Lake St. Clair Report - Ice Fishing!, Dec 12

[miangler]

Michigan DNR

Weekly Fishing Tip: How to target popular fish species in the winter
Are you getting anxious for thick enough ice to head out fishing? Consider using the following tips when targeting four species popular with anglers in the winter.

Walleye
Early-ice walleyes are known to be active and aggressive. Use tip-ups at varying depths around the lake (anywhere from 15 to 35 feet deep) to appeal to this species. Regardless of the depth, always set the live minnow under the tip-up to swim 12 to 15 inches off the bottom.

Crappie
Consider using plastic bait, rather than live bait, when fishing for crappie. Focus on weed lines to find them. A lot of times crappie will hang out in the middle of the water column, half-way between the ice and bottom.

Northern Pike
You’ll find these aggressive fish near off-shore structures and weed lines, so try these types of spots on your favorite pike lakes first.

Yellow Perch
Attract bigger perch by using tip-ups with minnows, that’s what they’re primarily eating this time of year. Sticking a minnow on an ice fishing rod is also very productive.


Lake Erie: Bluegills were caught in the Metro Park Marin but thin ice has stopped anglers from fishing.

Huron River: Is one of the better options right now as steelhead are still being caught.

Detroit River: Not much to report this week. A few boat anglers were out but cold temperatures have kept most at home.

Lake St. Clair: Cold temperatures are making ice but not a lot of safe ice yet. Some are ice fishing in the canals and marinas. They are catching bluegills, sunfish and a few perch but muddy water conditions are limiting success. A few perch were caught near Fair Haven.

Saginaw Bay: Has some ice fishing opportunities. Anglers are going out from Whites Beach and Palmer Road but catch rates were slow.

[thor]

great tips and detailed report. Thanks