04-05-2007, 09:08 PM
[font "Arial, Helvetica"]Thursday, April 5, 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]
Spring is on hold while an artic blast is moving through the state. Colder temperatures will indeed slow the bite however catch rates for steelhead, walleye and even suckers will once again improve as warm temperatures return.
Southeast Lower Peninsula
Lake Erie - A few perch have been caught off Bolles Harbor.
Huron River - Steelhead have been caught up near the dam at Flat Rock. They are using spawn, spinners and gold crankbaits.
Detroit River - Walleye fishing has been very good in the lower river even though water levels are running high and muddy. Some nice 11 to 13 pound fish were caught in the lower Trenton Channel when using a 5/8 to 3/4 ounce jig. Two-tone greens and blue have been good colors. Some are handlining rapalas or jigging with minnows. Perch can still be found east of Sugar Island in Canadian waters. Look for big northern pike in the backwaters.
Clinton River - Steelhead have been caught up near the Yates Dam.
St. Clair River - Boats are jigging for walleye in the early morning and late evening.
Port Sanilac - Some brown trout and rainbow trout have been seen in the harbor, but they are not biting yet.
Saginaw Bay - Boat anglers have taken a few perch off Pine River and Palmer Road when fishing around the commercial nets. Most feel the perch have not started spawning yet as many of the fish caught have been small. A few perch were taken in Hoyle's Marina. Those trolling or vertical jigging off the mouth of the Kawkawlin River and the Saginaw River have caught some walleye.
Quanicassee River - Small perch have been caught in the lower section and at the mouth.
Sebewaing River - Anglers are catching small perch and suckers.
Pigeon River - Small perch were caught near the mouth and the sucker run has started.
Southwest Lower Peninsula
St. Joseph - Fishing has been hit or miss as water temperatures have been 35 to 37 degrees. Boats trolling in shallow waters have caught a few coho. Steelhead and brown trout were taken off the pier when using spawn.
St. Joesph River - Fishing for steelhead and suckers has only been fair. The better catches have come up near the dam at Berrien Springs.
South Haven - Fishing has been slow with only a couple brown trout caught when using spawn off the south pier.
Kalamazoo River - Steelhead can be found up near the Allegan Dam. Catch rates will increase when it warms back up. Suckers are also in the river.
Hutchins Lake - In Allegan County, is producing some nice bluegills. Try fishing the north cove and near the creeks.
Reeds Lake - Had good crappie fishing in the shallows and near the drop offs.
Grand River at Grand Rapids - Water levels are running high and fast. Try using long leaders and large choker bags until the water levels come down. Steelhead can still be found up near the Sixth Street Dam. The sucker run is going strong and some crappies were caught near Riverside Park.
Grand River at Lansing - Higher water levels have made it possible for some steelhead to make it up this far. A couple fish were caught on crawlers over at Moore's Park. Anglers are looking for crappie, but the bite is not there yet.
Lake Ovid - Is producing some nice bluegills.
Rogue River - While good numbers of steelhead remain up near the dam, some have dropped back and can be found on the gravel.
Muskegon - Pier anglers have caught steelhead and brown trout on spawn.
Muskegon River - Is running high and muddy. Fishing should pick back up once the temperatures go up and water levels go down.
Northeast Lower Peninsula
Rogers City - With lots of rain, the local streams and rivers are high and the waters are muddy. Water temperatures are in the mid to upper 30's. A dock is in at the marina at Rogers City. Boat anglers had limited success when fishing shallow waters 5 to 20 feet deep near Calcite and Swan Bay. Most are using planer boards with a variety of spoons and bodybaits. Colors have been blue and silver, chartreuse and silver, orange and gold or firetiger. Pier anglers caught a few brown trout when casting a variety of spoons and rapalas in the same colors. The brown colored water is the warmest water right now, and that is where anglers will want to fish. Brighter colors usually work best.
Thunder Bay River - Steelhead have been caught at the Ninth Street Dam. Suckers are also running.
Fletchers Pond - Anglers have caught crappie. Try 7 feet of water just northeast of Jacks Landing.
Van Etten Lake - Anglers are still catching perch even after ice out.
Oscoda - Pier anglers are catching steelhead on spawn and wax worms. Some are casting glow-in-the-dark Cleo's. Those fishing the waters of Lake Huron have caught walleye off the piers when casting rapalas.
Au Sable River - Anglers in drift boats have caught steelhead when casting spoons and plugs.
Tawas - Boats trolling rapalas off the mouth of the Tawas River are getting a few walleye, brown trout and steelhead. Off the pier; a few perch were taken along the inside and some steelhead on the outside.
Au Gres - Those trolling with rapalas off the mouth of the river and up by Whitestone Point are taking some walleye.
Au Gres River - Anglers are catching suckers. Fishing is still slow at the Singing Bridge. Some are surfcasting for steelhead.
