Higgins lake questions

[6inchtrack]

While ice fishing for smelt I saw a couple of things that I want to ask about.
First there was a small fish (2 or 3 inches) hiding in the weeds that tried to take my spike a couple of time but kept getting chased back into the weeds by the dink perch. this little fish was spotty brown and had large pectoral fins (looked like wings) thought maybe it was a goby, not sure though.

Next there are holes bored into the bottom, look to be about 2 or 3 inches in diameter (reminded me of where eel’s would live if we were on the ocean) I saw these at several shanty set-ups, 6 at one spot alone.

[DocHoliday]

Your fish with wings was probably a sculpin. Don't know about the holes.

[Michigan Mike]

Sounds like it could have been a sculpin, have read it is found
in a few deep clear lakes in Michigan.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deepwater_Sculpin

[swampbuck]

i would say sculpin, I cant say for sure about the holes, but It was probably a spring area.

[Capnhook]

I don't know if Higgins has Gobies yet. Gobies and Sculpins are almost impossible to tell apart, unless you have them in your hand. Probably a Sculpin, I hope. Capnhook

[fish_skeered]

yeah, in most likely a sculpin. They are resident in nearly every body of water in michigan, theyre just so camoflaged, small, and hidden you dont see many

[6inchtrack]

Sounds like it could have been a sculpin, have read it is found
in a few deep clear lakes in Michigan.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deepwater_Sculpin

Yep
That looks like what I had seen, thanks.
Did anybody else notice the holes?

6

[FISHIN 2]

I noticed alot of those holes too. Just figured they were pressure points of sort. Also while in about 15-20 foot of water, I managed to noose 7 beer bottles. Took a steel leader and made a noose out of it and slipped it around the bottle necks and set the hook !! I can't believe the nerve of some of those slob fisherman, if ya wanna call em fisherman at all. Anyhow, had a great time up there this year catchin smelt.Will be back next year the first weekend of March again, mother nature co-operating of course. Take care all, Mike

[pikeslayer]

Yes, I seen those holes too. I saw them in every spot I set up.

[swampbuck]

Are you talking about actual holes in the bottom ? or are you talking about the holes in the crusty silt that cover the bottom ?

[6inchtrack]

These looked like bored holes about 2 or 3 inches in diameter.
If I would have been on the ocean, I would think that eels would have made them.
They look like a snake hole, or maybe crayfish holes.

Did somebody fall through the ice Saturday?

[swampbuck]

I guess I have never seen that. there are some big crayfish and also springs pop up all over the place.

I heard some guys got stranded by the island and had to be picked up by the airboat.

[mbrooks]

I heard some guys got stranded by the island and had to be picked up by the airboat.

I heard that also... that's why my last outing was last Tuesday, it was going out fast and there is always next season.

[fishhogster]

i caught one of those ugly little fish when i was up there perch fishing.

[biteme7951]

Never fished Higgins, but our lake has a lot of holes as you described in the bottom. They are bullhead dens. we dangle worms in the openings and haul them out.

[beer and nuts]

Holes, my guess are springs.

Heard some bits and pieces, onthe "rescue". Guys out there, a cracked opened up with some shifting ice...they paniced and called 911, operator told them to just lay down on the ice. Rescue came, this is where I heard two sides...one the airboat was never used becasue rescue walked out and got them...and other, of course the airboat did get them. I guess ice was fine, they could have walked off or around the open crack. It was made out to be more than it really was by the media...imgaine that!!

[swampbuck]

Never fished Higgins, but our lake has a lot of holes as you described in the bottom. They are bullhead dens. we dangle worms in the openings and haul them out.

There are no bullheads in higgins lake.


Holes, my guess are springs.

Heard some bits and pieces, onthe "rescue". Guys out there, a cracked opened up with some shifting ice...they paniced and called 911, operator told them to just lay down on the ice. Rescue came, this is where I heard two sides...one the airboat was never used becasue rescue walked out and got them...and other, of course the airboat did get them. I guess ice was fine, they could have walked off or around the open crack. It was made out to be more than it really was by the media...imgaine that!!

From what I have heard there was 2 rescues
- Last weekend (saturday?)from out by the island by airboat.

-The one that was on the news last night off St.lawrence

[beer and nuts]

We used to catch Bullhead and the occasional dogfish, in the South state lagoon when we were in HS...at night. Bobbers, worms, cheap beer and swisher sweets fishing off my buddies pontoon, summertime...ah memories!!

[swampbuck]

We used to catch Bullhead and the occasional dogfish, in the South state lagoon when we were in HS...at night. Bobbers, worms, cheap beer and swisher sweets fishing off my buddies pontoon, summertime...ah memories!!

really, I have never seen one in the lake in my life, never fished the lagoon though. might be a new adventure.