Most ice-anglers use electronics to find and catch fish. Spoons, Swedish Pimples and Jigging Rapalas are the most popular lures. Some people rig a wire stinger hook to the bottom of a No. 5 Jigging Rapala and attach a lively minnow by hooking it through the lips and pinning the stinger in the tail. The setup is lowered within inches of bottom and is twitched slightly. When a walleye appears on the electronics, the lure is raised a few inches and the rod is jiggled sideways to make the dangling minnow wiggle to mimic the frantic twitching action of wounded baitfish. The subtle presentation draws walleyes from long distances in the clear water, holds their attention and causes them to swim upward and slam the offering.

Don't overlook the great ice-fishing available off the Kipling Launch about two miles to the structure found along the steep dropoff. Garth Point is well known as a walleye magnet because the water drops from 3 to 24 feet. This is also an area where walleyes congregate before ascending the nearby Whitefish River and Rapid River. As spring approaches, the region is stacked with walleyes cruising the dropoff in search of an easy meal.

Some walleyes are caught by using tip-ups spooled with light 6- to 8-pound-test clear monofilament line. Lively minnows are set within inches of bottom while using just enough split shot to keep the line vertical. Many more trophy fish come on minnows attached to large spoons jigged 6 to 10 inches off bottom. The experts use No. 7 hammered-chrome or blue/silver Swedish Pimples, Little Cleos, white/chartreuse No. 3 Do-Jiggers, Crocodiles and a variety of Nils Masters or Jigging Rapalas.

For more information, contact the Delta County Area Chamber of Commerce at (906) 786-2192, or www.deltami.org

MUSKEGON LAKE
West Michigan has several great walleye hotspots along the Lake Michigan "Gold Coast." Popular locations include lakes Macatawa, White, Pentwater, Manistee and Portage. Each water in its own way provides fast-paced walleye fishing fun, but when it comes to wallhanger 'eyes, few places can compete with Muskegon Lake.

Usually by late December or early January, a thick layer of ice covers Muskegon Lake. Savvy anglers set up on likely walleye holding areas, and jig lures for splendid catches. Also, keep in mind that the Muskegon River hosts one of the largest runs of trophy walleyes in our state. The DNR takes eggs from ripe females in mid-April by electroshocking hundreds of fish near Croton Dam. In the winter, you can expect to find Croton-bound walleyes cruising the Muskegon River.