Willow Metro Park

[RyGuy525]

Was thinking about going down to willow Metro park and ice fishing on the pond they have there...I was wondering if anybody had ever tried that before? I've fished there in the summer before and its absolutly full of blugill and bass.

[RichP]

It's fun for kids. If you've fished it much during the summer, you probably noticed most panfish are not of any great size. But there are a lot in there, and it keeps kids happy. Plus they usually have ice skating areas set aside, and they sometimes have fires around the pond to warm up. If you go early in the season I'd call ahead. They tend to not let people on the pond until it's the ice is really thick.

[William H Bonney]

Is this pond "inside" the golf course? Are the fish ok to eat? I get kinda leary keeping fish outta golf course ponds or ponds near golf courses. My BIL works at a course in the summer and I can't believe the stories he tells me about the chemicals they dump in those ponds.

[newbostonmike]

This is one of the best little ponds in southeastern MI. We catch alot of panfish, some nice perch or even ocasionally a crappie. I only live about 3 miles from there, so I hit it daily once we get good ice. Somthing to pass the time I guess. Beats sitting in the house doing nothing.

[RichP]

Is this pond "inside" the golf course? Are the fish ok to eat? I get kinda leary keeping fish outta golf course ponds or ponds near golf courses. My BIL works at a course in the summer and I can't believe the stories he tells me about the chemicals they dump in those ponds.

No, the golf course is on the other side of the park. There is a driving range fairly close, but it's also on the other side of the Huron River. I don't think chemicals are an issue here. The bigger issue would be do you want to cut up fish the size of playing cards. :) But after reading NBM's post, maybe I just haven't had good luck there! Never caught a crappie there.

[RyGuy525]

I think im going to go down there on sunday...I talked to the guy in the office yesterday and he said he thinks it will be open to ice fishing by then. If i get to go what do you normaly use to catch all these panfish? I've never had a good ice fishing experience and would love to have one so any help would be great!

[RichP]

I think im going to go down there on sunday...I talked to the guy in the office yesterday and he said he thinks it will be open to ice fishing by then. If i get to go what do you normaly use to catch all these panfish? I've never had a good ice fishing experience and would love to have one so any help would be great!

Try the old standby -- small ice jigs tipped with waxworms (or mousies or spikes)

[lawnboy]

The ice is good to go right now. They are going to open the ice skating on Thursday.

[RyGuy525]

Awesome! thank you for the up date! Maybe I'll see a couple guys out on the ice on sunday then! Where are some local plaeces where i can pick up some waxies?

[RyGuy525]

I got depressing news today...i called up to see if they would let us on the ice tomorrow and they said the ice was not thick enough yet. Very disapointed i was lookin forward to freezing out there!

[RichP]

That's too bad. Look on the bright side, now you've got an extra week to find those waxies. ;)

[RyGuy525]

i found them and next weekend i cant go! I called a local pet shop and they had them.