MIBowhunter
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Walleyes hitting in Detroit River; turkey season heating up
Lower Peninsula
SOUTHEASTERN LP
Irish Hills Area
Crappie action has slowed around Irish Hills, but bluegills are hitting in the shallows of most area lakes including Wamplers, Devil’s, Clark and Sand. Turkey season is off to a phenomenal start with lots of big gobblers being taken, including one that weighed 26 pounds.
Knutson’s Sporting Goods (800) 292-0857 or (517) 592-2786.
Trenton Area
Walleyes are hitting in the Detroit River. Anglers jigging with shiners are taking limits in the lower Trenton Channel, and action is heating up on the Canadian side of the river, too.
Bottom Line Bait & Tackle (734) 379-9762.
Trenton Lighthouse (734) 675-7080.
Horse Island Tackle (734) 692-9839.
Monroe Area
Fishing has been slow on Lake Erie with light angler pressure. A few white bass and catfish are hitting near the Edison plant. Walleye anglers are faring well in Ohio water between Turtle Island and the Toledo Light House.
Cook’s Sportland (734) 242-0774.
SOUTHWESTERN LP
Coldwater Area
Cool, windy weather has put a damper on fishing, but a few anglers report that bluegills are hitting in the shallows on Coldwater Lake. Turkey season is off to a slow start, too, with high winds keeping hunters out of the field.
Dancing Bear Trading Post (517) 278-4626.
D’s Bait & Tackle (517) 639-3243.
St. Joseph Area
Brisk winds put the clamps on hunting and fishing around St. Joseph last week. Anglers reported that bluegills are invading the shallows on many inland lakes, and a few steelhead are still hitting in the St. Joseph River at Niles. Turkey hunting has been slow.
Halls Bait and Tackle (269) 641-2304
.
Kalamazoo Area
Steelhead anglers report a pretty good bite on the Kalamazoo River. Anglers are catching fish on spawn and flies from shore. Below the dam, flies and small jigs tipped with wax worms have worked best. Orange has been a hot color. Good catches of channel catfish have been reported both below the dam in the slow current and at the New Richmond boat launch. Suckers also are hitting below the dam. Turkey hunting has been pretty good with lots of birds in the area.
D & R Sports (269) 372-2277
CENTRAL LP
Saginaw Bay Area
Walleye action has been good in Saginaw Bay. Anglers are reporting a decent bite off Linwood Road early in the evening and after dark. Rapalas fished in 10 to 16 feet of water have been producing the best results. Perch action has tailed off, but a few fish are still being caught in 4 feet of water off the Pine River. Turkey hunting has been slow, but action is picking up.
Franks Great Outdoors (989) 697-5341.
Hoyles Marina (989) 697-4415.
Weidman Area
Panfish action has been decent on Stevenson Lake and in the cuts on Littlefield Lake. Most anglers were awaiting the opening of walleye, pike, and muskie seasons before hitting the water. Turkey hunters are enjoying a good early season. Birds were still in bachelor groups on the opener, but were responding to calls.
Schafer’s Bait &Sporting Goods (989) 644-3501.
Holland Area
Browns and a few chinook salmon are hitting in Lake Michigan. The best action is coming in 14 to 17 feet of water. Crankbaits have been producing the best results. Perch are hitting a mile south of Grand Haven in 50 to 60 feet of water. Bluegills are hitting under the dock at Bay Haven Marina on Lake Mack. Turkey season has been good.
American Tackle Outfitters (616) 392-6688.
THE THUMB
Caseville Area
Steelhead and browns are hitting in Lake Huron off the breakwall in Caseville. A few perch are being caught, too. The sucker run is in full force in the Pigeon River, but smelt have yet to show up. A pretty good crappie bite is being reported at Bayshore Marina and in the canals at Sand Point. A few morels are starting to pop, and turkey hunting has been pretty good.
Walsh Gun & Tackle (989) 856-4465.
