11-24-2007, 08:58 AM
Upper Peninsula:[/url]
Fishing this week around Lake Gogebic is slow, but for those anglers who make it out, fishing from the shoreline is producing a few walleye on sucker minnows.
Fishing activity this week is slow by Copper Harbor.
In Marquette, anglers fishing along the break wall are catching a few whitefish.
In the Escanaba area, the walleye action is good in the north end of Little Bay de Noc, when the weather allows anglers to get out. Anglers are finding success when trolling with crank baits after dark.
Fishing action is slow around Manistique but anglers are finding a few steelheads in the Manistique River.
By Sault Ste. Marie, anglers are catching large walleye in good numbers.
Munuscong Bay is producing some good walleye fishing, but musky fishing is slow.
In addition, fishing action this week is slow around Drummond Island and at St. Ignace.
Northwest:[/url]
Near Alanson, good perch fishing can be found using minnows as bait on Burt and Crooked Lakes.
Fishing action is slow this week around Boyne City due to hunting activity, but steelhead fishing is fair using spawn as bait along the Boyne River.
Out of the Frankfort area, anglers along the Betsie River found the steelhead fishing was slow this week, with fair perch fishing found on Crystal Lake using wrigglers as bait.
Walleye fishing is good on Intermediate Lake near Kalkaska with anglers using body baits, while the steelhead fishing is fair at Elk Rapids Dam.
By Gaylord, the steelhead fishing is fair on the Boyne and Jordan rivers. Anglers on Bradford and Otsego lakes are finding some fair walleye fishing with anglers using crank baits and crawler harnesses.
And in Cadillac, the steelhead fishing is fair on the Manistee River with waxworms and flies working well as bait.
West:[/url]
Anglers fishing off the piers on Lake Michigan near Ludington are reeling in a few steelhead, menominee and whitefish. Spawn is the preferred bait off the pier.
In the Muskegon area, the steelhead and salmon action is fair on the piers along Lake Michigan. The whitefish are starting to bite on spoons all day long in the Muskegon Channel. The walleye action ranges from fair to good on the north end of Muskegon Lake. Anglers are catching a few perch on the west end of the lake as well.
Near Baldwin, the steelhead fishing is fair when weather allows anglers to get out on the Little Pere Marquette River.
Finally, with so many people focused on the start of the firearm deer season, fishing activity on Chippewa Lake is slow.
Southwest:[/url]
Out of the Holland area, anglers on Lake Macatawa are reeling in a few bluegill and perch.
Waxworms are working well as bait for the gills and minnows for the perch. Off the pier on Lake Michigan, a few walleye are also being caught.
Around Benton Harbor, the steelhead and brown trout are starting to bite off the St. Joseph pier on Lake Michigan and along the St. Joe River. Anglers on the pier are also reeling in a few whitefish.
Fishing activity this week is slow by New Buffalo, but anglers are reporting catching a few pike and largemouth bass.
And around Kalamazoo, the largemouth bass fishing is good on Base Line and Gull lakes. Fishing activity ranges from good to very good for steelhead along the Kalamazoo River by the Allegan Dam.
Northeast:[/url]
In the Alpena area, the whitefish fishing is good on the Thunder Bay River by the Ninth Street Dam. Anglers are using spawn and waxworms as bait. Lake Margrethe near Grayling is producing good perch fishing even though fishing activity was slow. Around Oscoda, the steelhead fishing is very good on the Au Sable River. The perch action is very good on Van Etten Lake.
The crappie and whitefish fishing ranges from fair to very good on the “state dock” in Tawas City.
Fishing activity on Higgins Lake is slow, with most folks focused on the firearm deer season.
The pike and walleye fishing on Houghton Lake is good. The best fishing is found near the shoreline along the lake, with the best action between the evenings and overnight hours.
And areas around Au Gres, anglers are catching a few crappies in the cuts along Saginaw Bay with minnows and wax worms being used as bait.
East:[/url]
By Linwood, the perch fishing is fair on Saginaw Bay, when the weather allows anglers to get out.
A few perch are being caught on Saginaw Bay near Buoy 14 or Memorial Park in the Bay City area, although size has been the issue.
