For more information on ice-fishing opportunities on lakes Mitchell and Cadillac, contact Pilgrim's Village & Resort at (231) 775-5412. For information on lodging and accommodations in Cadillac, contact the Cadillac Area Visitors Bureau at 1-800-225-2537 or online at www.cadillacmichigan.com.

HOUGHTON LAKE
Michigan's largest inland lake, 20,000-acre Houghton is shallow and is one of the first lakes in the Lower Peninsula to offer safe ice. During most years, there is plenty of ice by Christmas, and anglers are often still on the ice in early April.

"It can vary a lot with the weather," said avid ice-angler Jeff Dow, "but generally we have safe ice on Houghton by the second week in December."

A few years ago, the weeds in the lake were killed off, thus leaving the fish exposed. Ice-anglers made a killing, but now the weeds are back.

"Finding the weed edges is key to finding fish on first ice," Dow said. "First ice is great for everything."

Panfish go on a feeding binge on first ice on Houghton.

"The south shore weedbeds are usually good on first ice," suggested Dow. Hand-sized bluegills, sunfish and crappies can be found then in 6 to 8 feet of water. Work the entire water column because the panfish can be found top to bottom. "We sell a lot of chartreuse and gold teardrops for the panfish," Dow said. The jigs are usually tipped with wax worms or spikes. As ice conditions improve, anglers will find good panfish action around the Middle Grounds near the center of the lake.

"The walleye fishing is best early and late in the day on Houghton," Dow said. "Early in the season, the walleyes will be fairly shallow in 6 to 8 feet of water. As the season progresses, the walleyes move deeper to, say, 12 to 14 feet of water, and the bite gets tougher."

Dow said the local favorite is a Swedish Pimple sweetened with a minnow head.

"Winter is the best time for the bigger pike on Houghton," offered Dow. "You're going to catch a lot of smaller fish, but 30-inch pike aren't all that uncommon."

Tip-ups baited with suckers or golden shiners are the best medicine for Houghton Lake northerns. Pike can be found widely scattered.

For shanty rentals, live bait and fishing information, contact Lyman's Lakeside at (989) 422-3231 or online at www.houghtonlakefishing.com. For information on lodging and other amenities in the area, contact the Houghton Lake Area Tourist & Convention Bureau at 1-800-676-5330, or go online to www.roscommoncounty. com.

NORTH LAKE LEELANAU
"North Lake Leelanau probably produces some of the most consistent ice-fishing in the area," claimed guide and outdoor writer Dave Rose. "There aren't that many walleyes in the lake, but there are some good ones up to 9 pounds, and the lake has a good population of both trout and whitefish."

Planting records indicate that North Lake Leelanau has received regular plants of both brown trout and lake trout over the years. The lake was even planted with whitefish back in the mid-1990s. Because North Lake Leelanau and South Lake Leelanau are connected by a channel, fish move freely from lake to lake -- although by nature, deeper and colder North Lake Leelanau supports more of a coldwater fishery.

North Lake Leelanau is a sleeper, though, for trophy winter walleyes.

"Right around Cemetery Point is a good spot for walleyes," Rose said.

Because 2,950-acre North Lake Leelanau is very clear and lacks many weeds, walleyes relate to the points and structure. Rose said tip-ups or Slammers baited with lively shiner minnows take some of the biggest 'eyes. Jigging with spoons and Rapalas can be good, too.