IceShanty.com's Ice Fishing Community
Michigan => Ice Fishing Michigan => Topic started by: Oldreddbeard on Jan 04, 2016, 09:37 PM
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You guys done any scouting for ice lately? Checked the dell rd lakes out. The only areas that were iced was maybe a half inch. the first and 4th just the little tree covered coves.
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I took a look at Interstate today. It's completely covered with slick ice. Somebody had gone out a few feet recently and checked with a spud, but they didn't go any farther. No telling what will happen with the rain and snow coming, but I'm worried about slush.
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Im gonna go check out park, lansing, and crego tomorrow. Ill keep you posted
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Old red
Are you talking crego park by the zoo? I live by there but never checked it out. Which lake are you talking? Fidelity had a skim on half of it the other day.
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Old red
Are you talking crego park by the zoo? I live by there but never checked it out. Which lake are you talking? Fidelity had a skim on half of it the other day.
Yes sir crego park, just cuz its in the area.
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The bayou of red cedar? Whats in there? Always planned to try it for poke but never got around to it
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Dell rd ponds are at 2 1/2 with an inch of slop. Stll got on em though. Didnt go out too far. Hawk island has about 3-3 1/2 of honey comb. Got on it today as well. Not much action but man was it nice just getting out.
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Good to hear you got on some ice. Was anybody else out there?
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Nope, but there were several vehicles slowly driving by and staring. Probably thought i was crazy. Haha
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Old red
Are you also known as power auger Jon?
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how about Fox Knoll?
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Neither? Haha
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Heading to Park/Crego/Hawk/ and maybe interstate tomorrow guys. Ill post updates tomorrow night.
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Would live to visit rose and fox knoll, but have never checked them out. Anyone have parking details on either of these ponds?
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that would be me taco. where do i know you from?
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Would live to visit rose and fox knoll, but have never checked them out. Anyone have parking details on either of these ponds?
Want to definitely have 4WD for Rose. Parking is on the North side of the lake off of Stoll Rd. If you reach the DNR office you've gone too far. Fox Knoll has a few parking spots on the south side of the lake off of State Rd. I haven't fished either for years now. Good luck if you get out there.
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Hey wetfoot are you fishing tomarrow. ?
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Got out on Park today. Ice is a little spotty by shore but gets better as you walk towards the pit. About 4-5 inches of honey comb. Not enough to call safe exactly but as soon as i got out there people were stopping and staring, probably wondering if I was either crazy, or surpised the icecwas actually walkable. Get there at 9 all by my lonesome, by the time I left there were six more guys out there. Bring your spuds and picks if you plan on checking it out. Bite wasnt all that great but still great to get out. Also stopped by Round. Went out about 50 feet found only 2 inches, then heard a pressure crack, turned my ass around real quick. Wednesday is the start to my vacation. I plan to fish all day every day so if anyone wants to meet up, two drills are better than one!
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Drove around Fox Knoll/Rose/Potter last night. There were truck tracks at all of them, I only saw foot prints at Potter so I walked out and found about 3 inches. I wasnt brave enough to try where I didnt see others had gone as I am far from an expert. Hoping to get out tomorrow and that the warmth today didnt affect it too much!
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Ehhhh, id give it another day maybe dude. IMO. Just to be safe. However, The rain and warmer twmps today will help melt the snow thats insulating it from freezing. Temps the next few days lookin reel good. Ill be back out on wednesday. Might check out interstate, and heard davis pits has got some walkable ice as well.
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Drove around Fox Knoll/Rose/Potter last night. There were truck tracks at all of them, I only saw foot prints at Potter so I walked out and found about 3 inches. I wasnt brave enough to try where I didnt see others had gone as I am far from an expert. Hoping to get out tomorrow and that the warmth today didnt affect it too much!
I'd suggest don't push it for tomorrow, especially if you're not familiar with the lake. As warm as it was today, that could weaken the iffy ice we've got. But it will set things up to make nice ice when we get the single digit nights they predict starting Sunday. I don't want to take any chances, but it looks like I could finally get out next week!
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I'd suggest don't push it for tomorrow, especially if you're not familiar with the lake. As warm as it was today, that could weaken the iffy ice we've got. But it will set things up to make nice ice when we get the single digit nights they predict starting Sunday. I don't want to take any chances, but it looks like I could finally get out next week!
Ditto. Where you hittin first?
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Probably Lake Interstate because it's the closest for me.
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I'll be taking a drive to Lake Interstate just to get out of the house. Antsy to go fishing somewhere, just not ready to venture on the ice with the warm spell we just had.
Good luck fellas, be safe!
Steve
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Im suiting up and going fishing somewhere today, this has gone on long enough.
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Im suiting up and going fishing somewhere today, this has gone on long enough.
You find some???
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Probably Lake Interstate because it's the closest for me.
Came by there yesterday about 2pm didn't look like anyone had been on it, woops that was Sunday I was by there
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Lake Ovid has 5 inches I was out by the island of boat launch 12 foot of water
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anyone ben on or checked the ice on the upper grand in lans ?
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Lake Ovid has 5 inches I was out by the island of boat launch 12 foot of water
How was the bite on Ovid? I haven't really heard many good things about the winter bite there.
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Has anyone checked out muskrat or ovid lakes yet ? Planning to head up to Grayling this weekend .
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Has anyone checked out muskrat or ovid lakes yet ? Planning to head up to Grayling this weekend .
Was probably going to check Muskrat and Round on wednesday. Ill post updates for ya.
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Bite on lake ovid was very slow the tree hours i was there
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Any report for the ice on lake lansing or any of the surrounding lakes? looking to get out in the next day or 2
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I got out on park lake last week before the warm up. Havent checked lake lansing yet.
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I went out on peacock last night ice was a good 5inches on the south side of the lake the cove at the north aide was about 3 inches. Did pretty well lots of little ones mixed in though.
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I'd suggest don't push it for tomorrow, especially if you're not familiar with the lake. As warm as it was today, that could weaken the iffy ice we've got. But it will set things up to make nice ice when we get the single digit nights they predict starting Sunday. I don't want to take any chances, but it looks like I could finally get out next week!
Fox Knoll 4+" and being fished. Sloooow fishing, though. Caught 5 keepers and 3 dinks that froze and had to keep anyway.
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Doesn't seem like the bite has been all that good in general. It won't keep me off the ice though. The season is underway guys.
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I went out on peacock last night ice was a good 5inches on the south side of the lake the cove at the north aide was about 3 inches. Did pretty well lots of little ones mixed in though.
Whereabouts is Peacock??
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Peacock is on peacock rd in bath. Its right next to the highway I69 there is a little place to park next to the highway overpass
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If you fish peacock I wouldnt bring a shanty. There is a tree down blocking the trail so you would have to lift it over it or vring a chainsaw lol
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Hit up a few ponds out on the south side. Checked round. Got skeched out after hearing multiple pressure cracks while spudding. Won't be out there for a couple more days. However, made it out to Interstate, along with quite a few other fellas. Bite was okay. Headed out to Muskrat tomorrow and might head put to some Barry County lakes. Fingers crossed. Hope the ice is treating you all well.
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made it out to Interstate, along with quite a few other fellas. Bite was okay.
I was one of those fellas! Didn't notice anybody with a red beard, so I guess our paths didn't cross. I agree, okay is a good description for the bite.
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Round lake in laingsburg? I was at the bait store there in wednesday and someone had a quad and shanty out on the ice. I tried little moon also on wednesday night the bite was very slow and no size to the fish. I tried cenic tonight and cuaght some crappie ill probably head to foxknoll or mud in the morning and I will let you guys know how the bite was
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I was one of those fellas! Didn't notice anybody with a red beard, so I guess our paths didn't cross. I agree, okay is a good description for the bite.
You'll always see me wearing my lucky blue menards hoody. Come say hi next time.
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Round lake in laingsburg? I was at the bait store there in wednesday and someone had a quad and shanty out on the ice. I tried little moon also on wednesday night the bite was very slow and no size to the fish. I tried cenic tonight and cuaght some crappie ill probably head to foxknoll or mud in the morning and I will let you guys know how the bite was
I know I saw the tracks, but i think the wait of the quads split it all upon. Theres pressure cracks all over it. And i kept hearing it split with ever spud wack. Idk, just too skechy for me at least. Theres holes drilled out there though.
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OldRedBeard
Are you going scouting this weekend? If you do, would you like some company? I am eager, and available. Very itchy, too. Just like everyone else.
I just finally got approved for posting, else I would have asked sooner!
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OldRedBeard
Are you going scouting this weekend? If you do, would you like some company? I am eager, and available. Very itchy, too. Just like everyone else.
I just finally got approved for posting, else I would have asked sooner!
Hell yeh dude! PM me.
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Hell yeh dude! PM me.
Think he needs 3 posts, to use pm
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Also, checked out Muskrat today. The bite was spotty and light. Decided to pack up and head to Sessions. Never in my life have i ever drilled over 50 holes and hardly mark less than 10 fish let alone not a single bite. I was gonna wait it out for the evening bite but got frustrated and here i ended up back at muskrat. Hopefully the evening bite goes better than the morning. Hope all you guys are getting out now that we finally have some good ice. Post your updates!
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Well, if it is posts I need, this is number three. I will try to PM you!
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How was the ice on lake interstate? Just got my first shanty and I am ready to break her in. I'm in Charlotte so that is a pretty easy lake to get to and on to.
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How was the ice on lake interstate? Just got my first shanty and I am ready to break her in. I'm in Charlotte so that is a pretty easy lake to get to and on to.
7" on Thursday. Enjoy your new shanty.
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Thank you for the reply that is what I like to hear!
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Stopped at round. Bite was eh. The old man had a few flags while i marked a couple fish. Who knows where ill end up tomorrow? If you see a red bearded fellow in a blue menards hoodie. Come say hi and sip some whiskey witchya boy.
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I hit interstate from 4pm until 7:30pm. Caught 4 small ones out from the dock that is it. Lots of lite bites. I didn't move much not sure if that would have helped. I miss my Marcum I left it up north retrieving it next weekend. New Clam power drill auger was awesome, I love it. This was my first time out alone on ice, man I hate the sounds it makes when the sun goes down. I know it's good but it still creeps me out.
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I hit interstate from 4pm until 7:30pm. Caught 4 small ones out from the dock that is it. Lots of lite bites. I didn't move much not sure if that would have helped. I miss my Marcum I left it up north retrieving it next weekend. New Clam power drill auger was awesome, I love it. This was my first time out alone on ice, man I hate the sounds it makes when the sun goes down. I know it's good but it still creeps me out.
Dude im with you man, i was on muskrat the other day and had my head phones in blaring music and still heard one that sounded like a gun shot. Lol but yes, it is a good thing.
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I dont know where everyone gets their minnows but the bait store on round lake is out of pike minnows and was running low on crappie minnows. They said they werent sure when they would get more pike minnows in becuase there supplier was out.
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I dont know where everyone gets their minnows but the bait store on round lake is out of pike minnows and was running low on crappie minnows. They said they werent sure when they would get more pike minnows in becuase there supplier was out.
Go grab some guppies at the meijer bro! No need for UV tackle!
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Also me and Usedone met up at Morrison today. VERY light bite but theyre out there.
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Anybody been on Sessions?
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Went out this time last week. Wasted about 3 hours out there. Marked maybe 5 fish. Not a nibble.
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Haven't gotten out since monday. There was about 5-7 everywhere i went last week. How are the ice conditions holding up? I have tomorrow and tuesday off. Was hoping to get out but the weather is saying otherwise.
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Geez this weather here is terrible! Fox Knoll to me seems tapped out. A bunch of small fish, nothing worth cleaning anymore. Way too much traffic for its size. So I am always looking for new lakes or ponds to fish. Haven't made it to Round Lake yet but being I live in Laingsburg it might be a good option. Where is the best place to get on at?
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Anyone been out? I heard there was a few guys out on Lake Victoira in Laingsburg today. I live close to Lake Interstate and would love to get out this weekend but driving by this week it didn't look to good. Have been driving to South branch to fish the Au Sable with my Pops but the 3.5 hour trip each way is getting old. Nights have been good for ice but now we have 3 more days above freezing, 42F on Sunday. This sucks. Next week looks great but I have to work all weekend...
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Im waiting it out until the weekend (which i somehow got off from work?). Great temps starting monday.
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Well I got tomorrow off but work all weekend. Self employed so I can't complain to much haha. I just drove to Lake Interstate just to eyeball it and see if anyone was out. There was one fresh set of tracks heading out with a shanty, looks like they went out pretty far. there were return tracks as well so that is always a good thing. I stood on the shore ice it was solid as a rock. I will go tomorrow with my spud and auger and inch my way out and see what it looks like. It has been mighty cold the last few nights, the lake was making noise while I was there. I am an ice chicken, I like it much better when the lake is littered with ice shantys. Anyone been out yet this week in the Lansing area?
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Thanks for the ice report. Encouraging that the shore ice seems solid. I haven't been out this week, but from the way you describe it, and the weather we are having, I'd guess Interstate should be okay tomorrow. Like you say, use your spud and be careful.
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Went out on lake alliance in potterville last night and braved the brutal winds, plenty of ice, 6+ inches of solid clear ice and it was popping all around me making more ice all night so im sure this weekend will be great, that being said anyone that wants a fishing buddy for tomorrow let me know i always end up fishing by myself
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Nice thanks for the report. I am not familiar with Lake Alliance, I'm in between Charlotte and Potterville. How is that lake? Is it the lake everyone swims at? Unfortunately I cannot get out until Monday. 10 day weather report is calling for 53F next Friday....**censored**
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No i dont think ur allowed to swim there, bluegill perch crappie have all been caught there, supposedly trout were planted there at one time, i think max depth is 30ft but dont quote me, i always stay around 14ft
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Im hoping to get out Saturday in the Bath area, what do you guys think, will there still be plenty of ice for safety come mid day Saturday? (Assuming we hit 50ish Friday)
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Went out last week right before the warm up. Not expecting to hear what id like, but whats the ice (if any) lookin like? The weather next week might help for one last skechy trip out. We have rain tomorrow and tuesday, the lows around 18 for a good 5 days or so. Thoughts?
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Its that time of the years again lansing-ians!!! Who hittin what come first ice? Ill probably be checking davis pits most of the time just cuz its right down the street from me. But plan on hitting saubee and lake lansing once we get a few inches of solid clear. Idk bout you guys but im more pumped this year than any. After last year, things could only get better.
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Trying not to get too excited too early. Between work and the bad weather last year, I only got out once in January and a few times here and there in February.
Hoping for better this year.
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Have already see skim hear and there guys and have heard reports of small ponds a little further west that have already locked up. Obviously, no respectable amount of ice, but were looking a hell of a lot better than last year already
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Ill be giving you guys updates on ice conditions by late next week. Keep your fingers crossed that all the snow just melts on top of the water before we get into those teen temps. This year is already looking up compared to alst year!
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I am pumped as well. Last year was my first year with my own shanty and I only got to use it twice. Look back on this page and on Feb. 11th we are wondering if we had good ice on a small lake. Horrible. This year is off to a great start! On Friday I passed Lake interstate, looked like skim ice only, mostly to the right of the fishing dock in that shallow cove, the rest was open still. The small pond next to interstate was completely locked up.
I will be patient and wait for a solid 4+ before I consider heading out, no rush. I can wait until after Christmas. Heading up to South Branch on the 27th, hoping the cove off the Au Sable I fish is good to go. I am feeling it, I think this winter is going to treat us well. Stay safe and keep the reports coming. I am going by Interstate on Wednesday, I will at least get a visual.
