1/25/2019 Northeast Lower Peninsula Michigan DNR Fishing Report

Northeast Lower Peninsula

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

Grand Lake Alpena: Currently has about 10 inches of ice on it with anglers catching walleye and perch.  

• For more Alpena County Lakes: Click Here!
• For a list of Alpena County bait and tackle shops: Click Here!

Otsego Lake: Had a good number of anglers, and those seeking them managed to catch a couple fish up to 20 inches on tip-ups or when jigging blue minnows in 10 to 14 feet. Smaller fish were caught in shallower waters. Schools of perch were seen; however, they did not want to bite. Lake sturgeon between 48-50 inches were caught when jigging blue minnows or with tip-ups in 5 to 8 feet. The better action was at dusk and after dark. 

• For more Otsego County Lakes: Click Here!

Lake Fifteen: In Montmorency County was producing some smelt. 

• For more Montmorency County Lakes: Click Here!
• For a list of Montmorency County bait and tackle shops: Click Here!

Higgins Lake: Perch were caught in 20 to 40 feet near the Main Island and the Sunken Island. Good pike action with a few fish over 20 pounds were taken off Sam-O-Set Road and the South State Park. Lake trout were caught by those jigging or using tip-ups with minnows in 80 to 100 feet. 

Rainbow trout were found off the Conference Center and Big Creek when using wigglers in shallow waters. A few smelt were taken off the west launch, Big Creek and the North State Park in the late evening. 

Houghton Lake: The East Bay has tightened up finally. The lake had about 6 inches of snow on top.  Catch rates were up and down as some are doing well while others were not getting many. The fish seem to be moving around, so don’t be afraid to go shallower or deeper than normal. Bluegills are still hitting wigglers and wax worms, and crappie are hitting small jigging spoons tipped with a minnow. Glow lures seem to work better. For walleye, try jigging spoons or jigging raps tipped with a minnow head. Pike are hitting tip-ups with golden shiners or sucker minnows. Anglers should watch for pressure cracks and are urged stay away from the deeper water leading from the main lake into the East Bay because of thin ice and/or open water. Other areas to avoid are near the Cut River, Muskegon River and Long Point. 

Nearby Bait & Tackle Shops:

Lymans On the Lake Resort: (989) 422-3231

H&H Fireworks, Guns & Sporting Goods: (989) 366-0126

Lake St. Helen: Is producing a few walleye in the First Lake for those using a Swedish pimple and small minnow. 

Oscoda Area: Steelhead and Atlantic salmon are keeping anglers busy in the lower stretch of the Au Sable River. Wax worms and spawn fished right on the bottom have produced the best action. Ice on most of the inland lakes is running between 5 and 7 inches thick, but anglers are reminded to use caution and check the ice as you go. Those getting out on Indian and Cedar lakes report a mixed bag of bluegills and perch. Fair numbers of walleyes have been caught of blue shiners fished in Foote Dam Pond.  

Tawas: Ice anglers were out off Jerry’s Marina and fishing back in the “armpit.” Most were walking out to 15 to 20 feet. Catch rates have been slow, with only a couple walleye caught here and there. No good word on perch yet. 

• For more Iosco County Lakes: Click Here!

Au Gres: Quite a few anglers were fishing down off the mouth of the Pine River and Palmer Road. Most were fishing in about 8 ½ feet of water and getting some walleye in the evening, though the action was not red-hot as most were only getting two to three fish per trip. Perch fishing was slow to fair.    

Au Gres River: Ice anglers on the lower river caught a few walleye and pike. They are getting a mix of small and legal-size fish.

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!