Fishing Michigan

I am pretty sure whatever written over the past week, was probably trashed as far as ice fishing goes by last night’s howling wind.  Good news for ice anglers is that there be cold temps in the forecast for the foreseeable future.  Lakes that had too much snow, will have a chance to refreeze and come back with even stronger ice!  Don’t forget, its free fishing weekend!

This coming weekend is Michigan’s annual Winter Free Fishing Weekend. For two days only, Saturday February 14th and Sunday February 15th, both resident and nonresidents can fish without a license. With that said, ice conditions have become dangerous especially in the southern half of the Lower Peninsula. Many lakes have standing water and slippery conditions. The rivers are not safe for ice fishing. Conditions will only worsen with additional rain and strong winds. Those hoping to get out and try ice fishing may have to travel to the Northern Lower Peninsula or the Upper Peninsula.

Southeast Lower Peninsula

Lake Erie - Any remaining ice on the lake should not be considered as safe ice. Rain and strong winds will continue to deteriorate conditions. Perch anglers were taking a few perch in the Metro Park Marina.

River Raisin - Is under a flood warning due to an ice jam.

Huron River - Anglers have started fishing the open waters for steelhead. Try spawn, wax worms or crawlers.

Detroit River - Boat anglers should stay off the river as heavy ice flows are expected. Fish the canals or stay close to the boat ramps. Anglers were still taking a few perch in the canals around Gibraltar.

Lake St. Clair - The warm weather not only melted the snow but also opened up some cracks and areas of thin ice especially where there is a current. Conditions could be tricky by the weekend. Anglers need to use extreme caution. Fishing seemed to be better before the warm up. The nice weather had a lot of anglers out but few reports of fish caught.

Lexington - Ice conditions were deteriorating quickly. A mixed bag of perch, suckers, rainbow trout and one brown trout were in the creel this week.

Port Sanilac - Ice conditions are deteriorating quickly. No fishing activity to report.

Saginaw Bay - The ice is sloppy and will continue to deteriorate with the warm up. Anglers need to use extreme caution and watch for pressure cracks and wind direction. This report may not reflect true ice conditions by the weekend. Walleye fishing has been good with the best bite at dawn or dusk. The average catch has been one or two legal fish per angler and some anglers are getting skunked while a few others are taking limit catches. Those heading out off Pine River Road and Palmer Road were going about six miles out to the Catfish Hole. Small perch were caught closer to shore. Off White’s Beach, try 10 to 12 feet of water near the Pinconning Bar. Off Erickson Road, head three to four miles out to the Black Hole. Off Linwood, head out three to four miles. Off the Bay City State Park, go northeast to 17 to 22 feet of water. At the Hot Ponds, those wading have caught walleye and pike when casting. Off Quanicassee, pike were speared off Vanderbilt Park. For Tietz Drain and Thomas Road, walleye anglers were heading out seven to nine miles and fishing 22 to 27 feet of water.

Tittabawassee River - Ice conditions were deteriorating very fast.

Saginaw River - The ice conditions have deteriorated to the point that it is no longer safe for ice fishing.

Southwest Lower Peninsula

All lakes are unsafe! Anglers should not try to venture out on any remaining ice.

St. Joe River - Has high water levels. Steelhead and walleye anglers will need to use extreme caution. Try live baits such as crawlers.

Holland - Has open water in the channel but the piers are ice and snow covered.

Grand Haven - Had open water in the channel and an ice jam west of the US-31 Bridge.

Grand River at Grand Rapids - Water levels are coming up and there are flood warnings for certain areas. The high water could bring some steelhead up into the river. Try a big choker bag with a piece of chartreuse yarn as the waters will be murky. Anglers looking for walleye are throwing bucktail jigs with minnows off the bridge at Fulton Street.

Thornapple River - Is rising and is under a flood warning.

Grand River at Lansing - Anglers have started to buy crawlers to do some open water fishing for walleye. There is no safe ice on the river.

Red Cedar River - Is rising and is under a flood warning.

Looking Glass River - Is under a flood warning.

