Due to the upcoming holidays and the lack of angler participation, the weekly report will not be updated the week between Christmas and New Year’s.  

Ice conditions are not safe especially after the rain and warmer temperatures.  Snow and slush will hide dangerous areas.  Ice anglers would be wise to wait until the next good freeze before heading out on the inland lakes.  

Southeast Lower Peninsula

Lake Erie:  Anglers were getting some perch and bluegills in the Metro Park Marina.  

Detroit River:  Some perch were caught in the cuts and canals but ice conditions seem to change on a daily basis.     

Lake St. Clair:  The ice is not safe right now especially with warm temperatures and rain.  The good news is the snow was melting off the ice and it looks like we can start fresh after this weekend and start making ice that is more stable.   

Saginaw Bay:  Ice conditions were marginal from Tawas City to Bay City and beyond.  A few ice anglers were perch fishing off Palmer Road near Standish, at Newman Road near Pinconning and at Erickson Road north of Linwood.  Again, conditions are marginal and those out on the ice appear to be fishing in no more than two to three feet.  Perch fishing on first ice can be very good if you’re in the right place at the right time.  No one is taking machines out yet.  Those heading out to shallow waters are walking.  It is a good idea to wear a pair of neoprene waders when fishing in shallow waters.   

Saginaw River:  Boat and shore anglers could get out and target walleye with the warmer weather.  The river was wide open.    

Back to Top

Southwest Lower Peninsula

Overall: There is no ice fishing in this area of the state.  Ice conditions are dangerous at this time.  Anglers will have to wait for the next cold front to shore up the ice again.  

St. Joseph River:  Anglers may find some steelhead up near the Berrien Springs Dam.  Now would be a good time to target them before the extremely cold weather moves in next week.  

Grand River at Lansing:  Some pike were caught near the North Lansing Dam as well as in the Red Cedar River upstream of the point.  Most were taken on spinners.   

Muskegon River:  Good steelhead action continues especially during the warm up when the fish were more active.  Try fishing near any kind of structure.     

Back to Top

Northeast Lower Peninsula

Overall: Most of the ice in this area was not safe.  Those fishing the inland lakes were targeting the shallow waters only.  More time is needed to shore up the ice.      

Cheboygan River:  Continues to produce a couple steelhead.  

Black Lake:  Ice anglers were taking panfish in shallow waters.  

Grand Lake:  A few perch and walleye were caught before the warm spell.  

Thunder Bay River:  Anglers continue to catch steelhead.  

Au Sable River:  Anglers continue to catch steelhead and the occasional Atlantic salmon.  

Houghton Lake:  Only had one area of ice fishing and that was in the East Bay where anglers were hugging the shoreline.  Most were setting tip-ups for walleye but all they caught was pike.   

Back to Top

Northwest Lower Peninsula

Overall: There is not much safe ice to report.  A few anglers were fishing most likely shallow waters only but no fishing reports have come in.  It is going to take a good week or two of cold weather and calm winds to make safe ice.  Steelhead fishing continues in the rivers but few were out.    

Boyne River:  Had steelhead.    

Betsie River:  Was producing steelhead.  The bite improved by afternoon when the sun was out.    

Lakes Cadillac and Mitchell:  Are frozen but the ice is not safe.  There is too much snow and slush covering the ice.  

Big Manistee River:  Was still producing some trout.  Those fishing the Little Manistee River have also taken some steelhead.    

Pere Marquette River:  Still has some steelhead for anglers to target.    

Pentwater River:  Steelhead anglers were fishing upstream to the Hart Dam.  

Back to Top

Upper Peninsula

Overall: Due to heavy snows and balmy weather, ice conditions from Marquette west were unsafe for foot travel.   Pretty much all the inland lakes had a few inches of snow along with a layer of slush on top.  For the eastern half, first ice anglers were out however caution needs to be used as ice conditions vary greatly across the area. 

Lake Gogebic:  Had a few anglers venturing out but catch rates were slow.  Extreme caution needs to be used.  Anglers would be wise to fish in shallow waters only.  

Two Hearted River:  Salmon are slowly beginning to show up.      

Back to Top

Fishing Tip: Need a last minute gift idea?

Are you panicking because you still haven’t gotten a gift for someone on your list? Why not buy them a Michigan fishing license? 

There are two simple ways you can purchase a fishing license in Michigan:

1. Visit a local license retailer or DNR Customer Service Center and make a purchase in person. 

2. Use our e-License system to buy a license online 24 hours a day, seven days a week with your computer, tablet or smartphone!

Fishing license dollars fund a variety of activities including; fish management work on the state's waters, habitat rehabilitation and protection, fish stocking, information distribution, education and outreach efforts to anglers and the public, and much more. 

Fisheries Division does not receive any general fund tax dollars to support its activities. Instead, we depend heavily on angler dollars collected through fishing license sales and federal excise tax dollars from the sale of fishing tackle (Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Act) to manage Michigan's fisheries. Buying a fishing license, even if you do not plan to go fishing, can make a big difference to the future health of Michigan's prized freshwaters.

Back to Top