Weekly Fishing Report: February 14, 2019

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Weekly Fishing Report - February 14, 2019

fishing map Southwest Lower Peninsula Weekly Fishing Report Southeast Lower Peninsula Weekly Fishing Report Northeast Lower Peninsula Weekly Fishing Report Northwest Lower Peninsula Weekly Fishing Report Upper Peninsula Weekly Fishing Report

Pay special attention to the bold parts of this week’s report as there are several unsafe areas for those out ice fishing!

All anglers 17 years of age and older are required to have a fishing license.

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Southeast Lower Peninsula

Lake Erie: Some bluegills and yellow perch were caught in the Metro Park Marina. Bluegill were hitting on wax worms or spikes and perch on minnows. The panfish bite at the Downriver Marina was slow but a few were taken on jigs and wax worms.

Detroit River: Airport Bay at the south end of Grosse Ile was producing some perch ranging 10 to 12 inches.

Lake St. Clair: Anglers took nice catches of perch in front of Gino’s when jigging red and chartreuse teardrops tipped with minnows. Those venturing about a mile out from the Clinton River Cut-Off had some luck spearing pike. The perch action was spotty however some were getting 15 to 25 decent size fish from all access points when they found the fish. Those targeting bluegills near the Raft Restaurant were getting limits however the bite was slow, and it was an all-day effort. There was open water off the point at the Harley Ensign launch however anglers were still fishing in the bay opposite the river side.

Saginaw Bay: Fishing really picked up over the last week if anglers didn’t mind going 12 to 15 miles out. The action was best in the deepest part of the inner bay. Anglers need to use caution as there is a very active pressure crack about 1 ½ miles offshore running from the mouth of the Saginaw River all the way up to Linwood. There is slush in the crack making it appear to be frozen, but it’s not and several machines went in last weekend. Further north off Coggins and Erickson Roads, anglers were going 12 to 15 miles out to the vicinity of Buoys 1-4 and doing well on walleye and perch in 28 to 30 feet.

Along the south end, walleye anglers did well off Finn Road near Buoys 9 & 10 and around the Spark Plug (Buoys 11 & 12). Perch anglers off Vanderbilt Park near Quanicassee took some perch ranging 10 to 12 inches. No limits but most averaged about 10 fish. Anglers are cautioned to avoid the area of Hidden Harbor off King Road, as there’s a bad spot near the access where machines have been going through the ice. Those heading off Thomas Road and going 12 to 15 miles out near Buoys 1-4 caught good numbers of walleye and large perch. Activity from Sebewaing to Caseville was very light. Those near the Mud Creek access site caught a couple dozen perch, one walleye and one pike. The Pigeon River at Caseville was running fast and muddy which made for poor fishing in the harbor and along the break-wall.

Saginaw River: Had poor fishing along the entire river and ice conditions were iffy at best. Recent snow melt and run-off coupled with rain has made the river fast and muddy and wrecked the ice in the main channel. A few were inching out on the turn basin near Ojibway Island but not catching anything. There was very little activity from there downstream through Bay City. There was some fishing near the mouth, but anglers had to stay away from the shipping channel due to thin ice. One angler recently went through the ice off the Patterson Road launch.

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Southwest Lower Peninsula

Overall: The inland lakes were becoming fishable again however anglers should use caution and test the ice ahead of you. Bluegill and crappie were caught in the morning and evening on jigs and wax worms or spikes in 10 to 20 feet.

Kalamazoo County: Ice conditions on the inland lakes were still pretty good, but the thickness was variable. Caution needs to be used on lakes with inlets as snowmelt has caused rivers and tributaries to flow higher thus worsening the ice conditions where they flow into.

Kalamazoo River: The steelhead action has slowed.

Swan Lake: In Allegan County was producing some limit catches of bluegill. Both bluegills and crappie were taken on teardrops with wax worms or spikes. A few pike were taken on tip-ups.

Miner Lake: In Allegan County reported fair to good bluegill action.

Lake Macatawa: The yellow perch action has been very good at times.

Muskegon Lake: Had snow cover for easier travel. Be sure to stay away from the mouth of the river and channel. Perch have been caught everywhere but the bigger ones seems to be in 50 to 55 feet. Those fishing the north end off Second Street were still getting some perch and walleye, but most were too small. A few pike were still being caught near Fisherman’s Landing and Heritage Landing.

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Northeast Lower Peninsula

Burt Lake: Had some very good walleye fishing however the bite did slow.

Black Lake: Anglers were catching medium-size walleye and perch.

Grand Lake: Was producing a few walleye and perch.

Long Lake: Anglers were still catching walleye, pike, perch and panfish.

Fletchers Pond: Was producing decent pike catches.

Otsego Lake: Those targeting lake sturgeon had success with minnows in five to eight feet although most of the fish caught were 46 to 48 inches and had to be released.

