Michigan Fishing Reports

[Rick]

LANSING, MI - The weekly Michigan fishing reports, Lake Michigan, Lake Erie & hunting report from 2/6/14 are gathered by local DNR officials, angler creel surveys, county and state parks staff. They are compiled. There are always current Michigan Fishing Reports and hunting reports as well as outdoor reports in this forum. Enjoy.

For Current Michigan Fishing Reports - Click Here

To visit the Michigan Outdoor Fishing-Hunting Community Forum Click Here.

SOUTHEAST LOWER PENINSULA

Lake Erie: Many are fishing out of Bolles Harbor however they are not catching very many fish. Perch were caught in the Metro Park Marina however be ready to sort out the small ones. Walleye have been caught in Brest Bay by those using small spoons tipped with a minnow.

Detroit River: Airport Bay was good for perch during the cold spell but then catch rates slowed.

Lake St. Clair: Has lots of ice however due to currents and pressure cracks, there is still some areas with open water and a couple machines have gone through the ice over the last week. Again, anglers are reminded to use extreme caution. Perch fishing seems to have slowed and the average size was down.

Harbor Beach: A few perch were caught inside the city harbor.

Saginaw Bay: Walleye were caught in 16 to 20 feet off Linwood and the Bay City State Park. On the east side of the bay, walleye anglers are fishing from Sunset Bay and off Thomas Road are heading out eight to 11 miles. Perch anglers fishing in five to six feet off Vanderbilt Park near Quanicassee have caught some nice fish during the first half hour of daylight but then the bite quits after the sun come up. Only a few pike and small perch were taken at Sebewaing. Some are accessing the bay at Rose Island and Geiger Road and fishing out in the Slot for walleye. Fishing at Caseville, Port Austin and Grindstone City was slow.

Saginaw River: Pressure was generally light from Wickes Park and Rust Avenue north through downtown Saginaw. Anglers picked up the occasional keeper when using green jig-heads baited with a minnow in nine to 15 feet. Walleye were caught near the Zilwaukee Bridge and downstream of the Veteran’s Bridge on the east side. A few perch were also caught. Fishing around the Independence Bridge was generally slow but a few anglers did well when using silver and blue jigging rapalas. Further down at Smith Park, the Cement Plant and the mouth, catch rates were slow and spotty.

Lake Chemung: In Livingston County is producing a small number of panfish.

SOUTHWEST LOWER PENINSULA

Pretty much all the inland lakes have ice. Bluegills have been hit-or-miss because of the numerous weather fronts. The best bite was in the morning or evening.

St. Joseph River: Has shelf ice and the ramps are extremely icy. There are steelhead in the river if anglers can get to them.

Branch County: Marble Lake was producing some good size bluegill and crappie. Pike and perch were also caught. Bluegill and perch were caught on Matteson Lake. Those fishing Randall Lake caught good numbers of small panfish and pike including two fish over 30 inches.

Duck Lake: In Calhoun County was producing some pike for those spearing.

Kalamazoo River: Also has steelhead but like most of the rivers in southwest Michigan, shelf ice and icy ramps are preventing access.

Gull Lake: Is producing some smelt, perch and the occasional lake trout.

Gun Lake: Is producing walleye, perch and bluegills. For walleye, try east of Murphy’s Point or Robbins Bay.

Grand River at Lansing: Anglers are still finding some leftover steelhead below the dams. At the North Lansing Dam and the Portland Dam, fish were caught when floating a golden shiner.

Lake Lansing: Is producing the occasional big crappie. Some are using wax worms instead of minnows.

Round Lake: Was producing a few pike for those spearing.

Muskrat Lake: Catch rates were fair for bluegill but the crappie were slow.

Muskegon River: Has good steelhead fishing with most fish being caught in the deeper holes.

NORTHEAST LOWER PENINSULA

Panfish activity is sporadic on the smaller inland lakes. Deep snow is making access a little more difficult for anglers.

Au Sable River: The few anglers making their way onto the river had good success because of the good number of steelhead in the river. Most are fishing the dam, Rea Road Launch, the Gas Line and the Whirlpool. Other areas of the river may be holding fish, but may not be accessible. Foote Dam and Whirlpool are open to 4-wheel drives. Wax worms, small spinners or spawn were best.

