News Photo by Maxwell Olmstead Kurt Herriman sets up ice fishing equipment at Clem’s Bait and Tackle on Thursday in Alpena.

ALPENA — Anglers in the Alpena area will likely have to wait at least two to three weeks before they can head out on the ice for ice fishing.

“Ice is variable,” said Tim Cwalinski, Michigan Department of Natural Resources Fisheries Unit supervisor in Gaylord. “I can’t tell you when an angler can go out on Thunder Bay.”

Safety is the most important aspect of ice fishing, according to Cwalinski, so calling bait shops near lakes to gather information before going out is important.

“It should be known that going out should be the responsibility of the angler, and not to rely solely on reports,” Cwalinski said.

Anglers also gather near bait shops, making them a great place to share and collect information, according to Cwalinski.

Cwalinski suggested ice fishers go out on the ice with others and bring a rope for safety.

Cwalinski said that, if you can throw a spud bar and it goes through the ice the first time, turn around. Spud bars are used to measure ice thickness.

The next three weeks will be colder, according to Cwalinksi, so the best ice-making conditions are possible.

Nights colder than 20 degrees are probable over the next week or two, according to Cwalinski. Temperatures below that mark are best for ice fishing conditions.

Cwalinski said 3 to 4 inches of ice is a good starting point. Riding snow machines on the ice isn’t a good idea until at least 7 or 8 inches of ice have formed.

Ice forms a little better in Alpena because the area generally receives less snow than other places in Northeast Michigan. Snow weakens the ice because it insulates and melts it, according to Cwalinski.

“The bigger and deeper the lake is, the longer it takes to freeze,” Cwalinski said.

In general, the next two or three months is the best window for anglers to ice fish, though “it depends on how cold it is and how long the ice lasts,” Cwalinski said.

Fish are most active early in the mornings and before the sun goes down, according to Cwalinksi.

Spikes and wax worms are used for bait often, according to Cwalinski. Spikes are maggots that are used for ice fishing.

Some fish commonly harvested during ice fishing include perch, walleye, panfish, and bluegill, according to Cwalinski.

Maxwell Olmstead can be reached at 989-358-5687 or molmstead@TheAlpenaNews.com.