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

Tip Up Town, USA 2011 Update- Polar Bear Dip

Tip Up Town, USA. The temperature for the first weekend of TUT was "ice cold" as usual, with the temp in single digits, closer to zero. But that didn't stop the record crowd from having a good time at the 61st annual TUT, USA 2011.

The Houghton Lake Chamber of Commerce has announced there will be "no" preregistration for the Polar Bear Dip, but only the first 250 jumpers will receive a sweatshirt. So if you want a sweatshirt plan to be early. The "dipping" starts at 1 pm on saturday Jan 30. Registrants start forming the line around 11am possibly earlier. Some of these people are hard core as they wait in line year after year to get that sweatshirt. I enjoy watching the Polar Bear Dip but personally, I don't need a sweatshirt that bad. At least not this year. Maybe next year. Never say never.

Coming next Fishing Report St Helen. Hope to have some photo's of the Polar Bear Dip for you after next weekend. So until then...

Stay safe. Stay warm. See ya next time.

Ken S.

Tip Up Town USA 2011-Schedule of Events

Tip Up Town, USA 2011

I recently came across a copy of the schedule for this years events. Seems the Chamber of Commerce link isn't working. So here are the highlights:

Fri, Jan 21

• 4 pm           Medallion Hunt Clues
• 6pm-10pm  Tailgate Party with "Hidden Agenda" at Beverage Tent

Sat, Jan 22

• 10 am          TUT Fun Run, Parade, Bed Races
• 10am-3pm   Snowmobile Radar Run Races
• 10am-4pm   Kids Ice Fishing Contest
• 11am-6pm   Beverage Tent music with "Hidden Agenda"
• 11:30 am     Winning Floats arrive TUT sight
• 12pm           Youth hockey Tourney

Sun, Jan 23

• 10am-1pm   Ice Fishing Contest Weigh In
• 11am           Church Service
• 3 pm            Pie Eating Contest

Saturday and Sunday both weekends
12pm-6pm   Family Fun Tent

•        Carnival Rides and Games
•        Ice Slide
•        Mechanical Surfer
•        Pony Rides-Petting Zoo-Kids Snowmobile Rides
•        Redneck Horseshoes
•        Magic show on both sundays 12:30-1:30

  
Sat, Jan 29

• 10am           Ice Sculpture Judging
• 11am-6pm   Beverage Tent music with "Revolver"  
• 1pm             Polar Bear Dip (preregistration required)
• 2:30pm        Brother of the Bush, Most Badges Contests
• 3pm             Pie Eating Contest

Sun, Jan 30

• 11am           Church Service
• 12pm-4pm   Family Fun Tent
• 3pm             Pie Eating Contest
• 4pm             Grand Prize Giveaway in Family Fun Tent

Helicopter rides and fireworks on saturdays weather permitting.

Higgins Lake Winterfest for more info click here.