If you enjoy winter fishing, Pentwater Lake has much to offer.

In January and February of 2010, my local source for fishing information - Joe will be offering a spearing shanty experience.  All you need is a fishing license and he’ll provide the equipment to catch Northern Pike.  Call Joe at 231-869-8681 for price and availability.

Additionally, Perch fishing is good from ice on through to ice off on Pentwater Lake.  Look for future posts on the annual Perch Derby that takes place during February’s WinterFest.

Channel Lane Inn is conveniently located in the village and our “quiet season” rates begin at $60/night.

Bob & his son Bill spent a few nights at Channel Lane Inn in May so that they could do some fishing in Pentwater Lake.   Bob visits us at least annually.   They caught a large amount of small mouth bass & crappies…  Here they are with some of their catch.

The Pentwater Sportfishing Association’s 25th Annual Memorial Day Weekend Amateur Fishing Tournament is coming up and there are still rooms available at our low off-season rates.  So, why not spend the Memorial Day Weekend in Pentwater catching fish and competing for over $4,000 in prizes?!

Registration is Friday, May 22 from 4-8pm at Pentwater Municipal Marina.  Boats must be registered before fishing at a cost of $30 per boat and there is a 9 poles per boat maximum.  Fish must be caught from a boat to qualify.  Categories are Salmon, Lake Trout, Brown Trout and Steelhead.  The tournament starts Saturday, May 23 and runs until noon on Monday, May 25.

Yesterday our neighbor Roger caught two Northern Pike (40″ 10# and 30″ 7#) off the channel.  Other fishermen in boats on Pentwater Lake at the mouth of the channel were catching perch.  Apparently, the Northern Pike have been feeding on the perch.  Roger found this perch while cleaning one of the fish he caught!

Spring is here, the ice has melted from Pentwater Lake & boats are in the water.  But, you don’t need a boat to catch fish!  There’s good fishing along the channel, off of the pier, and along the river.

According to Joe, my reliable source for fishing news:

• Brown trout are being caught off the pier in early morning using crawlers or spawn bags.
• Walleye are being caught off the pier in the evening using perch lures.
• Steelhead are being caught in the river using crawlers, spawn bags or lures and are expected to be around until mid-May.

The Channel Lane Inn is conveniently located for channel and pier fishing… (In fact, Joe caught a 4.5# small mouth bass yesterday just across the street from the inn out on the channel boardwalk!) … and is only 2 miles from the river.  Take advantage of our off-season rates with rooms starting at $70/night.

Word on the ice is that fishing is good these days.  Last week my source Joe reported that one could catch a meal’s worth of perch in just a couple of hours.  Another fisherman on the ice reported that he caught 52 perch with an average length of 9″ on Saturday!  With such good fishing, the number of shanties is really growing out there.   Bait is conveniently available at Cenzo’s, the local grocery store located across the street from the lake.  And, don’t forget to grab one (or two) of their Killer Italian Subs while you’re at it!

As a part of the 3rd Annual Winterfest, the Perch Derby challenges you to catch the largest perch in Pentwater Lake from 11am - 4pm on Saturday 2/14/09.  Registration is at Cenzo’s, the local grocery store in Pentwater, where measurements will take place.  There are 3 trophies in the adult division and 3 trophies in the 14 and under division.  BONUS:  This tournament takes place during the State of Michigan’s Free Fishing Weekend so no license is required!

My fishing source (and tournament director), Joe, reports that the best rig at this time appears to be a 2-hook crappie rig with minnows.  He rates the fishing of perch to currently be “slow but steady” but everyone on the ice is hopeful that the big schools of perch will come into Pentwater Lake by the end of February, like they did last year.

Channel Lane Inn has rooms available starting at $60/night.  All rooms have well-stocked kitchens where you can fry the perch you caught for your dinner!

A little village has begun to appear on the ice covering Pentwater Lake!

I’ve heard that Northern Pike and Perch are caught throughout the winter.  If any of you fisherman are interested, stay tuned and I’ll keep you posted as to what’s being caught as the season progresses.  The Channel Lane Inn is located adjacent to the lake and would be a convenient place to stay if you’d like to do some fishing in Pentwater.