Muskegon Lake

[cobia302]

Who has the fishing report on muskegon lake? Is the ice safe everywhere yet? I seen last weekend about 4-5 shantys of from 2nd street. How is the perch bite been. I am ready to get out there this weekend!

[The Scooter]

went out on last saturday. behind the yatch club 4-6 inch of ice the perch were pretty big i ended up with 43 about 9 in. avrage. in about 3 hours.

[SubSurfaceMD]

Has anyone been out from the access near the channel? I like that area - alot of parking, and you can go anywhere to catch them (when they are in). Send a PM with reports.

[TheBigRedDog]

^Sand Docks^ I am assuming

[N M Mechanical]

I did not check sand docks but 2nd is ready:bouncy:

[MoJoRisin']

Sand Docks - there were about 6 guys out there at 5 PM last night. Only thing there is that there have been 2 freighters that went through during the last 2 days delivering salt to the far east end of the lake. My wife an I saw one of them offloading near the power plant yesterday afternoon.

Don't go too far towards the open water at the east end of the channel - that ice is more than likely bad too. Keep to the right (southeast) as you walk out and you should be OK.

Good luck!!

[BeerCamp]

Theres abot 10-15 shantys out there right now more and more people have been showing up every day hopefully wont be to busy this weekend

[Hill Billy Dilley]

been getting perch since monday. got 27 more today and my brother got 24. 7.5 -13 inches. once again in 6-10 fow.

black/orange jigs with spikes/wigglers. sweedish pimples and other small jigging spoons with spikes/wigglers/minnows also worked. had to keep changing baits, and colors to get the fish to hit. have had to work and move for them.

[Trombs287]

How much ice off 2nd? Usually a little hairy, but it has been pretty cold lately. Any Eyes yet??!!

[dsittser]

Went out there Monday morning and caught a couple perch in a half hour. Everyone seemed to be about that pace. Ice was 5 inches black but a boat did go through the middle heading to the Cobb plant.

[kcarlson]

Theres abot 10-15 shantys out there right now more and more people have been showing up every day hopefully wont be to busy this weekend:lol::lol::lol::lol::lol:

[kcarlson]

Can anyone explain exactly where the sand docks are? Where do you park? I may have fished them before, and didnt even know it was the sand docks i was fishing.

Thanks

[perchander]

been getting perch since monday. got 27 more today and my brother got 24. 7.5 -13 inches. once again in 6-10 fow.

black/orange jigs with spikes/wigglers. sweedish pimples and other small jigging spoons with spikes/wigglers/minnows also worked. had to keep changing baits, and colors to get the fish to hit. have had to work and move for them.
I cant take it no more. would you be talking about end of weber?

[kcarlson]

Can anyone explain exactly where the sand docks are? Where do you park? I may have fished them before, and didnt even know it was the sand docks i was fishing.

Thanks

thanks for the pm BeerCamp

[Leelanauman]

How is the ice off 2nd st?

[kcarlson]

Its safe from what I hear!:D

[Leelanauman]

If it's safe I'm going to head out this Saturday and give it a shot.

[MoJoRisin']

Sand Docks are at the far west end of Muskegon Lake on the south side of the channel to Lk MI. Take Laketon Ave to Lakeshore Drive all the way to Lk MI and keep right when you get to the lake and there is a bend to the left to go towards Lk MI. The right turn (almost straight) follow that past the submarine (Silversides) and you will find the parking lot for Harbour Towne Marina - that is where you will need to park. The beach on Muskegon Lake is what used to be Sand Docks when sand mining was taking place at Pigeon Hill many years ago. Once on the ice you will see wood pilings to your right (south) - those were from the original docks where the freighters would load sand.

Hey Hill Billy - are you fishing shallow on the south side by Cottage Grove or are you over by Snug Harbor on the north side? All the reports I've heard have been in deeper water - say 40 to 60 FOW.

[jaybassman]

been getting perch since monday. got 27 more today and my brother got 24. 7.5 -13 inches. once again in 6-10 fow.

black/orange jigs with spikes/wigglers. sweedish pimples and other small jigging spoons with spikes/wigglers/minnows also worked. had to keep changing baits, and colors to get the fish to hit. have had to work and move for them.

where are you fishing at?

