Author Topic: 2012 Gull Lake Smelt (Read 3138 times)

Swedish Pimp · « **on:** Jan 24, 2012, 08:12 PM »

Post reports for Gull Lake smalt action here.

swampbuckster · « **Reply #1 on:** Jan 24, 2012, 08:28 PM »

No smelt yet as of 2012. I've yet to make it out there

David in Augusta · « **Reply #2 on:** Jan 24, 2012, 10:34 PM »

40ish between Daboobers and myself on Friday night...we fished late 11pm till 5am...

C P · « **Reply #3 on:** Jan 25, 2012, 11:16 AM »

5 inches good ice fish were there too. Did well.

superslabs · « **Reply #4 on:** Jan 25, 2012, 01:43 PM »

Any recent repots on ice conditions. Smelt grounds south.

ggfish · « **Reply #5 on:** Jan 25, 2012, 03:50 PM »

Yep... the ice is good for the smelt grounds. People are starting to head out there now. Just be careful the ice is super super slick. If you have creepers wear them. You will be glad you did...

kcb · « **Reply #6 on:** Jan 25, 2012, 05:17 PM »

GG are you heading out tonight???

ggfish · « **Reply #7 on:** Jan 25, 2012, 05:20 PM »

Quote from: kcb on Jan 25, 2012, 05:17 PM

GG are you heading out tonight???

Yep I will be out there hanging on the outskirts of the city going for trout again.
Stop on over if you are out that late I will show you how.

smeltbuster · « **Reply #8 on:** Jan 25, 2012, 06:02 PM »

GG, gonna try your tip w/ cotton balls either thurs. or fri.nite. What do you have for a shanty?I am in a camo hub blind. If your tip works I just wanted to thank you in person!

ggfish · « **Reply #9 on:** Jan 25, 2012, 06:45 PM »

We will be out there trouting, If I see ya out there I will give ya a shout.

Iceassin · « **Reply #10 on:** Jan 26, 2012, 07:21 AM »

Quote from: smeltbuster on Jan 25, 2012, 06:02 PM

GG, gonna try your tip w/ cotton balls either thurs. or fri.nite. What do you have for a shanty?I am in a camo hub blind. If your tip works I just wanted to thank you in person!

Hey GG...could you post a pick of this? Thanks (from all of us)

On a more serious note, which I guess you could call a "Gull Report". There was another thread (I can't find it) about guys finding trash on and around the lake. If, you're doing it, STOP!!! And if you see someone else doing it STOP THEM!!! (ask for help from those around you if they're giving you the biz).

Some of you may remember a few years ago when the South Bay received an on-slaught of activity. Guys acting a fool, cops were called, cars being towed because they parked where ever they d**n well pleased. After all this, the Bay was pretty much shut down as far as access goes...it was at a premium. And if the b.s. doesn't stop..NOW...we're going to find ourselves, once again, on the outside looking in.

I know it's probably only a few individuals that are doing it, but it only takes 1 to ruin it for all of us. And the ones doing it will be the first to b***h that they can't get on anymore.

So please, take your stuff with you...pick up what you find...and stop the ones you see. Thanks.

Sorry for the rant and the hijack...but it needed to be said.

theripper · « **Reply #11 on:** Jan 26, 2012, 07:53 AM »

Looking at making a run down to go smelting. Is the south side of the lake the only spot that has good ice? Or are people fishing smelt on the north end as well? Any info would b greatly appreciated.

lessmeltmen · « **Reply #12 on:** Jan 28, 2012, 03:21 AM »

I made a smelt spear. I looked it up, and it is legal to do on Gull.

smeltbuster · « **Reply #13 on:** Jan 28, 2012, 09:19 AM »

I do not believe smelt spearing is legal On Gull lake.We checked last year,and it was not open to spearing.There is a list that the DNR has for closed lakes,and Gull was on that list.We had the same idea last year,but that got shot down.

smeltbuster · « **Reply #14 on:** Jan 28, 2012, 10:32 AM »

Here it is: DNR Fisheries order 200.11A.Gull lake is a type E trout lake .As stated in the the Mich. fishing regs,pg.12 for bow & spearing regs it says it is open on "Inland non-trout waters"(through the ice". Gull is also listed on pg. 27 of the regs as a Type E lake.

wmu1989 · « **Reply #15 on:** Jan 28, 2012, 11:41 AM »

TIMES 2-- a type E lake

lessmeltmen · « **Reply #16 on:** Jan 28, 2012, 06:24 PM »

on page 22 it lists designated trout lakes as A,D and B lakes marked with an asterisk, so that would make an E lake legal right?

lessmeltmen · « **Reply #17 on:** Jan 28, 2012, 06:41 PM »

On page 12 it states inland non-trout waters are those inland waters except Designated
Trout Lakes and Designated Trout Streams (see FO-200, FO-
210, and p. 22 - 37); For exceptions to these regulations, see
Note 8 - Restricted Spearing Lakes (p.8). Page 8 does not mention Gull lake.

Designated trout lakes:
All Type A, all Type D and those Type B* lakes marked with an asterisk (*) are designated trout lakes (see p. 26 - 37).

