02-12-2010, 02:15 AM
Weekly Fishing Report
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Recreational Fishing Report
517-373-0908
Great Lakes temperature map
This coming weekend is Michigan's annual Winter Free Fishing Weekend. For two days only, Saturday February 13th and Sunday February 14th, both resident and nonresidents can fish without a license however all state regulations still apply. This is a great time for novice anglers to take someone new out and introduce them to the winter sport of ice fishing. Sharing ones knowledge in ice fishing techniques as well as ice safety is one of the best ways to pass on the fishing tradition in Michigan!
Southeast Lower Peninsula
Lake Erie - Has ice however it is suggested that anglers travel by foot only. There is a large pressure crack that has pushed the ice up about 2 feet. Anyone traveling past that point needs to use caution. Good walleye action in Brest Bay when using small Cleo's, rapalas or blade baits with big shiner minnows. A few perch were caught but walleye are the main attraction. Those fishing around the Banana Dike have caught walleye, perch and northern pike. Perch and a few northern pike were caught in the Metro Park Marina.
Detroit River - Airport Bay continues to produce some nice perch in the 12 to 15 inch range. Some are taking limits while others are taking just enough for a meal. Northern pike have also been caught. Fish the canal south of Gibraltar for perch.
Lake St. Clair - Fishing pressure has been high however catch rates were slow.
Lexington - Some nice perch along with a few rainbow trout have been caught however catch rates were hit-or-miss. Anglers with cameras say the fish are down there, but they just don't bite. A few suckers were caught by those fishing worms or wax worms right on the bottom.
Port Sanilac - The ice along the south end of the harbor broke up.
Saginaw Bay - Ice conditions continues to be extremely variable, with active cracks and thin ice over recently open water. Anglers need to be careful and proceed with extreme caution! Heavy snow will make ice conditions worse because anglers will not be able to distinguish new ice from the older, thicker ice. It would be a good idea for anglers to carry a cell phone, a throwable life preserver on a line and spikes to help them grip the ice should they fall through. Some perch were taken in 6 to 8 feet of water off White's Beach and Newman Road. A few walleye anglers caught fish off Linwood. Walleye and whitefish have been caught off the Bay City State Park in 7 feet of water, the mouth of the Saginaw River in 4 to 6 feet of water and near Spoils Island in 10 feet of water. On the east side of the bay, a few nice perch and the occasional walleye were caught in 7 feet of water off Vanderbilt Park and Thomas Road.
Saginaw River - Anglers are advised to be very careful near the center of the river at all locations. A few anglers were fishing for walleye out around Ojibway Island however most of the fish caught were sub-legal.
Tittabawassee River - Boat anglers were spudding their way into the river at the Caldwell Ramp south of Midland. Shore ice makes launching difficult so be sure to bring your spud. A good number of walleye were caught up near the Dow Dam.
Southwest Lower Peninsula
St. Joe River - Try steelhead fishing below the Berrien Springs Dam.
Klinger Road - In St. Joe County would be a good bet for bluegills, pumpkinseed, redear sunfish, black crappie and rock bass.
Coldwater Lake - Should be producing some panfish and pike.
Marble Lake - In Branch County would be a good option for panfish and pike.
Baseline Lake - In Allegan County would be a good bet for panfish.
Miner Lake - Also in Allegan County should have some crappie biting.
Kalamazoo River - Look for fair to good steelhead fishing below the Allegan Dam.
Austin Lake - In Kalamazoo County has been good for yellow perch.
Gun Lake - Continues to provide good perch fishing.
Gull Lake - Smelt and lake trout anglers are still taking fish. Anglers should also be able to find a few panfish and some northern pike.
Grand River at Grand Rapids - Boat anglers are catching some nice steelhead in the center run, along the east side and above the coffer dam. The fish were hitting on a 4 inch pink worm under a bobber about 3 to 4 feet down. Boat and shore anglers were bouncing spawn and taking fish. Use small bags with 3 or 4 eggs with a single chartreuse float. Walleye were hitting bucktail jigs with minnows near the Fulton Street Bridge and the east wall.
Grand River at Lansing - Walleye and northern pike have been caught over at Moore's Park. Steelhead and walleye were caught near the Lyons Dam.
Lake Lansing - Ice anglers are taking small northern pike on tip-ups.