[cobia302]

How are you setting up your lines? just with the jig or do you use a sinker also?

[MoJoRisin']

I run teardrops with a split shot about 1 ft above. That or a medium sized swedish pimple alone with minnow. Gold and more gold had been working for me eventhough I do use green moon glows too if the gold gets too slow (has not been the case much though).

[cobia302]

hey thanx. I just put another post up asking about that.lol

[PackerFan]

So where are the perch on Muskegon Lake right now? I might take a drive to the west side of the state tomorrow if the perching is decent on Muskegon or White. Any tips appreciated!

[Hill Billy Dilley]

got out on snug harbor again today. fished same area as earlier this week. fishing has slowed some, and a lot more guys fishing for them.

two of us managed 15 over 8 inches. easily caught 50 fish apiece tho, lots of them in the 6-7.5 range, just under what a call a keeper. green sweedish pimples with red spikes was really the only thing working.

any reports of fish elsewhere. or send pm. thanks.

[TheBigRedDog]

Well what a terrible day for catching,
I went out to 2nd st from about 11 to 5 and didnt even get a bite. Marked alot of fish but no takers hopefully tomorrow is a different story.
How did everyone else do?

[dvfsu123]

Fished in about 20 foot of water at the sand docks from 11:00am to about 3:00pm and only caught 3 perch. Caught them with tear drops and wigglers. On the walk back in talked with another guy whos friend caught 15 in 6 hours (one about a foot long...) and he did not catch one while fishing right next to him... Ice is a good 6 inches. There were about 100 shanties spread out on Muskegon Lake in various locations from what I could see while fishing.

[Matt V]

Well what a terrible day for catching,
I went out to 2nd st from about 11 to 5 and didnt even get a bite. Marked alot of fish but no takers hopefully tomorrow is a different story.
How did everyone else do?

I fished Second street from 7 - 11 this morning and 3 - 6 this evening and only caught 2 pike. It seems like it is pretty slow.

[TheBigRedDog]

My trip would have ended alot sooner if I didnt find a lighter.
I want to thank the guy that gave me his lighter today, much appreciated. Also want to thank another guy that returned my flasher that fell off the sled on the way off the ice.
Would have made my day even worse after not catching anything.

[SkipDaddy]

Fished Cottage Grove 8 to 2:30 today. The bite was on and off all day. Caught 45 between three of us. 45 FOW and had to throw everything in my box at them to keep things productive. Thinking of trying 2nd tomorrow for eyes.

[Trout Slayer]

Fished the south side of Muskegon Lake from 12:30 til 5pm today, bite was slow. Caught 12 keeper size perch in 40 fow on different combinations, waxies and minnows. Seemed like they came in waves, would get 2 or 3 in short while then nothing for an hour or two.:o

[kcarlson]

My story,...
Long story short............... SLOW!!!!!!!
Sand docs- 9am to 11am.... 2 perch
2nd street- 12pm to 7pm ....2 perch

[Matt V]

I fished 2nd street this morning for 4 hour's and got my first skunk of the year, really didn't even mark much.

[perchander]

I fished end of weber on north side this morning with very little success. 1 perch to be exact!?? Then fished cottage grove in afternoon.Guess shoulda been there in morning. I ended with 7. Watched 3 guys sitting in triangle just pounding them on what appeared to be perch rigs of all things!???? I dont know, I'll try again tomorrow with my new found method. And it isn't perch rigs.:evil:

[TheBigRedDog]

Went out to 2nd again today from 12 to 6 caught one dink perch
buddy got two pike. Another slow day on the ice.

[Dip Fortuna]

Fished w/ a buddy a LONG walk from 2nd Street, 8am to 4.
4 perch - 3 dinks and 1 maybe 7"
1 35" pike on a tipup (made the trip worthwhile for me at least)

You all may have seen two guys dragging sleds for a couple miles, taking a break every 40 yards (the snow was STICKY!!!!) On the way back my friend mentioned his dad's quad!!!!:dizzy:

Peace and tight lines.

[StStutz]

Nice pike! 35" for muskegon lake is dandy. friday and saturday were slow for us, caught about a dozen keeper perch and got one 26" pike. we did well today on perch. bite was real hot for about and hour and then slowed. Ended up with about 80 7.5"-11.5" keepers in about 3hrs.