Port Huron
Fishing has been outstanding at Port Huron and throughout southern Lake Huron with kings, browns, and steelhead moving in. Anglers report good success fishing crankbaits in 10 to 13 feet of water from Port Sanilac south. Anglers also are catching good numbers of walleyes in the St. Clair River. Twister tails and jigs fished from shore are taking fish. The smelt run has been very good. Turkey hunting has been fair, but should get better.
Anderson’s Pro Bait (810) 984-3232
NORTHWESTERN LP
East Jordan Area
Perch fishing has been good on Lake Charlevoix. The best action is coming in Raspberry Bay in 38 to 60 feet of water. Steelhead are hitting spawn and flies in the Boyne River, but fishing has been slow in the Jordan River. Turkey hunters are doing very well and report the best action is coming in the afternoons.
Tom’s Bait & Tackle (231) 536-3521.
Traverse City Area
High winds have put a damper on fishing in East Grand Traverse Bay. Some small perch and some steelhead are hitting in the Elk River near the powerhouse. In the West Bay, anglers have been catching whitefish near the mouth of the Boardman River. Jigs fished in 80 to 100 feet of water have been producing good results. A few steelhead are still being caught in the Boardman River, but the action is tailing off. Turkey hunting has been good.
Grand Traverse Tackle Box (231) 933-6138.
Manistee Area
Steelhead are hitting on the Manistee River at Tippy Dam. Shore anglers have been using spawn and flies, and boat anglers have been using spawn, flies, and plugs. Suckers have moved into Bear Creek and action has been good. Turkey season is off to a good start.
Insta-Launch Marina (231) 723-7718.
Cadillac Area
Crappies are hitting at the causeway connecting lakes Mitchell and Cadillac. There are no reports yet of bluegills moving into the shallows. Turkey hunting has been quiet with high winds putting a damper on activity. A few morels are starting to come up.
Schaefer’s Bait & Sporting Goods (231) 775-7085.
NORTHEASTERN LP
Hubbard Lake
Perch fishing has been decent on the south end of Hubbard Lake and on the northern end of East Bay. The best action is coming in 8 to 10 feet of water. Turkey hunting has been slow with spotty action. Turkey numbers appear to be down a little. There have been no reports of morels yet.
Side Door Bait & Tackle (989) 736-6418.
East Bay Outfitters (989) 727-9916.
Gaylord Area
Fishing has been slow around Gaylord, but a few bluegills are starting to move into the shallows on some of the smaller lakes in the area. Turkey hunting has been slow, but action is expected to pick up. There have been no reports of morels.
Don’s Sport & Marine (989) 732-4157.
Alpena Area
A fair number of steelhead are still being caught in the Thunder Bay River. Anglers drifting spawn or artificial flies in egg patterns in the mornings are reporting the best success. Suckers also have moved into the Thunder Bay and Devil’s rivers. Browns, steelhead, and walleyes are being caught in Lake Huron at the mouth of the Thunder Bay River. Turkey hunting has been fair, but should get better as the season progresses.
Clem’s Live Bait & Tackle (989) 354-2070.
Tawas Area
Boat anglers have been taking good numbers of walleyes, brown trout, and chinook salmon in Lake Huron. Anglers fishing in 10 to 30 feet of water off Tawas Point are reporting the best results. Pier anglers have been catching some smaller perch in the boat slips. Outside the pier they’ve been catching northern pike, walleyes, brown trout, and whitefish on minnows. Walleye fishing has been good off the mouth of the AuGres River. Anglers are doing well when trolling Rapalas in 5 to 30 feet of water. The sucker run in the Rifle River is peaking. Turkey hunting has been decent.
All Season Sporting Goods (989) 362-4512.
Upper Peninsula
EASTERN UP
Cedarville Area
Small catches of perch are being reported in Lake Huron’s Cedarville Bay along the marina. The action is expected to pick up soon.
Great Outdoors Sport Shop (906) 484-2011.
Pickford Area
Smelt are starting to show up in pretty good numbers in the Carp River, Pendell’s Creek, and Nunns Creek. Action has been spotty, but good numbers are being netted on good days. Perch fishing has been fair in Munuscong Bay.
Wilderness Treasures (906) 647-4002.
