Baitman
The adventures of the Baitman
BAIT MAN Morning Briefing
(Photo up top)
That picture of Bob is from Brad, out on Green Lake off the Interlochen State Park. They pulled out early around five and once they got set up they started catching smelt right away. They were using red spikes and rainbow spikes on HALI jigs. When it got dark they tried their green light but weren’t having much success — until Brad dropped his brand-new LED underwater light in the hole. Within five minutes the whole column was solid red on the sonar. They quit at 9:30 with 130 smelt in the box. Great job, guys!
Conditions are still tough on many lakes. The foot of snow on the ice in northwest Michigan has made getting around difficult. But once you get toward the middle of the state and out east, especially around Gladwin, Clare County, and Midland County, the snow isn’t as deep and the ice is in great shape.
Bite reports and conditions:
• Burt Lake — excellent for walleye, perch, and a few pike.
• Black Lake & Mullett Lake — good bite continuing.
• Grand Lake by Alpena — fair bite being reported.
• Bear Lake by Kalkaska — good for trout and perch.
• Lake Leelanau — good for perch and walleye; up north they’re catching a few whitefish and lake trout.
• Glen Lake — good for perch and cisco.
• Crystal Lake — good for lake trout and some big perch; haven’t nailed down the exact spots yet, but folks are finding them.
• Manistee Lake by Bear Lake — guys are starting to get out on that ice.
• Pere Marquette Lake around Ludington — a lot of activity there.
• Hamlin Lake — good for walleye.
• Petoskey area lakes — good for perch and pike.
• White Lake — producing perch, pike, and a solid panfish bite.
• Muskegon Lake — good reports for walleye, perch, and pike.
⸻
Weather for the Next Two Days — Northern Michigan
Today: Cold and breezy with temperatures in the teens to low 20s. Snow showers are still possible in the lake effect snow belts, especially along the northwest corridor. Winds will make it feel colder on the ice and travel surfaces will be slick in spots.
Tomorrow: Still cold with highs again in the teens to low 20s and lower wind. A little less snow, which should help stabilize conditions, but shoreline slush and snow cover will still be a factor if you’re out on foot.
⸻
Moon Phases — Next Two Days
Right now we’re in the waning last quarter moon phase. That usually means shorter bite windows — most action comes early morning and late afternoon right now. With the cold holding, those times continue to be your best for walleye, perch, smelt, and trout.
⸻
That’s what I’m hearing out there this morning — a tough bite overall because of the snow, but plenty of fish still in the water if you look in the right spots. Bait Man out
4 CommentsComment on Facebook
❄️🎣 ICE FISHING PHOTO CONTEST 🎣❄️
Got an ice fishing shot from this season? 📸
We wanna see it!
👉Send your photos to: photos@hilltopsports.com
🏆 You could win a $100 Hilltop Sports gift card!
We’ll be sharing your photos all season long so make sure to tag your buddies when you see them!
Let’s go!!!
0 CommentsComment on Facebook