Swan Lake

[TYGRO]

I was wondering in any one has been on swan yet? I was also wondering how thick the ice is?.. I will be up there with the boss (wife) and kids the week after x-mas..also a guy from work is wondering about ice thickness in the Grand rapids area?..

thanks

TYGRO

[bmc]

I'm on the west end of the county, but would imagine that Swan probably just iced over completely with the recent cold spell we've had. I'd be extremely cautious, if I even went out there at all right now. Most of the small lakes have 4-5" of ice and probably slush too. The big lakes have just iced over and are probably unfishable at least for a couple more days. Use extreme caution though!!!!

Brian

[fishermn]

The bay was completely covered and there were two perm. houses out about 10 days ago. I will be there probably sometime the weeke after christmas too. Will likely be trying the west side about 3/4 mile north of the bridge.

[TYGRO]

That is good news.We will be up there monday and probably staying until thursday .. I suspect I will be doing most of my fishing over by grozy's point... If you are in the area stop by and say hi.. I will most likely have my snowmobile with me (white xcr600).. and I am sure my dog will have to be with...

does any one have any luck with crappies on swan.. i have never fished for them on this lake but have heard there are some in there... any help would be great.

Thanks

TYGRO

[fishermn]

I used to fish swan every night all summer long for crappies when I was 12 - 16 years old! Did quite well too! Seemed like I was cleaning fish most nites. I remember that they were all pretty decent sized. Towards the end, the fishing did slow down quite a bit. That being said, I havent fished swan specifically for crappies in at least 15 years. I'm sure there is a pretty decent population, but I just havent really tried for them in quite a while. Maybe Greg Clusiau or one of the locals up there could comment? I really havent heard much otherwise.

[Greg Clusiau]

Most of the Swan Lake crappie fishing takes place during the open-water period, especially under the bridge. I've caught a few from time-to-time in the main lake during the fall while deep-jigging walleyes. Pretty nice fish. Some people used to catch them through the ice in the West Bay. Not many try it but I would imagine that they can still be caught. I used to fish shallow water in the West Bay for bluegills but never tried the deeper water for crappies. Speaking of Swan, I caught a few eyes there last night and missed another. Had 10" of ice but was fishing not too far from shore. Probably thinner out in the middle.........Greg C.

[Benny]

Hi Greg, I will be up at my folks home this weekend.My brother is bring his ice stuff over so we can get out there and fish as mine takes up the whole truck bed.

Give me an email and fill me in on the Walleyes on swan, may try there first as the folks live less than a mile from the west shore drive.

Any other lakes in that area putting out crappies?

Been over toward GR this year, my causin said Split hand was on right now.

Hill lake by Taconite should be buzzin soon as well.Twin was good last year at first ice, so was SnowBall.

I grew up about a 1/2 mile from SnowBall, fished it at least twice a week with the my causin and the jellen boys from Pengilly.

Address is benstackle(at)netzero(dot)com

Thanks,Benny

PS:I see Big Joe did a lot of work on his cabin up by big baer, pictures looked like he spent a fortune.

[TYGRO]

Thanks for the info.. I usually target walleye and pike on swan.I just figured I would try for crappies. as the boy gets bored when we walleye fish.. I guess I will have to do a little exploring.. we can always catch perch.there is never a shortage of them in swan! It is nice to hear there is 10 inches all ready.. by the time i get there there should be 12+ with all the cold weather coming in

thanks

TYGRO

[Benny]

Greg, we went out on Swan Friday night.Went over by the west shore out in front of the point where the old boat landing used to be off west side drive.

Just as you thought they were there off the break, and only about an hour and a half of action before it was over.

Thanks, Benny