Big Portage Lake - In Jackson County would be a good lake to try for panfish. Try the north bay for bluegills, crappie and redear sunfish.
Morrison Lake - Had reports of jumbo perch and crappie.
Reeds Lake - Perch have been caught in 35 to 40 feet of water. Northern pike can be found 4 to 10 feet off the bottom in 15 to 40 feet of water. For crappie, fish 10 feet off the bottom in 30 to 40 feet of water. Bluegills were slow.
Muskegon Lake - The ice near Fisherman's Landing is going to be broken up by the end of the week so ice anglers will want to stay away from that area. Perch fishing has been good just off the bottom in 50 to 60 feet of water between Ruddman Creek and Cottage Grove. Northern pike were taken between Hartshorn Marina and Heritage Landing. Try 6 feet down in 12 feet of water or 15 feet down in 20 feet of water. Those fishing off the State Park in the northwest corner found some bluegills.
Northeast Lower Peninsula
Mullet Lake - Anglers were still catching perch on minnows in a wide range of water 14 to 50 feet deep. Pike fishing was slow and no walleye were caught recently. Those targeting cisco were not having much luck.
Burt Lake - Ice anglers are still catching a few perch and some walleye.
Long Lake - Anglers caught a few jumbo perch.
Thunder Bay River - The backwaters were producing some northern pike.
Otsego Lake - Was producing a few big perch but walleye fishing was slow.
Higgins Lake - Smelt were hitting in 20 to 40 feet and lake trout in 85 to 120 feet of water. Those using tip-ups or spearing have taken some large northern pike along the southwest end of the lake in 20 to 30 feet of water. Perch anglers were taking fish in 15 to 25 feet of water in the afternoon and then switching over and fishing for smelt just before dark in the same area.
Houghton Lake - Has a large pressure crack that extends from Long Point to the south shore. The ice has been pushed up about 5 feet and is not safe to drive over. Good walleye action in 8 feet of water in the East Bay and near the Middle Grounds. Walleye and northern pike have been caught on tip-ups. The bluegills have started to bite. Anglers will find them along the weeds in about 6 feet of water.
Tawas Bay - A lot of ice blew out of the bay but it was hanging on near Jerry's Marina where most people were fishing. A few 7 to 9 inch perch were caught along with many small ones. Walleye were caught but the pike spearing was slow.
Au Gres - Wigwam Bay was producing a few perch. The better walleye fishing was at night.
Au Gres River - Had the most fishing activity. Although anglers were taking a lot of sub-legal walleye, they were still catching enough keepers to keep them fishing.
Northwest Lower Peninsula
Elk Lake - Anglers were catching lake trout. Try for whitefish at night.
Traverse City - Had skim ice around the edge but no safe ice. Launching a boat may be difficult.
Crystal Lake - Smelt anglers are doing well when night fishing in 30 to 50 feet of water. Most are using Hali jigs with wax worms or spikes. Good numbers of perch have also been caught but many were small.
Green Lake - Smelt were hitting on wax worms or spikes.
Cedar Lake - Ice anglers are still taking a few northern pike. Smelt have been caught day and night.
Lake Missaukee - The panfish bite was slow however some bluegills were caught.
Lake Cadillac - Continues with decent fishing for northern pike and crappie. Pike over 30 inches have been caught.
Lake Mitchell - Is also good for some big northern pike and crappie.
Manistee River - Has a good number of steelhead in the lower river.
Hamlin Lake - Some nice bluegills have been caught but not many. For crappie, try the drop-off along the Narrows in 15 to 25 feet of water with minnows after dark. Perch and a few walleye were caught along the drop-off south of the Narrows. Northern pike were hitting on tip-ups.
Upper Peninsula
Copper Harbor - Limits of splake were caught in 4 to 6 feet of water. The fish were running 10 to 12 inches.
Keweenaw Bay - Anglers caught a mix of coho, lake trout, and herring between Lighthouse Point and the Baraga Marina. A few perch and some herring were caught off Baraga and whitefish were taken in 80 to 105 feet of water south of Lighthouse Point. Those fishing Perch Corner and the Fall's River off Bay Shore Road picked up a few coho and rainbow trout. Anglers are encouraged to stay between Lighthouse Point and Baraga. The ice off Sand Point and north was not safe.
