Houghton,Higgins, St. Helens Lakes

[DuV]

Have a weeks vacation starting 20th of June. Have cabin on the north end of Houghton Lake. We're looking at at fishing all three lakes. I've seen quite a bit of info on Houghton, but nothing on Higgins and St. Helens. Was hoping someone would share some ideas on fishing Higgins and St. Helen for Walleye, Northern pike, and maybe some pan fishing as we are bringing our wives. First time ever in this area of Michigan. Thanks Duv:help:

[Shaweet84]

Allow me to help-
Ive fished St Helen for the past 20 years-

If you look at a map of the lake, its divided into 3 sections- they call it 1st, 2nd and 3rd lakes.

Ive always done well in the south and south-west sides of the 1st lake- no need to go any more than 1-200yds off shore...

the entire 3rd lake produces, while the 2nd lake is pretty ho-hum.
typically, best times are 8a-12p, and 6pm-dark, because the lake is so shallow (6' almost entirely) the action shuts down during the day when the sun is beating down (which is not to say you couldnt still produce w/ a senko or something- I just personally never have tried)

Spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, rapalas, and minus-1s work well- im not real versed in plastics. Never have I seen a frenzy like you can create with some waxworms and a bobber either. HUGE blugill/sunfish in there- and an occasional nice crappie and perch.


The majority of what you catch are largemouth and northern pike- and the majority of those are smaller (unless im doing something wrong since 91') By smaller I mean most bass in the 15-17" 2-3lb range, and pike mostly 17-22". Occasionally, youll lock on to a 4-5lb Largemouth, or a 25" Pike. We've also pulled a few walleye outta there but they are VERY few and far between- though we latched on to 2 of them one day- a 24" and 26".

All in all, its nothing to boat 20 pike in a day on the lake between 2 guys. Just dont plan on hanging many of them on your wall. The cool thing about St Helen is the pike have no size limit- so if youre interested in eating them (which they are extremely good eating, provided you know how to de-bone them), grab a couple of the 19-20"'s and fry'em up.

Good Luck.

[Smallmouth Chaser]

If you try Higgins you have a few options the perch and rock bass should be going by then. The trick on Higgins is finding the schools of good fish since so much of the lake's drop off look exactly same (steep sand with little structure). I would start on the east side of where the lake narrows down about half way between where the shore goes north and where the drop off turns north in some of the little coves near the sand bar. Wigglers work well but minnows also produce well. The middle of June is a little early for the Lakers but if you get up there after the 4th of July through September you can really get some nice Lakers in the north end by the state park.

Be very careful around the island. The rock bar that extends west off of the south end of the island tears up an a lot of props, actually all of the water west of the island with in a 1/4 mile or so is a great place to distroy a motor. The west side of the island can hold some nice smallies but it is not as consistent as St. Helen or Houghton.

Good luck:fish:

[DetroitIron]

There used to be walleye in St. Helen. I havent caught them there in about 5-6 years. The DNR doesnt plant them anymore. I think the locals caught them all. The "dog house" restaurant in town used to have "all you can eat walleye". Wonder where they got them all??

[DuV]

Thank you all. I sure appreciate the info. If you ever need any info on West Central Ohio e-mail me at duver@bright.net. Thanks again, DuV :D

[BIG DAVE]

Have a weeks vacation starting 20th of June. Have cabin on the north end of Houghton Lake. We're looking at at fishing all three lakes. I've seen quite a bit of info on Houghton, but nothing on Higgins and St. Helens. Was hoping someone would share some ideas on fishing Higgins and St. Helen for Walleye, Northern pike, and maybe some pan fishing as we are bringing our wives. First time ever in this area of Michigan. Thanks Duv:help:

where at on the north end. im on westshore dr. dave

[Shaweet84]

report back on how you do if you get a chance...