Higgins Lake: Lake trout are being caught on greys. Perch anglers were starting to catch a few bigger ones in eight to 12 feet of water on the east side of the lake off Maple Hurst Road and Flag Point. Perch were caught south of the Sunken Island by those using minnows, wigglers and wax worms. Rainbow trout can be found in the shallows off Big Creek and the Conference Center. Most are using wigglers.

Houghton Lake: Anglers are catching a fair number of walleye. Most are fishing along the weeds in eight to 10 feet. Catch rates for panfish were sporadic.

Tawas: Most fishing activity is now outside the harbor rather than inside. Perch fishing was fair to good in 15 feet of water off Jerry’s Marina. Anglers are seeing a lot of perch down the holes but they do not want to bite. Further out near the ice that has broken up and re-froze, walleye were caught in 20 feet and a few pike were speared including one 20 pounder.

Au Gres: Most of the fishing activity is off the end of Booth Road in 15 feet of water where they’re picking up some walleyes and perch. Catch rates were fair. Off Palmer Road, walleye anglers were going out four to four and half miles and fishing in 16 to 18 feet. Perch anglers closer to shore are seeing fish but few were caught.

NORTHWEST LOWER PENINSULA

Torch Lake: Has ice. Anglers are catching whitefish and herring on the north end near Eastport.

Green Lake: Continues to produce smelt for those hook and line fishing at night near the Betsie River or the Music Camp. Deep snow and slush make travel difficult.

Crystal Lake: In Benzie County has excellent smelt fishing at night in 45 to 50 feet of water. Use Hali jigs with wax worms. Look for perch along the weeds in 25 to 35 feet of water. Try tear drops tipped with a minnow or wiggler.

Lake Cadillac: Is producing some panfish and pike. Lots of snow and slush in some areas is making travel on the ice difficult.

Lake Mitchell: Is producing the occasional pike and crappie.

Lake Missaukee: Is producing a few perch and crappie. The better fishing is usually along the weed beds on the west side of the lake with a minnow or spike.

Manistee River: Steelhead are in the river however not many anglers are pursuing them.

UPPER PENINSULA

Anglers are actively ice fishing the inland lakes as well as the Great Lakes.

Menominee: Ice anglers were targeting whitefish. Catch rates were fair to good in 30 to 40 feet of water when jigging minnows or wax worms. Access was found from Henes Park in Menominee or Red Arrow Park in Marinette.

Menominee River: Anglers are still marking walleye through the ice on the Wisconsin side near the Hattie Street Dam. A few fish are still being caught but catch rates have slowed. Some are still targeting pike near the Mystery Ship launch when jigging artificial bait or using tip-ups with minnows. Catch rates were slow. Those seeking panfish are jigging wax worms at the Mennikaunee Launch or behind K-Mart however no fish were caught as the water was low and cloudy.

Little Bay De Noc: Travel has been limited because of snow. The deep snow makes moving shanties very difficult and some have been unable to reach them because of drifting snow. There was a large pressure crack and no vehicles are traveling over it. Anglers are venturing as far south as the No See-um Creek area. The best walleye catches were reported near Portage Point when jigging rapalas or using tip-ups with minnows 40 to 50 feet down along the break. A few walleye were caught near Gladstone in 30 to 40 feet. As for whitefish, fair to good reports came from Sand Point when jigging minnows or spawn in 75 to 85 feet or off Gladstone when fishing off the bottom. Perch anglers have struggled as catch rates were down. A few jumbo perch were caught near Saunders Point but only small fish were caught near Butler Island.

Munuscong: Those fishing east of Roach Point in waters 25 to 27 feet reported fair catch rates. Only a handful of perch were caught in four feet of water.

Cedarville and Hessel: There is a lot of snow on the ice and the plowed trail was blown shut. Perch fishing in Musky Bay and Cedarville Bay was poor with very few fish caught. Anglers were using wigglers or minnows in 10 to 13 feet. Hessel Bay was a little better with a few bigger fish taken. Try minnows in 10 to 14 feet. Hessel Bay did not have as much snow but travel on the ice was still difficult.

[Rick]

LANSING, MI - The weekly Michigan fishing reports, Lake Michigan, Lake Erie & hunting report from 2/13/14 are gathered by local DNR officials, angler creel surveys, county and state parks staff. They are compiled. There are always current Michigan Fishing Reports and hunting reports as well as outdoor reports in this forum. Enjoy.

