Houghton Lake Picture 12/31

[Ladykiller]

Here ya go guys and gals. There are a few shanties out there and snow machines. This pic was taken off of Flint Rd.

http://www.hunting-pictures.com/members/Ladykiller/IMG_0518.jpg

Not sure how the fishing was though.

[Magnet]

Fished Houghton Lake on 12/29, 12,31 and 1/1. Total catch for the three afternoons: Pike=8, Walleye=6, Perch=5. All the Perch and Pike were released along with two of the Walleye (too small). Looked at the ice from the North shore on 12/26 and there were still pockets of open water. Looked at the ice from the South shore on 12/26 and ice was solid, not broken and refroze like the North shore. Walked out from south shore on 12/29 - 3 1/2 inches of ice, 9 feet of water. 12/30 - drove up, but too windy to fish. 12/31 - 5 inches of ice, rode quads out to where we had fished on 12/29. More people and quads on the ice. Towed a guy in whose quad had broken down. Got him, his quad, and his shanty safely back to his house on the South shore. 1/1 - Rode quads to different spot with 15 feet of water.
We usually fish from the North shore, but the ice was shakey on 12/29. On 1/1, quads and snowmobiles were crossing the lake from North to South.
Overall, I would rate the fishing as very slow. Just enough action to keep us interested.
I'd still be leary of the ice on the North shore.
FYI, Magnet

[1sh0t]

hey magnet, thinking of comin up this weekend what do you think. its a 3 hour drive, is it worth it and what did you catch the walleye and perch on.

[Magnet]

1sh0t,
Yeah, ice is ok, just be careful off the North shore. We were targeting Walleye and were jigging cleos, pimples and do-jiggers tipped with minnows. We'll be going up either Friday night or Saturday morning and staying at a friends cabin. We plan on fishing Saturday and Sunday (weather dependant of course). We'll be at the Family Bar on Saturday night Corner of M-18 and N. shore Dr.
Maybe see ya there.
Magnet

[1sh0t]

thanx magnet, you fish in a shanty or out in the open. maybe i will see you out there. man i cant wait but need to do a little shopping first, and prob wont see you in the family bar cause im only 16 but maybe the family resturant in the afternoon.

[ifish4eyes]

Thanks, for the reports. I really aprreciate the ice info. Keep it real and safe. LP

[The Whale]

Glad to hear you got a few fish there Magnet. Gotta keep an eye on ice that has broken/blown out and then refroze, spooks me too. From your picture it looks like everyone was spread out pretty good, any "hot" areas, shantytowns etc. to help find the fish ?

Whale :cool:

[walleyeman830]

Magnet,

1Shot might be to young to go to the Family Bar but his dad isn't and the way he's talking I might have to run up there and have a couple wobbly pops with ya. It's nice having that built in designated driver with ya.hehe If we happen to get up there we will surely look you up. You'll be able to tell who we are, like the kid said he's 16 and alot taller than his ole man. Good luck fishing and hope to make it up there.

walleyeman
dave

[ifish4eyes]

I'm also thinking about coming up. If I do I'll be easy to spot, I'll be the guy on the Craftsman lawn tractor. hehe. Beats walking. LP

[northern_outdoorsman]

Anyone know how the Ice on Higgins Lake is shaping up?

[Ladykiller]

Hey Don, just go to down the list for this forum as I have a picture of Higgins Lake from a few days ago as well. With so much traffic in this forum, it gets pushed down fast. Basicallly if you don't want to look for it, I'll tell ya this.....what ice? My cabin is two blocks off the lake and I'll most likely be up there this wknd again. Hopefully the surf has not frozen yet as I still want to make it out to try it once this year, I've just been lazy. There was a little bit pushed up on the edges but it is gonna be late freezing this year. We should normally have it out quite aways by this time this year. Look for another report maybe next Sunday night from me.

[Magnet]

N_O,
From past experience, Higgins usually freezes good enough to venture out on 3 to 4 weeks after Houghton. This is due to the deeper water. It's harder to chill a larger volume of water. Also, as the surface cools it sinks down and displaces the warmer, deeper water, pushing it up.
Hope this helps to answer your question.
Magnet

[Ladykiller]

the constant influx of the constant temperature spring water does not help freezing the lake either. when it does freeze though, i have had to deal with 3 ft of ice at times. a power auger is a must!

[Magnet]

Hope to see you guys up there. We'll be staying in a cabin near the marina (forgot the name) that is west of the family bar. We'll be fishing almost straight south of the public dnr launch that is on the north side of the lake (3mi west of the family bar). Straight out from there are two silverish colored permenant shanties, we will be on the far (south) side of them in grey shappel 3000 shanties. There will probably be 3 or 4 of us. One of our shanties may be a black one. If you see us, stop over.
Magnet

[gottafish]

That would be Harveys Marine, I get out a few times each winter at the dnr launch site north of there..... will be out there this weekend with my son and 2 of his buddies.....can't meet anyone at the Family Bar this weekend but the 1st weekend of Feb is another story......

[1sh0t]

hey guys just got back from the corner store (cabelas) after a little shopping, had to get new gear, otter II magnum lodge, new hand auger, but got the 7 in instead of the 8 so will be back there tomorrow. But we will be up there this weekend will probably leave friday afternoon, probably be at the family resturant for dinner, if anyone wants to join me and my father, walleyeman830. Or will be in the purple otter II, so if you hear Magnet....Magnet....Magnet, its probably us:D

[1sh0t]

:D
Sneakin out from work at noon to head up to the Lake, Will stop at the Family Bar and try and find anybody there from this site. I'll be wearing a red lund coat and a white lund hat. The first "ginger ale" is on me.

Walleyeman
dave

[walleyeman830]

:confused:

D*** no wonder the kid has more posts then me. The last 1Shot post was by me. sorry!!!lol

walleyeman
dave

[Magnet]

Walleyeman,
My son has a basketball game friday night and I won't get up there until problably 10:00 or so. What are you driving? If I see your ride there on my way by on friday night I'll definitely stop. If not I might run into you on saturday.
Magnet
John

[1sh0t]

hey magnet we drive a grey super crew 4x4, ford f150.

[Magnet]

OK 1sh0t, I'm in a blue ext'd cab f-150.
Magnet

[Yellowfin]

Walleyeman,

Just wanted to say I'm still laughin about the term, "wobbly pops". Dont know if its because I've had six of em this evening or if its because the term is just plain hillarious.:D

[walleyeman830]

Yellowfin,

That term was thrown at me one time after way to many one nite and for some reason it just stuck around and still gets a chuckle once in a while. Mickey Redmond, the redwings color man calls them "ginger ales" on t.v. and for some reason when he says it I tend to lol and no one in the house seems to now why. Mickey was one never to turn down a "wobble pop" if you know what I mean. Well got to get the ice stuff ready or I'll never get out of here tomorrow.

walleyeman
dave