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Author Topic: benzie county.  (Read 11171 times)

Offline jdgambler

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benzie county.
« on: Jan 01, 2018, 10:46 AM »
Just wondering how much snow is on the ice. Has anyone been by crystal lake? how about big platte??
I'd rather be fishing than sleeping

Offline Higgins

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Re: benzie county.
« Reply #1 on: Jan 03, 2018, 01:12 AM »
I’m curious as well 🤔

Offline jdgambler

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Re: benzie county.
« Reply #2 on: Jan 03, 2018, 08:27 AM »
I was going to be in the area this week but not now  :(
Would have to say big platte is good
I'd rather be fishing than sleeping

Offline steely456

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Re: benzie county.
« Reply #3 on: Jan 03, 2018, 09:52 AM »
Crystal usually doesn't have safe ice until February or at least smelt/laker grounds.
 
It's easier to catch fish when your not on the computer

Offline jdgambler

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Re: benzie county.
« Reply #4 on: Jan 03, 2018, 09:54 AM »
right ,but this is a below average temp year so far .Mabey sooner than we think
I'd rather be fishing than sleeping

Offline netminder34

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Re: benzie county.
« Reply #5 on: Jan 04, 2018, 10:36 AM »
Last report I got was ice to Railroad point a few days ago, but they have been getting a lot of snow also so if it stayed open a little longer it might be best for clear ice.

Offline jdgambler

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Re: benzie county.
« Reply #6 on: Jan 04, 2018, 10:43 AM »
cool. I'm ready!
I'd rather be fishing than sleeping

Offline jdgambler

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Re: benzie county.
« Reply #7 on: Jan 04, 2018, 10:43 AM »
oh BTW. when was that?
I'd rather be fishing than sleeping

Offline netminder34

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Re: benzie county.
« Reply #8 on: Jan 05, 2018, 10:38 AM »
Begining of the week, talked with Mom this morning she didnt have an update on the lake but said they got another 6in or better of fresh snow last night so she hadn't been out of the house much.  I told her to take the sled dogs and go check but she just laughed at me.  I am going to try to head that way in a couple weeks.

Offline Joe in T.C.

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Re: benzie county.
« Reply #9 on: Jan 05, 2018, 01:29 PM »
Hi jdgambler,

Went by Crystal this morning and I seen people ice fishing   :thumbsup: :clap:

I did not check the ice, but here is what I saw:


LobbRoad



The Beach



Fishing off the Access by the marina



Fishing off the White Ave. access



Hurdmans Bay

Good Luck All  :tipup:


Offline jdgambler

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Re: benzie county.
« Reply #10 on: Jan 07, 2018, 08:55 AM »
wow! ice in herdmans already. I'm  ready
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Offline netminder34

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Re: benzie county.
« Reply #11 on: Jan 08, 2018, 12:34 PM »
Thanks for the report TC Joe.  I got the report Saturday night that Crystal is locked up, but lots of snow over the past couple days has me worried on the safety from Herdsman west.  The east side has had ice for over a week and is the first to freeze and be fished every year.  Looks like I will headed up next weekend for some work on the house, hopefully things will stabilize and grow some good ice to be fishable while I am there.

Offline benzie rover

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Re: benzie county.
« Reply #12 on: Jan 09, 2018, 09:00 AM »
The east side was ice over before we got the big dump of snow over New Years - the west side locked up after that. Spud your way around either place right now!! east side perch/whitefish spots will be slow walking, likely slushy and possibly sketchy ice due to all snow. West side is just regular new ice - thin and untested in most locations.

Offline pyro261

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Re: benzie county.
« Reply #13 on: Jan 09, 2018, 09:36 AM »
I've been wanting to fish Crystal Lake for about 3 years now and it never freezes safely. What's the chances of it being safe in two weekends (the 20th)?

Another question... I've never fished the lake, only scoped it out on Navionics. Hurdmans Bay is where I have marked out a number of spots to try. Am I on the right track if I'm looking for lakers?

Offline jdgambler

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Re: benzie county.
« Reply #14 on: Jan 10, 2018, 09:09 AM »
A lot of people say you need the 100 FOW and deeper range to find them. Honestly I've caught them in 30 and every other depth. I'm no expert on the lake. I've fished it every year since 1997. It's just to big to learn it would take a lifetime! Most guys go off lobb rd. it drops fairly quick there. Off m-22 there is a couple spots to park (very limited) It drops very quick there. to 100+ ft. If you can get out on herdmans bay that is an awesome area with the sunken island. I've fished that only a couple times. Just be ready to fight the wind . If the forecast says 10mph winds expect 20-25mph. for some reason it's a real windy lake.rarley calm.
I'd rather be fishing than sleeping

Offline pyro261

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Re: benzie county.
« Reply #15 on: Jan 10, 2018, 10:27 AM »
Yeah I have a spot marked to try off Lobb Rd as well, Hurdmans Bay just looks a lot better to me (assuming the Navionics map is correct).  I don't mind getting skunked if it means fishing a new body of water. I just like fishing new places.

