ICE CONDITIONS--Saginaw river and Bay

[WALLEYE MIKE]

Report your ice conditions here.

[Chuck1]

Very shaky shore ice that will not last through this week. Had a friend on the shore ice at nueman rd, never seen a perch caught , did here a couple guys on the radio talking about coggins rd possibly having a few fish. Blue skies, and clear ice is not a good combo IMO.

[walleyeman2006]

theres ice on the sebewaing and quanicasea rivers not enough to walk on yet but sounds like early next week for sure

[fishin'magician']

any new info?????

[Slippin']

http://coastwatch.glerl.noaa.gov/modis/modis.cgi/modis?region=h&page=1&template=sub&image=t1.07016.1550.LakeHuron.143.250m.jpg

Pray for light winds and cold temps. 17 degrees in Oakland County right now:D

[Chuck1]

WOO!HOO! Houghton lk is froze. It looks like Couchiching is froze. East side of the bay is settig up. Cross your fingers boy's we may still get out on the bay yet....To be continued...

[walleyeman2006]

2-4 inches of ice off sebewaing looks like at least a mile of ice but i wont be walking outisde of the coves yet,,,,,i was out to 2 fow and clouldnt see any open water pockets with very little snow on the ice

[jig head]

bay city state park ice out as far as I could see in all directions.

[The Unknown Sportsman]

I've Heard of 2 ice-related deaths this winter already.
Remember your safety equipment .
Take your Rope and spud,Ice-pics up your sleeves,
Protect your cellphone w/ a heavy-duty ziplock
Keep a dry change of clothes handy.
Partner up if your going to take any element of risk.

[tawasbaycam]

Ice finally getting thicker on Tawas Bay. Fishermen started going out yesterday.
http://www.tawasbayweather.com/images/20070120.jpg

[JDHUNTER]

Ice finally getting thicker on Tawas Bay. Fishermen started going out yesterday.
http://www.tawasbayweather.com/images/20070120.jpg


Wow, now that is a cool site :)

[woodsman rick]

I checked out that site also, even worked with dial-up at home.

Rick

[WALLEYEvision]

Yup...neat site!

[Ralph Smith]

Came up river rd. on Sunday afternoon, and was alteast 20 people on river north of z bridge. Some were in channel where there wasn't open water:yikes: can't believe there's more than 1 inch or 2 out there, they must be crazy.

[JimDandy]

Geifer rd was good ice bout 4-6" but little action and only a dink here or there.:confused:

Sebewaing marina and river were frozen and only some dinks here and there but safe ice.:dizzy:

[joeleone]

Keep posting up to date ice conditions about Saginaw River! I appreciate it I'm from Oakland County so when I come up it's a drive so I need to be sure its good to go I can't wait to get out there and get my line wet and maybe get that big wallygator!

[BUCKWIZZARD]

Fished by the bridge on 75 and the ice is 4-7 inches and a few spots in the middle only 3-4 inches. There was no open water on that side of the bridge(south side) but there was on the other side by the Riverview motel and bait shop. Fishing is good for small ones, lost a 10 lb fish though. Their were two of us and we caught 49 and only 3 keepers, which we threw back.Good luck !!!!

[Jaw Breaker]

Fished tonight by the turnaround just off the channel. Had to switch from #5 rap to #7 rap to hit bottom. 17fow ice only about 3-4inches. I would wait till this weekend. Strong current is the reason for lack of good ice everywhere on the river. Lots of fish but no keepers. Check ice every step because it varies from safe to only 2inches really quick. Also tons of slush under the ice.

[joeleone]

Fished by the bridge on 75 and the ice is 4-7 inches and a few spots in the middle only 3-4 inches. There was no open water on that side of the bridge(south side) but there was on the other side by the Riverview motel and bait shop. Fishing is good for small ones, lost a 10 lb fish though. Their were two of us and we caught 49 and only 3 keepers, which we threw back.Good luck !!!!

Do you know where that bean factory is where there was that ladder to get down do you know if ice is safe there yet or at Wickes those are really the only place I've ever done good at. I'm planning on coming up on Saturday morning, I CANT WAIT!

[BUCKWIZZARD]

I would say the ice is good, hog alley is where we fish but be careful. Dont trust anyone just check it out yourself to be sure, but im guessing it will be crowded this weekend!!!

[wcalcaterra]

Anyone been out a Linwood Rd, Pinconning Rd, or Pine River?? I would like to get out this weekend to chase the eye's and I was wondering what the ice was like in those areas.

[theangler]

heard there arent many fish at Pine River or Pinconning, i'd try Linwood

[drake32]

fished south of the z-bridge, 3-4 inches of ice.

[karg10]

Anybody been out near Bayport? Looking for ice conditions. Thanks

[Steely-Head]

How is north of the Z-bridge doing? How bout the BEANS downtown?