In the Bay Port area, the perch fishing is good at the bridge in Sebewaing with minnows working well as bait.
Fishing action is slow by Harbor Beach, with most folks now focused on the firearm deer season. Anglers in Lexington Harbor are catching a few perch.
And around Port Huron, the steelhead fishing is good off the shore. The fish are hitting on spoons and spawn bags. Anglers in St. Clair are finding nighttime walleye fishing is fair.
Central:[/url]
In the Lansing area, the small mouth bass, catfish, pike and walleye fishing is fair along the Grand River by Moores Park Dam with minnows and night crawlers working well as bait. West of Lansing, on the Grand River, steelhead is fair.
And fishing activity out of the Mount Pleasant and Jackson areas is slow, with most anglers focused on the firearm deer season.
Southeast:[/url]
The perch fishing ranges from fair to good in the Fair Haven area. Minnows are the preferred bait. The crappie fishing is fair to good in the cuts around Harsens Island.
Along the western shoreline of Lake St. Clair, the perch action is very good in areas between Selfridge Air National Guard Base and the Grosse Pointe Yacht Club.
On the northern end of the Detroit River, the walleye fishing is very good. Anglers are using jigs and hand-lining. The biggest problem for anglers is finding a launch site where the water is deep enough to get a boat in.
By Trenton, the perch and walleye fishing is fair on the Detroit River. Walleye anglers are hand-lining or using a jig tipped with a minnow In the Monroe area, fishing was slow this week with most anglers focused on firearm deer season.
In addition, at Belleville, the crappie fishing is good on Belleville Lake, near the bridges. Minnows are working well as bait.
[font "Arial, Helvetica"]Thursday, November 22, 2007 [/font] [font "Arial, Helvetica"]Recreational Fishing Report[/font]
[font "Arial, Helvetica"]![[Image: fish_reportmap2_23340_7.gif]](http://www.michigan.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]
Low water levels are the reason for the light steelhead runs this fall. If we get rain and it stays warm, we could still get a decent fall run. This is the time of year for good whitefish and walleye action especially for those that like pier fishing.
Southeast Lower Peninsula
Lake Erie - Walleye are being caught in Brest Bay when fishing off Sterling State Park. Most are using reef runners about 10 feet down in waters 16 feet deep.
Detroit River - Boat anglers are catching walleye in the Trenton Channel. Try handlining or jigging with large minnows. Perch have been caught just south of Celeron Island and east of Sugar Island near the Cross-Dyke.
Huron River - With water levels up about a foot, steelhead are being caught near the DNR launch site in Flat Rock. Anglers are using jigs with wax worms or spinners. Those fishing at Huroc Park are catching bluegills down from the dam. A few pike have been caught in the backwaters.
Lake St. Clair - Perch are being caught between Nine Mile and Twelve Mile Roads and off the Grosse Pointe Yacht Club. Try using jigs with wax worms in 12 to 16 feet of water.
St. Clair River - Those trolling with a crawler harness around the Middle Channel and up into the lower river have caught some walleye. Those handlining up near Port Huron have also caught some nice walleye.
Saginaw Bay - Perch were being caught off Linwood however anglers will need to sort out the small ones.
Southwest Lower Peninsula
St. Joseph - Pier anglers are taking whitefish and steelhead.
St. Joseph River - Few anglers have been out, but those putting in the time have caught some nice steelhead between the Berrien Springs Dam and the mouth.
Grand River at Grand Rapids - Steelhead are hitting on white spawn sacks with 3 to 4 eggs or a teardrop with a wax worm. Try fishing the slow deep holes in the early morning or up near the Sixth Street Dam. Walleye are being caught along the entire river including off the Fulton Street Bridge and the East Wall. Try minnows, a white grub tail with a red head, bucktail jigs or chartreuse floating rapalas. Those fishing Riverside Park have caught crappie and bluegills off the bottom.
Murray Lake - Some big muskie have been caught when slow trolling with large sucker minnows.
