The weather for the weekend is expected to be in the low to mid 30’s with scattered snow showers moving in on Saturday. As of now, there are no signs of safe ice in the lower half of the lower peninsula, those looking forward to ice fishing will still have to wait.
Both Lake Cadillac and Mitchell have safe ice, anglers are finding good catch rates of crappie, pike, and mainly walleye.
Burt lake has safe ice, anglers are mainly targeting steelhead and some brown trout.
Houghton Lake has safe ice in certain areas, walleye and panfish are the main targets and anglers caught decent numbers of them.
Those targeting walleye had success dead sticking minnows rather than jigging spoons. Look for drop-offs along points.
Bluegill and crappie were biting on jigs like Fiskas Handpainted Tungsten Ice Jigs spiked with wax worms. Those targeting perch had good catch rates on jigs like the Flash Bang Ice Jigging Rattle Spoon by 13 Fishing and the Flat Jig Vertical Jig by Rapala.
Remember “Ice” does not mean “Safe Ice”. Always be careful when traveling on the ice, safety devices like the Ice Picks by Frabill or Korkers Apex Ice Cleats can only aid in your safety on the ice.
