01-14-2007, 09:22 PM
[font "arial, helvetica, sans-serif"][#00e010]Weekly Fishing Report[/#00e010][/font]
[font "arial, helvetica, sans-serif"][black][font "Arial, Helvetica"][/font] [font "Arial, Helvetica"]Thursday, January 11, 2007 [/font] [font "Arial, Helvetica"]Recreational Fishing Report[/font]
[font "Arial, Helvetica"]![[Image: fish_reportmap2_23340_7.gif]](http://www.mi.gov/images/fish_reportmap2_23340_7.gif)
[/font]
[url "http://www.coastwatch.msu.edu/"][font "Arial, Helvetica"][#800080]Great Lakes temperature map[/#800080][/font][/url]
[#800080]
[/#800080]While there is a lack of ice around most of the state, some anglers were taking advantage of the ice free conditions to fish from boats. The far west sections of the Upper Peninsula seem to be the only place with fishable ice. While we may see ice start to form this week, those with the desire to go ice fishing will need to use extreme caution to make sure your first trip out does not turn into your last!
Southeast Lower Peninsula
Lake Erie - Walleye have been caught in 17 to 20 feet of water using reef runners and rapalas. The better fishing has been between Stony Point and Sterling State Park. This is also a good time of year to fish for northern pike.
Huron River - High water levels are hampering fishing conditions.
Detroit River - Walleye have been caught in the Trenton Channel. Anglers have done well from Ecorse all the way down to Erie Metro Park.
Lake St. Clair - Has good perch fishing in about 7 feet of water. Try fishing the cuts and canals.
Saginaw Bay - Perch fishing is best in the morning when using perch rigs baited with minnows or jigs of various colors with squid or twister tails. The bigger fish were taken from dawn to 11AM, but the smaller fish will bite throughout the day. Near Standish, very good perch fishing was reported off the mouth of the Pine River and just off Palmer Road. Some limit catches were reported. At Linwood, perch were caught off the docks inside Hoyle's Marina. Boat anglers trolling in 20 to 25 feet of water off Parish Road are taking walleye on body baits. Perch have been caught along the shipping channel when fishing just past Spoils Island where the water is clear. Those walking out from the end of Jones Road and fishing the Hot Ponds have caught walleye along with some big northern pike measuring up to 36 inches. Good perch fishing can be found in the cut along Thomas Road.
Pine River - Had very good perch fishing in the lower river at the Public Access Site.
Saginaw River - High water levels have made for spotty walleye fishing. Most of the walleye caught have been sub-legal. This trend is expected to continue through the winter until the major run starts.
Tittabawassee River - Is also reporting high water levels, but fishing should improve once the water levels come down and start to clear up.
Quanicassee River - Is producing perch for shore anglers fishing at the Public Access and for boat anglers. Success varies from day to day and if you don't hit the fish in a reasonable amount of time, move up the road to the next cut or marina.
Sebewaing River - Is also producing perch. Anglers are doing better in the river itself than in the marina.
Port Austin - Anglers are trying for walleye and brown trout while using minnows and assorted hardware but success has been spotty.
Southwest Lower Peninsula
There is no safe ice to report and the river systems are experiencing high water levels. Boat anglers are still catching bluegills and crappie on the inland lakes.
St. Joseph - Pier anglers have caught some steelhead and whitefish.
St. Joseph River - High water levels are causing impossible fishing conditions. At Niles, the water levels are about 3 foot under flood stage. Steelhead and walleye fishing should pick back up once the water levels start to recede.
Kalamazoo River - Has fair to good steelhead and walleye fishing.
Thornapple River - Has good walleye fishing up near the Ada Dam.
Grand River at Grand Rapids - Has high water levels and the river is not safe for wading at this time. Good walleye fishing was reported off the Fulton Street Bridge, the East Wall and off Pearl Street. Minnows with stinger hooks have worked best. Steelhead have been caught when casting off the boat ramps. Try flies or yarn balls. Those fishing off Bridge Street are floating large choker bags under a bobber.