For Current Michigan Fishing Reports - Click Here

To visit the Michigan Outdoor Fishing-Hunting Community Forum Click Here.

SOUTHEAST LOWER PENINSULA

Lake Erie: Is producing walleye in Brest Bay. Try 12 to 20 feet of water with Swedish pimples, small Cleo’s or jigging rapalas tipped with a big minnow. Those fishing off the Metro Park Marina caught perch and bluegills.

Detroit River: Perch have been caught in the canals around Gibraltar. Try shiners, spikes or wax worms. Those heading out to Airport Bay are getting perch. Anglers will have to park at Groh Road and then take the half mile walk down Frenchmen’s Creek to get out to the Bay.

Lake St. Clair: Still has a lot of snow on the ice and that makes travel more difficult. Despite the cold temperatures, there are still some areas with open water so anglers need to use caution. Perch fishing was spotty with mainly small fish caught.

Harbor Beach: Had a few anglers fishing in the boat channel off the Edison Plant and some off the discharge channel. There were rumors of perch being caught but the only fish recorded was a brown trout.

Saginaw Bay: A few walleye were caught in 20 feet of water off Linwood and the Bay City State Park. A couple perch were caught in six feet off Newman Road. Those wading at the Hot Pond caught a few pike. Those heading off the end of Callahan Road caught some nice walleye about eight miles out. Near Quanicassee, perch anglers did well off and on at Vanderbilt Park. They were fishing out near the first pressure crack. Walleye anglers continue to fish about 10 miles off Sunset Bay Marina and Thomas Road. Catch rates were hit-or-miss.

Attention Anglers: The Village of Sebewaing is planning to use dynamite to break up some of the river ice to prevent flooding. This action will take place on or about February 20. There are signs posted to alert the public. For now, anglers are fishing off the VFW, Rose Island and Geiger Road. Most are likely fishing the Slot or crossing the Bar to deeper water. Perch were spotty at Mud Creek.

Saginaw River: Walleye fishing was slow at Wickes Park, Middle Grounds, Cass Avenue, Veterans Park and Smith Park. A few fish were taken south of the Zilwaukee Bridge near the grain silos in 23 feet or downstream of the Liberty Bridge and out to the channel in 23 feet. Some five and six pounders were taken between I-675 and First Street but those fishing near the mouth off Patterson Road caught many sub-legal fish.

Tittabawassee River: A couple walleye were caught through the ice downstream of the Center Road Bridge. This area is close to open water so anglers use caution.

SOUTHWEST LOWER PENINSULA

St. Joseph River: Has shelf ice and the ramps are extremely icy. Anglers have caught a couple steelhead on the warmer days.

Kalamazoo River: Is still iced up with shelf ice. Look for steelhead fishing to improve as the temperatures warm up.

Gull Lake: Anglers have caught a few smelt, northern pike and some lake trout on the north end of the lake.

Gun Lake: Was producing bluegill, black crappie, walleye and perch.

Grand River at Grand Rapids: Has shelf ice along the banks. The better steelhead fishing will be down near the dam. Walleye can usually be found near the dam or under the bridges.

Lake Lansing: Some bluegills were caught in 15 feet of water. Try a tear drop with a wax worm or spike.

Muskegon River: Catch rates should increase as temperatures warm by the end of the week.

NORTHEAST LOWER PENINSULA

Au Sable River: Has steelhead in good numbers. Anyone making the effort to get to the open areas on the river should be successful when using spawn, wax worms or small spinners. There is ice built up along the banks but open water areas up river between the Whirlpool and the dam. Parking is at a minimum in most places. You may be able to launch at Whirlpool and Rea Road, but launches have ice built up so you may have to break through to launch a boat. The snowmobile trails have been very active so use caution if walking on the trials.

Higgins Lake: Some are taking smelt at night. Those heading out are catching lake trout in deep water. Try greys just off the bottom. For perch, try near the Sunken Island, Detroit Point or Flag Point. For rainbow trout, try up near the Conference Center and Big Creek.

Houghton Lake: Catch rates for bluegill were slow but should improve as the weather warms. Try along the weed beds in 10 feet or more for walleye.

