If you’re headed out fishing, please do your part to keep yourself and others safe by following COVID-19 public health and safety guidelines. Go fishing only if you're feeling well. Practice proper social distancing (at least 6 feet away from people who don’t live in your household) and keep a face covering handy for when social distancing cannot be maintained. Frequently wash your hands with soap and warm water, or use hand sanitizer.

Windy conditions continue to hamper fishing, especially on the Great Lakes and the bigger inland lakes. River fishing improved after the rain and much cooler temperatures, but will most likely slow again with the warmup.

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

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Southeast Lower Peninsula

Lake Erie: Perch action was fair in a variety of places, although most anglers returned with less than their limit. Stoney Point was the hot spot. The fish moved in a bit and were caught in 21 to 25 feet. Some had luck at the mouth of the River Raisin and out from Bolles Harbor near the C Buoy. Good catfish and largemouth bass action in the Hot Pond. Walleye were very slow, but those targeting both perch and walleye did manage to pick up one or two.   

Detroit River: Catch rates slowed, but anglers were still getting some perch when using minnows near the islands. 

Lake St. Clair: Fall fishing is finally picking up, with good reports for smallmouth bass, yellow perch, panfish and muskie. The best panfish and perch reports came from those using live bait near the remaining weed beds. Other areas to try would be the cuts and canals. 

St. Clair River: Walleye and lake sturgeon reports were very good, especially for those night fishing. Try whipping or jigging for walleye and still-fishing with live bait for sturgeon.

Lexington and Port Sanilac: Had few reports due to windy conditions. Some steelhead were caught right outside the harbors when trolling spoons. Pier and shore anglers had no luck.    

Harbor Beach: Was also producing some steelhead just outside the harbor when trolling spoons. Pier and shore anglers had no luck. 

Saginaw Bay: Yellow perch were caught off the Pinconning Bar in 10 to 20 feet, off Linwood in 16 to 19 feet, in the old shipping channel, at the mouth of the Saginaw River and east of Spoils Island. Quanicassee was slow for perch, with mostly small fish caught in the river. Boats out in the bay were getting a few keepers in 8 to 10 feet. A small number of bluegills were caught in the cuts around Fish Point with a worm and bobber. Largemouth and smallmouth bass were caught in Wildfowl Bay. No walleye were caught.   

Saginaw River: Had some walleye action in the lower river, but fishing slowed. Most were jigging. No word on perch.

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Southwest Lower Peninsula

St. Joseph: Boat anglers targeting salmon caught a few Chinook and lake trout in 100 feet. No word on perch. Pier fishing was slow for all species. 

St. Joseph River: There were not a lot of fish going through the ladder at Berrien Springs, just a few coho and steelhead. The coho were a mix of fresh fish and those that have been in the river for a while. 

South Haven: Very few anglers have been able to get out this week, so no perch reports have come in. Pier fishing was slow for all species.    

Kalamazoo River: Anglers have caught salmon and steelhead on spawn, yarn and wax worms. 

Lake Macatawa: The DNR boat launch is back open. Pier anglers have caught a few freshwater drum when casting spoons. Those casting for salmon had no luck. 

Port Sheldon: Boat anglers reported slow trout and salmon fishing.    

Grand Haven: Not much has changed since last week. Wind and rain have prevented boat and pier anglers from getting out. The Harbor Island boat launch continues to be closed.

Grand River near Grand Rapids: Anglers continue to catch coho and steelhead, and a few Chinook were caught up at the 6^th Street Dam. Fish were also caught in Ionia County. 

Rogue River: Also has coho and steelhead in the lower river. 

Grand River near Lansing: Salmon were spotted near the Brenke Fish Ladder. A few coho were caught in Eaton County. 

Muskegon: Windy conditions continue to hamper fishing for boat and pier anglers. When they could get out, pier anglers casting for salmon had no luck.

Muskegon Lake: Perch and bluegills were found along the weed lines. 

Muskegon River: Water temperatures are in the 60s. Anglers continue to find some nice brown trout when fly fishing. Bass can be found near structure.    

White Lake: Perch and bluegills were caught along the south shore weed beds. 

White River: A few salmon were caught in Hesperia. 

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Northeast Lower Peninsula

Cheboygan River: Had two chutes open at the dam. Some days were better than others, as anglers were getting some Chinook salmon when drifting skein and spawn bags or casting spoons and crankbaits. The fish were 6-20 pounds. A few pink salmon were caught. 

Burt Lake and Mullett Lake: Walleye and perch anglers had mixed results. 

