Northern Michigan Real Estate

Women's Resource Center is sponsoring an evening dedicated to Speaking out against domestic violence.  There will be a series of several short films from around the world to bring attention to domestic and sexual violence against women of all age, race and ethnicity.

This event will  held at the Central United Methodist Church, located at 222 Cass St.  in Traverse City on Tuesday, October 27, 2009 at 7:00 pm.

This venue is free to the public and everyone is welcome.  A reception with refreshments to follow screening.  Domestic Violence Awareness pins, buttons and bumper stickers will be available!

Films Include:  My Sister, We All Love You, Little Rabbit in a hole, Scars, Child's Play, Under Their Skirts, Scrambled, Angel and I Slept With Cookie Monster.

Domestic is all around us and we must be aware of the signs and resources available.  Please join us for this event.

LAKE ANN    527 Acres

Lake Ann is located in Benzie County in the village of Lake Ann.  Access to the lake is off of County Road 610.  This beautiful lake offers Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, Northern Pike, Perch, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Cisco, Rock Bass, Bullhead, SMelt and Sucker.  Bass fishing is great here.  Largemouths are dominant over smallmouth and average 14 to 16 inches.  Smallmouth run 12 to 14 inches.  Northern Pike fishing is also good with 20 to 22 inch fish.  Perch, Bluegills, Pumpkinseeds and Rock Bass average 6 to 8 inches.  Fishing is good all over the lake but you may begin in the shallows near the outlet to Platte River.

Brown, Rainbow and Lake Trout, Whitefish, Coho & Chinook Salmon, Perch and Smallmouth Bass are native to the coast of Lake Michigan.  Lake Trout and Salmon are the most commonly fished with Lake Trout being caught from mid May to mid July and salmon from the 1st of July into October.  A fish graph is almost a necessity if you plan to successfully catch lake trout, whitefish and salmon.

Lake trout are bottom fish and are typically found in 80 to 120 feet of water, depending on the bottom water temperatures.  Their average weight is 6 to 8 pounds, with some going over 20 pounds.

Salmon range from 6 to 15 pounds at the beginning of the season and finishing with weights ranging from 10 to 24 pounds.  The chinook, or king salmon, is the largest salmon in Lake Michigan and last year 35 pound chinook were not uncommon.  Salmon prefer certain water temperatures, rather than cruising on the bottom, so they normally are found suspended at various depths in deeper water.

Favorite spots to fish lake trout and salmon are off Frankfort Harbor, Platte Bay, Good Harbor Bay, Leland, West and East Grand Traverse Bays and off Elk Rapids.  Brown and rainbow trout are normally found in shallower water in the same areas.  Brown's weigh up to 30 pounds and rainbows up to 20 pounds.

Trout and salmon baits vary almost weekly, with weather and water conditions and time of year.  However, favorite lake trout baits fished off downrigger and chrome or brass cowbells, or dodgers with spoons, plugs or flies in blue, chrome, green and chartreuse.  Salmon can be taken on these same combinations, plus more, varying in color.  Browns and rainbows will also hit these combinations but the preferred methods and bait is to troll with long lines weighted, or off downriggers with singular fish imitating baits in color patterns of blue/silver, black/silver and orange/gold.

Smallmouth bass and perch are caught all over these coastal waters with bass averaging 2 to 3 pounds and perch running 9 inches to jumbo's.  Fish for bass over rocky shoals in 3 to 15 feet of water.  Perch like flat bottom areas in 10 to 40 feet of water.  Casting or trolling imitating baits or spinners work well on smallmouths.  Perch prefer live minnow or wigglers, still fished 8 to 18 inches off bottom.

Whitefish are normally fished for in winter and spring and cught by jigging Swedish Pimples just off the bottom.  A favorite spot for whitefish is in East Grand Traverse Bay, approximately a mile off the east shoreline near Acme.

Christine Stalsonburg, Realtor

"A Tradition Of Sound Advice"

231-944-0854

www.Stalsonburg.com

www.NorthernMichiganRealEstatecs.com

Coldwell Banker Schmidt Realtors

402 E. Front St.  Traverse City, MI   49686

Kidz Care Foundation was formed in February of 2009 in Traverse City, MI to insure that infants and children under the age of 5 have healthy start at life.  The foundation provides grants to families who cannot afford immunizations and well child checks for their children.  The primary target population of this foundation is Northern Michigan with focus in the Grand Traverse Region.  Currently we are seeking grant funding as seed money for the foundation.

