Tuesday, January 27, 2015

January 27th, 2015

This is a 28" Walleye that was caught
by Jim Jasowitz last weekend!
There is about 16 inches of ice everywhere and by the weekend (walleye challenge) there should be about 18 inches so the ice will be strong enough for cars and trucks which have already been on the ice in certain areas for the last couple of weekends.

We are only supposed to get about 8 inches of snow on Tuesday so it shouldn't cause any slushy conditions, plus it is going to be windy which should blow a lot of it off. So you should be able to still use a 4-wheeler to ice fish and snowmobile's will be able to get around nicely too.

That could change if the forecaster is wrong and we get more.

Lake Level:
The Lake has been a little higher than normal for this time of year, but they have been releasing a lot of water all month and have the level almost back to normal. By Friday the regulating district is going to cut back the water release by half. All this means in simple terms is if you were fishing in 5 to 6 feet of water in December and early january and you go back to the same spot this weekend you will be "fishing in dirt" as the locals say.

Some of the ice ridges have grown to 3 feet high in places like in front of Lanzi's on the Lake, but there are spots to cross it - JUST PAY ATTENTION! As anybody knows these can change from week to week. They appear to be in their usual places this year.

Fishing:

Walleye have been biting fair to good for late January and 30 inch size pike have been prvelent with a few 40 inch class ones caught.
Trout also have been biting good for those set up for them with perch seeming a little slow.

As for where they are biting best? - I am sworn to secrecy!
This may all change as the water release changes also.

Tip of the Week:

Make sure you are registered, insured and wearing a helmet on 4 wheelers and snowmobiles this weekend. Authorities will be everywhere on the Lake this weekend.
Oh yeah - if you are over 16 and fishing it would be a good idea to have a fishing licemse!

Also I look forward to seeing you all!!!!

Thursday, January 15, 2015

January 14th, 2015

photo by Stephanie Lape Crowe

Ice Report:

The Ice thickness went from 9 inches (around Sin Clair Point) up to 11 inches (around Beacon Island) to about 10 inches everywhere else as of Sunday.

I needed 12 inches not to where a speedo in Wally's (I lost a bet) but that's alright because a week earlier there wasn't any ice in the center.
The entire Lake froze as one good sheet of solid clear ice. 

There already are some Ice heaves and ridges at the usual spots in front of Lanzi's on the Lake, but the ice is safe to ride all the way from Lakeside Tavern to Ponderosa Pines. Northeast of that use caution.

Everything is good to Sport Island past the Northville Bridge. The ice had spots of snow on ice in the middle towards Broadalbin perfect for putting out shanty's which a lot of people did.

Now with today's 6 inches or so of snow and the little rain in top and 0 degree nights coming should make perfect snowmobiling conditions for the upcoming weekend.

Will be over a foot of ice everywhere this weekend. A safe amount for any activities.

Fishing:

Fishing has been average with reports of Walleye and perch mostly caught.

Tip of the Week:

If you are going to ride your sled on glare ice, stud it. Its cheaper in the long run ...