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I am pumped as well. Last year was my first year with my own shanty and I only got to use it twice. Look back on this page and on Feb. 11th we are wondering if we had good ice on a small lake. Horrible. This year is off to a great start! On Friday I passed Lake interstate, looked like skim ice only, mostly to the right of the fishing dock in that shallow cove, the rest was open still. The small pond next to interstate was completely locked up.
I will be patient and wait for a solid 4+ before I consider heading out, no rush. I can wait until after Christmas. Heading up to South Branch on the 27th, hoping the cove off the Au Sable I fish is good to go. I am feeling it, I think this winter is going to treat us well. Stay safe and keep the reports coming. I am going by Interstate on Wednesday, I will at least get a visual.
Heck yeah dude. Ill try my best at getting all the west lansing ponds and lakes looked at and reported. Maybe we can heat this thread back up and get some guys from other corners of eaton to give somereports too so no one is wasting gas driving all over creation. Soon to be tight lines guys!
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You ingham and other bordering counties can also chime in as well if you'd like ;)
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My buddy lives on Round Lake, I am actually from Laingsburg. My better half grew up on that lake. He said tonight it was 60% covered. Also said he would be on it this weekend but not over his head. I don't know if he will be fishing or screwing around but I will have him keep me updated on Round. I will drive past Lake Interstate tomorrow and maybe even stop to have a look. I will report back. It is cold tonight! 13f currently.
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http://imgur.com/MPepe6V
http://imgur.com/D1CEUYc
Stopped by Interstate. No open water, shore still a little nasty. You can tell the deep part just locked up, there was no snow on top what I assume is the deepest part. That or the wind hit that part of the lake right. I went by Friday it was 90% open. Someone has already tested by shore. This snow sucks but the wind is helping keep it somewhat clear from what I could tell. I am in no rush, excited, but I won't be the first person out there.
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Heading to Park/Crego/Hawk/ and maybe interstate tomorrow guys. Ill post updates tomorrow night.
L Lansing is locked up and the snow's not sticking on it so far
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New to this form. I live half way between Crego Park and Hawk Island. Never ice fished either but did walk out on ice last year just as a guy pull I'm guessing a bass over six pounds. The small pond inside the dog park we use to get really nice gills now they won't let you fish it.
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Welcome WD. We're neighbors, kinda. I might try the south side of Cavanaugh. That pit's produced a few crappies but never seen a big one. And Park Lake can produce a few perch in shallow first ice.
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Those were my spud marks i went out last night. Only a crappy 1 1/2 inches all the way around. Snow screwed us. But by sunday i think it will be good.
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Those were my spud marks i went out last night. Only a crappy 1 1/2 inches all the way around. Snow screwed us. But by sunday i think it will be good.
On lake interstate.
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Checked Sessions and Morrisom in Ionia County today. Sessions was still half open water, Morrison was iced over with about 1 1/2 " just out from the launch.
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compli123 I checked the south side somebody was just coming off he said 1 1/2 of ice less on south end. He caught a couple small ones. Crego has some open water on shore line and Hawk island has plowed the parking lot shut to boat launch so I didn't check it. No signs anybody has either. Week ends looks good. I live off Aurelianus just north of Cavanaugh.
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Anybody checked out Muskrat or Sleepy hollow?
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Anybody checked out Muskrat or Sleepy hollow?
Go out there and give it a look see and let us know ;)
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That is funny redbeard, you beat me to it. DNR was sitting there all by his lonesome when I showed up.
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Hey wormdunker, I've got 50' of rope. Let's take a drive today and check out Fox Knoll, Lake Lansing, Sleepy Hollow. You take one end and I''ll hold the other from shore.
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Hey wormdunker, I've got 50' of rope. Let's take a drive today and check out Fox Knoll, Lake Lansing, Sleepy Hollow. You take one end and I''ll hold the other from shore.
Let me know how that goes! I was thinking about checking fox knoll (I still won't be fishing probably until hunting is over).
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compli123 I'm up for that but I'm pretty portly so I'll stay on bank and feed you the rope. If you're feeling lucky I think I have a 200ft anchor rope in the garage :)
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C'mon guys, dintchya know all you need is one of those handy dandy floatation suits to survive on first ice. ;D
Btw, i keep hearing about fox knoll. Where the heck is it? Can a small sub compact car park somewhere near it without getting stuck? A truck is in the works for next year guys. Keep your fingers crossed for me this year. Lol
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Anyone heading out this weekend or doing any checks? Going to be crap weather, luckily the wind seems to be keeping some lakes cleared off. Drove by interstate today, the ice looked healthy. Nice and black. I plan on taking work off Wednesday and going out with the nice weather and hopefully some great ice. I am looking forward to more ice reports.
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I'm going out early tomorrow morning. Not quite sure yet, as im not sure how well my tiny car will do on any backroads with all the snow. But, no matter what I'm getting out tomorrow. Ill report back later tomorrow. My buddy got on some ice in okemos today. Said it was skechy but he iced some fish.
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I'm from shiawassee county so I'm all for Lansing or flint ice info. Ty
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Alrighty fellas, here's the scoop. Dell rd ponds - 2" of crap ice. Hawk island - 2" of crap ice. Almost gave up but then remembered last year I was the first one to stand on Park Lake. It happened again this year again fellas. Park lake has about 3" of crap by shore, but about 75 yards out turns into 5" in SOME SPOTS. The snow drifts that piled up REALLY insulated the ice. I went from 5" to ONE SPUD WACK and almost lost my damn spud. However, i got on a few fish, bite was also spotty. Jigged up a nice 15" bass on a noodle rod that was fun. However, the story from Park Lake last year proved to be consistent this year... Just because you see some crazy guy in a blue hoodie and black carhartt bibs out on the ice DOES NOT mean its safe. Some old time decided to just stroll out on to the ice no spud, no picks nothin. I told him he better walk straight back in the same tracks he made. Then JUST LIKE LAST YEAR, cars are honking people stopping yelling, and before i knew it theres 6 guys out on the ice NO SPUD, pulling a two man flip over with a power auger. Moral of the story guys, dont take my reports as a form of self confidence with you out there. What safe ice is to one person is not safe ice to the next. Today on Park was not what i consider safe. But i took every precaution to make sure i got on and off safely. Dont be stupid. Bring your spud ice picks and if you can afford it a floatation suit or even a friggin pool noodle i dont care. My butt was puckered watching these random dudes tramp around on the ice like its tip up town. RANT OVER.
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Rant appreciated. People need to think about stuff, that water is cold.
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Dude thanks for the report. That is not my style at all so I will be waiting for good ice. No ice is safe but my style is more centered around 6" to 8". Otherwise I find it hard to relax. My butt puckered reading that. I am not the type to go blazing the trail so for that I thank you. I like lots of quad and snowmobile tracks to follow haha. Maybe by Xmas eve it will be good for me. I have a Striker Climate suit enroute, can't wait! Stay safe dude.
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I'm back on line got rid of virus. I wish lease people would take up a hobby like ice fishing instead of screwing with my computer. Due to son was new job and has to go to work he has my AWD car and I have his hot rod so won't get out till at least Monday.
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I'm from shiawassee county so I'm all for Lansing or flint ice info. Ty
Have any reports to share good buddy?
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Not yet.
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Got on lake lansing yesterday. Pretty black 3-4" by the beach. Still be careful though fellas. Anyone else have any reports one ice and the bite?
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Yeah, a friend of mine from the "other" board is checking several out past Sunfield. So far, he says Tamarack id getting fished but only close to sheore, same for Saubee. He's checking Tupper and Jordan and I'll pass it on when I hear. Lakes southeast around Irish Hills appear to be better (less snowfall) and Redbeard, thanks for L Lansing update. The more we share, the safer we'll all be.
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Yeah, a friend of mine from the "other" board is checking several out past Sunfield. So far, he says Tamarack id getting fished but only close to sheore, same for Saubee. He's checking Tupper and Jordan and I'll pass it on when I hear. Lakes southeast around Irish Hills appear to be better (less snowfall) and Redbeard, thanks for L Lansing update. The more we share, the safer we'll all be.
Thanks alot compli! Subfield was gonna be my next stop. Little bit of a drive for me so the report helps a lot with gas and safety of course. Hopefully these rising temps dont kill the little base layer we've already made. Lets keep this thread goin guys. Also people are on Muskrat. Dont really care for that lake but i lot of people seem to enjoy it. So there ya go!
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How do you guys do on lake Lansing? I fished it once from the pier caught some gills. Never got the chance to go back. I don't even know what species are in it.
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How do you guys do on lake Lansing? I fished it once from the pier caught some gills. Never got the chance to go back. I don't even know what species are in it.
Bluegills are all Ive ever caught.
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How do you guys do on lake Lansing? I fished it once from the pier caught some gills. Never got the chance to go back. I don't even know what species are in it.
Actually a pretty healthy lake as far as numbers go. Lots of hammer handle pike gills, crappie, and even perch. Also bass of course. Theres been a few big pike caught out of there through the ice. Most notably and recent a 37" pike last year. And have seen a couple 14-15" crappie outta there. Its tough to get on em though. The biggins at least. If you live close by and just want a little practice lake to figure out over a ln extended period of time id say hit it up. But if not then i wouldnt go out of my way to fish it unless you just wanted to try a new spot or whatever. I live kinda close and going to give it a better shot this year and try and find some patterns.
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I don't live that far from it. 25 minutes away or so. I may go give it a shot
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Got on interstate fellas. Extremely skechy. Got on top of my first pressure crack today. Butt puckered. If you follow the shoreline out to in front of the dock where the snow has been moved around theres some okay ice. But at this point in the game, that lake isnt even worth taking your chances on. Caught a couple micro gills and a couple small bass. With this little heat wave on its way id be even more skeched out. So lets just chalk it up and say its probably not a good idea. On that note. Havent been seeing many other ice or bite reports on the the thread so im gonna leave up to you guys for a little while to start putting your two cents in. Otherwise its not very fair to myself or the rest the dudes on the thread who are putting in the work to find the ice and the bite to report. Stay dry and tight lines fellas. Talk to you guys sometime after this heatwave maybe.
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Or if anyone would like to just start up some PM's id be willing to dish out some more reports if its worth it to any of you. But at that point this whole thread would die which would kinda suck dont ya think?
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Havent felt comfortable getting on the ice yet oldredbeard but I do appreciate the reports, don't think we aren't greatful for what you do.
about the PM's.....maybe it's my computer, maybe its the software or whatever it's called.....but for the life of me I can not send out a PM.....didn't use to be a problem.....I sent PM's without any problem
Hoping to get out this Friday on a little lake down by Springport, hope I can contribute something to this thread then.
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Havent felt comfortable getting on the ice yet oldredbeard but I do appreciate the reports, don't think we aren't greatful for what you do.
about the PM's.....maybe it's my computer, maybe its the software or whatever it's called.....but for the life of me I can not send out a PM.....didn't use to be a problem.....I sent PM's without any problem
Hoping to get out this Friday on a little lake down by Springport, hope I can contribute something to this thread then.
Your inbox may be full. You'll have to delete some old messages if so.
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Only kept 8 messages. Just PMd you see if it came through, or send me one to see if I get it.
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Only kept 8 messages. Just PMd you see if it came through, or send me one to see if I get it.
Pm'd hope you get it figured out steve!
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Pm'd hope you get it figured out steve!
Got it, sent one back to you.
Thanks
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I appreciate the reports as well, but like mentioned, still a little early for me. I mean, it's still deer season! Haha. After next week I might be checking some stuff out.
Also, I pmd you the other day red.
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I too appreciate your reports RedBeard. Like said before, too early for me to get out yet. I'll be glad to give reports back as soon as I get out and am sure the ice is safe enough for my butt to be out there. You have done not much more than confirm that I don't have the stones to be out there "testing" the ice. lol
all that being said, I certainly get if you go silent until others are sharing, tight lines and dry feet brother!
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Like everyone, I certainly appreciate the reports. Been checking into this thread every day to see what other people are finding.
I had hoped to get some time on the ice next week, but the weather doesn't look too good for that. I have other things to occupy my time, so it's not the end of the world.
Being in Charlotte, I mostly fish lakes within a 1/2 hour of here, so Lansing is on my radar screen. The past few years, I've focused on Thornapple Lake near Hastings, Duck Lake and Narrow Lake near Springport, and Pine Lake near Olivet. Once we get over this warm weather, I will be happy to provide some reports on those lakes.
Also, I'm not sure how many of you know, but Eaton County recently purchased the old gravel pit on the north side of M-50 a couple miles east of Charlotte, between Charlotte and Eaton Rapids. My understanding is that it will be open for fishing some time this winter, and that it has fish. Once I know that it's open, I'll be sure to let folks here know.
Anyway, thanks to everyone posts reports and I will try to do my part this winter, as well.
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Anybody want to hook up Friday and fish the Lansing area. Have mostly new equipment that hasn't seen ice yet. So I would like to stay close just incase. I just heard of another pond I might try. A guy said his kid got lots of big gills there last year me but I still haven't located it yet. PM if interested
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Echoing what others have said, I appreciate the reports and knowledge shared in this thread.
I am new to this community and have recently moved to the Grand Ledge/Charlotte area. On a tip from a coworker, I went and checked out Saubee and Tamarock on Tuesday to see the location and whether people were fishing. When I arrived, there were 4 guys on Saubee and 1 on Tamarock. Didn't have my spud because I came straight from work, so I cannot personally state how thick the ice was. However, there has definitely been some traffic judging by the tracks.
I'll be heading there tomorrow with my spud and some gear in hopes to get a line in the water. Any tips or experience anyone has on those lakes in particular and others in the area is much appreciated. Not looking for secrets, just general info on the lakes and if there are some gills or crappie to catch.
Stay safe and fish on everyone!
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Spudded my way out on local pits. 3 to 4 in. all punky. Talked to 2 guys on Lake Lansing 4 in where they were no bites. Cregro didn't try looked like open water in middle no signs anybody has tried. Hawk Island may have had somebody on ice by where car was parked but I didn't drive in. Checked out a pond where my eye doctor said his kids limit out on 8 to 10in. gills looked to me it maybe a trespass problem I'll pass couldn't afford fine or worst jail ;D Got my new Got my Milwaukee Fuel drill today so I can try my new K-Drill.
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Headed out this afternoon with my spud to Tamarock and Saubee. 6 fisherman and a DNR officer at Saubee but no one on Tamarock. Spudded my way out on Tamarock and found around 4 - 5 inches of ice. Appeared to be 2 inches of solid black ice, with a snow/ice mixture on top. Tracks and sled marks on edges but doesn't appear that anyone has ventured out to the middle. I chose not to also.
I didn't check the ice on Saubee because of the amount of people fishing. Headed back in the morning with some gear in hopes of finding some gills. I'll report back after the trip.
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Like everyone, I certainly appreciate the reports. Been checking into this thread every day to see what other people are finding.
I had hoped to get some time on the ice next week, but the weather doesn't look too good for that. I have other things to occupy my time, so it's not the end of the world.
Being in Charlotte, I mostly fish lakes within a 1/2 hour of here, so Lansing is on my radar screen. The past few years, I've focused on Thornapple Lake near Hastings, Duck Lake and Narrow Lake near Springport, and Pine Lake near Olivet. Once we get over this warm weather, I will be happy to provide some reports on those lakes.
