Thursday, December 22, 2016

Monday December 19th

This Report is as of 4PM Monday and the ice levels are all drilled reports. We are building ice now so there is probably a couple more inches than is reported.


Water Temperature:

is below 32(since its frozen)


ICE REPORT:

It is frozen all the way up to flagpole point. It is frozen, so even the deep end of the lake has ice on it. We've got a great start to the season this year and we will be riding sleds for Christmas - and definitely for New Years Week.

I was out there Saturday Riding and crossed over the Bays. The whole lake froze over on Friday morning, so its already been filled for a week straight, and with the cold weather it builds about an inch a day. There is snow on the edges and its beautiful so we are going to be set up nice.

7" of ice in the Bays from Beacon Island back to the spillway

7 1/2" of ice from Scout Island back to Lakeside and through those bays

IN front of Sport Island Pub there is 7 1/2" 

The Main part of the Lake there is 4-5" of Ice
There has only been one report of somebody that road to sand island and back and the drill hole had about 4 1/2"

There was 5" coming down by Beacon on this side

The snow didn't hurt the ice at all. There was snow on it for Saturday, and it was rain on Sunday which turned it into water and it all refroze. And with the sub zero weather we have been having we are only building ice.

There is probably a couple more inches than the drill reports measured on Monday.


Fishing:


Northerns: are biting really well in the shallow water
Walleye: are average. They are not crazy like they usually are early ice, but we'll see what happens this weekend. It should be perfect conditions. Fishing should be perfect for perch and Walleye as far as that goes.


Tip of the Week:

Bring Your Creepers and have studs on your snowmobile

Friday, September 2, 2016

September 1st, 2016


Water Temperature:

is 78 Degrees - Closer to 80 Degrees by the Dam


Water Level:

We are down only about 6 inches since the last Lake report and are at our Historical Average for this time of year.

The Trap Islands - we have the nose on shore and are sitting in about 6 feet of water.

Walley's -  has about 6 feet of water at the launch. Just stay to the private dock side and away from the courtesy docks.

Lakeside - is the same situation stay in the channel and you should be fine.

Scout Island - has about 12 feet of water in the channel o n the Mayfield side. Atay left, portside. The other side has about 20 feet of water.

Sand Island  - has plenty pf beach and plenty of water - just be careful if you are coming in through the back side. Stay out towards Broadalbin by the point.

Stump Ally - Obviously stay out of there right now.

If you are nervous about the water level, just stay North of Sinclair Point. There is plenty of water all the way to the dam ( about 30-40 feet)

The rest of the lake has plenty of water - Just Pay Attention. It is better for people who know where they are going.


Fishing:

had been coming a little hard right now, but is picking up with the cooler weather.


Tip of the Week:

Make sure to trim your motor up before you take it out of the water!

And look at it this way, if you rip up your lower unit ..... It's the end of the Season - and you have ALL WINTER to fix it!!!

Thursday, August 25, 2016

August 25th, 2016

Water Temperature:

76 Degrees (by Scout Island)

Water Level:

is a little more than a foot lower than the last lake report.

Pretty much all the "GOTCHA'S" are visible at this point. But pay attention to your navigation buoys!!! 

There is still 8 feet of water in the channel between Scout and Griffis Road.

All other channels within the green and red buoys have 20 feet plus.
Just keep in mind (when going to restaurants and marinas) that the courtesy docks closest to the shore may not have that much water underneath them.

All of Lakeside's courtesy docks still have plenty of water at this point (MAKE SURE YOU USE THE CHANNEL MARKERS GOING INTO THE BAY). I-Go, Captain Nauti's, Lanzi's & Sport Island have a ton of water. Nothing to worry about with getting in and out of their docks.
At Wally's use the left side courtesy docks. The right side MAY have only 2 feet of water right now. (WHEN ENTERING WALLY"S BAY STAY CLOSER TO HOG ISLAND AND GO STRAIGHT IN. DON'T TURN TOWARDS THE DOCKS UNTIL YOU ARE PAST THE COURTESY DOCK.)In other words stay in the middle left of the bay while approaching. Too far to the right and you WILL be in the dirt!

There will be plenty of beach for the Ring-of-Fire, so that should be GREAT this year! Hold your horses that is NEXT WEEK!

Keep in mind, the lake may seem low - BUT - it is at its historical AVERAGE for this time of year!!! Big Round of Applause for HRBRRD for keeping the level up as high as they did during a drought situation (remember winter?)!!!

