Fishing is finally picking up.  The warm rain should really help to get things going.  Anglers should find trout in the rivers however the trout opener to the north was slow because of colder air and water temperatures.  Bluegills and crappie are being caught in the inland lakes.  Walleye, bass and pike fishing continue to get better as it warms up.   

Southeast Lower Peninsula

Lake Erie:  Walleye fishing picked up with limit catches coming in.  A few boats found success while jigging minnows just outside of Otter Creek and around Turtle Island in 10 to 14 feet.  Stony Point was good and was producing larger fish in a variety of depths.  Anglers were fishing anywhere from 15 to 22 feet and some did well running their baits eight to 10 feet deep while others did well 13 to 18 feet deep.  Those trolling a crawler harness and bottom bouncer also did well.  Hot colors were Wonderbread or purple with yellow spots.  Bandits were the other hot lure and the colors were green and white, Reel Naughty, Huff Daddy and chrome.  Reef runners in a variety of colors were also taking fish. 

Detroit River:  A couple anglers managed to catch a limit of walleye at the mouth of the river in 20 feet with a chartreuse jig tipped with a minnow.    

Lake St. Clair:  Smallmouth bass fishing improved off the Mile Roads, in front of Selfridge, and along the shoreline between the Harley Ensign launch and Metro Beach in eight to 12 feet.  The shoreline between the 9-Mile launch and Masonic Park was also producing a good number of fish.  Anglers also picked up a couple walleye.  Largemouth bass are in the shallows and the canals.  Sizable pike and undersize musky were caught my many.  Perch fishing was slow.  Crappie and sunfish cruising the marinas and back channels were hitting on small jigs, minnows and crawlers.  Water clarity had improved quite a bit.   

St. Clair River:  Has been on fire for walleye with the better action in the lower river.  

Harbor Beach:  Those trolling body baits with planer boards in shallow waters 15 to 30 feet deep caught a good number of coho along with some lake trout, walleye, steelhead and brown trout.  The fish are definitely out there, and calmer weather will allow more anglers to get out.  

Saginaw Bay:  Walleye fishing off Linwood was centered around the Black Hole and one to two miles northeast of Spoils Island when boats could get out there.  Body baits off planer boards was the ticket, although some boats were vertical jigging near Spoils Island.  On the east side of the bay from Quanicassee to Bay Port, walleye anglers were fishing all over the bay but no one had great success as most boats came in with only two or three fish.  Spring perch fishing is pretty much over.  Walleye anglers are also catching and releasing a few smallmouth bass.  A few pike were caught in the Sebewaing River.  Up at Caseville, pier anglers managed to catch some walleye, one coho and some smallmouth bass.  Near Port Austin, those fishing the Pinnebog River caught suckers, pike, and smallmouth bass.  A couple walleye were taken at the mouth of Bird Creek.   

Saginaw River:  Boat anglers vertical jigging in the lower river were taking some walleye.  Shore anglers at Smith Park caught mainly white bass, freshwater drum, catfish and a couple pike.  Smallmouth bass were caught and released in the marinas.  

Tittabawassee River:  Walleye fishing in the entire river from Dow Dam downstream to Green Point was excellent for the opener.  Limit catches of five fish per angler was common.  Even the shore anglers did well when they could get to a deep hole or run. Ninety-five percent of the walleyes taken were males as the large females have moved back out to the bay. 

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Southwest Lower Peninsula

St. Joseph:  Had no report. 

St. Joseph River:  Had good numbers of steelhead going through the Berrien Springs fish ladder.  

Kalamazoo River:  Anglers were getting steelhead including some limit catches.  

Grand Haven:  Anglers trolling the shoreline are catching a few brown trout on small orange spoons.  Boats going offshore looking for coho reported slow fishing.  The best action was 60 to 140 feet down in 160 to 230 feet with orange and green spoons.  Yellow perch were caught in 60 to 80 feet south of the channel.  Pier anglers caught a few brown trout on spawn.  Construction has started on the south pier which is now closed from the first lighthouse to the end.  The portion that was worked on last year is now open to the public.  

Grand River at Grand Rapids:  Anglers were still getting a couple steelhead.  Look for walleye up near the dam and around the bridges.  Those fishing the Rogue River were getting a couple steelhead.  Look for more fish to move into the tributaries with the warm weather and warm rain in the forecast.  Bluegills and crappie were caught in the shallows.  

