By: Chas Thompson
They have promised us a real winter this year. Lake Michigan water temp is dropping, lots of acorns, and I bought a new flasher. It is that time of the year to get your equipment ready. Make sure the flasher battery has a charge. If you’ve not charged it since March when the ice left, you may need to invest in a new battery. Change the line on the rods, brittle or braided line can break when stressed by an early ice gill. Setup the shelter in the garage and make sure the mice have not nested in it. Fresh gas to start the power auger. A trip to the bait shop to see what they have new this season, maybe even attend an Ice Seminar.
If we are lucky, we might get some walk-able ice just before Christmas. We will be checking boat ramps on the small lakes, measuring skim ice. The small lakes north of GR, will be our December targets. You know that one of the ice groups on Facebook will have one of the guys sneaking out and getting a small mess of fish. You know that those early ice gills are awesome. And yes we will drive an hour to check ice, with a truck load of equipment that we won’t need until January.
Text messages, evenings in the forums, posting on the ice map ( MiIceGuys.com/report-ice) will be the passion of anglers all around West Michigan. Guys that have no use for smart phones or computers all year will be addicted to every photo and fish tale posted.
That first ice is dangerous. Spud your way out slowly until you are sure of the ice. Safety ropes, picks, PFD’s, or even a new floating ice suit and some dry clothes. Hypothermia is the real danger if you do get wet. I have fleece pants, baggy t-shirt, and a hooded sweatshirt and slip on shoes that I can change into to drive back home, if I do get wet. Then get in the truck and get home, that day is done. And probably the most important “Never Go Alone”. It is not enough to just tell someone where you are going; they will never be able to help you like a partner can. Make sure you spend a few minutes reviewing safety with those young anglers too. They need to stay with an adult, especially on early ice.
If you get out on safe ice, head for those mid-depth weed beds you found in the fall. The fish are still feeding like there was no ice. The weeds generate oxygen; small organisms feed on the algae and plankton around the weeds, small bugs feed on them, and is the food source for the fish you are targeting. Walk and fish carefully if you find hard water; take along a partner you will have a better time even if nothing goes wrong.
And don’t be shy about putting a few of those new toys on Santa’s list, a list on the fridge might give the family a clue and get something you are actually excited about.
Chas Thompson
MI Ice Guys
www.MiIceGuys.com
(616) 953-0423
