Southeast Lower Peninsula
Lake Erie - Boat anglers have caught some walleye. A few perch are still being caught straight out from the Metro Park Marina. The trick is to locate schools of fish.
Huron River - Steelhead are being caught on a jig and wax worm from the dam on down. Those fishing off the Telegraph Bridge have caught steelhead on crankbaits. Bluegill fishing continues to be good along the entire river when using wax worms.
Lake St. Clair - Has good perch fishing. Anglers are using perch rigs with minnows.
St. Clair River - Walleye have been caught on crawler harnesses in the Middle Channel. Those fishing up near Port Huron are handlining.
Saginaw River - Walleye are being caught by those vertical jigging. There appears to be a lot of baitfish in the river right now.
Southwest Lower Peninsula
St. Joseph River - Steelhead can be found below the Berrien Springs Dam. Fishing pressure has been light so those that do not like big crowds, this is the perfect time of year to go trout fishing.
Kalamazoo River - Fishing pressure here continues to be light as well. Look for good steelhead fishing below the Allegan Dam when using spawn, wax worms, crawlers or crankbaits.
Grand River at Grand Rapids - Steelhead can still be found below the Sixth Street Dam. Anglers are using 3 to 4 eggs in white bags when fishing in the early morning or late evening. Those fishing throughout the day are concentrating on the deeper holes while using jigs with wax worms. Good colors have been pink or chartreuse. Walleye have been caught up and down the East Wall. Try floating rapalas or bouncing jigs with shiners off the bottom. Crappie and bluegill fishing continues.
Grand River at Lansing - A good number of catfish have been caught over near Moore's Park. Try using minnows or crawlers. A few pike have been caught on small bluegills.
Muskegon - Boats fishing just outside the piers have caught some nice chinook and steelhead. The fish appear to be 20 to 30 feet down and are hitting on spoons or plugs. Pier and shore anglers have reported slow fishing.
Muskegon Lake - Has good walleye fishing. Anglers are slow trolling with electric motors in 8 to 10 feet of water and fishing along the drop-off. Chartreuse rapalas have worked well.
Northeast Lower Peninsula
Alpena - This week is the beginning of the best opportunity to catch whitefish on hook and line in Lake Huron. Whitefish are usually found in deep waters which make them hard to reach, but in November they move in close to shore for spawning. They lay their eggs on reefs and other hard substrates. Good numbers of whitefish will be gathering over rocky areas, the rock rip-rap of jetties, marinas, and other sea walls in Thunder Bay. The best techniques include wax worms on an ice fishing jig, spawn, minnows, and lures. Small baits work best with light line and small hooks as their mouth is small and delicate. Whitefish action peaks in late November but continues to very good into early December. The better fishing is at dawn and dusk.
Thunder Bay River - There were no reports on steelhead fishing this week. Walleye and yellow perch are being caught in the marinas and at the mouth.
Oscoda - Look for the whitefish to be moving in close to shore. Pier anglers will want to try a jig and wax worm at dawn and dusk. A few walleye have been caught off the pier when fishing at night. Look for perch around the marinas.
Au Sable River - There are still some steelhead in the lower river. Try spawn in the deeper holes. Whitefish should start coming in soon. Look for walleye and perch near the mouth.
Tawas - Pier anglers are targeting whitefish from the East Tawas State Dock. Try using a small jig or a plain gold hook with a single egg, wax worm or wigglers because small baits work best. Walleye and yellow perch can be found near shore.
Higgins Lake - Windy conditions have kept boats off the lake. Only a few brown trout have been caught as it seems the warm temperatures have delayed this annual fishery. Look for action to increase with the onset of colder temperatures.
Northwest Lower Peninsula
Traverse City - In the East Bay, anglers have caught a few perch off Deepwater Point. Look for whitefish in 70 to 90 feet of water up near Elk Rapids and off Deepwater Point.
Boardman River - Anglers are catching some steelhead at the mouth.
Frankfort - Steelhead have been caught off the north side of the pier. Those surfcasting have also caught fish when using spawn.
Betsie River - Look for steelhead below the Homestead Dam. Those wading will want to fish the deeper holes with spawn.
Manistee - Boats are still trolling when they get out. Pier anglers and those surfcasting are catching steelhead on spawn bags or whitefish when using a gold hook with a single egg.
Manistee Lake - Those trolling with plugs or spoons in 20 to 30 feet of water have caught some coho and steelhead throughout the lake.
Big Manistee River - The steelhead fishing has not been great, but a few fish are in the river. Rain is needed to bring the water levels up.
Ludington - Boats trolling in the harbor and out to 100 feet of water are still catching steelhead. Pier anglers and those surfcasting have also caught fish.
Pere Marquette River - Steelhead are being caught but the action has been slow.
Upper Peninsula
Paint Pond - Near Crystal Falls, has reports of diehard muskie anglers still out and reporting some success.
Little Bay De Noc - Water temperatures are still 46 to 48 degrees. Good numbers of fish have been marked throughout the Bay however catch rates were slow. Those fishing in the evening have caught fish at the head of the Bay when casting or trolling crankbaits in 10 to 25 feet of water. Those fishing during the daylight hours have caught fish in the 30 to 40 feet of water off Kipling and when trolling crankbaits in 16 to 25 feet of water off No-See-Um Creek. Several nice perch were caught near Kipling when jigging minnows in 10 to 14 feet of water during mid-day. Low water has created problems all around the Bay including the launch at Kipling, though anglers are presently using this site. Extremely low water levels have made the Rapid River and the Ford River launches unusable.
South Manistique Lake - Has good walleye fishing in the evening when using minnows off the points on the west side of the lake with Long Point one of the better spots. Look for northern pike and muskie between the access site and Norton Island.
Manistique River - Look for steelhead on the rocks below the dam. A few walleye could also be found near the mouth.
St. Marys River - Large walleye have been caught on the east side of Munuscong Bay in 11 to 14 feet of water near the shipping channel. Stickbaits instead of crawler harnesses were catching fish.
Drummond Island - Anglers targeting yellow perch are fishing around Rutland Island and James Island, which are in Scott Bay. Emerald shiners have worked best. |