[schaaed1]

Spent the day (all of it, but 2 hrs) out on Hess lake. 4 inches of ice in the bay west of the DNR launch. Picked up a dozen Crappie between 81/2" and 11". The bite was real SLOW and VERY, VERY SOFT. Marked fish on and off all day long.

I also landed (and released) a 20" largemouth on a 'Schooley' rod with 4 lb test. Took almost five min to ice the thing.

Supposedly many Northerns were being taken .... not today!! Never saw a flag go up, although I heard one did when I was up for lunch. That is surprising as everywhere you looked you saw tip-ups!

 

[MGV]

Thanks for the report. We are thinking of heading there this weekend. Was the ice good black ice? Being four inches...... was it spotty or the thinnest at 4"? I am a decent size guy at 210lbs. So good ice is importent.

 

[SpartanAngler]

Thinking of coming over when I get out of class tomorrow afternoon, and was wondering how much ice was on the eastern end, or near the hole in the middle of the lake.

 

[schaaed1]

MGV- It was probably 1" white 3" black. I was just in the west bay, over the hole, all appeared about the same thickness. There may have been some thinner ice around the point between the DNR launch and and the cove. I did not like the looks of it, so I hugged the shore in that area. There were probably 30-40 people out there. Most were parking to the west of the DNR launch and avoiding the little point (shorter walk too).

SpartanAngler - Not sure about any other areas, but I did not see people on the ice in any other areas.

 

[MGV]

Sounds like i am going to need a report before i head north. Hopefully this cold holds true. Otherwise bunnies watch out!!!

 

[hesslakeman]

I didn't make it out this weekend. Too much working on my snowmobile getting that ready for tip up town. I haven't seen anyone in the middle yet but I did see a couple of trucks that are regulars parked by the county access. I would imagine by this weekend that the middle should be safe to walk out and should be ok for atv's or sleds. It is supposed to get really cold on Wednesday through the weekend.

 

[MGV]

Thanks for the report.

 

[jkola404]

how is the ice this weekend?

 

[hesslakeman]

I haven't checked the ice and won't have a chance until Saturday. Should be fine. I have seen people fishing the west end all week. I haven't ventured out in the middle yet but after tonight it should be a few inches thick for sure.

 

[MGV]

I am still trying to talk my fishing partners into going. They don't feel that the ice is safe yet. They might be left behind and i will head up by myself. Might boring but at least i will be fishing.

 

[jefrat72]

Hey, when you say W of DNR launch, where is that? I don't know the launch site. We were there on the Mon the 12th and caught nothing. But we came in on the south side (the short drive actually sits E & W I believe), about the middle, and walked somewhat W to the middle of the lake until we found a hole deep enough to fish. Were you on the very west end of Hess? If so how did you get there?

Here's a map to refer too. Thanks

http://www.dnr.state.mi.us/SPATIALDATALIBRARY/PDF_MAPS/INLAND_LAKE_MAPS/NEWAYGO/HESS_LAKE.PDF

 

[hesslakeman]

Jefrat,
What kind and color truck do you have? I think I saw your vehicle on Mon. Maybe not. I would think that the middle would be safe by now but still check with a spud. If you walk due north about 200 yards from the pennisula you should find 24' which is the second deepest hole in the lake. Decent crappie and pike action and an occasional perch. You almost need a flasher to find the crappie as they usually suspend 16' to 12' down. I'll be out tomorrow pm at this hole if its safe.
Take care.

 

[jefrat72]

Hesslakeman. I got my dates wrong, we were there Sat. But I have a big blue Ford with a blue/white cap. I think we found the edge of that hole, but like I said got no bites. The ice was about 4" thick at that point. Any luck with you?

 

[hesslakeman]

I haven't been out yet. Too many projects at home and I'm not even married! But I do have everything just about done and will be out Saturday. Going to try Croton on Sun. AM for some perch.

 

[jefrat72]

We went to Croton the same Sat and looked at it for about 2 min and headed to Hess. It should be better now but at the time it was too spooky to try. Am going to try to get out myself. My project of working on my GFs suv is on hold so maybe I can use that time for some fishin.

 

[schaaed1]

jefrat72 - Yes I was on the west end of the lake. Two places to park:
1) The public launch is on the NW side and listed on the map as 'public fishing area' or something like that. Basically from M-82 go south on M-37. Take the first left (probably a mile or less). Go east one mile, Launch will be on South side of road (Redwood St also come in right there). As you head out go to the right ... you will see people out there I'm sure.
2) Instead of parking at the launch, Veer to the W on Redwood. You will see another street go off to the North. You will also see many vehicles parked off the road, park there. Enter the lake between the two big trees (should be obvious). The later option is MUCH closer to the hole on the west end.


schaaed1

 

[jefrat72]

Thanks, sounds easy enough. I was always told there is only one enterance to Hess, must have told me that to keep me away, not that I'm a great fisherman or anything....

 

[MGV]

How's the fishing on Hess Lake? Going Saturday for part of the day.

 

[hesslakeman]

I caught a few Saturday afternoon. They are there it just a matter of barometer and weather. If you hit it right you'll catch fish. Flat teardrop, white with a pink or green dot that glows in the dark seems to work best for me. You can get them at Mark's Sport shop on M-37 north of Grant. See Chris and he can show you the right ones and give you a good fishing report. They are pretty generous on their minnows also.

 

[MGV]

That is where we pick up are minnows and waxies. We will look up Chris on Saturday. We should be by the launch in the first hole.