[GILL_SLAYER]

Has anyone been getting walleye off 2nd St? or Johnson's Point? I saw a few guys out there today.

[michiganhonkers]

Nice pike! 35" for muskegon lake is dandy. friday and saturday were slow for us, caught about a dozen keeper perch and got one 26" pike. we did well today on perch. bite was real hot for about and hour and then slowed. Ended up with about 80 7.5"-11.5" keepers in about 3hrs.

Was that a.m. or p.m.? West end of musk.? thanks

[MoJoRisin']

SFW had it right for the weekend at Cottage Grove. Some did really well - others not so well. I was in between. Sat I managed only 11, Sunday 21. Some really good sized. I saw many who on Sat got around 2 dozen and others that said they had next to nothing.

Sunday they were more aggressive but I lost as many as I caught. I did see 2guys that were pounding the fish constantly about 100 ft from me and I only got frustrated watching them. They said that Sat was very slow for them at the Yacht Club west of Cottage Grove. I think it was more of a matter of figuring out what the fish wanted and being patient. There has been a lot of pressure in that area - it just might pay to fish well away from the pack to get less pressured fish. Just my take. Most all of the Sunday action was minnows. Horizontal jigs worked for me both days. Vertical jigs were much less productive. Sunday I'd estimate the horizontal took 3/4 of my hits and fish.

Last week was all gold vertical jigs with spikes and wigglers (22 last Sat with consistent action) and I could not buy a fish on gold this weekend. Black was going for me this week with the horizontal with glo dots being best. Saw many fish come up to the bait on my graph and drop right back down with no hits. Very little on wigglers this week, mostly minnows. My first 10 fish were on spikes but as the day went on the spikes slowed significantly as the minnows got better. Then I lost as many as I caught - maybe I was too fast on the trigger.

I do admit I was a bit dissapointed I did not connect better but there are fish there - you just have to hit them when they are "on" and figure out what they want. If you are not getting them at one particular spot - move. I probably should have moved more.

Good luck and good fishing.

[StStutz]

we fished from about 12:30-3:30. far west end of the lake in 43fow. 95% of our fish came on minnows, but didn't give anything else much of a try. Only threw back a couple non-keepers. talked to quite a few people that were out on saturday on muskegon and white, seemed slow everywhere.


Was that a.m. or p.m.? West end of musk.? thanks

[YKJ]

Fished second street this morning 7:30-1. Fishing was slow! Caught one very small pike.

[Pike40]

I have never been to white lake perch fishing before but hear it is a very good lake to perch fish. Any tips on where to go or what to use.

[TheBigRedDog]

^:idea:Go to the white lake post pleanty of info, This is Muskegon lake.

[GILL_SLAYER]

Just got home from fishing 2nd st. for about 2 hours. Not a bite or a fish.

[jaybassman]

I was out at 2nd street also yesterday evening. Some guy yelled out a shanty that where I was fishing there was no fish....and he was right....but there was no fish anywhere last night!! there was probably 30 guys out there and no one caught any fish and shoot....not even a flag!!!

[cobia302]

The fish in muskegon lake this year are acting funng hit and miss. Well I guess so is the weather. Sat I went out no good, not even a bite. Sunday got a few nice perch and two pike one 6# 26.5 inch and the other was to small. I hope this weekend goes better.

[StStutz]

Joe, I agree. This year has been weird on muskegon. The perch have been hit or miss and more miss than anything and tip-up pike fishing overall has been real slow. Can't seem to put a finger on why, i just keep telling myself they have to bite sometime to get motivation to keep trying. maybe the increase in the perch population has the pike not having to look as much for food? any thoughts?

[jaybassman]

I think there are a lot of different things about this years ice fishing. First...and I can speak from experience...the unemployment rate is higher so people have more chances to go out fishing which affects how many fish are being taken out. Also this is the first time in a while that we have had an early ice that was in december. Another thing with the perch is the moon phase....and this may be true with all fish. I believe the perch and all fish are eating at night with the moon...because we have had some pretty clear days and nights...which is unusual for muskegon..look at how much sun we have gotten...being out so they have no need to eat our minnows we are putting down there. I was one of the risky ones and went out on the sand docks when it was VERY risky and the first day I pulled out 48...the next day 35....and then NOTHING! so have we caught all the perch that came in for ice this year??? Thats another possibility..just a few ideas to throw out there...

