Curly's Photo and Fishing Blog
ONe Week Away From Opener
The crappie fishing is great in Houghton Lake in the canals with bluegills biting also.
Over in the thumb the perch are running in the rivers and ditches and limit catches are reported. Wixom Lake has a good crappie and gill bite. Portage Lake by Oneckema has a good perch bite in the channel also Manistee Lake has been good for perch off the piers and boats.
Lake Cadillac - Boat and shore anglers are looking for perch and crappie in the shallows along the southwest and the far east sections of the lake.
Lake Mitchell - Boat and shore anglers looking for crappie are fishing in the coves.
Big Bay De Noc - Had good perch fishing with limit catches reported off the northwest bank when still-fishing with worms, minnows or wigglers in 8 feet of water. Many were 8 and 9 inch fish. Look for the bite to pick back up after it warms up.
Spring fishing is just getting started. Anglers 17 years of age and older are required to have the new 2010 Michigan Fishing License by April 1st. Strong storms this week have raised water levels in the rivers and that should help those seeking steelhead and suckers. Colder weather by the end of the week will most likely slow the bite for panfish however it should rebound with the next warm up. As we move into spring fishing, anglers are reminded that bass season is closed.The 2010 regulations also go into effect on April 1st. Fishing Guides should be available from all license vendors.
Northwest:
Charlervoix - Some big perch were caught straight out from the river in 100 feet of water. The trick is finding a school of fish.
Traverse City - Boats are still going out for whitefish however anglers were catching more lake trout.
Boardman River - Steelhead fishing was hit-or-miss.
Frankfort - Brown trout were still being caught by both pier and boat anglers.
Betsie River - Fishing slowed however steelhead were still being caught both above and below the Homestead Dam. Most fish were caught on the gravel in the middle of the day when using artificial flies. Suckers are pretty much everywhere from the Dam to Betsie Lake. They were in the deeper holes and hitting on worms or flies.
Lake Cadillac - Boat and shore anglers are looking for perch and crappie in the shallows along the southwest and the far east sections of the lake.
Lake Mitchell - Boat and shore anglers looking for crappie are fishing in the coves.
Manistee - Boat anglers are catching brown trout and the occasional salmon when trolling along the shoreline. Try body baits in natural colors or small spoons. Pier fishing was slow for perch and brown trout.
Ludington - Boat anglers have caught brown trout when trolling around the harbor and along the shoreline.
Northeastern Lower Peninsula
Ocqueoc River - Steelhead were caught by those drifting spawn or flies. Look for more fish to enter the river system.
Rogers City - All the docks are in at launch ramps however the cleaning station and the marina do not open until May. Look for small boats fishing along the shoreline for brown trout and salmon as the warm water flows toward the big lake. Those fishing from the breakwall or the docks are casting small spoons or body baits. Bright colors work good or anything that resembles smelt. Try running planer boards with body baits at last 100 feet off the board and follow the brown water close to shore. Most are fishing Seagull Point, Swan Bay or Calcite Harbor.
Rockport - Atlantic salmon have moved in close to the piers. Anglers are trolling in 30 feet of water with chartreuse and orange lures.
Thunder Bay River - Is full of suckers which makes it hard to target steelhead. Walleye were hitting as well however the season is still closed. Those trying to target trout were using spawn bags or bright yellow and black flies.
Harrisville - Atlantic salmon, lake trout and walleye have been caught straight out from the harbor in 12 to 40 feet of water. Spoons and body baits were the ticket, gold and orange were the hot colors.
Oscoda - Pier fishing has improved as anglers were catching Atlantic salmon, steelhead, walleye and the occasional lake trout. Spoons, spawn and body baits are working well. The walleye preferred crawlers but were also hitting body baits. Orange and gold, blue and silver or green were good colors.
Higgins Lake - Crappie have been caught in the canals and near the Cut River.
Houghton Lake - Is also producing crappie and bluegill in the cuts and canals.
Tawas - Pier anglers fishing inside the harbor were getting some perch however be ready to sort out the small ones. Early morning was best for bigger perch. Those fishing the lake side were getting a mix of coho, brown trout, steelhead, walleye and northern pike. Boats out trolling rapalas were picking up a few walleye off the mouth of the river.
Au Gres - Boats trolling off the mouth of the river are taking walleye on rapalas.
Au Gres River - Steelhead fishing has slowed. Those surf-casting with rapalas near the Singing Bridge have caught walleye at night. There were rumors of a few smelt however no big numbers and certainly not enough to warrant a trip at this time.
