higgins lake

[tcmsu]

I was thinking of heading up to Higgins Lake sometime during the midweek, any reports from the weekend? I will probably be heading over to the west boat launch to try for some perch and trout... thanks in advance for any info

Pete

[slowpoke]

I was at Higgins Sat. 25th at the west DNR ramp and could not get a parking place. I went across the road to the other parking lot an it was full also. I found a place to park abought 1 mile north on DNR ramp and went out from there. I got 17 perch, most was over 8" long and 13 smelt. There was a ton of huts out from the West DNR ramp. I guess they are getting the smelt there. I went to my old smelt spot and didn't get many smelt. I quit fishing at 8pm. I got my badge for Feb. 15th ice fishing contest. I hope to be there.

[beer and nuts]

Slowpoke thanks for the support in buying the badge, and good luck on the 15th!

Report from a buddy last night lake trout fishing. Numerous flags all evening, caught one 5-6 pounder, lost 3-4 during the fight and lost a monster that he couldn't stop at all and broke off at the end of the spool!

[flydunker]

How do they rig the tip up fpr lake trout or any trout for that matter??? I would like to put out a tip up while i am smelt fishing.

[RJF]

On Higgins, I see people jigging on the drop off for perch. Many of them have a tip up much closer to shore. Can't be over a few inches of water under the ice. I know it's for trout. Do you really have a chance in the shallow water? Bait with a minnow? Lots of slack and let 'em run?

For Lakers, I'm assuming you're in deep water. My Houghton Lake tip-ups with small spools may not reach the depths. I'd really like to know more about the Lake Trout fishing there.

[fmontie]

RJK;
They're fishing for rainbows in the very shallow water. Usually off small creeks that enter the lake along the west shore. There's a creek just south of the North State Park and another at the northern end of the North State Park also.
I've had success fishing Tip-ups at the drop-off for splake and browns with grey shiners. Go down in the 20 to 30 foot depths.
Also trying to make that fishing contest....

[tcmsu]

Thanks for the replies fellas, I'm heading out there tomorrow afternoon, good luck and tight lines!

Pete

[mickdrosco]

RJF,
Lake trout fishing is in deep water, and even if your small spool rigs for Houghton Lake would reach that deep, you would soon learn that it is a real pain to retrieve a couple hundred feet of line on a small spool in cold weather....

Beer and Nuts is correct, one of our buddies had a good night on the lakers last night (before dark). We've struggled getting into good action so far, so this was encouraging.

Most of the guys rainbow fishing use either spawn or wigglers and an open spool to let them run. They are fishing in very shallow water. light line is required as well.

[Can't Touch This]

Rainbows do go shalow, but not a couple inches of water, in about 3 feet they come in to feed, they travel in spring and winter in the shallows, but, the dropoff, in about 50 feet, is the best spot for trout, lake, browns, splake, and rainbows.

[garyrodbender]

Was @ west launch sat before light.Tried my live smelt on a tip-up down 20-50'in 70-100fow.Also jigged with pimple & smelt.Moved around a bit.Buddies sled took a crap 1st thing :( We hoofed it until 1:30 .Only caught a dozen smelt,no perch either.Never caught smelt during the day.Looking foward to getting back and challenging Higgins again.Had to of been 500 out or more on west side.Good luck to eveyone :) Neat to see the ingenious things the guys come up with to haul there stuff.Hope to have a better report next time.

[mickdrosco]

Gary,
I might suggest that you try setting your tipup a few feet off the bottom in that same 70-100 FOW you fished Saturday....

[UNCLE AL]

An old neighbor of mine kept a shanty on the lake over a 75ft dropoff, and his buddy that lived on the lake would call him when the fish were in the area. Then he would go up there for a few day, and always come home with fish. Seems the Lakers would cruise around the lake all winter, never staying in one spot for very long.