Ice continues to build, especially on most of Michigan's inland lakes, but anglers are still urged to use caution, the state Department of Natural Resources said Wednesday.
Anglers are advised to avoid pressure cracks because many of them had open water less than a week ago, and ice at river mouths and on creeks is unsafe, the DNR said in its weekly recreational fishing report.
The panfish bite continues to be slow, but pike action has been good and perch anglers are sorting out the small ones. Some of the trout lakes are producing lake trout and rainbow trout.
Traverse City: Still has no ice. It is possible the bays will not freeze over this year.
Lake Leelanau: Walleye are being caught in the south lake.
Crystal Lake: Ice continues to build, but anglers are still waiting to get out to deep water and fish for lake trout, whitefish and smelt.
Green Lake: Ice fishing continues and smelt are hitting at night. Try Hali jigs or teardrops with wax worms or spikes.
Cedar Lake: Ice anglers are doing well on pike when using tip-ups with large minnows. Those targeting smelt are fishing day or night with teardrops or Hali jigs with spikes and wax worms.
Lake Missaukee: Has been good for bluegills.
Lake Cadillac: Ice anglers continue to catch walleye, pike and crappie. Try the smallest jigs with a single spike and not much movement. Those with cameras are seeing panfish, but they were not interested in biting.
Lake Mitchell: Has been good for pike and a few crappie. Look for bluegills when fishing near the coves on the west side of the lake.
Manistee River: Those fly fishing below Tippy Dam have caught steelhead.
Pentwater Lake: A few perch were taken in the southwest corner.
Mullett Lake: Fishing remains consistent. A few nice perch were caught on minnows in 10 to 45 feet of water, but many were small. Those targeting pike have not had much luck with spearing or still-fishing. Some have started to target lake herring.
Burt Lake: Ice anglers have started to catch a few walleye. Anglers should stay away from the large pressure crack between Colonial Point and Cedar Point. This area had open water last week and the ice that has formed is not safe.
