fishing higgins, general advice needed

[ih772]

I'm getting to go up and fish higgins lake this coming weekend. I'm looking to catch some browns/lakers and smelt as well. Can you guys give me some advice on what kind of structure to look for and types of bait to use and maybe some general areas to try.

Thanks.

[mikenyo]

I see you haven't had any replies yet. You might want to do a search, there has been a lot of threads about Higgins lately.

[ih772]

I already looked at those posts. I'm looking for some more info on the subject.:)

[bluedevil]

I'm getting to go up and fish higgins lake this coming weekend. I'm looking to catch some browns/lakers and smelt as well. Can you guys give me some advice on what kind of structure to look for and types of bait to use and maybe some general areas to try.

Thanks.

Browns... Try shallow water(1-5') in early morning and late day and away from any noise. Wigglers seem to be the bait of choice along with spawn just under the ice. FYI..Take this info on browns for what it is worth because it is NOT based on experiance rather what others have told me. I have tryed these suggestions but no luck yet.

Lakers... Fish deep water. N/W corner of the lake is a good place to start. I was there last weekend and know of a few taken there in about 110fow. One was taken on a tip up with a smelt off the bottom and other was on a jig tipped with a smelt tail. Seen quit a few fish on the vex but just could'nt get em to bite.

Smelt.. You can catch smelt just about anywhere on the lake but it seems the bigger schools are on the west shore at smeltville (60-80fow) or on the north end just west of the state park (20-50fow)

Hope this helps and good luck.;)

[ih772]

Thanks bluedevil. that's the sort of information I've been looking for. It will let me look at a depth chart of the lake and do a little scouting before I actually get up there.

[bluedevil]

No problem ih772.:)

Are you going to be up there all weekend or just one day?? I was thinking about getting up there again either Sat or Sun. May even get a chance to get up there sometime this week.

[ih772]

I'll be up there Friday night through Sunday morning.

[bluedevil]

I'll be up there Friday night through Sunday morning.

Cool.. Me and a buddy will be there sometime Saturday to get our permenant shanty off smeltville. Will most likely be fishing for lakers on the N/W side.

I will bring my FRS (7-0) and give you a hollar if we get anything going. (that is if you have one also??)

[ih772]

Cool, I'll bring my frs radio up too and see if it works out.

[Backlash]

If I make it up Saturday, I'll give a shout on 7 also.

[bluedevil]

Well, did you guys make it up there and how did you do???

I made it up there but forgot my radio.:bonk:
We fished the N/W corner in about 110fow and managed one whitefish.

[Backlash]

Yes I did Matt. Gave you a hollar once on the radidio but no response. You should of called me on my cell. Fished the exact same area as we did last weekend for smelt and got some too. :D

[wildlife chaser]

hey if your still looking for spots to check look at michigan.gov/dnr.com they have a weekly fishing report. they normally have something about higgins. trying to get up there next weekend to fish smelt.give me a pm if anyones going to be up there

[ih772]

I fished saturday morning and didn't catch anything and only marked a couple fish. It was way too far to walk and drag my gear out the spot guys were catching the lakers so I fished the drop off from 20 to 70 feet of water without catching any fish. I went back out in the evening for smelt and started getting them near dark. After a while there were so many fish showing up on the vex I had a hard time telling which one was my bait. They made a mighty tasty lunch today.