Drummond Island Area
Perch are hitting off the dock at Papin’s Resort in Scotts Bay. Action should start soon in Maxton Bay. A few smelt have been netted in Pigeon Cove, but action has been spotty.
Johnson’s Sport Shop (906) 493-6300.
CENTRAL UP
Curtis Area
A few smelt have moved into the Manistique River and dippers have enjoyed pretty good success. Fishing pressure has been light on Big and South Manistique lakes. Most anglers are awaiting the walleye, muskie, and pike openers on May 15.
J.R. Sport Shop (906) 586-6040.
Marquette Area
Rivers are running high, but a few steelhead anglers are catching fish in the Chocolay and Carp rivers. There no sign of smelt yet in Lake Superior streams. Turkey hunting has been on the slow side with high winds and low temperatures limiting activity. Success should improve with better weather.
Gander Mountain (906) 226-8300.
Munising Area
Fishing has been slow around Munising. A few coho are being caught at the mouth of the Anna River, but overall, fishing has been slow. An occasional smelt is being seen, but not enough to net.
Curlys Hilltop Grocery (906) 387-3056.
Escanaba Area
A few splake and brown trout are hitting in Lake Michigan’s Little Bay de Noc. The best action is coming at the lower end of the bay and at Menominee. Perch fishing has been slow. Steelhead are showing up in the Days and the Bark rivers. No smelt have been reported yet. Turkey hunting has been slow.
Bay View Bait & Tackle (906) 786-1488.
BayShore Resort Bait & Tackle (906) 428-2950.
WESTERN UP
Bergland Area
Perch fishing has been very slow on Lake Gogebic, and virtually no one is getting out on the lake. Anglers fishing in Lake Superior report a pretty good bite for coho and browns while trolling out of Silver City.
Maple Ridge Bait & Tackle (906) 575-3545.
Houghton Area
Steelhead fishing is peaking in the Salmon-Trout, Falls, Silver, Slate and other rivers in the area. The trout opener was expected to be pretty good. A few anglers are vertical jigging for lakers with very good success off the south entry of Portage Lake. A few smelt are starting to trickle in, too.
Dick’s Favorite Sports (906) 482-0412.
Lower Peninsula
SOUTHEASTERN LP
Irish Hills Area
Crappie action has slowed around Irish Hills, but bluegills are hitting in the shallows of most area lakes including Wamplers, Devil’s, Clark and Sand. Turkey season is off to a phenomenal start with lots of big gobblers being taken, including one that weighed 26 pounds.
Knutson’s Sporting Goods (800) 292-0857 or (517) 592-2786.
Trenton Area
Walleyes are hitting in the Detroit River. Anglers jigging with shiners are taking limits in the lower Trenton Channel, and action is heating up on the Canadian side of the river, too.
Bottom Line Bait & Tackle (734) 379-9762.
Trenton Lighthouse (734) 675-7080.
Horse Island Tackle (734) 692-9839.
Monroe Area
Fishing has been slow on Lake Erie with light angler pressure. A few white bass and catfish are hitting near the Edison plant. Walleye anglers are faring well in Ohio water between Turtle Island and the Toledo Light House.
Cook’s Sportland (734) 242-0774.
SOUTHWESTERN LP
Coldwater Area
Cool, windy weather has put a damper on fishing, but a few anglers report that bluegills are hitting in the shallows on Coldwater Lake. Turkey season is off to a slow start, too, with high winds keeping hunters out of the field.
Dancing Bear Trading Post (517) 278-4626.
D’s Bait & Tackle (517) 639-3243.
St. Joseph Area
Brisk winds put the clamps on hunting and fishing around St. Joseph last week. Anglers reported that bluegills are invading the shallows on many inland lakes, and a few steelhead are still hitting in the St. Joseph River at Niles. Turkey hunting has been slow.
Halls Bait and Tackle (269) 641-2304
.
Kalamazoo Area
Steelhead anglers report a pretty good bite on the Kalamazoo River. Anglers are catching fish on spawn and flies from shore. Below the dam, flies and small jigs tipped with wax worms have worked best. Orange has been a hot color. Good catches of channel catfish have been reported both below the dam in the slow current and at the New Richmond boat launch. Suckers also are hitting below the dam. Turkey hunting has been pretty good with lots of birds in the area.