[DuV]

Big Dave; The place we're staying is on Long Point Drive, is that close to you?
Shaweet84; I will surely post our results, thanks again, DuV

[hammerfish]

we still have walleye here, i've done best drifting slurpies and jigs on the east shore and out in front of the river mouth on the first lake. there are also alot of nice crappie, bluegills, and there are actually some nice perch if you can find them. the bass and pike fishing is great. i caught 2 pike over 36ins last year, and i threw them back so they might still be around. i caught them on harnesses fishing for walleye. if you really want to catch bass, go down the river on the first lake to mud lake, its shallow as hell in their, but bass galore. if you need any more, just shoot me an im, later, Mike

[BIG DAVE]

Big Dave; The place we're staying is on Long Point Drive, is that close to you?
Shaweet84; I will surely post our results, thanks again, DuV

its about 5-6 miles drive.

[jkiacz]

Trust me whan I say, you do not need to fish any other lake than Houghton right now. It by far produces the most fish at this time of year and the fishing has been the best it has been on Houghton Lake in the past 15 years. I have been going for 33 years and it has came back to the great lake it was when I was a kid. Crappie fished last week for 2 hours and caught 87 jumbo Crappies 12- 15 inches each. Also caught a few Walleye,small mouth, large mouth and Pike. You can basically catch anything you target right now. My opinion is not to waste your time and just fish Houghton. As far as the other Lakes??? They might be producing also but I do not know. Just my opinion. Jason

[hammerfish]

just to let you know, i just got off st. helens tonight and did pretty good on the first lake. i managed 18 nice crappie and a limit of walleye, nothing huge, just good eaters. i also caught 3 nice bass, and probably 8 decent pike. i didnt keep the bass or pike, but spent an hour or so cleaning the crappies and walleye. if your going to be up for a while, it would be a change up to be able to fish all 3 lakes. houghton, higgins, and st. helen. get yourself a mixed bag and a change in sceanery. jmo....... if you want more details just im me, Mike

[DuV]

jkiacz; Sounds like the fishing is very good on Houghton Lake. We should have alot of fun checking it out. Thanks

hammerfish; I'm sure we'll give St. Helens a try for a day or two. Hate to drive that far not take advantage of all that area has to offer.

Thanks to all for the info you have shared. Duv:D

[sidmh]

Trust me whan I say, you do not need to fish any other lake than Houghton right now. It by far produces the most fish at this time of year and the fishing has been the best it has been on Houghton Lake in the past 15 years. I have been going for 33 years and it has came back to the great lake it was when I was a kid. Crappie fished last week for 2 hours and caught 87 jumbo Crappies 12- 15 inches each. Also caught a few Walleye,small mouth, large mouth and Pike. You can basically catch anything you target right now. My opinion is not to waste your time and just fish Houghton. As far as the other Lakes??? They might be producing also but I do not know. Just my opinion. Jason

heading up to grayling with family next week any chance to find out what part of lake is good for this time of year an on what bait thanks sidmh.

[DuV]

Dave, We will be on a 16" Sylvan with a walk-thru and 75 Merc. We'll be there from the 20th to the 27th. If you see us stop and say Hey! See Ya, DuV

[hornetbballcoach]

Hello,
My family and I have been going to Higgins Lake for a few years in early to mid August. We are certainly novices when it comes to fishing and would like any help you may provide regarding catching fish at this time of year – other than a few blue gill here and there. -- Thank you


If you try Higgins you have a few options the perch and rock bass should be going by then. The trick on Higgins is finding the schools of good fish since so much of the lake's drop off look exactly same (steep sand with little structure). I would start on the east side of where the lake narrows down about half way between where the shore goes north and where the drop off turns north in some of the little coves near the sand bar. Wigglers work well but minnows also produce well. The middle of June is a little early for the Lakers but if you get up there after the 4th of July through September you can really get some nice Lakers in the north end by the state park.

Be very careful around the island. The rock bar that extends west off of the south end of the island tears up an a lot of props, actually all of the water west of the island with in a 1/4 mile or so is a great place to distroy a motor. The west side of the island can hold some nice smallies but it is not as consistent as St. Helen or Houghton.

Good luck:fish: