While cold weather is starting to produce ice, those wanting to head out would be wise to wait because the first ice of the season is the most dangerous.  Warmer temperatures coupled with rain by the end of the week will most likely take out some of the ice in the Lower Peninsula but continued cold over the next couple weeks does look promising as far as ice fishing goes.  

Southeast Lower Peninsula

Huron River:  Anglers are taking some steelhead near Labo Park.  Most are boat anglers fishing the deep holes.  

Lake St. Clair:  Had no safe ice.  Skim ice was forming along the shoreline as well as in the canals and marinas.  Wind can move the shore ice around and plug up the area around a boat launch very quickly so boating season on the lake is pretty much over.  Cold weather over the next few days could make enough ice to allow some fishing however rain and warmer temperatures by the end of the week could ruin those chances.     

St. Clair River:  Fishing activity has been light. Strong winds have stirred up the south end of Lake Huron and has made the river muddy.  There has been little ice formation so Lake Huron and the St. Clair River were pretty much ice free.  

Saginaw Bay:  There is too much ice for shore fishing but not enough for ice fishing.  There is a layer of “shove ice or blow ice” that blew in along the shoreline around the entire bay and extends out anywhere from 200 to 400 yards.  Fishing is pretty much confined to sitting on docks in marina basins and perch fishing through the holes in the ice.  Marina basins that anglers might want to try include Eagle Bay up near Standish, Gambil’s Landing near Pinconning, Linwood, Sunset Bay near Unionville, Sebewaing City Marina on the Sebewaing River, Bay Shore near Bay Port and the basins off the Pigeon River in Caseville.   

Kawkawlin River:  Was iced over.      

Saginaw River:  Had boat anglers targeting walleye just downstream from the Independence Bridge however the river and the launches were icing up.  Marina basins and boat launches at most locations on the river were not useable.  The only exception was the Zilwaukee ramp and the McGillvary Street ramp which is just downstream of the Independence Bridge.  Walleye anglers were fishing around the U.S.S. Edson however boat anglers need to be vigilant and watch for large sheets of ice that that could keep them from moving freely around the river.  Anyone taking to a boat in these conditions needs to be sure the motor is running properly, wear lots of warm clothes, a life jacket, and be sure to have a cell phone in case they need to call for help.

Tittabawassee River:  Was filled with floating ice.  The boat ramps at Gordonville Road and Center Road are iced in and not useable.

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Southwest Lower Peninsula

No ice fishing as the waters are still wide open.  A few small lakes and ponds may start to get ice this week however it will not be safe ice.

St. Joseph River:  Has open water and anglers are still catching steelhead.  

Kalamazoo River:  Open water fishing remains.  Anglers are still taking a fair to good number of steelhead.  

Grand River at Grand Rapids:  Continues to produce steelhead and the occasional walleye.  

Rogue River:  Still has the occasional steelhead hitting on flies or spawn.      

Muskegon River:  Has open water and anglers are catching steelhead.  

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Au Sable River:  Anglers fishing below Foote Dam need to be aware that water flows are fluctuating at this time because of ice damming issues above Alcona.   Anglers should check the USGS river flow gauges for the most up-to-date conditions. Severe cold causes the river above the Alcona Impoundment to turn to slush, creates anchor ice, and forms ice dams that create large changes in downstream flows.  Thus, conditions may be very difficult for fishing or floating below Foote Dam. Some steelhead and a few perch have been caught in the area.  

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Starting December 1 the spear fishing season for northern pike and muskellunge began on all waters through the ice, except designated trout lakes and designated trout streams, and Michigan-Wisconsin Boundary Waters. Specific waters are closed to this activity – check out the 2015 Michigan Fishing Guide for full details. Many anglers will try their hand at this historical method of fishing until the season concludes on March 15. 

Other species can be targeted by anglers with spears as well. Again, check out the 2015 Michigan Fishing Guide for more information.

Spear fishing is much different from general ice fishing. Anglers will cut larger holes in the ice and fish from tents or small shelters commonly called shanties. The shanty blocks the light, allowing anglers to see down into the water in order to spear the fish. 

Anglers who spear fish generally dangle decoys or large live baits (such as suckers) in the water to attract their target fish. They use spears that typically have a substantial weight to them and have seven to nine tines on the end of a seven-foot handle.

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