Any lake sturgeon caught incidentally while targeting other species must be released immediately. When temperatures are below freezing, fish gills can freeze quickly, making it important to release sturgeon into the water as quickly as possible to increase their chances of survival.

Sturgeon are frequently caught incidentally in Saginaw Bay, the Saginaw River, the Kalamazoo River, the Grand River, Muskegon Lake, the Muskegon River, Manistee Lake, the Manistee River, Burt Lake and Mullet Lake, but cannot be targeted in those waters—anglers should be aware of the possibility of incidental lake sturgeon catch and of these regulations.

See page 15 of the 2025 Michigan Fishing Regulations, which remain in effect through March 31, 2026, for detailed information on lake sturgeon fishing regulations, fishing and possession season dates and size requirements.

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

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Southeast Lower Peninsula

Eastern Saginaw Bay: With the cold temperatures, fishing slowed down on the east side of the bay. Those who ventured out from the Sebewaing area targeted walleye in 25 feet of water and reported slow fishing with a handful of walleye and an occasional yellow perch. Those fishing nearshore areas around Wildfowl Bay reported slow fishing for yellow perch and northern pike. Off the pier at Caseville an occasional lake trout was caught, but fishing remains slow there as well.

Lower Saginaw Bay: Thomas Road, 8 to 12 miles out, anglers caught walleye in 18 to 25 feet of water. The ice was around 10 to 12 inches thick. The first crack was very active on Saturday and had opened to about 3 to 4 feet. There was a lot of fishing pressure on Finn Road on Sunday. Anglers were going out 8 to 12 miles; some caught fish, and some did not. Anglers reported 17 to 20 feet of water was best for catching fish.

Saginaw River: The river saw many anglers out in all areas of the river with decent ice. Overall, walleye fishing was slow in most areas. Downstream of First Street around the end of Shattuck was better than elsewhere, but still very slow. Anglers had most success with a blue and chrome jigging Rapala tipped with a minnow.

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Southwest Lower Peninsula

No reports.

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Northeast Lower Peninsula

Tawas/Au Gres: Fishing was overall slow with mainly small yellow perch being caught on the weed beds. Anglers reported a few lake trout caught outside of the state dock. Other than that, it has been slow fishing for walleye.

Fishing has slowed in the Au Gres area with walleye catches being very hit or miss. An occasional whitefish and lake trout were caught by anglers fishing in 20 to 24 feet of water. The river was slow with only a few walleye being caught. Anglers targeting yellow perch in the Standish area reported fishing to be slow with having to fish all day to bring home a handful of keepers. Those venturing out for walleye reported fishing to be hit or miss, with some anglers bringing in limits and an occasional jumbo perch, and others only catching 1 to 2 fish.

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Northwest Lower Peninsula

No reports.

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Upper Peninsula

Little Bay de Noc: Anglers reported a slight uptick in walleye catches with the onset of this past week’s warm up. However, walleye success was limited. Anglers reported the most success with set lines, baited with sucker minnows or shiners. Yellow perch anglers reported fair fishing, with most anglers targeting structure near deep water in the upper bay. Anglers fishing shallow water perch report some success near Kipling.

Ice conditions were good, with people fishing the outer bay using machines. Minimal snowfall and few areas of snow drifts have made good conditions for motorized travel.

Les Cheneaux Islands: Anglers in Cedarville fished the Moscow Channel, Government Bay, Urie Bay, and Musky Bay. Musky Bay was full of undersized northern pike, with very few keeper perch reported. Urie Bay produced a few keepers but was slow.

In Hessel, anglers reported very few keeper perch, ever since the cold snap, fishing has been slow. There were not many splake caught or spotted lately. There were a few northern pike and smallmouth bass caught in Wilderness Bay.

Munising: The bite was slow this past week, anglers had some success with splake and whitefish in the bay with the occasional Herring. The coho salmon bite remained steady for anglers waiting it out for schools to come in. Anglers targeting perch reported a slow bite, with a few anglers finding success on them. Wax worms, minnows and eggs have been the preferred bait.

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Fishing tip: Late-season ice

Late-season ice can shift fish locations, so don’t rely only on early-winter spots. Check deeper edges, transition areas, and anywhere current or structure is present. Drilling extra holes and hopping between them can help you stay on active fish as conditions change.

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This report is intended to give you an idea of fishing conditions around the state. Updates come from Fisheries staff and conservation officers. With nearly 11,000 inland lakes, the Great Lakes and thousands of miles of rivers and streams in Michigan, not all locations can be listed.