Houghton Lake Ice-Out is Underway

A Pair of Ducks at Dead Stream Flooding
photo by
K. Stephenson

Although winter hit us with one last shot in the form of 8 inches of snow about a week and a half ago. Warm temperatures and plenty of sunshine since then have the ice on the run. Houghton Lake and surrounding area lakes and waterways have all begun to at least show water, with some moving waterways almost completely ice free. Ice out on Houghton Lake could occur as soon as the third week in April. The DNR puts the docks in around the beginning of May.

Dead Stream Flooding Next to Reedsburg Dam
photo by
K. Stephenson

The above photo was taken the last day of March and the ice has receded even further since then.

Backus Lake is still mostly covered with ice but is showing signs of melting such as a 3 inch wide crack near the boat launch. The road back to Backus Lake is heavily rutted from the winter ice fishermen. And with the frost coming out of the ground the road is very muddy and slick. Use caution or just wait until May before venturing out to Backus Lake.

Now that we're in the transition period between ice fishing and open water fishing, this is a great time to think about cleaning and oiling your favorite reel. Maybe replacing the frayed or stretched line with some new line. One maybe two seasons can cause the line to lose it's strength. There's nothing like getting the big one on the hook only to have the line break when you get him next to the boat.

Speaking of hooks you should sharpen or replace any dull hooks. Heck, why not just empty the tackle box and get rid of the junk. You know the pieces of fishing line, the bent jigheads, broken bobbers, lures that are missing hooks. How about the wrappers from the crappie rigs, the sinkers, the beef jerky and sandwiches? You know what I'm talking about. Put the boat battery on the charger. Nothing can ruin the day like a dead battery. You don't even get away from the dock. Not to mention it's embarrassing (believe me I know).

Get organized before the season starts and your fishing adventure will be much more fun and relaxing.

Think safety and have a great summer of fishing.

Ken S.

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Houghton Lake Fishing Report: February 8,2011

February Snowday in Houghton Lake
by
K. Stephenson

Houghton Lake fishing has slowed due to severe cold weather. Some Perch and Pike are still being caught in the East Bay off Harveys Marina and Korbinskis Marina, also off the north shore. Perch and Bluegill are still being reeled in near Lymans On The Lake and the west DNR boat launch. They're biting on minnows and wax worms when they're biting.

There's 8-12 inches of snow on the lake and higher drifts in some spots. Great for snowmobiles but anything less than a 4 wheel drive is not recommended. The temperature is supposed to reach the 30's this weekend and the warmer temperatures can cause ice to crack and shift. Caution is advised at all times on the lake but even more vigilance is required when the temperatures rise. A shift in the ice can cause an ice wall up to two feet high that you won't see until you are on top of it.

Winterfest in Higgins Lake and Roscommon is February 18 & 19.

 I've been away due to my health. I was hoping to have some pictures of TUT for you but I couldn't make it this year.

Until next time Stay safe, Stay warm and keep the tread side down.

Ken S.

Houghton Lake Ice Fishing-East Bay Shanty Town

East Bay Houghton Lake near Harveys Marine

by

K. Stephenson

The Houghton Lake East Bay was filled with shanties and fisherman today even thought the temperatures dropped well below zero in the morning. My computer read -6 degrees at 8:30 AM. The high for today was forecast to be 22 degrees and with the help of sunny skies I'm sure it made it. It was a beautiful day.

Above is a photo of a "shanty town" in the East Bay just off Harveys Marine. Both the marine store and the marina with boat slips are for sale. Someone suggested that the marine store might be a great place for a restaurant. With the boat slips and a dock for those on the lake and plenty of parking it would just take the right person to make it happen. I know nothing of the zoning laws or land use for restaurants, but a nice seafood restaurant there would sure be nice.

As for the fishing, all area are reporting moderate to good fishing, with minnows and wax worms the preferred baits. I haven't met up with anyone fishing either Higgins Lake or Lake St Helen. But as soon as a I do I'll let you know. As a matter of fact I may just take a drive tomorrow and check at least one. Until then..

Stay safe, stay warm and stay dry,

Ken

Houghton Lake-Reedsburg Fishing Report

Northern Pike-Reedsburg Dam

by

K. Stephenson

The temperature at midnight was 45 degrees. It's now 39 and dropping at 11:30 am. By tonight the temps will be in the teens and with the wind chill we're talking low single digits. Great for ice fishing but too late for snowmobilers. The snow has all melted and there's nothing but a few flurries in the forecast for the next week.The lake had significantly fewer shanties on it yesterday. Probably due to it being New Years eve and the warm weather turning the surface ice to several inches of slush. A good move since that slush will now refreeze and could lock a shanty in the ice until spring thaw.

Now for some good news. I was able to get out for a few hours of fishing by the Reedsburg Dam. The Northern shown above was only about 18" (just a baby), so I put it back to grow a little bigger. Of course, the big one got away. I was using a white plastic bait on a small black jig head (1/16 oz). The plastic was a 4" bleedin' tube. Anyway the short version is the hook was turned back into the bait so the hook didn't set. I pulled the big fella about 12 feet before his resolve gave out and he let go of the bait. Good thing he probably would have broke my pole.

The small one that I did catch I caught on a dead chub that some other fisherman had dumped after fishing. There were a few littering the bottom of the shallows just off shore but too far for me to retrieve. Besides I was just curious if I could get one to bite on plastic. It did but it took some time before the first strike. The dead chub was gobbled up within the first few minutes. Imagine what a live one could do for you! 

