The season to take frogs, toads and salamanders will close on November 15. With the snow, colder temperatures, and the opening of the firearm deer season, very few anglers have been out. The weekly reports will continue to decline until we get safe ice.

Southeast Lower Peninsula

Lake Erie: Walleye anglers found fish in shallower waters when jigging minnows or plastics.

Detroit River: The yellow perch bite continues to improve as more fish move up into the river. Those fishing the cuts and canals are taking fish on minnows.

Lake St. Clair: The walleye, perch and other panfish bite has increased. Anglers have started jigging for walleye with the cooler temperatures. Most were using a blue jig and plastics tipped with a minnow. Panfish are in the local canals and marinas.

Saginaw Bay: Look for yellow perch in the cuts and river mouths. For walleye, try trolling crank baits or jigging.

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Southwest Lower Peninsula

St. Joseph: Anglers caught a couple lake trout off the pierheads.

Black River: Shore anglers were still getting some steelhead when drifting or using spawn on the bottom. A few lake trout were also caught.

Grand River at Grand Rapids: Steelhead anglers were still getting fish up near the dam. Try small spoons, spinners, plugs, spawn bags or a jig and wax worm.

Grand River at Lansing: Some steelhead were caught between Ionia and Portland. No big numbers but a few fish here and there. Boat anglers were trolling crank baits while shore anglers and those wading were using spawn or flies.

Muskegon River: Steelhead are being caught though the run is still spotty. Fish can be found in both the shallows and the deeper holes. Some are casting spoons, beads and crank baits while others are fly casting. Water temperatures were in the low to mid 40’s.

White River: Is producing steelhead.

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Northeast Lower Peninsula

Alpena: Those fishing from the harbor wall caught a couple walleye but the bite was slow. Most were taken on body baits.

Thunder Bay River: Atlantic salmon, steelhead, a couple Chinook salmon, lake trout and brown trout have been caught by those casting spoons, spinners and crank baits or when bottom bouncing and floating beads or spawn bags. Fly anglers stripping and swinging streamers have also taken fish. Some steelhead were moving into the river and the bite picked up. Most of the Atlantic salmon were still spawning but a few are post spawn and were dropping off the beds. Those still-fishing with minnows caught a few small perch.

Oscoda: Pier anglers have caught steelhead, lake trout and walleye when casting spoons, body baits and jigs. Those jigging from the pier caught a couple whitefish.

Au Sable River: Most of the Atlantic salmon were still on the beds but a few hungry post spawn fish have been caught. Steelhead and the odd Chinook were also caught when casting spoons and spinners or when bottom bouncing or floating spawn, flies and beads. Fly anglers were stripping streamers and using egg patterns. A few more fall steelhead were entering the river. A couple large fish up to 10 pounds were caught.

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Northwest Lower Peninsula

Lake Mitchell: Had skim ice on parts of the lake but no safe ice at this time.

Manistee River: Should still have a decent number of steelhead however with snow and cold temperatures, many are hunting instead of fishing.

Pere Marquette River: Had a few anglers targeting steelhead but the bite was slow.

Pentwater River: Is producing steelhead.

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Upper Peninsula

Overall: No ice on the inland lakes yet, but temperatures have been steady in the 20’s and night temperatures will continue to be in the 20’s in the extended forecast.

Portage Lake: A few brave anglers had caught some walleye.

Little Bay De Noc: Had walleye and perch anglers. Walleye catches were fair to good with some limits reported. Most were trolling stick baits from the “Narrows” north to the Center Reef in 35 feet. Those jigging in the shallow weedy areas in seven to eight feet also had success. A lot of baitfish were reported throughout the area and the fish being caught are big and healthy. Some were still night fishing however with the good bite during the day, most were not. Perch anglers reported spotty catch rates with the best action around Butler Island and along the east bank by Vagabond Resort with minnows in 14 to 30 feet.

Manistique Lake: Anglers caught perch in the big lake.

Two Hearted River: Luce County has received several inches of snow over the past week which will make navigation near the river difficult. Steelhead reports have been spotty with a few fish being picked up here and there. Most anglers are targeting fish down near the mouth. Those using small worms with a sinker caught Menominee near the mouth.

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Fishing Tip: Why not head out fishing after you get your deer?

Happy Opening Day! After you get your deer – or if you just need a quick break from sitting in the woods – why not head out fishing?

Now can be a great time to target different species, especially on inland lakes, as they’re bulking up before the ice shows up! There probably won’t be too many other anglers out, so enjoy some fall fishing.

Still don’t have your 2018 Michigan fishing license? Make sure you pick it up before you head out!

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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.