Fishing Michigan for Smelt

buckhunter14 · 02-18-2007, 07:22 PM

I am planning a trip for the first weekend of March. Just wondering where to go. Anyone have any information on Gun, Houghton, Higgins, Crystal, or Black Lakes?

Thanks Fellas, God Bless.

Phil from Maine · 02-19-2007, 08:58 AM

I know nothing about fishing in Michigan, however here we fish for smelts around the inlets. When they start coming in we like to keep a few tip-ups out as well. We have caught some great fish chasing the smelts around.

buckhunter14 · 02-19-2007, 07:10 PM

Any fisherman from Michigan?

travisville · 02-19-2007, 07:31 PM

Minnesota

that's kinda close

hnt4food · 02-20-2007, 07:09 AM

Right now the ice on Higgins is safe yet marginal. With the late ice we had it is kind of iffy as far as I am concerned. Though the smelt fishing should be picking up pretty soon. I am planning on heading over that way myself sometime over the next couple of weeks. Last couple of years were not to great for us but three years ago was outrageous. We were catching 400- 800 every time out. Last year we averaged 50 -200. I will get a better report and post it here in the next few days.

hnt4food · 02-20-2007, 07:21 AM

Just got a fresh report from a local CO in the Higgins Lake area. The ice is just like I said before, marginal at best. There are anglers out there catching fish. They are getting smelt in the area often refered to as smelt city by us locals. If you are not familiar with it just drive down the west shore and look for the shanty town set up on the south west end of the lake. Let me know when you are heading that way and maybe we can meet on the ice. Good luck and hope to see you on the solid water.

buckhunter14 · 02-20-2007, 04:46 PM

Man, its great to hear from you. I am glad the fish are picking up. I am excited to go. I am thinking we are heading north to Crystal Lake though. Plans may change and I will keep in touch. I am surprised the ice isn't to good. We still have a good foot and a half here in Grand Rapids.