Best Lake for Ice Fishing Trip

[CeePac]

Based on available AirBnb/VRBO - we've decided upon 3 lakes for our annual ice fishing trip. 

If you've been to any of these lakes - all feedback is appreciated.  I can really only find good fishing information on Gun Lake.

Gun Lake @ Middleville, MI, USA

Lake Manuka @ Gaylord, Michigan

Long Lake @ Traverse City, MI


Last year we did Tea Lake in Lewiston area and had terrible luck - 1 fish between 6 guys. Looking to improve upon that this year....

[MC_angler]

Don't feel bad about striking out on Tee Lake... it's can be a super tough lake to fish even in the summer, and harder still in the winter

I would probably say Gun Lake if you are gonna stick to one lake

But there's a bunch of lakes nearby Traverse City and Gun Lake areas.

[jschragg]

gun Lake south wayland?

[Joe in T.C.]

These are the Lakes that I icefish the most around Traverse City

Arbutus Lake: Gills, Crappies, Perch, and Pike.
Access off the park on lake #5  or boat launch on lake#4

Spider lake: Crappies, Gills, Perch and Pike.
Access off the boat launch.

lake Dubonnet: Pike and Panfish and a few perch.
Access off boat launch and the campground.

Lake Skegemog (by the casino off 72): Perch and Pike lake.
Access off the boat launch.

Long Lake: Walleye and Perch lake (Walleyes and Perch can run small, you will have to sort) Pike and Panfish also. Access off two boat launches (Gilbert park and Crescent shores Rd.) as well as the township park across from Long lake store (Taylor Park).

Green lake:  Smelt, Pike, Panfish and Lake Trout.
Access off two boat launches and Diamond park road.

Of course, my favorite ice fishing spots are East and West Grand Traverse Bay. IF and WHEN and WHAT years they freeze, hopefully, they freeze again this year.
These are just a few great lakes in the area there are dozens more.

I also will make the drive to fish Lake Cadillac and Lake Mitchell several times during the winter and its almost always worth the trip.
Pilgrims Village on Lake Mitchell has reasonably priced cabins and hotel rooms as well as bait and supplies, you can fish right out your front door!

Depending on what way you’re coming in here are some bait shops:

Cherry land Grocery at 19114 Honor Hwy, Interlochen, MI 49643  phone  231-275-7755
Long Lake Grocery  at  9374 N Long Lake Rd, Traverse City, MI 49685  phone 231-946-4249
Roy's General store at  963 E Hammond Rd, Traverse City, MI 49686   phone 231-947-6810

All of these places have live bait including minnows, tackle, beer, groceries, hot foods, gas, lotto, plus a whole lot more.

Wherever you decide, have fun and I hope this helped.

Good luck All 

[CeePac]

gun Lake south wayland?

The airbnb says Middleview but its in Allegan and Barry county

[Iceassin]

The airbnb says Middleview but its in Allegan and Barry county

Yup...the State Park is in Barry County (Middleville) and the County Park is Allegan County (Wayland)...or Shelbyville...or Orangeville...or Martin. Take your pick.😉 Anyway, there are much better lakes in the state to take a fishing trip.

[MC_angler]

These are the Lakes that I icefish the most around Traverse City

Arbutus Lake: Gills, Crappies, Perch, and Pike.
Access off the park on lake #5  or boat launch on lake#4

Spider lake: Crappies, Gills, Perch and Pike.
Access off the boat launch.

lake Dubonnet: Pike and Panfish and a few perch.
Access off boat launch and the campground.

Lake Skegemog (by the casino off 72): Perch and Pike lake.
Access off the boat launch.

Long Lake: Walleye and Perch lake (Walleyes and Perch can run small, you will have to sort) Pike and Panfish also. Access off two boat launches (Gilbert park and Crescent shores Rd.) as well as the township park across from Long lake store (Taylor Park).

Green lake:  Smelt, Pike, Panfish and Lake Trout.
Access off two boat launches and Diamond park road.

Of course, my favorite ice fishing spots are East and West Grand Traverse Bay. IF and WHEN and WHAT years they freeze, hopefully, they freeze again this year.
These are just a few great lakes in the area there are dozens more.

I also will make the drive to fish Lake Cadillac and Lake Mitchell several times during the winter and its almost always worth the trip.
Pilgrims Village on Lake Mitchell has reasonably priced cabins and hotel rooms as well as bait and supplies, you can fish right out your front door!

Depending on what way you’re coming in here are some bait shops:

Cherry land Grocery at 19114 Honor Hwy, Interlochen, MI 49643  phone  231-275-7755
Long Lake Grocery  at  9374 N Long Lake Rd, Traverse City, MI 49685  phone 231-946-4249
Roy's General store at  963 E Hammond Rd, Traverse City, MI 49686   phone 231-947-6810

All of these places have live bait including minnows, tackle, beer, groceries, hot foods, gas, lotto, plus a whole lot more.

Wherever you decide, have fun and I hope this helped.

Good luck All 

Now that is a SUPER generous and helpful post, hope you appreciate it OP!

[CeePac]

Now that is a SUPER generous and helpful post, hope you appreciate it OP!

Agreed! This is why I enjoy coming to this forum - for all the helpful hints everyone is so generous to offer!

[Hoosier38]

I'm also planning a trip, leaning towards Long Lake (Traverse City).  Would it be a safe bet that there would be safe ice Jan. 8-13 or should I push it back a week or two?  Weather projections look good (i know they're not always accurate).

[Doeslayer]

Long lake is fairly shallow on the lower end and should freeze fast but upper long is real deep and may take longer... Joe in tc is the coolest dude on this forum man i tell ya what

[Joe in T.C.]

Thank you Doeslayer, much appreciated.

We always think we will get on Long Lake mid-late December, but it rarely happens.

We normally get an inch or so of ice mid-late December, We get optimistic, then we get a foot of snow and it all turns into a slushy sloppy mess.

Often but not always by the first or second week of January, Long will often have fishable ice.

Jan 8-13th may be fine, keep an eye on this site for updates.

Good Luck All