FISHING CONDITIONS ON LAKES CADILLAC AND MITCHELL

FROM PILGRIM VILLAGE FISHING SHOP

SUNDAY, JANUARY 29, 2006

Snow, cold, turning to rain and warm temperatures. As you know the weathers been up and down. The rain and warm hasn't hurt the ice. There's still 6 to 10 inches on both lakes. It's sloppy! Standing water after the snow melt. You need creepers on our lakes. Light snow and colder temperatures are in the forecast.

This week we started seeing a few walleyes again. Most came off of Mitchell. It's been one or two here or there, mostly on tip-ups. Three nice ones were weighed in during the NASF Fishing Contest. The largest was 25 ¾ inch, 6.46 pounds.

Pike fishing has slowed some but limits are still common. The largest we measured this week was 36 inches. Lots of 26 to 28's though. Set your tip-up around a weed bed on either lake and you'll take home pike. The numbers are coming from Mitchell, but the larger pike seem to be caught off Cadillac. Those brought in to the NASF Contest ranged from 25 to 28 inches.

Perch fishing has improved. The Kenwood Park area on Cadillac seems to be the hot spot. Mixed bags of crappie and perch are caught in the area. We're seeing 8's and a few 10's come from this area. Several 8 to 10" were brought to the NASF weigh in.

Crappies are getting harder to find. It seems early morning or just at dark is best. It's a short bite lasting less than an hour. We mark them all day but can't get them to bite in any numbers. This will change because both lakes are full of crappies.

Bluegill/ sunfish fishing haven't changed. A few here or there. Those doing the best are hole hopping getting a couple from each hole. Wax worms, spikes or mousies are the best baits.

We're seeing Master Angler size rock bass come from the East side of Cadillac. Most are mixed in with the perch or crappie coming from the bottom in 10 to 12 foot depths. They seem to bite on any bait.

Our Spearing Contest will come to an end January 31 st . The current standing is:

First Place with a 36 ¼ inch, 10.3 pound pike Steve Podbilski

Second Place with a 32 1/8 inch, 7.3 pound pike Joe Cudney

Third Place with a 30 1/8 inch, 5.4 pound pike Tom Richards

Fourth Place with a 30 1/16 inch, 6.1 pound pike Chris Hansen

Fifth Place with a 30 inch, 5 pound pike Gabe Maddox

Sixth Place with a 29 ¼ inch, 5.5 pound pike Gary Swiger

Seventh Place with a 29 inch, 5.2 pound pike Scott Seehase

Eighth Place with a 28 ¾ inch, 5.2 pound pike Jeff Jurik

Ninth Place with a 28 ½ inch, 5.1 pound pike Tim Haysmer

Tenth Place with a 26 ¼ inch, 3.5 pound pike Nick Maddox

The NASF Fishing Contest was a success! Fish were scored by weight. Ties broken by length.

PIKE - Don Kline 26.25 inch, 4.06 pounds

WALLEYE - Amber Grames 25.75 inch, 6.46 pounds

CRAPPIE -Brian Sandberg 9.50 inch, .40 pound

PERCH - John Eichisberg 10 1/8 inch, .48 pound

BLUEGILL - Gordon Schafer 7 7/8 inch, .34 pound

ROCKBASS - 11 inch, .86 pound

These lucky fishermen had their pick of the room of any prize they wanted. The ice shanties went first.

See Pictures