New to ice fishing, live near Auburn Hills-Question...

[JackSpearo]

I'm from SC living near Auburn Hills. I've always wanted to go ice fishing and I've been researching it. I had picked a place about 3-4 hours away called Houghton Lake, but I read on here ever since they cut the weeds the fishin hasn't been too good.

Could anyone recommend a lake better than Houghton lake?

I only wanna drive about 3-4 hours from Auburn Hills...

I was gonna go to Lyman's, but I don't wanna go if the fishing ain't gonna be good.

I'm gonna buy some gear up here, but I would need a shanty to rent...

thanks guys

Jack

[ih772]

If you're new to icefishing, Houghton Lake will prove to be very frustrating for you. There are a ton of lakes around Auburn Hills that you could get started on.

Buy a one man portable shanty, the shanties that you rent are parked in one spot and if the fish aren't there, you're stuck. A portable lets you move around.

[JackSpearo]

I'm in law school so I can't afford to buy all this equipment and stuff, I just really wanted to find a place that rented out shantys and stuff, that's why Houghton Lake looked so attractive, at least before I found out about the fish problem...

there aren't any other places like that around?

[Cooley]

Here's a place that rents portable shantys on silver lake on Walton rd.
& silver lake rd. This place is right on walton rd. you cant miss it.
I work in auburn hills & drive buy this place on my way home.

[shadow]

I'm in law school so I can't afford to buy all this equipment and stuff, I just really wanted to find a place that rented out shantys and stuff, that's why Houghton Lake looked so attractive, at least before I found out about the fish problem...

there aren't any other places like that around?

you can buy a schooley for $12, a dozen ice jigs for $10, a dozen minnows in a coffee can for $2.25, 2 dozen wax worms for $2.25, a spud for $20, and a bucket for $5. around $50 and you have all the equipment you need, the rest is just extras and comfort features.

find a small lake, cut a couple holes out, put a minnow or waxy on a jig of your choice(try chartuese first), drop the line all the way to the bottom until the line goes slack then lift about a foot. you are now ice fishing and you will catch fish this way.

[Merv]

Man Shadow you make it sound easy!

[Passmeabrewski]

Man Shadow you make it sound easy!

I second that. Plus, you forgot to mention the beer. Or does that get included in "just extras and comfort features?"

I disagree on the Houghton Lake difficulty statement, or that it's too frustrating. I've fished that lake several times and I've always had luck. In fact, I fished just off of Lyman's in my own shanty and I took a few nice pike on tip-ups. I will say, it's a long drive to go home empty-handed so I do recommend you try around here first. If you've never been before, you might find out that you don't care for it all that much or quite the opposite- it all depends. "Comfort features" will help but they aren't necessary.

[JackSpearo]

what about lake simcoe???

it's only a little farther than houghton lake...

thanks!

[chuckinduck]

Good for perch, and I think even whitefish? Last I heard the lake was still somewhat open. I've never fished it, but I know its an insanely huge body of water, and to be quite honest, probably not the best bet for a newbie simply because I think its quite a haul to some of the fishing spots w/o an atv. There a tons of lakes around Oakland county to wet a line.

[jigmanII]

what about lake simcoe???

it's only a little farther than houghton lake...

thanks!

Perfect,
They have tons of outfitters who will provide, transportation, parking, bait,preheated shantys, food on lake and even fishing tackle.
These guy's pride themselves on putting clients on fish and on weekdays you can get all of this for about $50.00 to 75.00 per man per day.
Wow, sounds so good I wish I was going.:coolgleam

[buster5199]

Chuck is right about the lakes right in your backyard. I have a hard time deciding which one I want to go to around Holly all of the time. So many choices. I would be happy to have you tag along sometime, drop me a pm and we can figure out a date. I have more than enough gear and wouldn't mind showing you the ropes so to speak.

btw...welcome to the site.

[USMarine1171]

With all that gas you'd be spending it would definitely be more cost-effective to fish local or even Lake St. Clair. There's really no point in driving all that way when you live in Oakland county, there are so many lakes.

[aslongasitpullsback]

what about lake simcoe???

it's only a little farther than houghton lake...

thanks!

PM sent

[Cooley]

what about lake simcoe???

it's only a little farther than houghton lake...

thanks!

A little further.........I don't think so...your talking about aleast
a 5 hour drive or more. Save your money & Ice fish here in Michigan
The state of 11,000 lakes! If your that hard up to ice fish, PM
me & I'll take you out for free ! And I"ll put you on fish.I got all the stuff.
You don't need to bring anything!

[MIfishinGuy]

please don't go to houghton lake or simcoe for your first time icefishing! i know all the guide agencies make it sound so attractive, but for the price of even gas alone you can have yourself set up with basic equipment and be fishing any of the lakes here in oakland county, and plus if you like it you will have the stuff and can go again and again.

if you really want to rent all the stuff, go to the place on silver lake on walton. he rents augers shanties heaters everything, and he could help you with finding some fish. his name is Ken, i buy my minnows there when i go to Lake oakland down the road.

heck just like others i would also take you out. ive got a 2 man portable shanty, rods, tackle and even an underwater camera. shoot me a pm if you want to set up a date.

houghton lake and simcoe are big bodies of water and they are very difficult for even experienced people to drive to, park and walk out and catch fish. the people that are successful at these places put in a lot of time scouting on the lake and trying different patterns, and covering vast areas, mostly with snowmobiles or 4 wheelers.

i dont mean to sound like i'm shooting you down, but fishing a smaller, closer body of water with basic equipment just sounds like the cheaper, closer, and easiest way to experience ice fishing for the first time.

after that, be my guest, go to all the big water and become an ice junkie like the rest of us! :lol:

[jigmanII]

Now that I think about it, you could also fish with Walleye Mike(moderator),
I'm sure he could provide everything you need, and show you a good time locally.