Due to the upcoming holidays, this will be the final report for 2019. The report will not be updated again until the week of Jan. 6, 2020. 

Anglers are ice fishing in the northern half of the Lower Peninsula and in the Upper Peninsula. Caution still needs to be used. Ice anglers are reminded to be respectful of the natural resources and take out whatever you take in. Please do not leave trash out on the ice.   

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

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Southeast Lower Peninsula

Lake Erie: Those trolling in Brest Bay were still getting some walleye. Skim ice was forming in the canals and marinas. Anglers were able to get out through Bolles Harbor, but they did have to break through some ice. Walleye were caught near the Dumping Grounds with crank baits. Those looking for panfish were using wax worms in the canals and marinas along the northern end of the lake. Lee Road Marina and Down River Marina were producing panfish with a small jig and wax worm. 

Huron River: No big numbers, but the occasional steelhead was caught by boat anglers fishing the deeper holes between Flat Rock and South Rockwood with diving plugs, spinners, small spoons and jigs. 

Detroit River: Did not have much angler activity. Skim ice was forming in the cuts, canals and marinas. Bluegill fishing slowed, but fish were caught on wax worms.  Perch fishing was slow. 

Lake St. Clair: The marinas and canals were beginning to freeze over. The docks have been removed at the launches. Shore anglers have caught panfish. Boat anglers reported a few limit catches of walleye on the south end of the lake in the early morning with a bottom bouncer and crawler harness. A few nice perch were caught in the canals off the Clinton River.  

St. Clair River: Walleye fishing was slow. 

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Southwest Lower Peninsula

Grand Haven: Strong wind and wave action has kept the pier anglers at bay. Surface water temperatures were in the low to mid 40s. 

Grand River at Grand Rapids: Anglers still were getting the occasional steelhead when drifting beads.      

Muskegon Lake: Walleye were caught on purple bandits. The night bite was slow. Perch fishing was slow, and the fish were small.

Muskegon River: Still had higher water levels; however, water clarity did improve. Catch rates for steelhead were hit-or-miss for the most part. 

White Lake: Perch have been caught but most were small. Panfish have been caught in shallow waters along the shoreline. The odd steelhead or coho was caught along the channel. 

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Northeast Lower Peninsula

Thunder Bay River: There was some activity up near the 9^th Street Dam as a few hardy souls were fishing for Atlantic salmon, steelhead and whitefish.  A few perch were caught in the marina.    

Otsego Lake: Had reports of a few anglers out for walleye, but no reports on ice thickness. A couple sturgeon also were caught. Anglers are reminded that lake sturgeon less than 50 inches must be released immediately. 

Higgins Lake: Has open water with only skim ice along the shoreline. This is the time of year shore anglers target rainbow trout off the North State Park and near Big Creek.    

Houghton Lake: Had ice anglers fishing the East Bay. Anglers still need to use caution and stay away from areas such as the Muskegon River and the Cut River, where there is constant flow. The bite was slow; however, walleye, pike, crappie and bluegills have been caught on blues and mousies. Anglers are reminded to be respectful and take out what you take in. Please do not leave trash out on the ice.

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Northwest Lower Peninsula

Anglers are starting to get out on the ice on some inland lakes. Ice conditions are not great, and extreme caution needs to be used. Avoid the large, deep lakes for a while yet.   

Little Glen Lake: Ice fishing has just started, but no reports have come in.    

Lakes Cadillac and Mitchell: Did have some fishable ice finally; however, most anglers were not too far out. Be sure to use caution and check the ice ahead of you. 

Osceola and Mecosta County: Ice is forming on all the inland lakes; however, conditions were not safe for ice fishing. 

Pentwater River: Steelhead were caught upstream from Long Bridge Road in Oceana County. 

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Upper Peninsula

The cold temperatures are making ice; however, anglers still need to use caution. 

Indian Lake: Had ice and reports of walleye and perch being caught. 

Manistique Lake: Had reports of crappie, walleye and pike caught on South Manistique. 

Manistique River: Was producing a couple steelhead. 

Munuscong Bay: A few small perch were caught on Fowlers Bay.

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Fishing Tip: Ice fishing in the middle of the day

We often emphasize the best times to go ice fishing are early morning and around dusk – but what about those folks who can’t go during those times and would prefer to fish in the middle of the day? Don’t worry, there are options for you too!

A few species are ideal midday targets, including northern pike, yellow perch, bluegill, and rainbow and brown trout.

For northern pike you can set up tip-ups and enjoy a leisurely day on the ice. For yellow perch you can drill a high number of holes and move around frequently. For bluegill you can use a fish locator to follow around a school. And for rainbow and brown trout you can sight-fish for them in shallower water.

Need even more tips for going ice fishing? Visit Michigan.gov/HowToFish.

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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.