Fishing Report

The yellow perch fishing at Pine River Road and Palmer Road is done. Good numbers of walleye have been caught using crawler harnesses in 8 feet of water near the mouth of the Kawkawlin River and near the Saginaw River. Try drifting crawler harnesses on the Callahan Reef. Closer to Sebewaing, crappie are hitting on minnows in the marina. A few yellow perch have been caught off the pier at Caseville, but that fishery is just about done.

Boats are trolling in shallow waters for trout and salmon. Pier anglers are catching coho on spawn and small spoons.

Walleye fishing continues to be very good as aggressive fish are providing limit catches. Try fishing the Lower Trenton Channel, especially between the Detroit Edison Stacks and the Humbug Marina, which is just north of Gibraltar. A jig and minnow with stinger hooks work best in 8 to 20 feet of water. Good walleye fishing downtown Detroit and near Fighting Island.

Boat anglers have caught chinook, coho, brown trout, walleye and whitefish when trolling in 10 to 20 feet of water. Yellow perch fishing is about done.

Walleye fishing continues to be very good as aggressive fish are providing limit catches. Try fishing the Lower Trenton Channel, especially between the Detroit Edison Stacks and the Humbug Marina, which is just north of Gibraltar. A jig and minnow with stinger hooks work best in 8 to 20 feet of water. Good walleye fishing downtown Detroit and near Fighting Island.

A significant number of muskellunge have died over the last month in Lake St. Clair and the Detroit River. The die-off is being monitored by the DNR and volunteer groups in the area. We have essentially ruled out pollution as a factor since those species more sensitive to pollution such as walleye and minnows have not been affected. Added to the mystery is the die-off of some bluegills, largemouth bass, pumpkinseed, perch and even carp found in the canals around Lake St. Clair and Gross Isle. This fish mortality could have been caused by several factors including a combination of spawning stress and a warm winter which may have set the stage for disease. April has been warm and sunny ? causing shallow bays and channels to warm rapidly during daylight hours, but then cool rapidly at night. These rapid temperature changes are very stressful to fish that have just emerged from a long winter period of cold temperatures. At this time, it is unknown if the bacterial disease first detected in Lake St. Clair muskellunge in 2002, known as musky pox (Piscirickettsia sp.), is involved. Many of the fish, including ALL of the muskies died weeks ago and have been lying on the bottom of the lake. As water temperatures warm up ? the fish begin to float. Pathologists cannot test these fish for musky pox or other diseases. Only live fish or fish that have been dead for less than a few hours can be tested for bacterial or viral diseases. We are monitoring the situation to determine the extent of the mortality

A significant number of muskellunge have died over the last month in Lake St. Clair and the Detroit River. The die-off is being monitored by the DNR and volunteer groups in the area. We have essentially ruled out pollution as a factor since those species more sensitive to pollution such as walleye and minnows have not been affected. Added to the mystery is the die-off of some bluegills, largemouth bass, pumpkinseed, perch and even carp found in the canals around Lake St. Clair and Gross Isle. This fish mortality could have been caused by several factors including a combination of spawning stress and a warm winter which may have set the stage for disease. April has been warm and sunny ? causing shallow bays and channels to warm rapidly during daylight hours, but then cool rapidly at night. These rapid temperature changes are very stressful to fish that have just emerged from a long winter period of cold temperatures. At this time, it is unknown if the bacterial disease first detected in Lake St. Clair muskellunge in 2002, known as musky pox (Piscirickettsia sp.), is involved. Many of the fish, including ALL of the muskies died weeks ago and have been lying on the bottom of the lake. As water temperatures warm up ? the fish begin to float. Pathologists cannot test these fish for musky pox or other diseases. Only live fish or fish that have been dead for less than a few hours can be tested for bacterial or viral diseases. We are monitoring the situation to determine the extent of the mortality

Steelhead fishing has slowed, but those fishing from shore are starting to catch more bluegills and crappie. Good sucker fishing near Flat Rock.

Anglers are catching walleye in Michigan waters off Luna Pier, but most of the action seems to be further east near the Toledo Lighthouse. Boats are fishing out by Turtle Island and West Sister Island. A few fish have been caught in Brest Bay in waters 18 to 20 feet deep. Some are using reef runners and crawler harnesses tipped with crawlers or leeches while others are slow trolling with crank baits or jigging. White bass are just starting to show up near the warm water discharges.

