Walleye and pike season for the Upper Peninsula Great Lakes, inland waters and the St. Marys River opened on May 15. Trout fishing was still slow in the northern regions due to the cold nights and cold river temperatures. The action should pick up in the next week or two.

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Southeast Lower Peninsula

Lake Erie: Several ramps including Bolles Harbor and Sterling were submerged as water levels were quite high. The few anglers able to get out caught a couple walleye in 17 to 18 feet in Brest Bay with a crawler harness or bandit. A couple white bass and freshwater drum were also caught.

Detroit River: The good walleye fishing continues. Anglers did well in the middle of the lower Trenton Channel and the Gibraltar area. Most are using a jig and a minnow but some were switching to a crawler harness. A few pike and some bullhead have been caught. A few more white bass are starting to show up.

Lake St. Clair: The water is clearing up but was still cool for this time of year. Fish are just starting to push up into the shallows. The smallmouth action should pick up soon. There are lots of walleye in the lake and they are feeding nearshore. Target the stained water near the river mouths.

St. Clair River: Walleye fishing is at its peak. Limit catches are coming quickly from all areas. Water levels are high, but currently not affecting angling activity.

Lexington: Catch rates were slow with a few lake trout and salmon mixed in. The fish were scattered in 18 to 50 feet. Most were using body baits, but some were using downriggers with spoons. Pier fishing was slow.

Port Sanilac: Those trolling reported slow catch rates. A few trout and salmon were taken on spoons and body baits. Pier fishing was slow.

Harbor Beach: Anglers caught a light number of trout, salmon and even walleye in 20 to 60 feet. A few smallmouth bass were caught and released by pier anglers.

Port Austin: Those trolling crank baits reported slow catch rates. Catch and release bass were taken on crawlers or tube baits.

Saginaw Bay: Strong winds from the north and northeast make it difficult for boat anglers to get out. A few walleyes were caught in eight to 20 feet off Linwood and near the Callahan Reef in 15 feet with crank baits or a crawler harness. Fish were also caught straight out from Quanicassee in eight to 10 feet or at the south end of the Slot. A few yellow perch were caught when trolling crawlers. From Sebewaing to Caseville, most of the activity was shore anglers or bass anglers. Bass were caught and released on a variety of artificial baits. A couple pike were also caught.

Saginaw River: Catfish and freshwater drum were caught near Smith Park in Essexville.

Tittabawassee River: A few limit catches of walleye were taken downstream of Center Road around Greenpoint Nature Center and upstream near Coty’s Landing. Most were trolling a chartreuse, orange, blue or silver Flicker Shad. Catch rates were spotty so anglers had to search for them. White bass were caught in the lower river when trolling artificial baits. Above Center Road in Freeland and closer to Midland the fishing pressure was light as anglers did not have much success. The entire river was now fishable and catch rates should improve as it warms up.

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Southwest Lower Peninsula

Overall: High water levels have made river fishing much more difficult. Area trout streams have been producing some nice brown trout. Try after a rain when the water is receding. A few good choices that have public access would be the South Branch of the Galien, Swan Creek, Dowagiac River, Rabbit River, Rogue River, Rice Creek and Battle Creek.

St. Joseph: Boat anglers targeting salmon reported good catch rates well south and somewhat north of the port in waters 100 feet and deeper with magnum spoons, spin-doctors and flies as well as meat rigs. Pier fishing was slow with only a couple trout or salmon taken on spoons.

South Haven: Boat anglers targeting salmon had mixed results. The Chinook were scattered in 50 to 100 feet. Both Chinook and lake trout were hitting on magnum spoons in 70 feet. Pier fishing was slow. No perch to report.

Gun Lake: In Barry County continues to produce crappie and some bluegills. Bass have been caught and released.

Grand Haven: The yellow perch action has slowed for the boat anglers. A few Chinook and lake trout were caught in 30 to 60 feet. Try spoons and body baits in orange, blue and green. Pier anglers targeting brown trout had slow catch rates.

Grand River at Grand Rapids: Water levels were still a bit high. Smallmouth bass were hitting below the 6th Street Dam. Walleye have been caught above the dam when using crawlers, minnows and leeches. No limit catches but a few here and there. A few crappie were caught in Felix Bayou.

Grand River at Lansing: Water levels are still a bit high but fishable. The smallmouth action picked up with he warmer weather. Pike are also coming alive and both were caught near the fish ladder in North Lansing. Live bait seemed to work best. The crappie bite was also good when anglers could find them.

Muskegon: Boat anglers caught a few lake trout along with the occasional Chinook in 40 to 80 feet. Pier fishing for brown trout was slow.

Muskegon Lake: Bluegills, crappie and bass are moving into the shallows but were not on the beds yet. Walleye were caught near the Coast Guard Station with jigging spoons and along the breakwall with rapalas. Those trolling were using pink and purple crank baits.

Muskegon River: Water levels are high but those fishing the gravel have caught some trout. Anglers reported stone flies and caddis along the river.

