Thursday, February 15, 2007
Recreational Fishing Report
 

This coming weekend is Michigan's annual Winter Free Fishing Weekend. For two days only, Saturday February 17th and Sunday February 18th, all fishing license fees will be waived. Both residents and visitors are invited to discover a new winter adventure that can be fun for the entire family. Experienced anglers are encouraged to teach someone new the sport of ice fishing. With a few simple safety tips such as dress warm, use the buddy system, wear a life jacket, take a cell phone and always test the ice ahead of you, both experienced and new anglers can start a new winter tradition. Free Fishing Weekend will again coincide with the Winter Go-Get Outdoors Program. For a list of activities planned in many of the State Parks and Recreation areas as well as local communities, visit the DNR web site at www.michigan.gov/dnr. Click on "Fishing" and "Free Fishing Weekend."
 

Lake Erie - Walleye fishing has been very good in Brest Bay when jigging rapalas or Swedish Pimples in 15 to 20 feet of water. Perch have been caught off Luna Pier, Bolles Harbor, on the north end of the Banana Dike, and in the marinas. Wax worms and minnows worked best.

Detroit River - Most of the river is not fishable due to ice jams. The only action has been at the southern end of Grosse Ile where northern pike spearing has been good in Gibraltar Bay, which is also known as Airport Bay. Some 40 inch fish were taken.

Lake St. Clair - Yellow perch fishing has been good. Areas to fish have been Metro Beach, Brandenburg Park, the public access site at Fairhaven, and the access site near Selfridge. Most of the fish are in the 7 to 9 inch range, but a few bigger ones show up occasionally. The better fishing has been in the early morning or late afternoon when using jigs with spikes or wigglers.

Saginaw Bay - Perch fishing has been slow off Palmer Road and Pine River Road, but several nice pike were speared or taken on tip-ups. Not much going on at Linwood or Pinconning. The best walleye action seems to be concentrated north of the Black Hole in 17 to 20 feet of water. Many are using the end of Erickson Road for access. Decent numbers of perch are being taken near the range light at the mouth of the Saginaw River and near Spoils Island using perch rigs and minnows. On the east side, those fishing off Thomas Road and the Tietz Drain have caught walleye. Some are fishing in 11 to 15 feet of water while others are going out up to 8 miles and fishing in waters up to 23 feet deep. Pike spearing at Sebewaing remains good, though perch fishing is slow. Many are concentrated just south of Sand Point near Mud Creek. Success has been spotty with some getting their limits, but most are only taking a few fish. Try staying away from the crowd, and remember to move often to locate an active school of fish.

Saginaw River - Has seen lots of angler activity as people now have access to walleye fishing with just a short walk. A good number of sub-legal fish are being caught right along with some nice large ones. The better spots have been near the Zilwaukee Bridge, the beanery at Carrolton, the train bridge down by the Liberty Bridge in Bay City, Smith Park, the Cement Plant at Essexville, the Coast Guard Station, and down near the mouth of the river. Jigging rapalas in blue & silver or fire tiger, jigs or jigging spoons tipped with minnows are taking fish.

The inland lakes in this region are pretty much frozen so there should be plenty of angling opportunities. Ice thickness ranges from 3 to 12 inches depending on the size of the lake.
 

St. Joseph River - Most of the river is iced up. The only open water available is right at the dam in Berrien Springs and downstream about half a mile. Boat anglers are catching steelhead when back trolling with Hot-n-Tots or using spawn. Shore anglers are also catching steelhead. Walleye are hitting on jigs with minnows.

Gull Lake - Is reporting 4 to 7 inches of ice and the smelt fishing has been good. Anglers have done well using teardrops with wax worms or mousies.

Lake Macatawa - Perch fishing has started to pick up. The popular spots to fish are off the public access site in Big Bay and off Kollen's Park. Those looking for pike should try using tip-ups with sucker minnows in 5 to 10 feet of water just south of the access site in Big Bay.

Grand River at Grand Rapids - Look for steelhead in the deep holes up near the Sixth Street Dam. Walleye have been caught all along the river.