Menominee River - Anglers are jigging for panfish at the Menekaunee slip however the bluegill and perch were running small. Sixth Street had some poor ice near the launch. Anglers need to use caution when venturing out to their shanties. Brown trout and a few whitefish were caught on tip-ups with rapalas and minnows. Boom Landing and Mystery Ship reported slow catch rates. Those fishing the Cat Walk at Hattie Street started to catch walleye and trout on blue and silver rapalas.
Green Bay - Ice conditions were starting to improve but caution needs to be used. Those jigging minnows caught yellow perch however many were small. Trout have been caught on tip-ups with shiners.
Little Bay De Noc - Ice conditions remain good for the most part from Gladstone to Garth Point. Large pressure cracks have created dangerous conditions in some areas and anglers are advised to stay away from those areas, especially with any type of vehicle. Several anglers have gone through the ice, so caution needs to be used. Take the time to study the area or talk to other anglers before traveling too far out on the ice. Fair to good walleye catches at the head of the Bay when using tip-ups with sucker minnows in 8 to 13 feet of water. Avoid the area between the Escanaba River and the Terrace Bay Inn or Aronson Island and Portage Point as they are considered to be dangerous areas. Limits of perch were caught at the head of the bay on minnows, wigglers and spike in 8 to 13 feet of water and out from Kipling in 11 to 17 feet of water. Northern pike spearing was good in the Escanaba Yacht Harbor when using live decoys in 4 to 10 feet of water.
Munising - Whitefish were caught throughout the bay when jigging a single egg. Splake were caught in the Sand Point area by those using tip-ups or jigging. Extreme caution needs to be used in the West Channel as the ice is very unpredictable.
Manistique Lake - Anglers were catching a significant number of small fish.
Brevoort Lake - Was producing a few walleye and perch.
Munuscong Bay - Walleye fishing slowed but anglers were still targeting fish with minnows in 18 to 25 feet of water near the channel.
Cedarville and Hessel - Cedarville Bay and Hessel Bay were slow with only small perch caught so anglers were fishing the Moscoe Channel and taking a few 12 to 15 inch fish. Those in Hessel Bay could see the larger perch but they did not want to bite. Musky Bay is seeing 3 to 7 inch perch with the occasional 10 to 15 inch fish also caught.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Recreational Fishing Report
517-373-0908
Great Lakes temperature map
This coming weekend is Michigan's annual Winter Free Fishing Weekend. For two days only, Saturday February 13th and Sunday February 14th, both resident and nonresidents can fish without a license however all state regulations still apply. This is a great time for novice anglers to take someone new out and introduce them to the winter sport of ice fishing. Sharing ones knowledge in ice fishing techniques as well as ice safety is one of the best ways to pass on the fishing tradition in Michigan!
Southeast Lower Peninsula
Lake Erie - Has ice however it is suggested that anglers travel by foot only. There is a large pressure crack that has pushed the ice up about 2 feet. Anyone traveling past that point needs to use caution. Good walleye action in Brest Bay when using small Cleo's, rapalas or blade baits with big shiner minnows. A few perch were caught but walleye are the main attraction. Those fishing around the Banana Dike have caught walleye, perch and northern pike. Perch and a few northern pike were caught in the Metro Park Marina.
Detroit River - Airport Bay continues to produce some nice perch in the 12 to 15 inch range. Some are taking limits while others are taking just enough for a meal. Northern pike have also been caught. Fish the canal south of Gibraltar for perch.
Lake St. Clair - Fishing pressure has been high however catch rates were slow.
Lexington - Some nice perch along with a few rainbow trout have been caught however catch rates were hit-or-miss. Anglers with cameras say the fish are down there, but they just don't bite. A few suckers were caught by those fishing worms or wax worms right on the bottom.
Port Sanilac - The ice along the south end of the harbor broke up.
Saginaw Bay - Ice conditions continues to be extremely variable, with active cracks and thin ice over recently open water. Anglers need to be careful and proceed with extreme caution! Heavy snow will make ice conditions worse because anglers will not be able to distinguish new ice from the older, thicker ice. It would be a good idea for anglers to carry a cell phone, a throwable life preserver on a line and spikes to help them grip the ice should they fall through. Some perch were taken in 6 to 8 feet of water off White's Beach and Newman Road. A few walleye anglers caught fish off Linwood. Walleye and whitefish have been caught off the Bay City State Park in 7 feet of water, the mouth of the Saginaw River in 4 to 6 feet of water and near Spoils Island in 10 feet of water. On the east side of the bay, a few nice perch and the occasional walleye were caught in 7 feet of water off Vanderbilt Park and Thomas Road.