Grand River at Lansing:  Lots of smallmouth bass continue to be caught especially near the North Lansing Dam.  Try crawlers, minnows and crank baits.  The crappie bite has picked up at Eaton Rapids and above the Moore’s Park Dam.  Anglers are using minnows.  Look for crappie and smallmouth bass near the bridges along the river.  

Lake Ovid:  Those targeting crappie did well with minnows.  

Muskegon:  Anglers trolling the shoreline have found a few brown trout.  Try running body baits in natural patterns or small orange spoons.  Pier fishing was slow for steelhead and brown trout.  

Muskegon Lake:  The perch bite has slowed.  Some walleye were caught near the mouth of the river.  Panfish should be in the shallows soon if it continues to warm up.  

Muskegon River:  Those streamer fishing did well catching some large steelhead and some brown trout.  Water levels were up so watch for floating debris.  Those fishing Croton and Hardy Dam Pond did catch some walleye.  

Whitehall:  Pier anglers caught brown trout and steelhead on spawn bags fished near the bottom.

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Northeast Lower Peninsula

Overall: The snow was melting fast causing increased flow in the rivers.  Ice is disappearing in the marinas and harbors. 

Cheboygan:  Had one boat that managed to get a couple lake trout.  

Cheboygan River:  Steelhead fishing was slow with no fish harvested.  A couple walleye were caught when casting artificials.

Ocqueoc River:  Steelhead were caught on spawn.  Some were also using spinners and artificial baits.  

Rogers City:  The fishing platform on the outer breakwall is open.  Anglers should be able to fish for Atlantics by casting or using minnows under a bobber.  Boats should target the shallow waters between Swan Bay and Adams Point where the water should be warmer.  Try bright colored spoons and body baits.  

Presque Isle:  The harbor launch is open with the docks in.    

Alpena:  A few anglers starting to head out on Thunder Bay were mostly fishing near the mouth of the river in 40 feet.  They are trolling spoons and body baits in bright colors like orange, chartreuse and green. A couple Atlantics have been caught.  Most are using planer boards and running lines higher up in the water column as the water is still cold.  A few boats targeting walleye had no luck.  

Thunder Bay River:  The water was very high, fast and stained.  Three gates were still open at the dam.  Once the water recedes look for some good steelhead fishing.  Try drifting spawn, beads or flies with bobbers.  A couple fish were found in some of the slower water.  The walleye opener was pretty much spoiled by the high muddy water and a very strong current.  A few boats drifting jigs had limited success.  The Fletcher Street Ramp is open and the docks are in.  The main public marina access still had ice blocking things but should be clear by the weekend.    

Oscoda:  Walleye and a few large lake trout were caught by those still-fishing minnows from the pier.  Fish were also taken on jigs and soft plastics as well as deep diving crank baits and jerk baits.  More fish were starting to show up in the evening.  Strong winds have stirred up the lake so water clarity was poor.

Au Sable River:  Atlantic salmon were caught by those fishing the holes between Mill Street in Oscoda and the mouth.  Drifting or still-fishing spawn bags and minnows took Atlantics up to eight-and-a-half pounds, walleye and suckers.  Pyramid sinkers in two ounces or higher were required in the current.  Those trolling plugs also caught Atlantics.  A few good walleye catches at Foote Dam for those casting jerk baits.  Steelhead were taken when drifting wax worms, wigglers, beads, flies, and spawn bags.  Both chrome and winter fish were caught but high water levels from an open gate at the dam had the fish scattered.  Most steelhead were pre-spawn.  The ice has thawed from the dam ponds and the waters are warming more quickly.

Harrisville:  Walleye were taken by those casting or trolling jerk baits at the harbor mouth.  A couple steelhead were caught by those casting crank baits.    

Higgins Lake:  Most of the ice is finally gone.  No boat anglers were out as there were no docks in at the launches.   

Houghton Lake:  Good fishing continues in the canals for crappie and bluegills.  A few walleye were also caught.  Those out trolling on the opener caught a few walleye.  

Tawas:  Boats launching from the mouth of the river and fishing in Tawas Bay, down near Alabaster and off White Stone Point did well for walleye when trolling crank baits and body baits off planer boards in 15 to 25 feet.  Some limits of eight fish per angler were taken.  Shore anglers caught walleye at the river mouth.  A few pike and smallmouth bass were caught.  Pier anglers caught a few walleye, Atlantics and steelhead when casting body baits and spoons or fishing minnows near the bottom.  

Au Gres:  Those trolling for walleye did very well between Pointe Au Gres and Whitestone Point when trolling body baits off planer boards in 15 to 25 feet.  Limit catches were common.  

Au Gres River:   Down at Singing Bridge, surf anglers fishing late in the evening are catching quite a few walleye which seem to be feeding on gobies as they were full of them.  A couple steelhead were also caught. 

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Northwest Lower Peninsula

Harbor Springs:  The north half of the bay is opening up.  There was still ice from Roaring Brook toward the State Park, and inside the harbor.  The area in front of Wequetonsing and Harbor Point North was ice free.  The dock at the launch was not in. 

Petoskey:  The south half of Little Traverse Bay was still iced in.  The Petoskey Marina was iced in, but the snow and ice inside of the breakwall has melted.  The docks at the launch were not in yet.   More open water could be found along the breakwall however there was still some ice and snow on the walkway so use caution.  Anglers were targeting steelhead off the D Pier at the mouth of the river.  Most were using spawn, wigglers and worms or casting spinners and other lures.   

Bear River:  Water levels at the dam were high and fast.  Steelhead fishing was pretty good but mornings seemed best.  Quite a few fresh fish were up near the dam but they were hard to land because of the fast water.  Anglers are using spawn bags and flies.  

Lake Charlevoix:  Was open water as far as the eye could see from the Ferry Beach boat launch which had two docks in.  The fish cleaning station was not open.  

Traverse City:  Perch fishing was good around Deepwater Point in the East Bay.  Lake trout and some lake herring were caught by those jigging around Deepwater Point and along the drop-off south of the M-37 launch.  Lake trout were caught by those jigging straight out from Elk Rapids.  In the Elk River, catch rates were hit-or-miss but steelhead were caught at the dam when using spawn in the morning.  A couple nice fish were caught at the kid’s pond.  In the West Bay, perch fishing was excellent at Northport in 40 to 80 feet on both live bait and artificial baits.  Perch were also caught in Bowers Harbor and east of Power Island before the winds.  Lee Point was hit-or-miss.  Lake trout were caught in the morning when trolling at the south end of the bay.  The Boardman River is producing steelhead in the early morning or evening with spawn or a jig and wax worm.  A few nice brown trout were caught at the dam.  

Frankfort:  Water temperatures were in the mid 40’s and the fish are becoming more active as several mixed bags were reported.  Those fishing inside and outside the piers caught walleye, pike, lake trout and steelhead.  The brown trout action is a little behind schedule this year.    

Arcadia:  Some brown trout were caught in shallow waters when trolling body baits behind planer boards. 

Arcadia Lake:  Good numbers of smallmouth bass and northern pike along with a few brown trout and rainbow trout were caught by those trolling or casting body baits.  

Onekama:  Pier anglers caught brown trout on body baits and walleye on spoons.  

Portage Lake:  Water temperatures were still on the cool side even in the shallows so perch fishing was slow.  

Lakes Cadillac and Mitchell:  The opener was very cold and more anglers were present in the evening.  A few walleye were caught in both lakes but no big numbers.  

Manistee:  Surface temperature readings are slowly climbing and were about 41 degrees.  Lake trout and brown trout were still being caught in nine to 15 feet along the shoreline.  Perch and a few whitefish were starting to show up off the north pier.  Walleye are being caught in the channel.  The south pier, the fish cleaning station and the restrooms were still closed.

Big Manistee River:  Was still producing steelhead.  Fish were hitting on spawn, spinners, crank baits, flies and beads.  

Ludington:  Surface temperature readings were about 42 degrees.  Brown trout and lake trout are being caught in shallow waters nine to 15 feet deep.  Small numbers of brown trout are being caught off the piers.  The fish cleaning station and the restrooms are now open.  

Pere Marquette River:  Has a good number of steelhead as well.  Warmer temperatures along with the warm rain should produce some very good catches along the river and its tributaries.  

Pentwater:  Boats trolling in 50 to 70 feet caught lake trout on spin-n-glo’s fished near the bottom.  Pier anglers caught steelhead and brown trout on spawn bags fished near the bottom. 

Pentwater Lake:  Boats fishing in 40 to 50 feet caught perch on dropper rigs tipped with minnows, wax worms, or wigglers.  Those fishing Longbridge Road caught black crappie and smallmouth bass on jigs tipped with minnows and wax worms.   

