South and eastern ice conditions (east of I-69, I-75, 127)

[WALLEYE MIKE]

List you ice conditions here for the inland lakes in southern and eastern part of the state.

[emumikey]

Was on lake lancer (Gladwin) last weekend. On Friday, the bays were frozen with 3/4 inch of ice and the main lake was open. On Sunday, main lake was skimmed over and about 1.5 inches in my bay. I tied a rope around my girlfriend and sent her strutting (She is the brave one, my little ice tester!) She walked out about 5 feet and it seemed pretty solid. She wanted to go farther but I wouldn't let her, LOL. In short things are looking very promising for the Gladwin area. Maybe this weekend, I will wait till next weekend just to be safe though!

[cp_will]

Lake Lansing a 450 acre mostly shallow (>75% is <10' the deepest is about 30'), eutrophic lake. Has 2" of ice Today 12/06 had 1.25" on 12/05 and .5 to .75" of ice on 12/04. I've bored holes these three days. The lake is dusted with snow and completly froze over, except for a very small open area where a large amount of geese are keeping the water open.
So it appears about .5" to .75" of ice is forming daily.

[Michigan Mike]

I went by Kent lake this afternoon and tossed a couple of 30 pound rocks
on it in the shallow bays off Turtlehead and could not bust thru.
Didn't have my spud, so I can't say what the ice thickness is.
I'll feel safe on the bays up turtlehead come Saturday for sure, but will
avoid the river channel and the deep basin off the west launch
for another week.
I'll probably go by again Wednesday and bring my lazer and a tape measure.

BTW...the bluegills and crappies were good this year in the spring
and fall.
Not monsters like some lakes, but the gills I keep here have to be 7 inch
min. and crappies I keep at 9 inch.

The lakes definitely on a comeback since they quit stocking walleyes
here 5 years ago, since it put a big hurt on the panfish population.
A couple more years and the "Old Kent Lake" should be back!!!

Good luck and be Safe
Mike

Park map link
http://www.metroparks.com/parks/pk_kensington.php

[emumikey]

Drove by Walled Lake this morning, nice blanket of snow across the whole thing. It was still almost wide open on Sunday, so this is progress. No idea how thick the ice is though, will check later and repost.

[UNCLE AL]

The Saginaw River iced over yesterday. The day before there was a boat in the river down by Wickes Park. Looked funny the path he was cutting with his boat through the skim ice.

[RichP]

Independence Lake, Washtenaw County.

Visited the park this morning. The lake is frozen over. Walked about 20 paces out on the ice. Spudded through revealing just over an inch of ice.

[Michigan Mike]

Went by Kent Lake again in Oakland Countythis afternoon,but with spud and tape measure this time.
Ice averaged 2 1/2" only where I checked it in the bay off route 5.
2 hits with my 25 lb spud and I was thru.
Not safe yet IMO.
I'll probably feel safe on it come Sunday in this area of the lake
but will avoid the deep basin and the river channel for another week.

Mike

[gunslinger]

I was just out on the ice at Vineyard lake in Brooklyn . No cracking held my fat butt.

Didnt have my auger with me so I dont know the actual thickness.

Looks like we my be able to get this weekend.

[Salmonous Maximus]

Port Sanilac anyone? or even Lexington?

[UNCLE AL]

Tuesday there was a boat cutting a path through some heavy slush. Thursday the bucket brigade was out at Wickes Park. I watched one guy hit his spud onto the ice,and after 5 hits, his spud went through.

[Can't Touch This]

KENT LAKE- less than 6-7 feet, 3-4 inches. 8 or more, 1.5-2 inches, or less. I would give it another week in the deeper areas for sure.

[cp_will]

I fished on a 100 acre lake near Stockbridge on Thursday 3" of ice in shallows. 2" of ice in 15' of water. Hard good ice but still a little spooky for me.
Be safe.

[Can't Touch This]

kent lake ice conditions: Around huron river channel-keep-off. 0 to 6' depth-3-4". 6' to 8' depth 2" and less in areas.