[jaybassman]

Here is one thing about the perch this year though...we cant complain about the size of them...I remember last year we were lucky to see 6-8 inchers..this year they are running 8-10 if you can find them!! ;)

[StStutz]

I think the early ice may have something to do with inconsistent action. I have a tough time believing that the perch are fished out already. While they may have gotten more pressure than years past, muskegon lake is huge and connected to the big lake and i think there are plenty of fish, its just a matter if they want to bite or not. The fish are consistently getting larger each year. Two winters ago we'd catch a ton of 4-5", then 6-7" last year and now a good portion of fish are over 8" and having to throw very few back. As for the fish feeding at night, I'm not too certain about that. Both pike and perch(i think) are predominately day-time feeders so I'm not sure how much feeding is happening at night. I'm interested to hear others opinions.

Good Luck,
Steve

[GILL_SLAYER]

What time were ya out there jaybassman? I was sitting alont without a shanty in a blue cahartt jacket.

[gomer]

StStutz,

I was over in Northern Wisconsin around X-mas time this year and we were catching nice perch (and quite a few of them) several hours after dark while fishing for walleyes and specks. I'm not saying it happens everywhere, but i am sure to some extent Perch will feed after dark in the drowned rivermouth lakes such as Muskegon.

[jaybassman]

I was out there from 3-5:30 in an ice shanty called the "Ice Cube" it was a pop-up black shanty and had a camo-orange jacket on with camo bibs...i went straight out from the parking lot.

[GILL_SLAYER]

I got out there around 4:30 and didn't feel like dragging my shanty out there. I was more to the right almost straight out from 2nd st. (not 1st st where the parking is) but damn did it get cold while I was out there. I think me and a buddy are going fishing on the south side tomorrow morning looking for perch. Probably going to be cottage grove or around the yacht club.

[StStutz]

StStutz,

I was over in Northern Wisconsin around X-mas time this year and we were catching nice perch (and quite a few of them) several hours after dark while fishing for walleyes and specks. I'm not saying it happens everywhere, but i am sure to some extent Perch will feed after dark in the drowned rivermouth lakes such as Muskegon.


that's pretty interesting gomer. I'm sure they do feed some after dark but i have never had much luck with them. I've also talk with someone that has tried after dark with an underwater camera and he said the perch would just sit there and ignore the bait.

[cobia302]

Another thing I think that has a factor in it is we have had that east wind for like a week and a half. Finally it changed Sunday so hopefully the fish get there heads out of there a## or I do. LOL Good luck everyone.

[GILL_SLAYER]

I'll be out by cottage grove tomorrow morning in an older viking shanty with my buddy. If anyone makes it out tomorrow come by and say hey!

[kcarlson]

I'll be out by cottage grove tomorrow morning in an older viking shanty with my buddy. If anyone makes it out tomorrow come by and say hey!
Hope you got a good heater! :xzicon_sm
Thanks for the invite to say hey, but I won't be out there till Saturday, good luck!

[GILL_SLAYER]

I actually do not have a good heater, got a lantern and it seems to keep the lil' viking at a comfortable temperature. Plus its more the wind that bugs you when its cold than anything!

[ALLEYES]

Not sure about perch, but I know pike will feed at night. And I have caught gills at night so why not perch. The full moon does effect the feeding times. Usually mid day is best.

[TheBigRedDog]

So anybody been doing any good?
Has the fishing gotten any better since last weekend?
Whats going on, havent heard much.
Must be keeping quiet, its that good:rolleyes::gaga:

[Umpqua.]

The fishing was great today 5 perch from 8:00-2:30, and the most i heard caught from anyone else was 2. According to the owner of the bait shop on muskegon he talked to two guys. One went to sand docks and one went to cottage grove and they both "went and got thier 50 and went home".:dizzy:

[jaybassman]

LOL wow..fishing was great! and the owners of the bait shop....well....thats all just a big pile of bull s***...there hasn't been action like that since first ice!!:lol:

[StStutz]

hmm, we had a slow day yesterday evening. only fished for a couple hours because i forgot my da## heater and it was cold! ended up with 4 keepers. sounded like some other people did better than us but not great.

