A hotspot for winter walleyes on Lac Vieux Desert is near Draper, Near and Duck islands. Photo by Mike Gnatkowski

Michigan ice-anglers could not have ordered more perfect weather for the 2004-2005 season. Mid-December brought frigid temperatures and little snow, which made for ideal early-season conditions. With an initial seal of clear, hard ice, ice-anglers enjoyed some great first-ice action that continued through much of the winter.

What are the prospects for this season? Well, only Mother Nature knows that, but given a little cold weather and subfreezing temperatures come this December, ice-anglers are sure to enjoy a banner year at these locations for everything from walleyes to panfish to pike.

CISCO LAKES CHAIN
If there's one place where you're sure to have good ice in December, it's in the western Upper Peninsula. Winter usually sets in there about mid-November. Cisco Lake is one of 15 lakes in the chain and is located in Gogebic County about 13 miles southwest of Watersmeet.

"Some of the best ice-fishing of the year on the Cisco Lakes Chain is on first ice in early December and again just before the walleye season closes in February," said Jerry Pitts of Cisco Lake Resort. "Some of the hottest first-ice action takes place on the east side of the lake near the islands."

With the deepest water in the lake being a little over 20 feet, fishing for most species on Cisco Lake is a shallow-water proposition. "On first ice you'll find just about everything in 6 to 8 feet of water," claimed Pitts.

Walleyes will average 2 pounds but can top 8 or 10 pounds. They are taken on tip-ups with minnows or by jigging with lures like Swedish Pimples. The walleyes gradually move deeper as the winter progresses.

Cisco Lake gives up some surprisingly good perch. Yellowbellies topping 13 inches are not uncommon, and 8- to 10-inch perch are common. Try wigglers in the 15- to 20-foot depths near the center of the lake for the most consistent perch action. Cisco Lake also produces a consistent winter fishery for other panfish species as well. Look for hand-sized bluegills and sunfish near the eastside islands and near the outer islands on the southwest side. Larva works best. Crappies are becoming increasingly common, and specks in the 12- to 14-inch-class are routine. Like most, Cisco's slab crappies can't resist a lively shiner minnow.

Ice-anglers can gain access to Cisco Lake at a public access on the northeast corner of the lake. Jerry Pitts said he maintains an access to the lake at the resort and has several cabins that are available to ice-anglers. For more information, contact Cisco Lake Resort at (906) 358-4305 or online at www.ciscolakeresort.com.

THOUSAND ISLAND LAKE
Another lake in the Cisco Lakes Chain that produces excellent ice-fishing opportunities is Thousand Island. Typical of the lakes in the chain, 1,020-acre Thousand Island Lake has just that -- a lot of islands that provide ideal fish habitat.

One hotspot, according to Jerry Pitts of Cisco Lakes Resort, is just off of the outlet to Cisco Lake near Boy Scout Island. Walleyes patrol the 5- to 25-foot dropoff there. Another prime winter walleye area is near the cluster of islands in the middle of the lake. Key is to keep moving and punch a lot of holes until you find the schools. Tip-ups with lively shiner minnows or jigging spoons take most walleyes. Most will average 1 1/2 to 2 pounds, but 'eyes up to 8 pounds are not uncommon.

Thousand Island Lake also is home to jumbo perch. Try the contours along the east side of the lake and in the deep water of the main basin. Most of the jumbos come on wigglers or minnows, and perch topping 12 inches are common. The shallows are also home to some respectable bluegills and crappies. The panfish grow to respectable sizes because Thousand Island has a healthy predator population that keeps panfish numbers in check. First ice especially produces many 'gills to 9 inches, and crappies that will average a foot.