Higgins Lake: Had about four inches of snow on top making travel easier. Perch were caught around the islands however be ready to sort through the small ones. Lake trout were still hitting in 80 to 100 feet when jigging or using tip-ups with minnows. Rainbow trout were in the shallows near the Conference Center and Big Creek. Whitefish were starting to hit near the bottom in 100 to 110 feet. Use a single hook tipped with an egg, wax worm or wiggler. A few smelt were caught just off the bottom in 40 to 60 feet in the evening. The action was better off Big Creek and the North State Park. Try Hali jigs with wax worms or spikes. Large pike were taken on tip-ups or spearing.

Houghton Lake: Still has the large pressure crack that runs from the West DNR launch to Johnsons Point. Anglers cannot cross the pressure crack to get to the Middle Grounds safely and will have to use other areas. Travel on the ice will be easier with the snow however watch for drifts. The bluegill and crappie bite was still light so watch your line for better success. A couple walleye were found in eight to 12 feet. Bass and pike were hitting hard however all bass must be released immediately.

Tawas: Those fishing the inner bay off Jerry’s Marina caught walleye in 20 to 22 feet near the artificial reef. They also took a few lake trout and a pike or two.

Au Gres: Fishing is now concentrated on either side of the breakwall, with some walleye taken and a few pike speared south of the wall. Some nice perch were taken north of the breakwall. Lots of fishing activity off the end of Hale Road in Wigwam Bay with good catches of walleye and perch in six to 17 feet.

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Northwest Lower Peninsula

Harbor Springs: Some nice catches of perch were taken in Little Traverse Bay.

Walloon Lake: Was producing some decent catches of walleye.

Lake Charlevoix: Anglers were still getting a few lake herring.

South Lake Leelanau: Anglers are seeing walleye on the south end of the lake.

Traverse City: Ice fishing has been slow in the West Bay with only a few perch caught in Suttons Bay and south of Northport.

Big Glen Lake: Is producing lake trout.

Long Lake: In Benzie County is producing pike and perch.

Crystal Lake: Is producing pike and burbot. Lake trout were also caught on smelt however smelt were not being caught in large numbers.

Lakes Cadillac and Mitchell: Anglers continue to catch pike, walleye, crappie, perch and bluegill.

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Upper Peninsula

Keweenaw Bay: Has a lot of snow on the ice so travel conditions are very difficult because of the deep slush. Foot travel will also be difficult so angler may want snow shoes. Anglers need to use extreme caution when traveling on the stack ice around the Pump House and watch for stacked ice north of Sand Point which can be hard to see in windy conditions. Slush was also making travel difficult including the area of smelt village near the Baraga Marina. Ice conditions can change rapidly so be sure to check the ice before venturing out. Lake trout were caught when jigging 1-ounce spoons or jigs with cut bait in 170 feet or more. The whitefish action was spotty in 50 to 90 feet with a single salmon egg or spoons. Coho fishing was slow and the splake bite slowed with only a few taken in 30 to 60 feet on spoons, jigging raps or tip-ups. A couple brown trout were caught randomly at different depths ranging 12 to 90 feet. In the deeper water, the fish were in the upper 3rd of the water column. Anglers are seeing good numbers of smelt however the bite was spotty in 30 to 90 feet in the morning or just before and after dark.

Little Bay De Noc: Heavy snowfall is making travel on the ice much more difficult for many. Snowmobiles were the best means of travel. The weight of the snow has opened some of the ice off Saunders Point so extreme caution needs to be used in this area. Overall fishing was slow. Anglers were marking good numbers of fish but only a few were caught. The better perch fishing was near Kipling with minnows or wigglers in 29 to 35 feet. Best walleye catches were taken in the Gladstone area with rapalas or minnows in 28 to 35 feet however most the fish were undersize. Several large pike were caught near the Escanaba Power Plant when using tip-ups with minnows in about 30 feet.

Munising: Ice conditions have remained about the same except now there are areas of slush. Some areas have six inches or more of snow cover so travel will be difficult. Trout Bay was marginal for fishing. With the heavy snow, be safe. Those venturing out caught coho and burbot. In general, fishing continues to be slow. A few whitefish over 14 inches were caught but the majority were small. Try 50 to 70 feet with a single egg or mousies. Lake trout anglers fishing out towards the White Rocks and Wood Island Reef had some nice catches when jigging in 120 to 160 feet. Anglers report the lake trout are full of smelt but no one seems to be catching smelt yet. A couple legal size splake were also caught.

Cedarville and Hessel: Ice fishing is on however travel by ORV is difficult due to slush and deep snow. Those fishing Musky Bay caught seven to 10-inch perch with minnows, wigglers and spikes. In Hessel Bay, anglers caught perch when jigging minnows and wigglers in 12 to 15 feet. Those fishing deeper water had not seen any schools of perch come in yet.

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Fishing Tip: Fish for FREE this weekend

Just a reminder this Saturday and Sunday brings the 2019 Winter #MiFreeFishingWeekend to Michigan!

On those two days all fishing license fees will be waived. Residents and out-of-state visitors can enjoy fishing on both inland and waters of the Great Lakes for all species during their respective open seasons. Please note all other 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. Please note all events are subject to local weather conditions.

More information on this weekend’s unique opportunity to fish for free and this year’s official events can be found at Michigan.gov/FreeFishing.

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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