Permanent Ice shanties must be off the lakes by March 15
Persons placing a Permanent shanty on waters in the counties of Alcona, Alpena, Antrim, Arenac, Bay, Benzie, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Clare, Crawford, Emmet, Gladwin, Grand Traverse, Iosco, Isabella, Kalkaska, Lake, Leelanau, Manistee, Mason, Mecosta, Midland, Missaukee, Montmorency, Newaygo, Oceana, Ogemaw, Osceola, Oscoda, Otsego, Presque Isle, Roscommon, or Wexford shall remove the shanty by midnight of Mar. 15 each year.
Saginaw Bay: Walleye action was better at dusk or early morning. Anglers were fishing four to five miles out from White’s Beach, in17 to 20 feet of water off Linwood, 12 to 17 feet off the Bay City State Park, 16 feet northeast of Spoils Island, seven miles north off the end of Callahan Road or Finn Road, and the middle of the Slot off Thomas Road or Sunset Bay Marina. Fishing was slow in the Hot Pond. Bluegills and some big crappie were caught in the marina at Sebewaing. At Mud Creek, perch fishing was hit-or-miss.
Saginaw River: Anglers are reminded that walleye season on the river will close at midnight this Saturday, March 15th. There has been a lot of fishing pressure all over the river. Anglers might want to avoid the crowds and try fishing the areas between the main access points. Those fishing near the Zilwaukee Bridge caught walleye but many were small. The river ice should hold for the last day of walleye season.
Higgins Lake: NO SMELT-Still has lots of ice. Lake trout are hitting on grays in 90 to 100 feet. Those targeting whitefish on the bottom have done well with wigglers, wax worms or spawn in 85 to 100 feet. Rainbow trout have been caught near the Conference Center. Try wigglers in shallow waters about a foot deep. For perch, try off Evergreen Park on the north end or around the Sunken Island. Use minnows, wigglers and wax worms in waters 50 to 70 feet deep or more.
West Grand Traverse Bay seems to be the hot spot as lake trout and burbot have been biting great off Bingham rd, and lees point. Jumbo Perch have been hit and miss off of Lee’s Point but it is worth the effort. They are still driving trucks on the bay but no recommended.
Green Lake has picked up with report of good smelt catches this week.
Anglers are reminded that walleye, pike and muskie season on the Upper Peninsula Great lakes, inland waters, St. Mary’s River and all the Lower Peninsula inland waters will close at midnight on March 15th.
Northwestern Michigan
East and West Grand Traverse Bay are still good for whitefish and lake trout, and a few perch off of dock rd. on east bay. The East Bay is producing lake trout. The numbers are good but the fish were on the small side. Anglers are jigging glow pimples in 120 to 140 feet. Yuba was producing some good catches. In the West Bay, good numbers of some nice lake trout and burbot were caught. Some reported 10 pound lake trout and burbot over 8 pounds caught near Lee’s Point in 135 to 165 feet of water when jigging glows.
Green Lake: In Grand Traverse County is producing some smelt and big pike. Smelt have been slow with the arctic front. red spikes, white spikes, waxworms with a hali jig have been the best bet. Ice is good at both landing with many shanties out off the south access .
Skegemog- Perch are biting when the wind not blowing 100 miles a hour also pike have been biting Call Jack’s Sport Shop@231-258-8892
Torch Lake: Is producing a limited number of whitefish. Atlantic salmon and lake trout have also been caught. Call Jack’s Sport Shop@231-258-8892
Fife Lake- Fishing has been slow but some gills and perch have been biting Lakeside Party @ 231-879-3341 for latest info
Lake Missaukee- Is producing a few perch and crappie. The better fishing is usually along the weed beds on the west side of the lake with a minnow or spike. Pike have started to bite Call Miller Corner@ 231-839-0440. go to their facebook page miller’s bait
Crystal Lake: Lobb road has been slow for smelt and perch in 45 to 50 feet of water. Use Hali jigs with wax worms. Look for perch along the weeds in 25 to 35 feet of water. Try tear drops tipped with a minnow or spike.
