Michigan Fishing Reports

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02-16-2008

Southeast Lower Peninsula

Lake Erie - Though ice is being made, extreme caution needs to be used in this part of the state. Look for bluegills and perch around the Metro Park Marina. If conditions allow, try out near the Banana Dyke for walleye, perch and even some crappie.

Huron River - Produced some steelhead in various holes between the villages of Flat Rock and Rockwood. Fish were caught near Labo Park in Rockwood when using a jig with spawn or a wax worm.

Devils Lake - Located east of Addison in Lenawee County, is known for its walleye fishing. Try Swedish Pimples after dark. The lake also serves up decent bluegill and crappie fishing.

Sand Lake - Also in Lenawee County just south of Irish Hills, is known for its large bluegills in the winter. Try using small teardrops on the northwest end of the lake.

Detroit River - Boat anglers need to use caution even though there is not as much ice coming down the river. Perch and pike have been caught in Airport Bay. Those using perch rigs with minnows over near Gibraltar have caught perch. Shore anglers might want to try up at Belanger Park.

Lake St. Clair - Has lots of ice, but there are still areas with thin ice and or open water, so as always extreme caution needs to be used. Fishing was spotty except for a few perch caught off Cotton Road.

Port Austin - Anglers are fishing around the marina.

Saginaw Bay - There has been no perch activity to report off Pine River Road or Palmer Road. Anglers are using these sites to get out to the Catfish Hole for walleye. Catch rates were fair to good in the early evening and after dark. Most of the walleye activity has been north of Linwood off Erickson Road. Try 18 feet of water at dawn or after dark. Fish have also been caught 3 miles or more off the Bay City State Park. On the east side of the Bay, a large crack has opened up off Thomas Road. Anglers are warned to use extreme caution in this area. Slow fishing from Sebewaing to Bay Port except for a few nice perch and some pike speared at Mud Creek.

Saginaw River - Ice conditions were reported as "so-so". Anglers need to use extreme caution if venturing out. A couple walleye were caught near the Independence Bridge.

Tittabawassee River - At last word, the launches were iced up and not fishable.

Southwest Lower Peninsula St. Joe River - Is still high with minimal steelhead activity.

Big Paw Paw Lake - Still has good pike action. Try tip-ups with large minnows.

Austin Lake - In Kalamazoo County, is a good lake for perch fishing. Try fishing the weedbeds just off the public access site.

Lake Macatawa - Look for perch off the access site in Big Bay. Those seeking northern pike should try using tip-ups with large minnows just south of the Big Bay access site. Try shallow waters 5 to 10 feet deep.

Vineyard Lake - In Jackson County has bluegills and crappie hitting in 7 to 14 feet of water. Fish the crappie at night.

Clark Lake - Near Brooklyn, reported fair to good catches of bluegill and crappie. Look for access up near the County Park.

Lake Lansing - Look for bluegills on the northwest and the south end of the lake.

Lake Ovid - Is a good place to take the kids for small bluegills.

Morrison Lake - Look for bluegills straight out from the boat launch and along both the east and the west end of the lake. For pike, try down near the island in shallow waters 5 to 10 feet deep.

Sessions Lake - In Ionia County, is usually a good bet for winter bluegills. Try fishing the northwest corner of the lake with small teardrops and wax worms.

Muskegon Lake - Perch have been caught on the west end of the lake.

Northeast Lower Peninsula Burt Lake - For walleye, try the weedbeds in 20 to 30 feet of water in Maple Bay. Some nice perch were caught on the north end of the lake.

Grand Lake - Anglers are catching some nice 12 to 14 inch perch when fishing in 15 to 20 feet of water along the breaks and drop-offs around the islands. A few walleye were also taken. Try small minnows on tip-ups or silver jigging spoons.

Long Lake - Is a good lake to try for walleye and perch.

Thunder Bay River - There is now pretty good ice on the lower river and there should be a good mix of walleye, whitefish and even a few trout for the taking. There has been very little fishing pressure because of poor ice conditions until now, so this new ice just might present some good fishing.

Cooke Dam Pond - Has good bluegill and pike action.

Mio Pond - Some nice crappie have been caught near the dam. Those spearing have taken small pike. Panfish action will pick up as soon as the weather warms.

Hubbard Lake - Has fair walleye fishing. Some jumbo perch were taken on tip-ups.

Van Etten Lake - Has good perch fishing however the fish are small. Try jigs with minnows, wigglers, spikes or mousies.

Tawas Bay - There are a few ice shanties just off shore. Those braving the weather have taken a few walleye and some small perch. A few pike were speared.

Tee Lake - In Ogemaw County, reported fair catches of bluegill and crappie.

Au Gres - Walleye were being caught out in 20 feet of water until the ice blew out.

