Fishing has been slow after the horrific weekend, the last two days people are getting back out and the bite is picking up. Jesica Mack from MC Sport has been slamming the steelhead at Elk Rapids and she has photos to prove it.
Northwest Lower Peninsula Fishing Report
Harbor Springs: The dock at the public boat launch was still not in because of dredging. There were no boat or pier anglers in sight.
Petoskey: Pier anglers targeting steelhead with spoons or spawn had no luck. Those fishing near the “bobber hole” were not getting any bites.
Bear River: Still has steelhead between the dam and the mouth. Fish were on the beds upstream of the dam. Steelhead were caught all the way up to Sheridan Road. Orange spawn bags or rubber eggs seemed to work best.
Charlevoix: Boat anglers looked for perch in 50 to 100 feet of water outside the channel but no fish were marked. Those trolling crawlers for walleye in the channel had no luck.
Lake Charlevoix: Anglers were not able to find the large perch they found the week before. Schools of small perch were hitting on wigglers near Two Mile Point. Walleye were spotted in 20 to 30 feet of water right off the Irish Boat Launch but they would not bite.
Traverse City: Lake trout and cisco are being caught in both bays. For lake trout, anglers are trolling in 10 to 15 feet of water or jigging in 150 feet. For Cisco, they are jigging in 50 to 75 feet. Catch and release smallmouth bass fishing should continue to improve as water temperatures slowly rise.
Elk River: Still has a good number of steelhead being caught. Drifting fresh spawn bags has been the most consistent.
Boardman River: The steelhead action continues to wind down even though a few fish are still being caught. Carp, northern pike, suckers, and a few smallmouth bass are also in the river.
Platte Bay: Fishing was slow with the cold front. One boat that was out trolling did manage to catch a nice lake trout.
Frankfort: Cooler temperatures and winds out of the north were keeping the water between 46 and 51 degrees. Anglers are still picking up brown trout around the piers and when trolling the shoreline with body baits or UV spoons. There have been reports of salmon in the area.
Portage Lake: Perch fishing slowed but anglers might still find some good catches if they can get out there early in the morning. Wigglers and minnows worked best but once the bluegills move in, the perch will be gone. Bass anglers are still doing very well during the catch and release season.
Manistee: Brown trout fishing continues to be slow for boat and pier anglers. A couple were caught by those trolling around the piers with gold and black or silver and black body baits. Perch fishing slowed.
Manistee River: Is still producing some steelhead and walleye. Try small spoons, crank baits and flies. Orange and chartreuse were good colors.
Lake Cadillac: Those seeking walleye did best at night when casting rapalas or Hot-n-Tots. Some nice crappie were caught off the State Park in 8 to 10 feet of water. Bluegills were starting to bite in shallow water.
Lake Mitchell: Is producing some walleye for those trolling at night. Shore anglers are casting rapalas. A fair number of crappie are also being caught.
Ludington: Reported slow brown trout action. Only a few fish were taken by those trolling around the piers with silver and black body baits or bright colored spoons.
Northeast Lower Peninsula Fishing Report
Rogers City: The marina, the fish cleaning station and the restrooms are now open. Large boats have been able to launch with no problems so far. Catch rates were slow for boat and pier anglers however the brown trout, lake trout and Atlantic salmon should start showing up as the water gets warmer. For now, try trolling in shallow waters or areas where there is run-off. Use bright colored body baits in stained water as opposed to silver, black or blue in clean water. For lake trout, try high-lining in the shallows with cowbells and spin-glo’s. A few pike and bass were caught.
Presque Isle: Catch rates were slow because the water is just too cold. For Atlantic salmon, try close to the wall down by Stoneport with bright colored spoons and body baits. Lake trout should start showing up in the shallows between the two lighthouses so try dodgers or cowbells with spin-glo’s in water up to 40 feet deep. Those fishing the marina caught smallmouth bass.
Rockport: Had few anglers. Lake trout activity was slow as surface water temperatures were still very cold. No Atlantic salmon to report.
Alpena: The bite in Thunder Bay has been slow.
Thunder Bay River: Anglers are catching a few walleye, pike, smallmouth bass and the occasional steelhead on rapalas, spinners or leeches.
Harrisville: Water levels in the harbor were up so launching should not be a problem for most boats. Dredging will start soon, as crews have started moving equipment into the area. Steelhead can still be found in and around the harbor. Boat and pier anglers are using small spoons or body baits. For walleye, try crawler harnesses in 15 to 25 feet of water.
Oscoda: Pier anglers are catching walleye in the early morning or late evening. Try crawlers, leeches, small spoons or body baits.
Au Sable River: Steelhead are on the beds between the mouth and the dam. High Banks has had the most angler activity, and produced the most catches. Fish can be found throughout the river so move around if one location becomes too crowded. Flies seem to work best but spawn and wax worms have also taken fish. Walleye are moving in and out of the river.
Houghton Lake: Had fair to good panfish action.
