Michigan Fishing Reports

[Rick]

LANSING, MI - The weekly Michigan fishing reports, Lake Michigan, Lake Erie & hunting report from 2/23/14 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: Perch have been caught off the Metro Park Marina however anglers will need to sort out the small ones. Bluegills were hitting off Sterling State Park.

Detroit River: Pike anglers were concentrating around Grosse Isle. For perch, check out the canals around Gibraltar when using minnows, wax worms or spikes.

Lake St. Clair: Catch rates were not good as the fish were scarce or very small. Thick ice and deep snow are not helping. Anglers are hopeful that warmer weather this week will reduce the snow cover and have the fish feeding again.

Lexington: Had ice anglers targeting steelhead and brown trout. Catch rates were hit-or-miss. A couple pike were caught.

Port Sanilac: Also had anglers out targeting steelhead and brown trout.

Harbor Beach: Had a couple anglers spearing pike in the marina.

Saginaw Bay: Walleye were hit-or-miss but still being caught five to six miles off Pinconning Park, 15 feet of water off Linwood and 17 feet off Parish Road. Perch anglers were getting a few in seven feet off the end of Newman Road and Townline Road, near Pinconning. Perch were also caught in five feet off Vanderbilt Park and Hidden Harbor off King Road. Walleye anglers accessing the bay at Thomas Road were going across the Slot, across the Bar, and on out to either Buoy #12 or Buoy #1. The distance to either buoy is miles offshore. At Sebewaing, anglers fishing inside the marina caught bluegill, crappie and perch. Ice anglers at Sebewaing are reminded that on Thursday February 20, dynamite will be used to break up some of the river ice. It would be best to find someplace else to fish for a few days.

Saginaw River: Fishing was generally slow at all locations from one end of the river to the other however some anglers did very well. There has been a lot of snowmobile traffic which may play a factor in the slower fishing. Walleye were caught near the Zilwaukee Bridge and in 20 feet or more in the Ship Channel. Try fire-tiger jigging rapalas or gold jigging spoons tipped with minnow heads.

SOUTHWEST LOWER PENINSULA

Inland lakes continue to produce some bluegills in the morning and evening. Yellow perch action picked up on sunny days. Northern pike are becoming more active as it gets closer to spring.

St. Joseph River: Steelhead activity should pick up with the brief warm up. Those fishing near the Berrien Springs Dam have caught fish.

Kalamazoo River: Has shelf ice but those fishing up near the Allegan Dam have caught the occasional steelhead and walleye.

Gull Lake: Was producing a better number of smelt for those fishing in deeper water at night. The better perch and pike fishing are usually around Island Park.

Gun Lake: Has bluegill, crappie, perch and walleye.

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

Grand River at Grand Rapids: Has a good number of steelhead. Anglers are using a jig and wax worm, spawn bags or Hot-n-Tots. Walleye can be found from the dam all the way down. They are hitting on white bucktail jigs and 3 inch twister tails. There was no ice coming down the river at this time.

Reeds Lake: Was good for perch, bluegill, crappie and pike.

Muskegon River: Is full of steelhead. Anglers have taken limit catches right along with the occasional brown trout.

NORTHEAST LOWER PENINSULA

Fishing activity has increased with the warmer temperatures. Inland lakes are beginning to produce better catches of perch and some walleye. Many smaller lakes are reported as snowed in with no access.

Cedar Lake: About five miles north of Oscoda is providing a fair to good number of perch, bluegill, crappie and walleye.

Van Etten Lake: Is also producing panfish, walleye and pike. The better fishing is usually along the west end of the lake and off the YMCA Camp.

Au Sable River: Rea Road and Whirlpool were open enough to launch however you will need four-wheel drive. Steelhead are in the holes but ice on the banks will make it difficult to get to them. The gas line was productive for those using small spoons, wax worms, spikes or spawn. Be sure to watch for snowmobile traffic on the trails. Many are out riding because conditions are excellent.

