Michigan Weekly Fishing Report, Nov. 26, 2015

Weekly Fishing Report

November 26, 2015

Southeast Lower Peninsula  Southwest Lower Peninsula  Northeast Lower Peninsula  Northwest Lower Peninsula  Upper Peninsula  Great Lakes Temperature Map  Weekly Fishing Tip Attention Anglers:  The fishing report will not be updated the first week of December. Those looking to head out may want to check with local bait and tackle shops to get the latest on conditions around the state.    A lot of would-be anglers are deer or duck hunting and the weather has made it difficult for those wanting to fish. Between the strong winds, rain, snow or cold there is not much to report for the last week. The Catch and Release sturgeon season on the Great Lakes and Connecting Waters will close on November 30.   Southeast Lower Peninsula Lake Erie:  Had some boats out but most were duck hunters.     Huron River:  Was giving up some steelhead in the lower river.   Detroit River:  The upper river has been good for muskie fishing.  Perch anglers are still getting some fish when the weather allows.  A few walleye were caught in the Trenton Channel.      Lake St. Clair:  Water temperatures fell quickly with the cold spell.  High winds have kept the lake muddied up and fishing reports have been slow.  Those targeting muskie have done well on both sides of the lake.  The Catch and Immediate Release sturgeon season closes on Monday, November 30.  Based on the forecast, it looks like DNR access sites will remain open through at least the first weekend in December. These sites will have at least one skid pier in the water for launching.     St. Clair River:  Walleye fishing was fair with fish caught in the lower river channels by jigging or the upper river when hand-lining or whipping at night.  Walleye were caught at night near the Bluewater Bridge.  The Catch and Immediate Release sturgeon season closes on Monday, November 30.  The boat access site in the North Channel near Algonac will close on Tuesday, December 1.   Saginaw Bay:  When they can get out, boat anglers were getting a few yellow perch on minnows.  Those fishing near the Hot Pond caught catfish.  Back to Top Southwest Lower Peninsula Boat anglers heading out for panfish reported bluegills in deep water.  No word on crappie.     St. Joseph River:  Anglers were catching steelhead.  The fish ladder was still open because of the late run and warmer temperatures.     Kalamazoo River:  Has steelhead and the better fishing was below the Allegan Dam.  Target the deeper holes.  Walleye, pike and bass were also caught.     Grand Haven:  Pier anglers caught whitefish.     Grand River at Grand Rapids:  Had good steelhead action over the 6th Street Dam.  A few walleye and smallmouth bass were caught above the dam.  Anglers were using minnows and crawlers.     Rogue River:  Is producing steelhead and some reported limit catches.     Muskegon River:  Had good steelhead fishing with a good push of fish after the wet snow.  Most were floating spawn.     Back to Top Northeast Lower Peninsula Thunder Bay River:  This is the time of year anglers should find whitefish off the 9th Street Bridge.  Try a single egg or wax worm on a gold hook just off the bottom.   Au Sable River:  Colder temperatures did push some steelhead up into the river.  Fish were caught on spawn or crawlers.   Houghton Lake:  Had snow on the ground and no fishing activity.      Tawas:  Some are fishing off the State Docks.  Try a small hook with a wax worm, wiggler or a single egg for whitefish.  Use a slip bobber to keep the bait just off the bottom.   Au Gres River:  A couple of steelhead were caught down near the Singing Bridge.  Try spoons, plugs or spawn bags.  Orange is good color.      Back to Top Northwest Lower Peninsula Charlevoix:  Pier anglers were hooking into some steelhead.   Frankfort:  Pier anglers caught a fair number of steelhead when floating spawn.    Manistee:  Had fair to good steelhead fishing for pier anglers and those surfcasting, of course, it all depends on wind direction.  Pier anglers are floating spawn while those surfcasting are throwing orange spoons and spinners.     Manistee River:  Those fishing the Big Manistee have caught steelhead between the mouth and Tippy Dam however the better numbers were coming from the lower end of the river.    Ludington:  Pier and shore fishing has been fair to good depending on wind direction.  Anglers caught steelhead and the occasional brown trout.       Pere Marquette River:  Had steelhead throughout the river.  Some nice silver bullets were hitting on spawn under a bobber, live bait or flies.      Back to Top Upper Peninsula Lake Gogebic:  Is producing the occasional walleye especially for shore anglers.   Menominee River:  Whitefish have arrived.  Anglers are reporting fish 16 to 21 inches being caught mainly by the Hattie Street Dam.    Little Bay De Noc:  Had very low angler participation.  The walleye anglers were still trolling from the “Narrows” north to the Center Reef.  Most were using stick baits in the evening in waters six to 28 feet deep.  Perch anglers reported good numbers caught around Butler Island but most were too small.  Ice was starting to form along the shoreline.  St. Mary’s River:  A few walleye were caught on crawlers, crank baits or stick baits in Munuscong Bay.      Back to Top Fishing Tip:  Gear maintenance is an important task With the colder months quickly approaching, many anglers may be getting ready to store their gear for the season. There are a few maintenance tips you should follow so your quality gear is ready to be used next season.  1. The biggest tip is to always make sure all your gear is clean and completely dry before storing it. Start by cleaning everything (rods, reels and lines) in fresh water with soap or the manufacturer’s recommended solution to remove any materials that may have become attached or embedded. 2. Now is a great time to inspect your gear for any damage – and thus make repairs or prepare for replacements.  3. Don’t store any of your gear in direct sunlight and don’t store any of your gear where heat and/or moisture might build up. 4. Have waders? Air them out completely and don’t forget to hang them upside down for the months they are out of use.  Back to Top

The Weekly Fishing Report is intended to give anglers an idea of what is going on around the state. Updates come from DNR Fisheries seasonal and field staff, and DNR Conservation Officers. With more than 11,000 inland lakes, the Great Lakes and thousands of miles of rivers and streams, not all locations can be listed. However, it is safe to say if a species is being caught in some waters in the area, they are likely being caught in all waters in that section of the state that have that species.