[joeleone]

How is north of the Z-bridge doing? How bout the BEANS downtown?

In front of Bean factory is all water its the only spot I seen that was like that N. of the bridge I was there this morning caught 3 dinks and that was it seen one guy catch a 20" only keeper I seen. Ice is safe pretty much everywhere except at beans.:(

[drake32]

fished south of the z-bridge 4-5 inches of good ice, just no keepers!

[Ralph Smith]

Anybody been out near Bayport? Looking for ice conditions. Thanks

Was off mudcreek on Sat. and was about 6-8" of ice. Got to be about same in wildfowl bay all over.

[Rooster_Smasher]

My wife came home from up north Yesterday (Saturday the 27th) and she said she saw a lot of folks fishing right at the Z-Bridge.

[SNAREMAN]

anyone fish behind Mcdonald's downtown?I used to slam'em there,but it's been 5-6 year's since i've went.any info?

[Tunaman]

Caught 4 keepers on the river over the weekend (20 inchers). Lots of small fish in the river. The bigger fish stopped hitting Wednesday. 3-4 inches of good clear ice north of the Z-Bridge. Do not walk on any ice that does not have snow on it, this is water that has just froze. I still see guys walking out on the ice without a spud. If you are one of these guys and you go through, don't expect any help from anyone.

[joeleone]

anyone fish behind Mcdonald's downtown?I used to slam'em there,but it's been 5-6 year's since i've went.any info?

I fished there on Friday from about 10 to 1 the spot where you need a ladder to get down was all water the only spot like it. so we went down a little further there was a couple of guys that had been there since morning and he only caught 3 no keepers though. The spot that u need a ladder is the best spot in my experience it's the only spot I go usually. I would say that it has to be froze by now although I don't know if it would be safe.

[Southend517]

here is a bay pic from yesterday

http://img207.imageshack.us/img207/2146/jjjjjjjaj7.jpg

[Jaw Breaker]

Between the Genesse street bridge and Johnson steet is was still open water as of yesterday morning. By this weekend it should be froze but it might not be safe.

[ih772]

Fished down from the Z bridge tonight. Six inches on the east side of the channel and it was really making ice when I left. Lots of popping and cracking.

[Blaketrout]

Went out about 2 miles out S of Pinconning Bar more or less off Coggins 12' of water. No fish and the ice was real iffy. 8 inches one spot, 4 inches 10 yards away:SHOCKED: BE CAREFUL THIS YEAR!!!!

[drake32]

snowmobiles around the z-bridge, that makes it safe enough to walk on for me!

[Attic_Insane]

repost of mine from the fisherman dies. sorry but here are the conditions over there. as well as east side down below.

ERIKSON RD.
Anyone going to this area should note that there is no big crack.
What is to worry about is that about 2 miles out there are 4 to 6 pond like open water spots scattered in same area, seperated by thick ice imbeded into the black ice. these open water spots are about the size of a small home. (there is no floting ice in ponds ) be very careful. when someone says there is open water they probably didn't see it like I did. This open water is not from the ice breaking apart or moving out. it is from a spring under the ice or something simular. It is surronded by 8 inches of thick ice.

During the day you can see them about 1/4 mile away. look very black, not like black ice niether.
There are very spooky and someone had to let people what this poor angler went into. I am sure someone else may go into one of these hidden ponds again.

At night you cannot see the difference until about 15 -30 feet away.

From 3 miles out till 6 miles ice is pretty thick. approx 8-10 inches.


ON East Cost. ICE THICK AND SAFE FROM KING RD TO CALAHAN RD.

Been out 8 miles off bost sides. One big crack with ice pile about 2 miles out, Any atv or walking ok. crack hasn't seperated more than 3 inches in past week.

been all the way to spark plug. (8 miles out +) Ice 8 inches and solid. Light snow on most of it.

Hope it helps some of you.
Good luck.

[plugjerker]

anyone on the river mon. 2-19 ?

[mjmmusser]

PJ, there was still around 12-14 inches where I was at tonight at Indy. The current got a little wierd though, switched directions on me right when the fish started to pick up.

--Mike

[BUCKWIZZARD]

Fished just south of Z bridge and it was slowwwwww. We caught 2 and seen 2 get caught but all dinks. Not many people fishing this afternoon. It has for sure slowed down on all those little ones. Their was a foot of ice and the water looked pretty clear.

[walleyeman2006]

river ice is decent but the current is tearing it up from the bottom..found a spot off the boys and girls club in bay city with 2-3 inches tonight

[Ralph Smith]

river ice is decent but the current is tearing it up from the bottom..found a spot off the boys and girls club in bay city with 2-3 inches tonight

What area had the thin stuff there W-man? I'll be there one morning this week either tomarrow or wednesday. Could it have been an old hole, there were lots out there, and with the temps, I don't think they'll freeze over real good. This snow dusting things over isn't going to help either.