[dhunter_83]

anybody do'n any good ?

[TheBigRedDog]

To much fckin snow on the ice I about died walking back. Caught a few perch first one was nice and they got smaller after that. Mabye took home a dozen. Starting to get slushi too, about a foot of snow or more in spots.

[YKJ]

Thats not good.:mad: Now we need a hard blow to get the snow off the ice!

[kcarlson]

Not much fun today, it was brutal out there!!!! Never really got into the perch.... 4 keepers 5 dinks. Way to much SNOW on the lake.
Fished from 9am to 3pm off the g.t dock (behind shorline bait n tackle)
Better days ahead:rolleyes:

[bluefin75]

Fished from 11 to 2. 15 fish 8-10"". Brutal wind and snow. Wish I would have taken the shanty may have done a little better but had fun anyways!

[kcarlson]

Fished from 11 to 2. 15 fish 8-10"". Brutal wind and snow. Wish I would have taken the shanty may have done a little better but had fun anyways!


NO SHANTY!!!!:yikes:

[bluefin75]

Sometimes the fish gods smile on the guys with the big balls, or no brains!

[sfw1960]

Sometimes the fish gods smile on the guys with the big balls, or no brains!

:lol: :lol: :lol:
Ain't dat th' truth!!!

So how much snow was out there guys??

:16suspect

[kcarlson]

[quote=sfw1960;2513409]:lol: :lol: :lol:
Ain't dat th' truth!!!

So how much snow was out there guys??

:16suspect[/quote


Seen a snowmobile having a hardtime! fluff deep powder! slick ice underneath.
Walked out good half mile today, and some spots were well over the knees. The qauds I seen were struggling a little.
Still snowing!

[stillfish]

Oh, whatever Bluefin...:fish2:

[duckhunter382]

The fishing was great today 5 perch from 8:00-2:30, and the most i heard caught from anyone else was 2. According to the owner of the bait shop on muskegon he talked to two guys. One went to sand docks and one went to cottage grove and they both "went and got thier 50 and went home".:dizzy:
let me guess shoreline service? I wish springs was still there or even dawn to dusk, I might start driving all the way to north muskegon for bait. muskegon needs a new bait shop.

[TheBigRedDog]

I agree Shoreline sucks and the guy is a dck. I dont care if I have to drive to N Muskegon to get bait I refuse to go to Shoreline. We need another Dawn to Dusk bait shop around or at least another one.

[loonatic31]

:lol: :lol: :lol:
Ain't dat th' truth!!!

So how much snow was out there guys??

:16suspect

When the wife and I left at dark we were walking in about 16+ inches,we both about died!!But we did HAVE a SHANTY!!
Over in Snug

[loonatic31]

Where might they be?? I can really only get on the ice at night durring the week, but all day on weekends.New to Muskegon,fished em all the time on morrison lake but havent found em here!!! C'mon my wife and I could use some help!Thanks in advance!:help::help::help:

[dmavdmav]

of course they're gonna say fish are biting...thats how the make their livin

[sfw1960]

I agree Shoreline sucks and the guy is a dck. I dont care if I have to drive to N Muskegon to get bait I refuse to go to Shoreline. We need another Dawn to Dusk bait shop around or at least another one.

Bill has always been very good to me - and I have been able to use him as a source of decent fresh information - of course that's just me , and I've only been dealing with Bill for about 15 years - and I don't treat him like a helmet , so he doesn't treat me like one either....
:lol:


I've found the Crappie out over 50 FOW usually less than half way down , mostly I've seen them way out by the black buoy and waaaaaay out in front of the state park , but they got fins soooo.....

:evilsmile

[duckhunter382]

Where might they be?? I can really only get on the ice at night durring the week, but all day on weekends.New to Muskegon,fished em all the time on morrison lake but havent found em here!!! C'mon my wife and I could use some help!Thanks in advance!:help::help::help:
muskegon is a perch city and info on crappies is not common, however I have picked them up once in awhile off 2nd street while fishing for other species but only in the summer so I would love to help but cant.
Try wolf lake, I can remember catching specs there but I was quite young and dont know if they are still there or not.

