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Michigan => Ice Fishing Michigan => Topic started by: jdgambler on Jan 27, 2018, 11:27 AM

Title: traverse bay
Post by: jdgambler on Jan 27, 2018, 11:27 AM
Any ice starting to form on the bays?
Title: Re: traverse bay
Post by: Caverla2 on Jan 27, 2018, 12:06 PM
Negative, not looking too good for ice this year on the bays. Had skim ice a few weeks ago but that's it.
Title: Re: traverse bay
Post by: jdgambler on Jan 27, 2018, 01:49 PM
the 2 week forecast looks pretty good.
Title: Re: traverse bay
Post by: Caverla2 on Jan 27, 2018, 07:11 PM
Did just notice that, it just takes so much for those things to ice over. I'd love to get out there this year and catch some monster perch!
Title: Re: traverse bay
Post by: icebuckboy on Jan 27, 2018, 07:57 PM
my brother-in-law is from Traverse City and says the rarely every freeze. must be the wind?
Title: Re: traverse bay
Post by: Doeslayer on Jan 27, 2018, 08:30 PM
The extreme depth makes it difficult for the water to remain cold enough.... East and West bays have over 400' depths...need extreme cold for lengthy periods to get em frozen...
Title: Re: traverse bay
Post by: jdgambler on Jan 27, 2018, 09:05 PM
keep your fingers crossed
Title: Re: traverse bay
Post by: Joe in T.C. on Jan 27, 2018, 09:52 PM
Hopefully with the cold snap it could happen. Both bays stopped steaming several weeks ago and we were getting shore ice and skim ice at night until we got the warm weather.

If it can grab hold it will make ice fast.

To be "officially"  frozen West Bay has to freeze about six miles out just past Power Island. Of course we fish the years when the ice only makes it out a mile or two although it is not "officially" frozen.

1997 to 2002 the bays did not "officially" freeze. Other than that there has never been a stretch of more than 3 years with out an official freeze dating back to 1853.

2014 and 2015 were both great years.

Now I got myself reminiscing, here are a few pictures:

(https://i.imgur.com/yxSCOj3l.jpg)
M-22 boat launch just south of Lee Point 2014

(https://i.imgur.com/gf7q80ml.jpg)
In front of Power Island on 18" of crystal clear ice  2014

(https://i.imgur.com/Y6VStm2l.jpg)
East bay with over a foot of clear ice  2015

(https://i.imgur.com/2w76KaKl.jpg)
East Bay Laker  2015

(https://i.imgur.com/UYotqpql.jpg)
Grand Traverse Resort and Casino from East Bay  2015

I will keep an eye on them and let you know if they go.

Good Luck All  :tipup:



Title: Re: traverse bay
Post by: Doeslayer on Jan 27, 2018, 10:15 PM
I got my vex charged my auger gassed up and my shanty ready to go.....all I need is the green light
Title: Re: traverse bay
Post by: jdgambler on Jan 28, 2018, 07:30 AM
thanks joe now I'm really ready
Title: Re: traverse bay
Post by: DaveSS1 on Jan 28, 2018, 02:33 PM
Hope you are all right.  Now that I have family back up there it would be nice to get out.  Last time I was out there was in 2004 and I remember fishing well into April.  It seamed like it was the winter that wouldn't quit.  Guys fished up and down both bays.
Title: Re: traverse bay
Post by: Joe in T.C. on Feb 07, 2018, 09:48 AM
Checked East Bay this morning   :clap: :thumbsup: :clap: :thumbsup:

Walked out about a hundred yards or so, had about 3" of ice maybe a bit more. would not be surprised if someone starts fishing it today.
Personally I like a little more ice, especially on the larger bodies of water.

At 600' its deeper than West Bay, its also narrower and usually freezes first.

West bay still has areas of open water. But if the wind stays down and the cold temps hang, things look promising

(https://i.imgur.com/nT9GKuel.jpg)
East Bay - Lawrence Gilroy roadside Park - 02-07-2018

(https://i.imgur.com/OC0gnt3l.jpg)
East Bay - Lawrence Gilroy roadside Park - 02-07-2018

(https://i.imgur.com/zHhuuwRl.jpg)
East Bay - Lawrence Gilroy roadside Park - 02-07-2018