Rifle River - The sucker run at Omer has been very good, though heavy rains this week could slow things up.
Higgins Lake - Still has some ice, but no safe ice. The wind keeps blowing the ice around making it almost impossible for boats to launch. Looks like it could be another week or two before the lake opens up completely.
Northwest Lower Peninsula
Traverse City - Those fishing the East Bay have caught lake trout off the Bluffs when trolling spoons or vertical jigging. Steelhead are hitting on spawn bags near the mouth of Mitchell Creek. Whitefish action was slow, but fish have been caught. On the West Bay, steelhead were caught near the mouth of the Boardman River.
Elk River - Fishing has been slow however some steelhead have been caught up near the dam in the early morning or late evening. Perch fishing was also slow.
Boardman River - Cooler temperatures have slowed the bite, but steelhead were taken up by the State Street Dam when drifting spawn, wigglers or wax worms. Suckers have also been caught.
Crystal Lake - Anglers were surfcasting for steelhead.
Frankfort - Boat anglers are trolling in the shallows for brown trout. Pier fishing has been fair for steelhead and brown trout.
Manistee - Boats are trolling in shallow waters 7 to 12 feet deep as far south as Gurney Creek and as far north as the water tower. Pier anglers are catching brown trout off both piers when using spawn. A few menominee were taken on a single egg or wax worm.
Big Manistee River - Steelhead fishing is the main game right now and there are lots of fish up near Tippy Dam.
Little Manistee River - Is now open to fishing. The steelhead egg take has started and will likely run through the middle of next week. The weir will be pulled just as soon as the quota has been met.
Ludington - Boat anglers have caught steelhead and brown trout when trolling up towards the State Park and Big Sable Point. Anglers have also taken fish off the north pier.
Pere Marquette River - Has good numbers of steelhead and suckers in it.
Upper Peninsula
Heavy snowfall across the entire region will once again hamper fishing efforts. The bite should return after it warms back up.
Two Hearted River - Steelhead fishing was pretty good before the cold weather returned. Anglers were using spawn sacks and leaf worms.
Black River - Also had good steelhead fishing.
St. Mary's River - Ice is still coming down from locks at Sault Ste. Marie.
Munuscong Bay - The ice is gone, but the boat launch was not open.
Cedarville and Hessel - Ice fishing season is over, but limits of perch were taken right up to the end. Anglers are hopeful the perch will still be around once the marinas open and they can get out by boat.
[font "Arial, Helvetica"]
[/font] [url "http://www.coastwatch.msu.edu/"][font "Arial, Helvetica"][#000000]Great Lakes temperature map[/#000000][/font][/url]
Spring is on hold while an artic blast is moving through the state. Colder temperatures will indeed slow the bite however catch rates for steelhead, walleye and even suckers will once again improve as warm temperatures return.
Southeast Lower Peninsula
Lake Erie - A few perch have been caught off Bolles Harbor.
Huron River - Steelhead have been caught up near the dam at Flat Rock. They are using spawn, spinners and gold crankbaits.
Detroit River - Walleye fishing has been very good in the lower river even though water levels are running high and muddy. Some nice 11 to 13 pound fish were caught in the lower Trenton Channel when using a 5/8 to 3/4 ounce jig. Two-tone greens and blue have been good colors. Some are handlining rapalas or jigging with minnows. Perch can still be found east of Sugar Island in Canadian waters. Look for big northern pike in the backwaters.
Clinton River - Steelhead have been caught up near the Yates Dam.
St. Clair River - Boats are jigging for walleye in the early morning and late evening.
Port Sanilac - Some brown trout and rainbow trout have been seen in the harbor, but they are not biting yet.
Saginaw Bay - Boat anglers have taken a few perch off Pine River and Palmer Road when fishing around the commercial nets. Most feel the perch have not started spawning yet as many of the fish caught have been small. A few perch were taken in Hoyle's Marina. Those trolling or vertical jigging off the mouth of the Kawkawlin River and the Saginaw River have caught some walleye.
Quanicassee River - Small perch have been caught in the lower section and at the mouth.
Sebewaing River - Anglers are catching small perch and suckers.
Pigeon River - Small perch were caught near the mouth and the sucker run has started.
Southwest Lower Peninsula
St. Joseph - Fishing has been hit or miss as water temperatures have been 35 to 37 degrees. Boats trolling in shallow waters have caught a few coho. Steelhead and brown trout were taken off the pier when using spawn.
St. Joesph River - Fishing for steelhead and suckers has only been fair. The better catches have come up near the dam at Berrien Springs.
South Haven - Fishing has been slow with only a couple brown trout caught when using spawn off the south pier.
Kalamazoo River - Steelhead can be found up near the Allegan Dam. Catch rates will increase when it warms back up. Suckers are also in the river.
Hutchins Lake - In Allegan County, is producing some nice bluegills. Try fishing the north cove and near the creeks.
