Randog 113, exactly. Even if you CAN follow their tracks you better use that spud or you may be sorry. Great advice. Even seasoned ice fishermen go through every year bacause they made just one small mistake, like forgetting to test the ice with their spud all the way out and all the way in. As an example, I just read a story earlier this year about an experienced guide that went though the ice miles out on Lake Superior and died. He had just guided some clients out to a spot along with his friend but they weren't catching anything so he and his buddy went to check another spot on their snowmobiles. The ice was a few feet thick where they were fishing however on the way across the ice the guide hit a spot where there was an air pocket or something and the ice was thin. He had no idea until it was too late. His buddy was right behi d him and tossed him a rope and got him out after several tries but he died before he could get back to shore. Moral of the story: no ice is safe ice. Period.
Steve Trupe, I am jealous. I hope to make it to either Red Lake or LOW one day. Congratulations on the fish. I understand that first and last ice are always the best. Unfortunately they are also the most dangerous times to be out there. I value my life too much to risk dying for a fish. More power to those of you take that risk. I know too many people that went in and didn't come back out. At least not alive. I'll wait for thicker ice. It's dangerous enough. Lol.
Checking the weather report it looks like we're in for a week of above normal temps not long after this storm. Go figure! In january!!
Randog 113, I hear ya. I know a lot of people that do the same thing. I'm just the opposite. Lol. My frame of mind is that there isn't a fish in the world worth dying for. They will still be there once the ice gets thicker. One quick tip for everybody though. If you go early and you don't know the lake but you know they are getting out there and fishing it, just drive around the lake and see where the fishermen are. Then follow their tracks out the the area they are fishing at. No matter what always carry and use a spud to check the ice as you go out and come back on. Especially on early ice since it can change rather quickly. Good luck out there!
If you guys go on Facebook and then click on groups you will find several ice fishing groups you can join that will give you actual local ice reports as well as fishing reports and pictures of what they caught. Houghton DOES have fishable ice right now but only in certain places. I've seen the pics for myself. There's even a guide booking clients to fish on the lake right now.
Welcome Little Richie! I am seeing pics of fish caught on Houghton but you have to hunt for safe ice. Having said that, it's turning bitter cold and that's going to make hard ice fast. Especially on Houghton since it's a shallow lake. Good luck next week. You should find plenty of ice by then.
They ARE catching fish on Houghton for sure because they are posting pics.
On other fishing sites from that area the locals are saying that Houghton has some fishable ice but you have to hunt for it. I haven't heard any info on Cadillac yet.
Haven't heard any reports yet.
Agreed Paddyj. Dkopf, we need to know where it is. I personally know of 2 Pine Rivers and neither are near Milford.
I know there are several videos on Youtube that show how to do it. I was watching a few just a month or so ago. Some are very in-depth.
Woo hoo! Now THAT'S a nice perch!
Congrats Lisa. You just opened up a whole new world for you and your boys!
I haven't seen a report for a week now though so I don't know how it's been lately. Good luck!