Also, I'm not sure how many of you know, but Eaton County recently purchased the old gravel pit on the north side of M-50 a couple miles east of Charlotte, between Charlotte and Eaton Rapids. My understanding is that it will be open for fishing some time this winter, and that it has fish. Once I know that it's open, I'll be sure to let folks here know.
Anyway, thanks to everyone posts reports and I will try to do my part this winter, as well.
Are you talking about that body of water with big power lines over head?
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Yes, that's the one.
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Finally got out on the ice was from 3 to 7 inch. Caught 3 dinks. One Bass one perch and one gill 6 inch. was the biggest. Still trying to figure out my graph. Set up in 12 ft. of water dropped a new gold tungsten jig keep feeding and feeding line then realized a little bass hit it on the way down. He sure though he was bigger than he was.
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First ice fishing trip of the season for me. Didn't kill them but got enough for a meal.
Silvers Lake near Springport
5-6 foot of water
5.5 inches of ice
We caught 16 bluegills on small yellow jig and wax worms.
I bought a new Marcum Lx-7 last year and never got to use it, so this was a learning curve trip for me. Absolutely love the new electronics!
Also.......Merry Christmas to everyone!
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Are you talking about that body of water with big power lines over head?
Also known as Crandells gravel pit
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Wow guys! Now this is what i call a thread! Thanks for all the pm's and particpation fellas. Wormdunker, what pond or lake did you stand on?
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hey everybody....I'm new to Lansing, MI....currently living in Dimondale, MI. I did plenty of ice fishing when i lived in PA but since I'm new to the area I have no clue where to go for crappies, yellow perch. I would love to get out if anyone is willing to let me tag along. On Sunday i checked the ice on Grand River in Dimondale and it was 4inch all across but then again the area i check was pretty shallow 3-5ft deep.
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Got out on Saubee yesterday for my first trip of the season. 4 inches by the entrance but sketchy towrads the middle. Gills were there but very picky. Saw a couple guys catch their limit.
Tamarack has some ice but it was pretty sketchy. A few guys were on it. After our warm-up, both lakes may be sketchy until another cold spell. Should help to get us some better ice conditions in the long run though.
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I get on Saubee during the soft water season a couple times a year. I know the lady who owned the "campground" area and I would put my boat in there. I understand she has sold that property.
I've never fished Tamarack, duck hunted there and wished I'd have brought my fishing pole along too.
Be safe everyone, this warm up is indeed going to soften up the ice.....
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I am heading out to lk chemung in an hour or so. I will report when i get out.
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As promised, i am reporting. Good solid 3 to 5 in of ice. I don't have electronics but guessing about 20 Fowler. Crappie are on point. Definitely not sorry i came out. Minnows and spoons were the ticket. Orange was the color of the day although as it gets darker, glow green is catching up. Tight lines all. I will report again for home.
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Thanks for all of the reports guys! I appreciate it. If anyone is looking for another person to head out with and fish the lansing/Jackson/Pinckney area pm me. My friends and I's schedules have not been matching up this year so far.. hopefully the cooler temps after yesterday will refreeze those lakes soon
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Baker1 hit me up, i don't live far from mason at all
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Any good ice?
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Saw guys on Kent, Woodland, Chemung, and Benhur. Should be ok, use a spud and common sense.
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Cool thnx. I live in Owosso with no real water. Closest is round lake in laingsburg, or lake Ovid, but I have no idea about their ice.
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For sure spud your way out on any lake right now. I was on a small lake today, 4 inches on one spot and 2 inches ten feet away (and that was a parallel move, not moving out to deeper whater)......be careful.
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Ty
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Anybody checked Lansing lately? Was going out today but caught a bug could hardly get out of bed. I am going out and try tomorrow.
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Tomorrow I might go out to try Crego Park, or maybe go fish Hawk Island a bit while my kids are at the sledding hill there. I have my hopes up for next weekend. It's supposed to be very cold from next Wednesday on through the weekend.
- Joe
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How is the fishing at hawk island? I have heard about it but never been there. I am fairly new to the Lansing area so i have mostly fished Livingston county area.
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Hawk Island. Guys on the ice there say 4" today.
- Joe
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I went to a pit real close to Hawk Island and somebody went through the ice today. And the south end was all open water. I live right by Hawk Island but haven't fished it much did have a big cat on last summer and lost it trying to pull it up on walk by boat launch. My son and I use to fish the pond inside the dog park but they don't allow it now. We took some really nice gills and sun fish to plant in my swamp. It dried up 2 years later. When we get good ice PM me I only live 5 minutes from Hawk or Crego. I'll join you more people can find fish quicker. Everybody have a good New Year.
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I'm getting anxious, I haven't been out at all yet this year LOL
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I swung buy Crego just before I took the kids to the Hawk Island sledding hill. There were a couple test holes near the edge, but no sign of anyone fishing. I live over by Jolly/Waverly area. I just bought a brushless Ridgid hammer drill and a 5" lazer auger. I'm dying to try that out. Tonight I ordered a Garmin Striker 4 portable kit fish finder thing. Starting next Wednesday it is supposed to start getting very cold. We should have ice next weekend. I've got a Shappel 3000 folding shanty, but now I'm driving a tiny Chevy Spark clown car, so that's not going to work. I guess I can steal the wife's grand caravan :)
- Joe
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I'm thinking next weekend as well. Gotta decide where... Mostly target panfish.
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Something to contribute, as I promised to do when I had something.
Got onto Foxknoll for a quick pre-hunt fish. The ice was good around the South and East. I didn't go to the north but there were some guys over there. Nobody was cutting across the middle. 3-5 inches where I was.
The bite was good. Nothing outrageous in size but some keeper panfish. Beautiful day.
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Thanx brother
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Curious how ice will be this weekend
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I think the ice on most lakes should be good to go by the weekend. Its supposed to be very cold for the rest of the week.
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I have a cousin from Georgia who has never ice fished before coming up on the 20th of January. I hope we have ice by then she's gonna be disappointed if she comes all this way and we can't get out.
Personally I think shes gonna freak out even if there was 20 inches of ice...... ;D
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Looks like were gonna be back in business by the weekend fellas. Gonna try out some new lakes this weekend. Duck and Narrow. Also am gonna check how saubee is looking as well. Thanks for all the reports guys much appreciated
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Thanks for keeping this thread going, guys. I enjoy reading it from afar and I'll chip in when I get back and out on the ice later this month.
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Looks like were gonna be back in business by the weekend fellas. Gonna try out some new lakes this weekend. Duck and Narrow. Also am gonna check how saubee is looking as well. Thanks for all the reports guys much appreciated
Duck is one of my favorites. The bite can be slow, but there are big fish in there.
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Due we have a Lansing area ICE whisperer ? Went by the Dell rd. pits the one on south side open water next to road. When will the ice be safe?
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Those ponds opened back up with the rain the other day. I'm afraid the pond with sycamore creek running into it isn't going to freeze at all this yes unlike last year when you could almost fish the creek
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Due we have a Lansing area ICE whisperer ? Went by the Dell rd. pits the one on south side open water next to road. When will the ice be safe?
Thats one of my favorite "secret spots" so to speak lol. That pit takes a while longer to lock up due to its depth. The north side gets as deep as 32' and with such a drastic drop from shore, makes it that much skechier to take a chance on until you know for sure theres at least 4". I usually only take two trips out there in the winter just cuz because o the hike. That was actually the first spot i tried to walk on the year. Trampled thru a foot of snow to get out there only to find two inches of crap ice. Good little spot tho. Tbis will probably be the last year we'll get to stand on it due to the townhouses theyre putting in. Sucks.
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Has anyone tried ice fishing behindtotal fire arms on here? I know in the summer they charge you. Wonder if they charge this time of year and if it would be worth the charge if so
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I do believe they charge 15$ a day to fish it, there's quite a bit of springs in it so it takes a little longer to freeze up. It's not a bad pike lake but as far as panfish goes I don't think I'd spend the money
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I am thinking the Same Redbeard, Narrow and Duck. Never fished either. I might cruise by tomorrow just for a visual and see what is happening.
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I do believe they charge 15$ a day to fish it, there's quite a bit of springs in it so it takes a little longer to freeze up. It's not a bad pike lake but as far as panfish goes I don't think I'd spend the money
They charge $5 a day for ice fishing according to http://www.totalfirearmsgunshop.com/boat-rentals $15 is to rent a boat for the day. I might give it a shot, just because I haven't tried there before. Heck, if the fishing doesn't work out, I can always go to their indoor range and warm up by cooking a few clips of 9MM or 357.
- Joe
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Okay that sounds a little more reasonable, thank you for confirming that Joe. I've seen some pictures of decent pike caught on tip ups out there, and what a great way to warm up!
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I know Grand River Bait & Tackle does. Anyone else? I could always go to Pruesses Pet store. But that's gonna get expensive fast..:)
- Joe
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Grand river also has been running out of minnows quite a bit this year so I usually call ahead before going out there. Total firearms sells them, round lake party store used to but last I heard they were closed down?
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If anyone is looking for suckers, perch minnows, spikes etc (aside from mousies because they did not take well this year) i had my recieving manger stock up yesterday from knutsons at Gander. All the suckers look nice and juicy ranging from 3-6 inches. Get em while we got em. Youre welcome folks.
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They charge $5 a day for ice fishing according to http://www.totalfirearmsgunshop.com/boat-rentals $15 is to rent a boat for the day. I might give it a shot, just because I haven't tried there before. Heck, if the fishing doesn't work out, I can always go to their indoor range and warm up by cooking a few clips of 9MM or 357.
- Joe
[/quote
Thanks for the heads up! Who wants to meet up for a little capitol city tip up town at total firearms or lake lansing soon??? Or any other suggestions? This thread is turning out to be quite the success. Lets put it on ice. Who's down?
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Just realized i qouted my own post. Lol
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Thanks for the heads up! Who wants to meet up for a little capitol city tip up town at total firearms or lake lansing soon??? Or any other suggestions? This thread is turning out to be quite the success. Lets put it on ice. Who's down?
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Thanks for the heads up! Who wants to meet up for a little capitol city tip up town at total firearms or lake lansing soon??? Or any other suggestions? This thread is turning out to be quite the success. Lets put it on ice. Who's down?
I don't do much tipup fishing but wouldn't mind meeting up with some people at times to fish.
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Not sure if it applies to me but i think a lake Lansing shanty/tip up town sounds like a great idea. I would be in.
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Not sure if it applies to me but i think a lake Lansing shanty/tip up town sounds like a great idea. I would be in.
A Lansing area "meet and greet".......be a way to put faces and names together.
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Sounds like fun to me! I'm more of a jigger than a tipper, but still . . .
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Im more of a jigger as well. Capitol city tip up town just rolled off the tongue well :P
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Just followed you on IG, Oldreddbeard. Based on your username here, I expected someone a little older, lol. I guess old is relative.
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I would be up for it maybe we could have one of those bring a dish to pass just incase we didn't end up with enough fish for a fry. But my walkers don't work real well anymore so I would need enough ice to drive my Polaris out if Lake Lansing allows them.
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Thanks for the heads up! Who wants to meet up for a little capitol city tip up town at total firearms or lake lansing soon??? Or any other suggestions? This thread is turning out to be quite the success. Lets put it on ice. Who's down?
Hello, first time posting. I would be interested in a meet up, heck I live like 10 min from lake Lansing. I haven't had a chance to go out yet.
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Thanks for the heads up! Who wants to meet up for a little capitol city tip up town at total firearms or lake lansing soon??? Or any other suggestions? This thread is turning out to be quite the success. Lets put it on ice. Who's down?
Great suggestion, count me in, and suggest a date/place. Lake Lansing sounds great for it!
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I would be up for it maybe we could have one of those bring a dish to pass just incase we didn't end up with enough fish for a fry. But my walkers don't work real well anymore so I would need enough ice to drive my Polaris out if Lake Lansing allows them.
Forget the heavy machinery, I could probably haul you out in one of my sleds. LOL ;D
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Sounds fun
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I'd be up for a Lake Lansing tipup town.... ;D
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I'm going to try someplace tomorrow. Maybe Crego/Lake Fidelity. Or maybe Park Lake. No shanty. Tonight I picked up a new mad bomber hat, some gloves, and instead of new boots I got a couple big packs of hand and toe warmers. I seriously need to get out and try my new drill/auger combo, and my Garmin Striker 4 portable.
I'm thinking there should be a good 4"-5" of ice tomorrow right? Michigan Sportsman forum has a report from today, Round Lake has 5" with fisherman and a quad on it.
- Joe
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Guess im going to duck lake tomorrow....anyone else going
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Anyone make it out today? Tomorrow's my day off hoping to fish muscrat a few hrs in the morning
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I wouldn't mind going out tomorrow. Ran outta daylight to go check duck lake. Anyone looking for a buddy? not to big on going out alone on this new ice
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Welp, i hope its not just me, but the bite has been SLOW. Got on Duck yesterday. One flag. No marks. Got on saubee today. 5 dinks. Maybe this little heatwave will also heat up the bit. Good 6 inches of good black both spots. Those damn pressure cracks are still spookin me. Butt puckered several times today on saubee. Makin ice tho. Also some kid and his old man pulled out the biggest perch ive ever seen outta duck. Straight up wall hanger. At least 14". Be safe yall. Im gonna figure out a good date for lake lansing tip up town soon. Thinkin about printing some hoodies. "Capitol city hardwater hunters" with a tip up in the middle. If you guys are interested ill print em on my own dime if i can get enough of you to want them. If so comment your size. Ill need at least an order of 25 without getting ripped off by screen printing companies.
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Well that's good to hear about 6 inches of ice, hopefully I'll be able to report on that much in the morning
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I check local ice today incase I can get out tomorrow. Hawk Island the person at gate said nobody has fished ice unsafe and I wasn't going to pay 3.00 to see if she was wrong. One person skating on Crego still haven't seen any sign anybody has tried. Small pit by my house had three trucks there and flip shanties set up didn't stop and talk. Going to the Ultimate Fishing Show tomorrow maybe try Tuesday.
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Someone was fishing one of the dell rd ponds Saturday at about 12:30pm, don't know how much ice but sure beats sitting on the couch
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You are going to the show tomorrow? I didn't think it opened until thursday? I think the auto show opened today.
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I went to Crego Saturday around 3:00PM. Not so much to fish, but I played around drilling holes with the new drill/auger and played with the new fish finder. There was tracks from 2 guys walking out. Tracks went north, past the end of the pier/dock thing. I didn't see anyone out there, but the tracks didn't return either. There was a big black z71? truck parked in the lot. I think it was theirs. Oh, and there was 5-6 inches of ice.
- Joe
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Me and 3 friends hit Sleepy Hollow today. I knew better but wanted to see my fishing buddy. From 12pm-6pm a total of 29 dinks, not one keeper. We auggered a lot of holes, didn't mark a lot. Once we found some fish we setup. About what I expected. Our Shanty got 27, their shanty 12ft away got 0, their 2 were caught roaming. We all agreed we wouldn't make that mistake again. 5 to 6 inches of ice, couple inches on top were crap.
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I appreciate the reassurance of me not wasting my winter on Ovid. Thank you for that.
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I appreciate the reassurance of me not wasting my winter on Ovid. Thank you for that.
I'll second that. I gave up on that lake long ago, but once in awhile I check it, thinking it can't stay that bad forever. But it does.
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Didn't go to show today got my dates wrong. Amos and I are going Thursday.