Lake Lansing - Has no safe ice to report. Watch the shoreline ice as it is usually the first to go in the warm and windy conditions.

Muskegon Lake - Perch fishing has been good. If the ice can hold on until the weekend, look for the action to continue. A few walleye and one brown trout were also caught. The ice was very slippery so you might want to bring along some cleats. Use caution and avoid any areas where there are pressure cracks or a current. Anglers will also want to keep a watchful eye for any boat traffic that might come through the lake.

Muskegon River - Has thawed. Look for steelhead up near the Croton Dam. Some were starting to fish for suckers.

Northeast Lower Peninsula

Mullett Lake - Yellow perch fishing has been hit-or-miss. A lot of small ones have been caught right along with the occasional keepers.

Black Lake - The lake sturgeon spearing season is over, as the final fish was taken on Tuesday of this week.

Tomahawk Flooding - In Presque Isle County has produced a few panfish and pike.

East Twin Lake - The top layer of ice was in pretty poor shape by mid week and there was plenty of water on top of the ice. Ice anglers may want to stay close to shore until cold weather can once again firm the ice back up. Some are targeting perch. They reported good days and some slow ones. Perch minnows worked best.

West Twin Lake - The top layer of ice here is also in pretty bad shape. Walleye anglers need to use extreme caution and fish the shallows until the ice firms back up. Some nice fish have been caught and those doing the best are using a plain rapala jig that looks like a minnow with no bait on it or a Swedish Pimple tipped with a minnow. Tip-up anglers are taking the occasional pike.

Higgins Lake - Still has ice but anglers are reminded to use caution and watch for pressure cracks, especially with strong winds in the forecast. Smelt are hitting on the north end of the lake. Evenings are good but some fish have also been caught during the day. Lake trout are still out in deep waters and the rainbow trout can be found in shallow waters. Perch anglers are still taking fish on the north end of the Sunken Island and Treasure Island.

Houghton Lake - Was slippery with some water on top. Anglers would be wise to wear some sort of cleats for easier travel across the ice. Walleye fishing continues to be steady off the north shore and in the East Bay. The big bluegills have started to bite. Anglers are doing well when fishing the Middle Grounds with a tear drop and wax worm. Target the weedbeds in 4 to 6 feet of water.

Tawas - Perch fishing was slow and the fish were running small. Walleye were caught over the reef. Brown trout and whitefish were caught and some pike were speared.

Au Gres - Walleye anglers heading out about three miles reported fair success. This report may not reflect true ice conditions by the weekend.

Northwest Lower Peninsula

Pickerel Lake - In Emmet County, is producing a couple nice walleye along with all the sub-legals. Early morning or late evenings are best.

Torch Lake - Had good whitefish and lake trout action. Let’s hope the ice holds.

Elk Lake - Lake trout anglers are targeting the waters off Kewadin, Gay Road, Angell Road, and the Whitewater Township Park. Trout averaging 12 to 29 inches have been caught in 50 to 110 feet of water when using minnows and jigging Swedish Pimples. Lake herring were caught on spawn in 30 to 50 feet of water near Kewadin. For whitefish, try off Kewadin, Bussa Road, and Ringler Road in 40 to 80 feet of water. No steelhead or walleye in the creel this week.

Skegemog Lake - Bluegills are starting to bite off the Baggs Road public access site in 12 to 15 feet of water. Try minnows or wax worms. A few more pike were caught over the last week. Try minnows in 12 to 15 feet of water in the flats between the access site at BaggsRoad and the mouth of the Torch River. A couple big muskie were speared off Baggs Road. For yellow perch, lots of small ones have been caught off Baggs Road when using small minnows, wax worms or wigglers. A few bigger fish in the 7 to 10 inch range were caught by those willing to put in the time.

Traverse City - With the current warming trend and strong south winds in the forecast, anglers should avoid any remaining ice on the bays.

Green Lake - Anglers are still taking smelt however the fish are small.