Lake Cadillac: Though ice fishing continues, pike and walleye season will close on Saturday, March 15th. This is the time to target bluegill, crappie and perch with minnows, wigglers or wax worms. Call Pilgrim Village 231-775-5412 latest info
Lake Mitchell: The better fishing has been in and around Big Cove. Pike anglers have done well spearing or with tip-ups. Call Pilgrim Village 231-775-5412 latest info
Portage Lake: Ice anglers are catching perch and pike. The better perch fishing is usually in 6 to 18 feet of water along the south end between the two camps. Perch and Ciscoes have been biting the last two days Call Osborne’s@ 231-889-3775 for latest fishing report. Also Don’s Sporting Goods@ 231-723-5028
Pentwater- Has been good this week on perch call Pentwater Angler for latest info@ 231-869-1055
Manistee River: Lower sections of the river are still iced over however steelhead can be caught anywhere there is open water. Those fishing up near Tippy Dam have caught fish this week in good numbers. Call Pappy’s Bait for latest info on Tippy Dam@ 231-848-4091
Hamlin Lake: Was producing some bluegills, crappie and walleye. Early morning or late evening was best. Try 10 to 18 feet along the weed beds with Hali jigs and small spoons with wax worms or cut bait such as the head of a minnow. Hamlin Grocery@(231) 843-2058 and Capt. Chucks @ (231) 843-4458
Pere Marquette River: The lower section below Custer is still iced over. Those fishing the open water have caught steelhead.
Pere Marquette Lake: The fishing has picked up the last two days with nice perch being caught.The U.S. Coast Guard is warning anglers and other recreational users to use extreme caution due to ice breaking operations. They will be making two trips and stopping at Ludington’s Occidental Chemical Facility. Officials say ice fishermen should remove their ice shanties and equipment from these areas. Recreational users should plan their activities carefully and avoid the shipping channels. Capt. Chucks @ (231) 843-4458 for latest info.
Long Lake, Lake Leelanau has started to pick up this week with walleye and perch as lake is in better shape.
Big Glen a few perch have been caught but little glen has been slow .
Duck Lake by Interlochen Slow this week too much snow
Lake Bellaire has been fair for walleye and pike.
Northeast Michigan
Black Lake: Pike and walleye have been spotty this week Call Parrots Outpost for the latest ice conditions (989) 733-2472
Mullet Lake- Is producing perch for those using minnows and waxworms call Mullet Lake Party store@ (231) 627-4644 or Topinabee Market@ 231-238-9578
Burt Lake: Slow on walleye and perch.. Call Pat & Gary’s Party Store 231-238-6776
Grand Lake: Was producing a few perch. Try 15 to 25 feet of water around Grand Island.
Long Lake: Is very Slow
Fletchers Pond: Was producing a few crappie for those using minnows, wax worms or spikes. A few pike were taken on tip-ups. Fishing should get better this week call Wild Bills Bait and Tackle@ (989) 742-4874
Otsego Lake- Fishing has been slow on Otsego Perch fishing has been fair on Bradford, chub Lake trout fishing has been good. The sturgeon have been slow but a 65″ did get caught this week this week Call Northern Sports@ 987-448-2014 for latest info
Higgins Lake- NO SMELT-Still has lots of ice. Lake trout are hitting on grays in 90 to 100 feet. Those targeting whitefish on the bottom have done well with wigglers, wax worms or spawn in 85 to 100 feet. Rainbow trout have been caught near the Conference Center. Try wigglers in shallow waters about a foot deep. For perch, try off Evergreen Park on the north end or around the Sunken Island. Use minnows, wigglers and wax worms in waters 50 to 70 feet deep or more.
.Call Erik@ Silver Dollar Express (989) 821-6227 or Dave@Sports Barn 989-821-9511 for latest fishing info.
