Trumpeter and Mute swans are similar in size. Tundra swans are smaller. The majority of swans in Michigan are Mute swans although Trumpeters have made a nice comeback. There was a time when there were no Trumpeters left in Michigan.

They are Mute Swans

Absolutey Smokey2. I ice fish for lake trout a lot, and I love the 3 or 4 pound lakers for deep frying. My kids grew up thinking "fish nuggets" were the greatest thing in the world other than macoroni and cheese which was usually the side dish!! Lake trout that are larger are good for the smoker. The trick with lakers is always all about how you fillet and trim. I used to work in the charter industry as a first mate. Many of our customers turned up their noses at lake trout and I always looked forward to their visits because it meant I would take home a pile of lake trout fillets!!!

Seriously easy once you learn.

Omg, easiest fish in the world to clean. Taking out pin bones takes literally 10 seconds per fillet on a walleye. I clean a one in 2 min total and I once cleaned 17 at one time and challenged everyone to find a bone. They found a total of 2 and they were 1/4" long each. Seriously easyyou learn. learn.
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I understand that but the lake I am fishing is 20 feet deep max. I was just saying, right now, the perch are deep in our lake, not in the shallows.

Perch, walleye, northern pike, crappie, lake trout, bluegill in that order. Personal preference.

East wind definitely makes a world of difference ice or no ice. It is more a barometric pressure response than anything I think. Today the barometer rose, wind went West and I caught keeper perch for the first time in 2 weeks. I only got 5 but I didn't find them until an hour before dark. They are deep...15 to 20 feet.

I live in Cadillac. We did good early ice but things are DEAD the last 2 weeks. I have fished 4 lakes with the same results. It has to turn around soon but we have had more East wind than I can ever remember. We are up to 15" of ice as of tonight which is not helping at all. We need a thaw and some H2O running down the holes.

I caught my sturgeon which was number 1 so now my list is: Goliath, Halibut, Muskie, Shark, in any order.

Suggestion: If you don't know anything about ice fishing, Google "ice fishing guides near me". There are hundreds in Michigan, and the farther north you go, the more there are.
For $150.00-$250.00, you will learn more in 8 hours than you could through trial and error in a whole season. They will also provide the gear. Drive up with a buddy or two and share the gas. You will learn in a hurry if it's for you. I highly recommend this alternative because I have 10 grand or more in ice fishing equipment, shelters, Snow Dog, Vexilar, quad, heaters, etc. All of that stuff is by no means required but the more you fish, the more you will accumulate. Paying a guide for 1 day is not only safer, it will be far more comfortable and fun.
You will find that most ice fisherman are really good guys who don't mind sharing info. The better they are, the more they will share because they won't feel threatened by your success. I like to take newbies and get them enthused because it is nice not being the only crazy S.O.B. sitting on a bucket in -20 wind chill.

Mr. Walleye, Dave Genz. I got to fish with him one time about 30 years ago and learned more in 8 hours than 10 years on my own.

I'm from Michigan but I enjoy fishing on L.I. very much. My wife is from there. I go to Captree State Park and fish on the Laura Lee party boats. Great crew and Captains, nice boats and they provide everything. They clean and package your fish before you even get back to the dock. The price is very reasonable. Since I am a Great Lakes fisherman and not a salt water guy, it's great to go with knowledgeable folks. Can't recommend them enough.

Thanks. We are on 8 inches of ice here in Northern Lower Michigan. Perch fishing is fair but walleye is slow.

Anybody on it yet?