Houghton

[bignate]

Can anybody tell me an accurate ice report on houghton lake, everybody keeps talking about it but I was wondering what he ice was.  We were thinking of going up next weekend and want to know if we could still depend on ice being there with this rain and warm spell.
Thanks
Nate

[Reel Wet Ride]

after today you should get an accurate report. From what I've heard a decent group of guys were meeting up there today for the 1st Annual Michigan Ice Shanty BS Bowl. I'm stuck at work, otherwise I'd be there.

[dachmation]

Hey Fellas I was out there today at (actually 3rd) Annual IS Bowl, lol.

Had a 7 man turn out, only 250% improvement over last year. LOL
Had a great day even if it did rain for a couple hours in the Mornin, but finally changed to just snow.

I had to leave at 1:00 for a family doings, but we caught several Pike up to about 22" and Many many, too many dink perch, but nobody could get smaller then Fisher 50's 1 1/2" perch..
I got some pics and will post tomorrow when I have more time.

Turnout was Myself Dach, Fisher50, Rendo, Cooley, Fidel Casserole, Burksee and ih722.
Thanks guys and I'll post em tomorrow

Cya!

Mike

[skulldugary]

Glads you guys had a good time,how much ice did you have out there?

[FidelCasserole]

There was about 10 inches of ice straight our from the launch.   I had a great time and was glad to meet the guys for a day of fishing.    The action was pretty slow, but I still had a good time after taking a 2 hour nap.   I ended the day with 4 pike, the largest and only keeper being 26" plus a nice 10"+ crappie (picture is in the 2006 contest).   All fish were caught on tip ups.   Every bite came on a walleye minnow, 3" - 4" , I never got a bite on the 6" sucker that I put out.    I did talk to a guy coming off of the ice that caught a nice fat 35" pike on a jigging stick.

Once again, nice to meet everyone and hope to see you out on the ice again soon.

[Freezeout]

Good to hear you guys had a good time and caught some fish! Where are the pics? 

So, the ice was about 10 inches thick? That's not too bad considering the warmer weather. I am going up to Houghton lake next weekend. I hope the ice holds out until then! I already have Cabin reservations and if I cancel I am out a nights rental fee. 

The weather report for this week looks to be in the mid 30's with a mix of rain and sun all week. 

Crossing my fingers that there is at least 6-8 inches of ice next weekend!

[fisher50]

Should be fine.  It's made it through worse in the past few weeks.  The ice is good and solid.  Don't drive a truck on it, but ATVs are all over the lake.  Get a local and current report before you go out.  There have been years where a hole opens up in the moddle.  Had one a mile or so accross once.  I never saw an explaination of why/how it happened.  I plan on going back up next weekend. 

[Freezeout]

Should be fine.  It's made it through worse in the past few weeks.  The ice is good and solid.  Don't drive a truck on it, but ATVs are all over the lake.  Get a local and current report before you go out.  There have been years where a hole opens up in the moddle.  Had one a mile or so accross once.  I never saw an explaination of why/how it happened.  I plan on going back up next weekend. 

I hope your right Fisher50! I think as long as the overnight temps drop down to the lower to mid 20's we should be o.k.

Do you reccommend heading out from the southshore part of the lake? Over by Lymans? Is that where you guys fished on Saturday?

[rendo]

 Yes we went out from the southend Dnr boat launch

[Freezeout]

There was about 10 inches of ice straight our from the launch.   I had a great time and was glad to meet the guys for a day of fishing.    The action was pretty slow, but I still had a good time after taking a 2 hour nap.   I ended the day with 4 pike, the largest and only keeper being 26" plus a nice 10"+ crappie (picture is in the 2006 contest).   All fish were caught on tip ups.   Every bite came on a walleye minnow, 3" - 4" , I never got a bite on the 6" sucker that I put out.    I did talk to a guy coming off of the ice that caught a nice fat 35" pike on a jigging stick.

Once again, nice to meet everyone and hope to see you out on the ice again soon.

Nice pic of your Crappie! 

Just out of curiosity, how do you get different size Minnows, Shiners? All I know of in bait shops are just small (regular) minnows, and then the monster 6" + Minnows. What are the 3"-4" minnows called?

Also, what is the best way to put these on a hook? Through the top of their back? Through their tail?

Thanks!

[FidelCasserole]

Nice pic of your Crappie! 

Just out of curiosity, how do you get different size Minnows, Shiners? All I know of in bait shops are just small (regular) minnows, and then the monster 6" + Minnows. What are the 3"-4" minnows called?

Also, what is the best way to put these on a hook? Through the top of their back? Through their tail?

Thanks!

Thanks about the pic/fish! 


Most of the bait shops around here (MI) usually have 3 or 4 sizes or types of bait fish.   Smallest being perch minnows, which tend to be 3" or smaller shiners(I believe?), then come the walleye minnows,  normally 3" - 4" shiners(?) .    After that come the bass/pike shiners  4" - 7", and then suckers/chubs 4" - 12"+


I tried a 6" sucker and had no bites on it all day.   I also bought some walleye minnows from Lymans and hooked them thru the lips.    I didn't get any hits on them until I switched to a flourocarbon leader, something to keep in mind.