Big Glen Lake - The warm weather did not seem to help the perch bite. Only those willing to move around caught fish as it seems the perch were moving through the feeding areas like clockwork. Minnows are the favorite but some are biting on wigglers. The bigger fish seemed to come in 30 to 40 feet of water east of the bridge. The ice was holding however there was a good inch of standing water after the rain.

Crystal Lake - Still had good smelt action at night. Water on the ice made for slippery conditions. Bring some cleats!

Lake Cadillac - Has nothing new to report. Anglers are still taking good catches of pike and some panfish.

Lake Mitchell - The pike and panfish action has been good.

Manistee River - A couple steelhead have been caught up at Tippy Dam.

Hamlin Lake - Catch rates did improve with the warmer weather. Upper Hamlin was producing some bluegills in 17 to 28 feet of water off Pete’s Bayou. Bright colored jigs and wax worms fished just off the bottom did the trick. Pike anglers were finding a few fish when using dead smelt or live blues on tip-ups fished about halfway down in 20 feet of water off Pete’s Bayou or fish shallow along the weedbeds off Laman’s Landing. Near Lincoln Road, the crappies were just starting to show up in 32 feet of water during the day and also for a short time at dusk. They were hitting on minnows just off the bottom. A few perch were also starting to show up.

UPPER PENINSULA

Portage Lake - The slush was 4 to 6 inches deep. Catch rates improved with small windows of good fishing in the morning just before light and an hour before dark. Walleye anglers are using stinger hooks and jigging spoons in 14 to 22 feet of water. Good pike action in Chassel Bay but the fish are small. Use minnows or smelt on tip-ups just off the bottom in 10 to 19 feet of water.

Keweenaw Bay - Lake trout anglers were doing the best out from Whirl-I-Gig Road in 220 to 260 feet of water. Whitefish action was steady with some nice catches in 80 to 105 feet of water east of the marina at Baraga. Perch were found north and south of Baraga in 30 to 60 feet of water. Smelt were hitting at night between the Baraga Marina and Bucks Marina. The coho and lake herring bite were slow.

Menominee - Catch rates for yellow perch were slow this week. Some were heading out a mile or two while others just kept moving around. Most are jigging minnows but some were using other natural baits on a small jig or tear drop. Whitefish were caught about a mile out. Bluegills were caught near the mouth of the river when jigging tear drops with wax worms, grubs or mousies.

Menominee River - Steelhead and walleye have been caught near Hattie Street. The trout anglers are fishing the open waters on the Michigan side with spawn or crank baits. Walleye anglers on the Wisconsin side are jigging minnows or casting plugs. Catch rates will pick up and the browns should start to move in soon.

Little Bay De Noc - Walleye catches were fair to good with the majority of fish caught in the north half of the bay and the better catches between Gladstone and the Center Reef. In Kipling, anglers were jigging rapalas in 27 to 40 feet of water. Tip-up anglers were taking good catches of northern pike withseveral fish over 40 inches. There has been a real surge in pike catches this year, especially in this area. Walleye action was fair near the mouth of the Escanaba River when jigging rapalas and minnows in 20 to 32 feet of water. At Gladstone, walleye were caught in 25 to 35 feet of water but many were sub-legal. Good catches of jumbo perch near Kipling when jigging minnows in 25 to 35 feet of water or using tip-ups with 3 inch minnows. Several nice catches were taken off Gladstone in the same depths. This has been the best year in some time for jumbo perch. Pike spearing was good off the “Buckeye” near Kipling in 8 to 10 feet of water and in the harbor at Escanaba in 6 to 18 feet of water. Whitefish reports remain steady throughout the bay with the best catches off Sand Point in 80 feet of water and off the Terrace Bay Inn in 45 feet of water. Recent warm weather created some water on the ice but travel was good as of this report. Warm temperatures along with rain this week could change ice conditions in a hurry.

Munising - Anglers going out in the bay need to use extreme caution as conditions here can change rapidly. There were reports of coho and lake trout caught in Trout Bay. Fishing off Powell Point was slow with only a few whitefish and some burbot taken at night. Off the Anna River and the City Dock, a few whitefish, splake and burbot were taken. One coho was caught out from the Sunset Motel. For Sand Point, a few whitefish, splake and some lake trout have been caught.

