Weekly Fishing Report - February 14, 2013
Michigan Department of Natural Resources sent this bulletin at 02/14/2013 08:00 AM EST
Weekly Fishing Report
February 14, 2013
Weekly Fishing Tip: Go fishing for FREE this weekend!
Just a reminder this Saturday and Sunday brings the 2013 Winter Free Fishing Weekend to Michigan!
On those two days all fishing license fees will be waived. Residents and out-of-state visitors will be able to enjoy fishing on both inland and Great Lakes' waters for all species of fish during their respective open seasons. Please note all regulations still apply during that time.
There are plenty of ways to take advantage of the upcoming Free Fishing Weekend – whether that means heading out to your favorite fishing hole or taking your family to an organized event. Events are being held throughout Michigan, including in the counties of Antrim, Bay, Clinton, Gogebic, Ingham, Iron, Monroe, Montcalm, Oakland, Ogemaw, Presque Isle, Roscommon, Tuscola, Van Buren, Washtenaw, Wayne and Wexford.
Please note all events are subject to local weather conditions.
More information on the events mentioned above and on this weekend’s unique opportunity to fish for free can be found at www.michigan.gov/freefishing.
Click on the links below to jump to the report section that interests you most:
Southeast Lower Peninsula
Southwest Lower Peninsula
Northeast Lower Peninsula
Northwest Lower Peninsula
Upper Peninsula
Michigan’s annual Winter Free Fishing Weekend will be held this Saturday, February 16 and Sunday, February 17. No fishing license is required however all regulations still apply. Novice anglers are encouraged to take someone new out and introduce them to the sport of ice fishing.
Most of the inland lakes still had ice however thin spots were present on many, especially the bigger ones. Anglers need to use caution.
Lake Erie: Those fishing the Metro Park Marina caught bluegills on wax worms or red spikes. Perch were caught on minnows. About a mile south of the Metro Park, anglers caught bluegill, perch and a few pike in Lake Pointe Marina.
Huron River: Is producing some steelhead. Try spawn, wax worms, small spoons or body baits in bright colors.
Detroit River: Still has some flow ice coming down. Boat anglers are heading towards Sugar Island and ice fishing for bluegill and perch at the Cross Dike. Others were open water fishing in the canals near Gibraltar.
Lake St. Clair: The snow has melted so getting around on the ice is easier now but anglers still need to use caution as ice conditions are not consistent. Caution needs to be used in areas where there is a current, around any structure such as pilings and docks as well as the ice near shore. Perch were caught by those using minnows.
Saginaw Bay: Four words say it all this week…STAY OFF SAGINAW BAY! There are numerous active pressure cracks which make ice fishing dangerous. Deep snow has covered up some of the pressure cracks and the weak spots so anglers don’t know they are there until it is too late. Warmer temperatures along with a strong southwest wind will push offshore ice out into the open waters of Lake Huron. Ice conditions will be treacherous for the next several days. Machines have gone through the ice and people have found themselves in need of rescue.
Saginaw River: Is running high and muddy. Pretty much all the rivers around the bay are in the same shape. Rain, warm temperatures and offshore winds have increased the current. This will further erode any ice on the river. Ice conditions will be dangerous.
Heavy snow and rain have made ice conditions extremely variable. Small lakes and isolated coves that had ice most of the season continue to support some ice fishing. On others, ice formation was not consistent.
St. Joseph: The piers are ice covered and dangerous.
St. Joseph River: Higher water levels are requiring most anglers to use boa. The bite was slow however anglers should still find some steelhead up near the dams.
Kalamazoo River: Has higher water levels. Boat anglers were fishing for steelhead or walleye up near the Allegan Dam.
Holland: The piers are ice covered and dangerous. Anglers should avoid the area.
Grand River at Grand Rapids: Has an ice jam at the US-31 Bridge so anglers should avoid this area. Those steelhead fishing will do best near the dam. Try jigs, spawn, small spoons or body baits. High water levels call for bright colors. Those fly fishing have caught fish. For walleye, try up near the dam or near the bridges.
Rogue River: Is producing some steelhead. Some are fly fishing while others are drifting spawn and wax worms.
Grand River at Lansing: Is producing walleye at Moore’s Park and the North Lansing Dam. Minnows work best.
Reeds Lake: Is still producing bluegill, pike and crappie.
Most of the inland lakes in this region have good ice.
Cedar Lake: Ice anglers have caught a good number of panfish including some smaller perch.
Fletchers Pond: Is producing bluegill and perch and pike.
Van Etten Lake: Is producing lots of panfish.
Au Sable River: Steelhead can be found in good numbers. Anglers did well with spawn and wax worms. Pier anglers are using spawn, drifting wax worms or casting small spoons and body baits. The launch was plowed at the Whirlpool Access site.
Higgins Lake: Ice fishing continues. The lake is snow covered and there is also some slush. Lake trout have been caught on the north end by those using tip-ups with minnows or jigging Swedish pimples and sand kickers in 80 to 120 feet of water. Whitefish were caught along the flats on the north end. For perch, try the ridge along the Sunken Island or 20 to 40 feet of water around Treasure Island. Smelt anglers can be found in 40 feet of water off the west launch. While some are doing well others are only taking a few.
Houghton Lake: Has plenty of ice for those looking to go out this weekend. Snow on the ice has been packed down and there is some slush. Those using tip-ups and jigging have caught walleye, pike and perch.
