Weekly Fishing Report: November 21, 2013
Michigan Department of Natural Resources sent this bulletin at 11/21/2013 08:00 AM EST
Weekly Fishing Report
November 21, 2013
Weekly Fishing Tip: Where to find northern pike in Michigan
As the temperatures continue to cool, fishing for northern pike will continue to pick up. Pike are extremely popular during the ice fishing season but are readily available throughout much of the year. 
There are many notable northern pike fisheries located throughout Michigan, including on Muskegon, Portage and Manistee lakes and also Michigamme and Houghton lakes. But this species can be found in many lakes and virtually all larger rivers in the state.
Please note there are many regulations for northern pike regarding minimum size and possession limit. Be sure to read up on this species in the 2013 Michigan Fishing Guide.
Click on the links below to jump to the report section that interests you most:
Southeast Lower Peninsula
Southwest Lower Peninsula
Northeast Lower Peninsula
Northwest Lower Peninsula
Upper Peninsula
The report is limited this week due in part to deer hunting and bad weather. Those heading out to fish the rivers and streams need to use caution and watch for unstable trees along the banks and floating debris.
Lake Erie: Strong winds have muddied up the water. The only report this week is some panfish caught in the Metro Park Marina.
Huron River: Water levels are up and steelhead are in the river. Catch rates should pick up by the end of the week.
Detroit River: Water levels are coming up but the water is muddy after all the rain and strong winds. Very few anglers have been able to get out. A few perch have been around the islands by those using minnows and wax worms.
Lake St. Clair: Strong winds have the lake stirred up and muddy. These conditions continue to make fishing a challenge.
Saginaw River: Walleye fishing slowed with the warmer weather but catch rates should pick up by the weekend. Water flow is up after all rain. Be sure to watch for floating debris.
SOUTHWEST LOWER PENINSULA
St. Joseph: Had good steelhead fishing for pier and shore anglers when the weather permits.
St. Joseph River: Water levels are coming up but anglers will have to watch for a lot of debris after the storm. Steelhead fishing has been good and walleye are still being caught.
South Haven: Is producing whitefish for those fishing at night. Good steelhead action for both pier anglers and those surfcasting.
Kalamazoo River: Has good steelhead fishing but anglers will need to navigate carefully and watch for floating debris.
Saugatuck: Is also producing steelhead for pier and shore anglers.
Grand Haven: Pier anglers and those surfcasting are catching steelhead. Whitefish are also being caught at night.
Grand River at Grand Rapids: Water levels are coming up and steelhead fishing continues to be good. Anglers will need to watch for debris coming down the river.
Grand River near Lansing: Anglers are catching steelhead in Prairie Creek near Ionia and near Lyons. Try spawn, wax worm or crawlers. No word yet on steelhead in Lansing.
Muskegon: Pier anglers are catching whitefish at night when floating a single egg.
NORTHEAST LOWER PENINSULA
This is the best time of year for whitefish action especially for Alpena, Oscoda and Tawas. The number of fish may be down from previous years but anglers should still find some good fishing right now.
Thunder Bay River: Is producing whitefish. Try floating a single egg or wax worm. Good catches of small perch were reported in the river and the Alpena Boat Harbor.
Oscoda: Walleye are still being caught off the pier. Best time to fish is between late evening and early morning with small spoons or body baits. No word on whitefish.
Au Sable River: The water is high and fast. Anglers need to use caution when wading or fishing off the banks. Strong winds have weakened trees along the river. Watch for broken branches or trees that could come down at any time. Steelhead fishing seems to be getting better and better. A good number of fish have been caught near the mouth however more fish are moving up into the river and were caught up near Foote Dam. Spawn, wax worms, spoons and body baits have produced fish.
Au Gres River: Has steelhead in the East Branch.
Rifle River: Also has a number of steelhead up into the river.
NORTHWEST LOWER PENINSULA
Boardman River: Had good steelhead fishing all the way up to Sabin Dam. Try flies, spoons, spawn or crawlers.
Betsie River: Continues to produce a good number of steelhead.
Manistee: Pier and surf anglers continue to catch steelhead when the weather permits.
Manistee River: Has a good number of steelhead. The water is high and dark but as it comes down fishing will be good. Anglers will need to watch for debris coming down the river.
Pere Marquette River: Catch rates may slow a bit but will resume as water levels come down.
UPPER PENINSULA
Little Bay De Noc: Few anglers have been out but those targeting walleye at night have caught fish from the reefs near Kipling. They are trolling stick baits in 10 to 24 feet of water at night or crawler harnesses with crawlers during the day in 18 to 30 feet. A few perch were caught on minnows in 10 to 20 feet around Butler Island. Water temperatures were holding in the low 40’s.
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