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.

Ice fishing has started on the inland lakes in the Upper Peninsula, though extreme caution needs to be used. Some of the inland lakes in the northern section of the Lower Peninsula had skim ice, but no safe ice. Now is the time to get that ice fishing gear ready to go. 

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

Buy your license ►

Southeast Lower Peninsula

Lake Erie: The Metro Park Marina was producing some bluegills for those using ice jigs with a wax worm. Off the mouth of the Huron River, a few perch were caught near Rat Island in 13 to 15 feet. 

Detroit River: Those jigging up and down the river caught a few walleye on a black jig with a red hook. 

Lake St. Clair: Not many were out, as most are now waiting for ice fishing to get started. Perch fishing was hit or miss. Walleye were caught when trolling crankbaits in the southwest corner of the lake. Muskie reports have picked up for those trolling down near the Detroit River. Anglers are reminded that the Canadian border is still closed, even on the water. 

Saginaw Bay: Walleye and perch anglers are still heading out, but fewer numbers of them. Those fishing at Caseville and down around the Thumb to Port Sanilac are finding lake trout and some whitefish. 

Back to Top

Southwest Lower Peninsula

Dowagiac River: Construction related to the dam removal and channel dredging has resumed and may reduce water clarity and impact fishing. Work will continue until Dec. 18 and then stop until early January.     

Kalamazoo River: Was busy, with a good number of anglers out targeting steelhead. Catch rates were decent. 

Port Sheldon: Had a couple boats out, and anglers were getting lake trout. 

Grand Haven: A couple pier anglers managed to get out and target steelhead. No word on catch rates.   

Grand River near Grand Rapids: The upper grate at the 6^th Street fish ladder has been cleared of debris. No fish were observed in the ladder. A few shore anglers continue to target steelhead and walleye, and the occasional boat was fishing the center run. 

Grand River near Lansing: The fish ladders at both the Portland and Grand Ledge dams have been closed. The ladder at the Webber Dam will remain open for the winter. Staff cleaning out debris did not observe any fish.      

Muskegon: A few lake trout were caught by boat anglers. 

Muskegon River: Low and clear water made fishing a little more challenging, but those putting in the time have caught steelhead.

Back to Top

Northeast Lower Peninsula

Thunder Bay River: For steelhead and brown trout, try the 9^th Street Dam.

Higgins Lake: A couple anglers were targeting rainbow trout near Big Creek, the Conference Center and the North State Park. Anglers can also try off High Road on the southwest side of the lake if they have waders. Most are using spawn bags or a single egg. 

Houghton Lake:  Had skim ice across the lake, but no safe ice. No anglers have been out on the lake; however, a few were still getting perch at the Reedsburg Dam.  

Back to Top

Northwest Lower Peninsula

Platte River: Though steelhead fishing was slow, a few lucky anglers did manage to catch the occasional fish. 

Betsie River: The steelhead action has been slow, but those putting in the time have caught a few. 

Lakes Cadillac and Mitchell: The walleye bite had all but shut down, as very few were caught. Both lakes are partially iced; however, there was no safe ice to report. 

Manistee: Had reports of steelhead being caught, mostly off the piers and the beach. 

Manistee River: Was still producing the occasional steelhead.   

Ludington: Was also producing a couple steelhead when pier anglers could get out. Those surfcasting from the beach have also taken the occasional fish. 

Back to Top

Upper Peninsula

With no snow and cold temperatures at night, early ice fishing is happening on some of the inland lakes. For those thinking about heading out, extreme caution should be used, as early ice can be dangerous ice. Testing the ice ahead of you is strongly advised, and be sure to stay away from the river mouths.    

Lake Gogebic: Anglers were ice fishing in the bays. 

St. Marys River: Musky fishing was still good in Munuscong Bay. 

Back to Top

Fishing Tip: Targeting walleye throughout the day

When anglers target walleye through the ice, they often experience different levels of activity as the day progresses. In early morning, around sunrise, the fish will be active, and you may want to use larger lures and more aggressive jigging. As time wears on, those fish will scale their intensity back – during that time you’ll want to select smaller lures.

When all activity seems to have dropped off, you’ll want to consider sitting tight and waiting for the fish to come to you. Then, as sunset nears, often their activity will pick up and you’ll want to revert to your early morning strategies.

Want even more tips on fishing for walleye? Check out the walleye page on our website.

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.