Grand River at Lansing - Anglers targeting the dams are catching fish. At Moore's Park, walleye are hitting on minnows and wax worms and the catfish are hitting on crawlers and small bluegills. Near Grand Ledge, smallmouth bass and walleye have been caught at Fitzgerald Park. The smallmouth bass were hitting on a blue lead-head jig with a crawler and not much weight. Look for pike above or below the dams and in the backwaters.
Looking Glass River - Is a good place for pike fishing as well. Try slow trolling with large sucker minnows, shiners, or the basic red and white daredevil.
Muskegon - Boats trolling in waters about 40 feet deep are taking salmon and steelhead. Pier anglers are doing fair. Those fishing off the wall along the channel have caught whitefish when using Swedish Pimples or Hopkins Spoons.
Muskegon Lake - Walleye have been caught in 8 to 12 feet of water along the weedbeds when fishing at night. Perch fishing has been good however anglers will need to sort out the small ones. Try using minnows, spikes or cut bait.
Northeast Lower Peninsula
Alpena - Whitefish are packed onto their spawning reefs in Thunder Bay. Grass Island, Partridge Point, and the reefs near the Cement Plant are especially productive. Good walleye fishing can also be had, especially at night.
Thunder Bay River - Whitefish and steelheads are being caught between the mouth and the Ninth Street Dam. Look for walleye as well.
Oscoda - Look for whitefish as this is the time of year when some if the best action can be found. Walleye action is usually fair to good when fishing off the pier at night. A few perch have also been caught.
Au Sable River - This is the peak period for whitefish and steelhead in the lower river. Try floating or drifting spawn. Whitefish usually prefer a single egg or wax worm on a small gold hook and walleye are usually hitting on rapalas.
Tawas - A good number of anglers are targeting whitefish from the East Tawas State Dock. Look for walleye fishing to improve with colder temperatures when fishing at night.
Houghton Lake - Walleye are hitting in the evening when fishing along the shoreline as the fish are moving into the shallows at night. Try minnows or floating rapalas.
Northwest Lower Peninsula
Traverse City - When boat anglers can get out, they are catching whitefish in waters 80 to 120 feet deep up near Elk Rapids and off Deepwater Point. In the West Bay, steelhead and lake trout have been caught near the mouth of the Boardman when using spawn. Anglers are reminded that lake trout season is closed.
Boardman River - Steelhead, lake trout and even a few brown trout have been caught in the deeper holes up near the dam.
Big Glen Lake - Perch anglers are catching fish along the east side of the lake when using minnows or worms.
Crystal Lake - Perch are being caught in waters 20 to 40 feet deep. Target the edge of the weedbeds when using minnows.
Betsie River - Catch rates have been slow, as rain is needed.
Manistee - Some of the better steelhead fishing has been off the pier or when surfcasting. Spawn is the better bait. Look for whitefish near the rocks or along the walls when using a single egg and a small hook.
Big Manistee River - Steelhead fishing is still the only thing going on for the most part, but low water levels have stalled the run. The rain and warmer temperatures could still produce a decent fall run, so don't give up yet.
Little Manistee River - Also has light numbers of steelhead in it.
Ludington - A few boats are still going out when the weather permits. Pier anglers and those surfcasting have caught fish, as the better fishing seems to be right in front of the mouth.
Pere Marquette River - Has a few steelhead in it, but low water levels are still hampering fishing efforts.
Upper Peninsula
Marquette - Whitefish have been caught off the breakwall.
Little Bay De Noc - Water temperatures are dropping with the average this week 40 to 42 degrees. The few walleye anglers going out have been fishing the head of the Bay during the evening hours. Fair to good catches were reported by those trolling crankbaits in 13 to 22 feet of water. Day anglers trolling the Narrows are marking lots of fish in waters 24 to 35 feet deep, but catch rates were slow. Perch anglers are jigging minnows off the northeast side of Butler Island. The Bay still has some great fishing opportunities so don't miss out!
St. Marys River - A good number of large walleye have been caught between Munuscong Bay and Sault Ste. Marie. A few fish were also caught in Mosquito Bay which is north of Sault Ste. Marie. Try using stickbaits instead of crawler harnesses.
