Higgins Lake-Roscommon Winterfest 2012 Feb 17-18

Tip Up Town is over and the warm weather keeps on coming but the winter festivals remain undaunted. Next up is the Higgins Lake-Roscommon Winterfest 2012 featuring the Cardboard Klassic at Pioneer Hill. The only question is, will the weather cooperate?

The warm temps ( a high of 48 degrees today) is taking it's toll on the lake ice and the small amount of snowfall this year. I have only seen a few anglers "brave" enough to go out on Higgins Lake and there may not be enough snow on Pioneer Hill for the Cardboard Klassic.

This could also effect the Higgins Fishing Derby and the Snowmobile Radar Run. Both events are held at the North Higgins Lake State Park. Not to mention the Snowman contest.

The weatherman is predicting highs in the mid to upper thirties all this week. That still leaves 2 weeks until Feb. 17th, the first day of the festival. So keep your fingers crossed and pray for snow.

There's plenty to do so come on out and cure the cabin fever. Badges are $5 and help deffer the costs of the festival.

For schedule of events and more info click here.

Hope to See Ya There,

Ken S

Beautiful Weather and the Fishing is Easy

Reedsburg Dam State Camp Ground Fall of 2010
by
K. Stephenson

Spring is on the way. The weather here is in the thirties. The lake has more shanties on it than I have ever seen before. It seems perfect for ice fishing but use caution. When the temperature goes up and the sun shines, the ice cracks and refreezes at night leaving a pushed up ridge of ice and weak areas that won't support weight. Smelt and perch are still biting. Some walleye and pike are being pulled out of the ice. Minnows are still working and wax worms. Good luck!

Ice fishing is great but I have a few spots I want to try out in my pond hopper (see picture above). You can't see the bass jumping under the ice. The fish are feistier when the water warms and their metabolism cranks back up. Yah-hooo. There's a great kayaking trip on the Muskegon river I want to check out. I'm ready to get out and about in some warmer weather. The back roads and two tracks I love to travel are too snow covered to drive on even with 4 wheel drive and my snowmobile isn't running. It's official, I have cabin fever.


Stay safe, warm and dry,

Ken S.

Ice Fishing Report: Lake St Helen

Lake St Helen Smiling Sun on Shanty
by
K. Stephenson

Ice fishing on Lake St Helen is in full swing. According to Malcombs Tackle Box on M-55 Lake St Helen in having a great year of fishing with Bluegill, Perch and some Northern Pike and others being reeled in. The best fishing is off of Artesia beach. Photographs taken were by the DNR boat launch off Airport rd.

There are few heavy wood shanties on the lake as more anglers are using the portable shanties. Not too many of the fisherman are permanent residents who use the shanty often. Also if the weather warms and the snow melts and then reforms as ice, it's a major hassle digging the heavy shanty runners out of the ice when it comes time to move it.

Minnows and white artificial baits are currently on the menu. Also I am a proponent of jigheads. I started using them a few years ago and I love them. They give a natural presentation for more strikes. Hook the minnow through the lips.

For up to date information on the fishing and bait at Lake St Helen stop by Malcolm's Tackle Box on your way into town. They are knowledgeable and helpful, have a great selection of tackle and live and artificial baits.

Note: The St Helen Winterfest is February 5, 2011 and badges are only $3. We don't have a lot of snow so far this year and the warm snap melted a lot away. But we have since had more and currently have about 8" on the ground. so snowmobiling isn't great but still doable. There is a lot of snow on the lake so be careful about driving a vehicle on the lake.

Stay safe, stay warm and leave some fish for me.

Ken S

Winterfest-Higgins Lake-2011

Winterfest in Higgins Lake, Michigan is the other winter festival held at the North Higgins Lake State Park and various other locations. The 2011 Winterfest falls on the 18th and 19th. This is a great family festival. The event starts friday evening with dinner specials and $1 Cosmic bowling. Saturday the day begins with a pancake breakfast at Timbers restaurant, on County 100 just north of the South Higgins Lake State Park entrance.

The Cardboard Classic featuring sleds of various designs. Come and cheer for your favorite to make it all the way down the hill. Designs from the past have included boats, tanks, Hummers, a tea cup and saucer and the list goes on, limited only by the imagination. All entries must be cardboard, tape and paint only.  Preregistration is required for entering the competition. For more info contact Higgins Lake-Roscommon County Chamber of Commerce. Or call 989-275-8760

Pioneer Hill is across from Pioneer Hills Marine just off County 100 on North Cut Rd.

February 18th  kickoff:

• Timbers Restaurant with live music and dinner specials. 
• Fred's in Roscommon will have Cosmic bowling beginning at 9:30 p.m.($1 per game ~ $1 for shoes) drink and dinner specials.

February 19th events include:

• Pancake breakfast at Timbers Restaurant  8:00am - 10:00 a.m. 
• Higgins Lake fishing derby 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. NHLSP
• Snowmobile Radar Run ($10 registration) 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. NHLSP
• Crazy Cardboard Classic Downhill Run on Pioneer Hill 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (my favorite)
• Chili cook-off at the RAM Center 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. 
• Hot dog lunch 12:00 - 3:00 p.m. 
• Broomball competition begins at 1:00 p.m. and an awards celebration. NHLSP
• Kid’s carnival games, horse drawn sleigh rides, snowman building contest, box hockey and ice slide.

NHLSP = North Higgins Lake State Park. To check times and locations call 989-275-8760.


So if you enjoy Tip Up Town, USA or you missed it, or you just have cabin fever. Come and check out the Winterfest at Higgins Lake on February 18 & 19, 2011. 


$5 badge is required for admission to events. Children under 5 are free when accompanied by adult with a badge.


Stay safe, stay warm and have fun,


Ken S.

Houghton Lake Ice Fishing Report-Higgins Lake

Higgins Lake near W. DNR Boat Launch

by 

K. Stephenson 

Two unidentified anglers try to start their gas powered auger to make a whole about twenty yards out from the north-west side DNR boat launch. There was one other fisherman who had a couple of tip ups and was watching from his truck. None of them was using a shanty.

Here's a tip: If your going to use a gas-powered auger, start it up the day before to be sure it will start. Bring a can of starting fluid just in case it won't start. Also I am a fan of gas treatment like Sta-bil. All of my gas powered equipment starts on the first or second pull. At the beginning of the season I may have to use a shot of starting fluid, but after that it will usually start right up.

Higgins Lake near Gerrish Township Boat Launch

by

 K. Stephenson

The shanties at Higgins Lake are placed well apart at the Gerrish Township boat launch. A couple of miles north there is a large concentration of fishermen a couple of hundred yards out between Old Point Comfort and Treasure Island along the shelf. There are good concentrations of perch, pike and walleye being caught. 

Higgins Lake near Gerrish Township Boat Launch

by

 K. Stephenson

These guys are ready for a long day of ice fishing in what looks to be an extra large homemade shanty. I don't know how they pulled the trailer onto the ice, but a few days before this was taken two snowmobiles went through the ice near the DNR boat launch.

Houghton Lake: Perch have slowed but Northern Pike are being caught off the lighthouse by Korbinski's and Walleye are still biting by Harvys Marine. In the East Bay.

Bait of the Day: Minnows on jighead. Working at both Houghton and Higgins Lakes

Tip: Hook the minnow or chub through the lips. It is a more natural (if you use a standard horizontal jighead) presentation. Plus the minnows stay alive longer than hooking them through the back. Until next time.

Stay safe, stay warm and leave a few for me,

Ken