D & R Sports (269) 372-2277
CENTRAL LP
Saginaw Bay Area
Walleye action has been good in Saginaw Bay. Anglers are reporting a decent bite off Linwood Road early in the evening and after dark. Rapalas fished in 10 to 16 feet of water have been producing the best results. Perch action has tailed off, but a few fish are still being caught in 4 feet of water off the Pine River. Turkey hunting has been slow, but action is picking up.
Franks Great Outdoors (989) 697-5341.
Hoyles Marina (989) 697-4415.
Weidman Area
Panfish action has been decent on Stevenson Lake and in the cuts on Littlefield Lake. Most anglers were awaiting the opening of walleye, pike, and muskie seasons before hitting the water. Turkey hunters are enjoying a good early season. Birds were still in bachelor groups on the opener, but were responding to calls.
Schafer’s Bait &Sporting Goods (989) 644-3501.
Holland Area
Browns and a few chinook salmon are hitting in Lake Michigan. The best action is coming in 14 to 17 feet of water. Crankbaits have been producing the best results. Perch are hitting a mile south of Grand Haven in 50 to 60 feet of water. Bluegills are hitting under the dock at Bay Haven Marina on Lake Mack. Turkey season has been good.
American Tackle Outfitters (616) 392-6688.
THE THUMB
Caseville Area
Steelhead and browns are hitting in Lake Huron off the breakwall in Caseville. A few perch are being caught, too. The sucker run is in full force in the Pigeon River, but smelt have yet to show up. A pretty good crappie bite is being reported at Bayshore Marina and in the canals at Sand Point. A few morels are starting to pop, and turkey hunting has been pretty good.
Walsh Gun & Tackle (989) 856-4465.
Port Huron
Fishing has been outstanding at Port Huron and throughout southern Lake Huron with kings, browns, and steelhead moving in. Anglers report good success fishing crankbaits in 10 to 13 feet of water from Port Sanilac south. Anglers also are catching good numbers of walleyes in the St. Clair River. Twister tails and jigs fished from shore are taking fish. The smelt run has been very good. Turkey hunting has been fair, but should get better.
Anderson’s Pro Bait (810) 984-3232
NORTHWESTERN LP
East Jordan Area
Perch fishing has been good on Lake Charlevoix. The best action is coming in Raspberry Bay in 38 to 60 feet of water. Steelhead are hitting spawn and flies in the Boyne River, but fishing has been slow in the Jordan River. Turkey hunters are doing very well and report the best action is coming in the afternoons.
Tom’s Bait & Tackle (231) 536-3521.
Traverse City Area
High winds have put a damper on fishing in East Grand Traverse Bay. Some small perch and some steelhead are hitting in the Elk River near the powerhouse. In the West Bay, anglers have been catching whitefish near the mouth of the Boardman River. Jigs fished in 80 to 100 feet of water have been producing good results. A few steelhead are still being caught in the Boardman River, but the action is tailing off. Turkey hunting has been good.
Grand Traverse Tackle Box (231) 933-6138.
Manistee Area
Steelhead are hitting on the Manistee River at Tippy Dam. Shore anglers have been using spawn and flies, and boat anglers have been using spawn, flies, and plugs. Suckers have moved into Bear Creek and action has been good. Turkey season is off to a good start.
Insta-Launch Marina (231) 723-7718.
Cadillac Area
Crappies are hitting at the causeway connecting lakes Mitchell and Cadillac. There are no reports yet of bluegills moving into the shallows. Turkey hunting has been quiet with high winds putting a damper on activity. A few morels are starting to come up.
Schaefer’s Bait & Sporting Goods (231) 775-7085.
NORTHEASTERN LP
Hubbard Lake
Perch fishing has been decent on the south end of Hubbard Lake and on the northern end of East Bay. The best action is coming in 8 to 10 feet of water. Turkey hunting has been slow with spotty action. Turkey numbers appear to be down a little. There have been no reports of morels yet.
Side Door Bait & Tackle (989) 736-6418.