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Was on Duck Lake all day today. Found good Ice everywhere I went on the North End. went almost all the way across from the boat launch into 50' and had 5-6' of Ice. The bad news is the bite was incredibly slow. I caught about 10 fish all day, all perch and only four keepers. It didn't help the bait shop was out of minnows so I was running wax and spikes. Checked all depths from 50-7'.
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Well you did better than my dad and I, we fished mudrat for a good part of the day. Ice was a good 6-8 inches across the entire lake. It was a very light bite and I think we managed 6 keepers. The schools of tiny bluegill were on the bottom and the crappie were about 2 ft up. Didn't look like anyone was catching more than a couple. However I did manage to catch a stinky fat dogfish on a waxworm, I was unaware they existed out there. We tossed it back. I've heard of people killing them just because they eat all the other fish, what do you think?
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Crazy weather Tuesday I'm plowing snow, last night rain and thunderstorms, today freezing rain with no snow on the ground.
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Well, on the bright side of things, if you're a self proclaimed hardcore musky fisherman like myself, open water doesn't sound too bad at this point. If anyone could keep me posted on OPEN WATER CONDITIONS on the west side of the state within a 60 mile radius of lansing I'd be very grateful. Unfortunately, we'll have to push Capitol City Tip Up Town to the side until the ice gets back up to par.
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I'm planning to make an attempt tomorrow, probably hitting up spots in Eaton and Barry Co.
If we can't get on this weekend, looks like it may be February before we get another chance.
Anyone else planning to try tomorrow?
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I'm going to the Duck and see if we can do some good .
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I am thinking about trying to head out this weekend. Concerned about the ice conditions though.. Anybody see anyone out on the ice on their way to work today? Any reports on the conditions after that rain?
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I stopped by lk chemung yesterday 1-12-17 there was 8" still. Gills were biting.
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With the current warm temps, as well as predictions of warm weather through the week into the weekend.....my boat is getting some serious consideration.
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Steve, I'm thinking the Saginaw River will open up. I would be up for a trip.
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What a wonderful day to be on the ice. I caught my first limit of gills and a few perch. The only problem is if I would have stepped on the biggest gill maybe could have squashed it to 5 in. Now I know why nobody has been fishing Cregor Park. This was still a good day because I'm still learning to use my graph on ice. The water there is really clear so I could see my jig working and how a little rod motion really effected the jig. I'm going back again tomorrow and try find deeper water and bigger fish.
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Steve, I'm thinking the Saginaw River will open up. I would be up for a trip.
Sparty, I have a cousin coming up from Georgia next weekend so that would be out.....possibly the weekend after that?
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What a wonderful day to be on the ice. I caught my first limit of gills and a few perch. The only problem is if I would have stepped on the biggest gill maybe could have squashed it to 5 in. Now I know why nobody has been fishing Cregor Park. This was still a good day because I'm still learning to use my graph on ice. The water there is really clear so I could see my jig working and how a little rod motion really effected the jig. I'm going back again tomorrow and try find deeper water and bigger fish.
Sounds like you have caught on to this business. Wish you could have made it out with me. Caught bluegills to 9+ inches.
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Anybody try to get out lately? The pit by my house had open water on the south end this afternoon.
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Give it a few days. Supposed to get real cold. We will have plenty of ice by the weekend.
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The weekend is looking good. We should meet up Saturday or Sunday. If not, I'll be exploring someplace new. Maybe Fox Knoll?
- Joe
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Just checked ice on Alliance and Interstate today. The snow has screwed things up. A lot of slush, some places thin layers of ice with water/slush in between. Some places 3 or 4 inches of decent ice under the slush. Very inconsistent. You can get on, but I just don't like it. I don't think anybody has been fishing either one. What else are you finding?
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There's folks on muskrat. That little mud puddle always freezes first though because of how shallow it is. And the bite usually sucks there anyways. Talked to a bud who said there's 6 on lake Lansing. I'll be headin out Monday and Tuesday somewhere. Keep posting guys.
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Went to Cregor Park today somebody drilled hole next to dock looked about 4in. of ice but the lake didn't look good. So I didn't try go out by myself. Checked another pit same thing nobody fishing one end still open water.
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Interstate looked bad yesterday but after last night's 10 degree temp I wanted to see how much it had improved. First 100 yards are half frozen slush on top of maybe 4" of soft ice. Then it's about 5" of decent ice. Half a dozen guys fishing. I caught a 19" channel catfish. First one I'd seen there. They fight hard and it was fun bringing him in on my bluegill rod. With the next warmup that ice near the access is going to get dangerous fast.
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Was out on Thornapple near Hastings yesterday morning and early afternoon. Ice was acceptable, but not great.
The bite was steady once we got on the fish, but had to sort through a lot of dinks to get 10 keeper gills.
I figure that might be about it for this year. I hope not, but Accuweather extended forecast doesn't give much reason to be optimistic.
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Fished Sunday and Monday at Lake Chemung. Morning bites were as tough as I found all year.
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I hit chemung sunday afternoon with my son. We did ok. Had better days and worse. Gill action was speratic but all n all just happy to use my ice gear one more time.
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I was one of the four idiot on Chemung today that's after driving in a white out on 96. Ice is good
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Had the best bite an hour before dark on Chemung last Tuesday, but I waited all day to get it.
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Should be busy there this weekend. If you make the drive and the lot is full, just hang out in the area until somebody leaves. People come and go throughout the day for various reasons.
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How we doin fellas?!?! The weather is headed our way. Are we gonna have some good ice this year? If so, who's starting where?!?!?!?
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Fingers crossed on the weather. I figure we're due for a better fishing winter than we've had the past couple years. Hopefully La Nina will give us the cold without so much snow. Time will tell.
I will be splitting my time this winter between our home in Charlotte and our family farm near Dowagiac, so any and all lakes in between will be on my radar. My regular stops tend to be the easy spots on Thornapple near Hastings, Tamrock near Sunfield, plus Duck Lake occasionally and a couple farm ponds that friends let me on.
Not sure if they will be allowing fishing on Crandell Lake yet (new county park), but if so, I plan to be out there, too, since it's closest to home.
Can't wait to get started!
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Last year someone posted a Lansing hard water get together. Any plans on it this year?
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Last year someone posted a Lansing hard water get together. Any plans on it this year?
That was me. The ice conditions didn't exactly abide preferably. Lets see how they co-operate with us this year! Also, as far as Crandell goes. I did some reading up and found it's catch and release only, spring fed, and a generally steep drop off due to its gravel pit features. I wouldn't recommend giving it a shot until much later on in the season (if at all) once (and if) we have a good healthy amount of ice. As far as places i'll be hitting first, more than likely, Interstate, Davis pits, and/or sleepy hollow will be my first checkpoints.
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Duck and Narrow are also going to be checkpoint for me as well as, Morrison and other west MI areas as my lady lives out that way, But i will make sure to keep all of you up to date with ice conditions and also bites around the 517 area, so long as everyone else chips in! Ya'll know the deal!
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I travel a lot for work daily from the thumb over to Midland and south and will help inform.
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Got a nice looking cold snap coming fellas. Not much snow to speak of or heavy winds on the forecast. Great ice making conditions. Fingers crossed. If the temps stay in that high teens to high 20's like the forecast says, we might be looking at an early first ice this year. If we get 2-3 before christmas, I'd be pretty stoked.
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I just got a small flat bottom to check and chart depths in local pits before ice so it will freeze before I get ready. You guys are welcome!!!!
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thanks worm, we owe you - appears to me like we might actually have a real winter this year........fingers crossed.
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Pits will be the last place I'll be checking, if we're talking about the same pit. Super steep drop offs, into deep 30 ft depths, with natural springs stirring up the temps, I'd be very careful. I'll be checking Dell and Park first like I do every year. I always seem to find first ice on Park, 2 years in a row actually. I think it has to do with how weedy and shallow it is there near the shoreline. But always seem to make it safely out to the bowl every time as well, so who knows.
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Ice is starting to form onthe ponds boys!!! Let's hope the snow doesn't kill it for us like it did last year. Temps are looking great!!!
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oldredbeard my best pit feeds off the river and they gated it this summer. I've never done well at Park lake I might try Muskrat early use to get nice specks there years ago. But my go to place this winter is a pit half way between where you live and I live maybe closer to me. She's at least 20 ft. deep with springs. Go luck to all this year.
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Headed out scouting today fellas! Will have some reports later tonight!
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Look forward to the findings. I love the single digit lows coming, but looks like the wind is going to be a factor.
Maybe / Maybe not this weekend - fingers crossed.
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Crego is 2/3 open but the good news is that the 3" of snow round here is lying like slush on the top of the water so maybe the snow helped to give tonight's dipping temp something to latch onto and freeze. Looking forward to what you find out Redbeard!
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Alright fellas! Here's the skinny on what I found today. Good news and bad news. The lakes/ponds that were already locked up before the snow have about 3/4" of clear and 1/4" of crap with only about an inch of snow on top. Not too bad. The lakes/ponds that are open/half open got nice and cooled down by the snow that fell. I personally will be on the ice (if not tomorrow) by thursday for sure. Here's a list from start to finish of the places I checked today.
Sharp Park Pond (behind lansing mall) - fully locked up about 1" of clear, with crap on top and snow.
Dell Road - Completely open
Hawk island - Completely Open
Crego - 2/3 locked up, about about 3/4" with crap and snow on top. (ill be hitting crego first on wednesday/thursday)
*decided to travel a little north on a whim*
Reed Park - (in Ithaca) About 1" of clear with crap and snow on top (my second spot ill be heading to)
Motz Park - (little clinton) about 1" of clear with crap and snow on top (my third spot ill be hitting)
Tomorrow I'll be checking Burchfield Pond, Interstate and MAYBE Lake Aliance.
I am crazy and am willing to tip toe my 170 lb butt out there on 2-3 inches. Do not take my ice reports as an advocate to go out there. If you do decide to head out, let a friend or two know where you're going, what time you'll be on and off, bring a spud bar and picks, and maybe a cute little pool noodle to bury the hatchet! Even with the little warm spell this weekend, I think we're in for a slightly earlier than usual ice season. Keep your fingers crossed and your butt puckered for us crazyguys! I'll keep everyone posted!!!
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Well done, thanks for all the effort - very much appreciated!
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Alright fellas! Here's the skinny on what I found today. Good news and bad news. The lakes/ponds that were already locked up before the snow have about 3/4" of clear and 1/4" of crap with only about an inch of snow on top. Not too bad. The lakes/ponds that are open/half open got nice and cooled down by the snow that fell. I personally will be on the ice (if not tomorrow) by thursday for sure. Here's a list from start to finish of the places I checked today.
Sharp Park Pond (behind lansing mall) - fully locked up about 1" of clear, with crap on top and snow.
Dell Road - Completely open
Hawk island - Completely Open
Crego - 2/3 locked up, about about 3/4" with crap and snow on top. (ill be hitting crego first on wednesday/thursday)
*decided to travel a little north on a whim*
Reed Park - (in Ithaca) About 1" of clear with crap and snow on top (my second spot ill be heading to)
Motz Park - (little clinton) about 1" of clear with crap and snow on top (my third spot ill be hitting)
Tomorrow I'll be checking Burchfield Pond, Interstate and MAYBE Lake Aliance.
I am crazy and am willing to tip toe my 170 lb butt out there on 2-3 inches. Do not take my ice reports as an advocate to go out there. If you do decide to head out, let a friend or two know where you're going, what time you'll be on and off, bring a spud bar and picks, and maybe a cute little pool noodle to bury the hatchet! Even with the little warm spell this weekend, I think we're in for a slightly earlier than usual ice season. Keep your fingers crossed and your butt puckered for us crazyguys! I'll keep everyone posted!!!
. PM me and I'll bring a rope. Seriously.
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i used to drive past lake interstate all the time never stopped to fish it.
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i used to drive past lake interstate all the time never stopped to fish it.
It's not the best fishing around. But it's nice if you live 10 minutes away like I do. It's kind of my "I'm bored and want to icefish for an hour or so" lake. You can get on some goodnsized gills if you can find em. Lots of stunted bass that are fun to catch on light ice gear. And have also seen a confirmed photo of a pike caught out of there. I don't believe those were ever stocked. Who knows how it could have made its way in there but that'd be sweet if a small pike population started to grow in there.
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you should head up to oakland county if you want some good early pike action theyre all over the place
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(https://s7.postimg.cc/6vqacxns7/IMG_2638.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/6vqacxns7/)
Checked out Park Lake. Sure enough, that might be the first area I hit on Thursday. Happens every year. It gets iced before anywhere else and I would like to believe it has to do with the low oxygen levels in the lake. About 1 1/2" of clear and about another 1" of crap with some slush and snow on top. It good enough yet though.
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Thanks Redbeard! By tomorrow, we'll be getting all kinds of reports.
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Hate to play devils advocate, but this snow really screwed us again this year guys. Might take about another week or so. Ive found a few spots here and there with an okay thickness, but its pretty much all honecomb slushy crap ice. And now since we got dumped on its going to take even longer. Im gonna check a couple spots tomorrow. I'll keep ya posted.
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(https://s7.postimg.cc/3zrlvhnef/IMG_2643.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/3zrlvhnef/)
(https://s7.postimg.cc/bsi9nh8t3/IMG_2644.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/bsi9nh8t3/)
I spoke too soon.
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Nice gill! How thick was the ice?
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Nice gill! How thick was the ice?
It was crappy sheet ice about 3" but very spotty. Snow somehow froze on top of it. 3" here but one spud wack a foot to the left or right. I was only out there for an hour or so. The fuse on my flasher blew otherwise I would probably still be out.
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I'm new to the forum. I found it last year and found it useful. I want to thank everyone in the Lansing hard water for their information and posts. Since I'm from Lansing, I hope to add to the information and posts when I have some information to share. The lake's that I primarily fish, are Morrison, Chemung (been several years since I've fished it) Lake Odessa. Like most people, I will fish alone if I have too, but prefer to fish with another person. So if any one wants a fishing partner hit me up and see if I'm available. I currently work three days a week so I have some weekday and weekend availability to fish. Question: any recommendations for a cordless drill to use with my 5" lazer auger? Thanks again to everyone on Lansing hard water. Wingfan87
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Question: any recommendations for a cordless drill to use with my 5" lazer auger?
I went overkill and bought a Ridgid 18V hammer drill with 5? batteries. If I had it to do over again, I'd go cheaper and get less batteries. What you really need is at least 500 ft/pounds of torque. And having a hammer drill with the handle on the side is nice. If you search Home Depot for R86116K/206596560 you'll find a 700 ft/pound brushless hammer drill with 2 smaller batteries for $159. It is Ridgid, so it includes a lifetime warranty on the batteries. With a 5' auger you'll get 40-50 holes out of the 2 included small batteries. You can also return it within 90 days if it doesn't work out for you. If you want to try one out sometime with your 5" lazer let me know. I've got what it takes to hook it up to my Ridgid.
- Joe
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U want the bigger batteries in almost any scenario
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It really depends on the size of the holes. A 5" auger drills a 19 square inch area hole. A 7" hole is 38 square inches, so he'll only need half as much battery using his 5" Lazer, as he would with a 7" Lazer.
I'm using one of these adapters on my Lazer: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Ice-Auger-Adapter-for-Strikemaster-Lazer-Mora-Bass-Pro-Cordless-Drill-Ice-Fish/171012166302?hash=item27d11e929e:g:1B8AAOSwZVlXs0x-
They ship from St. Clair Michigan, so it doesn't take long.
