Higgins Lake???

[BigSmallie]

Has anyone fished Higgins Lake?   Big fish? Small fish?  Lots?  None?    I've never been on it and our club is looking for new water.......but I've never seen any clubs holding tournaments on this lake??    It would seem to me that it has great potential for some large smallies!

Any info would be appreciated.

Thanks! 

BS

[Chewy]

I have never fished it but I plan to go up there this spring.  I talked to the owner of Pheonix Party Store.  He seemed to know quite a bit about the smallmouth when I talked to him and he also mentioned some weights from a few tournaments they just had up there.  It sounds as if you can hit it right, there are some hog smallies in there.  Sorry I don't have his phone number.  I lost it a while ago.  Hope this gives you a starting point.   

[MaizeNBlue]

I fished it once, last year over the 4th of July weekend. There was TONS of traffic, so wasn't able to do to much fishing. It's a wonderful looking lake, clearest water I have ever fished on. See the bottom easily 40 ft down. If fact I was sight fishing schools of rock bass at that depth. I would LOVE to be there when the fish are on beds!! I did manage to catch a few smallies, before the boat traffic made it impossibe to fish. They were on flats around rock piles. There are plenty of drops that go from 6ft straight down to 80ft or more.

[MIBassKid]

I've fished this a couple times, the smallmouth are tought to find. You can find some just off of the sunken island and also, Flag Point. The lake is big and Maize was right, you can see bottom in 40 ft. of water. You can also catch smallies off the drop off near the state park and along the shore, there are huge brush piles and down towards flag point you will run into LOTS of wood. Huge poles sticking up and tons of 'em. Hope this helps somewhat.
-Kid

[MIBassKid]

...oh and i forgot. GET THERE EARLY!!! OR ELSE!!! boat traffic is awful!
-Kid

[BigSmallie]

Thanks for the info........it helps.   I just didn't want to set up a tournament over there if there weren't any smallies.

From what you are all saying.........the best time to fish the smallies would be a June tournament......which is what I had planned.   I had heard the water was really clear.........I just didn't realize you could see the bottom in 40 FOW!!!!!     

This will certainly make for a very interesting bed fishing tournament!!

Thanks 
BS

[MaizeNBlue]

Let me know when you set it up. My g/f's brother owns a cottage 1/2 mile from Houghton lake, love to try out Higgins during that time of year.

[djkimmel]

Higgins has a lot of springs - keeps it cold and clear for things like smelt and trout.

There are small populations of quality  smallies scattered around the lake. There are some really big ones too. Weights can be really big at times, but more than a small number of boats, and everyone will be fishing on top of each other.

I have not tried the fall yet, but the very beginning of the regular season can be pretty good depending on the current weather pattern and water temps.

[BigSmallie]

Dan.......from what you say......it sounds like there is only one good spot on the lake that would hold the majority of bed fish??    The reason I ask is because it does look like there is an awful lot of sand!!

We will usually have between 15 & 20 boats.

Thanks!

BS

[BASS FISHERMAN]

i go thar in earily fall an i start in chuckin me spinners bait an no bass at all 
i chuck an i chuck an i chuck but juss no luck 
i pak up an i go down to HOLTON LAKE an i starts ovur 
i chuck me spinners bait an wammo i getts a nice one 
durin the ress of the fishin day i spanks a numbur mure of thems an a coople of big pikes aswell 
i not go bak up thar fur fishin but maybee i stay in states campin grounds up thar sume time 
all depends on whut ma is wantin to do 
nice walleyes in HOLTON LAKE to an evin big blow gals 

HOPE THIS HELP

RANGERS BOAT RULE 

[BigSmallie]

i go thar in earily fall an i start in chuckin me spinners bait an no bass at all 
i chuck an i chuck an i chuck but juss no luck 
i pak up an i go down to HOLTON LAKE an i starts ovur 
i chuck me spinners bait an wammo i getts a nice one 
durin the ress of the fishin day i spanks a numbur mure of thems an a coople of big pikes aswell 
i not go bak up thar fur fishin but maybee i stay in states campin grounds up thar sume time 
all depends on whut ma is wantin to do 
nice walleyes in HOLTON LAKE to an evin big blow gals 

HOPE THIS HELP

RANGERS BOAT RULE 

Not one bit......but thanks any way.

BS

[djkimmel]

I've only fished Higgins for bass 3 times, but I have recognized at least two respectable sized spots that concentrate smallies. I don't think it will take much time for your club to recognize them either.

I believe there are a handful of smaller areas mixed in all the miles of sand. 15 to 20 boats is about as many as you'd probably want on there during the spawn. Think of the comradery of fishing somewhat around each other

[BigSmallie]

Thanks Dan.   I'm smellin' what your cookin'.......

Thanks again for all the info...........I'm just glad the lake has enough fish for our club........with a few big fish mixed in! 

BS

[djkimmel]

Oh -there's some whoppers. You need a birddogger, kind of like that crazy nut BASS FISHERMAN chuckin' spinnerbaits . When the BIG one comes in from the depths following his spinnerbait, you toss in a tube and catch it. Larry used to do that to me on Higgins every time we went there.

I didn't think it was very fair... but he always said, "fair's got nothing to do with it."