Baitman Fishing report

🎣 Buc’s Fishing Report — Wednesday, November 26, 2025

Presented by Buc’s Aqua Farms Inc.⸻BAIT MAN’S MORNING BRIEFBait Man here. We have cold weather pushing in today with a storm warning for this afternoon and Thursday. After the storm rolls through, temperatures look to stay cold. Facebook took down my Northern Michigan Fishing Report page, so you’ll need to follow the Bait Man directly for updates.Before the storm hit, perch and walleye were biting very well across the region. Steelhead are starting to come into the rivers in good numbers, especially on the Betsie. They were working on the dam at Tippy and the flow dropped very low, but hopefully it rises again so fish can move. We are getting close to ice season and, if this forecast holds, we may see safe ice somewhere in about a week and a half. I will keep you posted.⸻NORTHERN MICHIGAN WEATHERTodayRain and snow mix developing this afternoon. High 36 to 38 degrees. South winds 15 to 25 mph with gusts over 35.TonightSnow with blowing snow at times. Low 25 to 27 degrees.ThursdayStorm continues early. Cold and windy. High 28 to 30 degrees. Northwest winds 20 to 30 mph.FridayMostly cloudy with light snow. High 29 to 31 degrees.⸻BAROMETERToday: 29.32 and fallingThursday: 29.00Friday: 29.45 and rising⸻MOON PHASE AND BITE TIMES (EST)Waning gibbousTodayMajor: 11:10 AM to 1:10 PMMinor: 5:00 to 6:00 AMMinor: 4:50 to 5:50 PMThursdayMajor: 11:50 AM to 1:40 PMMinor: 5:40 to 6:30 AMMinor: 5:30 to 6:20 PMFridayMajor: 12:30 PM to 2:20 PMMinor: 6:20 to 7:10 AMMinor: 6:10 to 7:00 PM⸻RIVER FLOWS AND CONDITIONSManistee RiverFlow dropped low from dam work at Tippy. Should rise as gates return to normal.Betsie RiverGood number of steelhead holding in deeper water.Boardman RiverA few steelhead reported, water rising.Elk RiverSteelhead starting to stack below the dam.Platte RiverFishable color, a few steelhead mixing in with late coho.Pere Marquette RiverFresh steelhead pushing in with some late coho.White RiverSteelhead below the dam.Manistique RiverConsistent steelhead activity.⸻PERCH REPORTTorch LakeGood numbers on minnows and wigglers.Lake SkegemogSteady ten to eleven inch fish.Big Glen LakeFair to good depending on wind.Lake LeelanauSolid perch bite on minnows.NorthportSome good fish mixed with small ones.Suttons BayFair perch bite.Bowers HarborBetter size on the flats.Portage LakeLots of small fish with keepers mixed in.White LakeExcellent perch action.Muskegon LakeDeep bite in forty to fifty feet.Manistee LakePicking up now that salmon have moved out.Burt LakeGood perch numbers.Mullett LakeSteady bite with minnows.Indian Lake (UP)Strong perch fishing on wigglers and wax worms.⸻WALLEYE REPORTBurt LakeDusk bite on jigs and minnows.Mullett LakeEvening bite remains good.Long Lake (Traverse City)Good walleye before the storm.Otsego LakeWalleye biting on minnows.Houghton LakeSome fish moving into the canals.Manistee Lake (Kalkaska)Evening jig bite improving.⸻STEELHEAD REPORTBetsie RiverVery good steelhead numbers.Pere Marquette RiverSteelhead mixed with late coho.Manistee RiverShould improve as flows rise again.Elk RiverFish holding below the dam.Boardman RiverSteelhead present with light pressure.Pier FishingShould pick up after the storm with skein and spawn bags.⸻ICE FISHING SPOTLIGHT — 2025/2026Eskimo E40 Electric AugerQuiet, fast, brushless motor with no gas or fumes and strong cutting power.⸻LIVE BAIT TIPMinnows, wigglers, and wax worms are the best late fall baits. Slow lifts and natural scent work best as water temperatures continue to fall. … See MoreSee Less