Weekly Fishing Report: May 1, 2014
Michigan Department of Natural Resources sent this bulletin at 05/01/2014 08:00 AM EDT|
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Weekly Fishing Report
May 1, 2014
Weekly Fishing Tip: Trout season has arrived!
Trout season officially opened this past weekend on Michigan’s inland waters and early season fishing can be quite good. Many anglers successfully swear by dead drifting worms this time of year due to the cold spring waters temperatures, but those heading out should not overlook spinners or small shallow diving crank baits either.
Worms are deadly in the early season but lure fishing can also be very effective at bringing up a big fish from its deepwater lair under a log or under a cut bank.
To learn more about fishing for trout in Michigan, check out these links highlighting the specific species.
Brook Trout
Brown Trout
Rainbow Trout
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 walleye opener was very good for much of the Lower Peninsula. Steelhead are still active in most of the rivers and streams. Cooler temperatures are keeping panfish out in deeper waters.
Lake St. Clair: Despite cold water temperatures and windy conditions, the catch and release bass opener was productive with some very good reports from those fishing off the Mile Roads. Those shore fishing at the mouth of the Clinton River caught a few rock bass.
St. Clair River: Walleye fishing continues to be good at Port Huron and is improving near Algonac. Most anglers are jigging plastics or live minnows. A few trout and salmon continue to show up as well.
Lexington and Port Sanilac: Salmon and trout fishing was good when anglers can get out. They caught a good number of coho with a mix of Chinook, steelhead, brown trout and Atlantic salmon. Try crank baits and spoons off downriggers, dipseys, planer boards and long lines in 10 to 18 feet. Coho were three pounds, Chinook were eight to 14.
Harbor Beach: Had a couple anglers fishing at the north gap in the breakwall and a couple boats way out. Those looking for steelhead might want to try the old Detroit Edison Channel where there is an excellent shore fishing site.
Saginaw Bay: Had good walleye action for those trolling crank baits in 14 to 16 feet off Linwood. Perch fishing in the cut at Palmer Road was starting to wind down and most of the fish caught were spawned out. Walleye fishing was very good off the mouth of the Saginaw River and east of Spoils Island when trolling or jigging with jigs tipped with minnows or crawlers. At Port Austin, dredging and harbor renovations continue and the ramp is closed.
Tittabawassee River: Had very good walleye fishing from the Dow Dam all the way downstream to the confluence with the Saginaw.
Saginaw River: The walleye opener on the rivers was just outstanding, with lots of anglers and limit catches the rule. Catch rates were good throughout the river including between Essexville and the mouth. Most were vertical jigging with jigs tipped with minnows or crawlers. A few boats trolling crank baits also did well. Walleye fishing in the rivers should be good for at least another couple of weeks.
Quanicassee River: Perch fishing was about done, but anglers were catching channel catfish, walleye and a few pike.
Sebewaing River: Was producing a few perch but some were small.
Pigeon River: Was slow with only a couple walleye taken.
Lake Erie: Walleye were caught in 10 to 12 feet by those jigging blade baits and hair jigs. Those trolling Brest Bay and the Dumping Grounds caught fish in the shallows when jigging minnows and crawlers. Good numbers of largemouth, smallmouth and white bass have been caught in the Hot Ponds and near the launch at Bolles Harbor. Surface water temperatures were in the high 40’s.
Huron River: Has good walleye action in Flat Rock.
Detroit River: Has excellent walleye fishing with limit catches reported throughout the entire river. Anglers are jigging plastic baits or live minnows.
SOUTHWEST LOWER PENINSULA
Trout fishing in the northern part of the unit was slower due to high water. With the cold weather, fly hatches are behind this year and spawning will most likely be delayed.
St. Joseph: Is producing coho especially for boat anglers. Catch rates were slower for pier anglers.
St. Joseph River: Steelhead fishing appears to be winding down but there are still a few fresh fish moving through the ladder at Berrien Springs. Flows have dropped but water levels have not declined to the point where navigation is impeded.
South Haven: Boat anglers are catching coho and some brown trout when trolling along the shoreline. Pier anglers have taken a few fish when casting spoons, spinners or plugs.
Kalamazoo River: Catch rates were fair for those using spinners, plugs and worms. Anglers are still catching steelhead up near the Allegan Dam. Suckers are also being caught.