[greenglass]

Walked out with a maul and auger and beat the ice while my buddy stood on the dock. Sounded rather solid so I augered a hole. 2" ... maybe 2-1/2" of good clear ice under about 3" of snow. Look on my buddy's face at the thickness of the ice as I measured it with my index finger clued me in that if I were to go out it would be alone.

Could be that our Little Mike is actually growing up or that at the age of 47 I have caught a glimpse of my own mortality but I must say it was a wonderful breakfast. Maybe the lines will get wet next week Saturday ......

[miruss]

seen a shanty out on devils lake over by the camp ground off 223 seen where they have been riding snowmobles around out there

[funebonz880]

5 inch close to shore on fenton.. a couple guys out towards the middle...i didnt go out that far...saw a whole bunch of guys near the launch yesterday...

[scottyhoover]

5 inch close to shore on fenton.. a couple guys out towards the middle...i didnt go out that far...saw a whole bunch of guys near the launch yesterday...

To expand on Funebonz report.......its 5 inches near shore (we probably checked the same hole) BUT....it varies in thickness down to only 2.5'' in some spots out in the fishin area with an inch thick slush layer and a thin crust on top. Just the kind of ice I hate. Stay in the tracks of others. Hopefully it will all freeze together. But I decided to drill my own hole off to the side and 3 turns with the new lazer blades and I was through. Its good for those of us on the adventurous (and light) side. Really only a couple inches of actual snow on the ice, But overall crappy conditions.

I've scouted and got reports from all the above counties and there are pockets of fisherman everywhere, however where we got the most snow (around 6-9inches) covers the area from northern oakland co. to just north of flint. In this area the ice is still not forming good and has slush pockets. Who knows how long before it freezes together or makes more ice.

[Arin]

That snow day on Friday wasnt worth waiting longer for ice.. :fish:

[tincupmi]

Has anyone been out on park lake or lake lansing? They have both been frozen over for awhile but i havent seen anyone out yet. Just wondering if there have been any brave souls to wander out and check. Until I see people out there i guess i will keep shining up my poles and stay warm. Im pretty skiddish unless I know there is 6 inches or so....

[pollar13]

I saw to guys fishing Park Lake today off of the beach, I have checked Lake Lansing everyday for a week and it was looking good, till the snow, there is about 3inches. but most of it is crap crusty ice. I'm going to try to get out tomorrow on lake lansing or maybe up on ovid.

[pollar13]

I fished lake lansing this afternoon off of Mack rd by the condos, only cought a few dinks. There was about 4" of ice till 7' deep, after that it got real shaky. I tried to get out off of the boat launch, that is real bad down there, lots of snow on the ice, I made it 80 yds out and then the spud was blowing through on 1 hit! :yikes:

[tincupmi]

I went to Thornapple lake yesterday (near Lake Odessa). It had about 4" and about 12 people fishing. From what I saw everyone was catching very small pan fish. We were there for about 2.5 hours with only a few bits. We decided to give Lake Lansing a try since its closer to home. When we got there (about 2pm) there wasnt a soul out there so we decided to wait till the ice gets better. We went down to the lake near the Mayfair bar off marsh rd. Is that a good area?

[pollar13]

I have never had great luck there, I do see guys there early in the year probaly because it is shallower, I have done the best (rarely) off of the boat launch, occassionly you can really get into big gills and specs. I am a Ludington Native so I try to do my serious fishing up that way, but I have fished most of the lakes down this way also

[Arin]

Went out on a lake in northwest oakland and there was about 4-5". Hope all this snow doesnt ruin it!!

[SleePac]

I went to Thornapple lake yesterday (near Lake Odessa). It had about 4" and about 12 people fishing. From what I saw everyone was catching very small pan fish. We were there for about 2.5 hours with only a few bits. We decided to give Lake Lansing a try since its closer to home. When we got there (about 2pm) there wasnt a soul out there so we decided to wait till the ice gets better. We went down to the lake near the Mayfair bar off marsh rd. Is that a good area?

4" on Thornapple!?! That's my old stompin' grounds....I've been thinking about heading out that way!

Thanks for the report.

