Ice fishing vacation ideas?

[Hoss5355]

I've done some looking online, but can't seem to find what I'm looking for. I have only been to Michigan once, and that was to Cabela's in Dundee, so I don't really know where to start.

There is a group of 4 of us that are planning on going ice fishing somewhere for a 3-4 day vacation. In Ohio, we normally fish for saugeye, crappie, and gills. We would like to find a place with a cabin/lodge to stay in, and some decent fishing for Pike and/or panfish, and some walleye would be alright as well. I would be more comfortable with smaller water, due to the time we will be there, I don't want to spend a ton of time trying to figure out a huge lake. I also am not a fan of being on lakes where there are a ton of people either. I would also like to stay within 6 or so hours of Columbus, Ohio due to driving up in the middle of the winter, and not being able to know what the weather is going to be like.

So...is there a place in Michigan that has what I am looking for? I'm don't really want to bring unwanted pressure to a lake that can't handle it, so feel free to send me a P.M., but I would appreciate any help in finding a nice place to do some fishing and relaxing for a few days. We have been on one soft water trip to Canada fishing for pike and it was a blast, so we thought it would be a good time to try for them on the ice. Thanks in advance,

Kevin

[woodsman rick]

Kevin,
There are many lakes and areas that have what you are looking for.

Saginaw Bay: You can perch fish or walleye fish. There are many motels in the area (Linwood, Bay City, Pinn., Standish).

Hubbard Lake: You can perch or walleye fish here also. There are cabins for rent and a hotel on the north end of the lake.

Those are the two areas I fish mostly. Good luck and if you have questions pm me.

Rick

[jig head]

here is a link with cabins, resorts. etc.
most are on lakes .
www.fishweb.com (http://www.fishweb.com)

do you guys plan on bringing transportation to get out on the ice or are u walking?

[Hoss5355]

We could possibly bring 4-wheelers, although I don't know what type of license is needed to bring them up. Only one of them is 4 wheel drive though, so that could pose a problem in a lot of snow. None of us have snowmobiles, so ATV's are about all we are limited to.

Thanks for the link, I'll check it out.

[catfishtom210]

While I've never fished there and it might be a little further than 6 hours it sounds like Fletcher's Floodwaters would be close to what you are describing. Not sure how packed it gets but I know there are a lot of places for lodging on the lake (Jack's Landing is probably the best known and I'm sure has a website). If you're going for 3-4 days that would likely include days where there were fewer fisherman (weekdays).

Fletcher's is also shallow and likely to have better ice than deeper lakes. I know they are still fishing up there in the spring when down here you would think there's no way any ice is left!

As for ATVs, you would need an ORV sticker for each. These aren't like the ATV/ORV license in Ohio (around $8 for 3 years last time I bought one). The last Michigan ORV sticker was something like $16.50 for 1 year! I know this pays for the trails etc. which are more abundant in Michigan so I guess it's justifiable!

Maybe you'll get lucky and have a member offer to rent you their cabin on a secluded lake loaded with fish....oh and you can use the 4 wheelers in the garage too! ;-)

Good luck on your trip! You gotta love a road trip with the boys!

[Hoss5355]

Haha, I've done a little checking on the Fletchers thing. It seems like that would be a little bit farther of a drive, but does seem pretty like a good option

I know we took a trip last year up to Erie, PA and fished there, and that was a great time, but would like a better chance for a pike or two this year. We will just do the Presque Isle trip on a weekend.

A private lake loaded with fish would be great...lol, but I am a realist, and the loaded with fish thing isn't all that important. It's just time away from the desk and phones that we are looking for. A couple big fish would be a bonus. Thanks again for the help.

[Capnhook]

HOSS, you always have a chance at a dinosaur of a pike on Fletchers. Every year they get a few monsters. Capnhook

[Fishbum2]

I'm surprised no one offered Houghton/Higgins lake. Houghton for walleye, pike and pan fish and Higgins for trout and smelt.

Lyman's on the Lake offers a large cabin right on the lake. Their bait and tackle shop are right next to the cabin and the ramp is right in front. You can cook in the full kitchen or go to one of the close by restaurants or watering holes.

Some locals do rent snowmobiles, but they are pricey.

Also, try the Cadillac area, Mitchell and Cadillac lakes side by side and excellent fishing for pike, walleyes and pan fish. Pilgrims Village could help you get it all arranged including possibly the snowmachine rentals.

Good luck to ya. Hope it comes together for you.

[deputy865]

I would suggest Fletchers. We had a BLAST when we went. Had flags all day to!

Shane

[jig head]

the post I made with the link to fish web has the link for jacks landing.
I cant say what it is like to fish there, because it is hard to leave the greatest walleye water, the sag. bay.

www.jackslanding.com (http://www.jackslanding.com)

[Jigster]

Hey Hoss, Fletchers (like they say) is a good bet on Ice(45-50deg next week)
Nice shallow easy freeze lake. If Jacks Landing is booked try
http://www.anglershideaway.net/cabins/index.html
It's next door to Jacks. I'll be up there Jan 25-26-27. The backwaters of Fletchers are a great pike getter when their hittin. You don't have to have a 4WLer to get out to good fishing. Most everyone fishes the riverbed. You'll find it because thats where Jacks and everybody else puts their shanties. Shanties can be rented but get your reservations in early. We bring our own so we can move to the fish. PM me if your going to be there the weekend we are. I'll give you some tips about fishing the pond then take all your change in Hold-em that night!

Jigster

[Hoss5355]

Jigster, thanks for the offer. As of right now we are planning on going mid Feb. If something changes, I will be sure to get a hold of you. Hopefully this weekend I can try to get some final plans figured out.

Thanks again for the suggestion,

Kevin

[2tundras]

Dan's on Munuscong Lake, a bay off of the St. Mary's River, tween Lake Superior and Huron. Eyes and perch. Googlemap Pickford MI and go East a couple miles, you'll see a big bay. Thatbeit.

Big, shallow, easy to fish.

[Auesreef]

If i was going to go on vacation in Michigan, i would go to the UP. I would go to copper harbor at the point and then stay at lake fannyhoe resort. Then a ten minuete drive and you will be at lake bailey. That lake is a great pike lake, walleye, and panfish.

[HeadeNorth]

Look at alverno Dam in Black River (Cheboygan) it would be about 5 to 6 hours from you. The best part is no one knows about it. Until now. Search (Alverno Dam Cheboygan) I use to spear pike there when I was in high school. The largest one was about 15lbs. the best part is the river is only 100 yards wide at the most. No need for four wheelers.