Houghton Lake- Catch rates for bluegill should pick up with the warmer weather. Walleye anglers were doing well also some jumbo perch. Try along the weed beds in 10 feet or more for walleye. Middle Grounds has been good for walleye but access to lake is still tough.
Angelo’s Party Store has shanties call for the latest info@ 989-202-4422
Pappa’s Bait reporting walleye fishing off the middle grounds on Houghton Lake he also some pike and perch. 989-429-5780
Hubbard Lake: has been steady.
Au Sable River: Anglers have caught steelhead but the action was quite slow at times. Most are using wax worms or spawn. The ramp on Rea Road is useable but 4-wheel drive is needed. There is still quite a bit of ice between the Whirlpool and the pier. With the ongoing changes in weather, anglers should anticipate flow variations below Foote Dam. Extreme cold has caused difficulties in operating the spill gates at the Foote Hydroelectric Project which in turn cause unexpected flow changes when they are opened or closed. There is the potential for rapid flow changes due to the breakup of ice cover which causes ice dams and the temporary impounding of water followed by rapid flow when these blockages release water. Those steelhead fishing on the lower river should check the USGS website for current flow conditions.
Wixom Lake has been fair for gills, pike and crappie but warm weather got some water flowing so things should pick-up Crappie fishing should get better with the warm-up Gladwin County. Be sure to stop at Sandys Market or Big R’s to get your bait! call Joe (989) 435-9688
Sanford Lake has been fair call Sanford Sport for info on Wixom and Sanford @ 989-687.5161
Secord Lake has been fair for panfish. Sandy’s Market call Joe (989) 435-9688
Wiggins and Sugar Springs have been good for pike and panfish. Call Chappel Dam Grocery @
(989) 426-7503 or check out their facebook page
Lake St. Helen: Catch rates are slow this week. For pike, try tip-ups with large minnows. Anglers will find crappie in waters 8 feet or deeper. They were hitting on small minnows and wax worms. The lake is producing a few perch ranging 10 to 12 inches but no big numbers. Most anglers are fishing First Lake especially the north and northwest side as well as off the boat launch. Call Dave @ Malcomb’s 989-389-2100 for latest info.
Around Baldwin a few pike and gills being caught but ice conditions are good.
Hesperia reports good pike fishing and a few gills and lakes are getting better for walking.
Cedar Lake: About five miles north of Oscoda is providing a fair to good number of perch, bluegill, crappie and walleye.
Clear Lake: In Montmorency County is producing splake though most are sub-legal.
Tawas: Some perch were caught inside the harbor. Keepers were running 6 to 8 inches but some caught a few bigger fish. A couple pike were speared or taken on tip-ups off Jerry’s Marina.
Au Gres: A few walleye anglers were fishing off Booth Road. Perch anglers caught a few nice fish in 7 feet of water off the mouth of the Rifle River and in 6 feet of water straight off Palmer Road. Most fish were 7 to 10 inches. Walleye were caught in 7 to 15 feet mostly in the evening.
Upper Peninsula Fishing Report
Marquette: Few anglers were fishing the Lower Harbor. The ice was good however conditions can change quickly with strong winds. There are pockets of open water off the Coast Guard Lighthouse and towards Picnic Rocks. Catch rates were poor with only a few small splake taken. In the Upper Harbor, there was ice near the “bubblers” however this is new ice because strong winds blew out the existing ice. Catch rates were poor with only a few coho, lake herring or small chinook caught. There is some open water out from the Upper Harbor breakwall. South winds have opened up stretches of water between the Carp River and the prison. Most areas will see shifting ice over the next few weeks.
Carp River: The mouth is open just below the bridge on Hwy-41 and to the discharge area. A few anglers have tried fishing but had no luck. Conditions are difficult due to snow and ice along the shoreline.
Au Train: The entire bay is frozen over but no anglers were observed. The Brownstone launch is not plowed. Parking is marginal on M-28 as plows have not widened the highway. One angler fishing off the Rock River had no success. The ice was thick with large pockets of slush in-between which makes it difficult to auger good holes.
