hfitch

Thanks, Frank! Didn't see info on how to get a permit but they had the phone numbers listed for the National Forest, probably the ranger station there in Oscoda. We want to stay at the small rustic campground just west of the whirlpool, off the same drive. Don't know if your familiar with that spot or not? We usually stay at Old Orchard but now that we finally have a generator for our camper, campground comforts aren't necessary.

We're going up over Easter to Oscoda to do a little steelheading on the AuSable (a little late, but still need a getaway). We want to camp in the National Forest campground along the AuSable but have no idea where to get the permits from. I'm assuming it's like the ones you get from the state at DNR offices but not sure. Do we get them from an office or are they something you can print online? Anybody with any info, please let me know. Thanks in advance!!

we caught a tagged walleye once in Port Sanilac about 5 years ago or so. She was 28" long and I think around 4 or 4 1/2 pounds. We called the tag in. She had been tagged in the Tittabawasee (sp?) 2 years before we caught her and was 25" inches long and 3 pounds. It was interesting to see she had traveled so far during the summer. I'm assuming they tagged her when the spawn was on. We'll be sure to get the info on reporting browns and get that in, too. Love those browns!

I hope so! Last year was pretty great! Well, we finally got another boat last spring and back out on the water after 3 years so fish or not, it would have been great. I told my husband when we went down there last night, let's figure out a way to push one dock in with the truck! haha They definetly could put one in right now. I hate to see what the lake would look like right now though, with a stiff north north/east wind. I won't take long though!

Took a drive tonight to see how the harbors look. Lexington has a little ice left by the boat docks and should be gone soon. Port Sanilac is clear of ice at the boat launch and all the way out of the breakwall. A little bit of ice left up by the boat slips. A couple of guys were out there ice fishing on it. If someone had a small enough boat and the wind was out of the right direction, you could get out of that harbor. Just watch the 'bergs!! Shouldn't be long at all before the docks are in and we're all out there long lining!!

Saginaw Bay I think is a far different creature than open waters of Lake Superior. They weren't in a bay and the water was 160 ft. deep! I agree we don't know and they might but it just gives me chills to think about doing something like that. I'm sure around the islands the ice is very safe and protected, but the lake to get there I don't see that being stable at all. Like I said, I'd do it in a jet sled or maybe even an Argo, but I wouldn't do it in something that didn't float!

When it comes to Lake Superior, if it wasn't in a bay or a harbor, any distance would be no good for me! The rescuers they interviewed said the ice the whole way out was punky with some very thin spots. They don't know how they made it out that far in the first place. They rescued them with air boats. That's one way I would go out that far to fish is in an air boat or maybe an Argo, but that's it!

I was just reading a story on the internet that 4 people had to rescued from the ice on Lake Superior. They were out of Minnesota. One guy fell thru the ice with his four-wheeler. They were out near the Apostle Islands, 15 MILES off shore over 160 feet of water!!! I don't even see how that could be an enjoyable trip! I'd be a nervous wreck the whole time!! But then again, I like to ice fish, but not that much!

it's a Polaris...........you'll have to PAY someone to take it!!

That sounds like a really fun day!! Especially the 12 pounder thru the ice!

That dry brine sounds really good! I've got some venison jerky going right now in the smoker. How hot do you get your smoker and for how long with your recipe, Don? I know it all depends on the thickness of the fillets. Do you scale and leave the skin on or do you completely fillet them?

Wondering if any one has ever tried smoking pike? If so, do you have a good brine recipe for it? I suppose you can smoke anything you want but I wanted some input before I totally destroy the fish!! I've never smoked fish myself as we just got our first smoker last year but plan on putting it to good use this spring and summer!

3 to 3.5 inches on Lexington harbor.

this just in.......the guys caught 7 very nice sized perch and they seen one guy land a beauty of a steelhead. Never did ask exactly how much ice is out there, though. I'll have to find out.

I love ice fishing, but ya, it's not worth my life, that's for sure!

I just got a phone call, my friend screwed up. She thought her husband was out in Port Sanilac, he was in LEXINGTON harbor. Disrregard the Previous posting, ice is NOT safe yet in Port Sanilac. I'd hate to have any one go thru on the account of my posting. Be safe and tight lines ya'll!

I have a couple of friends that are ice fishing at this very moment on Port Sanilac harbor. Just enough ice to hold a person up so to all you other crazies out there, time to fish!! These guys aren't little either! I think I will wait 1 more week, though. I don't like cold baths! I will post how they did as soon as I hear. They are after yellow bellies. Last report I heard just last week was that the harbor was LOADED with bait fish and yeller bellies!

use a sturdier ice rod, 6 to 8 pound flourocarbon. Small treble hook with a sinker about a foot above the hook. Use fresh spawn (preferably from steelhead) set it six inches off bottom. You can use a bobber or not use a bobber, personal preference. Also, try jigging Rattler Spoons, do-jiggers and Rapalas. Also, the tiny Cleos work awesome. Don't be afraid to hit bottom every once in a while to stir up some bottom junk. This is how we do it in Lexington and Port Sanilac harbors for steelies and browns.

same here. Not one King, though. Tons of Coho, steel and Lakers. Surprisingly, no walleyes this year for us.

Good Job!! Your lucky you get to hunt down in the Garden Peninsula!! Good thing it's not like the rest of the U.P. so your season wasn't a bust. There are some places in the U.P. that have fantastic hunting....to bad they are so few and far between. But then again, who would want the entire U.P. to be farmland...I sure don't! I love God's country even though the deer are going on the brink of extinction!

Garden Peninsula has great hunting. Wander north of US-2 about 10 or so miles into the federal forest, the deer are scarce. It's a shame and the DNRE has the balls to say they didn't plant the wolves they "wandered" in from Wisconsin and Minnesota. Ya right!! They paid all that money to get rid of them years ago and then bring them back. Like some Yoopers told me years back "Shoot, Shovel and shutup". Now they're crossing into the Lower to top it off. Give it 20 years and this whole state is going to be over run with them.

what part of Delta? Garden Peninsula? We've just had no luck lately up there. Hope we see something more than spikes!! Your not giving me too much confidence there Steve Oh well, a week in the woods is worth it regardless!!

We quit hunting the u.p. because of all the wolves and no deer. We used to hunt southern Delta county and it was great but not any more. This year we are going to the Atlanta area around Avery Lake. I'm sure it's not going to be that great but I hope to see a deer or two. Never hunted around there, around the Avery Lake area. Hope it's not a real popular spot with tons of people running around.

I don't care who plants the fish, actually, the rules should be for everyone. They don't let us catch fish by any means we want and it's our tax and license dollars going to fund the DNRE fisheries. Like I said, the situation was unfortunate years ago, but it's 2010 almost 2011, what's good for one is good for all.

my opinion all this equal rights for everyone, oh we took your land and oh, we made you guys slaves so we owe you the world crap needs to STOP. I have absolutely no problem with ANY race but please people, it's 2010 already! Enough of this b.s., what's good for one should be good for all!! EQUAL RIGHTS, I don't think so any more. I'm sorry if this offends any one but think about. Really, is it equal rights when one race can spear fish and another can't. Or only a certain color of skin can go to certain colleges. Please, equal rights for who?