Fishing:

Has picked up quite a bit!
Walleye & Rainbow have picked up a lot
Browns should start picking up soon
Bass and Perch are steady
Northerns ..... well we will see them later


Tip of the Week:

Don't jump in the water with a check in your pocket. They just don't hold up as well as cash when wet!


Friday, August 12, 2016

August 12th, 2016

Photo by Arthur Centerbar

Water Temperature:

81 Degrees about a half mile off shore of sand Island
(so just about the middle of the lake)


Water Level:

We are down about a foot from the last Lake Report. Although no one wants rain on a Sunday that rainfall kept the water level from dropping too much last week.

What Does This Mean? 
Pay attention out there!

Stump Ally has only about q foot of water right now, so don't go through there! BUT if you approach from the Northville side there is 6-8 feet of water to pull up and enjoy the sand bars there.

Sand Island is much bigger now so there is a much bigger beach to hang out on and it doesn't feel as crowded.

The Trouble Spots: are now mostly sticking out of the water, so you can see them now.

Overall - don't be scared, there is plenty of water. We are lower at this point in time than we have been in the last 5 years.

If you are nervous, try something different. Go to St. Clair Point up to the dam and use that end of the Lake. There is an average of 40 feet of water up there and there are 14 miles of water between the point and the Dam.

**** Note - the Dam Tie up that was to be this weekend has been RESCHEDULED for Next Weekend.


Fishing:

Walleye: picking up
Perch : picking up
Northerns: have slowed down (as they always do this time of year)
Trout: consistent
Bass: Some rally Big Small Mouth Bass have been coming out of the lake. Mostly on Yona Senco WOrms. The trick seems to be in hooking the worm properly (and that is all I am going to say about that!)

Tip of the Week:

Don't bring soup on the boat! 
(Especially in a styrofoam container!!!!)

Get out and enjoy the time we have left! Only a couple weekends til the Ring-of-Fire



Wednesday, July 27, 2016

July 27th, 2016

Sorry it has been so long since the last lake report, but I have been on the river! SO today Nancy and I rode all over the lake to get you an accurate Lake Report!

Water Temperature:

80.5 Degrees at the Surface at Lakeside Tavern
(last week it was 82 degrees!)

79.5 Degrees at Northampton

72 Degrees at 25 feet down!!

Water Level:

is down 2 feet since the last report.
This means there is still plenty of water for boating, but there is a great mix of beach and water right now.

A great tie off spot that I don't often mention is just west of the launch in Northampton.  It is right of the launch to the north and west and has about 300 yards of beautiful sand.

The Sand Bar at Northampton is now about 2 feet out of the water and extends almost to the Mead Islands.

Stump All has 8feet to 9 feet of water on the Northampton side. The Mayfield side only has 2-3 feet of water.
V bottom boats should stay away from there unless you have intimate knowledge of the ally. But Pontoon boats are good to go through there.

The Trap Island are out of the water about 1-2 feet by Scout Island. If you approach on the Broadalbin side, the water is 20 feet deep or better. Enjoy the beach up there!

There is an Island just off Proper road (past wally's heading toward the new dock and to the right). This is a great spot.

Pirates Cove is another great spot. The south end has a good sandy area.

SO there is plenty of water to boat anywhere you want! PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR DANGER MARKERS! Most of the Hazardous areas are now exposed, but you DO need to pay attention.

Fishing:

Walleye is average (15"-17")
Perch is average
Trout is average
Northerns are dropping off. Just small ones in the shallows
There have been no reports of anything over 35 inches in the last two weeks.

Tip of the Week:

Tip your favorite waitress or bartender! They are working hard and the season is short!!!

Tuesday, June 28, 2016

June 28th, 2016



Water Temperature:

is 72 Degrees.
74 Degrees from the Bridge to the Dam



Lake Level:

The Lake is a good level right now. The level is down about a foot and a half since the last report. It is at the average level for this time of year. The last couple of years the water level was about 2 feet higher than it is now, but this is average level.
Photo by Martin Dybas

Stump Ally: has about 7-8 feet of water in it right now, so it is still negotiable by all types of boats.

Mussels Harbor: (by Lakeside Tavern)still has enough water that you can get to the back side.

Pirates Cove: has enough water to tie off, and enough beach for a few boats.

Sandbar at Northampton: is starting to come out. In most places it is still about knee deep, but there are some exposed spots.

Trap Islands: You can't beach there yeet, but you can see them.

There are a lot of sandy spots, so you are not limited to Sand Island right now. Everywhere is just about perfect and all the docks are in good shape!