Higgins Lake: Some are taking smelt at night. Those jigging off the bottom or using tip-ups have caught lake trout. Look for the perch bite to pick up with the warmer weather. Rainbow trout were hitting on spawn near the Conference Center.

Houghton Lake: Catch rates for bluegill should pick up with the warmer weather. Walleye anglers were doing well.

Tawas: Perch were caught inside the harbor and off Jerry’s Marina. A few walleye were caught in 20 feet out near the tip of Tawas Point. Those spearing managed to take a couple pike.

Au Gres: Perch action was spotty in six to eight feet off Palmer Road. Those targeting walleye were going out five miles or more.

Au Gres River: Walleye anglers were catching mostly sub-legal fish.

NORTHWEST LOWER PENINSULA

Grand Traverse Bay: The West Bay was producing good catches of lake trout. Whitefish were caught in both bays.

Lake Leelanau: Those using tip-ups have caught some nice pike.

Lake Cadillac: Crappie anglers are fishing off Kenwood Park. Those targeting walleye have actually caught some nice crappie on tip-ups. For pike and perch, try the southeast side of the lake.

Lake Mitchell: Is finally producing some bluegills. The better fishing was at the mouth of Big Cove.

Manistee River: Steelhead can be found in the pockets and pools. Most anglers are now using minnow patterns. Below High Bridge the river is iced up and not fishable.

Pere Marquette River: Is producing steelhead and some brown trout. Look for the fast water and try to get away from the shelf ice.

UPPER PENINSULA

Keweenaw Bay: Is producing some smelt for those fishing at night with a teardrop and wax worm between Baraga and Bucks Marina. The bite was slow for coho and lake herring. Catch rates for lake trout were hit-or-miss. Anglers are fishing out from the Whirl-l-Gig and Pequaming or on Newton’s, Farmers and the Big Reef. They are using ¾ to 1 ½ ounce jigs with smelt or cut bait.

Marquette: Ice anglers fishing the Upper Harbor have reported incidental catches of diving ducks when using tip-ups with minnows under the ice. Anglers are advised to fish as far away from open water where waterfowl have congregated. This will help to minimize the chance that foraging birds will get caught on a hook or tangled in fishing line. If a bird is caught, the best course of action is to reel it in, remove the hook/line and then release the bird. Retrieving the bird through the ice is preferable to simply cutting the line. If a bird is badly injured, anglers are encouraged to contact a local wildlife rehabilitator for assistance. Licensed rehabilitators are listed online at www.michigandnr.com/dlr/.

Munising: Trout Bay was producing some limit catches of coho, lake trout and a few herring. A few small whitefish and splake were caught off Munising.

Menominee: Few anglers were on the bay however some were targeting panfish near the pilings by the lighthouse.

Menominee River: Anglers are being warned that an “ice breaker” is scheduled to come in soon. It will come in from the bay and move upstream to the Marinette Marine to help a ship with its departure. The local paper has advised anglers to stay clear of the bay and the river in that area. A couple bluegills were caught near the Menikaunee launch and behind K-Mart. Pike and walleye were targeted near the Mystery Ship launch. Those fishing the open water on the Michigan side caught a couple steelhead when drifting flies, spawn and yarn or casting small spoons and rapalas. Walleye fishing through the ice on the Wisconsin side was slow but a few were caught in the late evening when jigging a piece of minnow or wax worm.

Little Bay De Noc: Still has good ice however travel conditions were not good. Those taking motorized vehicles out were getting stuck in deep drifts. Some have removed their ice shanties because of the conditions. Catch rates were fair for whitefish in 75 to 85 feet of water off Sand Point. Perch fishing was fair off Kipling. They are using wigglers in 10 to 23 feet but many were small so they were released. Most of the walleye caught near the Second Reef or Gladstone were sub-legal. Ice shanties near the Escanaba Power Plant have been removed because of ice breakers opening the shipping lanes.

