Houghton Lake South East

[Lungbuster01]

Heading up there in a few weeks, have been for a couple years now and have not been impressed with the panfishing. The map shows some deep water there near the south east part of the lake. Was wondering if anyone ever tried to fish that deeper water and what the outcome was.
thanks

[Lungbuster01]

I have tried in front of Mcdonalds, the middlegrounds and out from Lymans, is there anywhere else someone could recomend as a decent spot...PM if you want to keep it private. I would be willing to drive an hour-hour1/2 from houghton lake to find decent panfishing, any suggestions?

[Lungbuster01]

Wow with all this response that spot must be a real SUPER HOT Spot or or real Not Hot Spot! Doesnt anyone know what area im talking about?

[Burksee]

Sorry, for some reason I missed this thread? "In a few weeks" is kinda hard to predict what will be going on, anywhere. The SE corner has a quite a few shanty's and I've seen others fishing there as well. Usually a pretty good 'gill spot, occasional crappie. It's near Korbinski's, give them a hollar for a report. Another spot to consider later in the season is the "middle grounds" area. It a ways out. Best bet is going out from Zager's Sportsman's resort. The link below gets you the HLCOC site. From there you can find places to get reports and conditions. ;)

http://www.houghtonlakemichigan.net/

[tommy-n]

Burksee, is the spot on the SE corner anymore consistent than the south shore for gills. As many times as I have fished up there I have never explored that area.

[Burksee]

Burksee, is the spot on the SE corner anymore consistent than the south shore for gills. As many times as I have fished up there I have never explored that area.As with any sport or spot, What's hot one day may not be the next! The last couple of years icefishing Houghton Lake has been a crap shoot at best. Theres not been one spot that consisitanly produces gills/crappie. The south side weed bed (DNR launch/Lyman's) area is usually were everyone fish's gills/pike consistantly. I've taken a more "explorer" approach and sometimes they're there, other times there not.... Area's I've fished one day and gotten nothing will produce great the next and vice versa... Sorry I cant be anymore help than that........ Just not being able to get out and be there, that's my biggest issue! ;)

[Lungbuster01]

I agree with you Burskee the panfishing through the ice has been for crap lately, ever since they killed the weeds a few years back. I also have been "exploring" trying this area and that, with little luck. The last weekend of feb. is when I'll be heading up and will definetly give that spot a try.

Does anyone know of any public lakes within an 1.5 hr drive of houghton lake that would be worth checking out? Thanks

[Burksee]

........Does anyone know of any public lakes within an 1.5 hr drive of houghton lake that would be worth checking out? Thanks Been here'n some good stuff from Buck's http://www.bucksbait.com/ Takes me about two hours to get from HL to Grand Lake.......

They're all NE of Houghton Lake; Hubbard Lake, Fletchers Pond, Grand Lake and/or Long Lake....

I'll be on Houghton Lake for TUT with the family this weekend, dont think I'll get to fish though. Next weekend's the superbowl so I'm hoping for some time the middle to end of Feb and/or early March. ;)

[tommy-n]

Thanks Bursee, Actually I am somewhat familar with the lake being I have a 19ft 690 ranger with a 150 optimax and fish it durring the summer for eyes. I am not real familar with all the spots the guys ice fish though, most of my fishing through the ice was out from the south shore. The year they killed the weeds and the next year were awesome for eyes, with alot of 35 plus fish days. The last few truips kinda left a bad taste in my mouth for awhile, kinda been giving it a rest.

[Burksee]

Thanks Bursee, Actually I am somewhat familar with the lake being I have a 19ft 690 ranger with a 150 optimax and fish it durring the summer for eyes. I am not real familar with all the spots the guys ice fish though, most of my fishing through the ice was out from the south shore. The year they killed the weeds and the next year were awesome for eyes, with alot of 35 plus fish days. The last few truips kinda left a bad taste in my mouth for awhile, kinda been giving it a rest.Winter and Summer fishin are two entirely different ballgames out on HL. Some of us up there were talking that we're wondering if because of all the success that was had for taking walleye right after the weed kill off that maybe it was "over fished" and the overall walleye population may be down? Its still the best lake around to get hammer handle pike at though! Wish they'd start get'in a little bigger soon! :sad: I've been catch'in the same 18 to 22"s for the past couple fo years! :lol:

[Houghton laker]

The year they killed the weeds and the next year were awesome for eyes, with alot of 35 plus fish days.



Unfortunately, I agree with Burksee...After the weed kill back 4-5 yrs. ago the summer fisherman had a field day with the fish.....I know many locals also that cleaned up!! But that just devastaded the walleye population in the lake....for yrs. after that the fishing (icefishing) was horrible.....I went from a average of 80-100 walleyes a winter season....to a low of 4 walleye for a winters ice season about 2-3 yrs. ago.......last winter was the first since the weed kill that I managed to find a area of nice weeds and pull a couple of limits of walleye out of the lake......now just have to hope with the new walleye ponds on 55 in Merrit that the restocking program will start back and the lake will become what it once was!!