Grand Haven: Boat anglers are catching brown trout when trolling the shoreline. Pier anglers are also taking fish when casting spoons. Orange has been the hot color for both.
Grand River in Grand Rapids: Anglers have caught steelhead, walleye and suckers. Steelhead are hitting on spawn, spinners, and small spoons. For walleye, try a jig and crawler or body baits.
Grand River closer to Lansing: Steelhead can still be found near the Portland Dam, Webber Dam and the Lyons Dam. Those targeting suckers are starting to catch fish.
Maple River: Catch rates were slow but a few suckers have been caught. A good number of steelhead were in Fish Creek near the Hubbardston Dam.
Muskegon: Pier fishing for brown trout has been slow but the fish caught were taken on spawn. Boat anglers continue to do well when trolling spoons or body baits along the shoreline. Orange and chartreuse were good colors.
Muskegon River: Continues to produce steelhead and brown trout.
Whitehall: The steelhead run is over here so anglers are targeting them in the rivers now. Those trolling the channel with body baits are now catching brown trout. Pier anglers are also getting a few brown trout, walleye and pike.
NORTHEAST LOWER PENINSULA
Temperatures were cold for the walleye opener. Lake trout season in the waters of Lake Huron between Cheboygan and the Black River opens today, May 1.
Black Lake: Shore anglers have caught some nice walleye. The Upper Black River was good for brook trout.
Rogers City: Is pretty much open however some flow ice was still blocking the marina. One of the docks is in but the bathroom and cleaning station are not open. Fish should be in close to shore where the warmer water is. Look for lake trout and Atlantic salmon around the pier or Swan Bay. Try small spoons or body baits in bright colors.
Alpena: Anglers can now get out into the bay. A few were going behind the plant to fish for Atlantic salmon or smallmouth bass. Anglers should find Atlantic salmon and lake trout when trolling in the shallows along the shoreline or near structure. The docks are in at the River Street launch and the public marina. The fish cleaning station and the bathrooms are not open yet.
Thunder Bay River: Had most of the walleye action. Boats were drifting and working with jigs. Steelhead fishing was slow for those drifting flies or spawn up near the dam. Suckers are also being caught.
Harrisville: Is now open and the docks are in. Atlantic salmon, steelhead, brown trout and walleye are in and around the harbor. Boat and shore anglers are catching fish. Try the channels and outside the rock wall in the early morning and late evening with small spoons, spinners or body baits.
Oscoda: Rough water has kept many inside the river. Those able to get out have caught fish. Atlantic salmon are showing up around the mouth of the river. Steelhead numbers are on the rise.
Au Sable River: Steelhead are gaining in numbers and hopefully water temperatures will be warm enough to put fish on the beds soon. As of now, steelhead are holding in the deeper holes between the mouth and the dam. Most have caught fish on spawn, wax worms, fly's or combinations of natural and artificial baits. Walleye have been caught between the mouth and the dam. Some say the bite was best at night. Try crawlers or body baits.
Tawas: Perch anglers are catching a lot of small ones and the occasional keeper in the harbor. Minnows are thick inside the harbor. Those fishing the lake side have caught steelhead, brown trout and walleye. Some are casting spoons and crank baits while others are drifting spawn and minnows. A good number of walleye have been caught by those trolling in 10 to 20 feet of water between the mouth of the Tawas River and Alabaster.
Au Gres: Has been very busy due to the excellent walleye fishing. A good number of limit catches were taken by those trolling in 15 to 25 feet between Pointe Au Gres and Point Lookout.
Au Gres River: Steelhead have been caught in the East Branch near the Singing Bridge. Most are drifting spawn or floating spawn sacks. Those wading in the surf at night have caught walleye when casting rapalas.
NORTHWEST LOWER PENINSULA
Torch Lake: Was producing a fair number of Atlantic salmon.
Traverse City: A few boats were out trolling or jigging for trout but catch rates were slow. Those surfcasting spawn had limited success for steelhead. Catch rates were slow for those jigging in the West Bay. Those fishing spawn bags near the mouth of the Boardman River did catch some steelhead.
Elk River: A couple steelhead were caught on spawn bags or jigs and wax worms.
Boardman River: Steelhead fishing picked up but catch rates were still relatively low. Most are using fresh spawn or floating jigs and wax worms under a bobber. Pike, smallmouth bass, walleye and suckers are starting to show up.
