03-22-2007, 03:21 AM
[font "Arial, Helvetica"]Thursday, March 22, 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)
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[url "http://www.coastwatch.msu.edu/"][font "Arial, Helvetica"][#000000]Great Lakes temperature map[/#000000][/font][/url]
Rain and warm temperatures this week will not only weaken existing ice but will most likely take out much of it especially in the Lower Peninsula. Anglers will need to use extreme caution and remember late ice is dangerous ice. Watch for rising water levels on the rivers.
Southeast Lower Peninsula
Lake Erie - Is ice free, but angler activity has been non-existent.
Huron River - Steelhead are being caught at both Rockwood and Flat Rock when using spawn, crankbaits, spinners and even hair jigs.
Detroit River - Local rainfall will no doubt push water levels up by the end of the week. Ice flows are still coming down the river at this time so boat anglers will need to use caution. A few walleye have been caught in the lower river and some nice 10 to 15 inch perch have been caught in the canals and marinas.
St. Clair River - Ice is coming down from Lake Huron so boat anglers will need to use caution and pay close attention to wind direction. As of this report, the docks have not been put in at the boat ramps. Steelhead and brown trout have been caught near the mouth of the Black River. There were reports of some smelt taken near Algonac and Port Huron.
Pine River - Is open, but ice flows are hampering fishing.
Saginaw Bay - Ice conditions are poor from Linwood down to Bay City. Palmer Road still has shore ice, but runoff and water clarity are producing poor fishing conditions. Those fishing the Hot Ponds have caught a few carp. When the ice was good, anglers were catching good numbers of large perch and crappie off Geiger Road. Mud Creek has opened up. At Caseville, a few small perch were taken, but the ice is bad especially along the shoreline and around the docks. The boat ramp at Port Austin was still iced in.
Pigeon River - Has opened up. Suckers are starting to hit on night crawlers.
Southwest Lower Peninsula
St. Joseph - Pier fishing continues to improve with a few brown trout and steelhead caught when still-fishing with spawn bags or using spinners. Both piers are ice free.
St. Joesph River - Has good steelhead fishing and there has been a lot of fishing pressure up near the Berrien Springs Dam. Boat anglers are doing well, most likely when walking spawn.
South Haven - Anglers can start pier fishing as the ice has finally melted off both piers. Fishing was still on the slow side for all species, but will pick up.
Kalamazoo River - Is producing good catches of steelhead.
Grand River at Grand Rapids - Is reporting very good steelhead fishing especially up near the Sixth Street Dam. The river was still a bit high, but fishable as of this report. Try using chartreuse spawn bags or a jig and wax worm. Crappie were caught on minnows when fishing off the East Wall.
Grand River at Lansing - Water levels will be up by the end of the week due to the recent rainfall. Those fishing near the dam at Moore's Park have caught steelhead and walleye when drifting crawlers. Reminder, walleye season is closed.
Flat River - Near Lowell is also producing some steelhead.
Rogue River - Also has a good number of steelhead. Fish have been caught on a jig and wax worm up near Rockford.
Muskegon - Anglers are hoping the piers will be open by the weekend. Try connecting with some steelhead when drifting or floating spawn bags.
Muskegon River - Is experiencing high water levels. Steelhead fishing will pick up when water levels come down. Suckers have been caught in the causeway.
White River - Anglers are catching suckers. Try fishing crawlers on the bottom.
Northeast Lower Peninsula
Thunder Bay River - High water has taken most of the ice off the lower river. By the weekend it should be possible to launch small boats from the ramp on Fletcher Street. The high water levels should also bring up a fresh run of steelhead.
Au Sable River - High water here has also taken most of the ice off the lower river, though the ramps may have ice at their bases and launching large boats could be difficult. High water should bring up a fresh run of steelhead.
Tawas Bay - There was still ice out in the Bay area as of this report, but caution will need to be used. Some walleye were taken in 18 feet of water while the perch could be found in 12 to 15 feet of water.
