When the east and west arms of Grand Traverse Bay freeze in Traverse City, it’s really pretty simple, you fish the bays. This has been a rarity in recent years aside from isolated spots like Bowers Harbor or “the hole” at the mouth of the Boardman River which have frozen recently. Both the east and west bays are frozen solid for the first time in roughly nine years.
For perch fishing, try the 50 to 90 foot depths off the mouth of the Boardman, Deepwater pointe, Yuba Creek, Suttons Bay, or up to Bowers Harbor. Make no mistake they can be hard to locate and may move on you, but when you land on them, you’re in business. Many of the areas listed above can be good whitefish spots as well. I like to use Sand Kickers, Swedish Pimples, Elk Rapids S jigs, Crippled Herring jigs, and Lindy Viking spoons. Basically any heavy spoon size jigs. They all will get the job done. Tip: make sure to have enough line! You can be in over 200 feet in a hurry!
I run the entire spool of braid in 8 or 10 pound making sure it is at least 125 yards and use heavy-action rods with reels that can hold that much line. I also use a rod that is able to set the hook from way down. Lake trout can be taken on all the same lures in roughly the same depths of water from 90 to 220 feet. I like to make definite moves along a break and either start deep then move shallow or vice versa.
I would concentrate along a 110 to 150 foot area for lakers. This seems to be the most consistent depth for them although they can start to move shallower later in the year. Burbot can also be taken on many of the same lures as well. Many burbot anglers head out after dark for those creatures especially late in the season. Ciscos run the mid-water depths. If you have sonar, run it, even if it doesn’t show bottom!
Fish can be right under your nose out there and many trout species can be in the thermocline. Steelhead and brown trout can be taken on slammers or tip ups at any of the creek outlets on either bay as well as the mouths of the rivers, there is even dinosaur size pike and walleye in the bays for those who want to search those species out. Be safe have fun and always stay on top!
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