Saginaw River - Anglers are advised to be very careful near the center of the river at all locations. A few anglers were fishing for walleye out around Ojibway Island however most of the fish caught were sub-legal.
Tittabawassee River - Boat anglers were spudding their way into the river at the Caldwell Ramp south of Midland. Shore ice makes launching difficult so be sure to bring your spud. A good number of walleye were caught up near the Dow Dam.
Southwest Lower Peninsula
St. Joe River - Try steelhead fishing below the Berrien Springs Dam.
Klinger Road - In St. Joe County would be a good bet for bluegills, pumpkinseed, redear sunfish, black crappie and rock bass.
Coldwater Lake - Should be producing some panfish and pike.
Marble Lake - In Branch County would be a good option for panfish and pike.
Baseline Lake - In Allegan County would be a good bet for panfish.
Miner Lake - Also in Allegan County should have some crappie biting.
Kalamazoo River - Look for fair to good steelhead fishing below the Allegan Dam.
Austin Lake - In Kalamazoo County has been good for yellow perch.
Gun Lake - Continues to provide good perch fishing.
Gull Lake - Smelt and lake trout anglers are still taking fish. Anglers should also be able to find a few panfish and some northern pike.
Grand River at Grand Rapids - Boat anglers are catching some nice steelhead in the center run, along the east side and above the coffer dam. The fish were hitting on a 4 inch pink worm under a bobber about 3 to 4 feet down. Boat and shore anglers were bouncing spawn and taking fish. Use small bags with 3 or 4 eggs with a single chartreuse float. Walleye were hitting bucktail jigs with minnows near the Fulton Street Bridge and the east wall.
Grand River at Lansing - Walleye and northern pike have been caught over at Moore's Park. Steelhead and walleye were caught near the Lyons Dam.
Lake Lansing - Ice anglers are taking small northern pike on tip-ups.
Big Portage Lake - In Jackson County would be a good lake to try for panfish. Try the north bay for bluegills, crappie and redear sunfish.
Morrison Lake - Had reports of jumbo perch and crappie.
Reeds Lake - Perch have been caught in 35 to 40 feet of water. Northern pike can be found 4 to 10 feet off the bottom in 15 to 40 feet of water. For crappie, fish 10 feet off the bottom in 30 to 40 feet of water. Bluegills were slow.
Muskegon Lake - The ice near Fisherman's Landing is going to be broken up by the end of the week so ice anglers will want to stay away from that area. Perch fishing has been good just off the bottom in 50 to 60 feet of water between Ruddman Creek and Cottage Grove. Northern pike were taken between Hartshorn Marina and Heritage Landing. Try 6 feet down in 12 feet of water or 15 feet down in 20 feet of water. Those fishing off the State Park in the northwest corner found some bluegills.
Northeast Lower Peninsula
Mullet Lake - Anglers were still catching perch on minnows in a wide range of water 14 to 50 feet deep. Pike fishing was slow and no walleye were caught recently. Those targeting cisco were not having much luck.
Burt Lake - Ice anglers are still catching a few perch and some walleye.
Long Lake - Anglers caught a few jumbo perch.
Thunder Bay River - The backwaters were producing some northern pike.
Otsego Lake - Was producing a few big perch but walleye fishing was slow.
Higgins Lake - Smelt were hitting in 20 to 40 feet and lake trout in 85 to 120 feet of water. Those using tip-ups or spearing have taken some large northern pike along the southwest end of the lake in 20 to 30 feet of water. Perch anglers were taking fish in 15 to 25 feet of water in the afternoon and then switching over and fishing for smelt just before dark in the same area.
Houghton Lake - Has a large pressure crack that extends from Long Point to the south shore. The ice has been pushed up about 5 feet and is not safe to drive over. Good walleye action in 8 feet of water in the East Bay and near the Middle Grounds. Walleye and northern pike have been caught on tip-ups. The bluegills have started to bite. Anglers will find them along the weeds in about 6 feet of water.
Tawas Bay - A lot of ice blew out of the bay but it was hanging on near Jerry's Marina where most people were fishing. A few 7 to 9 inch perch were caught along with many small ones. Walleye were caught but the pike spearing was slow.
