Higgins shore fishing

[HeavyF150]

Does anyone have any reports from the Higgins Lake area? I just bought a place near the lake in Sept. and was talking to a neighbor up there that said they shore fish for Lake Trout on the north shore. Has anyone done this? Is it productive? What kind of gear, besides waders, would I need?
Any help would be appreciated. I maybe headed that way in a few days and I'm looking for ways to get outdoors and maybe put something on the table too.
Thanks,
Alan

[BIG DAVE]

never fished the nothshore before, but fished west road and the boat ramp
on the west side by old 27 walk out to the right as far as you can wade
and cast #11 floating rapalas natural colors black and silver or blue and silver
this time of year we catch browns and rainbows but no laketrout,
you have to cast into the drop off, offshore wind and lighter line helps.
no weight on line. hope this helps BIG DAVE:fish:

[mikey]

I've caught a few wading out of the North Shore in the past. I can't tell you what 'best' baits are, but I've caught them on spinners, jigs, and cleos. Usually early morning or cloudy days have been good, and yes I've been skunked a couple times too.

Good luck

[MDH]

The only time I've caught lakers from shore has been up on Crystal Lake in Benzie County. We just used pyramid sinkers and fresh spawn. Between 3 of us we caught 14 lakers and one nice rainbow. Not sure if this helps but I figured I'd try. We just waded out to the drop off and threw out as far as we could. Not sure if you can even get any spawn, but something on the bottom is usually the best for lakers.

MDH

[HeavyF150]

Sorry folks, I screwed up. My neighbor said he'd caught Browns off the shore at Higgins and not Lakers.
Does anyone know how long they stay in shallow or is it usually till ice forms, which may not happen this year :(
Alan

[paulywood]

The browns and rainbows stay in the shallows all the way through the spring, even under the ice. We have had good luck using shiners under bobbers for browns in the past. This spring we took a couple of rainbows on floating spawn bags. Spinners, spoons and cranks are also good. PM me if you have any more questions, I might be heading up there on saturday.

[swampbuck]

try spawn in front of w. shore access, east and west streets,big and little creeks, and especially the creek between the ram center and n. state park.

somebody caught a 27 pounder trolling in late november

[swampbuck]

wigglers are good too.

[paulywood]

Fished sat. morning on the west side. Went 0/2 with spawn bags 3-4 ft. off bottom. To windy to use bobbers. Cold and snowing but at least I was fishing!