[jimdaye]

There's good ice on Clear/Squaw lakes (Stringy Chain of Lakes) but you have to watch the areas around some of the springs - approx 2 !/2 to 3 inches around the public access - with yesterdays wet snow it seems like theres some sloppy parts where the weight of the the snow is pushing the ice down. I was out on Wednesday and picked up some nice gills on wax worms.... :D

[tincupmi]

went to a lake near pleasant lake (s.w. of leslie). Had about 4-5" of ice. Myself and 2 other guys caught our limit from 2pm-4pm. We finished off the night by catch and release. We caught about 150 fish total. We were using vexilars with lite action rods and teardrops tipped with waxies. Caught mostly bluegill with the occational speck. Best lake ive fished in a few years. Good luck.

[jigworm]

4" of ice and sloppy. Seemed pretty even everywhere I drilled. 7 guys fishing in the deep basin, lots of small perch and a few gills.

[funebonz880]

Lake Fenton, 5 inches near the boat launch. Not many fish being caught.

[Can't Touch This]

Ice at Kent todaywas now 4-6 inches, depending if there was slush or not(quite a few slushy spots) So, much safer this week.

[Hipskindt]

I drove by Reeds this evening and a few people were fishing in front of the boat launch at the park.

Tom

[Pork Chop]

I'd still be careful at Kensington. I checked the ice off of Turtlehead, there was maybe 3" but that was mostly frozen slush. There was still alot of water under the snow. Be careful.

[CaptBB]

Lobdell Lake,
Was slow today, was out most of the afternoon and caught all dinks and not even that many. there where only about 5 others out, ice was 4-5 inches

[Pork Chop]

Fished Kent Lake today for a couple of hours today, ~20 smallish gills and 10 dink perch. Ice was from 3" down to 1" in spots. Be careful.

[MIfishinGuy]

was there with my little brother on wed., ice was 6-7", a snowmobiler came out and looked down my hole and gave it a go. good solid ice, but that was before the rain. we were jsut messing around so no bites. sidenote, my mom's little honda civic got stuck in the snow at the DNR access:lol: . thanks to the good samaritan for helping my brother and I push it out!!!

[SleePac]

12.24.05 - Walled Lake - Oakland County - North Beach Area - 1:45 p.m. ~ 5:30 p.m. - 9 " of decent ice in 4 fow - 6 " of okay ice in 6 fow. - Slush on top followed by honeycombed layer with 4 " of solid clear ice as the foundation. Not a bite during that whole period. Jigs with grubs - Jigging Rap with Minnows - Tip Up rigged with chub. This rain and mild temps is going to do damage, no doubt...just not sure how much!

[Arin]

Anyone been around northwest oakland county area? Is wallad lake in the northwest? Wondering how ice is after the rain and crap.

[funebonz880]

I was up at a lake in Holly, ice was 6 inches, stay near to the shore and watch your step. This was last sunday by the way.

[Cut Bait]

Mill Lake near Chelsea has about 6" of ice. Smaller lakes near there have a little more.


Fishing is great early or late.

[Pork Chop]

Swung by Walled Lake this morning, not much water on top of the ice. Only walked out about 20 feet, didn't have a spud so I couldn't check the thickness.

Nobody out on the lake, not even many tracks leading out to the lake.

[jimdaye]

Stringy Chain of Lakes looks pretty shakey -lots of water on the ice - :mad: - hopefullythe weather will change and it'll get colder brfore the ice deteriorates too much.

[Arin]

Anyone been out in oakland county with some ice measurements?

[hard head]

Lexington 4 -7 inches in most of the harbor, the bubblers are running around the docks so watch your step and good luck.

[Pork Chop]

Marble Lake - Coldwater Michigan

Lake still ice covered, but ice very rotten, especally along shore. Pockets oof open water on main body of the lake.

[spikecamp]

Went out today oakland county herron beach, caught about twenty gills and one dink, gills were small, about 5 " of ice really safe. tomrro trying lk by holly,mi old timey man said they're caughting monstr gills and craps let ya know how we do

[diesel72]

We were out on Cavanaugh yesterday, most of the lake was good ice, 2-2.5" clear ice topped with 3-4" of refrozen slush. All in all a good 6" base, all frozen hard. Still some spots with less, but most of the lake was pretty hard. Caught a whole mess of gills, a handful of perch (including one 13.5" jumbo), sunfish, pike and bass.