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Northeast Lower Peninsula

Cheboygan River: Anglers caught a few walleye when jigging a soft minnow, casting crank baits or when drifting worms on a crawler harness. The fish were running 14 to 19 inches. A couple Atlantic salmon were caught on crank baits near the DNR station. A good number of suckers were caught at the dam, near the walking bridge and the DNR station when using worms.

Rogers City: Anglers were finally able to get out for a couple days but found cold water temperatures between 36 and 41 degrees. A few lake trout were caught however look for surface water temperatures to get up to 45 degrees for the good lake trout fishing to start. For Atlantic salmon, try casting orange, orange and gold, green and white or silver spoons and body baits off the breakwall. Those trolling should head south to Swan Bay, Adams Point or Calcite Harbor with body baits that look like smelt and stay in the top 15 feet of waters up to 60 feet deep. Lake trout were caught on spoons and a dodger or cowbell with a spin-glo.

Presque Isle: Boat anglers caught a few lake trout in 40 to 100 feet when trolling a dodger or cowbell with a spin-glo or spoons in the top 15 to 20 feet. Orange, green, blue, silver, yellow and chartreuse were good colors.

Alpena: Walleye were caught by those trolling in the harbor and in front of the river mouth with body baits in 10 to 20 feet. Lake trout were taken in the bay as well as near Thunder Bay Island when trolling spoons, body baits or spin-glo’s in 20 to 50 feet. Pier anglers casting body baits in the evening caught a couple walleye and pike. Those casting jigs and body baits in the harbor caught smallmouth bass.

Thunder Bay River: Most of the suckers have dropped off the gravel but the steelhead fishing was still slow. A couple steelhead and smallmouth bass were caught up near dam when casting crank baits or drifting flies and beads. Those trolling or casting body baits as well as those jigging minnows or soft plastics caught walleye near the mouth. The odd channel cat was caught on crawlers. One gate was closed at the dam. Water levels were high.

Oscoda: Those trolling spoons, body baits and spin-glo’s caught lake trout in 20 to 45 feet and beyond. The odd Chinook or Atlantic salmon were also caught. Pier anglers caught walleye and a few lake trout in the morning or evening when casting body baits. A couple freshwater drum, carp, and channel cats were also caught.

Au Sable River: Steelhead fishing picked up again and the suckers were dropping off the gravel. Drifting or floating beads, flies and spawn worked best. Fly anglers with egg patterns or nymphs have also caught fish. Those casting body baits or floating crawlers caught walleye and smallmouth bass in town and near the mouth. The river was high, and temperatures were just above 50 degrees.

Higgins Lake: All the launches are open but very few boats have been out. A few shore anglers were trying for rainbow trout but had no luck. Most are still waiting for water temperatures to warm.

Houghton Lake: Catch rates are improving slowly. Walleye have been caught but no limit catches were reported. Boat anglers trolling or drifting near the drop-offs caught fish but the shore anglers fishing at night seem to catch more. Crank baits or leeches seem to work best. Boat anglers targeting bluegills and crappie seem to do better because they could chase the schools of fish. Only the occasional pike was caught.

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Northwest Lower Peninsula

Carp Lake River: In Emmet County was producing a good number of suckers for those using worms and flies.

Harbor Springs: Had no boats and the dock at the launch was not in yet at the beginning of the week.

Petoskey: Had no boat anglers. A couple steelhead were caught near the mouth of the river when using spawn and beads. The Bear River was still running a bit high. Rumor has it a few pike and smallmouth bass are already down past the mouth. Angler effort has dropped off but a couple steelhead were caught at the dam. A good number of suckers were still up near the dam.

Charlevoix: The dock is in at the Township launch on Lake Michigan near the cement plant and the fish cleaning state at the Ferry Boat launch is open. Fishing effort was still low. A couple boats looking for lake trout caught nothing. Not many were fishing the channel during the day however some were casting or trolling for walleye after dark.

Traverse City: Lake herring were caught in the East Bay between Acme and Deepwater Point in 45 to 50 feet. Those targeting them along the peninsula had no luck. Smallmouth bass were caught at the south end of the bay. Perch anglers had no luck. In the Elk River, steelhead were found at the dam by those using spawn or drifting beads. There are a few bass and plenty of suckers in the river. In the West Bay, those targeting perch in Northport, Sutton’s Bay, south of Elmwood or in Bowers Harbor could not find them. Lake herring were caught near Bryant Park. Walleye were observed under the docks in Northport. The Boardman River has a light number of steelhead and plenty of suckers.

Frankfort: Had good numbers of lake trout hitting on spoons and body baits in the harbor and along the shoreline. Brown trout and Chinook salmon were also reported now that water temperatures were in the low 40’s and climbing.

Portage Lake: Water levels were a little high, but anglers caught a respectable number of perch near the channel. The bigger fish were hitting on minnows. Those targeting walleye reported some activity, but not many were caught.

