Going north...

[CL_Outdoors]

My buddies and I are tossing around the idea of taking a Michigan trip. Looks like Houghton has started to lock up along with some surrounding lakes like Cadillac and Missaukee. Anyone have recent success on any particular lake in that area?

Read a post on the MI thread on lake Houghton from 2018, guy said he went up there and was disappointed with the size of fish.... maybe it was just a down year or is it just tough to find decent pockets of fish?

[fishinator]

I could be wrong, but I'm pretty sure Cadillac/Mitchell is the place the Michigan locals recommend to out of state people, just to keep them out of the good spots . There is a popular baitshop up there that used to have year long tournaments,  I was never overly impressed by anything I saw. I could be way wrong and they may be the best lakes in the state, and I just suck at fishing!

[CL_Outdoors]

There's a ton of youtube vids out there of people catching some really nice panfish pike and walleye on cadi/mitchell but they all have live scope, so I'm thinkin unless you have the tools to locate fish quickly they can be tough places to catch good fish.

[ftwwalleye]

I don't have a lot of experience on Mitchell but know that area freezes earlier then others. I've tried my hand at Houghton and never had great success. I'm not as good at dissecting large bodies of water like that. If you have a sled you can really get out to some of the areas but we did on foot and a lot of walking. Caught lots of fish but a million dink perch and few small walleyes. I have seen big ones come out of there but not on the end of my rod. That being said I had a great time and it's not always about trophies. Nice places to stay right near shore, can have food delivered to your shanty from snowmobile delivery, and liquor store near with good beer selection..lol.

[hounds]

Went up to Cadillac last winter, lots of small perch.

[esox_xtm]

If you're planning a trip very soon be prepared to drive further North than you think...

[tater140]

I have spent more time in Wisconsin on my drives north to find ice.  6-8 hours from NE Indiana usually can get quite a few good options for fishing.  It seems I have found better ice going that route on our down years here in Indiana.

[hounds]

I'm heading to the Cisco Chain Friday Morning. 

[ice-dogg]

I'm heading to the Cisco Chain Friday Morning. 

Da U.P.?

[steak91]

Lakes Cadillac and Mitchell are the first to lock up generally and get pounded all winter.  Tough lakes to fish.  I have had good success on Houghton but it is huge and you have to have a vehicle of some sort to move around and find fish.  Not really practical to think you can have success there on foot.

[hounds]

It was between Eagle River Wisconsin and the UP.   There was fishable ice.