Good day!!!!!!!!

[boots741]

Private lake in White Lake Twp today, 3-3.5 inches of good ice...

[jigworm]

5 to 6" in the back bay I fished. Shore ice is going so have some type of bridge. An 8' 2x6 would be fine. Caught some good gills and a decent crappie right at dark.

[Arin]

Anyone else got some reports on Oakland ice? I'd sure like to use some of my christmas presents on my upcoming 3.5 day weekend..

[phisherman]

Checked the ice at Lk Cavanaugh on Sunday. Good two inches of black ice and that was in about <5 ft of water. It was a little two thin for us to wonder around a unfamiliar lake. Took measurement at the park public access.

[kralcnod]

:fish:
Ice going bye bye next two days methinks.

[itchn2fish]

What are the prospects for decent ice at Perchville?

[Michigan Mike]

Went out to Kensington tonight and was surprised that the ice was still
in pretty good shape, even walking on was not a problem.
Ice was 3 to 4 inches with a couple inches of slush and snow on top.
I didn't expect to fish so I was only out an hour,
caught about 15 various sized gills and one 11inch crappie before dark.
Not great, I was just glad to be on some safe ice.

If we don't get too much rain in the next couple of days
I'll be back out on Sunday afternoon.
Looks like some decent weather on the way starting Saturday.

Since I was the only one whom showed up there today,,,
I caught the biggest fish & the most fish.
:xzicon_sm

Mike

[SleePac]

Checked it last night with the spud.

What was open water about 2 ~ 3 foot from shore to ice plate, is now firming up. Not 100% but it's firming up. Certainly last night it made real good progress. Might venture out again today to check further out but the cold weather the last couple of nights should've helped.

[SleePac]

1.19.06 - 7:30 a.m. - Three solid hits with the spud and the shore ice broke through....careful crossing the shoreline ice. After that, it appeared to be solid from a good cold night of below freezin' temps.

[Arin]

Saw a shanty on Bevins Lake(Holly) today about 20ft out..

Where's Walled Lake at?

[SleePac]

Right next to Novi & Wixom. Just a few miles from Farmington Hills. East of Brighton by about....oh....say, 15 minutes.

[perchjerker]

take Novi road north from 12 oaks mall (or I 96) and you will run right into it.

[tangleknot]

Was running at Stoney yesterday and saw a guy fishing on the North Lake. I did not personally check the ice. He did have a nice fish flopping that he just pulled out of the hole. Looked really slick out there. The main lake had a lot of open water by the dams.

[Pork Chop]

Marbel Lake, Quincy Michigan, folks fishing in boats, Not looking good for tip-up.

[jimdaye]

Last needs freeze took care of the slush and firmed up the areas close to shore - I'm looking out the front window and there's 3 or 4 guys out right now. I'll give it a try later this afternoon - seems like there should be good ice in the small lakes around Bald Mt. state park.:fish:

[Michigan Mike]

I fished a small public lake in Southern Oakland County on the weekend and the ice was in great shape from the weekend freeze and due to the fact that most of the snow missed us.
With this weeks weather it looks like safe ice will be there for the week
without a problem.
Ice was 4 inches or better.


Mike

[MAttt]

I fished the bay near turtlehead tonight and the ice is now a good
solid 5 inches.
Took home 15 nice gills and 2 crappies and seen 1 person with a lantern out
in the deep hole off the west launch as I was leaving.
With the temps over the next couple days, should be good ice
thru the weekend.

[Arin]

Has anyone else been out in Oakland county area? Sounds like the ice has gotten back to nomrla, kind of..

[grub]

Saw a guy out on Long Lake yesterday afternoon and another guy out this morning. They weren't too far out, maybe 50yds off the DNR launch on Cooley Lake Rd. I have a smaller lake next to our house in Commerce. I plan to try it out tomorrow morning. It is pretty protected, so the colder temps should have it firmed up.