Manistee: Surface water temperatures were holding near 40 degrees. Lake trout fishing was very good in 30 to 60 feet. A small number of Chinook salmon were also coming in. Pier fishing was slow however night anglers caught a decent number of walleye at night.

Manistee River: Steelhead are still being caught mainly on the gravel. Most are bottom bouncing with spawn or using beads and nymphs. Brown trout were caught.

Ludington: Surface water temperatures were near 40 degrees. Lake trout fishing is on fire right now, with fish caught in 30 to 60 feet. Many were coming in with limit catches in a matter of hours. The best fishing was south of the port. A small number of Chinook salmon were also caught. Pier fishing was slow.  

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Upper Peninsula

Overall: The walleye and pike opener should be good as water temperatures move up to the low to mid 40’s. Water levels in the rivers was still high but starting to recede and clear up. Steelhead fishing was still slow.

Copper Harbor: Fishing has been somewhat slow at both Copper and Eagle Harbor. At the piers, anglers are getting a few splake on natural and artificial baits but getting them to bite was not easy. Morning or evening seem to produce a few more fish.

Keweenaw Bay: Smelt are running sporadically and those there at the right time are getting some fish. Trolling was hit-or-miss because of the large number of smelt in shallow waters. Those using medium stick baits did catch a few coho, brown trout or splake. Those targeting lake trout had limited success. The key was to hit the feeding window and stay on top of them when you find them. Trolling near the South Entry in six to 40 feet produced a few coho and trout on stick baits. A couple Chinook were also caught. Huron Bay was producing coho and trout when trolling stick baits in shallow water. Steelhead and suckers are in the rivers.

Marquette: Boat anglers are still doing well between the Lower Harbor and the mouth of the Chocolay River. Most averaged three to five fish with a mixed bag of Chinook, coho, brown trout and splake in 15 to 40 feet. The best bite was early morning.

Chocolay River: Water levels in the upstream sections were quite high. Most anglers are launching boats from the small marina near Harvey and heading out to the mouth of the river and trolling.

Little Bay De Noc: Perch anglers reported fair catches in the “Narrows” in 30 to 38 feet and around the Third Reef in 32 feet with crawlers or wigglers. Good smallmouth bass catches were reported off the mouth of the Ford River with plastics around the rocks and along the shoreline. The walleye opener should be good and much the same as last year. The mouth of the Whitefish River could have some of the better trolling options with crawlers in about 18 feet. The Escanaba River was good last year and probably will be again this year. Bass anglers reported good numbers of walleye around the mouth of the Ford River so this area should also be good. Very few walleye were caught over the winter because of the unfishable ice conditions so the opener should be good. The rivers are high and fast.

Manistique: A few boat anglers were targeting steelhead and brown trout just outside the mouth of the river, but few were caught.

Manistique River: All the gates are now closed at the dam and could be closed for two weeks due to the installation of lamprey traps by the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service. Water levels are very low and accessible below the dam. Steelhead anglers reported excellent catches along the wall when casting spawn, beads or yarn. The fish are visible to anglers now and that can make it a little harder to catch them. Walleye fishing here is usually better mid to late June.

Detour: A few lake trout and Atlantic salmon were caught between Fry Pan Island and the lighthouse with chrome and blue crank bait 10 to 15 feet down in 60 to 80 feet. All the docks are in and the boat ramps are in great shape.

Drummond Island: Anglers were still reporting good catches of yellow perch in Scott Bay with worms or shiners in four to six feet. When still-fishing does not work, try drifting or trolling.

Cedarville and Hessel: No yellow perch were caught in Cedarville Bay, Musky Bay or Government Bay. There was not much fishing effort for perch west of the Cedarville launch off Meridian Road. Most perch anglers were fishing the Hessel Marina. Those fishing in and around the finger docks caught fish ranging seven to nine inches. They were hitting on worms, shiners or wax worms. The occasional Atlantic salmon, steelhead or walleye were also caught. A good number of splake were also caught from the fishing pier with both natural and artificial spawn, frozen smelt or minnows a foot or two off the bottom in eight feet. On May 17, the wooden connector bridge that goes to the marina finger docks will be put into place so anglers will have access.

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Fishing Tip: Taking great catch-and-release photos

Are you an avid catch-and-release angler? Do you like to take photos of the fish you catch, prior to returning them to the water? Do you know the safest way to take these photos so you ensure the fish can live to be caught another day?

1. Wet your hands before you handle the fish – that way you won’t remove any of the protective mucus (aka slime) the fish has coating their body.
2. Remember a fish can not breathe out of water, so they will become uncomfortable rather quickly. Keep the fish in the water until your camera is ready to take the shot.
3. Take the photo with the fish close to the water, that way if it squirms out of your hands it will land in the water – not on a hard surface.
4. While holding a fish do not pinch or squeeze it and do not stick your fingers in its gills.
5. Be mindful of the different kinds of fish that have teeth and/or spines that could stick you.

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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