Fishing:

Is a bit slow right now

Trout is good
Walleye is slow
Perch is slow
Bass is average


Tip of the Week:

Make sure you tie off the boat BEFORE everyone gets off (or you may find one of your passengers in the water!)

Monday, June 13, 2016

June 13th, 2016

Water Temperature:

is 64 Degrees at the surface by the Conklingville Dam. The water had warmed up to 68 Degrees around Memorial Day, but with recent wether and all the rain it has cooled a bit.

Water Level:

Is spot on for this time of year! There was some concern with the lask of runnoff in the Spring, but the gates were closed about a month early and is now up to what is considered "full"

What does this mean? Well, you can get around with little worry with about any type of boat right now, but beach is in high demand.

The Trap Islands - are under water
Sand Island - has some beach
Scout Island - has some beach
Thw Sand Bar at Northampton is about knee deep
Stump Island - has about 9 feet of water in it, so is nagotioable by almost all boats.

The Back Bays (beyond Lakeside Tavern) have plenty of water for rafting at the moment...

Everyone's docks are in good shape right now. Sport Island Pub and Wally's have new docks.

Fishing:

has picked up considerably with the increase in water tempreature.
The bass hav e been biting - just be aware that the season does not begin until this Saturday - June 18th.

Tip of the Week:

We have a new Sherrif in town - and he has a boat on this lake.
Be sure to check the expiration date on your flairs (yes they expire - and YES you will get a ticket!)

Tuesday, January 19, 2016

Walleye Challenge Update



After riding AROUND THE LAKE and checking conditions just about everywhere, Saturday, Sunday and today (Monday).

The most ice I have seen is 7 inches in the bay by Lakeside Tavern also known as muscles harbor, down to a mile of open water from northeast of Sinclair point to I-Go-Inn.

Most of the bays have between 4 and 5 inches of ice, but much of the main lake from Beacon Island, north and east, for miles has only an inch or two with some open patches still.

Looking forward at the forecast for the next ten days i do not see cold enough weather to feel confident that the lake will make significant enough ice EVERYWHERE by the 30 of January.

In the best interest of everyone's safety and the future of the Walleye Challenge, it will be cancelled. It will become a raffle at Lanzi's on the Lake starting at noon Saturday the 30.

This does not mean the entire lake will be unsafe or that by the 30th we won't have another 4 to 6 inches of ice.

What it does mean due to the nature of this contest which requires atv, snowmobile,and side by sides to be used across the entire lake to transport fish to the weigh stations, I feel they will not be able to safely do that.





















Thursday, January 14, 2016

January 14th, 2016


Water Temperature:

Freezing

Ice Report:

The main Lake STILL has open water!
The crazy winds from earlier this week created white caps and broke up some of the the ice that had formed.
Sinclair Point is Open

The Bays have about 4 inches of ice on them though.
From the Campgrounds to Sport island has ice
Gordons and surrounding area has ice
Scout Island to Lakeside has ice.

The water is up a couple fo feet - so watch the edges as some of the ice is breaking away from the shoreline a bit.

If the cold weather keeps up we should have more ice by the weekend. BUT use caution!!! 

Again - I want to emphasize that the winds have caused some of the ice to break apart, so use your common sense and PAY ATTENTION.

Fishing:

is average
Northerns are good Walleye are average.

Tip of the Week:

Pray for Ice & Snow!!!!!

Tuesday, January 5, 2016

January 5th, 2016

Photo by Ony Antonucci

Water Temperature 

Freezing - about 32 degrees (down from 38 degrees last week)

Ice Report

I just took a ride around the lake, because things were much different yesterday.

The little Lake at Mayfield is frozen over.

It is Frozen from Sport Island Pub down to the Bridge.

All the Bays are frozen over - even the larger ones like sunset bay have a thin coat of ice.

There is still steam coming off the main lake though which means it is NOT frozen over yet.

IF we have optimum conditions of no wind and no snow the big lake may freeze over; However there is snow in the forecast for the weekend.

Fishing

No one is fishing right now, but if they were we predict it would be Great!

I do NOT recommend ice fishing right now.

If you MUST try ice fishing this weekend, go on the smaller lakes - Northville or Mayfield. My best guess is that they have maybe 2 inches of ice.

We will be making a final decision on the Walleye Challenge on Monday the 18th of January. IF there is NOT enough ice then rule #23 applies.

Rule 23 states that if there is NOT enough ICE that all the prizes will be randomly drawn for by tag number at Lanzi's on the Lake at noon. ( YES - THIS INCLUDES THE PRIZE MONEY!)

Tip of the Week

Be SMART - Stay SAFE!