Munuscong Bay - Walleye catches are still good when jigging minnows in 3 to 5 feet of water. Those targeting walleye are picking up some nice perch as well. Other good locations to try include Grassy Island, Roach Point and Steamboat Island.

Cedarville and Hessel - Musky Bay is producing a limited number of large perch along with lots of small ones. Try minnows or wigglers in 12 to 14 feet of water. Look for perch in 5 feet of water in the Moscoe Channel and around Little Joe Island.

Brevoort Lake - Reports are still coming in of some nice bluegills caught near the campground and along the east shoreline. Some nice perch were caught along the south shore and the walleye were hitting at night.

Those heading out in the cold weather are reminded of how quickly hypothermia can set it. Shivering is the body’s way of trying to generate heat. Aside from the cold that is felt and the shivering that may occur, mental function is most affected initially. A particular danger of hypothermia is that it develops gradually, and since it affects thinking and reasoning, it may go unnoticed. Anglers need to use caution and watch for signs of hypothermia.

Southeast Lower Peninsula

Lake Erie - Anglers are marking a few walleye but the bite is slow. Look for catch rates to increase in the next week or two. A few perch were still hitting off the Metro Park Marina and along the south end of the Banana Dike. Most are using tear drops with wax worms, spikes or minnows.

Detroit River - Boat anglers are still taking perch in the canals around Gibraltar. A fair to good number of perch have been caught in the first canal to the south, but many are small. In Airport Bay, small perch were caught and some pike have started to move in.

Port Austin - A few shanties can be seen out on the harbor, but not much activity.

Saginaw Bay - The better walleye bite has been in the evening. Limits were caught before the cold snap. Pine River and Palmer Roads were producing some limits of walleye anywhere from three to ten miles out on the warmer days. Walleye have been caught off White’s Beach in the Catfish Hole, three to four miles out of Linwood in 13 to 20 feet of water, off Erickson Road near the Black Hole and northeast of the Bay City State Park in 15 feet of water. There is activity at the Hot Ponds but no reports. Near Quanicassee, those fishing off Vanderbilt Park caught a few perch and speared a couple pike in 5 to 6 feet of water. At Thomas Road, anglers are heading out seven to eight miles to waters 18 to 20 feet deep however ice conditions out there are very rough. At Sebewaing, mostly small perch and a couple pike were speared in the marina. Off Geiger Road, the evening bite was best beyond the islands and in the Slot. No action at Bay Port but Mud Creek produced a few nice pike for those spearing. Small perch and the occasional pike have been taken from the river and the marina basins at Caseville.

Saginaw River - Has lots of angler activity in downtown Saginaw. Some nice walleye have been caught primarily at dawn when using blue and silver Jig-n-Rapalas. Anglers are fishing Bay City and beyond. Cass Avenue and the Independence Bridge were getting a fair amount of pressure. Walleye have been caught around Essexville and perch off Smith Park. Perch were also taken out of the Bay Aggregate cut and the marina basins in the lower river.

Southwest Lower Peninsula

St.Joe River - Steelhead fishing has been good below Berrien Springs.

Kalamazoo River - Steelhead and walleye are still hitting below the Allegan Dam.

Gull Lake - Smelt and northern pike fishing continues to be good.

Lake Macatawa - Has been slow with only a few small perch caught.

Grand River at Grand Rapids - Has open water from Pearl Street to Sixth Street and the water is clear and low. Boat anglers will need to use caution. Steelhead have been caught when long lining with spawn or white choker bags. Steelhead and walleye have been caught off both sides of the river below the Sixth Street Dam when casting rapalas or Hot-n-Tots.

Grand River at Lansing - Anglers are ice fishing on the backwaters near Grand Point Marina and they have caught bluegills and crappie.

Lake Lansing - As for pike, anglers are still taking a lot of small fish right along with the occasional keeper.

