best ice fishing lake?

[Nemo]

Hi guys,

I'm new to Detroit and it will be my first winter here. I've been lurking around the forum for a while and it seems like Lake St. Claire is the best ice fishing lake. But how about some smaller ones? Would Ford Lake be good? I'm not that experienced on ice and I'd rather not be too far from the shore, plus I don't have any snowmobile or shanty. I'm not asking for specific spots, just general preferences. I'm mainly interested in perch, northern pike and such.

Also, it seems like the best area for early winter ice fishing on Lake St. Claire is the Harrison Metropark. Is that correct? Is that the 'canals' that people refer to?

Thanks so much for any advice.

[Week End Redneck]

There is great fishing on LSC. Although the perch have been running on the small side the last few years. Hopefully the hogs come in this year. Alot of guys fish metro with good luck. Good place to start. Might want try "other lakes and rivers" forum for other lakes.............Good Luck

[Nemo]

Thanks so much. I will definitely check out Metro.

[sweatyspartan]

Thanks so much. I will definitely check out Metro.

when guys talk about Metro there are a couple places they could be referring to. There's the back basin that has deep water and in my opinion is very hit or miss (but the basin is usually one of the first places to freeze).

Other people go out on the lake off of the day sail ramp which freezes shortly after the basin and is a better spot in my opinion.

just an fyi

[tedshunter]

You may also want to go around the point to the north and try off the foot of M-59 at Selfridge Air Base.There is a boat ramp there and a pretty big parking lot.Word of advice,get there early to make sure you get a parking spot.There is also a bait shop(Lakeside Bait & Tackle) right there too that you can get what you need before heading out and even get a report from them as well.Hope this helps ya.

[Mark Sylvester]

Lakeside is at 10 and Jefferson. Selfridge bait and Tackle is at the ramp at Selfridge.
I have made the same mistake before,too.
Sly:coolgleam

[Robert Hoover]

most of the spots on this side of the lake you dont have to go or walk to far too. genos sometimes when fish are their which hasnt really happened lately theyll come into the shelf ice out far but last year was good in close . All youre mile roads will periodically produce fish . anchor bay is good and you can walk around out their too like mentioned before sang has acess but usually it is a walk from their to acess fish, cotton road is a closer walk . if you folow the forums and become a friendly person before you know it youll be in the mix and be gettin phone calls of where the fish are > it really is a never ending battle to stay on top of good sized fish in good numbers. good luck be safe ,

[jiggineyes]

Cotton Rd. is closed this year!;)

[PerchOnly]

Cotton Rd. is closed this year!;)

What happened someone block it off?

[Robert Hoover]

thats good in a way that place gets out of control in a hurry its a mess when i pass buy their looks like a freakin feild day :dizzy: and all the crap people leave in that lot . I bet some people are still wondering why their presance is not wanted too!:tdo12:

[Mark Sylvester]

I think Mr. Jiggin' eyes is pullin' someones leg!!!:lol::SHOCKED:
Sly:evilsmile

[PerchOnly]

Well as PT Barnum used to say "there's a sucker born every minute" and it looks like I would be he.:lol::lol:

[Robert Hoover]

no its really closed.....dont go their...... ever !

[Nemo]

Thanks so much guys, for the tips. Now, we just need to wait for ice....

[Radar420]

Would Ford Lake be good? I'm not that experienced on ice and I'd rather not be too far from the shore,

A word of advice, if your relatively inexperienced stay away from Ford Lake. While the fishing can be good, there is a large current in it that can make the ice unsafe.

Best bet would be to hit some of the LSC spots early in the season and then wait to go onto Ford until you see some posts about it or you have someone to go with who is familiar with the lake.

Good luck

[ibthetrout]

Nemo, where are you from? You might want to fill out your profile and so we know a little bit about you.

[eboll]

Lake st.clair perch!