Tawas: Was the most fishable spot along Saginaw Bay. Try the area called the “armpit” which is off Tawas Point, near Jerry’s Marina but use caution. Anglers have caught perch and walleye and those spearing have taken a few pike.
Ice fishing is still going strong on the inland lakes.
Lake Skegemog: Is producing some yellow perch. For pike, try the east side or the far south end.
Green Lake: In Grand Traverse County is producing bluegill and a few small perch. For pike, try tip-ups off the State Park. Smelt can usually be found just off the Music Camp which is north of the State Park.
Fife Lake: Is producing pike. Best spot for those using tip-ups or those spearing is usually east of the boat launch. For perch, try the north end of the lake.
Manistee River: With the runoff and warmer temperatures, there should be plenty of steelhead in the river. Those fly fishing have caught fresh fish.
Lake Missaukee: Is producing a few walleye and some crappie.
Lake Cadillac: Ice fishing still going strong with a fair to good number of panfish being caught. Anglers are using minnows and wax worms for bluegill and crappie. Those with tip-ups have caught pike. The better crappie fishing was early morning or late evening. For walleye, the better fishing is usually at night.
Lake Mitchell: Is producing pike, crappie and bluegill. For pike, try tip-ups with minnows in Big Cove. For bluegill, try teardrops with wax worms.
Pere Marquette River: Water levels were high with minor flooding near Scottville.
Lake Gogebic: Walleye are still being caught in waters seven to 12 feet deep. Try tip-ups with light line or try jigging rapalas near the weed beds. Catch rates for perch picked up for those using wigglers in 12 to 17 feet of water.
Keweenaw Bay: Catch rates were up and down. Those fishing off Sand Point and Lighthouse Point caught coho and lake herring eight to 20 feet down in 30 to 90 feet of water. Those fishing on the Center Reef did well for lake trout in 80 to 110 feet of water. For whitefish, anglers did well east of the Baraga Marina in 70 to 95 feet of water. Lake trout were taken in 145 to 180 feet of water out from Jentoff’s Dock but ice conditions were not consistent. Don’t assume the ice is good just because you see someone else out there because some are still going out even though their spud broke through the ice. Those fishing at night caught smelt near the Baraga Marina or Bucks Marina.
Chicagon Lake: A few walleye were caught just before and right after dark by those using tip-ups with sucker minnows along the edge of the weeds in 10 to 15 feet of water. Bluegills were caught on wigglers and wax worms in 10 to 17 feet of water. A couple whitefish were caught in the early morning however the bite was slow.
Iron Lake: Is producing bluegill but many were small. Try small jigs or teardrops with wax worms, wigglers or spikes. Pike action was good but many were sub-legal. A few crappie were taken on minnows just before dark.
Groveland Mine Ponds: Ice fishing continues. On Island Lake, the bite was best in the early morning or late afternoon for bluegill, crappie and perch. West Lake was slow however a couple 11 to 13 inch perch were caught by those jigging in the middle or along the south end. Few anglers were out on the East Lake but the South Lake was producing some nice perch and some bluegills in 25 to 30 feet of water right off the boat launch.
Lake Antoine: Was producing bluegill, crappie and small yellow perch. A few smallmouth bass were also caught however bass season is closed. Anglers are using tip-ups with minnows and wax worms in eight to 15 feet of water. Those spearing northern pike have seen fish but few were taken.
Little Bay De Noc: Ice conditions remain favorable north of the Escanaba River however ice thickness in the southern bay is not consistent as it ranges from four to 14 inches. Whitefish action was fair off Sand Point when using spawn or minnows in 75 to 85 feet of water or south of the “Narrows” in 33 to 40 feet. Catch rates for walleye were fair. Those fishing at night did better. Try the Third or Center Reefs using tip-ups with sucker minnows in 14 to 30 feet of water. Near the Escanaba River, anglers caught bigger fish on tip-ups or when jigging rapalas in 20 to 30 feet. Off the beach, anglers were jigging rapalas with minnows along the break in 23 to 30 feet of water. Perch fishing was hit-or-miss as some did well while others caught very few.
The hot spots were out from Brach’s Cabins in 17 to 22 feet of water, Garth Point in 14 feet, and south to the Escanaba ship docks in 25 to 30 feet. Wigglers and minnows worked best. Northern pike spearing was good just off Butler Island in 10 to 12 feet of water. Those using tip-ups in 18 to 30 feet of water just off the Center Reef have also caught quite a few pike.
Munising: Anglers can be found from the West Channel near Christmas to Sand Point. Ice conditions have changed some after the mild weather. The snow has compacted which makes walking a little easier. Catch rates were still slow. Some are jigging a single egg for whitefish. A couple splake were caught. They range from sub-legal to 20 inches. A few perch were taken near Grand Island. Quite a few were targeting lake trout in the West Channel but no fish were reported. No reports from Trout Bay.
Cedarville and Hessel: Has ice however catch rates were extremely slow.
Revenue from fishing and hunting license sales supports DNR activities to enhance Michigan’s natural resources. These license sales also increase federal revenue to the State of Michigan for the management of these resources. Please help support Michigan’s abundant natural resources by purchasing a fishing and hunting license each year. You can purchase fishing licenses online 24-hours a day!
Enjoy your catch! Eat safe fish! Learn about eating safe, local and healthful fish from our Great Lakes State at www.michigan.gov/eatsafefish.