Rogers City: Those trolling for steelhead have caught some nice fish running spoons up higher in the water column.    

Alpena: Steelhead anglers have done well up high in 40 to 80 feet. The key is to find the baitfish and use bright colors. Anglers are also picking up the occasional walleye or young salmon. Any lake trout caught must be released immediately.   

Thunder Bay River: Has Chinook, coho and Atlantic salmon; however, they did not want to bite. Anglers were drifting flies and spawn or casting body baits. A couple walleye were caught at the 9^th Street Dam.      

Oscoda: Those trolling body baits, spoons and plugs caught steelhead, walleye and the occasional Chinook or coho in 20 to 60 feet off the river mouth. Chinook, Atlantic and a few pike were caught by pier anglers casting spoons and body baits both morning and evening. A few nice smallmouth bass were caught on minnows. Lots of young gizzard shad and shiners were reported near the river mouth. 

Au Sable River: The rain and colder weather pushed some fresh fish into the river, but the bite was slow. Anglers caught a couple Chinook, Atlantic and steelhead along with the occasional pink salmon when drifting spawn and beads, floating spawn bags and skein, swinging streamer flies or trolling and casting plugs. Water temperatures below Foote Dam were in the low 60s. 

Higgins Lake: Was producing some nice rock bass along the drop-offs. The few anglers out for perch have caught some decent-size fish, but they had to spend the time looking for them. Most were caught in 20 to 30 feet. There was no word on trout. 

Houghton Lake: Few anglers have been out, so reports were few as well. Fishing has been slow, with only the occasional walleye caught.

Tawas: Boat anglers were marking lots of baitfish. Walleye were caught out past the point and to the south. A couple steelhead were caught when trolling spoons in 40 to 50 feet south of the point. Smallmouth bass were caught out near the Charity Islands when casting plastics, spinners and crankbaits. 

Tawas River: One or two salmon were caught at Gateway Park. 

Au Gres: Had slow walleye fishing, as most have switched over to perch. Good catches, including some limits, were reported out near the shipping channel in 40 to 50 feet and north of the Bell Buoy to Pt. Au Gres. Fish were still being caught near the Pine River, Rifle Bar, Saganing Bar and Pinconning Bar with minnows in 10 to 20 feet.   

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Northwest Lower Peninsula

Petoskey: Had very few boats out. Pier anglers were few, but those casting in the early morning did manage to get a couple Chinook. Those surf casting were lucky to get a few salmon when casting spoons and crankbaits or drifting spawn. Anglers are reminded that lake trout season is now closed past the mouth of the river.

Bear River: Was running high after recent rains. The rain and cooler weather did push some fish into the river, but catch rates have slowed. Those targeting trout and salmon were using skein, spawn and flies. 

Charlevoix: Boat effort continues to be very low. Shore anglers targeting smallmouth bass had no luck. Medusa Creek had salmon. 

Boyne River: Salmon anglers also caught a couple steelhead and brown trout. 

Traverse City: Cisco fishing remains good in the East Bay in 90 to 120 feet when the weather permits. Jigging was the most productive, but those trolling caught a few as well. Smallmouth bass fishing has been slow, with only a few targeting them. In the West Bay, perch were caught in Bowers Harbor, Suttons Bay and Northport. The action was hit or miss, but on the good days, some limit catches were reported. On the south end, Chinook and coho were caught in the hole in front of the river.    

Boardman River: Was producing a few Chinook and coho. 

Leelanau County: Steelhead were caught at the mouth of Shalda Creek. Chinook and steelhead were seen below the dam in the Leland River. 

Platte Bay: Reports indicate the coho action is done here; however, fish are being caught in the Platte River.

Frankfort: Anglers on both piers and along the shore have caught a couple steelhead on spawn.   

Betsie River: Anglers are still reporting a few fresh salmon moving into the river. 

Portage Lake: Had no significant catches to report due to the weather.     

Manistee: When the weather cooperated, those trolling along the shoreline for coho and steelhead had little luck. The odd coho and a brown trout were caught in 18 to 25 feet south of the port. Pier anglers struggled. Those surf casting were lucky to get a coho or steelhead.    

Manistee River: Those targeting Chinook are still getting some fish all the way up to Tippy Dam. Fish are starting to turn dark as the run winds down. Anglers are now waiting for the steelhead run. 

Ludington: Slow catch rates continue, with those trolling only getting the odd coho. Pier and shore fishing were also slow. A couple anglers at Ludington State Park did manage to land a couple fresh coho. 

