MIBowhunter
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Fishing season winding down; steelheaders winding up
Lower Peninsula
SOUTHEASTERN LP
Lake St. Clair
Anglers fishing through the ice from docks are catching good numbers of perch on Lake St. Clair. Good success is being reported at Metro Beach Metropark and along the Clinton Channel. Boat anglers are getting out in the South Channel of the St. Clair River and catching good numbers of walleyes.
Lakeside Fishing Shops (586) 777-7003.
Jimmy’s Boat Livery (586) 468-6000.
Irish Hills Area
Anglers in the Irish Hills area are at home, twiddling their thumbs and waiting for open water. Ice is breaking up on inland lakes, but boat access is still a week or two away.
Knutson’s Sporting Goods (800) 292-0857 or (517) 592-2786.
Pontiac Area
An occasional steelhead is being caught on spawn and flies on the Clinton River. Other than that, fishing has come to a halt around Pontiac. Ice is breaking up on inland lakes, but not enough to get boats out. Rabbit hunting has been good.
KD Outdoors (248) 666-7799.
Trenton Area
Anglers are catching steelhead on spawn and egg flies in the Huron River. Walleye anglers also were taking good numbers of fish up to the close of the season. Anglers are expecting walleyes to move into the Detroit River by mid-March, and fishing should heat up from there on out. Perch anglers report a good bite on minnows fished in 10 feet of water at Sugar Island. Rabbit and coyote hunting has been slow. Fishing has been slow on Lake Erie. Boat anglers are targeting bluegills and perch in the canals.
Bottom Line Bait & Tackle (734) 379-9762.
Trenton Lighthouse (734) 675-7080.
Horse Island Tackle (734) 692-9839.
SOUTHWESTERN LP
Coldwater Area
Ice has melted on most area lakes, but cold weather is keeping boat anglers off the water.
Dancing Bear Trading Post (517) 278-4626.
Ken’s Tackle (517) 639-3243.
St. Joseph Area
Anglers are catching browns in Lake Michigan off the pier at St. Joseph. Water is running high on the St. Joe River, but a few walleyes are hitting jig-and-minnow combos. Boat anglers are catching steelhead between the Buchanan Dam and the Berrien Springs Dam.
Halls Bait and Tackle (269) 641-2304.
Kalamazoo Area
Steelhead fishing has been good on the Kalamazoo and Grand rivers, but high water levels are making fishing difficult. The water should start receding any day, and fishing will improve. The ice is gone on most inland lakes in the area, but boat anglers have been slow to respond.
D & R Sports (269) 372-2277
CENTRAL LP
Saginaw Bay Area
In Saginaw Bay, fishing pressure has dropped off. Anglers are catching walleyes off Boutell Road in 12 feet of water in the evenings. A few fish are being caught just off Bay City State Park. Perch are hitting at Bay Port, but caution is advised.
Franks Great Outdoors (989) 697-5341.
Hoyles Marina (989) 697-4415.
Saginaw River
The ice is gone on the Saginaw River. Water levels are high with a lot of debris in the river. The Tittabawassee River was flowing over the banks last week, and all the boat launches were flooded.
Riverview Bait Shop (517) 755-0989.
Baldwin Area
Steelhead fishing has been decent on the Pere Marquette River with a lot of winter fish in the river and some fresh fish moving in. The water level is receding, the water is clearing, and fishing is expected to improve in the next couple weeks. Ice is deteriorating on area lakes. Hunting pressure has been light.
Baldwin Bait & Tackle (231) 745-3529.
Ed’s Sport Shop (231) 745-4974.
Grand Haven Area
Steelhead fishing is picking up off the piers on Lake Michigan. Spawn has been producing the best results. Steelhead anglers are catching a few fish on the Grand River. Ice is not safe on inland lakes. Rabbit hunting has been decent. Coyote hunting has been very good.
Lakeview Marine & Tackle (616) 842-2770.
THE THUMB
Caseville Area
Anglers are catching fair numbers of perch, bluegills, and crappies through the ice on area canals. Ice anglers also are taking a few perch in Lake Huron off Bay Shore Marina. Rabbit and coyote hunting has picked up now that the heavy snow has melted.