Tawas River - Has opened up and a couple steelhead have been caught.
Au Gres - Some walleye were taken north of the breakwall in 4 feet of water, but the ice is in poor condition.
Au Gres River - Had no fishing activity as it was not open yet. On the East Branch of the Au Gres River, ice flows are hampering fishing conditions in the Whitney Drain and at the Singing Bridge.
Higgins Lake - As of this report, the lake still had ice but shoreline ice near the natural springs is breaking up. Anglers are still fishing, but this weekend could very well be the end of ice fishing season. Smelt are still hitting on wax worms and spikes near the North State Park. Look for perch near the Sunken Island. Look for rainbow trout in shallow waters in front of Big Creek and the Conference Center.
Northwest Lower Peninsula
Lake Charlevoix - Still has ice, but pressure cracks are starting to show up. Ice around the shoreline, near the inlets and springs has started to deteriorate. Anglers will want to bring ice cleats as there is little snow for traction. Perch anglers can be found in the East Arm off Glenwood and Lakeshore Drive.
Traverse City - The West Bay has open water. Boat anglers fishing for lake trout are jigging Swedish Pimples and large grubs.
Boardman River - Steelhead have been caught in the deep holes along the entire river.
Big Glen Lake - Anglers were still taking a few perch. Watch for the ice to deteriorate by the weekend.
Portage Lake - Perch are still being caught, but use caution.
Lake Missaukee - Anglers are catching a mixed bag of panfish.
Manistee River - Steelhead fishing has been fair, though water levels may be running a bit high. The main steelhead run has not started yet.
Lake Cadillac - Is still reporting some ice, but anglers will need to use extreme caution and avoid the middle of the lake where there is a large pressure crack. Some nice crappies were caught in about 18 feet of water off the City Launch when using jigs with red spikes. Perch were hitting on minnows in 5 to 8 feet of water off M-115.
Lake Mitchell - Still had ice, but extreme caution needs to be used. There are multiple pressure cracks out in the middle of the lake with open water. There is also open water near shore on the west end of the lake. Anglers would be wise to travel by foot only and fish closer to shore. Fishing has been red hot with limits of crappie taken about 2 feet down in 8 to 12 feet of water off the Boy Scout Camp on the west side of the lake. Try minnows or chrome Swedish Pimples with no bait.
Upper Hamlin Lake - The shore ice is deteriorating, but anglers were still bluegill fishing. It would be a good idea to bring your cleats for easier travel on the ice. Watch for ice conditions to weaken by the weekend.
Ludington - Pier anglers have started catching light numbers of steelhead and brown trout on spawn bags.
Pere Marquette River - Water levels were up some, but anglers were still able to catch a couple steelhead.
Upper Peninsula
Copper Harbor - Fishing activity has been slow due to ice conditions and weather. A majority of the ice blew out last week and what ice was left was soft. Boat and pier anglers reported slow action. A couple splake were taken near the marina when jigging minnows.
Little Bay De Noc - Has pressure cracks and areas with open water. Anglers need to use extreme caution as many areas are now dangerous. Warm weather by the weekend will most likely put an end to ice fishing. Perch fishing was fair to good with the better reports coming from Kipling when jigging wigglers, minnows or spikes in shallow waters 4 to 6 feet deep. Ice shanties must be off the ice by March 31 or earlier if ice conditions become unsafe. Near the Kipling Boat Launch, a shanty is only allowed to sit in the lot for 24 hours.
Munising - Whitefish and splake fishing have both been slow to fair at best this past week. A few coho have started to show up but action has been slow overall. With no snow cover, the ice is very slippery. Extreme caution needs to be used.
St. Mary's River - Has some ice coming down near Sault Ste. Marie.
Munuscong Bay - The ice was still holding in this area of the state, but caution needs to be used. Perch were caught in Fowlers Bay and around Munuscong Island.
Cedarville and Hessel - Catch rates were still fair to good with the better fishing in Musky Bay. Use extreme caution when venturing out as the base ice along the shoreline continues to deteriorate.