Offline netminder34

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Re: benzie county.
« Reply #16 on: Jan 10, 2018, 01:36 PM »
Its hard to say on Crystal like other lakes of its size where the fish are going to be and if they will be active.  We have caught fish Shallow and Deep throughout the years and every year is different.  I wouldn't say you need to be over 100 fow like JD said either and we usually will setup covering a wide range of depths when we are fishing.  I know a lot of guys that are really hoping for a good long season with there not being much ice over the past few years the winter pressure has been very little and that may equate to a great winter season this year.  You are not wrong on the potential for Herdsman if you are there at the right time with the right presentation and bait.

Offline jdgambler

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Re: benzie county.
« Reply #17 on: Jan 11, 2018, 09:14 AM »
Ya for sure try a range of depths. We caught 2 coho in 35 FOW last year . WAS really neat seeing the school come in on camera. They hit a hali with wax worm. Couldn't hold them there. they were gone as fast as they came in. Never had seen that in 20 years of fishing, so you never know with that lake. Keep a dead minnow 3 foot off the bottom in 60 FOW the whole time you are there. burbot hit that.
I'd rather be fishing than sleeping

Offline pyro261

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Re: benzie county.
« Reply #18 on: Jan 11, 2018, 09:44 AM »
Is there any place to park near Hurdmans?

Offline netminder34

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Re: benzie county.
« Reply #19 on: Jan 11, 2018, 01:50 PM »
No official parking just along the side of the road east of where M-22 cuts back to the north is where most park.  A lot of cottages there and some are year round so be mindful of the plowed drives.  Most people park on the North side of the road better space to get off the road and this leaves one side open for people to get past parked cars.  Depending on snow it can be close to 1 lane through there.

Offline jdgambler

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Re: benzie county.
« Reply #20 on: Jan 11, 2018, 02:11 PM »
hopfully there will be enough ice for a machine soon
I'd rather be fishing than sleeping

Offline netminder34

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Re: benzie county.
« Reply #21 on: Jan 12, 2018, 12:31 PM »
I am thinking next weekend I should be able to get out and see what is going on.  Might not be on a machine but maybe, when she locks up she usually builds ice pretty good with these conditions.  Would be nice to see some subzero temps again for a week but she should be building every day for the next 5 or 6 days for sure.

Offline jdgambler

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Re: benzie county.
« Reply #22 on: Jan 12, 2018, 05:59 PM »
Let me know asap!! i'm ready to spend 72 hours on the most awesome lake in the state.
I'd rather be fishing than sleeping

Offline netminder34

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Re: benzie county.
« Reply #23 on: Jan 13, 2018, 07:22 AM »
Checked yesterday with a buddy I fish with when I am up there and he didnt have an updated report for me yet.  I will be headed up Thurs or Fri and will let you know what I find.

Offline jdgambler

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Re: benzie county.
« Reply #24 on: Jan 13, 2018, 08:06 AM »
I've got a local bait shop's number i'll call also
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Offline jdgambler

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Re: benzie county.
« Reply #25 on: Jan 13, 2018, 08:40 AM »
I called Backcast. in benzonia. they said most of the lake has 6" plus. but the far west end had 3" before warm up and nobody has went out since.but 90 percent is good right now and should be 100 percent within a few days. always use spud and a buddy and have saftey gear on this lake .
I'd rather be fishing than sleeping

Offline Epinephrine

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Re: benzie county.
« Reply #26 on: Jan 13, 2018, 08:48 AM »
Non-confirmed report of large 12'-ish crack near Lobb Rd. Use Caution!!

Offline netminder34

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Re: benzie county.
« Reply #27 on: Jan 13, 2018, 11:10 AM »
Checking the 10 day forecast, not the premium ice building weather I like to see but, should build ice all week before a small warm up the end of next weekend.

Offline jdgambler

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Re: benzie county.
« Reply #28 on: Jan 13, 2018, 05:52 PM »
Thanks E. I won't be able to get up there until jan 30th
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Offline pyro261

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Re: benzie county.
« Reply #29 on: Jan 15, 2018, 09:10 AM »
Anyone try out there this past weekend or would my best bet for an ice report be to call the fly shop?

 



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