Walsh Gun & Tackle (989) 856-4465.
Harbor Beach Area
Fishing has been slow on Lake Huron at Harbor Beach. Ice fishing has come to an end, and anglers are waiting for suckers and steelhead to show up in local streams. Rabbit hunting has been fair, and wolverine sightings are up.
Frank’s Place Bait & Tackle (989) 864-5634.
Port Huron
A few smelt have shown up in Lake Huron at Port Huron, and browns, steelies, coho, and chinook are following them upstream. Lake Huron is clear of ice on the American side, and a few boats are getting out. Steelies and browns are starting to stack up at the power plant in the St. Clair River. Hunting pressure has been light.
Anderson’s Pro Bait (810) 984-3232.
NORTHWESTERN LP
East Jordan Area
Panfish action has been slow on Lake Charlevoix, but should improve in coming weeks. Ice is holding up pretty well, but anglers should always use caution. Steelhead fishing has been fair through the ice at the mouth of the Jordan River. A few steelies are being caught on the Elk River at Elk Rapids. Whitefish are hitting on Elk and Torch lakes. Coyote hunting has been good.
Tom’s Bait & Tackle (231) 536-3521.
Traverse City Area
Boat anglers are catching a few perch in Grand Traverse Bay’s West Bay when the ice blows out. Skim ice has put a damper on access to East Bay. Anglers fishing the Boardman River report fair steelhead action. Smelt and perch action has been spotty on Green Lake. Anglers are advised to use extreme caution with poor ice conditions developing. Smelt and perch are hitting Hali jigs tipped with minnows in 60 to 65 feet of water. Hunting pressure has been light.
Grand Traverse Tackle Box (231) 933-6138.
Houghton Lake Area
Panfish action has been pretty good on Houghton Lake. ’Gills are hitting west of the south shore launch in 8 to 12 feet of water, and crappies are hitting along “The Cut.” Ice is holding up pretty well, but extreme caution is urged as spring-like temperatures arrive. Hunting pressure is light.
Lyman’s on the Lake (989) 422-3231.
Sportsman’s Resort and Marina (989) 366-5471.
Higgins Lake Area
Anglers are reporting pretty good success on Higgins Lake. Good smelt fishing is being reported near Big Creek in 14 feet of water. Smelt are hitting around the clock. Lake trout action and brown trout action have been decent around Big Creek, and a fair number of jumbo perch are hitting in 45 feet of water. A few rainbow trout have been caught off King Road, and whitefish are hitting single eggs and wax worms off West Road.
Higgins Lake Sport & Tackle (989) 821-9517.
Phoenix Party and Bait Store (989) 821-7220.
NORTHEASTERN LP
Hubbard Lake
Ice is in great shape on Hubbard Lake. A few perch are hitting in East Bay and at the south end of the lake, and fishing should improve as the fish move out of the rivers and back into the lake. Hunting pressure has been light, and most of the snow has melted.
Side Door Bait & Tackle (989) 736-6418.
East Bay Outfitters (989) 727-9916.
Alpena Area
Steelhead anglers are catching fish in the Thunder Bay River. Most are drifting spawn sacks or wax worms under bobbers near the mouth of the river. Brown trout action has been light. The courtesy pier on the Thunder Bay River has been installed at the access site in downtown Alpena.
Clem’s Live Bait & Tackle (989) 354-2070.
Oscoda Area
Perch are finally hitting on Van Etten Lake. Good numbers of fish are hitting wigglers in 14 to 16 feet of water. Ice is holding up pretty well, but caution is urged. A few steelhead are hitting on the Au Sable River between Foote Dam and the mouth.
Wellman’s Sport Center (989) 739-2869.
Upper Peninsula
EASTERN UP
Cedarville Area
A few perch are hitting around the Les Cheneaux Islands, particularly in Muskie Bay, but heavy slush is making access difficult. Wigglers, wax worms, spikes, and minnows all are producing. Coyote and rabbit hunting has been fair.