Fishing this week around Lake Gogebic is slow, but for those anglers who make it out, fishing from the shoreline is producing a few walleye on sucker minnows.
Fishing activity this week is slow by Copper Harbor.
In Marquette, anglers fishing along the break wall are catching a few whitefish.
In the Escanaba area, the walleye action is good in the north end of Little Bay de Noc, when the weather allows anglers to get out. Anglers are finding success when trolling with crank baits after dark.
Fishing action is slow around Manistique but anglers are finding a few steelheads in the Manistique River.
By Sault Ste. Marie, anglers are catching large walleye in good numbers.
Munuscong Bay is producing some good walleye fishing, but musky fishing is slow.
In addition, fishing action this week is slow around Drummond Island and at St. Ignace.
Northwest:[/url]
Near Alanson, good perch fishing can be found using minnows as bait on Burt and Crooked Lakes.
Fishing action is slow this week around Boyne City due to hunting activity, but steelhead fishing is fair using spawn as bait along the Boyne River.
Out of the Frankfort area, anglers along the Betsie River found the steelhead fishing was slow this week, with fair perch fishing found on Crystal Lake using wrigglers as bait.
Walleye fishing is good on Intermediate Lake near Kalkaska with anglers using body baits, while the steelhead fishing is fair at Elk Rapids Dam.
By Gaylord, the steelhead fishing is fair on the Boyne and Jordan rivers. Anglers on Bradford and Otsego lakes are finding some fair walleye fishing with anglers using crank baits and crawler harnesses.
And in Cadillac, the steelhead fishing is fair on the Manistee River with waxworms and flies working well as bait.
West:[/url]
Anglers fishing off the piers on Lake Michigan near Ludington are reeling in a few steelhead, menominee and whitefish. Spawn is the preferred bait off the pier.
In the Muskegon area, the steelhead and salmon action is fair on the piers along Lake Michigan. The whitefish are starting to bite on spoons all day long in the Muskegon Channel. The walleye action ranges from fair to good on the north end of Muskegon Lake. Anglers are catching a few perch on the west end of the lake as well.
Near Baldwin, the steelhead fishing is fair when weather allows anglers to get out on the Little Pere Marquette River.
Finally, with so many people focused on the start of the firearm deer season, fishing activity on Chippewa Lake is slow.
Southwest:[/url]
Out of the Holland area, anglers on Lake Macatawa are reeling in a few bluegill and perch.
Waxworms are working well as bait for the gills and minnows for the perch. Off the pier on Lake Michigan, a few walleye are also being caught.
Around Benton Harbor, the steelhead and brown trout are starting to bite off the St. Joseph pier on Lake Michigan and along the St. Joe River. Anglers on the pier are also reeling in a few whitefish.
Fishing activity this week is slow by New Buffalo, but anglers are reporting catching a few pike and largemouth bass.
And around Kalamazoo, the largemouth bass fishing is good on Base Line and Gull lakes. Fishing activity ranges from good to very good for steelhead along the Kalamazoo River by the Allegan Dam.
Northeast:[/url]
In the Alpena area, the whitefish fishing is good on the Thunder Bay River by the Ninth Street Dam. Anglers are using spawn and waxworms as bait. Lake Margrethe near Grayling is producing good perch fishing even though fishing activity was slow. Around Oscoda, the steelhead fishing is very good on the Au Sable River. The perch action is very good on Van Etten Lake.
The crappie and whitefish fishing ranges from fair to very good on the “state dock” in Tawas City.
Fishing activity on Higgins Lake is slow, with most folks focused on the firearm deer season.
The pike and walleye fishing on Houghton Lake is good. The best fishing is found near the shoreline along the lake, with the best action between the evenings and overnight hours.
And areas around Au Gres, anglers are catching a few crappies in the cuts along Saginaw Bay with minnows and wax worms being used as bait.
East:[/url]
By Linwood, the perch fishing is fair on Saginaw Bay, when the weather allows anglers to get out.
A few perch are being caught on Saginaw Bay near Buoy 14 or Memorial Park in the Bay City area, although size has been the issue.