Pere Marquette River: Had a good push of fish after the rain, and anglers caught some large Chinook salmon. A small number of steelhead were caught in the lower river. A couple walleye were also caught. Salmon were in the South Branch. 

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Upper Peninsula

Keweenaw Bay: The past week has been hit or miss. Anglers were marking lots of fish but only picked up a few coho, steelhead, brown trout or splake. Those catching fish were putting in their time to do so.   

Marquette: A few boats were out and caught a small number of coho, steelhead and brown trout. Some limit catches were taken near Granite Island, including fish up to 10 pounds. The fish were found in shallow water along the breaks. Those trying for whitefish had no luck. Shore anglers fishing from the Chocolay River access, the mouth of the Carp River and Dead River reported one or two fish per trip, mostly coho, brown trout, splake and small Chinook salmon. Those starting to fish the breakwall by the Coast Guard Station caught a few lake trout on spoons. 

Little Bay de Noc: Walleye anglers reported fair catches, with most fishing north of the “Narrows” in the early morning or late at night when trolling a crawler harness or stick baits in 12 to 20 feet. Night anglers anchored in the shallows and casting stick baits also caught fish. Perch fishing was fair in the same area with crawlers or minnows in 6 to 25 feet. Smallmouth bass are in fall mode and were found 25 feet down in deeper water near the Black Bottom. Most were using dropshots or minnows. No salmon in the rivers.

Indian Lake: In Schoolcraft County was producing some perch. 

Manistique River: The fall salmon run has peaked, as very few silver fish are being reported. Most were casting crankbaits about 100 yards from the dam. Some have started looking for steelhead, but no catches were reported. Walleye are still in the river, and a few were caught by salmon anglers.     

Munising: Had some improvement, but catch rates were still low, especially for boat anglers. Those shore fishing the Anna River and Bay Furnace caught a few coho and splake along with a few small rainbows on spawn or casting spoons. Most of the coho were still somewhat silver.

St. Marys River: Salmon fishing slowed. The pink salmon run lasted about two weeks near Sault Ste. Marie. Anglers were still getting a few behind the Edison Power Plant, but they were not in the best shape. Walleye fishing in the upper river was slow, with only a few caught near the shipping channel. Perch fishing was good in Lake George. 

Detour: Gusty winds have kept salmon and trout anglers off the water. When conditions allowed, those able to get out beyond the lighthouse caught a few lake trout along the 90-foot flat. Most were using orange and white or chartreuse and white spin-glo’s behind flashers. 

Drummond Island: Yellow perch fishing was good until strong northeast winds stirred up both Scott Bay and Maxton Bay and stained the water. Before that, perch were caught in 12 to 14 feet at Ashman Island and James Island with worms and shiners.  Good smallmouth action on the north side of Burnt Island in 6 to 8 feet with orange and dark green tube jigs and off Bruce’s Point with orange and chartreuse twister tail jigs along the rock piles. 

Cedarville and Hessel: There were reports of a few perch caught in Cedarville Bay, across from Viking Marina. Try just off the cattails in 6 to 8 feet with worms and shiners. A few catches were taken at Island #8 off Hill Island Road. Try fishing on both sides of the bridge. For Hessel, there were no reports of any perch caught from the finger docks at the marina. Pike fishing was good at the pier in the early morning. Fish were caught east and west of the pier when casting large crankbaits or floating live creek chubs 2 feet off the bottom. 

Carp River: Anglers fishing upriver from the I-75 overpass to the McDonald Rapids caught pink salmon on spawn, spoons and spinners. The occasional coho was caught at the seawall when casting spoons. 

Nunn’s Creek: After the last rain, anglers caught Chinook weighing 6-20 pounds when casting spoons and crankbaits or drifting skein. Boat anglers casting spoons and crankbaits at the mouth also caught fish.

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Fishing Tip: How to catch muskellunge when others can't

For many anglers, muskellunge can be quite elusive, but having a few tips in your back pocket can make your trips more successful.

The first thing to consider is the type of lure you might use. Many experts recommend using a jerkbait-style lure to trigger vertical follows.

The next thing to consider is where you might look for muskellunge. Always be looking for cover, including weed patches or downed trees – these are prime spots for them to linger.

Lastly, don’t be afraid to focus your fishing time to late afternoon/early evening. These hours can produce some quality opportunities. Please check the 2020 Fishing Guide for muskellunge fishing regulations.

For even more information on fishing for muskellunge, visit the muskie page on the DNR’s website.

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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.