Lakes near Higgins lake for gills?

[riffminer]

I'm form south of Grand Rapids and planning to go to Higgins Lake for smelt next weekend and I'll need to find a lake near there to fish for bluegills during the day. I know Houghton lake is there but the size of it really intimidates me. Are there any small lakes near by that a fellow could try for some gills?

[Gillgitter]

There is a lake just south of Higgins called Marl Lake. I don't know much about it but you could ask some locals up there.

When you say Houghton intimidates you... is that becouse it has so much room to cover or are you worried about the ice? Either case you should not worry. Tons of ice and plenty of fishing spots that you can walk out to.

[live2fishdjs]

Marl lake is a cool body of water. Very fun to shoot trash fish out of w/ a bow in the summer. As far as ice fishing it, I would say it would be very difficult w/ou knowing where the holes are as it is a big flat so to speak. Not saying there are not any spots to fish, but there are a limited amount of "fishing areas" in the lake. Good luck-and if you go there let us know how you do. Maybe just try Higgins for perch and skip the gills?

[riffminer]

I have fish Higgins for perch before but only caught small ones. I mainly fish for gills down here and do a fair job of it. The lakes here are mostly bowl shaped and relatively small so I can usually find some active fish. Houghton is so big and from what I understand has limited weeds. I did do well once there, I fished "the middle ground". I don't think I could find it again if I had to. I really like to gill fish and thought that there must be some small lakes near Houghton or Higgins that I would feel more confident fishing. Houghton is like Mt Everest and I don't know how to climb it.

[slowpoke]

Long lake is South of Houghton just off of old 27 and about 5 miles north of Harrison. There is a DNR boat ramp there.

[tommy-n]

The fishing on long lake has not been wirth a crap this year. 2 years ago we pounded the gill's there, every time we went. Just thought I would let you know. Good luck were ever you go.

[beer and nuts]

Marl Lake is not a place to ice fish plus there is limited amount of fish there, maybe a decent pike if your lucky but its not that good it has no gills. HL is your best bet for gills around the Higgins area. Not a whole lot of decent gill lakes once you get north of Clare at least not like southern Michigan.

[StumpJumper]

Ohh c'mon Lake James is full of monster gills, good luck gettin on it though....

[riffminer]

I take it that Lake James is a private lake?

[gottafish]

Yes it is.....

[jdt]

i live 2 miles from north higgins lake state park,and the best lake around for gills is lake st helen,about 12 miles from roscommon.
it also has good perch fishing.i also caught a nice 6lb lg mouth
last summer.

[tommyboy]

I agree Lake St. Helen is a good lake for gills. For ice fishing go off on what is called the third lake and there is a pretty good hole out there with some deeper water. Don't always catch tons but the ones you catch have some good size to them.