In the Bay Port area, the perch fishing is good at the bridge in Sebewaing with minnows working well as bait.
Fishing action is slow by Harbor Beach, with most folks now focused on the firearm deer season. Anglers in Lexington Harbor are catching a few perch.
And around Port Huron, the steelhead fishing is good off the shore. The fish are hitting on spoons and spawn bags. Anglers in St. Clair are finding nighttime walleye fishing is fair.
Central:[/url]
In the Lansing area, the small mouth bass, catfish, pike and walleye fishing is fair along the Grand River by Moores Park Dam with minnows and night crawlers working well as bait. West of Lansing, on the Grand River, steelhead is fair.
And fishing activity out of the Mount Pleasant and Jackson areas is slow, with most anglers focused on the firearm deer season.
Southeast:[/url]
The perch fishing ranges from fair to good in the Fair Haven area. Minnows are the preferred bait. The crappie fishing is fair to good in the cuts around Harsens Island.
Along the western shoreline of Lake St. Clair, the perch action is very good in areas between Selfridge Air National Guard Base and the Grosse Pointe Yacht Club.
On the northern end of the Detroit River, the walleye fishing is very good. Anglers are using jigs and hand-lining. The biggest problem for anglers is finding a launch site where the water is deep enough to get a boat in.
By Trenton, the perch and walleye fishing is fair on the Detroit River. Walleye anglers are hand-lining or using a jig tipped with a minnow In the Monroe area, fishing was slow this week with most anglers focused on firearm deer season.
In addition, at Belleville, the crappie fishing is good on Belleville Lake, near the bridges. Minnows are working well as bait.
[font "Arial, Helvetica"]Thursday, November 22, 2007 [/font] [font "Arial, Helvetica"]Recreational Fishing Report[/font]
[font "Arial, Helvetica"]
[/font] [url "http://www.coastwatch.msu.edu/"][font "Arial, Helvetica"][#000000]Great Lakes temperature map[/#000000][/font][/url]
Low water levels are the reason for the light steelhead runs this fall. If we get rain and it stays warm, we could still get a decent fall run. This is the time of year for good whitefish and walleye action especially for those that like pier fishing.
Southeast Lower Peninsula
Lake Erie - Walleye are being caught in Brest Bay when fishing off Sterling State Park. Most are using reef runners about 10 feet down in waters 16 feet deep.
Detroit River - Boat anglers are catching walleye in the Trenton Channel. Try handlining or jigging with large minnows. Perch have been caught just south of Celeron Island and east of Sugar Island near the Cross-Dyke.
Huron River - With water levels up about a foot, steelhead are being caught near the DNR launch site in Flat Rock. Anglers are using jigs with wax worms or spinners. Those fishing at Huroc Park are catching bluegills down from the dam. A few pike have been caught in the backwaters.
Lake St. Clair - Perch are being caught between Nine Mile and Twelve Mile Roads and off the Grosse Pointe Yacht Club. Try using jigs with wax worms in 12 to 16 feet of water.
St. Clair River - Those trolling with a crawler harness around the Middle Channel and up into the lower river have caught some walleye. Those handlining up near Port Huron have also caught some nice walleye.
Saginaw Bay - Perch were being caught off Linwood however anglers will need to sort out the small ones.
Southwest Lower Peninsula
St. Joseph - Pier anglers are taking whitefish and steelhead.
St. Joseph River - Few anglers have been out, but those putting in the time have caught some nice steelhead between the Berrien Springs Dam and the mouth.
Grand River at Grand Rapids - Steelhead are hitting on white spawn sacks with 3 to 4 eggs or a teardrop with a wax worm. Try fishing the slow deep holes in the early morning or up near the Sixth Street Dam. Walleye are being caught along the entire river including off the Fulton Street Bridge and the East Wall. Try minnows, a white grub tail with a red head, bucktail jigs or chartreuse floating rapalas. Those fishing Riverside Park have caught crappie and bluegills off the bottom.
Murray Lake - Some big muskie have been caught when slow trolling with large sucker minnows.
