Cotten rd info

[ratherbhuntin300mag]

Anyone been out at cotten rd yet how is the ice?????????

[Mark Sylvester]

Might be open after today!!!:(
Sly:cool:

[mwakely]

Sunday afternoon 1338 hours the ice off Cotton is holding! The snow has blown away and there is bare ice in spots! I would venture to say the ice will not blow out! It's locked in good! Branderburg Park still has open water.

[jiggineyes]

Just stopped by there too. Entire bay still holding ice. Well see once this switches to the west. Shore ice is the sketchy area right now. As long as the banks dont fill with snow it should be good after these next couple cold days! im hopin by xmas eve.

[tedshunter]

I took a drive out to Selfrdge today and I saw 2 shanties between there and Cotton.They were not out too far though,but who could blame them I give them credit for just being out today.I say by next weekend things are going to be looking pretty sweet.

[mwakely]

Got home from work and caught two guys coming off the ice and they said we had about 4 inches of ice and all they caught was dinks! So there is fishable ice off Cotton Road.

[jiggineyes]

Good to hear! That shore ice must have locked up with the sub zero temps! ill be there tomorrow!

[Fishnnut]

let us know how you did?

[Hunterog]

I was hoping to go to Cotton Rd. this morning, but im hoping to get an expedite load today before the holiday. #1, so i decided to stay home instead. Hope you all do well and please post good or bad reports thanks.

[arcticcatet71]

If no one minds sharing i was wondering where i can park anywhere between cotton and the Salt.
If the roads and traffic dont get rediculous i'll be sure to leave a good report from this afternoon!! :chillin:

[jiggineyes]

There is no public parking between the salt and cotton. only parking is the lot on the SE corner of cotton and jefferson. The lot across the street is now posted!!!:rant: Im hopong to get out in a few hours but Ive got some stuff to take care of now. Might put a damper on my plans. if I get done in time to get out Ill be out there!

[arcticcatet71]

hey thanks for the info... looks like i'll be stickin close to cotton then... i dont know if i trust this ice just yet

[mwakely]

Came home from work and I talked to two guys coming off the ice. They said the ice was 5 inches thick and he is the good part.....they only caught one fish! Heading out at 8:00 am.

[jiggineyes]

Everything i had going took 3 times as long with the roads and xmas traffic. Didnt make it out as planned. ill be out on Friday for sure though. Im tied up for xmas the next couple days! good luck out there!

[Chrome steel]

I have a buddy that went to cotton today water visibilty was poor. Im hoping it will clear soon, so I can have a chance with my spear I had bought last year but didnt get to use because of water clearity. Last year was a mess.

[jiggineyes]

FYI. Spearing doesnt open til the beginning of January!

[Chrome steel]

your right,So I hope it clears in 7 days (thats not soon)

[arcticcatet71]

Made it out for the last hour of day light. Ended up catching 6 perch all around 7in... Not as bad as i was expecting considering the last minute idea and the terrible clarity (maybe 10in of visibility)... there was about 5 inches of ice but only about an inch and a half of really good clear ice... good news is most of the snow was blown off considering the rediculous wind out there...
anyways i scratched the itch but probably wont be back out till after the new year considering the conditions of both ice and clarity.

[mwakely]

The reports all hold true! Five inches of ice ,water clarity not that good and the fish are running mainly on the small side! It made me feel good inside when I got on the ice and walked out in front to find an empty plastic water bottle laying on the ice! It never fails to amaze me how many people leave trash on the ice. Peace on Earth,Good Will towards men and Merry Christmas!


Happy Holidays
The Cotton Road Kid!

[casey7]

:fish::fish:Opened on the 1st of DEC...New regs plus three lines now check it out!!! not in booklet go to DNR website.......

casey7

[Capnhook]

casey7, PERCH SPEARING NOT OPEN, THREE RODS STARTS APRIL 1, 2009!!!!!! Read a little closer. You're going to get someone a ticket, maybe yourself. Capnhook

[Joeker51]

:yeahthat:

New Fishing Regulations Expand Opportunities, Limit Smelt Harvest

Contact: Todd Grischke 517-373-1280
Agency: Natural Resources

Nov. 7, 2008

Michigan anglers will have several new opportunities, but also will face a new restriction, because of fishing regulation changes approved at the Nov. 6 Natural Resources Commission meeting in Lansing.

Department of Natural Resources Director Rebecca Humphries signed fisheries orders that extend the spearing season through the ice for pike and muskellunge in certain waters, extend the whitefish spearing season on the Great Lakes and connecting waters, allow all anglers to use three rods, and establish a two-gallon limit on smelt.

The spearing season for pike and muskie will now run from Dec. 1-March 15, instead of just January and February and the whitefish spearing season will now be open year-round. The new seasons are the result of legislation enabling the DNR to set spearing regulations. These regulations take immediate effect.

Anglers have been allowed to use three rods when fishing for salmon on the Great Lakes for a number of years, but were restricted to two rods elsewhere and when pursuing other species in the Great Lakes. A survey of anglers showed overwhelming public support for three rods. The new regulation, which takes effect April 1, 2009, allows anglers to use three rods on all waters and in pursuit of all species, though the DNR retains the authority to reduce the rule to two rods if necessary.

The two-gallon limit on smelt, which historically have been unregulated, is designed to prevent waste during periods of high abundance and offer some protection to smelt as an important forage and sport species. The limit applies to both dip-net and hook-and-line anglers. This new regulation also takes effect April 1, 2009.

For more information about fishing in Michigan, visit the DNR Web site at www.michigan.gov/dnrfishing.


No change in perch spearing as Capnhook mentioned.

[Mark Sylvester]

No problem with the "SMELT" regs. in this area!!!:rant:
Sly:evilsmile

[mwakely]

Looks like most of the fishermen stayed home or went to church this Christmas Day! There were nary a soul on the ice today! It looks mighty slick so if yer a planning on going tomorrow before the big thaw better bring yer creepers or plan on falling down alot! Merry Christmas!