Reeds Lake - Anglers are catching crappie in 30 feet of water. Bluegills can be found just off the bottom in 25 to 50 feet of water.
Muskegon - Boat, shore and pier anglers are catching steelhead on spawn.
Muskegon Lake - Has fair to good walleye fishing. During the day, anglers running crankbaits are catching walleye, steelhead and northern pike. The better fishing has been 15 to 35 feet down in waters 40 to 60 feet deep. At night, the fish are hitting on bombers and husky jerks in shallow waters 8 to 10 feet deep.
Muskegon River - Steelhead fishing has been good all winter. Most days, anglers have caught anywhere from a couple fish to a dozen in one day. Spawn under a bobber has worked best, but plugs and crankbaits have also caught fish. Anglers are starting to catch walleye in the lower section of the river. Northern pike are still hitting on sucker minnows at the Reedsburg Dam.
Northeast Lower Peninsula
There is no safe ice to report in this region of the state. Perch fishing has been good. Quite a few lake trout have been caught however anglers are reminded that the season to take lake trout and splake on Lake Huron is closed and will not reopen until May 1, 2007.
Twin Lakes - Located just west of Lewiston in Montmorency County is providing good walleye fishing. Some limit catches were reported.
Oscoda - Anglers are either waiting for ice or fishing the rivers.
Au Sable River - Steelhead have been caught from the mouth up to the Foote Dam. Those fly fishing on the South Branch are catching a few nice brown trout on streamers. The river is up some but still fishable.
Tawas - Yellow perch have been caught off the docks inside Jerry's Marina, and also inside the State Dock. Those fishing the outside of the State Dock are still taking a few whitefish on wax worms. Walleye, northern pike and the occasional brown trout have been caught on minnows or when casting body baits or flies. Anglers are reminded that lake trout and splake season is closed on Lake Huron.
Au Gres - Perch have been caught off the docks in the State Harbor.
Au Gres River - Perch have been caught near the mouth. Some walleye are also being caught, but most are sub-legal.
Houghton Lake - Has no ice as of this report. While the temperature has dropped, windy conditions are keeping the lake open.
Northwest Lower Peninsula
There is no safe ice to report in this region of the state. Some anglers with small boats are taking advantage of the unusual open water fishing.
Boardman River - Steelhead can be found in this river all winter long.
Platte River - Those willing to brave the cold weather are catching steelhead.
Frankfort - Both pier anglers and those surfcasting are catching steelhead.
Betsie River - Steelhead fishing is good.
Manistee - Pier anglers and those surfcasting are catching steelhead. No reports on the whitefish.
Big Manistee River - Steelhead fishing has been good all winter, especially up near Tippy Dam. Anglers are reporting catches anywhere from a couple fish to a dozen in a days fishing. Rolling or fishing spawn under a bobber has been the best, but those running plugs have also taken fish.
Ludington - The occasional boat anglers have caught some steelhead. Pier anglers and those surfcasting have also taken some fish.
Upper Peninsula
Ice fishing in the Western Upper Peninsula is taking place. Many of the small shallow inland lakes are iced over. Walleye action has been good on the smaller lakes when using tip-ups and minnows in the evening. The warmer weather is making for easy access and increased mobility. Ice fishing is still on hold in the Eastern Upper Peninsula.
Lake Gogebic - Has ice on it and some have ventured out to fish in Bergland Bay. Try wax worms and jigs for perch and minnows for walleye. Be sure to use extreme caution especially during this mild winter.
Imp Lake - Has good trout fishing.
Lac Vieux Desert - Anglers are taking good catches of panfish and northern pike using traditional methods.
Little Bay De Noc - Ice fishing is on hold. With the warmer weather, anglers have been slipping boats in the water south of Escanaba. Most are trolling for walleye and brown trout with some success.
