This weather has shut down fishing and also the fish have quit biting the last few days. It has been really bad this week as fisherman have thrown in the towel until this weather breaks as we are looking for a warm up soon. It is really slow around Northern Michigan but soon the weather will change.
Grand Traverse Bays are still good for whitefish and lake trout, and a few perch off of dock rd. on east bay.
Saginaw Bay: Catch rates are slow and hanging on a bit longer than normal this year, most likely due to the bitter cold temperatures. Underwater cameras are showing walleye and perch but the bite is not there. Some were lucky enough to catch a few perch in 10 feet of water off White’s Beach and walleye in 15 feet before the first pressure crack off the State Park, and out near Spoils Island. Perch fishing off Vanderbilt Park was non-existent. Walleye anglers going off Thomas Road found a few fish in the middle of the Slot. They did better than the guys crossing the Bar and going to the Slot. Bluegill, crappie and the odd pike were caught out from the marina at Sebewaing.
Saginaw River: Catch rates were slow but some caught the occasional walleye on a blue and silver jigging rapala with a treble hook and minnow head. A couple perch were caught off the cement plant at Essexville. Anglers are seeing a lot of fish on their cameras but the fish are ignoring the bait. Water clarity was back to normal.
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.
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 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.
Crystal Lake: Lobb road has been ok for smelt and perch has excellent smelt fishing at night 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: Crappie anglers are fishing off Kenwood Park. Those targeting walleye have actually caught some nice crappie on tip-ups. For pike and perch, try the southeast side of the lake. Call Pilgrim Village 231-775-5412 latest info
Lake Mitchell: Is another good lake for pike, crappie and bluegill.Is finally producing some bluegills. The better fishing was at the mouth of Big Cove. 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. Call Osborne’s@ 231-889-3775 for latest fishing report. Also Don’s Sporting Goods@ 231-723-5028
Manistee River: Is pretty much locked up with ice from High Bridge down. A couple steelhead were caught at Tippy Dam.
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: Has steelhead. Those wading have caught steelhead and the occasional brown trout.
Pere Marquette Lake: 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.
Long Lake, Lake Leelanau has started to pick up this week with walleye and perch.
Big Glen Slow this week too much snow .
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 producing walleye and perch. Call Bucks@ 989-595-2121
Fletchers Pond: Was producing a few crappie for those using minnows, wax worms or spikes. A few pike were taken on tip-ups. They have a fishing derby this weekend 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 this week Call Northern Sports@ 987-448-2014 for latest info
Higgins Lake- Lake trout are being caught on greys. Perch anglers were starting to catch a few bigger ones in 8 to 12 feet of water on the east side of the lake off Maple Hurst Road and Flag Point. Perch were caught south of the Sunken Island by those using minnows, spikes and wax worms. Rainbow trout can be found in the shallows off Big Creek and the Conference Center. Most are using blues. Perch were caught near Big Creek, Treasure Island, or B & B Marina. On the south end of the lake, perch were caught off Sunken Island. A few pike were taken on tip-ups and large minnows. Those spearing were seeing smaller pike. Kelly Beach on the south-end has been great for perch this weekend. I still have not heard of a smelt being caught yet
.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 as lake conditions improve.
Angelo’s Party Store has shanties call for the latest info@ 989-202-4422
Dave at Four Season Party Store has his shanties out and they were catching fish call Dave @989-422-5230
Lyman’s Shanty rental @ 989-422-3231 says pike walleye and perch have been fair with a walleye once in a while just before dark.
Korbinski’s Shanty Rental call Rod@ 989-366-9500
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.
Lake Margrethe: Is producing some walleye, perch and pike. Above a huge muskie 50 inches was taken there Wednesday. Call Skips Sport@ 989-348-7111 for latest info
Wixom Lake has been slow for gills, pike and crappie but warm weather got some water flowing so things should pick-upIce fishing is great here on Wixom Lake, Gladwin County. Be sure to stop at Sandys Market 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
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 but lakes still have lots of snow.
Cedar Lake: About five miles north of Oscoda is providing a fair to good number of perch, bluegill, crappie and walleye.
Van Etten Lake: Ice conditions remain good. Access sites at the park and Air Force Beach are clear of snow. Perch, bluegill and crappie were caught in good numbers.
Tawas: Overall fishing was slow. A few small perch were caught inside the harbor and off Jerry’s Marina. Few pike have been speared and walleye fishing near the tip of Tawas Point was slow.
Au Gres: Also had slow fishing with only a couple anglers sighted off Booth Road. At Palmer Road, walleye anglers had mixed results at the Catfish Hole. Perch fishing there was very slow.