[N M Mechanical]

Bill has treated me good also but I also fixed there heat a few years ago...
Also to me there minnows are a little smaller then A A just my .02

[JoJoGVSU23]

Where might they be?? I can really only get on the ice at night durring the week, but all day on weekends.New to Muskegon,fished em all the time on morrison lake but havent found em here!!! C'mon my wife and I could use some help!Thanks in advance!:help::help::help:

I got a couple nice messes of good sized crappie (10"-12") last year off 2nd street while ice fishin for eyes. Was in 30-35 fow water and would mark fish 10-15ft down. I put on a size 3 blue/silver jiggin rap and didnt have any trouble gettin them to bite. It was close to late ice and also during the middle of the day. They werent the best eating though, pretty fishy compared to the perch I would catch.

[kcarlson]

Just curious,

Has anyone ever got a limit of walleyes through the ice on muskegon lake?

Best I have ever done is 2 keepers in a day. This is my 3rd season fishing for eyes.

[TheBigRedDog]

I think I got 2 in one day, Might have been one I dont remember, but its gets a little discouraging going out all the time and not catching them.

[kcarlson]

[quote=TheBigRedDog;2516113]I think I got 2 in one day, Might have been one I dont remember, but its gets a little discouraging going out all the time and not catching them.[/quote
:yeahthat:
May have to start driving to sag bay once a month.

[loonatic31]

We thank you all for the advice,well let ya know how we do.gonna try and get out tomorrow night.If not we will just wait to get out this weekend with the daughter and try slamin some perch over on snug! thanks again!

[N M Mechanical]

best day on the ice was three keepers last year.

[sfw1960]

How's the snow out there??
Did it pack down any??
:SHOCKED: :yikes:

[STEINFISHSKI]

[quote=TheBigRedDog;2516113]I think I got 2 in one day, Might have been one I dont remember, but its gets a little discouraging going out all the time and not catching them.[/quote
:yeahthat:
May have to start driving to sag bay once a month.


I'd be up for a drive! 2-3 is a great catch for around here unless you hit the right time and can clean up quickly or catch them on the feedbag. Driving all the way over there without ice machines might be suicide. LOL

[kcarlson]

[quote=kcarlson;2516123]


I'd be up for a drive! 2-3 is a great catch for around here unless you hit the right time and can clean up quickly or catch them on the feedbag. Driving all the way over there without ice machines might be suicide. LOL

Saginaw river is what I should have said / Im qaudless,machineless, and clueless.
I think i'm gonna go sometime soon. I drive an hour to muskegon whats an extra hour the other way if its gonna mean walleyes in the freezer.

kev

[N M Mechanical]

sounds like a plan we all could drive a little farther and still be clueless:evilsmile

[MoJoRisin']

What are the current conditions like at Cottage Grove or the Sand Docks? Is there any slush under the snow or just lots o snow over the ice? Would like to go out but do not want to die pulling my gear by hand. Ony report would be greatly appreciated.

[kcarlson]

What are the current conditions like at Cottage Grove or the Sand Docks? Is there any slush under the snow or just lots o snow over the ice? Would like to go out but do not want to die pulling my gear by hand. Ony report would be greatly appreciated.
:yeahthat: Anyone?

[BeerCamp]

Was out last friday no slush just snow but things might have changed by now.

[Matt V]

I was out Saturday and Sunday off of 2nd Street, there was aroung 4" of slush covered by about 6" of snow. It was tough walking...

[loonatic31]

we were out sat noon till dark and when we left there was 16" of snow and 2-4" of slush more in some spots.if your not walkin far have fun ,if your walkin a ways good luck!!

[MoJoRisin']

Where did the slush come from?? With well below freezing temps how are we getting slush out there?:dizzy::dizzy:

[STEINFISHSKI]

Any catching going on? Thinking Sat or Sun possibly...

[slabs]

Where did the slush come from?? With well below freezing temps how are we getting slush out there?:dizzy::dizzy:

The ice sinks from the waight of the snow. Water floods up through holes in ice. Thousands of gallons of water can come through one whole. The warm water flowing through the hole can make the hole much larger. One of these holes ate the front end of my quad yesterday. Be carfull when high amounts of snow have fallen and the lakes ice is flooding.

[MoJoRisin']

Guess we will need to melt off the snow and refreeze. It does not sound like that will happen for a while though as temps are supposed to stay below freezing for the near future.