- Joe
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Thanks for info on the cordless drill. I'll check out Home Depot when I get back from deer hunting in northern Michigan, near Burt Lake. In case any one is interested, Burt lake appears to be completely iced over. Somebody went about 125-150 yards and fished. Couldn't tell you how thick the ice is as I didn't have any ice fishing gear with me. But it held my 200#'s jumping up and down 15 yards from shore. Not very scientific or accurate on ice thickness, but it held me and didn't buckle. Thanks again.
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Does anyone know what the deal with the lake behind soccer zone is?
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Went to Dick's in Lansing today. I see why there called Dicks. Not only didn't they have anything but also didn't have anybody who knew anything. Anybody know where I can get light weight braid spooled?
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Late next week, or next weekend is starting to look great.
https://www.wunderground.com/forecast/us/mi/lansing/48911
-Joe
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Was checking lake ovid 4 inches half way to island from boat launch . I will back tonight trying my new toy,s
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I'm going to go to Crego tomorrow around noon. Then maybe to Muskrat or Ovid. I want to catch enough to stink up a frying pan. I really do want to play with the drill auger, and the Garmin fish finder I bought last winter, but barely got to use. The Garmin worked great on my boat this summer. I switched it over to Ice setup, but haven't been able to find it's split screen normal/flasher mode again. Time to go search YouTube. I know it does both at once, and it looks nice. The PX Store on Logan, and S. Penn Meijers both have Waxies. I got 9 dozen..:)
- Joe 5 Oh 5 twenty 25
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Merry Christmas Lansing hard water!!! Three days of temps in the teen's for Christmas, to firm up, and make ice before the new year. ;D
New ice fishing bibs from sportsman guide for Christmas. Unfortunately, I work till the new year. Will definitely be putting them to use as soon as I can. :)
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Does anyone know what the deal with the lake behind soccer zone is?
Google earthed it. I have a friend that plays soccer there regularly. Ill investigate!
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Went to Dick's in Lansing today. I see why there called Dicks. Not only didn't they have anything but also didn't have anybody who knew anything. Anybody know where I can get light weight braid spooled?
Out of all the places to go to for outdoors recreational equipment, you chose DICKS. lol just poking fun. As much as people hated Gander, at least they weren't DICKS.
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Was checking lake ovid 4 inches half way to island from boat launch . I will back tonight trying my new toy,s
Shallow weedy lake, easy freeze for sure. Too bad there's close to nothing in that lake except for the occasional dink crappie/gill and the Super Sized bass hiding out in the thickest millfoil lansing hardwater has to offer!!! Thank you for the report man! :)
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I'm going to go to Crego tomorrow around noon. Then maybe to Muskrat or Ovid. I want to catch enough to stink up a frying pan. I really do want to play with the drill auger, and the Garmin fish finder I bought last winter, but barely got to use. The Garmin worked great on my boat this summer. I switched it over to Ice setup, but haven't been able to find it's split screen normal/flasher mode again. Time to go search YouTube. I know it does both at once, and it looks nice. The PX Store on Logan, and S. Penn Meijers both have Waxies. I got 9 dozen..:)
- Joe 5 Oh 5 twenty 25
I got on Crego last week. Sketchy stuff!. Hopefully the the base layer didnt shrink too much. im headed there and Park tomorrow.
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One step forward two steps back again fellas!!! This is what 4 years in a row now the snow screwed us?! But, i think we're getting there. Id still say this year looks better than last. I'll be hitting a few spots tomorrow. I'll make sure to report back on the post snow fall ice conditions!!! Merry christmas!!!
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Anyone been to lake Ovid or round lake last couple days? Curious if there's any ice. Need to go out. I'm from Owosso. Any safe ice will do lol
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Party time this upcoming weekend! What time is good for you guys? Saturday 10:00 AM at Lake Alliance? Morrison Lake? Total Firearms? Lets pick someplace and lets do it. Where are they biting at Oldreddbeard? Yeah, it will be cold. Lets put our big boy pants on and go have some fun. I'll have a 5" drill auger you can play with/demo/use. It can do 100 holes easy. 720 foot pounds with 3, 4AH batteries.
- Joe
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I'm going to go to Crego tomorrow around noon. Then maybe to Muskrat or Ovid. I want to catch enough to stink up a frying pan. I really do want to play with the drill auger, and the Garmin fish finder I bought last winter, but barely got to use. The Garmin worked great on my boat this summer. I switched it over to Ice setup, but haven't been able to find it's split screen normal/flasher mode again. Time to go search YouTube. I know it does both at once, and it looks nice. The PX Store on Logan, and S. Penn Meijers both have Waxies. I got 9 dozen..:)
- Joe 5 Oh 5 twenty 25
Does this have something to do with a 4 vs. 8 pin transducer?
What garmin did you get? What adjustments did you make to use it in the ice?
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What garmin did you get? What adjustments did you make to use it in the ice?
I got a Striker 4 with portable kit. They are $174 on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Garmin-Striker-4-Portable-Kit/dp/B017NI1IJI
Reviews: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=striker+4+portable+ice (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=striker+4+portable+ice)
I didn't need many adjustments. I leave it on normal mode, with A-Scope enabled. It adds like a mini flasher along the edge of the regular screen. It has a suction cup mount that sticks to the boat well. For ice fishing you take off the suction cup, and tie on a little pool noodle thing.
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I bought the Striker 4 to take on a fly in this fall. Absolutely loved the thing. I just ordered the ice transducer and portable kit for ice fishing. Hoping to see it up against the old Vexi soon.
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welcome and thanks for joining us JigginPollock !
digital sonar is so much more fun for sure.
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I took a look at Interstate today. Just walked out a little ways but didn't have a spud. Nobody on the ice then, but quite a few guys have been out there the past couple days. Mostly seemed to be staying near shore. Wherever anybody walked through slush is frozen solid now, no surprise. Looks pretty encouraging.
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(https://s10.postimg.cc/wxalph7id/20171229_111832.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/wxalph7id/)
Not sure if the image will come through when I post this. Any one looking for a one man shanty? Jay's in Clare has the clam blazer non thermal on sale for $199.
Scott
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Can anyone tell me what kind of fish are in Crego and Dobie Lake?
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I don't see anything on Dobie lake. Crego is Fidelity Lake. Have you seen this map? http://www.projectfish.org/interactivekidfishingmap.pdf If you zoom in on the table in it, it says what fish are in what bodies of water. It's a big file. 12MB, it might take a while. I'm not sure how good it works on a phone.
- Joe
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I fished Crego today and a couple weeks ago. Ice is still pretty sketchy there. Lots of slush and snow on top of 4 inches of slightly foggy ice. It's spring fed so bring a spud with you. So far I've caught one nice 17 inch bass, a handful of small crappie and loads and loads of dink gills. It's almost impossible to weed through the sink gills there. I would upsize a tad if you plan on fishing it. But even that doesn't keep the dinks away from nibbling off your bait every 5 minutes.
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Went to Dick's in Lansing today. I see why there called Dicks. Not only didn't they have anything but also didn't have anybody who knew anything. Anybody know where I can get light weight braid spooled?
Try Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Sougayilang-Braided-300Yards-Multifilament-Superbraid/dp/B076MG1268/ref=sr_1_sc_13?ie=UTF8&qid=1514596328&sr=8-13-spell&keywords=light+weight+braid+spooled+fishing+line
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There's also a jillion 3" perch in Crego. Talk about bait stealers. Usedome thanks but I want to have them spooled. I have three reels with three different braids don't need any more 1/2 filled spools laying around.
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eatem like smelt tastes just like perch @)
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I was driving by Total Firearms today and stopped by. Their fishing is still closed. They said one end of the pit is still open, and 3" of ice is all. I'm going to go try Saubee/Tamarock tomorrow afternoon. I've never been there before. I'll be in a old black Shappel S3000 shanty. It looks like this: http://www.chicagolandfishing.com/forums/34-trading-post-classified-ads/40696-shappell-2000-2-man-ice-shanty-pics-added.html
- Joe
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Anyone been out to interstate thinking about heading there Sunday just wondering what the ice was looking like. Any input is appreciated thanks and tight lines to all
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My input isn't worth too much since I haven't been on Interstate yet this year, and the last time I checked the shore ice was a week ago. My guess is that the ice should be okay, but be careful.
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Thanks backinmich
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Any ice reports on lake Odessa, or Morrison lake? Any catch reports for either lake? Have tomorrow and Sunday off. Looking to get out and brave the cold and try out my new clam blazer.
Thanks,
Scott
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Last weekend I went by Jordan Lake (for some reason the the lake is Jordan Lake, the town is Lake Odessa) and didn't see anybody out there. This lake always takes a long time to freeze, and I wouldn't even try it until I see others already out.
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I was on Jordan Tuesday. Ice is fine if you go right from the launch. There is some shady ice, but you could see where it changed to having slush/crust on top. I'm sure it is freezing up. Fishing was slow. Started hot and died quick. Couldn't get fish to take.
Side note, if you go out and pull up a 13 Fishing rod and reel, let me know. I would love to have it back.
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Thanks for the report, Hungry. How deep were you fishing? I hope to get out there sometime, and will pm you if I haul up your rod! ;D
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35fow Had them moving up but light biters turned out to be dinks.
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This morning I thought long and hard when the forecast high was for 10 degrees today, but since they were calling for almost no wind, I had to get out and try. Real glad I did. No slush and 7 inches of ice. I set up my hub shanty, but probably could have got by without it. The bite was slow, but then turned on around 3 o'clock for an hour or so. Brought home 13 gills. Nothing special, but it was great not to get skunked. They're hanging outside flash freezing or else I'd try to post a photo to see if I can do it with this new system they've got. Not many people are posting photos, so maybe it's tricky.
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I made it out to interstate today for my first time out this year ice was probably 7 inches 4 or 5 clear 2 or 3 frozen slush on top. Fished from 1 to sundown started out incredibly slow not even a bite till about 4:30 and then the fish gods flipped the switch phenomenal bite in the last hour pulled a limit on 1 rod in about 45 minutes. Fish came on red spikes and orange tungsten teardrop 75 percent of fish hit when I was raising the jig very few on the drop.. all in all it was great to get out and get on some fish. Good luck out there to everyone and tight lines to all
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Hey Iceman, that's where I was! Interesting. There was nobody near me, so the whole lake must have turned on at about the same time in the late afternoon. I was using white spikes and plastic, about equal results. Seems like when they were ready to bite, they'd bite on anything.
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Yeah they were snappin good at the end. I was fishing the north basin back by the tracks camo bibs and parka I probably saw ya out there.
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Ice fishing poles, check. Tackle box, check. Auger, check. Hole skimmer, check. Boots, bibs, coat, hat and gloves, check. Bait, check. Safe ice on Morrison lake, check. First trip out, Priceless!
Good luck today, Lansing hard water.
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Less than 4 hours on Morrison lake this morning. Bite was fairly steady on mousies. Threw this many or more back, and a dozen crappie thrown back too. 17 fow, near island. Wind was tough to handle, but managed a meal.
Scott
(https://s17.postimg.cc/4zfhfmka3/20180107_144656.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/4zfhfmka3/)
(https://s17.postimg.cc/5c6vm2xhn/20180107_130744.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/5c6vm2xhn/)
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Nice! I love fish porn. Were the crappies too small, or you just don't like to eat them?
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Crappies ranged 6"-12". Caught two 12", one 10", one 6", and the rest ranged in between. I just don't like them, that's why I put them back.
Scott
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I went to Interstate for a couple hours between about 2:45PM - 4:45PM. I tried about 12 holes and never saw a fish. I talked to 3 other guys out there, who had been fishing for a while. Each of them had caught 3 fish..:( On the bright side, I did get to use my new drill auger a bit. I punched about 12 holes, and the 3 guys I talked to all wanted to try it out also. I think it did maybe 20-25 5" holes. It still had 3 of 4 bars left on a small 2.0 Ah battery. After not ice fishing for so long, and all this new gear I have, it was more of a test run. I learned:
I forgot to bring a light. I will try using my little LED camping lights. I've still got a Coleman propane, but I think LED will be fine. 3 LED lights using rechargeable batteries will weight less than the Coleman propane. Not use propane, and no broken mantles to deal with, and I won't need to light it.
It's not that cold outside..(I didn't even put my gloves on).
I need to bungee my 5 gallon pails to the top of my DX3000 shanty with ski kit, or they will fall over and piss me off when I hit bumps with it.
My Garmin Striker 4 is a good toy. I can watch my tiny jigs bounce on the screen in both sonar and flasher modes.
My 58yo mistreated body can still haul a shanty on skis a long ways and not get out of breath. 40 years of Marlboro reds, but lungs cleaned up after vaping for 3 years:)
I hope you guys had better luck than me. I'll go out again Tuesday evening. Not sure where. I'm stuck taking my kids to martial arts lessons (Taekwondo & Jiu Jitsu) Mon, Wed, and Thurs, so Tuesday I can sneak in a fishing night.
- Joe
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I went by Jones lake tonight two guys and a flip shanty on the ice. The last I knew no fishing was allowed after the drunk bass fisherman landed face down and drown. Biggest pike I ever seen went under shanty. The shanty was 4 X 4 the pikes head was past one hole tail wasn't past the other.
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Anyone been out since the warm spell just wondering how the ice held up any info appreciated thanks and tight lines to all
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Same question anybody fishing around Lansing lately?
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Went and fished mudrat for a few hrs today. Ice was good 8 inches, fishing sucked couple dinks. Mainly was just curious about ice and it appears better than before
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Thanks for report
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Question: has anyone fished the Midwest Open Ice Fishing Tournament before? I checked out the sponsor link, and couldn't find any details on how to sign up / qualify for the tournament. Just curious.
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With Gander being gone I'm at a loss for the best place in town to buy ice fishing gear. Looking for a couple ML action Walleye combos and some jigs. Dunhams, Dicks, Total Firearms? Heading to the Bay Saturday and now that a couple of my boys want to go I need a couple more setups. Thanks...
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Dick's at East Town is picked over. Haven't been to Dunham's in Frandor, their selection has been limited in the past. Total Firearms did not have ice fishing gear out last time I was there.....just before Christmas....... so I don't know what they have or had. My go to, now that Gander is closed, is Jay's in Clare or even better than Jay's is Northwoods in Pinconning. Way bigger selection and way better prices. And its on Saginaw bay too. Only draw back is distance away from Lansing. Good luck on your search for gear.
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I just checked and Franks in Linwood opens at 5:30 am Saturdays so I will probably just hit them up for bait and grab what I need. Thanks for the help!
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Just got checked by the dnr for my first time out on the ice. Good to see them out, and hopefully keep more people from trashing the ice.
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Just an FYI..... I forgot to mention....Northwoods opens at 6, they sell bait also. Think they are 10-15 minutes north of Frank's. Can't go wrong at Frank's either. Good luck out there, Guv us a fishing report.
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Question: has anyone fished the Midwest Open Ice Fishing Tournament before? I checked out the sponsor link, and couldn't find any details on how to sign up / qualify for the tournament. Just curious.
Tom Knutson explained it's a raffle system to me when I spoke to him in person about this.
If you want more information call Tom @ 1-800-292-0857. This is their store number. Tom may or may not be available for calls when you call in.
Great store to shop if you can stop in! It's where I bought my FX100I and runners for it. And 4000 spikes.
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Heading to Morrison Saturday afternoon...anyone else have plans?
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Wish I could I'll be at work. Have heard some good reports of panfish out there though
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I went to Morrison on Sunday and Interstate yesterday. Same story both places. Marked fish, they'd come in and look, but seldom bite. Using spikes, mousies and plastic. Didn't catch enough to bring anything home. On Interstate caught four of those 12" bass that are usually such a nuisance. But when not catching anything else they're not so bad.