[walleyeman2006]

i think your right Ralph...it was only a 4 ft by 4 ft spot..straight acrossed from the big wood pilings about 2/3 the way acrossed..there was allso a couple big slush pockets near the bridge ...everything looked better to the down stream side of the pilings(dock)

[Ralph Smith]

i think your right Ralph...it was only a 4 ft by 4 ft spot..straight acrossed from the big wood pilings about 2/3 the way acrossed..there was allso a couple big slush pockets near the bridge ...everything looked better to the down stream side of the pilings(dock)


Yeah, I don't go near the bridges, alot of people don't realize that all that road salt that gets washed off them bridges softens the ice below. I think my river fishing is done for now until I can get boat out. The bay is going to get hot in close real soon:D ;)

[Huge20]

PLan on heading north linwood road on soon some one let me know if i can make it out there safely.

Caught some nice hogs out there let me know soon please!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Chuck1]

Finally a good satelite shothttp://coastwatch.glerl.noaa.gov/modis/modis.cgi/modis?region=h&page=1&template=subℑ=a1.07059.1851.LakeHuron.143.250m.jpg (http://coastwatch.glerl.noaa.gov/modis/modis.cgi/modis?region=h&page=1&template=sub&image=a1.07059.1851.LakeHuron.143.250m.jpg)

[dr.duke]

i hear it is sketchy out that way, guys falling thru left and right

[walleyeman2006]

Do Not Hit The Ice Before Day Light ...up To 1 Inch Of Rain Has Fallen,,,,,rivers Will Become Bad Soon Bay Ice Will Be Troublesome Be Carefull,,,,,,IM IN THE WADER SAFE 3 FOW OR LESS MODE for those who didnt know i lost my cousin Lee back in `1991 his kids are doing ok but me and his other cousins are teaching them about hunting and fishing.......he knew that bay better then any one but the man lost respect for it for a minute and he's gone,,,,,,,,the best safety equipment you can buy will only keep you alive for an hour..common sence will keep you safe........if any one wants ice reports.....Ralph smith Jeremyl or myslef ..i know are trust worthy.....be carefule my number is 989 528 9131 please do not call before 8 am,,any member of this site is welcome to call me as far as ice conditions go.. and im not saying by any means others are not accurate..but ive fished with the above mentioned men..after lee drowning out there i dont trust just any one.....my reports will allways error on the cation side...for the west side adam bomb will give accurate ice conditions

to know saginaw bay is to respect and fear it,,,jh

[Walleye123]

As of 930 am down by the genesee bridge 1 inch of water and still 10 inches of ice, be very cautious on edges where water is present. Speaking from experience by the now old hooters, I walked through water and broke the edge getting very wet. Find a spot that is not near drain tubes and you should be alright.
Ice should hold up through the weekend, the wind here is starting to freeze the rain that fell yesterday, top layer of ice is about 1/4 inch and then water.
Good Luck.

[UNCLE AL]

Rumor has it that people were through the ice this morning (Sat), and that the ice was moving at Bay City State Park. Be Careful.

[mjmmusser]

All I gotta say for the river is, watch where you go. One spot can be 10 inches and 10 feet away can be 3. I talked to a couple of guys that went through today. One went up to his chest, another to his neck, and the other just up to his knee. Plus a buddy I was with stepped into an old hole that was covered by snow. This was at the north side z bridge.
I'll be waiting until the bay opens up to do a little wading and maybe hit the upper sections that are open until close.

[Chuck1]

Let me be the first to say the west side is now shot as far as the deep water goes.

http://coastwatch.glerl.noaa.gov/modis/data/2007/jpg/a1.07063.1827.LakeHuron.143.250m.jpg

[Walleye123]

That is incredible!

[pilatusbahn]

Got back this morning, nothing but dinks again today. Watched the ice under me go from 8" to 6" in 2 hours. Ice is getting punky and with warmer temps and rain, its gonna go fast in places. Fished BCYC/Andersons. Stay safe and take a spud with every step if you go! I'm done till ice-out.

[33wildgame]

Hey Chuck1, where did u get that satellite photo, its awesome!

[mjmmusser]

33wildgame, check out this thread.
http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/forum/showthread.php?t=175853
or go to the site and click on what lake you want.
http://coastwatch.glerl.noaa.gov/modis/region_map.html

[pilatusbahn]

Severe Weather and Flash Floods-Thursday and Friday. Stay home!
River wont be fishable for at least a week and with the rains its gonna put a ton of pressure on the top of the ice and the bottom is gonna wear away fast. Bay may just open up completely in a week if we get the warm temps they are forcasting.