Grand River at Lansing - Anglers targeting the dams are catching fish. At Moore's Park, walleye are hitting on minnows and wax worms and the catfish are hitting on crawlers and small bluegills. Near Grand Ledge, smallmouth bass and walleye have been caught at Fitzgerald Park. The smallmouth bass were hitting on a blue lead-head jig with a crawler and not much weight. Look for pike above or below the dams and in the backwaters.
Looking Glass River - Is a good place for pike fishing as well. Try slow trolling with large sucker minnows, shiners, or the basic red and white daredevil.
Muskegon - Boats trolling in waters about 40 feet deep are taking salmon and steelhead. Pier anglers are doing fair. Those fishing off the wall along the channel have caught whitefish when using Swedish Pimples or Hopkins Spoons.
Muskegon Lake - Walleye have been caught in 8 to 12 feet of water along the weedbeds when fishing at night. Perch fishing has been good however anglers will need to sort out the small ones. Try using minnows, spikes or cut bait.
Northeast Lower Peninsula
Alpena - Whitefish are packed onto their spawning reefs in Thunder Bay. Grass Island, Partridge Point, and the reefs near the Cement Plant are especially productive. Good walleye fishing can also be had, especially at night.
Thunder Bay River - Whitefish and steelheads are being caught between the mouth and the Ninth Street Dam. Look for walleye as well.
Oscoda - Look for whitefish as this is the time of year when some if the best action can be found. Walleye action is usually fair to good when fishing off the pier at night. A few perch have also been caught.
Au Sable River - This is the peak period for whitefish and steelhead in the lower river. Try floating or drifting spawn. Whitefish usually prefer a single egg or wax worm on a small gold hook and walleye are usually hitting on rapalas.
Tawas - A good number of anglers are targeting whitefish from the East Tawas State Dock. Look for walleye fishing to improve with colder temperatures when fishing at night.
Houghton Lake - Walleye are hitting in the evening when fishing along the shoreline as the fish are moving into the shallows at night. Try minnows or floating rapalas.
Northwest Lower Peninsula
Traverse City - When boat anglers can get out, they are catching whitefish in waters 80 to 120 feet deep up near Elk Rapids and off Deepwater Point. In the West Bay, steelhead and lake trout have been caught near the mouth of the Boardman when using spawn. Anglers are reminded that lake trout season is closed.
Boardman River - Steelhead, lake trout and even a few brown trout have been caught in the deeper holes up near the dam.
Big Glen Lake - Perch anglers are catching fish along the east side of the lake when using minnows or worms.
Crystal Lake - Perch are being caught in waters 20 to 40 feet deep. Target the edge of the weedbeds when using minnows.
Betsie River - Catch rates have been slow, as rain is needed.
Manistee - Some of the better steelhead fishing has been off the pier or when surfcasting. Spawn is the better bait. Look for whitefish near the rocks or along the walls when using a single egg and a small hook.
Big Manistee River - Steelhead fishing is still the only thing going on for the most part, but low water levels have stalled the run. The rain and warmer temperatures could still produce a decent fall run, so don't give up yet.
Little Manistee River - Also has light numbers of steelhead in it.
Ludington - A few boats are still going out when the weather permits. Pier anglers and those surfcasting have caught fish, as the better fishing seems to be right in front of the mouth.
Pere Marquette River - Has a few steelhead in it, but low water levels are still hampering fishing efforts.
Upper Peninsula
Marquette - Whitefish have been caught off the breakwall.
Little Bay De Noc - Water temperatures are dropping with the average this week 40 to 42 degrees. The few walleye anglers going out have been fishing the head of the Bay during the evening hours. Fair to good catches were reported by those trolling crankbaits in 13 to 22 feet of water. Day anglers trolling the Narrows are marking lots of fish in waters 24 to 35 feet deep, but catch rates were slow. Perch anglers are jigging minnows off the northeast side of Butler Island. The Bay still has some great fishing opportunities so don't miss out!
St. Marys River - A good number of large walleye have been caught between Munuscong Bay and Sault Ste. Marie. A few fish were also caught in Mosquito Bay which is north of Sault Ste. Marie. Try using stickbaits instead of crawler harnesses.