Weekly Fishing Report: December 17, 2015

Bookmark and Share
Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.
dnr logo

Weekly Fishing Report

December 17, 2015

buy your fishing license button
fishing map Southwest Lower Peninsula Weekly Fishing Report Southeast Lower Peninsula Weekly Fishing Report Northeast Lower Peninsula Weekly Fishing Report Northwest Lower Peninsula Weekly Fishing Report Upper Peninsula Weekly Fishing Report Upper Peninsula Weekly Fishing Report

Muskie season on Lake St. Clair, the St. Clair River and the Detroit River closed on December 15.  A handful of anglers are still open water fishing however most are waiting for ice.  With the warmer temperatures, anglers may be waiting until the end of January or first part of February. 

Southeast Lower Peninsula

Lake ErieBoat anglers trolling big husky jerks and body baits were catching a decent number of walleye.  A few fish were caught south of Celeron Island but the better action was in Brest Bay. 

 

Detroit River:  Was still producing yellow perch off the north and south end of Sugar Island in 11 feet of water.  Some were keepers but anglers are sorting through a good number of smaller fish.   

 

Lake St. Clair:  Had boats out targeting muskie however the season closed on December 15.  Word has it anglers were catching some yellow perch in the canals and private marinas but the fish were small and access for the public is limited unless you have a boat.  The docks are still in at the DNR access sites.   

 

Saginaw Bay:  Boat anglers continue to take good numbers of walleye.  Boat ramps at the mouth of the Saginaw River and Linwood were busy.  Most were trolling crank baits off planer boards.  Yellow perch were hitting on minnows in the cuts, canals and various river systems around the bay. 

 

Saginaw River:  Has seen a good number of boat anglers targeting walleye and from the tag returns, they are catching some keepers even though many were small. 

 

Sanford LakeIn Midland County was producing some big crappie.  Try minnows or wax worms.

Back to Top

Southwest Lower Peninsula

Pier and shore anglers continue to catch steelhead.  Those with outboard motors are still trolling in the Great Lakes and catching a few fish.    


St. Joseph River:  Indiana Michigan Power is expanding the Mottville hydroelectric facility and installing new electrical equipment. Due to public safety concerns, the access road to the tailwater fishing area below Mottville Dam will be closed until May 20, 2016.  Refer to attached map.  


Kalamazoo River:  With higher water levels, anglers continue to catch trout.  Steelhead continue to trickle in and most have been caught below the Allegan Dam.  


Grand River at Grand Rapids:  Continues to produce fish for boat and shore anglers.  Most were catching steelhead up near the 6th Street Dam.  Channel and flathead catfish have also been caught.      


Grand River at Lansing:  Is producing some pike and smallmouth bass.  A couple walleye were caught over at Moore’s Park.  Try white of chartreuse swim shads or twister tail grubs in the murky water.  Those fishing above the Lyons Dam and near the Webber Dam have caught steelhead along with the occasional walleye or smallmouth bass when using jigs tipped with spawn or a wax worm.   


Looking Glass River:  Pike anglers are still taking fish.  Most were using small boats at Babcock’s Landing because the bank was flooded.  


Muskegon River:  Water levels were high after the recent rain.  Catch rates for steelhead were consistent before the rain. 

Back to Top

 

Northeast Lower Peninsula

Au Sable River:  Those fly fishing have caught some steelhead and a few brown trout as open water fishing continues this late in the year.   

 

Houghton LakeA few walleye anglers are going out at night.  Find the baitfish and you will find some walleye.  Very few boats have been out. 

 

Au Gres River:  Had steelhead in the East Branch where anglers were getting them on spawn bags. 

 

Rifle River:  Had steelhead for the taking.  Most anglers were floating spawn.  

Back to Top

Northwest Lower Peninsula

Betsie RiverShould still have a fair to good number of steelhead.  With the warm weather and water temperatures, fresh fish continue to trickle into the rivers. 

 

ManisteePier anglers and those surfcasting should still find some steelhead.  Try floating spawn, crawlers, wax worms or even small shrimp. 

 

Manistee RiverWater levels were up.  Boat anglers were still finding steelhead when casting or drifting. 

 

LudingtonPier anglers and those surfcasting should still find some steelhead.    

 

Pere Marquette RiverHad higher water levels.  Those targeting steelhead were still catching fish.   Fair to good fishing should continue through the end of the year.   

Back to Top

Upper Peninsula

There were no reports for the Upper Peninsula.  The only ice was in the Keweenaw Peninsula and that was skim ice only.  Most anglers put their boats away some time ago and are waiting for ice fishing season.    

Back to Top

Fishing Tip: Are you ready to do some ice fishing?

Although ice still hasn’t formed on most water bodies throughout Michigan, it hopefully won’t be long before there will be plenty of opportunities to go ice fishing across the state!

Now is the time to start preparing for this unique outdoor activity – including making sure your equipment is ready to be used and making sure you are ready to take the necessary safety precautions before heading out on the ice.

Equipment

Here are a few simple equipment preparation tips to follow this ice fishing season: 1. If you use any motor or battery-operated equipment, test it out now to determine if it’s working properly. 2. Open up your ice fishing shanty to make sure it’s clean and ready to provide you with shelter on the ice. 3. Check your tackle box to remove any old equipment and take stock of what new items you might need.

Safety

Here are six simple safety tips to follow while ice fishing: 1. Never fish alone. 2. Tell someone where you are going and when you expect to return. 3. Always test the ice with a spud. 4. Wear a lifejacket. 5. Take a cell phone with you in case you need to call for help (carry it in a plastic baggie). 6. Bring ice picks and a 20-foot length of throw rope with you in case you fall through the ice.

For more information on ice fishing in Michigan, click on the "Ice Fishing/Ice Safety" button at 
michigan.gov/fishing

Back to Top

The Weekly Fishing Report is intended to give anglers an idea of what is going on around the state. Updates come from DNR Fisheries seasonal and field staff, and DNR Conservation Officers. With more than 11,000 inland lakes, the Great Lakes and thousands of miles of rivers and streams, not all locations can be listed. However, it is safe to say if a species is being caught in some waters in the area, they are likely being caught in all waters in that section of the state that have that species.
DNR facebook page DNR on Twitter DNR on YouTube DNR on Pinterest DNR on Instagram DNR email updates
MANAGE SUBSCRIPTIONS | UNSUBSCRIBE ALL | CONTACT US | HELP