Ice is building in the southern sections of the Lower Peninsula but most of the lakes are still not safe. Ice fishing continues around the rest of the state. Those traveling on the ice should be sure to fish with a buddy, take an ice spud to test the ice ahead of you, wear a personal flotation device, take a cell phone and be sure to tell someone where you are going and when you plan to return.
 

Lake Erie - Ice is forming however most of it is not safe at this time. A few anglers were starting to go out around the Banana Dike and off the Metro Park Marina.

Huron River - Steelhead were hitting on spawn or wax worms on a small jig.

Detroit River - Up near the River Rouge, those fishing off the breakwall near Belanger Park were still taking some nice perch when using perch rigs with minnows.

Lake St. Clair - Ice is re-forming on the lake and in the canals. Anglers are encouraged to be very careful when venturing out on new ice.

Saginaw Bay - New ice is forming at most locations around the Bay however it is not quite thick enough to hold anglers yet. Ice fishing should start up again within a few days especially on the ice close to shore.

Saginaw River - There is no activity and no safe ice to report.

Tittabawassee River - There is no activity and no safe ice to report.

Grand River at Grand Rapids - There is a good amount of ice coming down the river. Anglers might want to avoid the river until the water above the dam freezes.

Grand River at Lansing - There is an ice jam that has formed between the Webber Dam and the Portland Dam. A few anglers were jigging for walleye over at Moore's Park, but no reports have come in.

Reeds Lake - Has ice, but it is not safe ice.

Cranberry Lake - Has ice which is questionable due to snow cover. Extreme caution needs to be used.

Muskegon Lake - Has thin ice cover and open water where a barge went through. A couple anglers were trying to fish the shallow waters in Snug Harbor however the ice was not solid. Conditions are not safe at this time.

Muskegon River - Steelhead action was good in the upper river until the state was hit with the artic blast. Look for catch rates to improve if it warms up.

Grand Lake - Ice conditions have improved and those fishing on the north end of the lake have caught some nice perch.

Long Lake - Has ice fishing. Walleye and perch are hitting on minnows. Pike have been caught on tip-ups.

Van Etten Lake - Continues to host good pike and perch fishing but the walleye fishing was a bit on the slow side.

Tawas Bay - Anglers were taking a few walleye at mid-week. Early morning or late night fishing is best.

Lake Margrethe - Is still sporting fair to good walleye fishing. Try tip-ups for pike in waters 15 to 25 feet deep in the South Bay or the West Bay.

Higgins Lake - Has ice fishing. Some nice 10 to 12 inch perch have been caught off Big Creek and along the south end of the lake. Most are fishing right off the bottom in 40 to 45 feet of water.

Houghton Lake - Once again has shoreline ice thanks to the very cold weather. Walleye were still being caught in the East Bay, Middle Grounds, and along the north shore. Pike are hitting everywhere but for reasons unknown, the bluegills are not.

Skegemog Lake - Anglers are perch fishing.

Traverse City - No fishing to report in either Bay as it has been too cold and windy.

Long Lake - Has ice, but the thickness is questionable. A few walleye were caught in shallow waters only when using jigs with minnows or rapalas.

Green Lake - Still has open water.

Manistee River - Steelhead fishing was good before the deep freeze.

Lake Missaukee - Is still giving up decent numbers of panfish.

Lake Cadillac - Ice fishing is still going strong in the Cadillac area with good numbers of pike and panfish being taken.

Lake Mitchell - Has good ice fishing for pike and panfish.

Upper Hamlin Lake - Has ice and good panfish action. The better catches have come off Wilson Hill Park and out in front of Barnhart's.

Pere Marquette Lake - Has iced over, but ice conditions are not safe as of this report. A barge was scheduled to travel across the lake on Wednesday, so be sure to stay away from any open waters. Anyone going out should stay in the shallow waters only.

Pere Marquette River - Steelhead fishing did slow with the cold front. Look for catch rates to pick up once the weather starts to warm.

Little Bay De Noc - Ice conditions are improving but the north end of the bay still has the best ice. The waters off Escanaba have frozen over but this is new ice which is always dangerous ice. Travel on most of the ice is good but drifting snow has caused some problems for those on quads. Severe cold over the last week has limited angler participation. A few walleye were taken off Hunters Point when jigging 3 inch minnows in 14 feet of water. The better catches came in shallow waters 6 to 14 feet deep in the early morning. Perch action off Butler Island has been good but the fish were small. Several nice perch were caught in front of the Terrace Bay Inn when using spikes in 25 feet of water. Good northern pike action straight out from Bach's Cabins when using large minnows. Several were keepers but many were undersize.