Au Gres - Wigwam Bay was producing a few perch. The better walleye fishing was at night.
Au Gres River - Had the most fishing activity. Although anglers were taking a lot of sub-legal walleye, they were still catching enough keepers to keep them fishing.
Northwest Lower Peninsula
Elk Lake - Anglers were catching lake trout. Try for whitefish at night.
Traverse City - Had skim ice around the edge but no safe ice. Launching a boat may be difficult.
Crystal Lake - Smelt anglers are doing well when night fishing in 30 to 50 feet of water. Most are using Hali jigs with wax worms or spikes. Good numbers of perch have also been caught but many were small.
Green Lake - Smelt were hitting on wax worms or spikes.
Cedar Lake - Ice anglers are still taking a few northern pike. Smelt have been caught day and night.
Lake Missaukee - The panfish bite was slow however some bluegills were caught.
Lake Cadillac - Continues with decent fishing for northern pike and crappie. Pike over 30 inches have been caught.
Lake Mitchell - Is also good for some big northern pike and crappie.
Manistee River - Has a good number of steelhead in the lower river.
Hamlin Lake - Some nice bluegills have been caught but not many. For crappie, try the drop-off along the Narrows in 15 to 25 feet of water with minnows after dark. Perch and a few walleye were caught along the drop-off south of the Narrows. Northern pike were hitting on tip-ups.
Upper Peninsula
Copper Harbor - Limits of splake were caught in 4 to 6 feet of water. The fish were running 10 to 12 inches.
Keweenaw Bay - Anglers caught a mix of coho, lake trout, and herring between Lighthouse Point and the Baraga Marina. A few perch and some herring were caught off Baraga and whitefish were taken in 80 to 105 feet of water south of Lighthouse Point. Those fishing Perch Corner and the Fall's River off Bay Shore Road picked up a few coho and rainbow trout. Anglers are encouraged to stay between Lighthouse Point and Baraga. The ice off Sand Point and north was not safe.
Menominee River - Anglers are jigging for panfish at the Menekaunee slip however the bluegill and perch were running small. Sixth Street had some poor ice near the launch. Anglers need to use caution when venturing out to their shanties. Brown trout and a few whitefish were caught on tip-ups with rapalas and minnows. Boom Landing and Mystery Ship reported slow catch rates. Those fishing the Cat Walk at Hattie Street started to catch walleye and trout on blue and silver rapalas.
Green Bay - Ice conditions were starting to improve but caution needs to be used. Those jigging minnows caught yellow perch however many were small. Trout have been caught on tip-ups with shiners.
Little Bay De Noc - Ice conditions remain good for the most part from Gladstone to Garth Point. Large pressure cracks have created dangerous conditions in some areas and anglers are advised to stay away from those areas, especially with any type of vehicle. Several anglers have gone through the ice, so caution needs to be used. Take the time to study the area or talk to other anglers before traveling too far out on the ice. Fair to good walleye catches at the head of the Bay when using tip-ups with sucker minnows in 8 to 13 feet of water. Avoid the area between the Escanaba River and the Terrace Bay Inn or Aronson Island and Portage Point as they are considered to be dangerous areas. Limits of perch were caught at the head of the bay on minnows, wigglers and spike in 8 to 13 feet of water and out from Kipling in 11 to 17 feet of water. Northern pike spearing was good in the Escanaba Yacht Harbor when using live decoys in 4 to 10 feet of water.
Munising - Whitefish were caught throughout the bay when jigging a single egg. Splake were caught in the Sand Point area by those using tip-ups or jigging. Extreme caution needs to be used in the West Channel as the ice is very unpredictable.
Manistique Lake - Anglers were catching a significant number of small fish.
Brevoort Lake - Was producing a few walleye and perch.
Munuscong Bay - Walleye fishing slowed but anglers were still targeting fish with minnows in 18 to 25 feet of water near the channel.
Cedarville and Hessel - Cedarville Bay and Hessel Bay were slow with only small perch caught so anglers were fishing the Moscoe Channel and taking a few 12 to 15 inch fish. Those in Hessel Bay could see the larger perch but they did not want to bite. Musky Bay is seeing 3 to 7 inch perch with the occasional 10 to 15 inch fish also caught.