Great Outdoors Sport Shop (906) 484-2011.
Pickford Area
Fishing has been slow around Pickford. A few whitefish are hitting in the Upper St. Marys River. Ice conditions are holding up pretty well, but heavy slush is making access difficult. Perch fishing has been fair in Munuscong Bay. Hunting pressure has been light.
Wilderness Treasures (906) 647-4002.
CENTRAL UP
Big Bay Area
Fishing has been slow around Big Bay with slush and standing water limiting access to the ice. Predator hunting and rabbit hunting have been slow with light hunter pressure.
Big Bay Corner Store (906) 345-5098.
Curtis Area
Fishing pressure has been light on Manistique lakes with heavy slush limiting access. A few perch are hitting on Big Manistique for adventurous anglers that head out. Rabbit hunting has been pretty good.
J.R. Sport Shop (906) 586-6040.
Marquette Area
Fishing has been slow around Marquette, and heavy slush is limiting access and fishing pressure. Coyote hunting has been pretty good. Hare hunting has been slow.
Gander Mountain (906) 226-8300.
Escanaba Area
A few whitefish are hitting near the Escanaba Harbor on Little Bay de Noc, but heavy slush is making access difficult. Rabbit and coyote hunting pressure has been light.
Bay View Bait & Tackle (906) 786-1488.
BayShore Resort Bait & Tackle (906) 428-2950.
WESTERN UP
Lanse Area
Ice is holding up well on Lake Superior’s Keweenaw Bay, and anglers continue to dial in on a great lake trout fishery. Anglers also are catching a fair number of steelhead around the river mouths. Smelt fishing has been pretty good, too. Snowshoe hunting has been good.
Indian Country Sports (906) 524-6518.
Bergland Area
Perch fishing has been spotty on Lake Gogebic with the best success coming in 26 to 28 feet of water off the mud flats. Wigglers are producing good results. Bluegills are hitting on most of the smaller lakes in the area including Bobcat and Ericksen. Three feet of snow on the ground has has put a damper on hunting.
Maple Ridge Bait & Tackle (906) 575-3545.
Lower Peninsula
SOUTHEASTERN LP
Lake St. Clair
Anglers fishing through the ice from docks are catching good numbers of perch on Lake St. Clair. Good success is being reported at Metro Beach Metropark and along the Clinton Channel. Boat anglers are getting out in the South Channel of the St. Clair River and catching good numbers of walleyes.
Lakeside Fishing Shops (586) 777-7003.
Jimmy’s Boat Livery (586) 468-6000.
Irish Hills Area
Anglers in the Irish Hills area are at home, twiddling their thumbs and waiting for open water. Ice is breaking up on inland lakes, but boat access is still a week or two away.
Knutson’s Sporting Goods (800) 292-0857 or (517) 592-2786.
Pontiac Area
An occasional steelhead is being caught on spawn and flies on the Clinton River. Other than that, fishing has come to a halt around Pontiac. Ice is breaking up on inland lakes, but not enough to get boats out. Rabbit hunting has been good.
KD Outdoors (248) 666-7799.
Trenton Area
Anglers are catching steelhead on spawn and egg flies in the Huron River. Walleye anglers also were taking good numbers of fish up to the close of the season. Anglers are expecting walleyes to move into the Detroit River by mid-March, and fishing should heat up from there on out. Perch anglers report a good bite on minnows fished in 10 feet of water at Sugar Island. Rabbit and coyote hunting has been slow. Fishing has been slow on Lake Erie. Boat anglers are targeting bluegills and perch in the canals.
Bottom Line Bait & Tackle (734) 379-9762.
Trenton Lighthouse (734) 675-7080.
Horse Island Tackle (734) 692-9839.
SOUTHWESTERN LP
Coldwater Area
Ice has melted on most area lakes, but cold weather is keeping boat anglers off the water.
Dancing Bear Trading Post (517) 278-4626.
Ken’s Tackle (517) 639-3243.
