Fishing Report

Baitman

10 hours ago

Bait Man’s morning briefing.

That warm stretch did a number on the ice south of US 10. Heading down the coast yesterday you could see it changing by the mile. Manistee Lake was already opening up. By the time you get to White Lake it is starting to pull away from shore, and Muskegon Lake is doing the same. Shore ice is shot in a lot of places, and after today it is not going to be any better. Once that edge goes, it goes quick.

If you were thinking Saginaw River, I would imagine it took a hit too. Current plus warm rain is never a good combination. And with the wind forecast tomorrow, be very careful if you are even thinking about Saginaw Bay. There are already cracks out there. When the wind starts pushing, those sheets can move. That big water does not play around this time of year.

Now here is the good news.

Northern Michigan finally shed that heavy snow off the ice. You can get around again. You can see where you are walking. There are places to park without burying your truck. And it is supposed to start cooling back down Friday. That is going to firm things up again in a hurry.

From what I am gathering, the fish have started biting again with this stretch of nicer weather. Sometimes that little warm up gets them moving, especially perch and panfish. Guys are spreading out again instead of huddling in one spot, and that is usually a good sign.

So if you want to ice fish right now, you are looking north. Northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula are where the safer and more consistent conditions are shaping up.

As I make my rounds today I will get more solid reports and we will dial it in tighter tomorrow.

Be smart, check as you go, and do not trust yesterday’s ice.
Tight lines, Bait man out … See MoreSee Less