By The Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Southeast Lower Peninsula
Tittabawassee River: The river has started to open at Caldwell Boat Launch with a large amount of ice at Gordonville Bridge, and at Center Road Bridge. There was still a large amount of shore ice and the ramps remained unusable.
Eastern Saginaw Bay: Along the east side of the bay from Sebewaing to Caseville, fishing activity was lower this past week due to the recent warm weather and rain. Anglers reported areas of thin or soft ice and open spots, so use caution. Fishing for yellow perch remained very hit or miss around the Sebewaing area. Anglers who had success bringing in better numbers of perch fished all day. A few northern pike were also caught. Fishing around Wildfowl Bay was slow this past week for those targeting pike and yellow perch.
Lower Saginaw Bay: Walleye anglers went out of Pinconning to the Black Hole, fishing in 20 feet of water. They also fished Saganing Bar in 13 feet of water. The Sparkplug produced a few walleye in 23 feet of water. Thomas Road anglers went out to the Slot in 17 to 20 feet of water and caught a few walleye. Ice conditions were still good however, the shore ice was reported to be getting soft and punky. The cracks were also getting soft and were very active.
Saginaw River: The Saginaw River started to open from the confluence downstream through Saginaw and past Zilwaukee to areas below the Zilwaukee Bridge. There was still a lot of ice that needed to clear, and boat ramps remained unusable.
Through Bay City, the river was still ice-covered, and a few anglers were seen on the ice this week at the mouth of the river. They reported no success, strong current, poor water clarity, and deteriorating ice conditions. It was hoped that some of the ice would clear out soon and that anglers would be able to use the boat ramps.
Southwest Lower Peninsula
No reports.
Northeast Lower Peninsula
Tawas/Au Gres: Anglers reported marking more walleye this past week than they had in the weeks prior, although it was difficult to get them to bite. Yellow perch were caught in decent numbers, but anglers had to do a lot of sorting through the smaller ones.
Anglers in the Au Gres area caught walleye and lake trout here and there. It was also reported that there were quite a few soft spots on the ice, so caution was advised for those going out. In the Standish area, yellow perch fishing was overall slow. Anglers managed to come in with a handful of keepers. Those who ventured out farther for walleye reported hit-or-miss fishing, along with bad ice conditions.
Northwest Lower Peninsula
No reports.
Upper Peninsula
Little Bay de Noc: Yellow perch fishing in the head of the bay was fair, with anglers catching some large fish; however, reports generally indicated low numbers. Anglers used live bait on jigs or small spoons baited with minnow heads.
Walleye anglers reported slow fishing, with most noting short bite windows and low bite numbers. The best fishing was reported prior to incoming weather fronts and during overcast conditions. Anglers also reported sightings of baitfish in areas near Escanaba and in the outer bay, leading some to attribute their presence to the reluctant bite. Ice conditions held up well despite the mild temperatures.
Les Cheneaux Islands: No report.
Munising: Anglers reported a steady coho salmon bite this past week along with large schools of smelt and cisco throughout the bay. Anglers targeting perch did well. A few splake were caught but were undersized. Anglers targeting whitefish reported a slow bite, with a few finding success. Anglers also reported catching a few burbot. Baits that found success were wax worms, wigglers, and minnows.