When I was young and went fishing with my dad, he would always bring both minnows and crawlers. I'm not a fan of minnows or chubs. They're a hassle because you have to haul around a bucket full of water, dip the little wigglers out and try to get them on the hook before they die. Also they don't last more than a day or two. Nightcrawlers on the other hand will keep in a refrigerator for weeks. Two dozen crawlers lasted me a month during the summer. As soon as I came home I put them in the fridge. 

But the most compelling reason I haven't  used minnows is, my dad never caught very many fish. At least not while fishing with me. I used nightcrawalers, caught plenty of fish and never looked back. Theres more to it than that but that's a story for another time. Rest assured I'll be toting a minnow bucket this summer, along with my crawlers, when I head out on Houghton Lake. I'll let you know how it turns out. So long for now.

Stay safe, stay warm and pray for snow,

Ken

Houghton Lake Ice Fishing-Great Start for the New Year

Dead Stream Flooding by K Stephenson

As I passed the lake on my way into town yesterday I noticed more shanties than I have ever seen on the lake in the 8+ years I have been coming here. The early cold and the budding economic recovery I think are the determining factors. Or it could just be that the fishing is good. Whatever the reasons, it's a welcome sight. This season promises to be a very good start for the local economy with Tip Up Town coming in just a few more weeks (more on TUT soon) the . The theme Life's a Beach could be the cause for the unseasonably warm weather.

We're being hit by the heat wave here in Houghton Lake just like the rest of Michigan. Highs close to 40 Friday and Saturday with the temps dropping to the low 20's on Sunday. I don't believe this will affect the lake too much for fishing BUT it could cause cracks and shifting ice which can make traveling across the ice dangerous. Especially on a snowmobile or SUV traveling at a high rate of speed. Speaking of snowmobiling, the warm temps are melting the snow at a fast rate. We only had maybe 5 inches on the ground and by Saturday there won't be any snow to speak of. Weather forecasts do not bode well for an addition of snow over the next 5 days. So keep your fingers crossed.

For more information about Houghton Lake fishing go to Houghton Lake Fishing.

I will report more soon including Tip Up Town USA info.

Stay safe, Stay warm and Happy New Year,

Ken

Houghton Lake Ice Fishing on Christmas, Why Not

MERRY CHRISTMAS

As I rode around Houghton Lake today (today being Christmas day) I noticed some angers on the ice. Possibly trying out some new ice fishing equipment. The lake hasn't become dotted with fishing shanties yet, but that's not far off. As word of the ice being at least as much as 6 inches thick in some areas, more and more of the small wooden shacks will be showing up on the lake.

Korbinski's Marine and Lymans On The Lake both have shanties for rent already placed on the lake. Give them a call and check for availability.

Well I'm on my way to a friends place for dinner.

Stay warm, stay safe and stay jolly,

Ken S.

Houghton Lake Ice Fishing or Baby It's Cold Outside

North Bay Houghton Lake  

Photo by K. Stephenson

Ice fishing. The words bring a chill to my very bones. Seriously. I have memories from my childhood (I was ten) of sitting on a plastic bucket, next to a hole in the ice, the sweat from cranking the auger turning to ice on my skin. I would get up and wrap my numb fingers around the auger crank handle and start a new whole just to get warm. I didn't have to finish the hole, just crank long enough to generate some body heat. 

My father, having discovered the ice was 14 inches thick, had returned to the parking lot to get the car and drive it out onto the lake (like everyone else had already done) so we could sit in the car and stay warm while waiting for that little red cloth flag to "tip up" and let us know there was a fish on the other end. After thirty minutes in the car, my hands were able to let go of the auger handle. Suffice it to say I was miserable. I never went ice fishing again.

Today there's an easy solution to staying warm on the ice. Dress appropriately for the temperature. Always expect the temp to be 10-20 degrees colder than the weatherman says. Dress in layers, if your too warm you can always take something off. Finally there a whole bunch of different light weight portable Ice Fishing Shanties on the market suitable in size for one to six persons. Prices range from $50-$600 depending on size and comfort. The smallest folds into a backpack and the larger ones come with a hard floor that doubles as a sled for transport across the ice. Amazon has an excellent variety at great prices you can see them here. Check quickly some have only a few left in stock.

Dead Stream Flooding (Reedsburg Dam)

Photo by K. Stephenson

It's that time of year again. Winter has come in hard and fast with temperatures well below freezing. The lake has had ice on the surface for about ten days now. BUT that does not mean the ice is thick enough to be safe. Every year since I moved here, I hear about someone falling through the ice because it's not safe yet. Most of the time it's just a leg but once in awhile tragedy strikes. I have seen an SUV about 50 feet from shore with just the roof sticking out of the ice. A rule of thumb that I use is to check with the local bait shops, Lymans on the Lake or Korbinskis or call the DNR to find out if the ice is safe yet. 

Still most people come up, see someone else is on the lake and decide it must be safe. It was just a few years ago when a group of people drove out on the lake and set up next to each other. It didn't take long before the weight of the people and their vehicles cracked the ice. They barely made it back to shore in time. About two years back a couple of winter anglers were fishing on Higgins Lake when the ice around their brand new pick truck cracked and the truck started tipping sideways. One fisherman made it off the ice right away, the other was in the truck and had to crawl out the window when he couldn't open the door. He made it out of the truck just before it slid into the lake.

The owner ended up with a waterlogged truck and a bill for pulling it out of the lake. It could have been worse but it was still an expensive lesson. Automobile insurance doesn't cover you on the lake.

Tip Up Town badges are available at local area businesses for $6.00. More TUT later.

Again if your interested in a portable Ice Fishing Shanty from Amazon click here.

Until next time...

Stay warm, Stay safe and Stay dry,

Ken