So I used to live in Oscoda for a while, then I joined the army, then moved to downriver Michigan. In Oscoda, we used to have up to 4 flags up at once with some really nice northerns on the end. That was mostly in channels off of van ettan or the au sable. I really haven't been able to run into many pike downriver and nobody I fish with nowadays even likes to fish for pike.
The Banana Dyke is good for perch, I have experienced... But what a hike with my shanty! The marina behind wyandotte hospital produces perch at times. And just two days ago with all this open water, I took my ice rods into the channel on gibraltar road near Jefferson, and caught some nice perch close to the bank in 3.5 feet of water on minnows with a marmooska and a slip bobber; on ice rods!
Can't wait for next ice. Even the first ice was mostly honeycombed, so hopefully we get good strong ice this time around. And hopefully it lasts until mid-april.
Anyways, does anyone care to share their good downriver perch and pike holes?
Like I said, right now a few are ganged up in the canals. I caught 4 within 10 minutes of getting in the water and 10 more throughout the next 3 hours. No yumbos, but decent perch. They'll fry up nicely.
Like I said, I'm kinda new to this area and it really is a pain to find information on downriver ice fishing. Seems like the only places around downriver are the Banana Dyke, wyandotte hospital marina and these pita canals. I really don't know where I can fish legally without being chased off by local non-fish-friendly inhabitants and still catch a few.
I'm not afraid to walk long distances if it's a decent hole.
I hope I don't have to ebay my tip-ups!