East Bay Outfitters (989) 727-9916.
Gaylord Area
Fishing has been slow around Gaylord, but a few bluegills are starting to move into the shallows on some of the smaller lakes in the area. Turkey hunting has been slow, but action is expected to pick up. There have been no reports of morels.
Don’s Sport & Marine (989) 732-4157.
Alpena Area
A fair number of steelhead are still being caught in the Thunder Bay River. Anglers drifting spawn or artificial flies in egg patterns in the mornings are reporting the best success. Suckers also have moved into the Thunder Bay and Devil’s rivers. Browns, steelhead, and walleyes are being caught in Lake Huron at the mouth of the Thunder Bay River. Turkey hunting has been fair, but should get better as the season progresses.
Clem’s Live Bait & Tackle (989) 354-2070.
Tawas Area
Boat anglers have been taking good numbers of walleyes, brown trout, and chinook salmon in Lake Huron. Anglers fishing in 10 to 30 feet of water off Tawas Point are reporting the best results. Pier anglers have been catching some smaller perch in the boat slips. Outside the pier they’ve been catching northern pike, walleyes, brown trout, and whitefish on minnows. Walleye fishing has been good off the mouth of the AuGres River. Anglers are doing well when trolling Rapalas in 5 to 30 feet of water. The sucker run in the Rifle River is peaking. Turkey hunting has been decent.
All Season Sporting Goods (989) 362-4512.
Upper Peninsula
EASTERN UP
Cedarville Area
Small catches of perch are being reported in Lake Huron’s Cedarville Bay along the marina. The action is expected to pick up soon.
Great Outdoors Sport Shop (906) 484-2011.
Pickford Area
Smelt are starting to show up in pretty good numbers in the Carp River, Pendell’s Creek, and Nunns Creek. Action has been spotty, but good numbers are being netted on good days. Perch fishing has been fair in Munuscong Bay.
Wilderness Treasures (906) 647-4002.
Drummond Island Area
Perch are hitting off the dock at Papin’s Resort in Scotts Bay. Action should start soon in Maxton Bay. A few smelt have been netted in Pigeon Cove, but action has been spotty.
Johnson’s Sport Shop (906) 493-6300.
CENTRAL UP
Curtis Area
A few smelt have moved into the Manistique River and dippers have enjoyed pretty good success. Fishing pressure has been light on Big and South Manistique lakes. Most anglers are awaiting the walleye, muskie, and pike openers on May 15.
J.R. Sport Shop (906) 586-6040.
Marquette Area
Rivers are running high, but a few steelhead anglers are catching fish in the Chocolay and Carp rivers. There no sign of smelt yet in Lake Superior streams. Turkey hunting has been on the slow side with high winds and low temperatures limiting activity. Success should improve with better weather.
Gander Mountain (906) 226-8300.
Munising Area
Fishing has been slow around Munising. A few coho are being caught at the mouth of the Anna River, but overall, fishing has been slow. An occasional smelt is being seen, but not enough to net.
Curlys Hilltop Grocery (906) 387-3056.
Escanaba Area
A few splake and brown trout are hitting in Lake Michigan’s Little Bay de Noc. The best action is coming at the lower end of the bay and at Menominee. Perch fishing has been slow. Steelhead are showing up in the Days and the Bark rivers. No smelt have been reported yet. Turkey hunting has been slow.
Bay View Bait & Tackle (906) 786-1488.
BayShore Resort Bait & Tackle (906) 428-2950.
WESTERN UP
Bergland Area
Perch fishing has been very slow on Lake Gogebic, and virtually no one is getting out on the lake. Anglers fishing in Lake Superior report a pretty good bite for coho and browns while trolling out of Silver City.
Maple Ridge Bait & Tackle (906) 575-3545.
Houghton Area
Steelhead fishing is peaking in the Salmon-Trout, Falls, Silver, Slate and other rivers in the area. The trout opener was expected to be pretty good. A few anglers are vertical jigging for lakers with very good success off the south entry of Portage Lake. A few smelt are starting to trickle in, too.
Dick’s Favorite Sports (906) 482-0412.
