So far things are off to a good start, with an early start to the Ice Fishing Season.
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Many worry the early start won't be enough to make up for a slow start to the rest of the winter tourism activities.
"If you can get past the cold it's great," says ice fisherman David Reynolds.
Reynolds is one of the many people braving the wind and cold temperatures to participate in one of his favorite sports, in fact it's his second day in a row.
"The fish were biting good yesterday we got a half bucket," Reynolds says.
Steve Knaisel the owner of this "Bait and Tackle Shop in Cadillac couldn't agree more.
"This is one of the best opening of seasons in years," says Knaisel.
It's also, according to Knaisel, one of the earliest ice fishing seasons in years.
"Last year was a disaster we were in open water," says Knaisel
Despite the good news of the early ice fishing season, this community hopes that good news will be enough to offset the lack of winter tourism.
"With the ice conditions especially roads we're not getting that many people," Knaisel says.
In fact some motel are only 50-percent full, motels that usually catch many down state ice fishermen.
"We need the tourists we need the fisherman," says Knaisel.
That's a tone that rings throughout this community.
"If we don't get the business in the winter its hard to keep things going," says business owner Andrew Luback.
But the ice fishing season is just getting started and while the down state tourists may be staying away for now the locals aren't
"We'll be out for 8-hours, but were going home with dinner," says Reynolds.
Many business owners also report that the snowmobile season is hurting.
Ice fishing, snowmobiling and skiing is what Wexford County relies on to feed their winter economy.
