So here it is everyone, The first lake report of the new year!

There is 6” of ice in front of Captian Nauti’s, this was the measurement about 100 yards out from her launch ramp. The ice stayed the same thickness all the way up to Ponderosa pines/ Placid pines. I did not go further then Ponderosa Pines so not sure about north of there.

The ice has about 4-6” of snow on it, and the Trail to Old Trail Inn had a good  mount of snow on it too. Heading back there is 7” of ice from Captian Nauti’s  to Sinclair point.

I talked to some ice fishermen at Sinclair point and measured 7” thick in their holes. just avoid the ice at the tip of the point, it has only been froze there a week, and will probably not have much ice there all season because of the water they are releasing from the lake. Stay a little towards the fishhouse side and you will be fine.

From there to Lanzi’s there is 8” of ice. With 9” in front of Sport Island Pub, and 7 1/2” in the middle near sand island.  I would avoid going to much farther north of sport island because the river flow had opened the ice up last week under the northville bridge.

In front of Wally’s and Lakeside there is 8” of ice, with 7 1/2” by scout island.
All the ice is solid black ice, which is the strongest, and about an
average 5” of snow on it.

So perfect for wheelers and snowmobiles, NO CARS OR TRUCKS YET! The water has gone down from its high last week about a foot and a half, so the shoreline is good again. This also pulled the heaves out of the ice, we didn’t find any yesterday. Just cracks, some were slushy and some were refroze over, both were easy to cross with no problems. D.E.C. marked the docks that are froze in off shore with orange tape.

You can see it very easily during the day, it’s a little tougher at night. Some have reflectors on them so you can see them at night but not sure if they all do. So slow down at night.

Fishing:

Northerns are still biting good but they are running a little smaller than they were, walleyes are biting hit and miss, perch have been slow, and so have the trout.

Tip of the week:

move your shanty at least once a week until the ice gets thicker