Park Lake - Near Bath, is producing some crappie.

Rose Lake - The lakes in the state game area are fair to good for pike and bluegills.

Reeds Lake - Perch have been caught on shiners or wigglers fished about 5 feet off the bottom in 30 to 40 feet of water. Crappie are hitting on shiners 10 to 20 feet down in waters 25 to 35 feet deep. For bluegills, try a #6 gold bear hook just off the bottom in 12 to 45 feet of water as the fish appear to be scattered. Pike can be found 3 to 5 feet off the bottom in 15 to 35 feet of water.

Dean Lake - Near Rockford, is producing bluegills, crappie, and perch.

Muskegon Lake - Perch have been caught in the south central portion of the lake and up near the Sand Docks. No ships have entered the lake in the last couple of weeks, and those fishing up near the channel did catch some perch. Catch rates were spotty with the better bite at mid-day. Try glow-in-the-dark or bright colored Hali jigs or Swedish Pimples with minnows, wigglers or spikes in 35 to 50 feet of water. Pike along with a few walleye were caught between Hartshorn Marina and Fisherman’s Landing.

White Lake - Yellow perch have been caught along the southwest portion of the lake including Indian Bay. Look for pike up in the narrows off Montague.

Northern Lower Peninsula

Burt Lake - Perch and walleye fishing has slowed but fish are still being caught. Moderate success for pike when using tip-ups or spearing.

Mullett Lake - Is giving up a few perch and some pike.

Thunder Bay River - Is producing some perch and a few walleye after dark.

Avalon Lake - Anglers are catching some small splake.

East Twin Lake - Fishing pressure remains low, but those going out have been catching some big perch in limited numbers.

West Twin Lake - Walleye fishing did improve on the east side of the lake in about 15 feet of water. Try small Swedish Pimples tipped with a minnow or artificial minnow jigs in perch colors. Walleye harvest on tip-ups remains slow. A few big perch along with numerous smaller ones have been caught. The lake has good ice with four to ten inches of snow on top. Not much slush either so travel conditions were good.

Lake Margrethe - Has been providing fair catches of yellow perch, a few northern pike and some walleye in the West Bay and off the middle grounds.

Higgins Lake - The smelt population is up this year and providing some good fishing opportunities. The north and northwest side of the lake are best in 50 feet of water. Yellow perch are biting but they are small. Some nice northern pike are being caught on tip-ups or while spearing off the southwest portion of the lake and off Big Creek. Lake trout have been caught in waters 85 to 110 feet deep.

Houghton Lake - Has good catches of bluegill in the East Bay and along the south shore. Good walleye action in the East Bay and off the north shore. Pike have been hitting all over the lake.

Tawas - Walleye were caught off the artificial reef before the extremely cold weather returned. Perch fishing was slow with most fish running small. Pike spearing was also slow with only a couple fish taken in 20 feet of water. Inside the breakwall, anglers speared a pike or two, caught a couple of walleye, and a lot of small perch. Some walleye were caught off Foster Road which is north of Au Gres. This is the first time in many years that good ice has been reported off Foster Road.

Au Gres - Out on the bay, anglers are going straight out from the river mouth about a mile and then either going north or south an equal distance and fishing walleye in about 15′ of water. They did good when the fish were biting.

Au Gres River - Some walleye have been caught through the ice. Many were small however some keepers have been caught.

Northwest Lower Peninsula

Torch Lake - Ice fishing is on and anglers are catching whitefish and lake trout near the drop offs.

Elk Lake - Anglers on the north side of the lake have started moving their permanent shanties over to Torch Lake. Fishing pressure near the Kewadin area has decreased over the last week as a result of fewer anglers on the ice. Those fishing near Kewadin were targeting trout and reporting moderate catch rates in 30 to 50 feet of water when using herring or spawn. Whitefish can be found just off the bottom in 85 to 120 feet of water and one walleye was caught in 35 feet of water.