Indian Lake: In Schoolcraft County was producing some perch and walleye.

Munuscong: Catch rates were fair along the shipping channel in waters 20 to 27 feet deep. Anglers can see fish but the bite was slow.

Cedarville and Hessel: Have lots of ice. Anglers say the best travel method is by snowmobile. Perch fishing in Cedarville, Musky Bay and Hessel Bay was fair for those using wigglers in water 10 feet or deeper.

[Rick]

LANSING, MI - The weekly Michigan fishing reports, Lake Michigan, Lake Erie & hunting report from 2/28/14 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: Had decent perch fishing off the Metro Park Marina. Those fishing Brest Bay are taking some walleye.

Detroit River: Does have some ice coming down the river. Catch rates slowed for perch however some were still heading out to Grosse Ile and fishing Airport Bay.

Lake St. Clair: The ice is holding but there are thin spots and patches of open water because of currents. Anglers should not venture too far away from the normal fishing locations. The snow pack melted quite a bit so travel was much easier. Perch fishing was slow to fair however catch rates will improve when it starts to thaw and the perch start moving into shallow waters to spawn.

Saginaw Bay: Catch rates are slow and hanging on a bit longer than normal this year, most likely due to the bitter cold temperatures. Underwater cameras are showing walleye and perch but the bite is not there. Some were lucky enough to catch a few perch in 10 feet of water off White’s Beach and walleye in 15 feet before the first pressure crack off the State Park, and out near Spoils Island. Perch fishing off Vanderbilt Park was non-existent. Walleye anglers going off Thomas Road found a few fish in the middle of the Slot. They did better than the guys crossing the Bar and going to the Slot. Bluegill, crappie and the odd pike were caught out from the marina at Sebewaing.

Saginaw River: Catch rates were slow but some caught the occasional walleye on a blue and silver jigging rapala with a treble hook and minnow head. A couple perch were caught off the cement plant at Essexville. Anglers are seeing a lot of fish on their cameras but the fish are ignoring the bait. Water clarity was back to normal.

Tittabawassee River: Had a little bit of open water up near Gordonville Road where anglers were casting for walleye. None were caught. With the return of cold air, there is too much shore ice again.

SOUTHWEST LOWER PENINSULA

Anglers are still ice fishing. The rain did help reduce some of the snow cover making for easier travel. Shallow and weedy lakes are starting to show signs of poor dissolved oxygen. Fish are becoming lethargic and suspending higher in the water column. Try fishing just a few feet under the ice on these types of lakes.

St. Joseph River: Those fishing up near the Berrien Springs Dam have caught steelhead. Boat launches may still be iced in.

Kalamazoo River: Had less ice but the boat launches will still be tricky. Anglers are catching steelhead and some walleye up near the Allegan Dam. Minnows and crank baits were the ticket.

Grand River at Grand Rapids: Continues to produce steelhead for those using spawn, wax worms, small spoons or Hot-n-Tot’s. Fair to good walleye fishing for those using bucktail jigs with three-inch twister tails or a jig and minnow.

Grand River at Lansing: Those looking for pike will want to try a jig and twister tail or a shiner under a bobber below the dams.

Lake Lansing: Was producing some crappie.

Muskrat Lake: Was producing some crappie.

Park Lake: Anglers caught bluegill but had to sort out the small ones.

Morrison Lake: Is producing some crappie.

Muskegon Lake: Has decent ice fishing. Perch anglers had fair catches. The trick is to keep moving to find the schools of fish. Most are using a teardrop or small spoon with a minnow head.

NORTHEAST LOWER PENINSULA

Van Etten Lake: Ice conditions remain good. Access sites at the park and Air Force Beach are clear of snow. Perch, bluegill and crappie were caught in good numbers.