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How's the ice on Morrison? Are they getting to the east end? I usually avoid it because of the crowds and limited parking but might make an afternoon trip for specks next week.
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I didn't see anybody on the east end, but I didn't go far enough that way to get a good view. I've often thought I should go out there, but never have. Ice is fine where I was, about 7", probably more now.
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Keep your eyes open, guys. They have found pieces of the meteor that fell on Michigan last Tuesday on a lake south of Howell. http://www.mlive.com/weather/index.ssf/2018/01/its_official_meteor_becomes_me.html.
If you come across any black rocks lying on the ice, it would be helpful to contact those who are interested. I saw at the news conference given by Todd Slisher that somebody is offering a reward of I think it was $20,000, but that would be for something the size of a softball. Most pieces of the meteorite are much smaller. Anyway, just a heads up. Who spends more time on frozen lakes than we do?
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It was a great day to be on the ice, even though the bite was really slow. Lots of lookers that just would not bite. But we managed to bring home enough for a meal. 18 fow with spikes, mousies, and plastic. Maybe the plastic was best because there was a short stretch where I just couldn't keep my line in the water. I've given up trying to figure out what these fish are doing. Just enjoy it.
(https://s18.postimg.cc/qqo07lcv9/IMG_2012.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/qqo07lcv9/)
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When I left Morrison last night there was a good 10" of clear ice. Some guys did hit the east end.
We were in 17 fow...can anyone tell me where weeds are at? We hand a silt bottom.
I Caught 12 in 3 hours kept 8. Dad caught 8 kept 0.
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Not many weeds unless you're west of the island or in shallow water
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Thanks for the updates I'm going to Sparrow hospital tomorrow for a back injection to walk again. Hopefully by the weekend I'll get out for my first trip of the year.
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Was on a lake in Waterloo SRA today. Got 13 perch, a lot of them small but some close to 9". I didn't know what to expect with the ice after the heavy rain and then a couple nights in the 20s. Nice surprise. 9" of hard clear ice, the kind you can see how thick it is by the fine cracks. The next couple days of temps in the 40s are not going to damage this kind of ice. Starting Sunday it looks like we're in for a stretch of nice cold weather. Bring it on!
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Anyone gonna make it out today or already out?
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Any word on the shore ice or ice in general on Morrison lake? Think of going there Thursday morning.
Thanks.
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I'm guessing ice would be fine on Morrison Thursday. Almost went there today, but went to Interstate instead. A CO came by (nice guy) and I asked about Morrison, but he hadn't been there today. On Interstate 3" of fluffy snow on top of 8" of hard slippery ice. No slush, except right near shore. I got a few small bass and gills, but nothing to take home. Wish I'd gone to Morrison. Would love to hear what you find if you go.
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I'm going to go to Saubee tomorrow. I'm at jnorton_13 at yhoo. It looks like the next 10 days are all ice makers. This should be a good year for ice fishing! :)
- Joe
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Hit up several small private ponds over the weekend, bite was pretty slow on most, but there was 7-10 inches of good hard ice under 1-2 inches of snow everywhere I went. This was all in Eaton Co.
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I haven't been out since the snow, but talked to somebody who was on Lake Lansing this morning. It seems they were catching a few crappies, but lots of slush and water. I might try Sessions tomorrow, mainly since I haven't been there yet this year. How are lakes around here looking for slush? I expect the ice is okay, but who knows?
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Any ice condition reports for Lansing and surrounding areas? I drive to Mt Pleasant weekly and the ponds along 127 near St. Johns still had ice, but the shore ice was gone for the first one or two feet. Wondering how the ice on Jordan, Morrison, Tuper, and Chemung are doing?
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Hey guys sorry for being a stranger, let's just say I had an okay season. Did most of my fishing out on the west side of MI where my lady resides, so I didn't get to do much reporting for this thread. Glad to see you guys worked together a bit to help each other out. That's why I made this thread!!! Anyways stay safe on this late ice guys please. Let one or two people know where your going and when if you plan on going out on your own. Bring the picks and the spud out again.
Also side note, I'm looking to open the boat up soon and my tradition is always to hit Lake Ovid first to open the open water season up. Does anyone know how it's looking out there?
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Good to hear from you, red! Was wondering where you'd been. All in all it was a real good ice fishing season around here. But I wasn't expecting it would end this quick. I'm guessing it's over around here, but I haven't been out to check any lakes since the rain. Would also like to hear reports, but just be careful.
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Thanks for the reports this year guys they were helpful!
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Well, here we are again fellas. This thread has been awesome the past 3 years. Lets keep it going! Lets talk about game plans/equipment this year to get the thread started!!! Per usual, youll see me walking around on 2 inches or so as soon as i find it! Will give reports more regularly this year. Last year i had a career change and started my own business so you all can imagine ive been working my butt off between last ice and now. But i think ive found more time to really get this thread rolling like we had it the first year! I'm absolutely pumped for ice fishing this year and i hope you all are as well!!!
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We got some ice making temps coming fellas!!!
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Myself and fishingixxer were just discussing the upcoming season. Both of us are very excited, cannot believe we already have snow here in the Lansing area. Hopefully cold temps stick around!
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Well if it’s anything you read into Barker, they’re saying this year is actually supposed to be a warmer than average and dryer than average winter. I guess we’ll see. I feel like for the past 4 years we haven’t really had much of an ice fishing season. Per usual I’ll be checking the regular spots that I do at the beginning of the year. Park Lake tends to freeze first around here. In theory I believe it’s due to its low oxygen levels. Plus the lake isn’t very deep and is a relatively shallow bowl besides the hole. One new thing I’m gonna try this year is make some
Of my own DIY I-fish pros out of wood. If you fellas haven’t checked out I-fish pros yet, they are so much fun to use. Basically a tip up with your rod attached so you can fight the fish with your rod and reel instead of hand over hand. I found a video of a guy making the Clam Ice version of them if anyone would like me to publish the link here just let me know!!!
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Thanks for that information regarding Park Lake. I will be sure to keep my eyes peeled on those temperatures.
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WE GOT LOTS OF SKIM FELLAS!!!!! We’re getting there!!! Kinda
Weird this year. Seems warmer than usual yet we have ice forming. I’m not complaining but we do have a warm up this weekend. I’ll be out musky fishing until the lakes are locked up!!! I’ll keep you all posted!
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Howdy Folks!
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Got on in Mid Michigan yesterday folks! 2-4”. Also wrangled my personal best northern! 38 1/4!!! I’ll be checking the ice around Lansing next week!!!
(https://i.postimg.cc/dk9B4HYz/53-A26-A13-6529-41-EB-9728-6830-D1-BAC454.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/dk9B4HYz)
(https://i.postimg.cc/tZD3hsdb/D1-EB8002-2677-4744-9-C0-E-DDA54-A5761-AB.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/tZD3hsdb)
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Nice!
I won't hit the unless there is a minimum 4...be carefull out there!
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Well..........after the hard freeze Saturday, thinking there are some guys out on thin ice.
Good to see we have a skim of solid black ice, just hoping for a few night of single digits and I so not see that in any forecasts.
Getting closer!
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I got out on Lake Lansing and also another small pond today. Lake Landing had about 3.5”, other pond was at 3”. We can say goodbye to that though after this rain and heat wave we’re about to have. Chin up fellas. Bite hasn’t been all that great so far anyways. Lol
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I'm getting ready. I just bought some ice armor mittens, and Baffin Titan boots. I'm excited about the boots. I'm getting old, and no laces will be nice.
- Joe
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Let's think about a meet up!
When we hit decent ice this year. Let's do a meet up. I don't care if it is a junk lake like Crego, or something better like Morrison or Tupper. Total Firearms pit can have a decent bite. A Saturday or Sunday. Depending on the popularity of the parking spot, we may have to start early. Maybe Oldreddbeard would help us find a good time and spot? I'll be busy as the ice permits, and suggest things as I can.
- Joe
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I would like to get together and meet some of the Lansing guys. I bought so much stuff last year and got skunked all most every time I went out. HELP ;D
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I've been watching ice fishing videos today Oldredbeard I think I watched you catch that pike
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I would like to get together and meet some of the Lansing guys. I bought so much stuff last year and got skunked all most every time I went out. HELP ;D
Last year I bought a Ridgid hammer drill with all the auger stuff and extra batteries for it. A new Shappel 3000 shanty. A Garmin striker portable fish finder. A North Face Mcmurdo? parka. A Big Buddy heater. I caught fish once. Might as well call them Goldfish for what I spent on them. This year I already bought a fish camera https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B076M2PWHF , New Ice Armor mittens, and some Baffin Titan boots. I still keep using my 30 year old little stick fishing poles. Some things never change.
- Joe
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Hate to be a pessimist but I have a sneaking suspicion this year is going to be a total junk year for ice fishing at least in our neck of the woods. They predicted a warmer and drier than normal winter this year and it’s definitely proving to be so far. Warmups and rain suck. I’ll more than likely be spending most of my ice season up north this year. But per usual I’ll always keep this thread updated on Lansing area ice conditions/bite. And wormdunker yes that was me on the Peelindrag channel if that’s the video you saw of my 38 1/4 pike. Me and josh do most of our ice fishing together these past two seasons. We always want to get out on first ice when no one else wants to do the footwork and find some
to walk on. Me and him have a couple
Ideas this season for a couple more cool ice fishing videos. Hopefully we have a cold snap at some point to at least get us a nice base layer going.
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In for a meetup... going north Jan. 25th for yearly trip.
Hopefully we will have safe ice here in 2 weeks...
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I. went to Cergo park and Hawk Island today ice is open around all edges. I would be open to a gettogether even if it's up north.
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any Lansing guys want to go to the Ultimate fishing show in Novi? I have two buy on get one free tickets but I can only go Thursday Jan 10 hours 11 to 9. I can drive but have a Colorado ex cab you have to be really really short to fit back there
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Any one interested in a up north day trip fishing? Going to be a few.weeks before we have ice down here. I'm open to any suggestions except for Houghton lake. After ten years of annual weekend trips to Houghton and not catching enough to call it successful, I'm done going there.
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Yeah I'm up for it on Thurs/Friday. I'll probably go around Harrison because I know several lakes are in good shape. Agreed abour Houghton, Wingsfan; hard lake to fish. Just got back from Mille Lacs and a sleeper shanty. Pretty dang cool but I only got one northers (40") and a couple walleyes. We has cameras and all the tech known to God and Man and rarely saw a fish and NO FREAKING PERCH! But there was 16" of ice everywhere. So anyway, Thursday or Friday. PM me and I'll suggest a destination.
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Compli123 and wingsfan87 I am interested in going on a ice trip I just moved to Lansing from Illinois for work. Need to find fishing spots
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I’m not getting my hopes up, but looks like we’ll have some ice soon fellas. We already have 1/2” formed on the smaller ponds in places around town. Then next week we have a cold snap coming. As usual I’ll be out there checking spots once I think it’s worth the drives. I’ll keep you all updated.
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Anyone fish Gun lake or Union lake a lot? Not sure which lakes to fish for pan fish and walleye around Lansing area.
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Question....... can you list items in these threads that are for sale? Or is there a special section on iceshanty.com for the sale of items?
Thanks
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I think there is a for sale section or used to be but unless nationwide shipping is an option posting in the atate you are selling in makes sense so people from all over dont try tonget it
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Did a little searching on iceshanty, found that you need a user account and be a member of the militia to post items in the for sale section.
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Wingsfan you giving up already?! Lol
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Nah..... not giving up. I misspoke, it's not a Yukon, it's actually a Voyager. Just to big to handle by myself any more.
Got to love these temps being in the teen's at night.
Any one been by Morrison or anything around Lansing?
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I might go out and check a couple spots to day on the westside. I’ll let everyone know. My pool has about 2 1/2-3” clear black. But obviously that’s not a great ice update but usually at first ice, whatever is on top of the pool is darn close to what I find on the smaller ponds.
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I'm too busy to go out before Friday night, or Saturday. I'm thinking Morrison or Tupper. Parking at Tupper sux, but if I get there early enough Saturday morning it will be fine. With our global warming and shorter ice fishing season, I'm really not into the local lansing fishing. Crego, Hawk Island, Interstate, etc. Total Firearms pit is nice, but they don't want to let you out there until there is like 8" of ice. I'm going to drive a ways to try and catch something during our new limited ice season. I'm old. I remember being able to just go out and drive around on the ice for 4-6 weeks each winter. Now you can't walk on the ice that much. I take my kids to Taekwondo and Japanese Jiu Jitsu classes Monday, Wednesday and Thursday nights, or I'd probably try going out sooner. My employer owns a very nice small lake. I can see it from my desk. But lawyers scared them into putting up no fishing signs all around it. It makes me so sad..:(
- Joe
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I just realized, my join date here is 2006. And I ice fished like 41 years before that. I'm OAF, and still don't have a clue.:)
- Joe
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It's not just the age, Joe, it's dragging all that "must bring" gear.
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It's not just the age, Joe, it's dragging all that "must bring" gear.
So true. I used to drive a little old rusty car. I'd have 2 buckets, one for a seat, and one full of gear. And a 6" Mora auger. I caught tons of fish.
Now it's Grand Caravan, fish finder, underwater camera, Shappel 3000 shanty with skis, Big Buddy heater, fancy drill auger, on and on. And I think I catch less fish.
- Joe
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Any one heading out tomorrow, and braving the cold and snow? Not a fan of fishing in single digits, but may give it try, since I have to work on Sunday.
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Well....... I passed on fishing yesterday. As of 7:45 this morning, it's a balmy - 1*. Should be making ice, even with the few inches of snow we got yesterday. Off to work shortly. Good luck to you die hards that make it out today. Let us know how you did.
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Anyone made it out around Lansing since the cold snap? I'm itching to get out this week and been way to busy with work to go check any lakes for ice thickness lately . Any info on ice thickness appreciated. Good luck and tight lines to all and remember to be safe out there even though it's late January it's still early ice lol
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Going out today to check some spots. I’m sure it’s all good by now. We’ll see. Talk to you guys later tonight
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Going to check out Cregro tommorow if can't get on will check Hawk Island Anybody won't to join
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My boys hit Ovid today (I know) they found 4 to 5 inches between the launch and the island.
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Anyone want to go out fishing Sunday? I'm open to anyplace with a rep for decent fish. Morrison, Jordan, Tupper if I can get parking. I need to call Total Firearms and see if it is safe there. The rain could have taken out all the ice around the edge, and it's deep for it's size and freezes over late. I'm open to other places also. Just no Crego or Ovid or Interstate.. You get the idea. The cold and wind doesn't scare me.
- Joe
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I stopped into Total the other day "Tuesday" and there were 2 fellas fishing directly behind the store, 4 inches the one guy said.
Didn't ask where they gained access but I assumed in was through Total due to how close they were fishing to it.
Been wrong once before though.
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My only experience with Total was this summer. I took one of their little boats, and tossed a 3.5 Merc outboard, and a Garmin Striker 4 fish finder on it. I was seeing groups of decent size fish all over the place, but nothing bit on what I had to offer that day. From what I've seen, and what I've heard, I think the place has potential. They charge $5 to park and ice fish from their lot. It's a strange long narrow lake. It drops right off from the edge to 25' most places. I didn't see any weeds or cover, just groups of fish. It has Crappie, Bluegill, Bass, and maybe a pike in it.
