STERLING / WEST BRANCH AREA LAKES

[fishinainteasy]

Anyone been out on any of the lakes in this area yet? I have a hot spot on a private lake up there and was wondering what the ice conditions were. Any info will be greatly appreciated!!

[mmb]

Fishable ice on lakes in the West Branch area but not alot of folks out just yet.

Be careful of thin ice patches if you venture out on the ice.  There were some wet spots on the lake down the road from my house before this last snow storm.  Now everything is under 10 inches of snow. 

[fishinainteasy]

Are you familiar with Forest Lake? That is where I fish and I was up a week and 1/2 ago...and no one was out as of then. I am looking to go up and fish this weekend

[mmb]

I'm not familiar with Forest Lake, but with the cold temps we've been having, I would be willing to wager it is fishable. 

Talking with some folks that fish Lake St. Helen and they told be it had 10" of ice with around 6" of the clearest ice they have ever seen.

[fishinainteasy]

It is a private lake in Alger......my parents live up there and I have access...I am headed up saturday and sunday to fish it....over the past couple of years i have got the fish figured out with my vexilar and crappies galore it is!! easy access to fish I park the truck walk 100 yards and i am fishing in 25-30 foot of water catching crappies suspended down about 13-15 foot on minows hooked thru the tip of the tail.

[fishinainteasy]

There have been many many many Master angler crappie pulled from this lake...up to the 18" mark!! I have not got one over 13" myself as of yet but I am determined to this season!!