Higgins Lake - Smelt can be found just off the bottom in 45 feet of water along the west side of the lake. The best time to fish is at night. Perch fishing has been good but anglers will need to do lots of sorting. Good lake trout action about 10 feet off the bottom in waters 80 to 100 feet deep. Try jigging or using tip-ups with minnows. Whitefish action is picking up. Fish right on the bottom in 80 to 100 feet of water. Rainbow trout can be found near the mouth of creeks and natural springs.

Houghton Lake - Has snow cover however anglers are still able to travel across the ice. Walleye and pike action continues, and warmer weather by the weekend should improve the panfish bite.

Lake George - In Clare County, has lots of small pike being caught.

Nester Lake - In Clare County, is producing some nice bluegills and crappie.

Northwest Lower Peninsula Traverse City - Both of the Bays have open water and whitefish action. In the East Bay, boat anglers are fishing off Yuba. In the West Bay, most are fishing out by Marion Island and around the nets. Try back trolling with Swedish Pimples or horizontal jigging.

Big Cedar Lake - Which is off M-22 near Traverse City, has smelt in 45 to 60 feet of water. Look for brown trout in 40 to 60 feet of water.

Fife Lake - Look for perch in the deeper waters straight out from the boat launch. For pike, go east off the launch site and set tip-ups in 5 to 10 feet of water.

Long Lake - While fishing had slowed, there were some reports of nice walleye caught off Fox Island. Try jigging minnows and rapalas that look like minnows just off the bottom in 10 to 20 feet of water. Some nice perch were taken in 20 to 40 feet of water off South Island.

Big Glen Lake - Perch fishing has been good but don't forget about the lake trout and rainbow trout. Oxygen levels here should be good and the fish should be active because the lake froze over so late in the season.

Little Glen Lake - Anglers are catching pike and perch.

Crystal Lake - Still has open water on the west end of the lake. Perch and whitefish were still being caught in 45 to 65 feet of water straight out from the town of Beulah.

Manistee River - Some nice 8 to 10 pound steelhead were caught at Tippy Dam and below Bear Creek. Boat anglers are rolling spawn or back trolling with plugs.

Lake Missaukee - A few walleye have been caught. Bluegill and crappie fishing has been fair to good.

Lake Cadillac - Pike fishing continues for those spearing or using tip-ups.

Lake Mitchell - Continue to look for pike in the weedbeds. Panfish action should pick up by the weekend if the weather warms up.

Upper Hamlin Lake - Is a good place for bluegills and crappie.

Lower Hamlin Lake - Walleye are in 25 feet of water and the perch in 30 to 40 feet of water.

Pere Marquette Lake - Pike are hitting on tip-ups and perch were in 30 feet of water.

Upper Peninsula Lake Gogebic - Pike fishing has been fair to good when fishing at night. Some large fish ranging from 24 to 38 inches have been caught. Most of the activity has been in Bergland Bay. A few small perch and walleye were also taken.

Portage Lake - Fishing has picked up with a good number of pike caught in Chassell Bay in the afternoon, but many were small. A few walleye were taken out at the Humps when jigging spoons tipped with a minnow.

Keweenaw Bay - Cold weather slowed the bite however some perch were caught in 30 to 35 feet of water straight out from the big willow tree at the head of the Bay. Anglers have also picked up a few northern pike, lake herring, a rainbow and a couple lake trout. There have been no coho caught so far and those fishing at night have only taken a few smelt.

Lac Vieux Desert - Near Watersmeet, reported walleye being caught.

Squaw Lake - Continues to produce some large northern pike. Anglers also report good catches of large rainbow trout when jigging small minnows.

Michigamme Reservoir - Walleye are being caught.

Little Bay De Noc - Blowing and drifting snow has made travel on the ice difficult. Walleye fishing seemed to be improving as anglers reported marking more fish throughout the Bay. The better catches were coming off the Center Reef when using tip-ups with sucker minnows about 2 to 3 feet off the bottom in waters 20 to 35 feet deep. Fair walleye action out from the Terrace Inn in 30 to 40 feet when jigging large minnows or using tip-ups. In the Narrows, several smaller fish were caught when jigging rapalas and minnows in 25 to 33 feet of water. Perch anglers fishing out near the Escanaba Power Plant reported several nice catches in 18 to 25 feet of water when using minnows or wax worms. Fair to good whitefish action off Sand Point when jigging minnows and spawn in 65 to 80 feet of water. A few large northern pike were taken on tip-ups near Brach's Cabins.