Cedarville / Hessel - Anglers are still fishing by boat. All launches are open, but the docks have been removed. The best fishing is centered on Musky Bay with anglers catching perch ranging from 10 to 12 inches. Those fishing Musky Bay should launch from the fire lane which is located at the far end of Four Mile Block. Some are fishing the east end of Cedarville Bay with limited results. [/b][/black][/font]
[font "arial, helvetica, sans-serif"][black][font "Arial, Helvetica"][/font] [font "Arial, Helvetica"]Thursday, January 11, 2007 [/font] [font "Arial, Helvetica"]Recreational Fishing Report[/font]
[font "Arial, Helvetica"]
[/font] [url "http://www.coastwatch.msu.edu/"][font "Arial, Helvetica"][#800080]Great Lakes temperature map[/#800080][/font][/url]
[#800080]
[/#800080]While there is a lack of ice around most of the state, some anglers were taking advantage of the ice free conditions to fish from boats. The far west sections of the Upper Peninsula seem to be the only place with fishable ice. While we may see ice start to form this week, those with the desire to go ice fishing will need to use extreme caution to make sure your first trip out does not turn into your last!
Southeast Lower Peninsula
Lake Erie - Walleye have been caught in 17 to 20 feet of water using reef runners and rapalas. The better fishing has been between Stony Point and Sterling State Park. This is also a good time of year to fish for northern pike.
Huron River - High water levels are hampering fishing conditions.
Detroit River - Walleye have been caught in the Trenton Channel. Anglers have done well from Ecorse all the way down to Erie Metro Park.
Lake St. Clair - Has good perch fishing in about 7 feet of water. Try fishing the cuts and canals.
Saginaw Bay - Perch fishing is best in the morning when using perch rigs baited with minnows or jigs of various colors with squid or twister tails. The bigger fish were taken from dawn to 11AM, but the smaller fish will bite throughout the day. Near Standish, very good perch fishing was reported off the mouth of the Pine River and just off Palmer Road. Some limit catches were reported. At Linwood, perch were caught off the docks inside Hoyle's Marina. Boat anglers trolling in 20 to 25 feet of water off Parish Road are taking walleye on body baits. Perch have been caught along the shipping channel when fishing just past Spoils Island where the water is clear. Those walking out from the end of Jones Road and fishing the Hot Ponds have caught walleye along with some big northern pike measuring up to 36 inches. Good perch fishing can be found in the cut along Thomas Road.
Pine River - Had very good perch fishing in the lower river at the Public Access Site.
Saginaw River - High water levels have made for spotty walleye fishing. Most of the walleye caught have been sub-legal. This trend is expected to continue through the winter until the major run starts.
Tittabawassee River - Is also reporting high water levels, but fishing should improve once the water levels come down and start to clear up.
Quanicassee River - Is producing perch for shore anglers fishing at the Public Access and for boat anglers. Success varies from day to day and if you don't hit the fish in a reasonable amount of time, move up the road to the next cut or marina.
Sebewaing River - Is also producing perch. Anglers are doing better in the river itself than in the marina.
Port Austin - Anglers are trying for walleye and brown trout while using minnows and assorted hardware but success has been spotty.
Southwest Lower Peninsula
There is no safe ice to report and the river systems are experiencing high water levels. Boat anglers are still catching bluegills and crappie on the inland lakes.
St. Joseph - Pier anglers have caught some steelhead and whitefish.
St. Joseph River - High water levels are causing impossible fishing conditions. At Niles, the water levels are about 3 foot under flood stage. Steelhead and walleye fishing should pick back up once the water levels start to recede.
Kalamazoo River - Has fair to good steelhead and walleye fishing.
Thornapple River - Has good walleye fishing up near the Ada Dam.
Grand River at Grand Rapids - Has high water levels and the river is not safe for wading at this time. Good walleye fishing was reported off the Fulton Street Bridge, the East Wall and off Pearl Street. Minnows with stinger hooks have worked best. Steelhead have been caught when casting off the boat ramps. Try flies or yarn balls. Those fishing off Bridge Street are floating large choker bags under a bobber.
Reeds Lake - Anglers are catching crappie in 30 feet of water. Bluegills can be found just off the bottom in 25 to 50 feet of water.