[font "Arial, Helvetica"]
[/font] [url "http://www.coastwatch.msu.edu/"][font "Arial, Helvetica"][#000000]Great Lakes temperature map[/#000000][/font][/url]
Rain and warm temperatures this week will not only weaken existing ice but will most likely take out much of it especially in the Lower Peninsula. Anglers will need to use extreme caution and remember late ice is dangerous ice. Watch for rising water levels on the rivers.
Southeast Lower Peninsula
Lake Erie - Is ice free, but angler activity has been non-existent.
Huron River - Steelhead are being caught at both Rockwood and Flat Rock when using spawn, crankbaits, spinners and even hair jigs.
Detroit River - Local rainfall will no doubt push water levels up by the end of the week. Ice flows are still coming down the river at this time so boat anglers will need to use caution. A few walleye have been caught in the lower river and some nice 10 to 15 inch perch have been caught in the canals and marinas.
St. Clair River - Ice is coming down from Lake Huron so boat anglers will need to use caution and pay close attention to wind direction. As of this report, the docks have not been put in at the boat ramps. Steelhead and brown trout have been caught near the mouth of the Black River. There were reports of some smelt taken near Algonac and Port Huron.
Pine River - Is open, but ice flows are hampering fishing.
Saginaw Bay - Ice conditions are poor from Linwood down to Bay City. Palmer Road still has shore ice, but runoff and water clarity are producing poor fishing conditions. Those fishing the Hot Ponds have caught a few carp. When the ice was good, anglers were catching good numbers of large perch and crappie off Geiger Road. Mud Creek has opened up. At Caseville, a few small perch were taken, but the ice is bad especially along the shoreline and around the docks. The boat ramp at Port Austin was still iced in.
Pigeon River - Has opened up. Suckers are starting to hit on night crawlers.
Southwest Lower Peninsula
St. Joseph - Pier fishing continues to improve with a few brown trout and steelhead caught when still-fishing with spawn bags or using spinners. Both piers are ice free.
St. Joesph River - Has good steelhead fishing and there has been a lot of fishing pressure up near the Berrien Springs Dam. Boat anglers are doing well, most likely when walking spawn.
South Haven - Anglers can start pier fishing as the ice has finally melted off both piers. Fishing was still on the slow side for all species, but will pick up.
Kalamazoo River - Is producing good catches of steelhead.
Grand River at Grand Rapids - Is reporting very good steelhead fishing especially up near the Sixth Street Dam. The river was still a bit high, but fishable as of this report. Try using chartreuse spawn bags or a jig and wax worm. Crappie were caught on minnows when fishing off the East Wall.
Grand River at Lansing - Water levels will be up by the end of the week due to the recent rainfall. Those fishing near the dam at Moore's Park have caught steelhead and walleye when drifting crawlers. Reminder, walleye season is closed.
Flat River - Near Lowell is also producing some steelhead.
Rogue River - Also has a good number of steelhead. Fish have been caught on a jig and wax worm up near Rockford.
Muskegon - Anglers are hoping the piers will be open by the weekend. Try connecting with some steelhead when drifting or floating spawn bags.
Muskegon River - Is experiencing high water levels. Steelhead fishing will pick up when water levels come down. Suckers have been caught in the causeway.
White River - Anglers are catching suckers. Try fishing crawlers on the bottom.
Northeast Lower Peninsula
Thunder Bay River - High water has taken most of the ice off the lower river. By the weekend it should be possible to launch small boats from the ramp on Fletcher Street. The high water levels should also bring up a fresh run of steelhead.
Au Sable River - High water here has also taken most of the ice off the lower river, though the ramps may have ice at their bases and launching large boats could be difficult. High water should bring up a fresh run of steelhead.
Tawas Bay - There was still ice out in the Bay area as of this report, but caution will need to be used. Some walleye were taken in 18 feet of water while the perch could be found in 12 to 15 feet of water.
Tawas River - Has opened up and a couple steelhead have been caught.
