Ice Fishing Near Traverse City

[SpartyOn]

Hey everyone me and some of my buddies are headed up to Traverse City next Sat (March 1) and will be up there through the 8th and we want to do some ice fishing while we are there but aren't familiar with the area. We were just wondering what the ice conditions are like and what lakes are best for what kind of fish... Thanks for any info in advance its all greatly appreciated!

[Whit1]

I'd urge you to fill out your profile. Some of the guys won't give out information to first time posters who don't have their Profile filled out.

[SpartyOn]

I didn't even know I had a profile on here so I went and filled it out... Thanks for the heads up Whit!

[Whit1]

That'll help a lot.

As for icefishing in the TC area you have so many choices!!!!!!!!!!!

Long Lake: perch, walleyes, bluegills
North and South Lake Leelanau: perch walleye, bluegills
Arbutus and Spider lakes: bluegills
Green Lake: smelt
Skegemog: perch, walleyes, northern pike

[fishenrg]

Whit gave you some good basics. Long Lake is very popular and most fishing activity is concentrated at a few accesses so it should be pretty easy to figure out where to start. There is a public access on the north part of the lake as well as a public park on the north end (a little bit east of the boat launch). The public park is right across the street from the Long Lake Grocery Store which is a small store that also sells bait. The guy that runs the place is pretty knowledgeable about what is working on the lake so he's worth chatting up a bit. Either of those spots can be productive and you won't be able to miss all the people lined up so you'll know where to go.

There is another spot on the west side of the lake, south of the boat launch. Its another boat launch at the end of a road called Crescent Shores. Not as easy for a new-comer to find, but again, once you find it you'll see all the guys lined up.

I haven't ice fished on any of the other lakes that Whit mentioned, but they are all supposed to be good. Lake Leelanau is the only one I have experience with (but not ice fishing). Its a huge lake though so I wouldn't even know where to begin.

If its a quick weekend trip I guess I would suggest Long Lake since access is easy and its very close to town. Good luck!

[SpartyOn]

We will be up there for a whole week so I imagine we'll probably fish at least a couple of days... Would you say there is one certain lake that is known best for perch? How about Boardman, Bass, and Silver Lakes... What would you say they are best known for? Greatly appreicating all the info thanks guys!

[naterpM-37]

Crystal Lake as been good for perch the past few years, catch them in 15-40 fow out of Buelah, also could try long for perch between the islands if you have a machine, catch them there in 12-25 fow. Hope it helps. Sorry not to sure about the lakes you suggested, never fished them.
Nate

[fishenrg]

We will be up there for a whole week so I imagine we'll probably fish at least a couple of days... Would you say there is one certain lake that is known best for perch? How about Boardman, Bass, and Silver Lakes... What would you say they are best known for? Greatly appreicating all the info thanks guys!

I also haven't ice fished any of these lakes. I think you could do ok for perch on Long Lake. I usually fish a small offshoot of Long Lake known as Mickey Lake and we've done good all year for perch with small teardrops and minnows. Access is a problem there unless you have a sled, or know someone that lives on Mickey Lake.

Boardman Lake has decent fishing, though you have to be careful of the ice in some areas since the river flows into and out of the lake. Not sure of perch, but I know there's just about anything else in there.

I've never had any luck on Silver Lake during any season, but I'm sure there's stuff in there.

If you mean the Bass Lake really near Long Lake I would say concentrate on Long Lake or make the drive to Crystal or Lake Leelanau.

[SpartyOn]

Thanks again for all the info - hopefully we can get into some good fish while we are up there.. I guess if were driving 3 hours from EL to go there 35 min to Crystal Lake isnt much so maybe thats where we'll be headed!!

[unclecbass]

I live/ and fish here. If I were you I would try the west access on green lake for smelt, you need a sabiki rig tipped with a hali jig, bait it with spikes. You need a senitive rod with a spring bobber and an underwaterlight. Crystal lake in Benzie County is also supposed to have good smelt and perch fishing. Dont wast time at Skeegamog, 99% of the fish you will catch are too small to keep, Boardman lake has better odds of keepers. Good Luck.

[SpartyOn]

I was wondering if you guys had any recomendations on what type of tackle to use or what has been working best on Lake Skegemog, Long Lake, Crystal Lake & Big Glen Lake for perch and walleye... Also any specific areas that are usually really good for getting into either of em...

[fishenrg]

I was wondering if you guys had any recomendations on what type of tackle to use or what has been working best on Lake Skegemog, Long Lake, Crystal Lake & Big Glen Lake for perch and walleye... Also any specific areas that are usually really good for getting into either of em...

As I indicated in my earlier post, all of my luck has been on the Mickey Lake offshoot of Long Lake this year. I caught all mine on some ice flies that I tied up on 1/32 oz. jig heads with no bait. I've posted some pics of my flies. If you search the site for "ice flies" you should find them or take a look at my photo album

My buds had good luck on teardrops with either a whole minnow or just the head. I haven't fished anywhere else on long lake this year but I have to imagine it would work just as well at other places on there.

[The Fishing Pollock]

I've been using a drop shot rig for minnow fishing lately. For added swimming. I have been tail hooking the bait. Been working fairly well for me on Skegemog and lakes in Otsego county