Pinckney & Waterloo Rec area Ice Fishing

[Wilson]

If we ever get any ice in SE Michigan this winter, I was looking for some tips on a few lakes in and around the Pinckney and Waterloo rec area. My target species at this point in time is anything that that will bite lol... but I really want to go after Crappie and Pike!

The first lake I am looking at is Joslin lake, I see it is a pretty shallow lake average depth of 5-10ft with two holes of 13 and 20 ft deep. I figure that this lake may freeze a bit quicker with it being shallow.

From the Sportsman connection map book Cedar lake sounds like a good lake.
I have fished Independence lake and done well on Crappie in the past.If memory serves, I think you need to be out of the park by dark, this is probably the only thing I do not like about this lake. (I like to stay after dark and fish for Crappie.) This could be an early (or late ice in this case) option.

My main hard water lake is Silver lake! I know parts of this lake pretty well and can always catch fish in this lake.One of the biggest bass I have ever seen was caught on a tip up here a few years ago! The pike are not huge but they can keep the flags flying! With Silver being a larger lake and from what I seen last year, this lake will need an extended cold snap to freeze it up!
Anyone with any other lakes that may freeze early in this area?

[ozzgood2001]

good luck with joslin it does freez ok usually has a big goose hole out in the middle and about a million dinker gills but they're bigger ones to be found in there. lotta sandy flats out there..

[SleePac]

Wilson,

I've been eyeing that lake for a couple of years, too. There are others in that area that I'm dying to ice fish.

I'm just up the street from you so when the ice comes and you head out to that area, drop me a PM, if you don't mind, and maybe I can join you.

Thanks.

[Wilson]

No problem SleePac!

[Duck-Hunter]

good luck with joslin it does freez ok usually has a big goose hole out in the middle and about a million dinker gills but they're bigger ones to be found in there. lotta sandy flats out there..

goose whole? please tell me more. :D

[RichP]

this is probably the only thing I do not like about this lake. (I like to stay after dark and fish for Crappie.)

You're preaching to the choir there. I've written a couple letters to the Washtenaw County Parks people begging them for a couple extra hours, but noone has been polite enough to respond...

Since a lot of it is shallow (though there are some deep holes), Four Mile Lake in Waterloo should freeze relatively early. Small pike, big bluegills, big rock bass, don't know about crappies never caught one there, and occasionally someone will break into your truck. :rant:

[kdogger]

If you are talking about the Cedar Lake that is North of the Gregory game area, there is no public access that I know of, only association access.

[ozzgood2001]

surrounded by houses.. good luck on the hunting. you can only hunt one side and thats not the side with the goose hole

[tigdug]

I know there's no ice...but i fished Little Cedar on Saturday via canoe...no dice. It was quite refreshing to be in the cool, but nothing biting. Hopefully with the colder wx things will start to solidify.
In the meaintime...what do you use to target the gills and crappie thru the ice? Also, does anybody know of any perch lakes in the Pinckney or Waterloo areas? Thanks...and i'll keep you posted if the canoe get used again...

[seips]

Have never done any good on joslyn (tons of dinks) but around the corner I have hit some good crappie and gills with the occasional keeper perch in the mix.

[huffduf41]

if/when we do actually get some hard water shoot me a PM or email -I live on the northwest side of Portage lake but look forward to exploring new waters.

Dustin