Just seeing if anyone has fished the Hot Ponds yet? Have never fished them and am considering going in the next 2 weeks.
Might be interested if the timing works out... won't be bringing my boat though... would need a ride.
If you have never been to the pond before, my advise is to go with someone who knows how to get in and out of the pond. Many out drives have been damaged going in and out . There are a lot of rocks in shallow water . The water levels and sand bars at the inlet change depending on the wind or water being pumped out from the power plant. Make sure you have a good chart of the lake. Don't take any short cuts.
We did it last year the day after Thanksgiving. Had to break through ice all the way to the lake. ( never do that again ). Like GF said there is very shallow water to the north for a long ways out. We finally got to 8 feet of water and headed north. Your GPS maps may show the depth contour. Someone may be able to provide GPS coordinates. We had a great day and caught a lot of bass. The water was 65 degrees.
If you are into wildlife take a camera with a long lens. There is a flock of bald eagles that winter there. there were about 10 there the day we went in.
I am gone to Florida until the 18th. If you plan a trip after that i would love to ride along.
Steve Smith
Commerce, Mi.
I put in south of the pond, run strait out past the point to 8ft of water.
Fishing is still slow there compared to what happens soon... As Erie warms, the fish start to funnel in. Water temps in the pond were 67* last weekend. You better know how to line up and drive on plane into the pond from Erie. If your off to the left or right, You will tear up your rig. Water level changes quickly all based on wind direction and strength. Coming from Bolles Harbor, you better go out real far to 8+ feet before you cut left, Then still have to stay right until you see the hole in the wall/sand to cut left. Line up the bridge and left shoreline way out and come strait in...
If all goes well, I will be there this weekend. Not in my Bullet. :'(
Has anyone been in the pond recently. With this big front coming. Time may be running out. Once the temp drops off. The wind will make it hard to get to the pond. Keep your eyes open, on the way in to the pond. That bay is a magnet for things that float.
I fished it on Sunday... Fishing is still slow in there. Water temp was 64* I think. Watch out for the nets that are out in front the shoal... Marked with orange flags.
mike and I did all right, though it hasn't been anything like it was 3 or 4 years ago. bite was slow, we did put some nice fish in the boat even a couple of smallies, most came on crank baits. shad were flipping everywhere and our lures constantly bumping into or foul hooking same. lot of gar up by the plant's discharge and I foul hooked a 14lb buffalo. like the others said, if you've never been go with some that has and knows where there going. follow the buoys out of Bolles, staying out 12 -14 feet as you head north, don't turn to soon to head toward the entrance, you'll bottom out on sand bars. weird thing today, guy in a 20ft skeeter left just before us, hit the main lake and turned south toward Bolles almost immdediately.....obviously he knew something we didn't, always told/thought that flat was to shallow to cut across. counted 12 eagles and two bucks....dnr really needs to do something bout those stupid cormorants , nasty birds...stink and crap everywhere.
capt charlie
I know a couple guys that know of a short cut through there. No-thanks, I'm old school. GPS is cool, but l like playing it safe.
Has anyone been to the hot pond lately . With the weather and wind so mild , it wouldn't be such a bad ride across the bay.
With a new bass season for 2015, I was wondering if anyone was heading to the hot pond this spring.