Au Gres - Some walleye were taken north of the breakwall in 4 feet of water, but the ice is in poor condition.
Au Gres River - Had no fishing activity as it was not open yet. On the East Branch of the Au Gres River, ice flows are hampering fishing conditions in the Whitney Drain and at the Singing Bridge.
Higgins Lake - As of this report, the lake still had ice but shoreline ice near the natural springs is breaking up. Anglers are still fishing, but this weekend could very well be the end of ice fishing season. Smelt are still hitting on wax worms and spikes near the North State Park. Look for perch near the Sunken Island. Look for rainbow trout in shallow waters in front of Big Creek and the Conference Center.
Northwest Lower Peninsula
Lake Charlevoix - Still has ice, but pressure cracks are starting to show up. Ice around the shoreline, near the inlets and springs has started to deteriorate. Anglers will want to bring ice cleats as there is little snow for traction. Perch anglers can be found in the East Arm off Glenwood and Lakeshore Drive.
Traverse City - The West Bay has open water. Boat anglers fishing for lake trout are jigging Swedish Pimples and large grubs.
Boardman River - Steelhead have been caught in the deep holes along the entire river.
Big Glen Lake - Anglers were still taking a few perch. Watch for the ice to deteriorate by the weekend.
Portage Lake - Perch are still being caught, but use caution.
Lake Missaukee - Anglers are catching a mixed bag of panfish.
Manistee River - Steelhead fishing has been fair, though water levels may be running a bit high. The main steelhead run has not started yet.
Lake Cadillac - Is still reporting some ice, but anglers will need to use extreme caution and avoid the middle of the lake where there is a large pressure crack. Some nice crappies were caught in about 18 feet of water off the City Launch when using jigs with red spikes. Perch were hitting on minnows in 5 to 8 feet of water off M-115.
Lake Mitchell - Still had ice, but extreme caution needs to be used. There are multiple pressure cracks out in the middle of the lake with open water. There is also open water near shore on the west end of the lake. Anglers would be wise to travel by foot only and fish closer to shore. Fishing has been red hot with limits of crappie taken about 2 feet down in 8 to 12 feet of water off the Boy Scout Camp on the west side of the lake. Try minnows or chrome Swedish Pimples with no bait.
Upper Hamlin Lake - The shore ice is deteriorating, but anglers were still bluegill fishing. It would be a good idea to bring your cleats for easier travel on the ice. Watch for ice conditions to weaken by the weekend.
Ludington - Pier anglers have started catching light numbers of steelhead and brown trout on spawn bags.
Pere Marquette River - Water levels were up some, but anglers were still able to catch a couple steelhead.
Upper Peninsula
Copper Harbor - Fishing activity has been slow due to ice conditions and weather. A majority of the ice blew out last week and what ice was left was soft. Boat and pier anglers reported slow action. A couple splake were taken near the marina when jigging minnows.
Little Bay De Noc - Has pressure cracks and areas with open water. Anglers need to use extreme caution as many areas are now dangerous. Warm weather by the weekend will most likely put an end to ice fishing. Perch fishing was fair to good with the better reports coming from Kipling when jigging wigglers, minnows or spikes in shallow waters 4 to 6 feet deep. Ice shanties must be off the ice by March 31 or earlier if ice conditions become unsafe. Near the Kipling Boat Launch, a shanty is only allowed to sit in the lot for 24 hours.
Munising - Whitefish and splake fishing have both been slow to fair at best this past week. A few coho have started to show up but action has been slow overall. With no snow cover, the ice is very slippery. Extreme caution needs to be used.
St. Mary's River - Has some ice coming down near Sault Ste. Marie.
Munuscong Bay - The ice was still holding in this area of the state, but caution needs to be used. Perch were caught in Fowlers Bay and around Munuscong Island.
Cedarville and Hessel - Catch rates were still fair to good with the better fishing in Musky Bay. Use extreme caution when venturing out as the base ice along the shoreline continues to deteriorate.