Strong winds and rain over the last week have managed to hamper fishing conditions around the state. The good news is the lakes and rivers are starting to come alive and the fishing will only get better.
 

Lake Erie – Slow fishing to report this week due to the cool, overcast and windy conditions. A few walleye were caught off Luna Pier, the Dumping Grounds, and Sterling State Park. Moderate numbers of white bass were caught in the hot water discharge which is south of the River Raisin.

Detroit River – Walleye have been caught when jigging near Wyandotte and up near Mud Island. Some are handlining at night in the Trenton Channel. Those fishing a jig and a minnow with stinger hooks have done the best.

St. Clair River – Weather permitting, boat anglers trolling near Algonac and Marysville have caught walleye.

Lexington – Boat anglers continue to catch light numbers of chinook, coho, brown trout, walleye and whitefish when trolling body baits in waters up to 20 feet deep.

Port Sanilac – Light numbers of chinook, coho, lake trout and walleye have been caught when fishing about 2 miles to the north or the port. Most fish were taken on body baits in 10 to 15 feet of water. A few whitefish have also been caught when slow trolling with smaller body baits.

Saginaw Bay – Channel catfish have been caught on shrimp near the Hot Ponds. Near Essexville, a few yellow perch were caught off Knight Road and some channel catfish were taken in 5 feet of water off Finn Road. Those fishing the Callahan Reef have caught walleye using Hot-n-Tot?s in 8 feet of water. Not much action near Quanicassee, with only a couple bowfin and catfish caught. Slow action off Sebewaing with only a few catfish taken in 4 to 5 feet of water. At Bay Port, there have been rumors of walleye caught while fishing at night near North Island. Boat anglers are drifting in waters 6 to 18 feet deep off Sand Point for walleye.

Kawkawlin River – A few walleye have been caught in waters about 8 feet deep.

Tittabawassee River – Anglers reported a good to excellent walleye opener as a good number of 17 to 21 inch fish were caught near Freeland.

Pigeon River – Fair to good fishing was reported for the early catch and release bass season. Most fish were taken on tube baits.
 

St. Joseph – Good numbers of chinook salmon have been caught when trolling in waters 100 to 150 feet deep. Pier fishing was slow.

St. Joseph River – Fishing is slow for all species. Steelhead fishing is just about done, and the walleye opener has been very slow.

South Haven – Slow fishing was reported, with only a few chinook salmon caught while trolling in waters up to 150 feet deep. Yellow perch fishing was fair in waters 60 to 70 feet deep. Try still-fishing with minnows just off the bottom.

Grand Haven – Pier fishing was slow even though anglers are just starting to use alewife as bait. Anglers are reminded that cast nets can only be used in the Great Lakes. Boat anglers did well on orange spoons just in front of the piers in waters about 40 feet deep.

Grand River at Grand Rapids – Steelhead can still be found in the river up near the dam. Some large northern pike have been caught downriver towards Fulton Street. Walleye have been caught off the wall and the Wealthy Street Island when using crawlers and minnows. Channel catfish have been caught off Bridge Street when throwing cut up shiners towards the coffer dam. Flatheads are hitting on bluegills and a good number of suckers can be found in the river. Bluegills are becoming more active, and crappie can be found is the brush.

Rogue River – Those fly fishing have caught steelhead and brown trout when using a #16 light cahill or a #14 elk hair caddis.

Grand River at Lansing – The river is in spring mode and ready to be fished. Anglers are starting to catch walleye, catfish and carp. Crappie can be found when drifting down the river and fishing around the downed trees.

Muskegon River – Anglers have caught some nice steelhead when fishing up near Croton Dam.

Whitehall – Night walleye fishing has been pretty good off the pier. Anglers are showing up around dusk and fishing with Rapalas, spoons or anything that glows-in-the-dark.
 

Cheboygan River – There is an abundance of suckers in the river. Boat anglers are trolling while shore anglers are casting spawn or flies. Walleye have been caught in the early morning or late evenings.

Ocqueoc River – Anglers can see a good number of steelhead in the river, but the bite has been very slow. Try fishing some of the deeper holes or near the mouth with spawn or flies.

Rogers City – Poor weather with east and southeast winds have made it really tough for boats to get out. Afternoon and evening fishing has been impossible. Those able to make it out have caught brown trout and walleye when trolling with planer boards in shallow waters around Calcite Harbor and Swan Bay. Anglers casting from boats in Swan Bay are using lures in the colors green and silver, fire tiger, perch and rainbow. Look for areas with any kind of structure in water 6 to 15 feet deep. For lake trout, try waters 10 to 50 feet deep straight out of Rogers City, off Sea Gull Point, and south to Adams Point and Swan Bay.

Presque Isle – Anglers are fishing the shallow waters in North Bay and out in front of the two light houses for brown trout.

Alpena – Not many anglers coming out of the marina recently as rain and strong winds have kept most boats on shore. No reports of any walleye taken.

Thunder Bay River – A good number of anglers have been fishing at the Ninth Street Dam, but the fish have been sluggish and the anglers are struggling. No reports of any walleye caught in the river.