Our children are our future and they deserve the very best start at a healthy life.  Many children in our country, due to no fault of their own, are not receiving timely childhood immunizations and child development assessments.  Immunizations are an extremely important part of a child's first few years of life and can safeguard them against debilitating diseases later in life.  Just as important, are the child development assessments that children receive as a part of their immunization program.  Many diseases and growth related health issues can be detected and potentially corrected when caught early. 

With love, care and compassion, we can see that all of our children receive a healthy start in life - One Child At A Time.  Our foundation colors represent three special areas; Lavender for the magic that a child brings into our lives, Pale Green for growth and harmony and White for the purity of a child.

Many of our children go without their immunizations or are extremely late in receiving these vital immunizations during their infant, toddler and pre-school years.  There are many clinics out there that offer free immunizations.  Administering the vaccine is only step of the well-child visit.  These children also need to be examined by a pediatric medical professional to screen for abnormalities in the child's growth as well as any sight, hearing or speech challenges that the child may have.  Many disease and developmental issues, if detected early, can be remedied. 

 A portion of my commission go to fund this very important foundation and this is my way of giving back to all of those in the community that have supported me and my business over the years.

www.kidzcarefoundation.org

Christine Stalsonburg, Realtor

"A Tradition Of Sound Advice"

231-944-0854

www.stalsonburg.com

www.northernmichiganrealestatecs.com

Coldwell Banker Schmidt Realtors

402 E. Front St.  Traverse City, MI   49686

Crystal Lake is a 9,711 acre lake located in Benzie County, just west of Traverse City.  Access to this beautiful lake is in the town of Beulah at the municipal beach.  Lots of great fishing on this lake:  Brown, Lane and Rainbow Trout, Whitefush, Cisco, Perch, Smelt, Burbot and Sucker.  Brown and Rainbow trout are caught along the dropoffs and average 3 to 6 pounds. In late May and early June, during the Mayfly hatch, whitefish are caught over Mayfly beds.  One such bed occurring each year is located just east of Bay Point on the south shore.  Both whitefish and trout are caught jigging wigglers on light line in 25 to 40 feet of water near these beds.  Northern Pike and Perch are fished at the eastern end of the lake and jumbo Perch and trophy Pike are often taken.  Look for weed beds when fishing pike and perch.

Christine Stalsonburg, Realtor

"A Tradition Of Sound Advice"

 231-944-0854

www.stalsonburg.com

www.northernmichiganrealestatecs.com

Coldwell Banker Schmidt Realtors

402 E. Front St.  Traverse City, MI   49686

Every day we see another government agency that is facing financial hardship.  Michigan's Department of Natural Resources is no exception.  Over the course of the past five years, this state agency has had to dip into their savings coffers to meet budget demands.  One could criticize the agency for not seeking the publics help and support for alternative funding methods sooner but that would not change the position that they are now in.  Without a significant increase in their revenue, Michigan residents and tourists wanting to vacation in Michigan and enjoy our wonderful park system could be in for an unpleasant surprise.

Michigan parks system is over 90 years old and has little updating to its infrastructure.  The general maintenance and infrastructure updating is critical to our parks system.  We have an incredible recreation system within our parks and it would be a shame to see it look anything but pristine and inviting.  Northern Michigan relies heavily on tourism in our area and many of our visitors come to our region specifically to enjoy these amenities.  If critical updates are not done, we could chance loosing significant portion of our visitors.

One idea that is being looked at for revenue is to add a small fee to each vehicle registration renewal.  The proposed fee would be $10.  Although none of us like to see any new fees, this one almost seems like a no brainer.  This fee would replace the existing day pass fee that is currently being charged to use the state parks. 

As a community, we need to get involved and do what ever it takes to ensure that our natural resources are taken care of and preserved so that future generations can enjoy the same wonders in Northern Michigan that we are able to enjoy. 

