Houghton Lake Fishing Report: July 5,2012

Crappie while trolling at Reedsburg Dam

Fishing conditions have been less than optimal (to say the least) over the past few weeks. High winds have made the waters murky as well as making it difficult to stay in one spot even when using two anchors. The temperatures have been very high lately causing the fishing to be erratic especially during the day.

In these conditions I have one word "trolling". Trolling is simply moving your bait through the water behind a boat at a slow speed, using a specialized electric or small gas motor. This works two fold in that the fish tend to be agitated by the moving bait, much the same as casting and retrieving, and you can cover a large area increasing your chances of success.

Largemouth trolling at Reedsburg Dam

If you have never tried it or tried it unsuccessfully I would give it a try. I do not recommend using a   regular boat engine, at least not for an extended period of time. The engine uses a shaft driven water pump and at very slow speeds may not pump enough water to keep the engine cool and could cause engine damage. Possibly even seize the engine. Nothing can ruin a day on the lake like hoping for someone to give you a tow back to the boat launch or dock. I know this from personal experience.

Rock Bass at Backus lake

Best fishing: late evening (an hour before sunset) or, in the early morning after the water has had a chance to cool. If your set on fishing during the day try the deeper water off the south DNR boat launch (site of the Tip Up Town USA). The south weed bed runs along this area and usually produces walleye, perch, bluegill and northern pike.


Best bait: anything that works. I've caught bluegill, bass, crappie and perch on nightcrawlers and on plastics. I had a fellow next me on the Cut river catch a 16" largemouth using a chub (think very large minnow). Some swear by leeches for walleye especially trolling in the summer.


There's a new bait shop in town, Angelo's on old 27 (formerly Dead Stream Party Store). Actually they're a party store with bait. They have snacks and hope to have a beer license soon. Just a short ride from the Reedsburg Dam campground and boat launch. If you need some bait or some goodies  you don't have to drive into town.


That's all for now. Hope to see you on the lake.


Ken S

Houghton Lake Memorial Weekend 2012 Fishing Report

Sunfish at Reedsburg Dam

There's good news and bad news.

Good news first.

The Walleye and Bluegill are biting on Houghton and Higgins Lakes. I'm not positive but I've heard the Bluegill are biting on St Helen lake also.

In Houghton Lake: Best places are near the weed beds along the south shore, west shore and the middle weed bed. Also fishing should be good in the East Bay near Harveys Marine. The North Bay holds some nice sized Northern Pike and Walleye.

In Higgins Lake: Rock Bass, Perch and Bluegills are being reported along the west/south shoreline in 15-20 ft of water.

Nice size Crappie at Reedsburg Dam

In St Helen: Some of the best Bluegill fishing in the state is near the weed bed off Artesia beach (near the west end.

Bad news.

The fish were biting at the Cut River but have slowed considerably. Best times for fishing would be late morning/early evening.

Reedsburg Dam flooding side

Reedsburg Dam also had great fishing on the low side but the water level has dropped considerably in the past week. Fishing has dropped off BUT fishing on the flooding side of the dam has started to pick up for Bass and Bluegill. So Reedsburg is a toss up for this weekend.

Backus Lake no report due to high winds but Bluegills and Perch plus some Northern Pike and Bass are always possible. Try near weed beds along shore or in the middle.

Backus Dam off M-18 fishing has been poor due to high fast moving water but could improve over the weekend.

Rock Bass at Reedsburg Dam

Weather forecast is for plenty of sunshine and high temperatures in the 80's. Great for sunbathing not so much for fishing. Also wind predictions are between 10-15 mph. So mornings and evenings should be optimal with lower temps and less wind. Fishing should be good all day.

Best Bait I have been getting hits on both live bait and plastics. Check with your local bait shop for which is working best for what your after.

Fishing the Cut River

Cut River by Lansing Rd
by
K. Stephenson

The Cut River which runs from Higgins Lake through Marl Lake and down to Houghton Lake. It's a great place to canoe or kayak. It's also a great place for fishing. Most of the Cut is inaccessible thus leaving plenty of fish. One spot that can be accessed is by Lansing Rd about 1 1/2 miles east of Cty  Rd 100. Fishing is prohibited from March 23-April 23 for spawning.

The ice is slowly receding from the middle and should be clear in time for the spawn. I haven't fished the Cut River yet, but it is on my list of new places to try this summer.

For anyone who doesn't know yet. Beginning in October 2010, then Gov Granholm and the DNR initiated a new annual pass system for entering parks and/or state boat launch sites.

Photo by K. Stephenson

Using what is now known as a Passport which is purchased from the Secretary of State when renewing your license plates. If you wish to get the Passport, check the box on your plate renewal. It costs $10 as opposed to the $26 formerly charged for the annual park pass or boat launch pass (they were separate). Thats a savings of $42 a year if you bought both for one vehicle.

The license sticker will have a "P" on it if you have paid the extra $10 for the annual Passport and it will read Passport on your new registration. I have the Passport for both of my vehicles and at $10 each I'm still saving $32. The state needs 18% participation to equal funds under the previous system. Participation is currently running at 20% and the DNR is hoping for 25%.

The per day pass is still $6. So if you use a park and/or boat launch twice the Passport is paid for. Ten dollars is a small price to pay to keep our parks and boat launches in pristine condition for generations to come.

For more info click here DNR Passports.

We picked up a couple more inches of snow today but the high temps are suppose to be in the mid 30's for the next few days.

Until next time stay safe, stay warm and have fun,

Ken S.