surprised you cant hear me yelling at the top of my lungs because we still dont have ice!

tip ups · « **Reply #9 on:** Dec 17, 2011, 06:07 PM »

got a good mess of gills out of there 2 yrs. ago made me and my hole family sick as a dog, and the rashes my kid got every time they went in the water. But I'M sure that can happen any where. But if a dog bites ya are you going to pet it again?? I still fish there for pike just some thing BIG then release.

TK81 · « **Reply #10 on:** Dec 17, 2011, 07:05 PM »

Thanks for the clarification Tip Ups. Never have eaten gills out of there. Perch, Specks, and a few Walleyes. Never had any issues, but I thought you might divulge some toxic mess. Always have been rumors the old landfill on Patterson (north of the Lake a mile or so) used to leech into Robins Bay.

tip ups · « **Reply #11 on:** Dec 17, 2011, 07:17 PM »

I"d belive it at one time it was a dumping ground for GOD only knows what,, still a heck of a lot f traffic on that lake all summer long... I'M in to the smaller lks. when it comes to ice fishing

TK81 · « **Reply #12 on:** Dec 17, 2011, 07:25 PM »

I used to run around with the owner's kids. I can verify that just about anything and eveything went in the ground there...but they closed it down in the 70's and although the rumors were flying, I never remember hearing anything about a fish advisory. Of course, back then they were probably more concerned about DDT and that mess.

DaveSS1 · « **Reply #13 on:** Dec 17, 2011, 07:26 PM »

Gun is a tough place to fish in the summer unless you get there early. Best time IMO is late Fall and winter.

tip ups · « **Reply #14 on:** Dec 17, 2011, 07:34 PM »

I agree to many young kids out with jetskis and boats having fun....but that's what summers for when you young

DaveSS1 · « **Reply #15 on:** Dec 17, 2011, 07:37 PM »

yeah I dont mind the occasional kid that likes to ride my wake on the back to the launch, but the party boats get old...though it can be entertaining when they throttle it up into the West bay and come to a complete stop!!!!

tip ups · « **Reply #16 on:** Dec 17, 2011, 07:45 PM »

The old saying never gets old

tip ups · « **Reply #17 on:** Dec 17, 2011, 07:46 PM »

young and dumb

TK81 · « **Reply #18 on:** Dec 17, 2011, 07:48 PM »

More than a couple lower units have met their match on the west side.

I only fish Gun in the late fall or winter, mostly just late fall. Used to night troll for eyes in the summer, but that was many moons ago when I lived on the lake.

If a guy knows where to go and hits it at the right time, the lake has some excellent perch.

tip ups · « **Reply #19 on:** Dec 17, 2011, 07:54 PM »

you guys get in the tournament that Gilets does in the winter?

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Author Topic: Good first ice lakes around Grand Rapids (Read 1659 times)