(https://i.imgur.com/rAOmCChl.jpg)
West Bay - Open Space Park - 02-07-2018
Title: Re: traverse bay
Post by: jdgambler on Feb 07, 2018, 09:52 AM
wow that's great!!
Title: Re: traverse bay
Post by: netminder34 on Feb 07, 2018, 11:16 AM
Thanks for the update Joe.
Title: Re: traverse bay
Post by: Doeslayer on Feb 07, 2018, 04:43 PM
I might come Saturday if that's the case!
Title: Re: traverse bay
Post by: pyro261 on Feb 07, 2018, 11:40 PM
How far north does the ice on the bay extend?
Title: Re: traverse bay
Post by: jdgambler on Feb 08, 2018, 09:46 AM
Ya thanks Joe. let us know when you see folks out there.
Title: Re: traverse bay
Post by: pyro261 on Feb 08, 2018, 12:57 PM
Does anyone know about Little Traverse Bay? Satellite images show that has had ice for at least a week or more. An mlive article had an image saying 6-12" of ice there
Title: Re: traverse bay
Post by: icefishman on Feb 08, 2018, 01:41 PM
I was in Petoskey on Jan 31st and it was open water. Not sure if I’d trust a 6-12 report
Title: Re: traverse bay
Post by: jdgambler on Feb 09, 2018, 08:22 AM
find a bait shop in the area and give them a shout
Title: Re: traverse bay
Post by: ThreeDogsDown on Feb 09, 2018, 07:22 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: traverse bay
Post by: Doeslayer on Feb 10, 2018, 08:55 AM
Anyone fishing it yet
Title: Re: traverse bay
Post by: pyro261 on Feb 12, 2018, 07:02 AM
Anybody check it out this weekend? Bit of a warm up coming, could be over before it even started lol
Title: Re: traverse bay
Post by: jdgambler on Feb 12, 2018, 08:11 AM
I just called a couple places in the area and nobody I spoke with seems to have any info. although I think the lady I spoke with don't really know much.I'll try somewhere else .
Title: Re: traverse bay
Post by: Joe in T.C. on Feb 12, 2018, 01:23 PM
A couple guys were fishing West Bay today  Monday 2-12-18

Didn't have time to check East Bay

You never know with the bays, depends on the weather now.
Some years we get a couple of days, some years we get several weeks.

(https://i.imgur.com/XtA97v9l.jpg)
West Bay 2-12-18 The  ice is out past Power Island

(https://i.imgur.com/b0dZY8cl.jpg)
West Bay 2-12-18 Fishing in front of Boardman river
Title: Re: traverse bay
Post by: jdgambler on Feb 13, 2018, 08:35 AM
what do you like to fish for on the bays Joe? I've not ever made it out.
Title: Re: traverse bay
Post by: netminder34 on Feb 13, 2018, 11:51 AM
The times I have been out on the Bays we have targeted trout, whitefish, and cisco.
Title: Re: traverse bay
Post by: Joe in T.C. on Feb 13, 2018, 01:27 PM
My primary target is Lake Trout.

Whitefish and Cisco are also a good choice.

The perch are really nice when you can find them.

Of course Burbot are always welcome, but I don't specifically target them.

Something I want to try is spawn bags on Tip-Ups in semi-shallow water for Steelhead and Browns.

Title: Re: traverse bay
Post by: netminder34 on Feb 13, 2018, 09:37 PM
Hey Joe, I haven't fished steelhead on traverse through the ice but have on Betsie.  We used spawn and Wiggler's but not on tip ups.  We used 6ft rods with a strike indicator and rod propped up on the ice, might be a good place to try one of those auto fishing rigs.
Title: Re: traverse bay
Post by: Oscoda Ice on Feb 14, 2018, 05:59 AM
Looking good fellas.

http://www.mlive.com/weather/index.ssf/2018/02/grand_traverse_bay_officialy_f.html#incart_river_home

-Kyle
Title: Re: traverse bay
Post by: pyro261 on Feb 14, 2018, 08:08 AM
The real question is, how thick is the ice and how far out can you get and still have safe ice...

edit: Today's satellite - https://coastwatch.glerl.noaa.gov/modis/modis.php?region=m&page=1&template=sub&image=t1.18045.1643.LakeMichigan.143.250m.jpg
Title: Re: traverse bay
Post by: wingfan87 on Feb 16, 2018, 08:09 AM
Was in TC yesterday and drove by west bay and there were about 25 guys fishing just past the swimming area. Guessing 50 yards out? Didn't stop and talk to anyone, so I don't know what they were fishing for. Sorry not much help on a fishing report, but safe ice out at least 50 yards or so. Be careful. And good luck if you head out.
Title: Re: traverse bay
Post by: TC Wood Tick on Feb 16, 2018, 04:55 PM
About 50+ tents out at mouth of Boardman.  2 tents about a half mile at opening of Bower's Harbor north of Power Island and another 2 tents out 200 yards from launch at Bower's Harbor.
Title: Re: traverse bay
Post by: Doeslayer on Feb 16, 2018, 07:28 PM
I'll be there Wednesday morning at 9 am... Wife booked a hot tub room at a hotel up there on Groupon for 62$!!! So hot tubbing after fishing should be fine by me!!
Title: Re: traverse bay
Post by: tvlle on Feb 16, 2018, 09:03 PM
Here is the view about 3:-00PM today. Most have left. The word was they were catching perch, but not many jumbo.
(https://s14.postimg.cc/7e86lnfb1/20180216_151125.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/7e86lnfb1/)
Title: Re: traverse bay
Post by: Joe in T.C. on Feb 17, 2018, 10:23 AM
Check East bay today.

Walked a few hundred yards off Lawrence Gilroy Park, about 7" of ice

There were some guys fishing further North, but nothing like the crowd on West bay.

I heard there is about 4" of Ice on West bay off Clinch Park, but I did not actually check it.

