Skim ice started to form along the shorelines and across the shallow inland lakes however there is no safe ice to report. Steelhead and whitefish action continues around the state. Anglers are reminded that you may not snag or retain a fish that has not been hooked in the mouth.
Southeast Lower Peninsula
Lake Erie - Not much to report except for a couple walleye that were caught by shore anglers when fishing at night.
Huron River - Anglers continue to catch steelhead from Flat Rock all the down to Labo Park. Spawn and wax worms did the trick.
Lake St. Clair - Skim ice can be found in the canals but there is no safe ice to report. Those able to find open water off the docks and the shoreline have caught small perch when using small jigs and minnows.
St. Clair River - Anglers are almost sure to find steelhead and brown trout near the mouth of the Black River. Shore anglers fishing off the wall up at Port Huron were taking some steelhead.
Saginaw Bay - Those fishing off the docks in the marina basins at Linwood, Sunset Bay, Sebewaing, Bay Port and Caseville might have a chance to catch perch and crappie. A few walleye were caught at night near the Hot Ponds.
Saginaw River - Walleye should be entering the lower river soon. Boat anglers usually do well when vertical jigging.
Quanicassee River - Should have enough flow to allow some shore fishing.
Southwest Lower Peninsula
St. Joe - Pier anglers are taking steelhead and whitefish. Some of the whitefish were small however most of the fish caught were good sized.
St. Joe River - Both shore and boat anglers have caught steelhead below the dam at Berrien Springs. The ladders at Berrien Springs and Niles are closed as water temperatures are in the 30’s and field staff has not seen any steelhead moving through for the last week. Some walleye were caught at night below the dams.
Paw Paw River - Steelhead and brown trout have been caught up near the Watervliet Dam.
Kalamazoo River - Look for steelhead between Saugatuck and the Allegan Dam. Look for brown trout below the dam and near the mouth of Swan Creek. Those fishing Swan Creek are reminded of the spawning closure from the mouth upstream to the Diversion Dam until November 30th.
Grand Haven - Pier anglers are catching whitefish when casting small spoons or floating a wax worm under a bobber.
Grand River at Grand Rapids - Steelhead fishing is still good below the Sixth Street Dam. Good numbers of fish have been caught when bouncing spawn bags, floating small white jigs tipped with wax worms, casting spinners or small spoons and floating crawlers under a bobber. Below Fulton Street, boat anglers are trolling planer boards for steelhead and walleye. Some are floating pink trout worms up and down the river. Walleye anglers have caught fish off the east wall and the west bank when using bucktail jigs, floating firetigers and rapalas.
Grand River at Lansing - The ladder at the Webber Dam has been closed. There is nothing to report in the way of fishing right now but anglers have started gearing up for the ice fishing season. There is no safe ice to report but skim ice was starting to form on the smaller inland lakes and ponds.
Muskegon - Pier anglers fishing the channel are still taking good numbers of whitefish when jigging small spoons or floating wax worms under a bobber. A couple steelhead were also caught.
Muskegon Lake - Perch are still being caught in the deeper holes on both the north and the south ends of the lake when using minnows. Be sure to throw the small ones back. Those seeking walleye have caught more fish at night.
Muskegon River - Those fishing down near the mouth have caught steelhead when floating spawn or casting crank baits. Further upstream, pike have been caught on minnows near the Reedsburg Dam, which is near Houghton Lake.
Northern Lower Peninsula
Alpena - Boat anglers are still taking whitefish in Thunder Bay when they can get out. Fish the reefs and off the points with a single egg, small minnows, or small lures that resemble the goby. This is the time to catch whitefish as they come into the shallows to spawn.
Thunder Bay River - Steelhead and whitefish have been caught from the mouth up to the Ninth Street Dam. Try spawn or wax worms.
Oscoda - Has good whitefish action for those fishing off the pier.
Au Sable River - More anglers have been seen on the river and they are catching steelhead. Whitefish are also in the river and catch rates have been good. A few walleye were caught here and there but nothing consistent.
Tawas - Lots of whitefish anglers have been fishing off the State Dock with good results. Many have reported catching up to twelve fish.
Houghton Lake - Started making ice however heavy snowfall at the beginning of the week has covered the lake and there is no safe ice to report.
Northwest Lower Peninsula
Burt and Mullett Lakes - Angler activity has been quiet due to hunting season. Skim ice was starting to form on both lakes however it is still early for safe ice.
Traverse City - A few boats are still going out in the East Bay and fishing just off the bottom in 100 feet of water for whitefish. Most are using Swedish Pimples or sand kicker jigs. A few perch have been caught in both the East Bay and the West Bay.
Boardman River - Steelhead fishing is pretty much done however a couple lake trout have been caught. The fish seem to move in one day and out the next.
Crystal Lake - Spear fishermen are starting to take a few whitefish. Target the rocky area on the northwest corner of the lake. When boat anglers can get out, they are catching perch.
Manistee - Pier anglers and those surfcasting are still catching steelhead when using spawn.
Manistee River - Water levels continue to be low so most anglers are fishing the lower river for steelhead. Those fishing up near Tippy Dam are targeting the deeper holes.
Ludington - Pier and shore anglers are still catching steelhead when floating spawn.
Pere Marquette River - Steelhead are being caught near the Twin Bridges at US-31 and up near Scottville. Orange spinners and spawn were the favored baits.
UPPER PENINSULA
Menominee River - Anglers fishing up near the dam have caught whitefish on wax worms and walleye when jigging rapalas.
Little Bay De Noc - With the cold and snow, ice is forming fast and becoming a hazard for boat anglers. Not many have been out but those braving the conditions have caught fish in evening. The best catch rates were out from the Terrace Inn when trolling stick baits or jigging minnows in 10 to 27 feet of water. Both the Kipling and the Gladstone launch ramps are still in however they will be removed soon.
Manistique Lake - No anglers have been out. The South Lake has a layer of skim ice only. There is no safe ice to report.