Munising - Whitefish have been caught in the Bay when jigging with spawn, wax worms or minnows in 50 to 60 feet of water. The bigger fish were caught out near Murray Bay however there is open water out there so extreme caution needs to be used. Splake were caught when jigging spawn in 25 to 45 feet of water. Those spearing the lake herring were averaging 4 to 6 fish per trip. Fish the entire water column in 25 feet of water. A few perch and burbot were also caught.

Big Manistique Lake - Fishing slowed with the colder weather, but those braving the conditions have managed to catch a few large perch and a couple walleye.

South Manistique Lake - A limited number of perch and walleye have been caught.

Munuscong Bay - Is producing some nice walleye and perch out near Grassy Island. Try jigging with minnows. Still use caution if you plan to venture out past about 7 feet of water as the ice thickness drops to around 2 inches or less.

Cedarville and Hessel - Yellow perch and some pike are still being caught in Musky Bay. Try 10 to 13 feet of water while jigging with minnows, wax worms or wigglers. The fish seem to be scattered so no hot spots to report.

Brevoort Lake - Anglers are reporting some nice catches of walleye and perch.

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11-16-2007

Southwest Lower Peninsula

Perch fishing has been good around the Second and Third Buoys which are straight out from the Raisin River. Try fishing right off the bottom in 17 feet of water with minnows and perch rigs.

Huron River The steelhead are not in yet and warm temperatures this week will not help. A few walleye were caught at the dam in the evening. Some nice bluegills and smallmouth bass were caught in the backwaters at Huroc Park.

Detroit River Perch anglers are still taking fish in the lower river when using minnows. There is still some action in the Trenton Channel with a few walleye taken when trolling bottom bouncers and crawler harnesses. Bass are hitting on spinners.

Lake St. Clair Bass are hitting on spinners, tube baits and worms. The better fishing has been along the weedbeds and near structure. The occasional pike and musky have also been caught.

Lexington A few salmon have started to show up in the harbor. Pier anglers casting for salmon have caught some pike.

Port Sanilac There are a few salmon showing up in the harbors, and they are starting to draw some angler interest. Most of the fishing has been from the piers as it has been too windy for boats.

Harbor Beach Light numbers of salmon are showing up here as well. Pier anglers are casting spawn or small spoons.

Port Austin Has no salmon yet, however those casting have caught a few smallmouth bass near the mouth of Bird Creek.

Saginaw Bay Light numbers of perch are being caught at the Spark Plug and four miles east around Buoys 15, 17, and 22. Most of the fish are running 8 to 12 inches. A few walleye were caught off Quanicassee when using crawlers in 5 to 7 feet of water. Some perch were caught near the mouth of the Sebewaing River. Shore anglers in the marina at Sebewaing were catching crappie.

Southeast Lower Peninsula

St. Joseph Boat anglers are catching mostly chinook salmon when trolling between the piers and in the mud lines of the river. Pier anglers have also caught fair to good numbers of salmon.

St. Joseph River There are good numbers of coho, some steelhead and a few chinook salmon going through the ladder at Berrien Springs. The water is clearing up and the level in back to normal.

Kalamazoo River Salmon are starting to show up at the Allegan Dam. Smallmouth bass fishing has been very good along the river.

Grand Haven Fishing has really slowed in the channel and out in the big lake. Those trolling were lucky to catch a couple fish.

Grand River at Grand Rapids The best action has been between 4am and 9am when fishing up near the Sixth Street Dam. Anglers have caught coho, a few chinook and some big brown trout. Warm temperatures will slow the fishing later in the day, so check out the deeper holes. Near Ionia, those fishing Prairie Creek have caught salmon. Bluegill and crappie fishing has been good just about everywhere.

Reeds Lake Is the place to catch bluegills and big crappie. Grand River at Lansing Anglers are looking for salmon at the point where the Grand River meets the Red Cedar River, but not many fish to report at this time. Those looking for panfish reported good catches of crappie and bluegills.

Muskegon Most boats are trolling in the channel as windy conditions have shut down fishing on the big lake. Those fishing early and late have managed to catch salmon when trolling spoons, plugs, flashers and flies. Pier anglers have also caught fish on the channel side.

Whitehall Pier fishing has been very good. The early bite was only lasting until about an hour after daylight. The afternoons were slow with the action picking back up from 5pm until dark when casting Cleo's or mega baits. Northeast Lower Peninsula

Rogers City Fishing has been up and down as water temperatures are changing. Anglers reported lots of bait fish in the water, so look for schools of fish in 30 to 60 feet of water in the early morning. The better fishing continues to be from Calcite Harbor to Adams Point, but some are fishing around Forty Mile Point. Not many fish at the weir yet so most are still out in the lake. No reports of any salmon caught in the harbor or around the breakwalls.

Rockport Anglers are catching chinook and walleye straight out from the launch site in 40 feet of water. Hot colors were chartreuse, blue, or black and white. The walleye were hitting on anything green.