Long term forecast for the end of Jan / Early Feb said above ave (30 F ave High).

[jaybassman]

well from the sounds of it and the weather maybe we can get in a few extra weeks of hot late ice action!! has anyone been out and about fishing latley? not much is being talked about! I went out fishing yesterday from 10am-4 and ended up bringing home 15 perch....but you had to beg for a bite!!:lol:

[TheBigRedDog]

I cant go out on the weekdays but I might start its starting to stay lighter longer now. Might be able to get a couple hours of fishin in after work.:coolgleam

[buckshot-0]

Hit 2nd tonite, while we caught no fish, we did have some lookers. We saw a few Pike caught tonite, but haven't heard of any walleye.

[just tryin to fish]

was out on 2nd tonight did see a few eyes taken but that was at noon we fished from 4 till 6:30 with just lookers no takers

[kcarlson]

Hit 2nd tonite, while we caught no fish, we did have some lookers. We saw a few Pike caught tonite, but haven't heard of any walleye.

was out on 2nd tonight did see a few eyes taken but that was at noon we fished from 4 till 6:30 with just lookers no takers

Thanks guys for the report. I'm going to 2nd on saturday. I will post on Sunday.

Good luck!

[YKJ]

Fished 2nd street this morning. Had a couple flags but no fish.

[TheBigRedDog]

Hows the snow out on 2nd is it packed down yet?

[MoJoRisin']

Took a spin at lunch today to view the southwest side of the lake and see about the action.

There was a small pack of guys near the Black Buoy and another group off of Bear Lake Channel by the deep hole out there - all probably aiming for perch. Black Buoy is a looooong walk from the end of McCracken launch. Bear Lake Channel is not easy to get to either - probably where the old timers with quads are at killin' 'em.

Cottage Grove - less than usual - must be somewhat slow or they all headed for the sand docks.

Yacht Club - not very many but I could not get a good look from Lakeshore Drive though.

Sand Docks - shanty city - lots of guys out there. By far the most traffic of anywhere I looked. Easy access, lots o parking and a relatively short walk to get to deep water.

I did not get an eyeshot of the east end of the lake (2nd st., red buoy, hartshorn) so I do not know what is happening there.

I'm curious on the slush situation as I pull my gear out by hand and would like to maybe get out 1 day this weekend and do not want to kill myself getting out. Anybody been fishing the sand docks or cottage grove or Yacht Club that would give a snow / slush and fishing report would be greatly appreciated by many!!

I have not been out since 2 weeks ago and wonder where the best bet is for perchies is within walking (not drop dead) distance. In years past the sand docks was the place to be but with much more widespread perch throughout the lake just about anywhere where you can get to 40ft or more of water would work. :D

[sfw1960]

I was thinkin' mebbe cottage grove this W/E mese'f M0J0....

Not sure just yet - a friend told me he did OK Y/D and the slush was there....off the beaten path - 48 FOW on some of the colors we recently talked about.

RAS:fish2:

[MoJoRisin']

I think there is a perch derby this weekend - my guess is a yellow belly perch will be the winner at about 13"+ (from the north side shallows). PRobably why there is not much infor being posted (shhhhhhh).

My experience with Muskegon Lake is the only big, big true Jumbos around now are native Yellows that are not in with the migrating Lk MI white bellies. Not very many to be found so patience is needed to get those.

I do not fish derbies and tournies so I'll just chase the numbers of keepers and not the smaller qty of larger size. I'll make sure to bring a shovel to clear the slop and snow off of the ice eventough it will be BRRRRRR cold (teens and breezy).

[TheBigRedDog]

Went out 2nd last night for a few hours didnt get anything,
flasher died..., saw a guy walk off with 2 pike nothin of size one was decent. Slushi in spots, Snow in spots, not real bad, when it freezes theres gonna be a ton of ice.

[just tryin to fish]

have been out off of 2nd st the last few nights and i have only got one taker and that was yesterday morning and lost it at the hole was out this morning and nothing marked fish just wouldn't bite. saw one keeper pike caught

[TheBigRedDog]

Sounds like its going to be a great weekend :rolleyes::gaga:

[Matt V]

Spent all day off of 2nd street today. I caught 1 pike, had 2 other flag's and 8 - 10 small perch. It was really slow. All of the slush was frozen over this morning, but thawed out by the time that I walked back in. Should be cold enough tomorrow that it wont be a problem. a buddy went down by the sand dock's and caught 60 perch between 3 guy's.