- Joe
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Checked the ice on Crego yesterday just for grins. 6 inches near shore of pier. 2 hubs out, but did not check.
I will try Interstate today. After 20 years, finally found two areas for great gill beds last summer. 7 dozen gills in 9 days. From 6-8 inches. Am going to try near those drop offs.
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I'm headed to Lake Lansing. I've never ice fished it before. Hoping we can find something worth the struggle.
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Been working overtime as of late so haven’t gotten out much in the Lansing area. Got out over the weekend in the EGR area, bite was slow. Right now I’m in no rush to fish in these temps. But this weekend will be game on! With the warmup, and the “new moon phase” this weekend I think will be a good bite most anywhere. And I would also imagine the ice should be fairly safe most everywhere as well. However, I’d say by Sunday, with the crazy heat wave, the ice could get soft with so much melted snow and possible rain water on top. So as always be careful fellas. Also as far as Lake Lansing goes, I caught my personal best crappie out of there last year 14 3/4 inch, however, I don’t think I’ve ever caught anything besides hammer handle pike and micro perch before and since then. Shoot I don’t even think I’ve even caught a hill out of there and I have a fair amount of hours on that lake. Maybe I’m just unlucky, or maybe it’s just one of those lakes you have to fish regularly to find a good pattern. Lots of fun tulip fishing out there though if you’re just looking for some action. Lots of healthy bass, and always hammer handle pike. The lady lives going there to tip up fish with me.
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Heading to Morrison in the morning. Hoping to be there before first light. Will be around the point north west of the island. Dark brown camo coat if I'm toughing it out or a clam blazer. Good luck to everyone this weekend.
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I briefly considered going to Morrison tomorrow, but I'm guessing soon after first light the parking lot will be full. Being an early bird you'll probably catch the worm! I haven't been there this year but I'd say the ice should be good. Good luck. Let us know what you find.
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I was rabbit hunting last Sunday in Ionia. So I took a quick drive over to Morrison to check it out. Parking lot was full and guessing about 30 shanties out from the launch. Not to worried about ice conditions now.
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On my way to Morrison for my first ice fishing trip. Good luck to everyone that makes it out today. Will give an update in a few hours.
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I’m heading to Morrison early tomorrow AM. I just moved here from Chicago. Where should I park on Morrison? Wingsfan are you heading out tomorrow too?
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Park at the boat launch on the north side of the lake. I was there at 7:06 this morning, and there were at least a dozen vehicles already there. Fished from 7:45'ish till 4 pm. Mid day bite was super slow. One keeper an hour, maybe. Punched about 20 holes with my hand auger. Tried deeper and shallower didnt mark very much and when I did, they just looked. Got enough for a decent meal between the two of us. I'll have to check with the boss for tomorrow. Will let you know. Oh yeah..... snow got heavy from the warm up, and started pushing water up through the holes. Getting slushy out there.
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My wife and I went the other direction to the Waterloo area. Also slow with a lot of lookers but enough would bite to keep it interesting. After five hours we brought home 20. They mostly just looked at my small tungsten jig with spike or plastic. I generally think if they don't like a small presentation they'll like something bigger even less. But just for the heck of it I tried a clam bomb with three spikes. A big gob of metal and meat. I won't say they hammered it, but it did seem to turn a few more lookers into biters. Close to 10 inches of ice. Surprisingly little snow, and that had turned to slush by the time we came off.
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Question for my fellow Lansing fishermen. I tried calling grand river bait and tackle the other day, and the phone number was disconnected. Does any one know if they are still in business? If they are, does anyone have a good phone number for them? Google gave me the same number I already had.
Thanks.
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Question for my fellow Lansing fishermen. I tried calling grand river bait and tackle the other day, and the phone number was disconnected. Does any one know if they are still in business? If they are, does anyone have a good phone number for them? Google gave me the same number I already had.
Thanks.
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I do not know the phone number. I called and it didn’t work either. Yes they are open. I stopped by there yesterday for some spikes.
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Thanks!!
Did you make it to Morrison today? Do any good?
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Question for my fellow Lansing fishermen. I tried calling grand river bait and tackle the other day, and the phone number was disconnected. Does any one know if they are still in business? If they are, does anyone have a good phone number for them? Google gave me the same number I already had.
Thanks.
About a week ago I had the same experience. Drove out there, and yes they are open and I got some spikes. She gave me this phone number and it works. 517-420-4183.
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I called that number and all I could hear was a scratching noise like a beard rubbing on the phone lol. Jk they are open and have bait it's my usual spot for bait.
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How’s the ice looking on Morrison fragsfishing?
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Plan B........anyone else read that thread? He said he got 20 keepers in a couple hours on Chemung. Might have to take a trip down there.
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I tried their phone number also got same thing. Drove over they are still open. Phone rang and she answered but I forgot to ask about it.
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Fished several lakes in the EGR area again this weekend, the bite has been slow just about everywhere it seems. And I will blame it on the weird weather changes. Also hit Lake Lansing on Sunday with some friends. I flag, small bass, and two micro gills in 5 hours. There was close to two inches of water on top of the ice would be impossible to walk on without cleats. Sheesh. Think I’m gonna drive a little bit north next week and see if I can find anything.
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I went by Crego could see new holes in center of lake but looks like someone went through by shore
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On break at work, and checking out iceshanty. I seem to remember someone from the Lansing hard water suggesting a get together of the Lansing fishermen. Was that last year, or earlier this year, that it was brought up? Sounds like a good opportunity to meet and do some fishing, as long as the ice holds up a little longer this year. Any thoughts or suggestions for putting this together?
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Wings. It’s been brought up almost every year on this thread. But every year the ice gets more and more questionable lol Checked out the 5 day forecast. I think it will firm back up again one last time. If we did have a get together where would you guys want to go? Let’s make a list top 5. Let’s try and keep itsorta close so that way if it lands on a day that maybe a couple folks have other things to do they can at least come out and hang for a little bit. Here’s my top 5.
1. Lake Lansing
2. Total Firearms (if they allow it)
3. Interstate (apparently some good gills but hard to find, would definitely stay busy with the bass though)
4. Hawk Island (been told from reliable source there’s some nice crappie in there, just really hard to find them, plus some big bass)
5. Muskrat (hate this lake but, if we got a big group out there ya never know)
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Good idea.
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For me this would be more about meeting local fisherman than fishing
I have tried here casebook and another outdoor form to try find a local friendto fish with. With no luck so my vote would be Hawk Island. Big parking lot and tables if we want a lunch
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We might not get much fishing done there, WD; what about Lake Ovid? BTW, I never hear about it here...does that meann the fishing's petered out these days?
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I haven't fished ovid in a few years but it's always been a dinkfest through the ice for me. I've caught some nice redears out there in the spring sight fishing them and trying to put it right in front of the big ones but all I've ever caught is dinks through the ice
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I would say interstate has the best fishing out of those 5 lakes imo. However I've noticed some of the fish have been starting to get a little grubby the last few years.
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High of 18* today and an overnight low 5* firming everything up. Going to be a cold start on Saginaw bay tomorrow morning. Good luck to every one around the Lansing area tomorrow.
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Next Saturday, February 16, it is supposed to be mostly sunny with a high of 31*.
How does next Saturday sound for the get together? We could do a Lansing spot as ORB has suggested. Or do an early morning breakfast and head out to a more (quality....bigger fish) lake. That would allow people to at least meet everyone over breakfast. Just an idea. I'm open to what the majority decides.
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Does anyone know how many Lansing area guys there are 3 of or 100? I'm a old guy who doesn't walk well who's having another surgery Wednesday. Last year I dropped over a grand on ice fishing. All new rods reels line lures camera heaters and I added a second flip over and auger(used) I have a RZR with a built in Lowrance GPS added rakes to carry two shanties and a dog sled(needs to be picked up) to haul aluminum ramps. But with bad health and no friends it just sets. Sous I would like to meet a friend ;D
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I'm good for Saturday the 16th. Hopefully someplace with fish, but just meeting the local guys that like to have cold stinky fingers would be great! I'd go try someplace tomorrow the 9th, but I'll be in Jackson all day with my 11 and 12 year olds getting them their 8th? Taekwondo belts. They've been doing Taekwondo, old school Japanese jiu jitsu. (Danzen Ryu), and a bit of Krav Maga for about 4 years now. They come first. They give up Minecraft for good stuff, I give up Fishing..:(
- Joe
Next Saturday, February 16, it is supposed to be mostly sunny with a high of 31*.
How does next Saturday sound for the get together? We could do a Lansing spot as ORB has suggested. Or do an early morning breakfast and head out to a more (quality....bigger fish) lake. That would allow people to at least meet everyone over breakfast. Just an idea. I'm open to what the majority decides.
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For those of you that are interested, here is my Saginaw bay report so far.
Met up with Doeslayer, cool dude. We're out of Augres. 19* and steady wind about 10 mph.
Nothing so far, but the magical walleye hour is approaching.
Will post results of trio later. Time to start jigging.
(https://i.postimg.cc/56v8nGYV/20190209-172430.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/56v8nGYV)
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Only one walleye on a tip up, just after datk. 22/23 inches with stout shoulders. Going to taste good. Well worth the trip to learn something and to catch a meal. Hope the rest of you did well.
(https://i.postimg.cc/mhLQBvTN/20190209-194654.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/mhLQBvTN)
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With the melt we had I imagine it got soft around the edges of lakes. Is it firming up again? Any reports from Interstate, Morrison, Jordan, Tupper or Total Firearms?
- Joe
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If I can get my honey do list done in the in morning, I will be taking a drive over to Morrison tomorrow afternoon. Any one interested in meeting up or riding together?
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Is fox still frozen? My wife and I might go this afternoon.
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Just left Total Firearms, and they're were guy's fishing. Guy at fishing counter said guys did well last weekend. Definitely an option for Saturday.
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That's great news! I'll go to Total. All day on a Saturday or whenever. This Thursday will get slightly warm. Other than that the next 10 days are cold. :) Can someone tell me how the parking is for Fox Knoll? Does it ever get full? How far is parking from the lake edge? It it ok for pulling a shanty on skis, or better for just carrying a couple of buckets? I'm reaching the point that I have too much gear. In the old days I just walked out with 2 buckets and an auger and caught a ton of fish. Now it's like I have to bring so much crap. I don't fish as much.
- Joe
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Parking at Fox can fill in quick, room for about 4 or 5 car to pull into the lot and then the rest is parking along the road. Its a dead end
so not much traffic. I would recommend bringing a jet sled or carry in. It may be a couple hundred feet to the lake from parking
but its usually just a small path through the bullrush's.
Hope this helps
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Ok guys we have one vote each for hawk island and total firearms for this coming Saturday. I have no preference and will go wherever the majority decides. So far, counting myself, there are 3 people interested. Is anybody else interested in joining the group on Saturday?
One more thing to consider.......what time do we want to get together? Morning or afternoon?
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I'll do anytime. If we go morning, and the bite is poor, it will leave time to go try another spot. Today I drove from work on my lunch and looked around Jones lake. I didn't see any parking at all there. Do you just park along the edge of the dead end road? The "park" closes at dusk. Can you still park there and night fish? I might try it tomorrow night and report back.
-Joe
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I'll be going to Total Firearms pit tomorrow. I'm drinking beer now though, so it won't be early. Probably 11'ish. I'll have black coveralls, a small black sled, a couple white buckets, and a drill auger. I've got a shanty, but it will be 15-20 tomorrow so I don't need it. My digits are five oh 5 twenty, twenty five if anyone wants to call or text.
- Joe
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Anyone going to Morrison tomorrow? I’m thinking of heading there early AM. I would also go to Gun lake if anyone wants to go there.
Cole
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I'm a redneck I'll be watching our Superbowl the Datona 500
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I went to Total this afternoon. The bite was slow, but decent size to them. I came back with 12 nice size keeper gills, and one smallish perch I'm going to use on a tip-up tomorrow. Enough to make the fresh fish loving asian wife very happy. I tried to do a runtime test of my Ridgid Gen5x drill with 5" lazer auger, but failed. I drilled 25 holes on a 2.0AH battery, and still had 3 out of 4 bars left. I'm too lazy to drill that many holes. I'm going to quit taking my two 4.0AH batteries with me. Unless we get serious thick ice, my two 2.0AH batteries are plenty.
I'll be at Total again tomorrow. Hopefully earlier than noon. I want a limit. The guys out in deep water were getting a lot of little ones. I found a big bushy looking downed sunken tree along the far edge, and fished it. Not many, but nice size to them.
- Joe
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My new awesome pike rod, or maybe not?
(https://i.postimg.cc/62pVNMPJ/Pimple.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/62pVNMPJ)
My dad bought that for me over 50 years ago. It was to keep me busy at Houghton Lake when I was about 6 years old, and it worked. I got a few pike on it. I haven't used it in at least 45 years. I'm going to take it out tomorrow and see if it still works well. Today I was talking with a guy, and he had some strange looking reel. I asked him what it was, and he says "It's a new In Line Reel, they work great!". Then I point at my 35 year old schooley? rods and say "Those are In Line reels aren't they"?. It was funny...:) The more things change, the more they stay the same in many cases.
- Joe
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That's awesome Joe
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My new awesome pike rod, or maybe not?
(https://i.postimg.cc/62pVNMPJ/Pimple.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/62pVNMPJ)
My dad bought that for me over 50 years ago. It was to keep me busy at Houghton Lake when I was about 6 years old, and it worked. I got a few pike on it. I haven't used it in at least 45 years. I'm going to take it out tomorrow and see if it still works well. Today I was talking with a guy, and he had some strange looking reel. I asked him what it was, and he says "It's a new In Line Reel, they work great!". Then I point at my 35 year old schooley? rods and say "Those are In Line reels aren't they"?. It was funny...:) The more things change, the more they stay the same in many cases.
- Joe
Brings back memories. I had one just like that (think it was made by the same company) that my dad gave me when I was a kid at Houghton Lake, close to 60 years ago. I think it was a Christmas present. Looks like it should be good for you to haul in a few more pike with it ;D. Good luck!
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Thats is sweet vintage!ive been looking for 1 at garage sales to jig pike decoys while spearing.
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Today I went to Total again. 22 keepers this time. I put a small perch on a tip-up, and tried my jigging rod, but no luck with pike. It seemed like I was the only one at Total having luck today. The wife worked 11 hours today and is tired, so I have to clean my own fish. I think I remember how. Oh, and at Total, for me the bite drops off at about 3:00 PM. After 3:00 it's like 1 fish every 10 minutes. I didn't bring the camera today, and didn't use the fish finder. I'm having better luck getting back to basics and using common sense to find the fish.
- Joe
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I plan on going out to Total again Friday night, and Saturday whenever I've never tried night at total, so why not? Saturday/Sunday, If it gets wet enough, I may make the wife let me use our van, so I can take my Shappel 3000 shanty. I'll probably fish Sunday also. Not sure where. But I might be bored and want to try someplace different by then.
I'm at five-one 7, five oh 5, twenty, twenty five.
- Joe
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I worked way too hard tonight at Total to get 12 keeper gills over 3 hours. I was the only one on the lake. I left at 8:45 or so. I need a new place to obsess over. I'd like to try Morrison tomorrow afternoon/evening, but there probably won't be any parking. Is there driving ice there? I'm ready to just drive out like the old days. Screw parking..:) And this coming Sunday. It will be warm, but if you use a shanty, bring anchors. 50 MPH wind gusts are in the forecast.