[phisherman]

Heard a report of people fishing in the Fenton area? Can anyone confirm this, or does anyone fish any of the lakes in this area? If so have you checked the thickness lately? Thanks a lot!!!

[William H Bonney]

People on Kensington all day today.

[Arin]

Jeez, why's everyone saying the seasons over?! By the looks of this forum, I figured the ice to be 1-2"in or something. Went out to Seven Lakes(holly) and there was probably 4-6". Was pretty hot out there, though. Hope it gets below freezing tonight.

[jimdaye]

I got out on Lake 16 yesterday afternoon - ice is solid - about 4 in's - caught 12 - 15 gills - kept 6 for dinner :corkysm55 used mostly glow in the dark and wax worms-2 to 8 inches from the bottom.

[Arin]

Anyone been out in Oakland again lately? I checked records and the low has been below freezing since Sunday(was out with ~5"). Hopefully gave it a change to freeze back up at night? Think ice will still be OK tommorow?

[Michigan Mike]

I fished Kent lake tonight and the fish are shut down from the cold front.
Only a few smerch and a sunny caught between 3 folks.
Ice in the back bay is back up to 4 inches now and seems to be gaining
a half inch a day.
Only one spot to get on at this point though since there is still allot
of open water on some of the edges.

Caution though...these edges on this lake and others will probably
refreeze by the weekend and be snow covered and may not have
more than an inch by them along with some areas that were opened
up in the middles.

South wind blowing in tommorrow with 30+ degrees and if the barometer
is rising....it should be good fishing.


Mike

[jigworm]

Planned to go today but had to work till 6. Will try the next day or so if I can get off early.

Pete

[Raf]

mike, where was the spot you were getting on at? can you get on near the parking lot at turtlehead? thanks

[Michigan Mike]

Raf
Yes...just north of the turtles top molar, if you go you'll
see a trail.
The little parking lot on the west side of rte 5 is not an option,
even if you see ice on it this weekend, it had 50 ft of open
water as of yesterday.
This is where most folks have been getting on this winter and
this is where someone may run into problems this weekend.

Mike

[Hittin da Hardwater]

Hey all,

I heard on a decent authority that Pontiac Lake is fishable. No problems getting on and off the ice, but, as always, there are a few spots to be leary of. Not sure how thick the ice is. This person caught a few, but nothing to write home about. Can anyone confirm? How about any other OC lakes?

[Overdraw]

Fished small lakes in Oxford for the last two days.
5" to 8" of ice, and plenty of crappie. They really start
hitting when the sun goes down......
Winter is finally here.

[fractureman]

Lake Oakland, Loon Lake, and Silver Lake, all have safe ice!!!!!!!:D

[phisherman]

Anyone checked the ice in these areas lately? Was thinking about trying somewhere on Sunday. Thanks

[SleePac]

Not only is Pontiac Lake fishable (Tacklers Area) but it produced a great day for me and my son. Nothing to write home about but when it's your first successful catch on a tip up it's pretty exciting! An 18 inch pike that lived to see another day after a quick photo op and then a 24 incher that came home and now resides in the airtight freezer pack. Anyhow, a couple of small gills and those two pike and tons of kicking the ball around on the ice! Great Time!! 7.5 inches of ice! Much Fun! 6 hours of fishing. Tons of people were out there.

[SleePac]

Walled Lake ~ Ice Condition Report ~ 2.15.06 ~ 3 p.m. ~ 5 p.m. ~ North Public Beach Area ~ 1.5 inches of white ice ~ 5 inches of clear ice ~ ice is holding very well....that was, at least, until last night's rain and above freezing temps....I can't imagine, though, that it did a whole lot of damage. Bring your spud, as always, and this weekend should lock things up a little better. 0 Flags ~ 0 Bobbers Down! Had fun, though. Watched this crazy dude flying his acrobatic aeroplane around and some 'artistic' photographer gal asked if she could take my picture. Kinda akward!