Skegemog Lake - Fishing in general has been slow over the last week. Some are still fishing for perch off the Baggs Road access site as well as the northwest portion of the lake by the Narrows. Fish were caught on minnows, wigglers, wax worms or shrimp in 10 to 20 feet of water. Fish were ranging from 3 to 10 inches with lots of small ones caught. Pike spearing was slow however a couple muskie were taken.

Traverse City - The West Bay has ice in Bowers Harbor. Anglers are catching small perch and whitefish. If the cold weather continues over the next couple weeks, both bays could have ice.

Green Lake - Smelt have been caught on the north end of the lake.

Manistee Lake - In Kalkaska County, reported bluegill, crappie and perch being caught off the southeast shore.

Little Glen Lake - While there is good ice, few fish are being caught which might be due to the construction on the M-22 Bridge and or the cold weather. Some anglers have decided to remove their ice shanties due to poor fishing.

Big Glen Lake - Has good ice however there may still be some slush near Burdickville. Perch are hitting on minnows but few were caught. Some managed to catch enough for dinner when fishing off the shallows on the outer edge of the “Bowl”. Out deeper, lake trout action has started in about 90 feet of water.

Crystal Lake - In Benzie County has very good smelt action. Anglers are fishing at night with Hali jigs tipped with wax worms or red spikes in 45 to 60 feet of water.

Portage Lake - Has been hit-or-miss for perch.

Lake Missaukee - Has been fair for panfish.

Lake Cadillac - Pike have been good but the panfish bite has been slow.

Lake Mitchell - The crappie and bluegill anglers were not doing so well but the pike anglers were still taking fair to good numbers of fish.

Manistee River - Some steelhead are being caught up near Tippy Dam by those brave enough to take the winter conditions.

Hamlin Lake - Fishing has been slow however anglers able to get out to new areas are finding fish. Some anglers fishing east of the Wilson Hill Park in 7 to 12 feet of water were taking about a dozen nice bluegills per trip while others in the same area had no luck. Jigs and wax worms were the ticket. A couple walleye and some crappie were taken in 15 to 30 feet of water off Pete’s Bayou. Those fishing Lower Hamlin were finding a few fish in 15 to 25 feet of water.

UPPER PENINSULA

Lake Gogebic - Is producing large perch, walleye and a few crappie. Bergland Bay Point and the east shore are still the hotspots.

Keweenaw Bay - Those fishing off Sand Point have caught a few lake trout, coho and lake herring. Lake trout were caught out from Jentoff’s Dock but many were small. Whitefish were caught just east of the Baraga Marina when jigging a Swedish Pimple or putting three or four eggs on a hook and laying it right on the bottom. Perch were caught between Baraga and Buck’s Marina or at the head of the Bay in 40 to 60 feet of water. No word on smelt.

Huron Bay - Is just beginning to freeze over and fishing is slow.

Indian Lake - Is producing light numbers of perch.

Michigamme Reservoir - Anglers are catching walleye.

Little Bay De Noc - Catch rates were up with anglers spread throughout the Bay area. Walleye were caught along the east bank and between the Narrows and Garth Point when jigging or using tip-ups in 17 to 32 feet of water. Some jumbo perch in the 12 to 14 inch range were also caught in the same area. Walleye were caught off Gladstone, south of the Escanaba River and around the lighthouse in waters up to 25 feet deep. The whitefish action was fair off Sand Point when jigging minnows or spawn just off the bottom in 80 feet of water. Excellent northern pike action off Hunters Point. Try tip-ups and large sucker minnows in 10 to 17 feet of water. Perch action was a bit slow but some jumbos were caught in 18 to 32 feet of water near Kipling. Patience is the key and those willing to move around and put in the time have caught fish.

Manistique Lake - Fishing has been slow.

Munuscong Bay - Catch rates for walleye slowed with the cold front. Once it warms up, look for the fish to be in the shallows.

Cedarville and Hessel - Anglers fishing Musky Bay are targeting yellow perch but catch rates depend on the temperature. Try 10 to 14 feet of water with wigglers or wax worms.

Brevoort Lake - Is producing some nice bluegill on the warmer days. Look for walleye along that east shoreline.