Lake St. Helen: Those fishing the canals caught panfish.
Tawas: Pier fishing was slow with the occasional bass, pike, or walleye caught. Boat anglers were getting a few walleye over near the artificial reef when vertical jigging or trolling body baits.
Tawas River: Shore anglers caught the odd bass or walleye in the lower river.
Au Gres: Walleye were caught by those trolling crawler harnesses in 15 to 30 feet of water off the mouth of the river.
Au Gres River: Some walleye were caught by those surfcasting with body baits near the Singing Bridge. Most were fishing at night.
Upper Peninsula Fishing Report
Keweenaw Bay: Those trolling in shallow waters near the mouth of the Falls River did catch some salmon. Pier anglers caught coho and steelhead when casting lures or spawn bags.
Falls River: With water levels receding, anglers picked up a couple rainbow trout. The smelt run started. Some anglers said they put in a lot of time to get a couple gallons while others said they hit the run at the right time. Lake trout were caught in Little Traverse Bay by those trolling. Fish were also caught by those jigging in 140 to 170 feet of water out from Hermits Cove.
Silver River: Had reports of smelt.
Ravene River: Had reports of smelt but not sure how long the action will last.
Marquette: Fishing was slow for those trolling crank baits or stick baits. A few coho and smaller brown trout were taken between the Carp River and the Chocolay River. Anglers are reminded that the Upper Harbor is closed for dredging. The tentative completion date is early July. Boat anglers will have to use the Lower Harbor launch.
Carp River: Had few anglers once again because of the strong current.
Sporley Lake: Near Gwinn – the road is impassable due to washout and ruts. A construction crew will get there when the road restrictions are lifted.
Greenwood Reservoir: The spillway is like a water fall with no barrier. Boaters that are not paying attention could float off the edge.
Menominee: Those targeting walleye and brown trout had fair catches when trolling along the drop off in Michigan and Wisconsin. Some boats were anchoring in front of Seagull Bar Park and jigging. Those trolling north or south off Stoney Point caught some walleye and brown trout in 10 to 14 feet of water. Early morning was best with rapalas. Use caution when leaving the launch due to low water levels. Those trolling for trout in 8 to 14 feet of water near the Cedar River had slow catch rates.
Menominee River: Catch rates for walleye were slower but persistence paid off with at least one walleye per boat. Fishing from Stephenson Island upstream to the Hattie Street Dam was difficult because of the high water levels and the amount of water coming over the dam. White suckers were caught near the dam.
Cedar River: Some were steelhead fishing between the mouth and the Cedar River Campground but no fish were caught. They were casting spoons and spinners or floating yarn and flies. The walleye as well as the catch and release bass openers should be good.
Little Bay De Noc: Perch fishing picked up along the northern end of the bay for those using minnows and wigglers in 18 to 23 feet of water just off the green buoy. The “Narrows” also reported a few catches using crawlers and minnows in 30 feet. The walleye opener this week looks good especially near the mouth of the Whitefish River and near Kipling.
Big Bay De Noc: Had perch in Garden Bay but spawning is done so the number of fish caught has dropped. Anglers were still-fishing with minnows and crawlers in 6 to 12 feet of water in front of the Fishery. Many are anticipating a good walleye opener. Try fishing the head of the bay up by Tylene’s and out to the “Boot”, out by the Sand Pit near Nahma and over by the East Bank near Ogontz.
Au Train: Had good action over the last week for those trolling shallow running crank baits and stick baits in less than 20 feet of water. Catch rates were average between the Brownstone Launch and the Au Train River where they caught mainly coho, steelhead and brown trout. Those fishing near the mouth of the Rock River with spawn picked up couple steelhead.
Munising: Catch rates were just fair. Pier anglers caught a couple splake and steelhead when casting spawn. When boats can get out, they did manage to take a couple coho, steelhead and maybe a chinook. Shore anglers caught a couple steelhead or splake.
Grand Marais: The upper parking area is still blocked with construction debris. Strong winds produced enough wave action to remove the remaining snow and ice off the end of the pier. Those fishing off the pier caught a mix of whitefish, menominee, coho and steelhead. The whitefish were 12 to 15 inches but some bigger ones were caught. Coho were about 16 inches. Those surfcasting off the beach caught a couple coho. Boat anglers reported slow catch rates. Be sure to use caution when navigating around the newly completed breakwall. The water is very shallow between the shoreline and the south end of the breakwall. Watch for rocks in shallow waters on the bay side of the wall.
Two Hearted River: Has trout despite the high water levels.
Sucker River: The mouth has rerouted itself and is now coming out directly at the end of Cemetery Road. This allows much easier access.
DeTour: The water was cold and muddy. Temperatures here dropped from 85 to 35 degrees and the area received three inches of snow with the cold front.
Drummond Island: Yellow perch have been caught off Monahan’s Dock. Worms or small perch minnows worked best.
Cedarville and Hessel: Splake fishing was not very good most likely due to the change in weather. Pike and walleye season opened on May 15th.