Thunder Bay River Anglers are catching salmon up near the Ninth Street Dam. Shore fishing has been good as well with the best action between dusk and nightfall. Hot lures for shore anglers have been yellow and black spoons or black and white rattletraps. Some nice bass were caught near the Island Park Bridge when using worms. Walleye were caught at the mouth of the river on artificial baits.

Harrisville Chinook salmon were caught in 20 to 40 feet of water in the early morning or late evening. A few walleye and lake trout have also been taken. Salmon are starting to show up in the marina.

Oscoda Those trolling found success within half mile of the pier when using spoons, J-plugs, or rapalas in 10 to 25 feet of water in the early morning. Salmon activity off of the pier was slow with only a couple fish caught.

Tawas Walleye fishing has just about ended. Pier anglers caught a few perch early in the morning. Salmon are staging inside the harbor, but no fish were caught yet.

Au Gres Some perch have been caught in 40 feet of water straight out from the mouth of the river and down near the hotel.

Au Gres River A couple of salmon were taken by boat anglers trolling J-plugs. On the East Branch, a few salmon have been caught in the surf and in the lower Whitney Drain when casting spoons or drifting spawn.

Higgins Lake Windy conditions have limited fishing activity. Those able to get out were targeting perch or trolling cowbells for lake trout.

Northwest Lower Peninsula

Crooked Lake Some nice perch have been caught on minnows when fishing along the weedbeds. A few walleye were also caught on minnows.

Petoskey Pier anglers and those wading have turned up some nice catches at night or early in the morning when casting spoons and diving plugs. Although some balmy days with sunshine have slowed results, fish have been biting well on the windy and overcast days.

Walloon Lake Smallmouth bass have been caught in shallow waters near the rocky areas and docks or in deeper waters along the weedbeds. Try spinner baits or shallow diving lures. Most are targeting walleye at night.

Charlevoix Action for salmon has been good one day and slow the next. Most of the fish caught have come from small boats running dipsey divers or long-lining in waters 30 to 100 feet deep right in front of the rivers and creeks. Pier and shore anglers caught fish in the early morning or at night when casting spoons or plugs.

Thumb Lake (Lake Louise) Bass have been caught in 7 to 20 feet of water near the Methodist Camp which is located in the east basin. Try using spinners, tube baits, rapalas or crawlers. Bluegill and rock bass were caught in shallow waters near the public access site.

Traverse City Salmon have been caught in both Bays. In the West Bay, they are fishing the deep hole right off the mouth of the river.

Boardman River Those wading out in the mouth are fishing for salmon on the bay side of the bridge.

Long Lake Walleye fishing has slowed, but anglers were still taking some fish when using a slip bobber and leech while anchored in 20 to 25 feet of water. A few fish were taken when trolling a crawler harness. Try both the east and west sides of South Island. The perch harvest has slowed as anglers were only catching little ones east of Long Island, in the North Bay and the South Bay. Some big bluegills were caught in and around the weedbeds.

Frankfort Good numbers of fish are being caught in the Herring Hole, in front of the piers, and up past Point Betsie. With cooler waters close to shore, anglers were taking fish in waters 40 to 120 feet deep.

Betsie River Anglers are catching fish from the Homestead Dam down to the M-22 Bridge when using spawn, spinners and flies. Those wading near the old Elberta Marina have caught fish.

Onekama Some nice chrome fish have been caught down near the Saddle and along the north end of the Barrel when trolling spoons, J-plugs, or flies 20 to 50 feet down in waters 60 to 100 feet deep. Good colors have been white, blue, green, orange and anything that glows.

Portage Lake Some nice panfish were caught on minnows and wigglers in 25 to 40 feet of water. Bass fishing was fair and pike have been caught along the drop offs on the north shore.

Manistee Some boats have been trolling the harbor and around the piers for chinook and coho while others were still out fishing in 60 to 120 feet of water. Pier and shore anglers have also caught fish.

Manistee Lake Is full of chinook salmon, and those trolling have caught good numbers of fish.

Manistee River Salmon have been caught in the river but warmer temperatures will slow the action. Look for fish in the deeper holes. Steelhead are starting to show behind active salmon. Visit Schmidt Outfitters for the Manistee River Fishing Report - Michigan

Ludington Boat anglers trolling J-plugs in the harbor and around the piers have caught chinook salmon. Some are trolling in 30 to 40 feet of water and catching fish. Chinook and coho were caught off both piers but the North Pier was more productive.

Pere Marquette River Salmon have been caught by those casting or drifting.

Pentwater Pier fishing has been very good when casting Cleo's or mega baits. The better bite has been in the early morning until about an hour after daylight and later in the evening.