Rifle River - Sucker runs have most likely peaked, but there are still a lot of fish in the river.
Upper Peninsula
Black River - Coho fishing is good right now for those trolling in shallow waters less than 14 feet deep. Most of the fish caught were coho however chinook and brown trout were also in the mix. Those fishing off the breakwalls did not catch as many fish however some nice coho were caught when floating worms under a bobber.
Ontonagon - Fishing has been very good with chinook, coho, brown trout and lake trout caught in shallow waters when trolling planer boards with stick baits or rapalas.
Keweenaw Bay - Those trolling for coho and lake trout did well in 30 to 60 feet of water off Baraga, L’Anse, the head of the bay and north towards Old Mission. Coho were caught off the dock near the marina in L’Anse. Anglers jigging for lake trout caught fish in 150 feet of water near Gay Point and 220 feet of water near Five Mile Reef, which is straight out from the Traverse Marina.
Marquette - Catch rates for coho were fair with water temperatures between the mid 30’s and 40 degrees. Most were fishing near the bubblers or the upper harbor in 20 to 30 feet of water with crawlers. More lake trout were caught in waters 40 to 100 feet deep. Whitefish action was slow. Pier anglers in the lower harbor caught coho.
Carp River - Is producing light numbers of coho and steelhead for those using crawlers, spawn or spoons.
Little Bay De Noc - Good catches of small perch were reported near the beach at Gladstone. Try using worms or minnows in waters 6 to 20 feet deep.
Escanaba River - A few brown trout were caught up near the first dam when casting lures or spawn. No smelt reports this week.
Big Bay De Noc - Had good perch fishing with limit catches reported off the northwest bank when still-fishing with worms, minnows or wigglers in 8 feet of water. Many were 8 and 9 inch fish. Look for the bite to pick back up after it warms up.
Little Fishdam River - Smelt anglers took a few fish but no big numbers to report.
Au Train - Anglers are catching coho when trolling or casting jigs tipped with crawlers, spoons or crank baits. Stay shallow in 15 to 30 feet of water between the red rock area and the Rock River or near the mouth of the Au Train River. Splake and steelhead were caught near the Rock River.
Munising - Those trolling the bay, around Grand Island and near the Miners River reported good catches of coho along with a few splake or steelhead. Pier and dock fishing was slow. The Sand Point launch is experiencing low water levels.
Grand Marais - Boat anglers reported fair catches of coho and steelhead. Pier fishing was fair for trout and salmon however a few whitefish were also caught.
St. Mary’s River - Steelhead and pink salmon are still being caught off the Portage Street Bridge when using spawn bags or flatfish.
De Tour - The docks were not in at the city launch. Those steelhead fishing at Albany Creek have caught some nice steelhead in the 6 pound range when floating spawn bags.
Carp River - Anglers casting spawn have caught steelhead at the Mackinaw Trail Bridge and the McDonalds Rapids. No smelt in the river yet.
Southeast Lower Peninsula
Lake Erie - Boat anglers fishing in Michigan waters have caught walleye off the reefs when jigging minnows or trolling with crank baits. Those fishing the cuts and canals around Point Mouillee and Erie Metro Park have caught crappie and bluegill.
Sand Lake - In Lenawee County is still producing crappie in the shallows. The better catch rates came on sunny days.
Huron River - Has steelhead and check the backwaters for bluegill and crappie.
Detroit River - Walleye action continues to be good in the lower Trenton Channel. Anglers are jigging minnows or trolling rapalas. Stinger hooks are a must. A few northern pike were caught in the backwaters. Perch are spawning.
Clinton River - Is producing steelhead for those using spawn or flies.
Lexington - Boat anglers trolling in 10 to 35 feet of water were catching coho, steelhead, lake trout and the occasional chinook on crank baits. Coho were running 2 to 3 pounds and steelhead 2 to 5 pounds. The best fishing was within 10 miles south of the port. Pier anglers caught perch, coho and steelhead inside the harbor.
Port Sanilac - Those out trolling did best between the port and 5 miles north for trout and salmon. Crank baits worked best.
Saginaw Bay - Lots of post-spawn walleye have been caught off Linwood in 14 to 18 feet of water, around Spoils Island and in 7 feet of water from the mouth of the Kawkawlin River to the mouth of the Saginaw River. Anglers are trolling rapalas and crank baits or vertical jigging with crawlers or minnows. Those trolling off the mouth of the Quanicassee River were starting to catch walleye on crank baits or crawler harnesses. At Caseville, crappie are in the marina and pier anglers caught salmon, trout, whitefish and burbot.