Au Sable River: Fishing is good in the area's that are accessible. Steelhead were caught on spawn, wax worms or small spoons. Rea Road, Foot Dam, High Banks, and Whirlpool were in good condition. The snow has been cleared but ice still remains and there is ice along the banks. The snowmobile trail is the easiest to travel however watch for snowmobile traffic as they may not be watching for you.

Lake Margrethe: Is producing some muskie for those spearing.

Higgins Lake: Lake trout were caught on grays in 85 to 100 feet. Those chumming have done the best for whitefish. Catch rates for northern pike have slowed. A decent number of perch were caught in 20 to 70 feet by those using minnows, wigglers and wax worms.

Houghton Lake: Some are catching the occasional walleye along the weed beds.

Tawas: Overall fishing was slow. A few small perch were caught inside the harbor and off Jerry’s Marina. Few pike have been speared and walleye fishing near the tip of Tawas Point was slow.

Au Gres: Also had slow fishing with only a couple anglers sighted off Booth Road. At Palmer Road, walleye anglers had mixed results at the Catfish Hole. Perch fishing there was very slow.

NORTHWEST LOWER PENINSULA

Ice fishing continues on all the inland lakes. Anglers are catching crappie, walleye, pike and bluegills.

Traverse City: Both bays are producing a few whitefish and lake trout.

Lake Cadillac: Was producing a good number of crappie for those fishing in water 12 feet or deeper. The fish can be along the bottom or just under the ice.

Lake Mitchell: Gave up some crappie and bluegills though the bluegill bite was not as strong. No word on pike spearing.

Portage Lake: Ice anglers are catching perch and pike. The better perch fishing is usually in six to 18 feet of water along the south end between the two camps.

Manistee River: Is pretty much locked up with ice from High Bridge down. A couple steelhead were caught at Tippy Dam.

Hamlin Lake: Was producing some bluegills, crappie and walleye. Early morning or late evening was best. Try 10 to 18 feet along the weed beds with Hali jigs and small spoons with wax worms or cut bait such as the head of a minnow.

UPPER PENINSULA

Keweenaw Bay: The lake herring, coho and perch bite has been slow. Smelt were caught between Baraga and Bucks Marina by those using teardrops with wax worms at night. Lake trout were found in 130 to 310 feet of water off the Whirl-I-Gig, Pequaming, Mud Bank, Koskie Flats or Farmer’s and Big Reef. The bite was good one day but non-existent the next.

Munising: Angler activity has been light especially for those without a permanent shanty or a power auger to get through the thick ice. Walking conditions improved. Those targeting whitefish will want to try bouncing a single egg off the bottom. Most of the fish caught were small. Those targeting splake caught few fish and many were small. The best chance for bigger fish was off Sand Point. Several anglers were marking smelt but there were no reports of fish caught. Trout Bay was still producing the occasional steelhead or lake trout.

Menominee River: Had an ice breaker that came in all the way up to the Marinette Marina. The only activity was up near the Dam. Some were targeting walleye through the ice on the Marinette side. Catch rates were fair for those jigging parts of a minnow. Some caught the occasional lake whitefish. On the Menominee side, anglers are targeting trout in the open water. Most are drifting flies, spawn and yarn or casting spoons.

Little Bay De Noc: Ice conditions continue to hold however no anglers were out near the Escanaba Power Plant due to ice breakers keeping the shipping lanes open. A few perch and sub-legal walleye were caught in 28 to 35 feet along the Narrows. The better perch fishing was in 24 to 30 feet along the Kipling flats. Try minnows or wigglers. The better walleye fishing was at the head of the bay. Try tip-ups with sucker minnows in eight to 20 feet. Whitefish action was fair off Sand Point when using minnows, wigglers or spawn in 85 to 90 feet. Though many have removed their shanties, anglers are still reminded that ice shanties must be removed by midnight of March 1.

Munuscong: Ice conditions remain good but catch rates were slow in Raber Bay.

Cedarville and Hessel: Catch rates were poor on Musky Bay and Hessel Bay. Anglers caught smaller perch ranging seven and eight inches.