I think it is still legal. On page 22 it lists designated trout lakes as A,D and B lakes marked with an asterisk, so that would make an E lake legal right?

smeltbuster · « **Reply #18 on:** Jan 28, 2012, 07:04 PM »

You appear to be correct! I will be contacting the Plainwell DNR office on Monday to find out.Sorry about the misinformation.The only other regs that I have seen that are more confusing than Mich.,is Alaska. That is one cool looking spear & if it is legal I will be firing up the welder!!!!!!

lessmeltmen · « **Reply #19 on:** Jan 28, 2012, 08:35 PM »

I believe it is technically called a nigog. They were originally used for sprearing eels. This one I made specifically for smelt, I have a couple made already and plan on making several more, unless someone can show me that it is illegal. I am pretty sure Gull, Crystal, Green and Higgens lakes are all legal for spearing smelt during the months of January & February.

Diehard_fisherman · « **Reply #20 on:** Jan 28, 2012, 09:01 PM »

thats wicked that their eyes glow!

Higgins · « **Reply #21 on:** Jan 28, 2012, 09:30 PM »

Quote from: lessmeltmen on Jan 28, 2012, 06:41 PM

On page 12 it states inland non-trout waters are those inland waters except Designated
Trout Lakes and Designated Trout Streams (see FO-200, FO-
210, and p. 22 - 37); For exceptions to these regulations, see
Note 8 - Restricted Spearing Lakes (p.8). Page 8 does not mention Gull lake.

Designated trout lakes:
All Type A, all Type D and those Type B* lakes marked with an asterisk (*) are designated trout lakes (see p. 26 - 37).

I think it is still legal. On page 22 it lists designated trout lakes as A,D and B lakes marked with an asterisk, so that would make an E lake legal right?

This is correct, I checked 2 years ago by emailing the DNR to check and see if it would be legal to spear smelt out of Higgins and YES you can spear on Type E lakes unless mentioned other wise in the restricted spearing lake section. Yes it has plenty of trout in it but it still is not a designated trout lake (the regs are stupid and confusing)

lessmeltmen · « **Reply #22 on:** Jan 28, 2012, 10:28 PM »

That is good to hear, I will start ramping up production.

wilsonmi · « **Reply #23 on:** Jan 29, 2012, 07:32 AM »

Just a little clarification. As Higgins said, it is legal to spear smelt in Gull, but only in Jan-Feb. First check lake type. Gull is type E. Go to page 22 of the guide. It tells you what types are designated trout lakes. Type E is not a designated trout lake. (Just because trout are stocked into Type E lakes doesn't mean they are classified as a designated trout lake) Now go to the bow and spear fishing table on page 12. Read the text above the table as it gives you a definition of inland non trout waters, which is any lake that isn't a designated trout lake. We already know type E isn't a designated trout lake. Go to the spearing table and you will see spearing for smelt is open thru the ice in Jan-Feb. You can then look by county to see if there is any exceptions (there aren't for Gull).

superslabs · « **Reply #24 on:** Jan 30, 2012, 09:31 AM »

You should contact your local DNR officer on this one. It is how THEY interpit the rule book. I spoke with the local officer who patrols Gull last year on this mater and he said " You will receve a ticket if caught spearing smelt ".

smeltbuster · « **Reply #25 on:** Jan 30, 2012, 05:07 PM »

I checked with the Plainwell DNR office today.After being put on hold for quite a while I recieved an answer.YES it is legal to spear smelt through the ice in Jan.& Feb on Gull lake.Sorry for the misinformation the other day,now I gotta go out in my barn & build a smelt spear!

wilsonmi · « **Reply #26 on:** Jan 30, 2012, 06:52 PM »

Thanks for checking officially smeltbuster. I will now begin sharpening the tines on my crab fork!

coldfishin82 · « **Reply #27 on:** Jan 30, 2012, 08:14 PM »

I WAS THNKING ABOUT MAKING IT UP TO THE BAY TOMORROW, DO YOU GUYS THINK THERE WILL BE SAFE ICE WITH ALL THIS WARM TEMPS? Thanks.

dgb · « **Reply #28 on:** Jan 30, 2012, 08:20 PM »

Quote from: wilsonmi on Jan 30, 2012, 06:52 PM

Thanks for checking officially smeltbuster. I will now begin sharpening the tines on my crab fork!

Is that what you do to get them when there not bitting....got to resort to spearing.....I was thinking about a depth charge

......CP can you hook me up with one of them? What does it say about that in the regs?

Higgins · « **Reply #29 on:** Jan 30, 2012, 09:45 PM »

I love to spear and I was all ready to get me some smelt a few years back but then as I thought about making the hole I realized that it would be very easy for some drunken smelt fisherman (plenty out there smelt fishing) to fall into my hole and add night time and deep water to the situation and it spells trouble, now yes of course I would have put a stick in the hole to mark it but sticks can melt and fall in and idiots with a few drinks in them might think its something to play with. Not saying that you shouldnt spear them I'm just saying "be very careful on marking your holes"..........O yeah and stick one of them little suckers for me

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Author Topic: 2012 Gull Lake Smelt (Read 3138 times)