Fishing Report

Has good numbers of steelhead, especially between Newaygo and Croton. Some are floating spawn while others are using fly patterns.

Both brown trout and steelhead have been caught off the south pier when still-fishing with spawn. Boat anglers have also caught brown trout when trolling with planer boards in waters 7 to 30 feet deep.

Fishing on both the north and south piers has been slow with only a few brown trout caught on spawn. Gizzard shad are schooling around the piers and some anglers are catching them to use for bait, but spawn seems to work best. No word on yellow perch or smelt.

Fishing has been on the slow side, even though a fair number of fish are still going through the fish ladder at Berrien Springs.

When boats can get out, they are still catching light numbers of coho, brown trout and steelhead. Most are trolling with planer boards along the shoreline in waters 8 to 30 feet deep. Pier fishing has been hit-or-miss.

Anglers are just starting to catch crappie when fishing in the canals with perch minnows.

The ice is finally gone and the launch sites are open. Boat anglers are starting to troll along the drop-off in 20 to 60 feet of water for brown trout and rainbow trout. Lake trout can be found in 80 to 100 feet of water.

A few walleye were caught just off the mouth of the river. Try fishing off Point Lookout and Point Au Gres.

Steelhead have been caught on spawn or flies.

Boat anglers have caught some walleye, brown trout and steelhead. Pier anglers have caught small walleye and yellow perch.

Good numbers of steelhead are entering the river. Good fishing was reported near the mouth when floating spawn.

Walleye are starting to show up in the bay. Anglers fishing off the mouth of the river have started to catch the occasional fish, but it is still a bit early.

Steelhead fishing was a little better, but it is still early. Anglers are drifting spawn under a bobber or casting spoons near the dam in Cheboygan.

Slow fishing this week, as water temperatures range from 35 to 39 degrees. A few brown trout were caught when trolling planer boards with body baits. Hot colors have been fire-tiger, black and silver, or chartreuse and silver. Best places to troll are south along the shoreline, in Calcite Harbor, and in Swan Bay. No reports of any smelt.

Yellow perch have been caught in front of Bay Aggregate. Some were fishing near Tower Beach Road and catching perch averaging 8 inches.

Good yellow perch fishing off Pine River Road and Palmer Road, but the fish are running small. Walleye were caught off Killarney Beach, near the Hot Ponds, and at the mouth of the KawKawlin River. At Bay Port, small yellow perch and crappie were caught in the Bay Shore Marina. At Caseville, a few suckers and small yellow perch were caught.

Those fishing at night have caught a few small steelhead and brown trout in the marina.