- Joe
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Before you try driving out to fish, you might want to view this article, and note that the ice was 14 INCHES THICK!
https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwir65mwlNjgAhXL1IMKHeMcBkIQzPwBegQIARAC&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thetimesherald.com%2Fstory%2Fnews%2F2019%2F02%2F18%2Fkimball-man-arrested-after-truck-goes-through-ice-lexington%2F2903673002%2F&psig=AOvVaw1RKt-hex0fJwxRyZ4OB0em&ust=1551227898689714
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Someone posted a video of this idiot on ice shanty last week. Dude is dam lucky he didn't kill himself....1. When he fell and cracked his head on the ice and 2. When he crawled back into his truck and it started to sink.
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Live from Morrison lake parking lot:
One keeper Crappie, that I finally put back before heading in.
Marking fish was a challenge. Once marked, very difficult to entice a bite. Tried spikes and plastics. Crappie came on plastic.
Tried at least 20 different holes from 13' to 17'. Caught the crappie in 17'. A couple bites here and there through out the range.
Heading back in the morning.
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We were on a small lake south of there today with similar experience. One fat (with eggs) 10" perch and a keeper gill that we put back after four hours of catching nothing else. It was almost funny. In 9 fow the sonar shows no fish. Drop in the jig and they start coming in one or two at a time until the graph is mostly black (Showdown, no colors). But they would not bite! Both spikes and plastics. Frustrating, but it teaches you humility.
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6:20 and I'm the third car in the parking lot at Morrison. Giving it another try this morning.
Good luck to all my fellow fishermen that make it out today.
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6 keeper crappie, and 3 keeper gills, and a handful throw backs in the first couple hours. Bite was pretty much non existent from 10-2. Did manage to catch 4 large mouth bass. One really nice one. All my keeper fish came on plastics. Spikes and wax worms produce nothing but throw backs.
Any one heard anything on Jordan Lake or Chemung?
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I've never fished Chemung and I haven't fished Jordan this year. A couple years ago I had some fun going out to 30+ fow and catching decent sized gills. That's the deepest I've ever caught them. I'd also like to know what's happening there this year.
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is the fat lady singing? I never got out this year
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Thursday's high of 66* will probably have the fat lady singing in southern Michigan. Looks like the whole state will reach into at least the 50's. Traverse City and north should hold up for a couple weeks. The 10 day forecast isn't looking to bad for northern Michigan.
About time to start thinking about the Detroit river walleye run. Will be giving that a try this year. If any one is interested in going, hit me up.
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The 66 forecast Thursday is one thing. All the warm rain Wednesday and Thursday will take out shore ice. Might still get out with waders or long boards.
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It's over for me. I got out 6-7 times is all. I probably averaged 17 or so fish per outing. Not a great year, but better than the ones where it never gets cold.
Now I'm looking for a nice day to go over my little 14' aluminum boat, and see how the 9.8 and 3.6 motors are doing :)
- Joe
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For what it's worth. Just got a text from a buddie over in Saranac. He said Morrison was still being fished. He didn't say anything in regards to shore ice or ice thickness. Might be worth a drive to your favorite lake and see if some last ice is possible. Take a spud and spikes.
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So where do we move this to for Summer fishing? Some of us fish shore, some have boats, and we want to group up! :)
- Joe
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That time of the year again boys. I moved to the Hastings area but still work in the Lansing area several times a month. I’ll be able to give updates mostly around the west side of Eaton east side of Barry county but will venture around Lansing from time to time. Got some great promising temps early this year for the first time in a while! Hoping for a few inches by mid December fingers crossed. I’ll keep ya posted
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Good to see you back!
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Happy new year my fellow Lansing hard water fisherman. We'll be very lucky to have fishable ice around the Lansing area, from the looks of things. Has anyone made a trip north to fish? Middle of December, I saw people fishing Crooked lake near Petoskey, while I was up there trying to fill a couple to deer tags.
Good luck this year and be safe.
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3 weeks ago the wife and I were on the north side of Houghton Lake, slow but we were out.
My buddies 2 boys were up there this past Saturday and got a few eyes and were on 7"
on good ice, they were out off the north boat launch somewhere.
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Any ice report's around Lansing and surrounding areas?
The Grand river, east of Waverly rd, has ice a 1/3 of the way across from both sides. With river current trying to freeze, it should bold well for area lakes.
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Any ice report's around Lansing and surrounding areas?
The Grand river, east of Waverly rd, has ice a 1/3 of the way across from both sides. With river current trying to freeze, it should bold well for area lakes.
I also allowed myself to have some faint hope for area lakes. But today I had a chance to check Waterloo-Pinckney area and it's not encouraging. I looked at about five lakes, pretty shallow ones, and nobody had been out. A few people had spudded to check near shore and the ice looked to be about 3" and not strong. A couple of them had scary looking wet spots. There's no way I would go out on the ice I saw today. But let's keep sharing what we see. Maybe we'll be able get out around here before the season is over (fingers crossed).
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A good friend of mine sent me a quick video of a 1 man flip-over and a couple
guys fishing a gravel pit a couple miles north of St Johns, he does not ice fish so
he did not go and inspectigate.
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There’s ice all around Barry, Cass, Calhoun and Ionia county folks. Definitely worth a little drive wherever you’re at to go spud some spots. Hopefully the rain holds off. I found 4.5 in southern Kalamazoo county today and 3.5 in northern Barry earlier in the week. DeWitt area has 3-4. Lansing has got to have some ice around. Hope this helps fellas. This year has been a bust, Ice we want we don’t get the ice we get we don’t want. Ice picks spud bars and friends on the ice this year guys.
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Thanks for the update.
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I just seen a guy on the little lake south side of Davis Hwy. West of Canal Rd.
Seen the glow of a lantern and his rig parked there. Hope he does well.
A friend of mine fished on about 4" between St. Johns and Ithaca the other day.
Not sure on quality of the 4" though. Headed north next weekend.
Stay Safe!
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I fished Victoria (private) the other day. Solid black 4”, but a couple areas around the islands got down to 2. Like I said there’s ice out there fellas just bring your spud and ice picks. I think the ice that IS here is here to stay. Sure we have some warmups here and there but as long as it stay below freezing at night it’ll lock up overnight. After the cold snap we’d-Friday that going to really help even with the snow on top. Good luck fellas.
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I was over in the Pinckney SRA today on 4.5" of good ice with 4" of wet snow on top. Looks like we'll get a quick Arctic Blast later this week so this ice should be around for a while. Bite was slow but got a nice crappie and enough gills for a meal.
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Anyone been out in the Lansing area yet? Considering going to Morrison this weekend, if any one has a report on the ice conditions.
Thanks
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I’m down for Morrison. Total Firearms pit is still closed. I’ve got a 3 day weekend.
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That time of year again fellas. Headed north tomorrow. If anyone wants to share any info on ice conditions/where’s the bite at this year send me a message. I’ll update periodically but won’t have much time this year to go out and find ice like I have been the past 6 years. I appreciate anyone’s input this season. You guys can of course share whatever on this thread but starting to feel like the Internet is starting to ruin our favorite spots so I’m switching things up this year. Hope to share some good info this year. Message me whenever thanks guys
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Total Firearms pit near Holt now has public access at the north end, where they built a park. No more $5 fee. Look up Esker Landing. i drove over and looked at it. Sign says closes at dusk, but no gate. I don't know if they will enforce the hours. https://delhitrails.com/trails/esker-landing-park East leg of the roundabout between Holt and Mason.
My gear is ready, just need ice!
- Joe
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Thanks! I've never been on there. Looks like it's worth a try.
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I have caught a lot if bass there, as well as some pike, using tipups.
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People have been reporting 4" of ice on Sessions lake and a few other places. I'm going to go out and mess around tomorrow. Not sure where yet. Crego? Interstate? Maybe Motz county park. I'm pretty sure the Total Firearms pit isn't safe yet. It's so deep it seems to not warm up very fast. New toy I just ordered is this little fan/light to blow the heat down in my DX3000 shanty. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07PRRFMHV My Hunting Buddy heater kicks butt, but needs something to blow the heat down to my toes.
- Joe
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any luck find fishable ice? I was at Cegro two young guys were set up 6ft from shore said was 3in
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Today at Crego I put one foot on the ice to the right of the dock (not fishing pier) and was able to bounce the ice up and down and watch water squirt out of a bunch of little holes about 3' from shore. Nope. At Lake Interstate it looks like a guy went out about 20 feet, then put a bunch of sticks poking out of a hole. It looked like they may have gotten a boot wet. Another path going out about 80', again ended in brush sticking up out of the ice. Nope! I only looked at Lake Alliance and didn't see any signs of anyone on the ice. I had bait and all my non-shanty toys with me, but didn't see anyplace worth trying yet. PX store on MLK didn't have any bait in yet. Walmarts at Town Square and Charlotte have some sad looking waxies. I found a couple packs of them in the back that weren't dark yet. So far I've picked up 4 26" Beaver Dam Noodle Rod combos at Walmart. Working at replacing at least some of the old Schooley rods I've had for 35 years.
- Joe
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I think we have ice coming up. Wonderground 10 day forcast https://www.wunderground.com/forecast/us/mi/lansing has us at way below 32 average for the next 7 days. A couple of nights down to 18. Hopefully it will freeze all the slush, and add a couple inches :)
- Joe
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You guys can find ice anywhere north of my pleasant. I’ve been on several times the past few weeks. It’s a little drive but if you’re a freak like me it’s no big deal. Reports of Fichable ice around ottawa, allegan, and Jackson counties last week but I assume this last week softened it up a bit. Got some colder night this next week. I’ll probably start scouting Eaton/ingham/barry county in a week or so. Couple tips for you guys. Look for shallower small ponds/lakes that are shielded by hills/trees and have no inlets or outlets and/or springs. A lot of spring fed water you’ll see little air pockets in the ice early in the season. Those are the ones that will take a little longer. Just thought it might help for anyone new to finding first ice. Oh yeah also KNOW YOUR SPUD AND WEAR YOUR ICE PICKS AND BRING A FRIEND. More folks have gone through this year so far than any year within the past 5-7 years as far as I know. Stay safe
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Thanks RB, I'm confirming that and adding that I checked Vineyard Wednesday and tracks were visible going halfway across the lake. And coming back!
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I checked a half dozen lakes in Barry and Eaton Counties today and they were all being fished by multiple people. 3 to 5 good inches consistently checked by drilling a few holes and talking to people.
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Yesterday at Crego there was 4 inches of ice. No bites. One other fisherman there that wasn't doing anything either. Total Firearms pit had about 1.5 inches at the ends. The middle looked open and covered with geese. This morning I went to Morrison. 4" of ice. Lots of guys fishing. I got no bites again :( One guy that had 5 fish said they shut down right when I walked out at 8:30. 3-5 fish was the most I saw anyone with. I didn't see any caught after I got out there. I might try Motz/Clinton Lakes park this afternoon. Or maybe check to see if the little pit off Davis Hwy is iced over. If not, Lake Interstate might be worth a try.
- Joe
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I heard all good news for areas west of Lansing too. Now we need to keep that snow away for 1 week until those single digits.
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I heard all good news for areas west of Lansing too. Now we need to keep that snow away for 1 week until those single digits.
... and just like that the single digits disappear from the forecast.
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... and just like that the single digits disappear from the forecast.
It's my fault. I just upgraded from a 5" Lazer with 5X Ridgid 780 lbs drill, to a 7" Lazer and 1200 lb Kobalt drill. Now I might have to drive north to try it out. The Kobalts are $149 at Lowes with charger and 4.0 Ah battery. Anyone know of any good lakes near Ithaca? I've got a 3 day weekend. Need to bring the Baffin Eiger boots I bought my brother up to him in Sumner, so I want to try something around there if there's ice.
- Joe
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Does anyone know if the ponds on Dell road are private or not. Was told they are not but I have never seen anyone fish them
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Does anyone know if the ponds on Dell road are private or not. Was told they are not but I have never seen anyone fish them
It isn't a private lake. But you do need to find a way to get out on the ice without trespassing, or have permission from one of the landowners. It looks like there is parking for the Sycamore Trail pathway, right at Dell Rd that might entail walking a bit, but would provide access going south. To be a true Private Lake, it requires one owner of the entire perimeter, then it is private, and no DNR rules apply. Dell Rd pits are not private. The chain of these gravel pits goes from Hawk Island to south of Total Firearms. I'm looking to find access to the pit just south of Jolly Rd myself. As soon as the Total Firearms pit ices over I'll be out there via Esker Landing park.
- Joe
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Today I checked out a couple of local spots.
Davis Highway pit: It has ice, but very bad near shore. Less than 1" 3-4 feet out. No signs of anyone on it recently.
Lake Interstate. A couple paths going out, and someone was out in the middle with a Shappell DX3000 shanty. Probably good to go, but still be careful.
Motz Park: Lots fishing on the smaller east side. Lots of shanties there. A few on the west side where the rainbow trout are. It's good to go. I see signs saying the east side closes at dusk & $100 fine. No signs at the west side. Is the west side ok for night fishing?
I have to work 9-5 during weekdays, so a lot of the local park spots are closed for me. Tomorrow when I take my kids to KSA Martial Arts at Jolly/Aurelius I'll try and find a way to access the pit there :)
- Joe
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I'm up for going out any night but Tuesday or Thursday if anyone wants to go with me, and I don't mind driving a ways if the fishing is better. I'm thinking Total Firearms pit, Saubee/Tamarack, Tupper or wherever. I've got multiple size shantys and all the toys. I was on-call the last 10 days at work and haven't been able to go out. I'm ready now!
I've also got a free pair of skis if someone wants to build a smitty sled. I saw them today at Goodwill for $2.09 and couldn't pass them up :)
- Joe
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I fished the Esker Landing (the free) end of Total Firearms pit twice so far. 3-5 other guys out there also, and never saw a fish caught by anyone. Once in the afternoon, and the next time from 5:30-8:30 at night. All you see on the ice is dead minnows from bait. I marked a lot of fish, some big, but nothing biting for anyone. I bit the bullet and bought one of their $5 passes for tomorrow so I can fish where I did last year, and kept getting limits. It's going to be a cold one. If you see a Shappel DX3000 out there say hi, I might have coffee and a hot sausage or something :) If I strike out there, I'll go to Davis Hwy pond later.
- Joe
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I fished Total Firearms pit behind their store. Lots of fish in about 12' of water near downed trees along the edge! No bites except for a BIG smallmouth that I couldn't keep. A couple days ago I fished Davis Hwy pit in the evening. Lots of small gills. A keeper every 5 or so. I wasn't bored. They shut down at about 7:00 PM I dropped my cell phone down the hole when leaning over to get some brats cooking on my Hunting Buddy heater into 20' of water :( Not my best night. Seriously. This is my worst year ice fishing ever, and I'm old. But it's not over!
- Joe
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I hear ya Joe. I'm not too sure I can negotiate all the snow and my 80 lbs of gear and sled so I'm waiting for those younger guys to blaze trails for me.
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I hear ya Joe. I'm not too sure I can negotiate all the snow and my 80 lbs of gear and sled so I'm waiting for those younger guys to blaze trails for me.
I decided to lighten my load. I have a Striker Hardwater suit now. No need for a shanty. Or heater. And I have little rechargeable work lights now that put off a LOT of light, so I don't need a lantern. Or lantern/heater fuel. And I built a smitty sled that I can pull with a finger if I don't load it down. So rods, baits n stuff, fish finder, 2 buckets and a drill auger might be 25 pounds. Oh, and I lost 40 pounds myself which helps a lot. This is my plan. It might not work, but it's worth a shot.
- Joe