By The Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Southeast Lower Peninsula
Tittabawassee River: The river is now closed to walleye harvest until April 25.
Eastern Saginaw Bay: The river and cuts along the east side of the bay were slightly high and muddy. A few anglers targeted yellow perch with not much to show for their efforts.
Lower Saginaw Bay: No report.
Saginaw River: Due to significant rain and snowfall, the Saginaw River is running fast and dirty.
Lake Huron: The ice had disappeared from the harbors and the St. Clair River. A small amount of fishing activity had begun along the boardwalk from the Blue Water Bridge to Pine Grove Park the past weekend, with a couple of coho salmon and steelhead caught with artificial lures. A few boats launched from the Marysville access site and fished the Canadian side near the Blue Water Bridge, catching walleye and a couple of coho salmon while jigging with natural bait.
Southwest Lower Peninsula
South Haven: The weather conditions were very poor. High wave and wind conditions kept all boats off the lake. Pier fishing was also challenging, The piers were closed for all access most of the week. Anglers reported a couple of steelhead and a coho salmon or two caught. Those fish were caught by anglers using spawn.
St. Joeseph: The weather was very poor. High wave conditions kept all boats off the lake. Anglers reported catching good numbers of coho salmon on spawn. A few brown trout, steelhead and occasional whitefish was also caught.
St. Joseph River: The river was very dirty and water levels were very high. The conditions kept fishing pressure low and made catching fish challenging.
Muskegon: When the weather allowed, pier anglers found steelhead and brown trout action to be slow. A few were caught using fresh spawn. Snug Harbor boat launch has one dock in the water.
Grand Haven: Poor weather conditions prevented most anglers from getting out. A few pier anglers made it out and found the action to be slow. A few steelhead were caught using spawn. Water clarity near the piers was poor due to the recent rains. Harbor Island boat launch has one dock in the water.
Black River: The river was very dirty with all the recent snow and rain. Fishing pressure was very low.
Northeast Lower Peninsula
Tawas/Au Gres: A few boat anglers were able to get out and picked up a handful of walleye and a couple lake trout heading south. Anglers tried the pier in the evenings, but it was slow overall. There was not much angler effort between Au Gres and Standish.
Oscoda/Au Sable: Anglers fishing the pier experienced slow fishing this week. A couple coho were caught casting gold and orange spoons. Those fishing the river are found a few steelhead along with a few Atlantic salmon. Anglers bottom bounced spawn in deeper runs and fished dime sizes spawn bags or 8mm-10mm beads under a float. Atlantic salmon were caught on spawn bags. However, hair jigs seemed to produce a few more bites this week.
Thunder Bay River: With the recent runoff, the river flowed high and fast. Fishing was reported as slow, with only a few steelhead, Atlantic salmon, and occasional coho salmon being caught. Some success was found near the 9th Street Dam while drifting jigs with wax worms and beads. Several Atlantic salmon were caught below the 9th Street Bridge while drifting jigs and casting smaller spoons. Orange and gold were the most productive colors throughout the day.
Alpena: No fishing activity was observed. The river launch was snowed in, preventing boats from launching.
Northwest Lower Peninsula
Manistee: Pier anglers reported hit or miss fishing. Steelhead and a few brown trout were caught while using spawn from the Lake Michigan side of the piers. Ice remained so anglers were advised to use caution. No boat activity to report.
Ludington: Poor weather conditions limited most fishing activity. The docks at Loomis St. were not in, but the ramp had open water.
Frankfort/Lake Michigan: Warmer weather and rain cleared the bay and break walls of ice. The boat launch was cleared but the docks are not in place yet. Pier anglers reported steelhead and brown trout hitting on spawn off the north pier when the weather permitted.
Upper Peninsula
Little Bay de Noc: Anglers reported fair walleye fishing during the week of the walleye season close. Anglers used set lines with treble hooks or small spoons baited with live minnows. They also jigged gliding baits and spoons. Anglers reported fair to slow perch fishing. Weather conditions included heavy snowfall, which made travel on the ice difficult.
Les Cheneaux Islands: Last week, anglers caught a few perch and cisco in Hessel Bay and perch in Urie Bay. With the weather, recent fishing was nearly impossible, and anglers had to dig out their snowmobiles and shanties before even considering heading back onto the ice.
Munising: The coho salmon bite was good for anglers this past week. Anglers targeting perch reported good numbers. The whitefish bite was tough but was picking up for some anglers. Burbot and smelt were also reported by anglers pursuing them at night. Popular baits included eggs and minnows.