Platte River: Is producing some fresh steelhead especially El Dorado and the mouth. Darker fish were caught near Goose Road and Haze Road. Fish were on and off the gravel. Try orange spawn bags. Walleye were caught up near the M-22 Bridge. Try artificial baits.
Crystal Lake: Most of the ice is gone and Beulah Beach has open water.
Frankfort: Boat anglers trolling in the harbor and along the shoreline have caught a good number of brown trout on chartreuse spoons and body baits. Black and gold or black and silver were also taking fish. Pier anglers have caught steelhead and the occasional chinook when floating spawn.
Portage Lake: The walleye and pike opener was poor due to cold temperatures and the lake was still 40 percent covered with drifting ice. Those that tried had no luck.
Onekama: Some were venturing out on the south breakwall and trying for brown trout. The water was very cold and clear so anglers could see brown trout swimming around the edge of the rocks. Those casting body baits did somewhat better than those using spawn.
Manistee: Lake Michigan has continued to be very good for brown trout close to shore. Boats are trolling spoons. Pier anglers have done well when using spawn.
Manistee River: Has good steelhead fishing up near Tippy Dam. Fishing should be good right into May.
Little Manistee River: Has good steelhead fishing which should continue.
Ludington: Has good brown trout fishing near shore. Boat and pier anglers have caught them. A few chinook salmon have started to show up.
Pere Marquette River: Still has fresh steelhead moving up into the river. Catch rates should be good for the next few weeks. Some caught brown trout.
Pentwater: Boat and pier anglers are now catching brown trout. Boats are trolling in the channel and along the Lake Michigan shoreline with body baits. Pier anglers are picking up brown trout, walleye and a few pike.
UPPER PENINSULA
Keweenaw Bay: The bite has been very slow because of cold temperatures, rain and spring runoff. Some are putting in a lot of hours with little or no luck. Only a couple rainbow trout were caught at the mouth of the Fall’s River. A couple coho, Chinook and rainbow trout were caught off the rock dock next to the L’Anse Marina.
Marquette: The Lower Harbor had no reports. The breakwall was ice free up to the first bend. The Upper Harbor still had ice that was shifting near the bubblers. Docks at the launch were uprooted by the ice but have been fixed and ready to go when the lake opens up. Pier anglers might be able to fish off the breakwall. Those fishing at the bubblers and the mouth of the Dead River had little success.
Little Bay De Noc: Ice on the Bay continues to break up and the head of the Bay is now open between the Whitefish River and the Day’s River. The Gladstone area is open from the Kipling Flats south for several hundred yards past the Terrace Bay Inn as well as just south of the Escanaba River. Ice fishing is now done as the Bay transitions over to open water fishing. The rivers are all open and the current is very fast. Some were fishing the Day’s River but no steelhead were caught.
Rapid River: Boats can be launched but the docks are not in.
Big Bay De Noc: Is receding slower than Little Bay. The edges make entering the ice difficult and possibly dangerous. Boats are not able to launch yet but should be soon. The rivers here are also open and the currents are fast. Trout fishing will be a challenge with the high fast water. Fairport had no reports on perch.
Au Train: Still had ice over the bay. The only open water was at the mouth of the Rock River and the Au Train River. Pressure was light and catch rates were poor. Only the occasional steelhead has been caught because of the ice and cold water.
St. Mary’s River: The ice is beginning to break up from Osborn Park in Sault Ste. Marie down to the DeTour Passage. Near Munuscong, those fishing under the ice in two feet of water in Fowler Bay have caught a few yellow perch. Early morning is best with minnows. Back at Sault Ste. Marie, rainbow trout and smaller coho were caught off the canal bridge at the Cloverland Power Plant. Use two to four ounce sinkers in the fast current. Try red and chrome flatfish, crank baits or spawn bags.
DeTour: The boat launches are not open.
Cedarville and Hessel: The ice is starting to deteriorate. Anglers will need to use extreme caution. The west end of Musky Bay was good for perch and some bigger fish are starting to show up but anglers will still have to sort through all the small ones. Perch were also caught along the north shore in 10 to 14 feet.
Carp River: Smelt started last weekend both here and in Nunn’s Creek however the run is very slow. Those targeting trout are using green and orange yarn or spawn.
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