Fishing has been good this week in Northern Michigan with a great crappie run in Lake Missaukee, Houghton Lake, Lake St. Helen, Sugar Spring, Secord Lake Wixom Lake and Sanford Lake with lots of limit catches on minnows.
Perch fishing has been awesome on Portage and Big Glen with wigglers being the best bait.
Northwest Lower Peninsula Fishing Report
Harbor Springs: The dock was not in at the public boat launch. According to the city, the harbor is being dredged so the dock may not be in until May 15th.
Petoskey: Pier anglers have caught steelhead on spawn. Some were fishing the “bobber hole” at the mouth of the river but no fish were caught. A few boats were starting to head out to Bay Harbor for lake trout but no fish were reported.
Bear River: Had good steelhead fishing but the number of fish caught has dropped. The run is winding down. Anglers can still try spawn bags and rubber eggs between the mouth and the dam. Early morning was best. Those looking for suckers should get out now as the river is full of them.
Charlevoix: Fishing was slow. A few were trying the channel for walleye but no fish were caught. Night fishing for walleye should pick up soon.
Lake Charlevoix: Had a lot of boats going out for walleye and perch. Rumor has it walleye were caught on the north end of the South Arm near Holy Island. For perch, they were fishing in front of the Belvedere Club and around Two Mile Point.
Traverse City: Lake trout fishing has been good in the bays. Depths were variable with some caught while jigging in 125 feet of water but others caught when trolling plugs in water as shallow as 8 feet. A couple cisco were also caught. Pier and surfcasting were hit-or-miss with the occasional steelhead taken on minnows or spawn bags. Smallmouth bass are being caught and released. Try tube baits in 10 to 35 feet of water.
Elk River: Has a decent number of steelhead. The bite was slow for most but some were able to catch a few fish using fresh spawn or a jig tipped with wax worms.
Boardman River: Steelhead fishing is winding down there is a good number of suckers in the river. A few pike and carp were caught.
Glen Arbor: The boat launch is now open.
Platte Bay: Fishing pressure has slowed. Those trolling spoons caught lake trout and brown trout.
Platte River: Continues to produce walleye and steelhead.
Frankfort: Pier anglers on the north wall were catching a couple steelhead and brown trout on spawn bags. The water is beginning to clear up and anglers can see alewife. Those trolling caught brown trout on UV spoons (not Magnums) and body baits. Black and silver or black and gold were still the hot colors. Lake trout were active in waters over 25 feet deep.
Onekama: Pier anglers targeting brown trout reported hit-or-miss. Catch rates were better when the water was choppy. Try casting spoons, body baits or spawn. Those trolling the shoreline did best north to the golf course and south to Bar Lake in 15 to 22 feet of water with silver and perch body baits.
Portage Lake: Catch rates for the bigger perch have slowed but several small ones have been caught. Try minnows and wigglers. Those trolling for walleye have caught fish ranging 5 to 7 pounds. The water is beginning to settle so bass anglers are having a great time with the early catch-and ?release season.
Manistee: Pier anglers have caught perch on wigglers. Brown trout action was slow for those trolling around the piers.
Manistee River: Anglers continue to take good numbers of steelhead and walleye. They are using spoons, crank baits and flies.
Lake Cadillac: Is producing some walleye. The better fishing starts in the evening and runs through dark. Most are casting floating rapalas from shore. No word on bluegills yet but crappie are starting to hit on minnows.
Ludington: Brown trout action continues to be slow for boat and pier anglers. A few have been caught on black and silver body baits and orange spoons.
Pentwater Lake: Had very few anglers but a couple nice walleye were caught in the channel by those casting body baits. Those trolling Lake Michigan had no success.
Northeast Lower Peninsula Fishing Report
Cheboygan River: Steelhead and walleye were caught below the dam.
Ocqueoc River: Still had a good number of steelhead. Many were moving to the beds as they prepare to spawn. Fish were caught between the mouth and the lamprey weir. Try the deeper holes and the gravel when drifting spawn bags, flies, yarn or small jigs. Depending on the weather, the run might last another week. A few suckers were caught.
Rogers City: The docks are in at the launch ramp however the fish cleaning station was still closed. Boats up to 24 feet were launching with no problem. Catch rates were slow because water temperatures were still just a little too cold. Catch rates will increase once water temperatures reach the mid 40’s. For now, try fishing the shallow waters of Swan Bay and Calcite. Lake trout season is open but there is not much to report. Anglers will have to find the fish. Try fishing shallow, suspended, or just off the bottom in 40 to 60 feet of water.
Presque Isle: The dock is in at the launch site. Those out lake trout fishing had to work hard to catch a few as the water is just too cold. Try cowbells and spin glo’s either suspended or just off the bottom.
Rockport: The docks are in and the gate is open. No boats were out and those fishing off the old dock caught nothing.
Alpena: Those fishing in the bay caught a few walleye between the pier and Grass Island. The fish cleaning station in the marina is now open.
Thunder Bay River: Is still producing a couple steelhead and walleye even though the steelhead activity has slowed now that spawning is just about done. Those targeting suckers have done very well.