Upper Peninsula Fishing Report
Keweenaw Bay: The lake herring, coho and perch bite has been slow. Smelt were caught between Baraga and Bucks Marina by those using teardrops with wax worms at night. Lake trout were found in 130 to 310 feet of water off the Whirl-I-Gig, Pequaming, Mud Bank, Koskie Flats or Farmer’s and Big Reef. The bite was good one day but non-existent the next.
Munising: Angler activity has been light especially for those without a permanent shanty or a power auger to get through the thick ice. Walking conditions improved. Those targeting whitefish will want to try bouncing a single egg off the bottom. Most of the fish caught were small. Those targeting splake caught few fish and many were small. The best chance for bigger fish was off Sand Point. Several anglers were marking smelt but there were no reports of fish caught. Trout Bay was still producing the occasional steelhead or lake trout.
Menominee River: Had an ice breaker that came in all the way up to the Marinette Marina. The only activity was up near the Dam. Some were targeting walleye through the ice on the Marinette side. Catch rates were fair for those jigging parts of a minnow. Some caught the occasional lake whitefish. On the Menominee side, anglers are targeting trout in the open water. Most are drifting flies, spawn and yarn or casting spoons.
Little Bay De Noc: Ice conditions continue to hold however no anglers were out near the Escanaba Power Plant due to ice breakers keeping the shipping lanes open. A few perch and sub-legal walleye were caught in 28 to 35 feet along the Narrows. The better perch fishing was in 24 to 30 feet along the Kipling flats. Try minnows or wigglers. The better walleye fishing was at the head of the bay. Try tip-ups with sucker minnows in 8 to 20 feet. Whitefish action was fair off Sand Point when using minnows, wigglers or spawn in 85 to 90 feet.
Munuscong: Ice conditions remain good but catch rates were slow in Raber Bay.
Cedarville and Hessel: Catch rates were poor on Musky Bay and Hessel Bay. Anglers caught smaller perch ranging 7and 8 inches.
Southeast Lower Peninsula Fishing Report
Lake Erie: Had decent perch fishing off the Metro Park Marina. Those fishing Brest Bay are taking some walleye.
Detroit River: Does have some ice coming down the river. Catch rates slowed for perch however some were still heading out to Grosse Ile and fishing Airport Bay.
Lake St. Clair: The ice is holding but there are thin spots and patches of open water because of currents. Anglers should not venture too far away from the normal fishing locations. The snow pack melted quite a bit so travel was much easier. Perch fishing was slow to fair however catch rates will improve when it starts to thaw and the perch start moving into shallow waters to spawn.
Saginaw Bay: Catch rates are slow and hanging on a bit longer than normal this year, most likely due to the bitter cold temperatures. Underwater cameras are showing walleye and perch but the bite is not there. Some were lucky enough to catch a few perch in 10 feet of water off White’s Beach and walleye in 15 feet before the first pressure crack off the State Park, and out near Spoils Island. Perch fishing off Vanderbilt Park was non-existent. Walleye anglers going off Thomas Road found a few fish in the middle of the Slot. They did better than the guys crossing the Bar and going to the Slot. Bluegill, crappie and the odd pike were caught out from the marina at Sebewaing.
Saginaw River: Catch rates were slow but some caught the occasional walleye on a blue and silver jigging rapala with a treble hook and minnow head. A couple perch were caught off the cement plant at Essexville. Anglers are seeing a lot of fish on their cameras but the fish are ignoring the bait. Water clarity was back to normal.
Tittabawassee River: Had a little bit of open water up near Gordonville Road where anglers were casting for walleye. None were caught. With the return of cold air, there is too much shore ice again.
Southwest Lower Peninsula Fishing Report
Anglers are still ice fishing. The rain did help reduce some of the snow cover making for easier travel. Shallow and weedy lakes are starting to show signs of poor dissolved oxygen. Fish are becoming lethargic and suspending higher in the water column. Try fishing just a few feet under the ice on these types of lakes.
St. Joseph River: Those fishing up near the Berrien Springs Dam have caught steelhead. Boat launches may still be iced in.
Kalamazoo River: Had less ice but the boat launches will still be tricky. Anglers are catching steelhead and some walleye up near the Allegan Dam. Minnows and crank baits were the ticket.
Grand River at Grand Rapids: Continues to produce steelhead for those using spawn, wax worms, small spoons or Hot-n-Tot’s. Fair to good walleye fishing for those using bucktail jigs with 3 inch twister tails or a jig and minnow.
Grand River at Lansing: Those looking for pike will want to try a jig and twister tail or a shiner under a bobber below the dams.
Lake Lansing: Was producing some crappie.
Muskrat Lake: Was producing some crappie.
Park Lake: Anglers caught bluegill but had to sort out the small ones.
Morrison Lake: Is producing some crappie.
Muskegon Lake: Has decent ice fishing. Perch anglers had fair catches. The trick is to keep moving to find the schools of fish. Most are using a teardrop or small spoon with a minnow head.