Reeds Lake - Had good crappie fishing in the shallows and near the drop offs.
Grand River at Grand Rapids - Water levels are running high and fast. Try using long leaders and large choker bags until the water levels come down. Steelhead can still be found up near the Sixth Street Dam. The sucker run is going strong and some crappies were caught near Riverside Park.
Grand River at Lansing - Higher water levels have made it possible for some steelhead to make it up this far. A couple fish were caught on crawlers over at Moore's Park. Anglers are looking for crappie, but the bite is not there yet.
Lake Ovid - Is producing some nice bluegills.
Rogue River - While good numbers of steelhead remain up near the dam, some have dropped back and can be found on the gravel.
Muskegon - Pier anglers have caught steelhead and brown trout on spawn.
Muskegon River - Is running high and muddy. Fishing should pick back up once the temperatures go up and water levels go down.
Northeast Lower Peninsula
Rogers City - With lots of rain, the local streams and rivers are high and the waters are muddy. Water temperatures are in the mid to upper 30's. A dock is in at the marina at Rogers City. Boat anglers had limited success when fishing shallow waters 5 to 20 feet deep near Calcite and Swan Bay. Most are using planer boards with a variety of spoons and bodybaits. Colors have been blue and silver, chartreuse and silver, orange and gold or firetiger. Pier anglers caught a few brown trout when casting a variety of spoons and rapalas in the same colors. The brown colored water is the warmest water right now, and that is where anglers will want to fish. Brighter colors usually work best.
Thunder Bay River - Steelhead have been caught at the Ninth Street Dam. Suckers are also running.
Fletchers Pond - Anglers have caught crappie. Try 7 feet of water just northeast of Jacks Landing.
Van Etten Lake - Anglers are still catching perch even after ice out.
Oscoda - Pier anglers are catching steelhead on spawn and wax worms. Some are casting glow-in-the-dark Cleo's. Those fishing the waters of Lake Huron have caught walleye off the piers when casting rapalas.
Au Sable River - Anglers in drift boats have caught steelhead when casting spoons and plugs.
Tawas - Boats trolling rapalas off the mouth of the Tawas River are getting a few walleye, brown trout and steelhead. Off the pier; a few perch were taken along the inside and some steelhead on the outside.
Au Gres - Those trolling with rapalas off the mouth of the river and up by Whitestone Point are taking some walleye.
Au Gres River - Anglers are catching suckers. Fishing is still slow at the Singing Bridge. Some are surfcasting for steelhead.
Rifle River - The sucker run at Omer has been very good, though heavy rains this week could slow things up.
Higgins Lake - Still has some ice, but no safe ice. The wind keeps blowing the ice around making it almost impossible for boats to launch. Looks like it could be another week or two before the lake opens up completely.
Northwest Lower Peninsula
Traverse City - Those fishing the East Bay have caught lake trout off the Bluffs when trolling spoons or vertical jigging. Steelhead are hitting on spawn bags near the mouth of Mitchell Creek. Whitefish action was slow, but fish have been caught. On the West Bay, steelhead were caught near the mouth of the Boardman River.
Elk River - Fishing has been slow however some steelhead have been caught up near the dam in the early morning or late evening. Perch fishing was also slow.
Boardman River - Cooler temperatures have slowed the bite, but steelhead were taken up by the State Street Dam when drifting spawn, wigglers or wax worms. Suckers have also been caught.
Crystal Lake - Anglers were surfcasting for steelhead.
Frankfort - Boat anglers are trolling in the shallows for brown trout. Pier fishing has been fair for steelhead and brown trout.
Manistee - Boats are trolling in shallow waters 7 to 12 feet deep as far south as Gurney Creek and as far north as the water tower. Pier anglers are catching brown trout off both piers when using spawn. A few menominee were taken on a single egg or wax worm.
Big Manistee River - Steelhead fishing is the main game right now and there are lots of fish up near Tippy Dam.
Little Manistee River - Is now open to fishing. The steelhead egg take has started and will likely run through the middle of next week. The weir will be pulled just as soon as the quota has been met.
Ludington - Boat anglers have caught steelhead and brown trout when trolling up towards the State Park and Big Sable Point. Anglers have also taken fish off the north pier.
Pere Marquette River - Has good numbers of steelhead and suckers in it.
Upper Peninsula
Heavy snowfall across the entire region will once again hamper fishing efforts. The bite should return after it warms back up.
Two Hearted River - Steelhead fishing was pretty good before the cold weather returned. Anglers were using spawn sacks and leaf worms.
Black River - Also had good steelhead fishing.
St. Mary's River - Ice is still coming down from locks at Sault Ste. Marie.
Munuscong Bay - The ice is gone, but the boat launch was not open.
Cedarville and Hessel - Ice fishing season is over, but limits of perch were taken right up to the end. Anglers are hopeful the perch will still be around once the marinas open and they can get out by boat.