Carp River: Has been producing a good number of steelhead. Anglers are using fly rods with artificial baits, spinners or spawn. Hot colors were green, pink and red.
Southeast Lower Peninsula Fishing Report
Lake Erie: Walleye fishing has been good for most. Anglers are drifting harnesses with inline weights or bottom bouncers in 12 to 23 feet of water in Brest Bay and the Dumping Grounds. Orange, copper and purple were the hot colors. The “Hot Hole” was producing limit catches of catfish when using live bait.
Huron River: Those fishing in the evening have caught the occasional steelhead or walleye. Catch rates for white bass have slowed but those using minnows have caught catfish. Crappie can be found in the backwaters.
Detroit River: Has lots of white bass. Walleye were scarce but only because the white bass were so dominate. Anglers were still doing fairly well for walleye in the lower river when bouncing jigs. Minnows were the top bait for white bass however fish were also caught on spinners.
Lake St. Clair: Walleye are starting to be caught in the south end of the lake. A few yellow perch and panfish were caught by shore anglers. Large channel cats were caught by shore anglers fishing at night. Try crawlers or cut bait.
Clinton River: Rock bass fishing remains fast and furious.
St. Clair River Walleye fishing continues throughout the river system.
Lexington: The fish are scattered but those trolling have caught chinook, steelhead lake trout and the odd coho in 80 to 90 feet of water. Try 15 to 20 feet down with spoons. Pier anglers caught bullhead and rock bass on crawlers.
Harbor Beach: The fish were scattered so anglers were trolling in waters 80 to 100 feet deep with spoons. Fish anywhere from 15 to 60 feet down. Pier anglers caught bullhead and rock bass.
Grindstone City: Had shallow water.
Saginaw Bay: Catch rates were a bit slow but a few walleye were caught in 18 feet of water off Linwood and 12 to 14 feet near the Pinconning Bar. Anglers have switched from body baits to crawler harnesses on bottom bouncers. A couple fish were taken off Jones Road and Finn Road. Walleye were taken in the lower Slot from Quanicassee north to Sunset Bay. Average catch were two to three fish per boat. The skid pier is now in at Quanicassee. Not much going on from Sebewaing to Bay Port. At Caseville, rumor has it some walleye were caught off the wall at night.
Saginaw River: Was still producing some walleye in the lower river. Anglers were trolling body baits near the Power Plants.
Tittabawassee River: Walleye were still being caught from Imerman Park downstream to Center Road and the confluence with the Saginaw River. The fish are clearly slipping back down the river but a fair number of fish remain. Smallmouth bass action has picked up. Anglers are catching and releasing lots of white bass because Community Health recommends not eating white bass from Saginaw Bay or its tributaries.
Quanicassee River: Catfish were just starting to bite even though it is a bit early yet.
Southwest Lower Peninsula Fishing Report
St. Joseph: Had slow fishing as boat anglers were struggling to find fish. There are a few salmon around but the bite was slow. Pier anglers caught catfish and freshwater drum.
South Haven: Fishing was very slow for boat and pier anglers.
Kalamazoo River: Is producing pike and smallmouth bass above Marshall.
Holland: Boat anglers caught chinook and coho when trolling in waters 70 to 150 feet deep. Try the upper half of the water column but go deeper if needed. Hot colors were green, blue and gold. No perch to report.
Grand Haven: Dredging at the Harbor Island boat launch could be finished by the weekend. Pier anglers lucky enough to get some alewife with cast nets have caught chinook salmon. Boat anglers were starting to catch salmon in the top 45 to 65 feet in waters 75 to 100 feet deep. Super slim or regular size baits in green, gold and blue worked well along with white or UV paddles with green and white or blue and white flies. No word on perch.
Grand River at Grand Rapids: Is still producing the occasional steelhead. Walleye fishing was good for those using body baits and crawlers. A good number of flathead and channel cats are being caught on live suckers or cut bait. Riverside Park and Millennium Park were good for bluegill and crappie. The bluegills were hitting on leaf worms and wax worms. The pike action was good for those using large sucker minnows, spinners or body baits.
Grand River at Lansing: Catch rates have started to pick up along the Grand and the Red Cedar. No limit catches but anglers were still picking up bluegill, crappie, bass and catfish.
Lake Ovid: Is producing some musky.
Looking Glass River: Still had high water levels.
Maple River: Is producing a few crappie.
Byron Mill Pond: In Shiawassee County was producing bluegill and crappie. The fish were good size and some were getting near limit catches.
Reeds Lake: Is producing crappie in the channels. Bluegill, perch and pike were also caught.
Muskegon River: Had good walleye action with a few limit catches reported. Many were small but the keepers were average size. Steelhead fishing has slowed.
Whitehall: Very few walleye have been taken from the channel and the pier. Anglers were casting body baits but had no luck.
White Lake: Boat anglers continue to catch good numbers of pike and bass when casting spinner baits. The fish are still close to shore.