St. Joseph Area
Anglers are catching browns in Lake Michigan off the pier at St. Joseph. Water is running high on the St. Joe River, but a few walleyes are hitting jig-and-minnow combos. Boat anglers are catching steelhead between the Buchanan Dam and the Berrien Springs Dam.
Halls Bait and Tackle (269) 641-2304.
Kalamazoo Area
Steelhead fishing has been good on the Kalamazoo and Grand rivers, but high water levels are making fishing difficult. The water should start receding any day, and fishing will improve. The ice is gone on most inland lakes in the area, but boat anglers have been slow to respond.
D & R Sports (269) 372-2277
CENTRAL LP
Saginaw Bay Area
In Saginaw Bay, fishing pressure has dropped off. Anglers are catching walleyes off Boutell Road in 12 feet of water in the evenings. A few fish are being caught just off Bay City State Park. Perch are hitting at Bay Port, but caution is advised.
Franks Great Outdoors (989) 697-5341.
Hoyles Marina (989) 697-4415.
Saginaw River
The ice is gone on the Saginaw River. Water levels are high with a lot of debris in the river. The Tittabawassee River was flowing over the banks last week, and all the boat launches were flooded.
Riverview Bait Shop (517) 755-0989.
Baldwin Area
Steelhead fishing has been decent on the Pere Marquette River with a lot of winter fish in the river and some fresh fish moving in. The water level is receding, the water is clearing, and fishing is expected to improve in the next couple weeks. Ice is deteriorating on area lakes. Hunting pressure has been light.
Baldwin Bait & Tackle (231) 745-3529.
Ed’s Sport Shop (231) 745-4974.
Grand Haven Area
Steelhead fishing is picking up off the piers on Lake Michigan. Spawn has been producing the best results. Steelhead anglers are catching a few fish on the Grand River. Ice is not safe on inland lakes. Rabbit hunting has been decent. Coyote hunting has been very good.
Lakeview Marine & Tackle (616) 842-2770.
THE THUMB
Caseville Area
Anglers are catching fair numbers of perch, bluegills, and crappies through the ice on area canals. Ice anglers also are taking a few perch in Lake Huron off Bay Shore Marina. Rabbit and coyote hunting has picked up now that the heavy snow has melted.
Walsh Gun & Tackle (989) 856-4465.
Harbor Beach Area
Fishing has been slow on Lake Huron at Harbor Beach. Ice fishing has come to an end, and anglers are waiting for suckers and steelhead to show up in local streams. Rabbit hunting has been fair, and wolverine sightings are up.
Frank’s Place Bait & Tackle (989) 864-5634.
Port Huron
A few smelt have shown up in Lake Huron at Port Huron, and browns, steelies, coho, and chinook are following them upstream. Lake Huron is clear of ice on the American side, and a few boats are getting out. Steelies and browns are starting to stack up at the power plant in the St. Clair River. Hunting pressure has been light.
Anderson’s Pro Bait (810) 984-3232.
NORTHWESTERN LP
East Jordan Area
Panfish action has been slow on Lake Charlevoix, but should improve in coming weeks. Ice is holding up pretty well, but anglers should always use caution. Steelhead fishing has been fair through the ice at the mouth of the Jordan River. A few steelies are being caught on the Elk River at Elk Rapids. Whitefish are hitting on Elk and Torch lakes. Coyote hunting has been good.
Tom’s Bait & Tackle (231) 536-3521.
Traverse City Area
Boat anglers are catching a few perch in Grand Traverse Bay’s West Bay when the ice blows out. Skim ice has put a damper on access to East Bay. Anglers fishing the Boardman River report fair steelhead action. Smelt and perch action has been spotty on Green Lake. Anglers are advised to use extreme caution with poor ice conditions developing. Smelt and perch are hitting Hali jigs tipped with minnows in 60 to 65 feet of water. Hunting pressure has been light.
Grand Traverse Tackle Box (231) 933-6138.
Houghton Lake Area
Panfish action has been pretty good on Houghton Lake. ’Gills are hitting west of the south shore launch in 8 to 12 feet of water, and crappies are hitting along “The Cut.” Ice is holding up pretty well, but extreme caution is urged as spring-like temperatures arrive. Hunting pressure is light.