Lake St. Helen: Catch rates were slow but fish have been caught. For pike, try tip-ups with large minnows. Anglers will find crappie in waters eight feet or deeper. They were hitting on small minnows and wax worms. The lake is producing a few perch ranging 10 to 12 inches but no big numbers. Most anglers are fishing First Lake especially the north and northwest side as well as off the boat launch.

Tawas: Perch were caught off Jerry’s Marina and inside the harbor. Most fish were six to eight inches but a few were up near the 10 inch range. Walleye fishing was active out near the edge of the safe ice but catch rates were slow. Pike spearing was also slow.

Au Gres: Most of the fishing activity was down near Pointe Au Gres off Booth Road. Perch were taken at the edge of the drop-off in eight feet and some walleye were taken out further. Down off Palmer Road, walleye anglers are getting a few fish from the Catfish Hole at dusk. Catch rates for perch about a mile offshore were spotty in six feet of water.

NORTHWEST LOWER PENINSULA

Grand Traverse Bay: Has fishable ice so anglers are heading out for whitefish.

Green Lake: Continues to produce smelt for those fishing near the Betsie River or the Music Camp at night. Try a teardrop or hali jig with a wax worm.

Crystal Lake: In Benzie County has decent smelt fishing at night in 45 to 50 feet of water. Use Hali jigs with wax worms. Some have caught lake trout just off the bottom. Look for perch along the weeds in 25 to 35 feet of water. Try tear drops tipped with a minnow or wiggler.

Lake Cadillac: Anglers are catching pike and crappie.

Lake Mitchell: Is another good lake for pike, crappie and bluegill.

Lake Missaukee: Is producing a fair to good number of panfish for those using minnows and spikes.

Manistee River: Steelhead can be found up near Tippy Dam. Below High Bridge the river is iced up and not fishable.

Pere Marquette River: Has steelhead. Those wading have caught steelhead and the occasional brown trout.

UPPER PENINSULA

Marquette: Anglers are ice fishing however caution needs to be used because ice thickness varies from one area to the next. A few ice anglers were targeting menominee and splake out from the Lower Harbor but catch rates were poor. Some are fishing near the bubblers however few fish were caught.

Chocolay River: The wayside on M-28 is plowed. The river is frozen however ice thickness is not uniform because of the current. Anglers typically fish for steelhead and brown trout this time of year.

Au Train: A couple anglers were targeting coho and steelhead out from the Rock River however few bites were reported as ice fishing was slow. No activity to report from the Brownstone Launch or the Au Train River. All areas are iced in and the launch areas are not plowed.

Munising: Ice in the bay is very thick and may be a challenge for those without a power auger. Anglers are targeting whitefish however catch rates were slow. For splake, catch rates were slow and the vast majority of fish were sub-legal. Those fishing in Trout Bay caught coho along with the occasional lake trout and steelhead. Small perch were caught at Sand Point.

Menominee: Anglers are still targeting whitefish off Henes Park and Red Arrow Park. They are using a jig with a small piece of minnow or wax worm in 30 to 40 feet. Catch rates were fair.

Menominee River: Those targeting panfish are jigging wax worms off the Menikaunee launch or behind K-Mart. Catch rates were still a bit slow however some bluegills were caught. Pike are still being marked off the Mystery Ship launch but few were caught. Anglers are jigging rapalas or using tip-ups with large minnows. For walleye, anglers are fishing through the ice on the Wisconsin side near the Hattie Street Dam. Catch rates were fair to good with the occasional whitefish also caught. Most are jigging a piece of minnow or wax worm. Some are targeting trout in the open water on the Michigan side but no fish were caught.

Little Bay De Noc: Angler participation was down as deep snow is making travel difficult. Catch rates for walleye were fair with Portage Point and Second Reef the hot spots. Anglers used tip-ups with minnows or were jigging rapalas in 24 feet on the Second Reef and 40 to 50 feet near Portage Point. Some fish were suspended 10 to 12 feet from the bottom. Sand Point was producing a fair number of whitefish in 75 to 90 feet and off the Terrace Bay Inn in Gladstone in 30 to 45 feet. Minnows and spawn work best. Perch fishing was slow but a few fish were taken in 14 to 17 feet near Kipling. A few jumbo perch were caught in the Kipling Flats in 23 to 30 feet.