Weekly Fishing Report: December 11, 2014
Michigan Department of Natural Resources sent this bulletin at 12/11/2014 08:00 AM EST|
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Weekly Fishing Report
December 11, 2014
Weekly 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 back to your early morning strategies.
Want even more tips on fishing for walleye? Check out their page on the Michigan Fish and How to Catch Them website.
This tip was adapted from Michigan Outdoor News.
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
Anglers are reminded that muskie season on Lake St. Clair, the St. Clair River and the Detroit River closes on December 15. Northern pike and muskie spearing opened on December 1 for all waters except Designated Trout Lakes, Designated Trout Streams and the Michigan-Wisconsin Boundary Waters.
Lake Erie: Perch anglers were fishing off the docks at the Metro Park Marina.
Huron River: Is still producing steelhead. Some boat anglers are back trolling with Hot-n-Tots.
Detroit River: Had a few boat anglers perch fishing near the Cross Dike.
Lake St. Clair: Has open water for the most part. There was a little skim ice in the canals and some of the marinas but nothing close to fishable. There has been a lot of muskie fishing activity over the last week as water clarity has improved. Muskie season closes on December 15 however the end of the season is usually when the biggest fish of the year are caught.
St. Clair River: Shore anglers have caught steelhead and brown trout off the wall at Port Huron. A few whitefish were also mixed in. With the warmer temperatures, there are no ice flows coming down the river so fishing conditions are good.
Saginaw Bay: Had some anglers fishing the first ice near shore however anglers be warned, the ice is not very thick.
SOUTHWEST LOWER PENINSULA
No safe ice in southern Michigan, in fact, most of the lakes have opened back up. Steelhead fishing was just alright on rivers in the area.
St. Joseph River: Steelhead fishing was fair with most anglers picking up one or two fish per trip. Water levels were still a bit high.
Black River: Was producing some steelhead and a few brown trout.
Kalamazoo River: Steelhead fishing was fair with anglers usually getting a couple fish per trip. Water levels are still coming down and have started to clear up. Try drifting spawn and wax worms or casting crank baits and plugs.
Grand River near Grand Rapids: Is still producing some steelhead. Some days are better than others.
Grand River near Lansing: Pike and walleye anglers can be found near the dams. Most are using live bait such as sucker minnows. A few reports came in regarding steelhead at Portland. Try floating a jig with spawn, minnows or crawlers.
Muskegon: Piers anglers caught whitefish when jigging a single egg.
Muskegon Lake: Was also producing a few whitefish for those fishing at night.
Muskegon River: The higher waters levels did bring fresh steelhead into the river system. Those fly fishing have done well with egg patterns. Anglers are catching steelhead, some brown trout and even the occasional lake trout.
NORTHEAST LOWER PENINSULA
Grand Lake: Ice anglers were fishing in the shallow bays only.
Long Lake: Also had ice anglers fishing in the shallow bays.
Thunder Bay River: The number of fish has dropped but anglers were still taking a couple steelhead up near the 9th Street Dam.
Otsego Lake: Ice anglers were fishing in shallow waters along the shoreline.
Oscoda: Pier anglers fishing at night were still picking up some whitefish and the occasional walleye.
Au Sable River: So far, the launch ramps are fine and steelhead are being caught. Water temperatures were in the mid 30’s. The forecast for the weekend looks to be very good for river fishing but it might be a good idea to pack some rock salt or sand just in case the ramps ice up.
Lake Margrethe: Ice fishing is underway however anglers need to use caution.
Houghton Lake: Ice anglers can be found off Harvey’s Marina in the East Bay. The ice is clear with no snow so be sure to bring cleats for easier travel. Some are using tip-ups while others are jigging. For walleye, try blues and perch minnows and for pike use anything that has some flash to it.
Lake St. Helen: Was producing some nice northern pike.
NORTHWEST LOWER PENINSULA
Anglers are ice fishing on some lakes. Those heading out are reminded to use extreme caution and be sure to use a spud to check the ice as you go. The rivers are open at fishable levels and have steelhead just not many anglers are fishing for them.
Torch Lake: Those spear fishing did well for whitefish.
Elk River: Was producing steelhead at the dam.
Manistee Lake: In Kalkaska County had ice anglers. Foot travel was best as the ice was not safe for machines. Most of the fish caught were on the small side.
Betsie River: Is producing some steelhead.
Lake Cadillac: Has ice. Anglers have done well when spearing for pike. Try jigs and wax worms for panfish. Bring your cleats and be sure to check the ice first.
Lake Mitchell: Ice fishing has started. Those heading out caught mostly small pike and panfish. The ice had no snow so be sure to bring your cleats.
Lake Missaukee: Ice fishing has started but not all the ice is safe. Most anglers were seen on the northeast side of the lake.
Manistee River: Water levels were fishable once again. The river still has a good number of steelhead and other trout.
Ludington: Pier and surf anglers were still catching steelhead.
Pere Marquette River: Water levels were good and the river still has a fair to good number of steelhead.
UPPER PENINSULA
Ice was forming on the inland lakes but snow will slow the freezing process. Those anxious to get out and start fishing need to use extreme caution and avoid the deeper lakes.
Little Bay De Noc: Commercial vessel traffic will be utilizing the port of Gladstone beginning Saturday, December 13 and are expected to transit into and out of Little Bay De Noc through December 18. Recreational users of the ice should plan their activity carefully, use caution, and stay away from the shipping channels and other areas where there is vessel traffic. Ice anglers were fishing above Saunders Point. They caught a few perch, walleye and pike. Anglers need to use caution and watch for pressure cracks with open water.
Indian Lake: In Schoolcraft County was producing some perch and walleye.
Manistique Lake: A few ice anglers were starting to venture out however it is still early and ice conditions need to be checked carefully.
The Weekly Fishing Report is intended to give anglers an ”idea” of what is going on around the state. Updates for the report come from our DNR Fisheries Creel Clerks (seasonal staff) and field staff as well as DNR Conservation Officers working in in the field. General information when available can be found in the first paragraph for each section of the report. For those looking for specific information on a certain body of water or port, it is safe to say if a certain species is being caught in some waters in the area, more than likely they are being caught in all waters in that section of the state that have that species.
While we would love to include all waters and ports of the state that simply is not possible, especially with more than 11,000 inland lakes, the Great Lakes and thousands of miles of rivers and streams.
Do you have a great spot to go fishing that you'd like to share? Consider submitting it to the DNR for the Family Friendly Fishing Waters project!
Revenue from fishing and hunting license sales supports DNR activities to enhance Michigan’s natural resources. These license sales also increase federal revenue to the State of Michigan for the management of these resources. Please help support Michigan’s abundant natural resources by purchasing a fishing and hunting license each year. You can purchase fishing licenses online 24-hours a day - when you do, please note you will receive your receipt and license via email!