Harrisville: Boat anglers reported good catches of steelhead in and around the harbor. Spoons and body baits seem to work the best. As of now the water is high enough at the docks to launch most boats. Tandem axel trailers had no problem getting in and out. The channel depth seems to be deep enough, however be very careful as the makers were not in yet and you will need to swing out at the mouth to avoid shallow water. Walleye are starting to make their way into the area. Early morning and late evening were best for those using crawler harnesses or body baits.
Au Sable River: The water is up, making it easier for boats to make their way up and down the river. The water is still muddy but looks to be clearing. Good numbers of steelhead can be found. They are hitting on flies, spawn, wax worms, spoons and body baits. Suckers are also making their way up into the river but walleye were still moving in and out. Those fishing down near the mouth did catch walleye in the late evening when using crawlers, leeches or body baits.
Tawas: Catch rates slowed with only a couple walleye taken in 14 to 16 feet of water off Jerry’s Marina. Most were using Hot-n-Tots or body baits. Pier fishing was slow.
Au Gres: Had good walleye fishing with an average of five to eight fish per boat. Boats were fishing straight as well as north and south of Point Au Gres. Try 15 to 30 feet of water. Pier fishing was slow.
Au Gres River: A few walleye were caught near the Singing Bridge.
Upper Peninsula Fishing Report
Copper Harbor: Splake fishing was slow with only a few fish taken. The boat launches are finally open and boats traffic is picking up. The local rivers are still very high and fast making them impossible to fish.
Eagle Harbor: The boat launch is open but catch rates were slow. A few splake and coho were caught off the marina wall.
Keweenaw Bay: A few boats were finally able to get out and start trolling for salmon. The bite was slow but a couple coho were caught. Those fishing off the pier in L’Anse were able to catch a couple fish when the floating pack ice allowed them to fish. No word on smelt in this area.
Falls River: Was fishable. Water levels were still high but starting to come down.
Stannard Rock: Catch rates were fair for those heading out on their first trip. They were jigging for lake trout in 150 feet of water and took one or two fish per hour. Size ranged from 20 to 27 inches.
Marquette: Fishing was slow. Most were trolling crank baits or stick baits for coho but few fish were caught.
Carp River: Had few anglers due to the strong current.
Chocolay River: Still had high water levels but steelhead were caught.
Menominee: The mouth of the river was a popular spot for boats to anchor or trolling if there was enough room. Some walleye have been caught but the number has dropped since last week. A few brown trout were also caught. Anglers are jigging with or without minnows, trolling rapalas and crawler harnesses. Early morning and late evening were best. Those that headed south of the mouth also picked up a few walleye. Those trolling off the Cedar River caught brown trout in shallow waters in front of Wells State Park when trolling rapalas or spoons. This area is full of large boulders so anglers must use caution! Early morning was best. Near Stoney Point, a few boats were launching however anglers need to be careful because of shallow water heading out of the launch. It has been flagged. A few walleye and brown trout were caught by those trolling rapalas or spoons in 10 to 15 feet of water.
Menominee River: Shore and boat anglers between the mouth and the Hattie Street Dam picked up some walleye and white suckers. They were mainly casting or trolling Rapalas. Quite a few of the walleye were ripe or spent.
Little Bay De Noc: All the launches are open and the docks are in. The spring perch action is just starting. Good perch fishing was reported off the sand bar near the Day’s River. Anglers are still-fishing with crawlers and wigglers in 18 to 25 feet of water. Perch anglers could be found near Kipling and the “Narrows” but catch rates were slow. Last year; the best catches were after the Big Bay run which is going on now. Rivers were still high so steelhead fishing was a bit difficult.
Day’s River: Anglers caught steelhead between the mouth and the Golf Course.
Big Bay De Noc: The spring perch run has started with fair to good catches in Garden Bay. Most are using minnows or worms in 6 to 8 feet of water. Boats were averaging 20 to 30 fish and many were 9 to 11 inches.
Sturgeon River: Was close to flood stage. Those looking for steelhead will have to wait until water levels come down.
Ongontz River: Suckers are running and catch rates were good.
Au Train: The bay is ice free and the dock is in at the Brownstone Launch. Boat anglers targeting coho caught four to ten fish after five to six hours of fishing. Many had a mix of coho, chinook, steelhead and brown trout. The coho were about 16 inches, steelhead were 20 to 26 and the browns were right around 20. One large whitefish was caught. Most are trolling small crank baits or stick baits between the Brownstone Launch and Au Train Point.
Au Train River: Water levels are coming down but the current was still strong enough to make fishing difficult.
Newberry: Lakes in area are open but some of the access roads still had snow pack on them. Rivers and streams were still high everywhere but conditions will improve as the rivers should come down this week.
Sucker River: Has steelhead.
DeTour: Those fishing Albany Creek have caught steelhead on spawn.
Drummond Island: Has very good perch fishing in Scott Bay and Maxton Bay. Try minnows and leaf worms in 2 to 4 feet of water.