Lyman’s on the Lake (989) 422-3231.
Sportsman’s Resort and Marina (989) 366-5471.
Higgins Lake Area
Anglers are reporting pretty good success on Higgins Lake. Good smelt fishing is being reported near Big Creek in 14 feet of water. Smelt are hitting around the clock. Lake trout action and brown trout action have been decent around Big Creek, and a fair number of jumbo perch are hitting in 45 feet of water. A few rainbow trout have been caught off King Road, and whitefish are hitting single eggs and wax worms off West Road.
Higgins Lake Sport & Tackle (989) 821-9517.
Phoenix Party and Bait Store (989) 821-7220.
NORTHEASTERN LP
Hubbard Lake
Ice is in great shape on Hubbard Lake. A few perch are hitting in East Bay and at the south end of the lake, and fishing should improve as the fish move out of the rivers and back into the lake. Hunting pressure has been light, and most of the snow has melted.
Side Door Bait & Tackle (989) 736-6418.
East Bay Outfitters (989) 727-9916.
Alpena Area
Steelhead anglers are catching fish in the Thunder Bay River. Most are drifting spawn sacks or wax worms under bobbers near the mouth of the river. Brown trout action has been light. The courtesy pier on the Thunder Bay River has been installed at the access site in downtown Alpena.
Clem’s Live Bait & Tackle (989) 354-2070.
Oscoda Area
Perch are finally hitting on Van Etten Lake. Good numbers of fish are hitting wigglers in 14 to 16 feet of water. Ice is holding up pretty well, but caution is urged. A few steelhead are hitting on the Au Sable River between Foote Dam and the mouth.
Wellman’s Sport Center (989) 739-2869.
Upper Peninsula
EASTERN UP
Cedarville Area
A few perch are hitting around the Les Cheneaux Islands, particularly in Muskie Bay, but heavy slush is making access difficult. Wigglers, wax worms, spikes, and minnows all are producing. Coyote and rabbit hunting has been fair.
Great Outdoors Sport Shop (906) 484-2011.
Pickford Area
Fishing has been slow around Pickford. A few whitefish are hitting in the Upper St. Marys River. Ice conditions are holding up pretty well, but heavy slush is making access difficult. Perch fishing has been fair in Munuscong Bay. Hunting pressure has been light.
Wilderness Treasures (906) 647-4002.
CENTRAL UP
Big Bay Area
Fishing has been slow around Big Bay with slush and standing water limiting access to the ice. Predator hunting and rabbit hunting have been slow with light hunter pressure.
Big Bay Corner Store (906) 345-5098.
Curtis Area
Fishing pressure has been light on Manistique lakes with heavy slush limiting access. A few perch are hitting on Big Manistique for adventurous anglers that head out. Rabbit hunting has been pretty good.
J.R. Sport Shop (906) 586-6040.
Marquette Area
Fishing has been slow around Marquette, and heavy slush is limiting access and fishing pressure. Coyote hunting has been pretty good. Hare hunting has been slow.
Gander Mountain (906) 226-8300.
Escanaba Area
A few whitefish are hitting near the Escanaba Harbor on Little Bay de Noc, but heavy slush is making access difficult. Rabbit and coyote hunting pressure has been light.
Bay View Bait & Tackle (906) 786-1488.
BayShore Resort Bait & Tackle (906) 428-2950.
WESTERN UP
Lanse Area
Ice is holding up well on Lake Superior’s Keweenaw Bay, and anglers continue to dial in on a great lake trout fishery. Anglers also are catching a fair number of steelhead around the river mouths. Smelt fishing has been pretty good, too. Snowshoe hunting has been good.
Indian Country Sports (906) 524-6518.
Bergland Area
Perch fishing has been spotty on Lake Gogebic with the best success coming in 26 to 28 feet of water off the mud flats. Wigglers are producing good results. Bluegills are hitting on most of the smaller lakes in the area including Bobcat and Ericksen. Three feet of snow on the ground has has put a damper on hunting.
Maple Ridge Bait & Tackle (906) 575-3545.