The docks are in at Munising but the fishing is still slow. Coho fishing has picked up a little but is only fair at best. Most of the coho are being caught just outside Munising Bay. Steelhead and splake fishing is slow as well. There are no reports of smelt yet.

A fair number of boat anglers have been trolling near the harbors with only an occasional coho or splake being taken. Lake trout have been caught in waters 180 to 200 feet deep. Shore fishing has been slow with reports of an occasional coho being taken near the Lower Harbor.

The walleye run in the river is just about over and the bite has been slow. Angling pressure remains high as the best catches are taking place at the river mouth and in the area of the Train Bridge. Some brown trout action is taking place in the Bay off Menominee and Marinette in 10 to 15 feet of water while trolling rapalas. Yellow perch catches are good at the Menominee Boat Marina. The Stony Point area is producing good numbers of walleye and brown trout. Trout action in the Bay off of Cedar River has slowed some with anglers reporting only the occasional brown trout being taken off from Wells State Park

A few coho, rainbow and lake trout were caught off the pier in L’Anse. Boat anglers are catching lake trout while jigging in 220 to 240 feet of water. In Traverse Bay, anglers are having success jigging for lake trout in 160 to 175 feet of water. Those trolling for salmon and trout are not having as much luck.

Steelhead runs are in full swing due to the recent warm weather. Most of the fish are being caught at Tippy Dam.

A few brown trout and steelhead were taken on spawn off from the North Pier. Boat anglers are trolling along the shoreline both north and south of the harbor. Hot colors have been anything blue, orange or yellow. No reports of any fish caught off Sable Point.

Fishing has been slow. A couple brown trout were taken off the South Pier on spawn and spoons. Menominee and yellow perch have been caught off the North Pier when using a single egg, minnows, wigglers or worms. Boat anglers are trolling for brown trout.

Pier fishing has been hit or miss, with mostly brown trout and a few steelhead being caught on spawn. Light numbers of whitefish have been caught off the north pier at night. Boat anglers trolling the pier heads and inside Lake Betsie have caught a fair number of steelhead and brown trout on body baits. Brown trout have been caught near Pt. Betsie as well.

On East Bay, steelhead were caught in limited numbers near Elk Rapids drifting spawn and wax worms. Whitefish are hitting on spoons and jigs in 230 to 240 feet of water. At the mouth of Mitchell Creek, anglers were catching a few steelhead in the mornings while surf-casting with spawn. On West Bay, whitefish action is slowing down off of Bingham Road as anglers are catching 3-6 fish per boat in 240 feet of water. White seems to be the most productive color. Lake trout action is picking up as anglers began jigging spoons near the Gravel Pit and Brush Grounds in 120 to 150 feet of water.

Both brown trout and chinook are being caught around the mouth of Muskegon Lake and in front of Mona Lake using planer boards in 8 to 30 feet of water. Plenty of salmon are also being caught in the shallows from the shore out to 25 feet of water using spoons. The best colors to use have been red with white and red with orange. No pier fishing activity to report.

Steelhead continue to hit strong on spawn sacks, rapalas and spinners from the Sixth Street Dam on down the river. Good crappie fishing was also reported off the east and west walls and near Riverside Park.

Pier fishing has improved. Brown trout and chinook have been caught on both the north and south piers. Perch fishing has been good in the deep holes south of the south pier. Minnows and wigglers seem to be the bait of choice. Boat anglers are having luck running planer boards in 8 to 30 feet of water. Brown trout, steelhead and chinook were all caught as well.

A few perch have been caught in the Holland Channel. Coho and chinook are being caught in waters 20 to 60 feet deep straight out of Holland. Boat anglers are having luck with brown trout while trolling along the beach area.

Steelhead are still being caught in the river. Anglers are catching them well downstream from the dam. Spawn and flies are working the best.

Pier fishing is slow. Boat anglers are catching coho and an occasional brown or rainbow trout while trolling spoons in waters 10 to 40 feet deep.

Anglers are just starting to catch crappie and bluegill. The catch rate goes up and down depending on the temperatures. The best catches have been while fishing in the canals and shallows with perch minnows or wax worms.