Kawkawlin River - Channel catfish are hitting on minnows in the lower river.
Sebewaing River - Shore anglers were catching perch and other panfish.
Southwest Lower Peninsula
St. Joe - Catch rates were fair. Pier anglers caught coho and brown trout. Boat anglers did well when trolling in shallow waters 18 to 30 feet deep. Flathead catfish have also been caught off the pier.
St. Joe River - Steelhead are still coming up from the big lake however catch rates were a bit slow. Fish are there for anglers to catch. Try drifting spawn or flies.
South Haven - Boat and pier anglers were catching trout and salmon however the action here was a little slower than St. Joe.
Holland - Pier anglers have caught a few perch.
Grand Haven - Muddy water from the river slowed perch fishing in the 60 foot hole. Try minnows, spikes or mousies once the water has cleared up. Brown trout fishing off the pier was also slow. Boat anglers caught a few brown trout north and south of the pier when trolling close to shore.
Grand River at Grand Rapids - Still has good numbers of steelhead between Fulton Street and the Sixth Street Dam. Yarn and wobble glo’s worked best. Good colors were chrome and pink, red or black. Bluegills and crappie are hitting in the backwaters. At Riverside Park, anglers are using small tube baits 2 or 3 feet down for crappie and leaf worms for bluegills. Millennium Park was also good for bluegill and crappie. Carp and suckers have been caught.
Grand River at Lansing - Those fishing near the dam at Moore’s Park are catching smaller catfish and the occasional steelhead which are leftover from the run. Crappie were caught near the Waverly Road Bridge.
Maple River - Anglers are catching both flathead and channel catfish near the State Game Area on US-127. Try stink baits, crawlers or large minnows.
Duck Lake - Is still producing crappie on sunny days. Try jigs with minnows.
Vineyard Lake - Crappie fishing slows with each cold front.
Reeds Lake - Is still producing limit catches of crappie and bluegill. Anglers are fishing in waters up to 4 feet deep and catching mostly males.
Rogue River - Still has lots of steelhead for the taking.
Muskegon - Boat anglers trolling around the piers caught brown trout on jointed rapalas. Pier fishing was slow. No word on perch.
FISHING CONDITIONS ON LAKES CADILLAC AND MITCHELL FROM PILGRIM VILLAGE FISHING SHOP 231-775-5412
FISHING CONDITIONS ON LAKES CADILLAC AND MITCHELL
FROM PILGRIM VILLAGE FISHING SHOP
Take advantage of this early start to spring fishing. The crappie and perch are in the shallow warmer water looking for an easy meal. The crappie on Lake Cadillac has started in the predictable early spots, the east side (city of Cadillac) and the Causeway area (west side parallel to M-115). Either area can be fished from shore but anglers with boats usually do best because of their mobility. Just catch one in an area and you know there’s more. The City Dock was made for fishing. Often casting of any distance isn’t necessary because on bright sunny days the crappie stay under the floating dock. Keeper size perch and hand size and larger crappie can be caught there. Once pike and walleye seasons open, fishermen cast their favorite lures to catch the tasty predators. The City Dock gives the advantage of fishing deeper water.
Boat anglers anchor over the slab wood patches on the east side. Small pockets of slabs dot the bottom, left from the lumbering days, when saw mills were located on the city shore; these are food factories for the fish. Crayfish, leeches, and whatever live in these areas. Most boats are equipped with electronics, making it easier to find the fish. Near by shallower areas have weed lines and sand bars, great for spring spawning. Now its perch and crappie time, soon the bluegills and bass will be spawning there.
On Lake Mitchell most fishermen concentrate on the west side, Cove areas. The emerging weeds, warmer water and sand bars make it perfect for spawning. Everything happens here from panfish to bass and pike.
The crappie and soon bluegills will follow the shore lines of the Big and Small Coves. Gills often bed near and around the docks. The Coves are the home of all species from all panfish, pike, walleye and bass. Less desired, but fun and likely candidates for a Master Angler Awards, are the bowfin and bullheads. Chances are good in both lakes but especially Mitchell.
Another text book structure is Blind Island outside and between the Big and Small Coves. It’s a hump in two foot of water that melts down to four foot, 6 foot surrounded by a variety of weeds. Great for spring fishing. Panfish up shallow and bass, pike and walleye eating them as they move to around the Sunken Island.
Get out and enjoy this spring weather - - - Go Fish!
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