Muskegon - Boat, shore and pier anglers are catching steelhead on spawn.
Muskegon Lake - Has fair to good walleye fishing. During the day, anglers running crankbaits are catching walleye, steelhead and northern pike. The better fishing has been 15 to 35 feet down in waters 40 to 60 feet deep. At night, the fish are hitting on bombers and husky jerks in shallow waters 8 to 10 feet deep.
Muskegon River - Steelhead fishing has been good all winter. Most days, anglers have caught anywhere from a couple fish to a dozen in one day. Spawn under a bobber has worked best, but plugs and crankbaits have also caught fish. Anglers are starting to catch walleye in the lower section of the river. Northern pike are still hitting on sucker minnows at the Reedsburg Dam.
Northeast Lower Peninsula
There is no safe ice to report in this region of the state. Perch fishing has been good. Quite a few lake trout have been caught however anglers are reminded that the season to take lake trout and splake on Lake Huron is closed and will not reopen until May 1, 2007.
Twin Lakes - Located just west of Lewiston in Montmorency County is providing good walleye fishing. Some limit catches were reported.
Oscoda - Anglers are either waiting for ice or fishing the rivers.
Au Sable River - Steelhead have been caught from the mouth up to the Foote Dam. Those fly fishing on the South Branch are catching a few nice brown trout on streamers. The river is up some but still fishable.
Tawas - Yellow perch have been caught off the docks inside Jerry's Marina, and also inside the State Dock. Those fishing the outside of the State Dock are still taking a few whitefish on wax worms. Walleye, northern pike and the occasional brown trout have been caught on minnows or when casting body baits or flies. Anglers are reminded that lake trout and splake season is closed on Lake Huron.
Au Gres - Perch have been caught off the docks in the State Harbor.
Au Gres River - Perch have been caught near the mouth. Some walleye are also being caught, but most are sub-legal.
Houghton Lake - Has no ice as of this report. While the temperature has dropped, windy conditions are keeping the lake open.
Northwest Lower Peninsula
There is no safe ice to report in this region of the state. Some anglers with small boats are taking advantage of the unusual open water fishing.
Boardman River - Steelhead can be found in this river all winter long.
Platte River - Those willing to brave the cold weather are catching steelhead.
Frankfort - Both pier anglers and those surfcasting are catching steelhead.
Betsie River - Steelhead fishing is good.
Manistee - Pier anglers and those surfcasting are catching steelhead. No reports on the whitefish.
Big Manistee River - Steelhead fishing has been good all winter, especially up near Tippy Dam. Anglers are reporting catches anywhere from a couple fish to a dozen in a days fishing. Rolling or fishing spawn under a bobber has been the best, but those running plugs have also taken fish.
Ludington - The occasional boat anglers have caught some steelhead. Pier anglers and those surfcasting have also taken some fish.
Upper Peninsula
Ice fishing in the Western Upper Peninsula is taking place. Many of the small shallow inland lakes are iced over. Walleye action has been good on the smaller lakes when using tip-ups and minnows in the evening. The warmer weather is making for easy access and increased mobility. Ice fishing is still on hold in the Eastern Upper Peninsula.
Lake Gogebic - Has ice on it and some have ventured out to fish in Bergland Bay. Try wax worms and jigs for perch and minnows for walleye. Be sure to use extreme caution especially during this mild winter.
Imp Lake - Has good trout fishing.
Lac Vieux Desert - Anglers are taking good catches of panfish and northern pike using traditional methods.
Little Bay De Noc - Ice fishing is on hold. With the warmer weather, anglers have been slipping boats in the water south of Escanaba. Most are trolling for walleye and brown trout with some success.
Cedarville / Hessel - Anglers are still fishing by boat. All launches are open, but the docks have been removed. The best fishing is centered on Musky Bay with anglers catching perch ranging from 10 to 12 inches. Those fishing Musky Bay should launch from the fire lane which is located at the far end of Four Mile Block. Some are fishing the east end of Cedarville Bay with limited results. [/b][/black][/font]