Cranberry Lake - In Ottawa County has good crappie fishing in 15 feet of water.

Reeds Lake - Some 8 to 10 inch bluegills have been caught on the north end of the lake near the sunken island and just northwest of that near the sunken ferry boat. Good crappie fishing was reported near the Fire House and just off the point in 25 to 30 feet of water. The good fishing starts about 5pm when using underwater lights. Drill one hole for the light and another right next to it and starting jigging.

Murray Lake - Near Cannonsburg, anglers are taking musky through the ice when using shiner minnows with their tails cut off. The secret is to cover the hole and keep it dark as bright light will keep the fish away.

Lime Lake - Near Cedar Springs, has rainbow trout hitting on wax worms.

Grand River at Lansing - Nothing to report on the main river but anglers may want to check the shallow backwaters for bluegill and pike.

Jackson Area - Fishing for panfish seems to have picked up since last week. Glow jigs and wax worms seemed to work the best.

Muskegon Lake - Is reporting 5 to 8 inches of ice, but anglers are warned to stay away from the channel leading to Lake Michigan, as the ice is not safe. Perch have been caught south of the channel near the Sand Docks, but sorting will be necessary as many of the fish are running small. Try minnows, wigglers and spikes for bait. Pike fishing has been good during the day while the walleye are hitting in the early morning or evening. Fish the east side of the lake near Heritage Landing.

White Lake - Anglers are catching perch. Many of the fish are running small, but some are catching the occasional keeper.
 

Mullett Lake - Is reporting fair to good perch fishing. Try teardrops with minnows or wigglers in 10 to 20 feet of water off Aloha State Park. Walleye anglers may want to try jigging a Swedish Pimple tipped with a minnow off any of the points including Needle Point, Dodge Point, Round Point and Red Pine Point. Look for suspended fish in 20 to 40 feet of water.

Thunder Bay River - Those fishing the mouth of the river have caught some whitefish and a few trout.

Hubbard Lake - More ice shanties are starting to show up on the lake as anglers are reporting about 8 to 10 inches of ice. A few walleye were caught when jigging minnows in 35 feet of water on both the north and the south end of the lake. Perch action has been practically non-existent.

Van Etten Lake - Has fair to good perch fishing. Try 10 to 15 feet of water off the YMCA Camp. Look for crappie on the west end of the lake.

Tawas - Walleye have been caught in waters up to 25 feet deep and the northern pike spearing has started to pick up. Early morning and late evening were best for both species. Perch fishing has also picked up a bit, with anglers marking and catching fish in 15 to 25 feet of water. Those fishing inside the State Docks have caught menominee and brown trout.

Au Gres - Walleye anglers are finally getting out to where the fish are and some big fish have been taken in 30 feet of water off the hotel.

Au Gres River - Some nice pike are being speared in the bayou just south of the breakwall.

Higgins Lake - Smelt have been taken on small hooks with wax worms or spikes on both the north and west sides of the lake. Anglers are catching lake trout when fishing minnows near the bottom in 80 to 110 feet of water. Whitefish are hitting on Swedish Pimples and slip rigs tipped with wax worms or wigglers. For rainbow trout, try wigglers in shallow water near the Conference Center. Perch can be found on the north, west and south ends of the lake.

Houghton Lake - Walleye fishing has been fair. Pike have been taken on tip-ups with sucker minnows. Some crappies were caught along the north shore. Bluegill action should pick back up with warmer temperatures.
 

Lake Charlevoix - Fishing has started to pickup and areas seeing the heaviest pressure are Boyne City and East Jordan. Ice conditions around the lake vary with the thickness from Young State Park to Boyne City 3 to 5 inches near the shoreline. Anglers at the Hemmingway Point are reporting 3 inches of ice with about 5 inches of slush on top. Most anglers are staying close to shore and fishing, as the deeper sections of the lake are not safe. Those targeting walleye near Young State Park and East Jordan reported no success. Many have been fishing for yellow perch in 25 to 50 feet of water using perch minnows, wigglers and Swedish Pimples. The popular fishing spots have been Young State Park, Tannery Park, and Lakeshore Drive.