Christine Stalsonburg, Realtor

231-944-0854

Coldwell Banker Schmidt Realtors

www.stalsonburg.com

www.northernmichiganrealestatecs.com

A Teddy bear Tea will be held on Sunday, April 19th from 1 to 3 pm at the Grand Traverse Heritage Center, located at 322 Sixth St., Traverse City

The even twill feature a presentation of the history of the teddy bear and a special tea story time.  Heritage Center brown bears will be available for purchase, and kids can meet the special Heritage bear in person.

admission is $5 for adults, $2 for youth, children 3 and under are free.

Proceeds will benefit the Grand Traverse Heritage Center.

Wow, hard to believe that April is almost half way over.  Boy how the time flies.  I hope that everyone has an very Happy Easter and that we all take a moment to remember the season and what Easter stands for.  As we spend time with our families today, let us remember all of those out there that are less fortunate than we are and pray for a quick recovery of our economy and that those who are unemployed will soon have jobs again; those who are homeless will again soon have shelter and food.  Sometimes, I think we all take for granted what we have.  Everyday, I an thankful that God has given me everything that i have needed to get through the day and know that he will make sure I have everything that I need to get through the next day.

Happy Easter To All

Christine

North Lake Leelanau

Cinsisting of 2,950 acres, Lake Leelanau North is located in Leelanau County in the Village of Leland.  Lake, Brown and Rainbow Trout, Cisco, Perch, Smallmouth Bass, Northern Pike, Rock Bass, Smelt and Sucker can all be found here.  Annual fish plantings have produced a very good population of lake and brown trout.  Lake trout typically weigh 4 to 8 pounds and browns average 3 to 4 poinds.  Each year, some rely trophy trout are caught.  Rainbows are not as abundant as lakers and browns but are an absolutely beautiful fish and som eof the best tasting.  Smallmouth bass are plentiful at 2 to 4 pounds and northern pike average 22 to 25 inches.  Trout are concentrated in the north half of the lake - in and along the dropoffs of the deep areas.  Trolling off the inlet of Houdeks Creek and south along the east shoreline will produce nice trout.  Trout fishing is best in spring before the Mayfly hatch, normally in late June.  Pike, smallmouth bass and perch are commonly caught at the lake's south end, near weed beds.

South Lake Leelanau

Consisting of 5,370 acres, Lake Leelanau South is located in Leelanau County in the Village of Leland.  Brown Trout, Walleye, Cisco, Northern Pike, Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, Bluegill, Perch, Rock Bass, Smelt and Sucker can be found here.  All fish are caught in good numbers.  Brown trout average 4 to 6 pounds, walleye and smallmouth bass average 2 to 4 pounds.  Good brown trout and walleye fishing is north of the access site off County Road 641 on the east side and south of the access site off County Road 643 on the west side.  Smelt and minnow imitating baits trolled in 25 to 35 feet of water will produce fish, especially in late summer.  Smallmouth bass fishing is popular from the narrows south along the west shoreline at the dropoff.  Northern pike fishing is best south of the narrows and off the inlet of Cedar Run Creek at the lake's south end.  Perch, bluegill and rock bass are found all over the lake.

Christine Stalsonburg, Realtor

Coldwell Banker Schmidt Realtors

231-944-0854

www.stalsonburg.com

www.northernmichiganrealestatecs.com

402 E. Front St.  Traverse City, MI   49684

Elk Lake

Elk Lake is located in Antrim County, Elk Rapids, Michigan.  To access Elk Lake you will use Rier Street and Park Road on the lake's west side.

Rainbow, Brown and Lake Trout, Whitefish, Cisco, Smelt, Perch, Rock Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Burbot and Sucker can all be found here in Elk Lake.

Lake and rainbow trout are the most popular fish for Elk Lake fisherman, averaging 3 to 5 pounds.  They are planted each year by the tens of thousands.  The lake has deep water (100 feet) almost the entire length of the lake and lake trout are caught by trolling or jigging deep.  Rainbow and brown trout cruise the shorelines and are caught my trolling zig-zag over the dropoffs.  Last year, the west central and south shorelines produced good fishing.  Troll with long lines and smelt imitating baits.  If you get tired of trolling, try still fishing with minnows.

Christine Stalsonburg, Realtor

Coldwell Banker Schmidt Realtors

231-944-0854

www.stalsonburg

www.northernmichiganrealestatecs.com

402 E. Front St.  Traverse City, MI   49684