12/6/2018 Northeast Lower Peninsula Michigan DNR Fishing Report

Northeast Lower Peninsula

Thunder Bay River: A couple Atlantic salmon were caught near the 9th Street Dam by those using orange and yellow beads. 

Au Sable River: Anglers caught Atlantic salmon while swinging large streamers or floating and drifting beads and spawn. Most fish were in the holes and behind current breaks, but a few Atlantic and coho salmon were still found on the beds. Steelhead were caught from the holes when fishing with Spawn bags, beads, spinners, wax worms and egg flies.  The steelhead action was slow. A few walleyes have been caught when casting crankbaits near the mouth. 

Au Sable River Store

680 River Rd.

Oscoda Twp. Mi 48750

(989) 739-5332

Grayling Area: Anglers were waiting for safe ice to form on Lake Margrethe. Ice is covering Otsego Lake, but nothing safe for foot traffic yet. If the weather holds up anglers may be able to get out in a week or so. 

Higgins Lake: Had some shoreline ice; however, most of the lake is still open water. 

Houghton Lake: Ice is starting to form; however, anglers should wait a bit longer before heading out. A few spots had 1-5 inches, but most of the lake only had 1-2 inches, so the thickness is not consistent.

Oscoda Area: Lake trout and walleyes have been caught in Lake Huron by pier anglers casting spoons, crankbaits and jigs. Lake trout were also caught by anglers still-fishing with spawn.

Your area may not be listed within this fishing report so below is a list of links to pages in Northeast Michigan to help guide you to public lakes in your county.

Alcona County Public Lakes: Click Here!

Alpena County Public Lakes: Click Here!
Clare County Public Lakes: Click Here!
Crawford County Public Lakes: Click Here!

Gladwin County Public Lakes: Click Here!

Iosco County Public Lakes: Click Here!

Montmorency Public Lakes: Click Here! 
Ogemaw County Public Lakes: Click Here!

Oscoda County Public Lakes: Click Here!

Presque Isle County Public Lakes: Click Here!

12/6/2018 Southwest Lower Peninsula Michigan DNR Fishing Report

Southwest Lower Peninsula

Cass County: There has been no ice on the lakes in Cass County despite having about 2 inches of snow on the ground. 

Kalamazoo River: Anglers were getting the occasional steelhead at the Allegan Dam.

Grand River at Grand Rapids: Ice has not been forming on inland lakes around Grand Rapids. Steelhead and a couple walleye were caught up near the 6th Street Dam.  

Spring Lake: Some perch were caught off the bridges. 

Muskegon River: The water was slightly stained after the rain and snow melt. Those targeting steelhead continue to find the occasional fish, including some that are quite large. Try flashy patterns with the stained water. 

• For a more accurate report on the Muskegon Lake & the Muskegon River I suggest reaching out to the people at Snug Harbor Outfitters. Phone: (231-719-0759)

White River: Anglers still were getting some steelhead when casting or drifting.

For more bait shops in the southwest lower peninsula follow the links below:

Berrien County Bait Shops: Click Here!

Allegan County Bait Shops: Click Here!
Ingham County Bait Shops: Click Here!

Branch County Bait Shops: Click Here!

Barry County Bait Shops: Click Here!
Kalamazoo County Bait Shops: Click Here!

Your area may not be listed within this fishing report so below is a list of links to pages in Southwest Michigan to help guide you to public lakes in your county.

Allegan County Public Lakes: Click Here!

Barry County Public Lakes: Click Here!

Calhoun County Public Lakes: Click Here!

Cass County Public Lakes: Click Here!

Clinton County Public Lakes: Click Here! 

Jackson County Public Lakes: Click Here!

Kalamazoo Public Lakes: Click Here! 

St. Joseph County Public Lakes: Click Here! 

12/7/2018 Southeast Michigan DNR Fishing Report

Southeast Lower Peninsula

To access the original Michigan DNR fishing Report: Click Here!

Lake St. Clair: The docks at the boat launches have been removed. Fishing pressure has been light with high winds and rough water keeping anglers on shore. Those who could get out report catching a few walleyes. Musky anglers were still out and catching fish. Water temperatures were in the upper 30’s and will fall fast with the cold air temperatures.  As a result skim ice was forming in the backwaters and canals in the mornings and anglers are punching holes and catching bluegills off the docks at Metro Beach.     

Oakland County: There was no safe ice anywhere in Oakland County. Skim ice is forming in the mornings, but melting as the temperatures rise.

Port Sanilac: Anglers were targeting Atlantic salmon in the harbor. 

Monroe County: When they can get out, anglers are catching decent numbers of walleyes on Lake Erie. The best reports were coming from anglers fishing east of Stony Point and out near the Michigan/Ohio boundary waters.

• If you're planning on fishing any of the canals near Lake Erie Metro Park or Point Mouillee State Game Area you can get all of your bait & tackle needs met at  Bottom Line Bait & Tackle. 

• If you're planning on fishing out of Sterling State Park or the Brest Bay area you can pick up tackle from the nice people at Jeff's Bait & Tackle.

Saginaw Bay: Walleye fishing at the Spark Plug was very good if you get a day with no wind so you can get out there. Remember, it is a good 10 to 12 miles out, so be sure to monitor the weather. Lake trout and burbot were caught off Caseville. Some were trying for perch in the cuts; however, there was no word on success rates. 

• For a more accurate report on Saginaw Bay I suggest taking a look at the weekly Saginaw Bay Fishing Report given to you by Saginawbay.com

Saginaw River: Walleye fishing entails a lot of sorting to get a couple legal fish 13 inches or bigger. The river is loaded with juvenile fish to keep anglers busy. 

Tittabawassee River: Walleye were caught in Midland County. 

Wayne County: Perch anglers were still getting some fish in the cuts and canals on the Detroit 
River, as well as in the mouth of the river, just south of Gibraltar Bay. 

• For more public lakes to fish in Wayne County: Click Here! 
• Wayne County Bait Shops: Click Here

Below are links to bait shop listings organized by county: 

• Wayne County Click Here!
• Washtenaw County Click Here!
• Bay County Click Here!
• Monroe County Click Here!
• Livingston County Click Here!
• Ingham County Click Here!
• Genesee County Click Here!

Your area may not be listed within this fishing report so below is a list of links to pages in Southeast Michigan to help guide you to public lakes in your county.

• Clinton County Public Lakes: Click Here!
• Genessee County Public Lakes: Click Here!
• Hillsdale County Public Lakes: Click Here!
• Jackson County Public Lakes: Click Here!
• Lapeer County Public Lakes: Click Here!
• Lenawee County Public Lakes: Click Here!
• Livingston County Public Lakes: Click Here!
• Oakland County Public Lakes Page 1: Click Here! 
• Oakland County Public Lakes Page 2: Click Here!
• Washtenaw County Public Lakes: Click Here!
• Wayne County Public Lakes: Click Here!