Traverse City - Strong winds continue to keep the bays open, and shoreline ice is preventing boat access.

Big Glen Lake - Some perch and cisco have been caught. Look for bluegills on the south end of the lake. Try teardrops or Swedish Pimples with wax worms or wigglers.

Crystal Lake - In Benzie County, perch fishing has been hit-or-miss. Anglers are starting to catch lake trout when jigging Swedish Pimples or using tip-ups with minnows. Use caution out near the middle.

Portage Lake - Near Onekama, has given up some decent perch and crappie.

Manistee Lake - Anglers are taking steelhead through the ice in front of the Paper Mill when jigging or using tip-ups. Pay close attention to ice conditions in this area as this is where the Little Manistee River flows into the lake. Some perch have also been caught.

Manistee River - Steelhead fishing is likely decent below Tippy Dam.

Lake Cadillac - Good fishing continues off M-115 with lots of perch taken in 6 to 12 feet of water. Minnows seem to be working best but wax worms and wigglers have also caught fish. Those fishing further out have caught some large crappie but it may be necessary to keep moving around to locate schools of fish. Fishing is still good along the east side of the lake. Look for structure in about 18 feet of water.

Lake Mitchell - Fishing continues to improve. Anglers are catching a lot of pike on the west side of the lake near the Boy Scout Camp and in the small cove on the north end of the lake. Some are jigging chrome Swedish Pimples with a minnow while others are using tip-ups with golden shiners or sucker minnows. Fish have been caught in 3 to 8 feet of water just off the weed beds. Crappies have also been caught in the same area.

Lake Missaukee - Has been fair for panfish, but no where near as good as last year. Use small hooks such as teardrops with wax worms for bluegills. Minnows work well for perch and crappie.

Pentwater Lake - Anglers are fishing for walleye, crappie, perch and pike. Most are using tip-ups on the east side of the lake.
 

Keweenaw Bay - Anglers are reporting about 10 inches of ice on the head of the Bay and about 6 inches of ice off Lighthouse Point in Baraga. Fishing has been excellent for salmon, whitefish, lake trout and herring. Anglers are starting to venture out onto the lake trout reefs located on the inner bay where some nice catches were reported in 120 to 180 feet of water. Those targeting salmon and herring have done well in the early morning hours when jigging Swedish Pimples tipped with wax worms or small rapalas with minnows about 8 to 15 feet down in 50 to 80 feet of water. Excellent whitefish action was reported off the Baraga Dock and Sand Point when using Swedish Pimples with spawn in 70 to 85 feet of water.

Lake Independence - Has good yellow perch fishing. Try 10 to 15 feet of water off the access site on the west end of the lake. Look for northern pike in 5 to 10 feet of water on the east side of the lake just north of the Yellow Dog River.

Fortune Chain of Lakes - In Iron County, reported good bluegill and walleye fishing.

Little Bay De Noc - Ice conditions from Gladstone north to the head of the Bay have improved with 10 to 18 inches of ice reported. The southern parts of the Bay are reporting 5 to 10 inches. Those fishing around Portage Point need to use caution. The ice near Escanaba should be considered dangerous due to the shipping traffic. Walleye have been caught off Portage Point when jigging raps with minnows 30 to 45 feet down right on the break. At Gladstone, anglers have done well just south of the narrows in 23 to 30 feet of water. There is good fishing on the Second Reef when jigging or using tip-ups with large sucker minnows in 30 feet of water. Perch have been caught around Butler Island. Those fishing shallow waters reported lots of small fish which can provide a great fishing opportunity for young anglers. Jumbo perch can be found in 23 to 30 feet of water. Crappies were taken in 10 to 12 feet of water in the Escanaba Yacht Harbor. Good whitefish action off Sand Point when using spawn or minnows in 70 to 85 feet of water. Several large northern pike were taken on tip-ups just south of the Day's River in 16 feet of water.

Munuscong Bay - A few nice walleye have been caught in shallow waters about 3 feet deep and near the mouth of the river. Fowler Bay and Raber Bay are producing some perch.