[William H Bonney]

,,,,and some 'artistic' photographer gal asked if she could take my picture. Kinda akward!
Thats not awkward,,, whats gonna be awkward is when that pic hits the internet and you have to explain to your wife why you're out fishing, buck naked after that "artistic gal" photoshops the photo.:lol:

[shanny28757]

Can anybody give a report of ice conditions/catch at Woodland?

[SleePac]

Thats not awkward,,, whats gonna be awkward is when that pic hits the internet and you have to explain to your wife why you're out fishing, buck naked after that "artistic gal" photoshops the photo.:lol:

WHB...:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: ....wait, maybe it's not that funny....it just dawned on me....she could really put me in a comprimising position....if it makes it to the internet, I'll really have to explain some things....I was supposed to be in the office!:yikes:

[Captain Ray]

On Lake Michell the ice was a solid 14 inches with great trout and pike fishing.

[tdduckman]

Lake Somerset (private lake) now has 2 inches of Ice

Be careful out there.


Hopefully by the weekend of the 25th we can get out

I still saw some open water on my drive through the Irish hills this morning

TD

[William H Bonney]

2 shanties out on Kensington today around noonish, one off the launch and one by the islands. Can someone else verify something though,,, is there open water on Kent Lake? Not sure if my eyes were deceiving me or not:confused:

[JDHUNTER0404]

Just went by Kent lake and their were 3 shantys between the island and the E- way. No open water and I looked fairly close! More cold weather for the weekend so things are looking up.

Ice looks good on portage lake in pinckney, so I'll take my spud and I'll check it out tomarrow. If its not ready then It should be by Sat or Sunday.

[D3333333]

Fished kent by the boat launchin 30foot of water today ice is about 5 or 6 inches cracking alot but its all good buddy almost sh#t :yikes: himself out there when it cracked by us :lol:

[shanny28757]

I saw one shanty close to the island you can see from the freeway by the pier at about 10:30 this morning. Didnt look like there was any open water, but hard to tell from I-96.

[jimhx720]

Shanny, don't know if you got out to Woodland at all, but I was there Sunday afternoon for around 4 hours. 5" of ice right off the public launch with a large spot of open water across the lake. The ice I was on was good and I didn't feel unsafe at all. Caught all the smerch and small bluegill I cared to. Ran out of waxies actually, but nothing over 5". I was leaving about 4:30 and there were lots of guys coming out at that time. Talked to a guy fishing really close and he said that right at dark the Walleye move into the area right by the launch. If I would have had some Walleye minnows I might have stayed. If nothing else I may try it this coming Sunday, get out there about 3:30 and see what happens.

[shanny28757]

Shanny, don't know if you got out to Woodland at all, but I was there Sunday afternoon for around 4 hours. 5" of ice right off the public launch with a large spot of open water across the lake. The ice I was on was good and I didn't feel unsafe at all. Caught all the smerch and small bluegill I cared to. Ran out of waxies actually, but nothing over 5". I was leaving about 4:30 and there were lots of guys coming out at that time. Talked to a guy fishing really close and he said that right at dark the Walleye move into the area right by the launch. If I would have had some Walleye minnows I might have stayed. If nothing else I may try it this coming Sunday, get out there about 3:30 and see what happens.
Thanks for the update. Maybe I'll see you out there on Sunday (or even sooner). I've been itching to get onto the ice this year but havnt had a chance yet. Good luck.

[D3333333]

When i was out on kent monday there is still some open water out by the islands but the ice is solid in the coves and the fish were biting pretty good heading out friday morning

[Connor4501]

Fished Child's Lk. in Western Oakland Co. for a few hours this morning. Ice was 7-8" and the top inch was starting to slush up with the nice day. Shoreline ice was fine with no trouble getting on...As for the fishing, dink city...

[Connor4501]

Went to my favorite crappie hole on a small Eastern Livingston Co. lake this evening...Ice thickness about 8"...Crappies were slow this evening with only 8 in the bucket. No real slabs, about 9-11". 11-14 feet down over 22 feet of water...

[shanny28757]

Fished Lake Chemung yesterday, 6" or so of ice with a little slush on top. Not much happening, few fish with no keepers.