By Mike Gnatkowski

The sport of ice-fishing is one of the fastest-growing forms of angling. The reasons are obvious. You don't need a whole bunch of gear to get started. But don't get me wrong, because we've come a long way from the days of chopping a hole with a spud and sitting on a bucket.

Today, ice-anglers have a multitude of new gear available that is designed just for ice-fishing enthusiasts. There are special lines, rods, power augers, shelters and warmer clothing that make ice-fishing not only bearable, but also downright fun. To really get into the sport, though, doesn't require a huge investment.

Michigan is a hotbed for ice-fishing. It's no wonder. Michigan has an abundance of great lakes that are accessible to everyone once a casing of safe, thick ice covers them. Most years, that happens early in the year or even by Thanksgiving in the Upper Peninsula. Either way, ice-anglers have plenty of time to practice their sport, an assortment of species to pursue and a multitude of lakes on which to do it on. What else do you have to do during a long, cold Michigan winter?

Following are a number of prime destinations you'll want to visit this winter whether you're an ice-fishing fanatic or just a novice.

"It was just nuts last year on first ice," said avid ice-angler Cary Shineldecker. "It was nothing to take a limit in 45 minutes, and these were really nice bluegills. Most of them were 8 inches or better."

The hot fishing usually gets started around Christmas when safe ice permits anglers to get on the lake. A hotspot was off Wilson Park on the north end in 10 to 15 feet of water. Anglers who were equipped with one of the new Vexilar flashers had a big advantage over other anglers.

"With the flasher, you could watch your teardrop going down and stop it right at the top of the school," said Shineldecker. "The active fish would come up for the bait and you could pluck them right off the top of the school. That way, you didn't spook the entire school, and many times you could catch a limit from one hole."

Early and late in the day were the best times. Like most Hamlin Lake regulars, Shineldecker relies on horizontal ice jigs, tiny spikes and thin monofilament line. A good tactic is to thread two spikes on the teardrop that act like tails and quiver when the bait is twitched. Hair-thin monofilament excels when the 'gills get finicky or when fishing pressure increases. Some savvy anglers even resort to using sewing thread to tempt the pernickety bluegills. Weapon Outdoors' new line of horizontal ice jigs features highly detailed paint jobs and deadly color patterns that outfished anything on Hamlin Lake last season. You can contact them at www.weaponoutdoors.com or call them at (313) 295-2802.

For information on lodging, bait shops and other accommodations, contact the Ludington Area Convention & Visitors Bureau at 1-800-542-4600 or online at www.ludingtoncvb.com.

Photo by Ron Sinfelt

"First ice is usually really good," said ice-fishing guide John Michalik. "When that is, is hard to predict. Usually by Feb. 1 we have good ice, but I've seen years when the lake was frozen by Jan. 1. Once we get ice, it usually firms up quickly, but it's hard to predict."

Once you can get on the lake, Michalik said the fishing for lake trout and whitefish is outstanding. "You can hardly make a mistake on first ice," he said. "Anyone can catch fish then. Last ice is a different story. That's when the real fishermen come out."

Michalik said he normally starts deep over the 100-foot depths on first ice and then works shallower as the winter progresses, but he stressed the need to be mobile and versatile. Michalik relies on a variety of techniques and baits to tempt the trout and whitefish. Michalik said he goes equipped with tip-ups, bobber rigs and jigging rods. Usually one tactic or the other works.

"What technique works depends on the attitude of the fish," said Michalik. "Generally, we catch a lot of fish right on the bottom, but later in the season the fish tend to suspend."

Michalik said the lake trout and whitefish on Higgins Lake average 3 to 5 pounds, but trout topping 20 pounds are caught. Plants of around 35,000 fish maintain the lake trout numbers each year. Michalik indicated it's not uncommon to limit out on a mixed bag of trout and whitefish, especially on first ice.

Access to Higgins Lake can be gained at three public access sites on the north, south and west shores of the lake maintained by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources' Parks and Recreation Division. A daily fee or state parks sticker is required. A good source for bait, tackle and fishing information is Phoenix Party Store at (989) 821-7220. Information on lodging and amenities can be had by contacting the Grayling Area Visitors Council at 1-800-937-8837 or online at www.grayling-mi.com.

"The lake really changed once the weeds were killed off a couple of years ago," said ice-fishing guide John Michalik. "There wasn't anything for the fish to hide in, and the guys really hammered the walleyes then. Some people got greedy, and you can hardly catch a legal walleye through the ice now that the weeds have come back. But the lake is just infested with pike, and the panfishing has been very good the last couple of winters."

Michalik said that Houghton Lake's panfish take up residence in the weeds - not just any weeds, but the broadleaf cabbage.

"Find the broadleaf cabbage in 10 feet of water or less and you're going to find panfish," claimed Michalik. "You need to work the entire water column. The big crappies will be suspended right up under the ice in the top 3 feet. The big 'gills can be anywhere from top to bottom."

Michalik said that by far the best time for panfish is early and late in the day. He said that the panfishing is better than it has been in quite some time on Houghton, and there are panfish where there weren't any 10 years ago. "There are a lot of good weeds growing now," said Michalik.

Prime areas for panfish, according to Michalik, are along the south shore off Flint Road and near the airport on the north shore. Again, finding good weeds is key.

Contact Korbinski's Marine at (989) 366-5306 for shanty rentals, fishing reports and live bait. Another source of information is Lyman's On The Lake at (989) 422-3231. To book an ice-fishing outing with John Michalik, contact him at John's Frozen Charters, (989) 422-6745, or via e-mail at cleanfisherman@yahoo.com. Information on lodging, amenities and restaurants in the area can be had by contacting the Houghton Lake Area Tourist & Convention Bureau at 1-800-676-5330, or go to www.roscommoncounty.com.

Ice-anglers will find excellent numbers of bluegills and crappies in the shallows on the east end of the lake on first ice. The fish will be as shallow as 2 or 3 feet when the ice is only 2 or 3 inches thick, and then they will gradually move west to the 7- to 11-foot dropoff and deeper as the winter progresses. The biggest 'gills are suckers for larva and teardrops, and most will be in the 7- to 9-inch range. Portage Lake crappies like minnows fished from the middepths to the surface. The specks will routinely run from 10 to 12 inches.

Portage also produces some dependable perch fishing throughout the winter months. The best perchin' takes place in 20 to 50 feet of water toward the center of the lake and on the south shore off Camp Tosebo up to the Covenant Bible Camp. Go armed with wigglers, minnows and wax worms because you never know what the perch are going to prefer. Hit on the right combination and you should be able to take a bucket of 8- to 10-inchers.

Big northerns cruise the 15- to 30- or 40-foot depths. With the abundance of prey in the lake, the pike can sometimes be difficult to fool. Most anglers rely on tip-ups suspending a big sucker or smelt. Most of the pike will be in the 24- to 30-inch range, but fish topping 40 inches are routinely taken from Portage. Try the area just southwest of the access on the northeast side and near the dropoffs on either side of North Point.

The same area is good for walleyes. Portage was on fire for walleyes for a few winters, and while the action has slowed in recent years, it still can be very good. Most anglers fish early and late in the day or after dark with jigging spoons and lures. While most anglers concentrate on the 20- to 30-foot depths, when fishing pressure is high or the shallows don't pan out, try fishing over the 40- to 60-foot depths and use your electronics to pinpoint suspended 'eyes.

For lake maps, fishing reports and live bait, contact Riley's Tackle and Guns in Manistee at (231) 723-3354. For information on lodging and accommodations, contact the Manistee Area Visitors and Convention Bureau at 1-888-584-9860 or online at www.manistee.com.