Sessions Lake

[VANVELZOR]

Anyone fished Sessions lately? How much snow and ice is there? Any Quads seen on it? Thinking on trying it this weekend with gas prices being up there! Thanks

[SpartanAngler]

where is sessions??? Ive never heard of it

[fishing addict]

where is sessions??? Ive never heard of it

10 miles due north of Lake Odessa,in the Ionia State Recreation Area.At the corner of Jordan Lake rd. and David hwy.It is a man-made lake by flooding Sessions Creek.

Haven't been there yet this winter,but plan on going soon.
Does anyone know if you still have to pay to go there in the winter,or is that just a boat launch fee?

[GVSUKUSH]

Fishing Addict,

When I went last year you had to self register at the booth. Grab the envelop and drop your money in, nobody manning the booth though. I'd like to figure this place out sometime, didn't have any luck last year. Is it a hard lake to figure out?

[Sib]

Yeah, you'll want to make sure you buy your annual permit. The ranger mades his rounds on the weekends and checks for permits. The same ranger for a few years now during the winter, nice guy but he has his job to do. :)

Haven't been on the that ice yet this year, so can't give any bite or ice info. But I'm game to give her a shot, anyone up for a mini outing? Maybe weekend of the 12th or 19th? Would be nice to meet some of the MS guys from the area.

[GVSUKUSH]

Sib, the 12th works for me. Just need to check with the Warden :lol:

[fishing addict]

I,think I could do the 12th.
Garden Bay,has been wanting to do an outing in this area also.

[Garden Bay]

I should be able to make it.

[Sib]

Ok, I'll be there, too. :) Should be fun. Having fished the lake before I know there's gills, crappie and eyes. What time is everyone planning on showing up? Daybreak ok with everyone?

I send maps of the lake via email to those I could. Garden Bay didn't have an email in his profile, so maybe fishing addict can forward the pdf file to GB so he can have one, too. Otherwise just pm me with an email addy and I'll get the map out to ya.

[Garden Bay]

PM sent....anytime of the day works for me just let me know. Hopefully we can get some fish. I took out fish for dinner Friday and seen I am getting low.

[Sib]

Map sent, looking forward to fishing!

[GVSUKUSH]

Got it! Lookin' foward to seeing you guys there, daybreak works. Hopefully we won't need waders with all the snow that's gonna melt on the ice in the next week if this weather holds true :(

I'll be there in a Marroon Jimmy.

[Garden Bay]

Got it too....Blue 2002 Chevy 4wd extend cab with liscense plate that says Beau Tye (Bowtie)

[SpartanAngler]

Sib, Thanks a lot for the map. I should be able to make, as long as I dont have to go to Illinois to see the GF. Daybreak works for me, if there are specks, I will be there early, around 5-6ish, can someone point me in the right direction for crappie if I am by myself, I would appreciate it. PM if you wish.

SpartanAngler

[fishing addict]

I,always thought the stumps to the right of the boat launch looked good for specs.My buddy was catching them last summer near the drain pipe in front of the dike.That is way to the left of the launch to the far shore past the point.I've heard of catching them straight out from the launch,a hundred yards or so in 25' of water,too.
I, would be cautious if you go near the drain as the current may not allow good ice.

[fishing addict]

I, listed this in the outing forum.I hope this is agreeable with everyone.

[Sib]

Thanks for posting it in the outings forum, the more the merrier. Yeah, seen guys pull specks out of the timber right of the launch, along the point. I sure wish the DNR would put some perch in the lake, especially looking at the depth the lake gets.

Since this is a manmade impoundment the DNR had to plant fish. The DNR planting history is available a http://www.michigandnr.com/fishstock/ (excellent resource for every county and can sort by individual lakes, you might want to bookmark that link :) )

Sessions has had the following species planted since it's creation:
Blue Gill
Brown Trout
Crappie
Channel Cat
Flathead minnow (forage)
Large Mouth
Rainbow Trout
Small Mouth
Steelhead (only 200)
Walleye

[GVSUKUSH]

Sib,

Is it worth it to bring tip-ups? I assume there's pike in there as or the chance to get an eye on a tip-up???

[fishing addict]

I thought it had perch.My mistake.
I,deleted perch in the outing forum.

[Sib]

It may have some, but the DNR didn't show it in their data base and I've not seen one caught. Don't know about pike, but you know those things have a habit of showing up just about everywhere, lol. As for the walleye I've caught some during the soft water season, but I fish the lake much more during the summer, than winter. Having a tiny boat, the no wake lake is real attractive. I think I only ice fished Sessions once last season, so don't really have a pattern for ice fishing it. I'll see if I can't swing over and give it a pre-fish this weekend and see how the ice conditions are.

[VANVELZOR]

Hi All , I fished Sessions Lake yesterday,tuff lake, first tha aatv wouldn't run ,next the gps batteries went dead,was planning on using the aatv 12v socket, ended up pulling my new Voyager loaded with all my stuff and found the sunken island I wanted to fish by this time it was well past the early walleye bite.:sad: I started drilling and looking for fish . The lake had a lot of sediment floating everywhere, it was like it was still churned up from all the rain and run-off from the last thaw we had back in January, usually that lake is a lot clearer than what I saw. Well anyhow we ended the day seeing a couple perch and missing a few bites. It was a great day to be out there though!!!! Hope the weather turns back cold again. There was about 7-8 inches of ice there. Be careful ! Remember this hasn't been the greatest year for real good ice anywhere in this area. Good Luck

[ifish4eyes]

Best time for us has been the evening hours for some eyes and some guys fish by lantern for the specks. LP