Tawas – Boat anglers have caught chinook salmon when trolling near Buoy 2. Walleye and steelhead have also been caught inside the points near Buoys 4 and 6, Jerry?s Marina and just off the Coast Guard Station. Pier anglers have caught a few lake trout, walleye, smallmouth bass and lots of small yellow perch. Steelhead can be found at the Singing Bridge.

Au Gres – Light numbers of walleye have been caught off Point Au Gres and Point Lookout. Those fishing in the evening with crawlers and body baits have caught more fish.

Higgins Lake – Not much angler activity as many have taken to the local rivers and streams for the first week of the trout opener. Those anglers in the woods have reported good catches of mushrooms, even though the lack of rain this spring has resulted in smaller mushrooms.

Houghton Lake – No word on walleye catches, as the cooler weather has most likely slowed the bite. Bluegills can still be found near the channels and canals, and a few crappie were taken on minnows.
 

Lake Charlevoix – No word so far on any trout caught, but boat anglers are fishing near the inlet of the Boyne River with crawler harnesses and Rapalas in 15 to 20 feet of water. High fishing pressure for walleye was reported as anglers can be seen trolling from East Jordan to Dutchman?s Bay and off the Boyne City Harbor using crawler harnesses, crank baits and plugs in 15 to 20 feet of water. The better northern pike fishing has been in the South Arm near the city of East Jordan. Fish up to 28 inches have been caught when trolling crawler harnesses and Rapalas. Good yellow perch fishing at Hemingway Point and Cranberry Bay. Limit catches were taken in 65 to 80 feet of water when using wigglers or shiners.

Traverse City – Fair to good whitefish action continues near Elk Rapids. Anglers are jigging with white spoons or jigs in 230 feet of water. Along the West Bay, boat anglers are trolling for lake trout in waters 30 to 100 feet deep along the Old Mission Peninsula. Those anchoring near the mouth of the Boardman River have caught steelhead when drifting spawn. Light numbers of yellow perch were caught on wigglers in 70 feet of water in Bower?s Harbor, but the fish are scattered.

Elk River – Fair to good steelhead fishing continues below the dam. Try drifting spawn or wax worms.

Leland River – Steelhead have been being caught in the morning drifting spawn below the dam. Smallmouth bass have also been caught.

Glen Lake – Has excellent perch fishing, with limit catches of fish ranging from 8 to 14 inches. Anglers are fishing wigglers in 50 to 55 feet of water on the south side of the lake.

Frankfort – Overall fishing has been a bit slow, however; brown trout and steelhead have been caught on small spoons and spawn when fishing off the piers.

Onekama – Slow trout and salmon fishing, with only one or two fish reported per boat when trolling just north of the pier towards Arcadia.

Manistee – Boat anglers are trolling around both the North and South Piers, as well as in the harbor. Fishing has slowed, with only a couple chinook or brown trout taken in recent days. Yellow perch fishing off the pier was also slow.

Big Manistee River – Steelhead can still be found in the river, however anglers may need to fish the deeper holes until the weather warms back up. Spawn or flies may work best. Fishing slowed again with the cooler weather. Boat anglers are trolling in the harbor or just south of Ludington for brown trout.

Ludington – Fishing slowed again with the cooler weather. Boat anglers are trolling in the harbor or just south of Ludington for brown trout.
 

Keweenaw Bay – Anglers are catching chinook and coho, but the fish seem scattered. While the bite is good one day, it can shut down the next. Start shallow and head out to waters up to 180 feet deep. Lake trout were caught when jigging in waters 220 to 280 feet deep. It appears the smelt run has peaked and is done.

Falls River – Anglers are still taking some steelhead off and on.

Menominee River – Shore anglers drifting yarn or spawn have caught steelhead between the Hattie Street Bridge and the First Dam. Splake were also taken in this area. Slow walleye fishing with only a few taken when jigging minnows.

Green Bay – Weather permitting, boat anglers are trolling near the mouth of the Menominee River and south for trout and walleye. Spoons and Rapalas seem to work best. Those fishing off Stoney Point have caught some nice walleye and brown trout. Use caution when launching from this site due to low water levels and hazardous rocks in the channel. Yellow perch have been active off both the Government and Lighthouse Piers, as well as inside the Menominee Marina.

Little Bay De Noc – Water temperatures are holding in the 48 to 54 degree range. Slow yellow perch fishing but some nice catches were taken on wax worms and minnows in waters 20 to 30 feet deep. Boats can be found just south of the Day's River and between Kipling and the East Bank. Anglers are anxious for the walleye opener on May 15th.

Days River – Steelhead have been caught up past Brampton.

Marquette – Both the Upper and the Lower Harbors are producing fair to good catches of chinook salmon. Most of the fish are averaging 3 to 9 pounds. Those seeking coho reported slower catch rates. Lake trout have been caught when trolling along the shoreline. Boat anglers have caught whitefish in the Upper Harbor. Shore anglers have caught a few coho and splake.

Munising – Slow fishing continues. If anglers are willing to put in enough time, they might catch a few chinook, coho and splake while trolling. Lake trout fishing was fair. Steelhead can still be caught near the mouth of the rivers, but the peak of the run is over.

Sucker River – Steelhead are still being caught, but a good number of the fish have already spawned causing the catch rates to slow. Anglers reported seeing fewer fish in the river as the water levels continue to drop.