Cedarville and Hessel: Some nice splake have been caught off the pier when using smelt or minnows. Those trolling caught also caught fish on blue and silver or purple Cleo’s.
Carp River: Water levels have dropped but there is still a strong current.
Southeast Lower Peninsula Fishing Report
Lake Erie: Catch rates were slow for walleye. The majority of anglers are starting to troll harnesses with inline weights. Some fish were caught near the Dumping Grounds and in front of Sterling State Park when trolling or jigging in 16 to 18 feet of water. Until the water cleans up, anglers will want to stay in 12 to 18 feet and fish throughout the water column.
Huron River: Has lots of white bass being caught. Good smallmouth bass action as well but all these must be released immediately. Walleye have been caught in the evening up near the Flat Rock Dam. Try pink and black flies. The steelhead run is just about done.
Detroit River: Has very good walleye fishing. Anglers are jigging lead head jigs with minnows or worms. Good colors were green, orange, black, purple or pink. Perch were caught along the south side of the Cross Dike. Very good white bass action as the river is full of them. Smallmouth bass were also caught and released.
Lake St. Clair: Smallmouth bass fishing is heating up. The usual areas like Selfridge, Metro Beach, and off the Mile Roads have all been good.
Clinton River: Had excellent rock bass fishing at the mouth.
St. Clair River Is good for walleye especially between Marine City and Algonac.
Lexington: Pier fishing has been slow with only a couple bullhead and a few rock bass taken by those still-fishing. Those casting caught the occasional steelhead. For boat anglers, those trolling spoons or body baits caught chinook, lake trout, brown trout and steelhead. The fish were scattered in waters 20 to 70 feet deep.
Harbor Beach: Pier fishing was slow but boat anglers were getting a few trout and salmon in waters 20 to 60 feet deep.
Port Austin: Had rumors of a few walleye being caught.
Saginaw Bay: Had very good walleye fishing between Linwood Road and the Saginaw River. Off Linwood, try crawlers in 18 to 20 feet, crawler harnesses in 4 to 6 feet off Kawkawlin, jigging crank baits around Spoils Island or jigging minnows and plastic worms near Consumers. No perch to report. On the east side, the water remains muddy and most of the marinas were not open yet. Quanicassee had no activity as the skid piers were not yet in. At Sebewaing, bass were caught from the channel and in the canals. The marina at Bay Port is still being dredged and the water is muddy. Only a couple boats were out trolling near the sailboat buoys. Bass anglers had fair action out by North Island. At Caseville, those fishing off the wall caught a few walleye. Smallmouth bass were caught and released.
Saginaw River: Many walleye were caught in the lower river.
Tittabawassee River: Had excellent walleye fishing between the Center Street launch and the M-46 launch. Anglers are also catching fish by the Caldwell launch which is near the Gordonville-Mapleton area. Try rapalas or jigging with crawlers.
Southwest Lower Peninsula Fishing Report
St. Joseph: Fishing overall was very slow. Pier anglers are catching a few catfish and freshwater drum on crawlers. No trout or salmon were caught. Boat anglers were struggling to find fish.
St. Joseph River: Water levels are slowly receding. The DNR launch in St. Joe still had some water over the docks. The St. Joe city launch is almost back to normal.
South Haven: Overall fishing was slow. There still seems to be a few fish in 45 to 60 feet of water but the bite was slow. Boat anglers did manage to catch a few lake trout when trolling.
Black River: In South Haven is currently being dredged. Boat anglers need to use caution around the buoys in the river channel because there is a floating dredge pipe hanging under them.
Holland: Boat anglers are starting to catch chinook and coho when trolling in waters 40 to 150 feet deep however 80 to 120 feet was best. The fish are high in the water column. They are trolling spoons in green, yellow, blue and gold as well as green and blue flies with pearl flashers. Pier fishing was slow. No perch to report.
Grand Haven: Dredging is underway at the Island Harbor boat launch. The boat ramps were not in but the launch is open. No word on when the dredging will be done. Chinook and coho salmon are just starting to show up. Boats are trolling in waters 80 to 120 feet deep with spoons. The salmon are high in the water so small lead core is working best. For spoons, best colors were green, blue, yellow and gold. Flashers and flies worked well. Pier fishing is very slow. Some are throwing cast nets for alewife but none were taken.
Grand River at Grand Rapids: Is producing some walleye. Try Hot-n-Tots, body baits or a jig and crawler. Catfish are hitting on live or cut bait.
Grand River at Lansing: Catfish and smallmouth bass are being caught below the dam at Moore’s Park. Anglers should be able to find catfish below any of the dams. Live bait or cut bait works best.
Muskegon River: Water levels were still high and stained but steelhead and walleye are still being caught. Try flies, spawn, wax worms, spoons or body baits.
Whitehall: Very few walleye have been caught from the pier. Anglers were casting body baits with not much luck. Those trolling did well for brown trout in the shallows about a mile or two north and south of the pier. A couple coho were also caught.
White Lake: Boat anglers are still taking good numbers of pike. They are using spinners in 4 to 15 feet of water.