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Upper Peninsula

Little Bay De Noc:  Most of the ice is gone with the exception of Kipling and the Escanaba Yacht Harbor.  Water temperatures remain cold in the high 30’s.  Hopefully the docks at Rapid River, Gladstone, North Shore and the Ford River will be installed yet this week.  There is still some floating ice out in the bay so use caution.  Pier anglers at the North Shore launch caught a few smallmouth bass.  All rivers are high and fast. 

Big Bay De Noc:  Had no anglers.  Garden Bay was still iced over but the ice was too dangerous to venture out on.  There could be open water by the end of the week. Almost the entire upper bay was ice covered but showing signs of breaking up.  The area off Nahma and Ogontz Bay look to be the first areas to open up.  The Sturgeon River was overflowing its banks in the first several miles by the lake.  The launch at Fairport was not operational.  

Marquette:  Fishing on the big lake has been slow because of ice in the area.  When the ice was gone for a couple days anglers did well catching coho and brown trout when trolling or jigging on the bubblers.  At the beginning of the week, the ice had returned to the harbors.  There is a dock in place in the Upper Harbor so when the ice leaves anglers will be able to launch.  On the Carp and Chocolay Rivers, the steelhead run has not really started yet but a few were caught.  Water levels have come up on both rivers so anglers should expect a good run soon.   

Munising:  Had low fishing pressure.  All of Munising Bay remains ice covered.  Anglers were still ice fishing for trout and whitefish but catch rates were poor.  Pier anglers are able to fish open water but are limited to a section in front of the Anna River mouth.  Other areas remain ice covered.

Grand Marais:  Remains ice covered and will stay that way until we get rain and temperatures 60 degrees and above for an extended period.  The pier was ice covered.  The only open water is an area in front of the Sucker River mouth where a few anglers have caught a couple coho.  

Tahquamenon River:  Reports on smelt in the river were limited.  A few anglers had success getting a gallon or two, but with lots of effort.  Warmer temperatures this week should certainly bring fish into the river.  Length of the run all depends on water temperatures and the amount of fish.

Newberry:  Water levels in the area streams are high due to the snowmelt.  The warmer weather is really hitting the snowpack in the northern areas of Luce and Alger Counties.  The inland lakes were still ice covered.  Many roads going into sites still had snowpack including drifts in shaded areas making them impassable.

Detour:  No docks were in at either of the two boat launches in Detour Village.  A few anglers were targeting salmon at the mouth of Albany Creek but none were caught.  Anglers are reminded to get their boats in the water early, if they want to catch Atlantic salmon in and around Detour.  A good time to target them is while the smelt are running into any tributary to Lake Huron.  The fish can be caught six to eight feet below the surface.    

Cedarville and Hessel:  All the snow is gone at the boat launch off Meridian Road in Cedarville.  The ice is breaking up very fast in Cedarville Bay.  The dock is in however there was still some thin blue ice about 25 yards out in all directions of the launch.  A couple days of strong north winds should take the remaining ice out of the bay.  From Hessel, the ice in the marina is gone and the launch was open.  The finger docks were in allowing shore anglers to fish for perch.  There were reports of a few perch caught across Hessel Bay and just 50 yards from Marquette Island, east of Haven Island and along the north shore of Marquette Island.  The fish were caught in 12 to 14 feet with tear drop jigs tipped with minnows or wigglers.  Good splake fishing continues throughout Hessel Bay for those trolling in 12 to 19 feet.  They are using bottom bouncers with 10 to 12 inch leaders with copper colored two inch spoons fished as close to the bottom as possible.  Vertical jigging an orange and chrome spoon also works.  

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Fishing Tip: Northern pike season now open

This past Saturday marked the opening of the inland walleye and northern pike seasons in the Lower Peninsula – will you be getting out soon to try your hand at northern pike fishing?

Northern pike like to spend their time in the weedy shallows of both the Great Lakes and inland waters. In rivers they can be found around log jams or fallen timber. They are often taken with live bait (such as large minnows) or different kinds of artificial lures. 

When fishing for northern pike, many anglers like to use a six to eight-inch wire or steel leader directly in front of hook or lure. Pike have large, deep mouths with extremely sharp teeth. They are known to engulf the entire bait or lure and sever the fishing line with their teeth when it is attached directly to the hook or lure. This leaves the angler watching as the fish swims away with their offering. 

Want to learn even more about northern pike in Michigan? Check out their informational page online! 

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Note:

This report is intended to give you an idea of what is going on around the state. Updates come from Fisheries staff and 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.