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.

Wind, rain and even snow kept anglers from venturing out. While many are hunting or getting ready for ice fishing, those brave enough to tackle the elements were rewarded with a few fish, including steelhead, whitefish, pike and panfish.

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

Buy your license ►

Southeast Lower Peninsula

Lake Erie: Surface water temperatures in Michigan waters were in the low to mid 40s. When they could get out, boat anglers were still finding the occasional walleye. 

Lake St. Clair: Panfish were caught in the canals. Few anglers are targeting muskie. 

Saginaw Bay: Surface water temperatures were in the upper 30s. A few perch anglers were still heading out.    

Saginaw River: Catch rates for walleye were slow, but boat and shore anglers are getting a few. 

Tittabawassee River: Anglers have caught the occasional walleye. 

Back to Top

Southwest Lower Peninsula

Surface water temperatures on the southern portion of Lake Michigan were 48 to 50 degrees.   

St. Joseph: Several pier anglers were out targeting steelhead and whitefish when using fresh spawn in the early morning.     

St. Joseph River: Steelhead movement at the Berrien Springs ladder slowed with the lower water temperatures, but there should still be plenty of fish based on the number that have come through the ladder the last few weeks. Anglers should concentrate on typical steelhead late fall/winter holding waters.

Grand Haven: Pier and shore anglers are catching steelhead on spawn. The whitefish action was hit or miss for those jigging in the channel. Pier anglers have caught a few whitefish when still-fishing with a single egg. 

Grand River near Grand Rapids: Had reports of decent steelhead fishing, including upstream of the 6^th Street Dam. While there are fish around, there do not seem to be as many for mid-November as there usually are. Anglers were fishing near the dam and off the east side wall. Rain could certainly bring in some new fish. 

Muskegon: Those jigging for whitefish found the action to be hit or miss. Small jigging spoons have worked the best. Pier anglers have caught a couple steelhead using spawn.

Muskegon River: A recent survey conducted by DNR Fisheries staff sampled good numbers of fresh steelhead in the lower stretches. 

Whitehall: Pier anglers are getting some whitefish in the channel.

Back to Top

Northeast Lower Peninsula

Surface water temperatures along Lake Huron were running in the mid-40s from Cheboygan south. Off the Thumb, readings were about 50 degrees.    

Thunder Bay River: Anglers continue to catch Atlantic salmon near the 9^th Street Dam.  Those using fresh spawn or small jigging spoons have caught a few whitefish. Steelhead and brown trout can also be caught. 

Au Sable River: Was producing a few trout for those fly fishing with streamers.    

Houghton Lake: No boats had been out. Anglers should still find some crappie in the canals. A few decent-size perch and a couple nice pike were caught near the Reedsburg Dam.   

Tawas: The whitefish action slowed, but those targeting them from the state dock were still getting some fish. 

Back to Top

Northwest Lower Peninsula

Surface water temperatures on the northern portion of Lake Michigan were 48 to 50 degrees. 

Torch Lake: Whitefish spearing continues, especially on the south end near the sandbar.   

Lakes Cadillac and Mitchell: Anglers were having some late-season success for walleye. 

Lake Missaukee: Was also producing a few late-season walleyes.    

Manistee River: Had pretty good steelhead fishing; however, water levels were dropping and clearing up, which makes fishing more difficult. Rain in the forecast should help. 

Pere Marquette River: The steelhead bite slowed with the cold front but should pick back up with the return of rain and warmer temperatures. 

Back to Top

Upper Peninsula

This area of the state had no updates for the week. Surface water temperatures on Lake Superior were in the high 30s to low 40s.

Back to Top

Fishing Tip: Michigan’s Natural Rivers Program

A little goes a long way … What do the Au Sable, Two Hearted, Kalamazoo and Huron rivers have in common? They are all state-designated Natural Rivers. Select river systems throughout Michigan are afforded protections through zoning regulations that aim to balance the right to reasonable development with preserving, protecting and enhancing the state’s unique rivers. Each additional foot away from the river a new home is built, each additional foot of riverside vegetation left intact, helps preserve Michigan’s world-class aquatic resources for current and future generations.

The Natural Rivers Program is 50 years old this year!

Back to Top

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.