Chippewa lake - Mecosta county - UPDATE

[The Whale]

Went back to Chippewa for a "crappie run" outing. First fish on the ice at 4:25pm, minnow on a Marmooska flourescent green jig at 18' deep in 20' of water. About a 8.5" fish. Proceeded to land 11 fish ranging from 7" all the way up to a real dandy at 11.5" !!! what a beauty. Too bad it was all by itself in that class. Picked up a few smaller size Perch before dark fell, left the lake at 8:00pm, fish had quit biting by then but good. Had went about 250 yards out from the landing at a 15 degree right angle from the landing. Only had three other sportsman out there with us. Great evening for fishing, if the fish would have cooperated too. That lone big one makes me think there are more that I'm going to have to try to find. I'll try again............

[Chad]

So did you stay in the east bay then? Or did you go out into the main body of the lake? I'm going there tommorrow afternoon to give it a try. Chad.

[The Whale]

Stayed in the bay all the trip. Going to hit 'em again today. Plan on being out there at 2:00 for gills, then move and set up for crappie nearer to dusk. I'll post when I get back in.

[Chad]

Didn't make it out on the 18th, but did go out today from 3-6. Got a few small gills and one keeper. Watched a big black truck race around the ice for awhile. Chad.

[don]

How is the gill fishing there generally? Live near Mt.Pleasant but never have fished Chippewa Lake for some reason or another. Been fishing Lake Isabella since first ice which has produced fair for crappie and poor for walleye so far.

[Chad]

Peole say it is good for walleye and panfish, but I have never done that good there. It is way too busy for me (vehicles/snowmobiles). I seem to do better on the smaller lakes. Chad.

[bearboyluvsQDM]

I usually do okay for crappie on the Chip.I am going next weekend with my son.Chad have you ever tried any of these smaller lakes near us.I live near Todd lake.I never do worth a crap on that lake but I do well on Lincoln for Pike.Indian is okay also.I like going to Mitchell or Missaukee when I have a chance.

[Chad]

I have done OK on Todd Lake in the summer. Isn't Lincoln Lake private, it doesn't show a launch on the map. Last year I did very good on Hicks Lake, north of Evart. Guess I'll stick to Haymarsh. Chad.

[The Whale]

Hit Chippewa around 4:00pm, later than I had expected. Set up and watched the bobbers (also known as "the minnow dance")for an hour prior to getting a hit. Landed a 8" crappie. Over the next three and a half hours only landed five fish. Lost at least two times that many as I could'nt get them up to the ice, bad hook sets I guess. I'm blaming the "Marmooska" jigs,(ha, ha, ha) pretty small hook gaps, tried adjusting, no help. Switched jig half-way through the visit and did not do much better at landing them. No bigger fish this run, all around the 7" - 9" mark that I saw. Your right when you say lots of traffic, snowmobiles and such. Crazy people driving on the lake already, not near enough ice for my small truck. Chicken. Need to find a better lake for crappie, love 'em !