HigginsLake Winterfest Results

[beer and nuts]

The wind didn't help matters for guys that wanted to fish lakers and for that matter half the lake was brutal, the temperature was good but the 30 mph NW wind put a damper getting more guys out there. Oh well can not do anything about it and we had some dandy fish entered.

Lake Trout
1. 40 inch monster was caught and won the 1st place for the adult. It was caught in 43 feet of water by a guy fishing for brown/bows and pike. It was a lean fish and I thought it was a pike as he dragged it up but a beauty non the less. We had some 30 inchers and a couple 20 inchers as well.

Perch
1. A couple 11.9 and 11.8 took the top prizes, a couple 10 inchers as well and then trickled down to some mid 8 inchers. Lots bigger perch than last year.

Brown
1. Besides the 40 inch laker that caught everybodies eye, a fellow brought in a monster male brown that went 30 plus inches, big hook jaw and I'm guessing it went 14 lbs maybe more. Fishing the south end with tip up 8-10 feet below ice, he also had another brown that was 18-20 inches.

Whitefish
1. Only had two guys bring some in, but they had 6 or 7 of them all around 5-7 lbs. Caught on spawn.

Kids Division was disappointing, very few entries for the 12 and under and only a few inthe 13-17 age group. Its a sad affair in how few kids are fishing out there anymore. I'm thinking too many "dads" are selfish in their own fishing that they can not take their kids out to fish. Oh well, will try to work on something different next year for kids that want to fish but have nobody at home to take them out.

It was a good turn out considering the weather(wind) and I'm sure the rain Friday discouraged others. Thanks to all that came out and I'll be doing it again next year but with a few swists!

[FishingJoe]

Good time, but couldn't bring my grandkids out in that kind of weather. Don't give up on next year yet, just arrange for better weather.

[beer and nuts]

FishingJoe, I put my weather order in a couple weeks ago to the man up stairs but I'm thinking I told him the the wrong date I must have said the 22nd and not the 21st!!!! Man was Sunday nice out there!!! According to the forecast the warm-up is coming by the weekend, its gotta start melting that slush out there.

[tommy-n]

I hear what you say "IT's a sad affair few kid's were fishing. I take both my boys whenever I get the chance, I never make them go if they don't want to.:)

[gunrod]

Don't put too much into the kids not fishing. We had two bail out before we even left and two that decided they were too cold an hour in. I ran them back to camp. My 16 yr old hung on with the big fellas until the end. He's become quite the fisherman for a kid with no patience.

If the weather had been better so would the amount of kids fishing.

Sounds like a nice event that we'll try to make plans for next year. Might even have to get up there for some scouting before hand.;)

[Rat-Man]

Sorry, I planed on taking my 6 yr old grandson but do to doctors orders ( had heart surgery thursday before ) couldn't make it. This kid loves to fish and hunt and hes good at it. We did make it to a local lake on sunday afternoon!

[Kramer]

I was there with my my son (10) and my buddy had his son (5). We bought badges, walked out, and put up the shanty. The wind was blowing so hard we didn't dare leave the shanty for fear it would blow accross the lake with the kids in it!!! LOL!

I knew I should have walked up with my son's 5" Perch!!!

I wouldn't be discouraged with the turnout. The wind & cold was a MAJOR factor for parents, kids don't last long in that stuff.

Keep the faith!! WINTERFEST is a great idea and we need more events like it!! Some day it'll be bigger than Tip-Up town.

[beer and nuts]

Oh yea I knew the weather played a big part in less fisherman and kids, just thought enough would have been out then what showed up. Never easy when you have to rely on the weather for a one-day event. I was impressed with the quality of fish brought in though.

[tommy-n]

I hear you GunRod, my 15year old was pissed last weekend because i bought a $25 ticket to a wild game dinner, all you could drink. Because I would not be able to take him fishing. Needless to say I gave the ticket to a freind and we went fishing. My 12 year old loves fishing to, but sometimes get's a better offer like snowboarding or movies with girls. Thats why I never make them go, but when they want to I take them.:)

[gunrod]

Thats why I never make them go, but when they want to I take them.

I promised my 14 yr old I'd take her out of school to fish since she made the honor roll for like 6 yrs in a row but now she's sick. That's ok though since she wants to go on the youth hunt and salmon fishing. Now that she's entering High School and won't be in Little League sports on the weekends she'll have time.

[Burksee]

Originally posted by gunrod
I promised my 14 yr old I'd take her out of school to fish since she made the honor roll for like 6 yrs in a row but now she's sick. That's ok though since she wants to go on the youth hunt and salmon fishing. Now that she's entering High School and won't be in Little League sports on the weekends she'll have time. LOL! You think so? It's only just beginning my friend! Making time to do the outdoors thing is important, but dont kid yourself that "you'll have more time". Make the time, they dont grow up any slower as they get older. ;)

[gunrod]

Well some time especially in the next two years since mom won't let her date until then.;) Dances and some functions will get in the way but couple hour ice fishing trips and the occassional weekend north will be available.

[Can't Touch This]

Sorry, didn't enter any fish!!!! My and my bro were planing on entering fish, but thought non were worth it. I think i caught an 8 inch perch, that was it, didn't want to go out i nthe deep slush and the wind in search for lakers without a machine, stayed on the dropoff. I asked someone if there was a smelt division, i caught one on a small jig and minnow i nthe day tha twent 81/2 inches!!! Pretty nice....

[fmontie]

Had a great time at this year's Winterfest. Better success next year.........Have to settle for a smelt dinner this year.
http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/photopost/data/500/4755higgins_winner_ds.jpg


http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/photopost/data/500/4755080ds.jpg

http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/photopost/data/549/4755higgins_contestds.jpg

[beer and nuts]

Great to see somebody got pics of the board, big laker and the brown. Thank for posting fmontie!!! Is there anyway you can email them to me? Sure would appreciate that.