(https://i.imgur.com/CXFZaL8l.jpg)

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

Good Luck All :tipup:
Title: Re: traverse bay
Post by: Doeslayer on Feb 17, 2018, 07:41 PM
Just checking or did you do some fishing Joe?
Title: Re: traverse bay
Post by: Joe in T.C. on Feb 17, 2018, 08:46 PM
Just checking it today, hoping to fish it soon  :tipup:
Title: Re: traverse bay
Post by: Caverla2 on Feb 17, 2018, 10:56 PM
I fished west bay on Wednesday, it was dink city for me. Even the better fish I caught that were keepers (8 1\2” and above” were super skinny. We won’t have to worry about ice after Monday anyways
Title: Re: traverse bay
Post by: Doeslayer on Feb 18, 2018, 10:11 PM
Think the ice will hold up til Wednesday? I got a room booked on the bay Wednesday evening but I'll probably end up on Skegamog or something safer
Title: Re: traverse bay
Post by: netminder34 on Feb 19, 2018, 06:24 AM
I hope it does but all the guys I know that have permanent shanties on Crystal pulled them yesterday from 10+.  Planning on fishing on the 28th.
Title: Re: traverse bay
Post by: Caverla2 on Feb 19, 2018, 08:21 AM
The bay isn’t going to golf after tomorrow. 50 and rain in TC. I fished skegemog on Saturday. Get ready to lose your mind, I saw lots of nice perch but nothing but the dinks were hungry
Title: Re: traverse bay
Post by: pyro261 on Feb 19, 2018, 09:57 AM
Fished the bays this weekend. Went out at deepwater point on East Bay. Past the pack ice it gets two hits with the spud. We setup a shanty in about 70' for a few hours. Ice was about 4" and got better the closer you got to shore. Got one big whitefish and lost another. then saw nothing on the flasher for an hour or more so we packed up and went over to West Bay. Dink perch from however deep it is near shore out to 80'. Jigged out in 110' for a while but never saw a fish. The ice coming out of the marina at Clinch was pretty shot by Saturday night.
Title: Re: traverse bay
Post by: Doeslayer on Feb 20, 2018, 06:03 PM
How bad a beating did the ice take today?
Title: Re: traverse bay
Post by: Doeslayer on Feb 21, 2018, 04:40 PM
Went out of Sylvan park in yuba to the end of the chunk ice... Chunky ice was 6-7 inches.... Once the ice was strait clear it slimmed down to about 4-5 inches.... 40' of water... No bits but had a school of something swim through 20' down... Dozen or so fish.... Looked like Cisco or whitefish but hard to tell only caught a glimpse.... Big body of water out there .... Idk the structure...
Title: Re: traverse bay
Post by: Doeslayer on Feb 21, 2018, 06:49 PM
Pics aren't loading... Can see 40' down plain as day... Clearest water I've ever seen.... Friggin amazing
Title: Re: traverse bay
Post by: pyro261 on Feb 22, 2018, 08:53 AM
I thought the same thing last weekend when I was out there. Never seen water so clear. I saw my white tube down 50'. probably could have seen it on the bottom if I had my glasses on.

Is the ice out there actually holding up? Figured it would be trash after the rain.  The forecast is garbage for the next 15. No highs below freezing.  Can't imagine it's making any more ice
Title: Re: traverse bay
Post by: Doeslayer on Feb 22, 2018, 07:41 PM
(https://s9.postimg.cc/bk2k4kzsb/20180221_153253.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/bk2k4kzsb/)
30 fow.... Can see the bottom in a cell phone pic.... Damn zebra mussels got it like bottled water.... That ice was 6.5 inches east bay Sylvan park... Yuba.... Another 100 yards past the chunk ice it dropped to 4.5 of solid clear ice.... I didn't have a Spud so I wasn't gonna venture on it..... It could fluctuate and I'd never know and in that bay they may never find my body
Title: Re: traverse bay
Post by: Doeslayer on Feb 22, 2018, 07:49 PM
I thought the same thing last weekend when I was out there. Never seen water so clear. I saw my white tube down 50'. probably could have seen it on the bottom if I had my glasses on.

Is the ice out there actually holding up? Figured it would be trash after the rain.  The forecast is garbage for the next 15. No highs below freezing.  Can't imagine it's making any more ice
ice is sketchy.... I wouldnt recommend a trip but I wasn't the only guy on the ice
Title: Re: traverse bay
Post by: jdgambler on Feb 23, 2018, 07:56 AM
I didn't make it to the bays . I'm stuck on platte . just cant leave this spot I found! landed a 31" channel cat and a 27" walleye. also fought a few fish that got off!
(https://s18.postimg.cc/bybrdwlyd/IMG_2816.png) (https://postimg.cc/image/bybrdwlyd/)

(https://s18.postimg.cc/todfyymol/IMG_2822.png) (https://postimg.cc/image/todfyymol/)

(https://s18.postimg.cc/sm39gfyqd/IMG_2823.png) (https://postimg.cc/image/sm39gfyqd/)

(https://s18.postimg.cc/g7ghg5239/IMG_2811.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/g7ghg5239/)