Ice Conditions, Weather Reports, and More!

Windy? That’s an understatement. Gusts of 50-60 mph shut down the Mackinac Bridge, causing a seven-hour delay for those embarking on the Noc from downstate today. A minor snow event this evening created near-whiteout conditions just after sunset. A brief switch of the wind from the north caused the snow to blow sideways across the…

All is quiet on the Little Bay de Noc front. Most anglers have left today, but not without saying, “See you next Friday.”Good times were had by many this weekend. Reports of some bigger walleyes were pulled onto the ice at the top of the bay. Moving south, anglers encountered more shorts and eaters around…

Saturday night on the Noc, the lightly snow-covered bay has had some traffic. It could only be better if the wind would calm down and fish swam up holes in the ice. Some anglers have reported an aggressive bite. Walleyes, ranging from nice eaters during prime feeding times to a midday hog cruising for an…

 Snow is blowing across the ice as the south wind rips up the bay. The rattling and ruffling canvas of hubs and flips culminates with a ping, pong, and a pop as the ice continues to thicken. Hunkering down in that permanent skid house might be preferable to using portables until the wind backs off…

The ice conditions on Little Bay de Noc are near perfection: 14” or more ice. There aren’t too many surprises out there; it’s just perfect for traveling, no matter your mode of transport. The surface is snow-covered and offers plenty of grip, with cleats being optional. After a shutdown last weekend, the bite is picking…

It’s cold, but not as cold as it’s gonna be tomorrow…stay tuned!  Our picture for tonight is Mason, a young ice angler and a very good friend of Blade’s Bait & Tackle posing with one of many perch he  brought up the hole yesterday.  Increasing your odds, -Blade

A bitter cold 0° at about 8 o’clock Eastern Time Sunday evening coming off the bay. The forecasted high is 6 above until Thursday. Yipeee!!!! We’re going to have a foot and a half, maybe 2 feet, of ice by the weekend. I couldn’t find anything less than 12”, up to 17”. The thicker ice…

 Short and sweet tonight, and probably tomorrow, if it’s as busy as it was today. Ice remains over 10 inches thick. A full report will follow after the weekend.  Angling pressure on the bay is certain to lighten up beginning Sunday as downright brutal temperatures move in until Thursday. The picture tonight was submitted by Gavin…

 Pleasant temperatures today were disguised by the wind, at times it felt like it was in the teens. Not much different to report on ice since yesterday. Just another incredibly beautiful day on the bay. Travel is so smooth between the pressure cracks. Very few drifts, and ruts are non-existent. Some good friends rolled into…