[TheBigRedDog]

Fishin sucks, 2nd sucks, tomorrow better not suck.
Went out for a few hours today caught dinks, marked alot of fish nothing want to bite.
Must be the same for everyone, not posting a whole lot today.

[kcarlson]

Nothing for me on 2nd street today. I dont have any trouble finding them. I just don't know how to catch them. PM me if you can give me any secrets / advice on how to catch a fish off 2nd street, because I don't have a clue!:help:
Ice conditions were great. 8" of ice, no slush, easy walkin. Lots of poeple, 50+ shantys.

[sfw1960]

STEINFISHSKI & I took about 50 keepers home SAT , albeit we stayed almost all day and we worked our tails off for them....
47 FOW and no ONE bait was the sH!zN!T , spikes , wigz , meecies , eyeballz did the hooksets.
Didn't frickfrack with minnows at all.


We were closer to the West end though , 2nd is always too busy.
I like to get away from the crowds & noise and I think that helps get more fish.....

:fish2:

Thanks for grillin' lunch & keepin' th' shack warm Br0!!!
http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/forum/images/icons/icon14.gif
RAS

[TheBigRedDog]

Nothin again on 2nd today, missed a few in the morning jiggin dont know what they were and caught about a 15 to 20 inch sucker.
Also saw some dumb fck in the parking lot that didnt want to give a guy a jump, older fella asked him for a jump and he said no and he was parked right in front of him(hood to hood) already, what the hell kinda fellow fisherman is that. So I helped the guy so mabye the karma will will come around.
Wasnt as many shanties today, surprising for a decent day.

[YKJ]

Look like some people can be real A**holes! Thanks for helping out a fellow fisherman!

[STEINFISHSKI]

STEINFISHSKI & I took about 50 keepers home SAT , albeit we stayed almost all day and we worked our tails off for them....
47 FOW and no ONE bait was the sH!zN!T , spikes , wigz , meecies , eyeballz did the hooksets.
Didn't frickfrack with minnows at all.


We were closer to the West end though , 2nd is always too busy.
I like to get away from the crowds & noise and I think that helps get more fish.....

:fish2:

Thanks for grillin' lunch & keepin' th' shack warm Br0!!!
http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/forum/images/icons/icon14.gif
RAS

Any time Bob.:D

Cleaned up my take yesterday and had a great fish fry last night. Hot bait for me was a glow silver pimple with a #12 treble. One hook had a spike, one hook had a red spike, and the other hook had a wiggler, I called it the sample platter. They were biting light so it was very important to jerk your rod up frantically at every bite to set the hook. This provided much entertainment:lol: and is how we hooked every fish we got, we sure worked hard for them too. Had to jig them up off the bottom and keep them entertained.

6" snow, some slush and icy spots. 10" plus ice in 49 fow.

[MoJoRisin']

Hey guys - I too on Sunday got a decent mess of 30 keepers (same area we talked about 2 weeks ago SFW). Wigglers, black vertical teardrop with red glitter did good for the first half of my time out there - say 11 AM to 1 PM. Then I changed to minnows and got some more and a few larger fish. As you said they were tentative biters and if you missed them the wigglers were missing heads or tails. And we all know they will not hit just wiggler pieces.

The last 2 trips out I have used black jigs - both vertical and horizontal and had decent success using wigglers, white spikes and minnows. I could see the fish rise and then go back down after checking out the bait - a lot of looks and no takes as the day wore on. Very few fish after 3 PM. Left at 4 PM. Fished outside - was a chore keeping fingers warm, toes warm, holes from freezin' and beers from becoming slush.

Say a few guys parasailing with snow boards - looked like fun.

FYI - I heard the guys that were out in the middle of the lake did better - as in wayyy out in the middle. Too far for me though as I pull my gear by hand. If you got a machine head for the middle and you will be better off. 40 to 50 FOW. Bigger fish and more numbers.

If the wind holds off I'll probably make another trip next weekend. I like it much better when its 30 degrees and less than 10 MPH winds as I prefer to fish outside to keep my graph out of the holes my lines are in.

Good luck if you get out!!