Menominee River: On March 4th, the center door at the Hattie Street Dam was opened to full capacity which released much of the ice that was secure on the Wisconsin side of the dam. Anglers caught walleye at night when jigging a piece of minnow. Trout anglers targeting the open water on the Michigan side did not catch any fish. Those jigging for pike between the Marinette Marine and Stephenson Island are marking fish but the bite was slow. Those looking for panfish tried near the boat launch at the lighthouse. Anglers need to use caution and watch for unsafe ice near the middle of the river.
Little Bay De Noc: Has exceptional ice this year but travel has been difficult. Many have added extensions to their augers because the ice is so thick. More anglers are out as the walleye action was good. Fish were caught by those jigging rapalas with or without a minnow in 25 to 40 feet between the Escanaba River and Gladstone. Fair walleye action was noted along the “Narrows” in 30 to 40 feet and off the Second and Third Reefs in 20 to 35 feet at night. The head of the bay had mixed results with some fish caught in 8 to 35 feet by those using tip-ups with large sucker minnows. Perch anglers had good catches in the “Narrows” when using minnows or wigglers in 33 to 41 feet. Good numbers of jumbo perch reported from this area. Near Kipling, lots of small perch along with some jumbos were taken in 28 feet or in 14 to 30 feet near the Day’s River. Whitefish anglers off Sand Point did not do well. Several large northern pike were caught on tip-ups in 20 feet at the head of the bay.
Munuscong: Catch rates were poor to fair with the better catches coming from deeper water along the channel. Thick ice remains. Dig out your sled and thaw out your minnow bucket. This is your last weekend to catch a walleye dinner AND win a prize for it! DAN’S RESORT LAST CHANCE WALLEYE DERBY
Cedarville and Hessel: Hessel Bay is producing a few small yellow perch. Wilderness Bay is producing a fair number of keepers. Musky Bay and Duck Bay had fair catch rates.
Southeast Lower Peninsula Fishing Report
Lake Erie: The Metro Park Marina was producing some perch. Try minnows or wigglers. Walleye are still being caught in Brest Bay.
Huron River: Anglers did catch a couple steelhead near Labo Park.
Detroit River: Those fishing Airport Bay were still taking some perch. Cold weather will once again delay the onset of bigger perch coming up into the canals.
Lake St. Clair: The ice is holding. Anglers could still be ice fishing for a least a couple more weeks. Perch fishing was fair at best on the Michigan side. Anglers are sorting through a lot of small ones to get enough for a meal.
Saginaw Bay: Walleye action was better at dusk or early morning. Anglers were fishing four to five miles out from White’s Beach, in17 to 20 feet of water off Linwood, 12 to 17 feet off the Bay City State Park, 16 feet northeast of Spoils Island, seven miles north off the end of Callahan Road or Finn Road, and the middle of the Slot off Thomas Road or Sunset Bay Marina. Fishing was slow in the Hot Pond. Bluegills and some big crappie were caught in the marina at Sebewaing. At Mud Creek, perch fishing was hit-or-miss.
Saginaw River: Anglers are reminded that walleye season on the river will close at midnight this Saturday, March 15th. There has been a lot of fishing pressure all over the river. Anglers might want to avoid the crowds and try fishing the areas between the main access points. Those fishing near the Zilwaukee Bridge caught walleye but many were small. The river ice should hold for the last day of walleye season.
Southwest Lower Peninsula Fishing Report
The ice should be fine even after the warm up. Fishing for crappie, yellow perch, bluegill and northern pike was picking up on inland lakes.
St. Joseph River: Steelhead fishing was good.
Kalamazoo River: Is still producing some steelhead up near the Allegan Dam. Try small spoons, spinners or spawn.
Grand River at Lansing: Anglers will find a few scattered steelhead and pike in the river. Not many anglers have been out.
Park Lake: Was producing a few crappie.
Muskegon River: Continues to produce some nice steelhead. Target the deeper holes until the weather warms back up. Try flies that resemble small goby.
