Ice Fishing at Chippewa Lake

[sjstap]

I just wanted to know if anyone has fished Chippewa Lake in Mecosta county this past week. Is the ice safe? What kind of minnows did you use on your tip-ups? Are any lakes in eastern Mecosta county fishable?
Thanks

[mondrella]

I have not been on the ice since Sunday in the area. I live in Big Rapids and this week was good ice making weather. Chippewa has been spotty at best this year. One day you will catch fish the next really slow. The last time I was out there was 2 weeks ago. I ended up with 6 big specks and two just eyes about 19". Try the martiny chain of lakes just to the south. The lakes are small to average size just a # of them connected by channels. As for ice thickness I have heard this week we have anywhere from 5 to 8 inches on nearly every lake.
Good luck.

[sjstap]

Mondrella
Thank you for the information. You have been very helpful. At this point I would be happy with a couple 19" walleyes! We will try Chippewa on Saturday and possibly the Martiny Lakes on Sunday. 5-8" of ice is more than I expected.

[Cheeznrice]

Mondrella,do you know if they are fishing the Muskegon River?I have a friend that used to fish from the bank for walleye.I think he fished somewhere around Rodgers Heights.

[mondrella]

The river is open below rogers and hardy. I fished below Rogers on Wed. wading certain productive spots. Only a few small fish above the E-way right now mainly males to 14" but there has to be a few good ones. I just didn't have any luck. I'm not sure this year if the season closes the 28th above the E-way or not I can't seem to find my rule book right now. Below when there has been open water I have hit a few decent fish. Just no big ones yet. As spring gets closer it will only get better. I did hear they are getting a few nice perch out from big bend park on the ice in 40 F.O.W. on minnows. It just hasn't been cold enough for me to trust the river ice this year. Hope this helps.

[Cheeznrice]

Mondrella, give a shout if things pickup on the Muskegon.My friend hasn't fished there in some time.He had a set of twins and another new young one that keeps busy of late.