8/27/2025 Southeast, Michigan Fishing Report

Southeast Lower Peninsula

Lake Erie: Yellow perch were caught out from the River Raisin in about 15 feet of water. However, they were not being caught in limit numbers yet, as they had only just started to come in with the cooling water temperatures. Unfortunately, the larger perch were still holding out and had not yet entered Michigan waters, so it was still slightly early to catch the bigger ones in great numbers. Water temperatures had dropped to the mid-70s, but once they reached the 60s, the perch came in en masse. Anglers were using perch spreaders with minnows to catch the early ones. Vegetation had thinned out a bit. Walleye were caught at the mouth of the Detroit River to the north, on crawler harnesses & trolling spoons. **I've specifically seen people catching walleye trolling michigan stinger spoons or similar spoons" Not much action was reported with smallmouth or largemouth bass this week.

• 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
  
  
• 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.

Detroit River:  Visibility on the river is pretty good at about 5 feet or more.  No heavy grass is flowing down the river at this time making jigging or bottom fishing  easier.  I've only seen a couple of reports of people dragging harnesses and jigging the river with success but not enough to verify a consistent bite.  Shore fishermen are still picking up channel catfish throughout the river on live night crawlers or any preferred catfish baits.  Large sheepshead and smallmouth bass are also taking night crawlers but larger fish are biting crayfish.  **If you're looking for crayfish, try Moes Bait Shop**. 

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

Port Sanilac: Boat anglers trolling for salmon and trout picked up a few walleye and lake trout in 100 to 130 feet of water. The anglers marked a lot of fish in about 80 feet of water, but getting a bite was tough.

Port Austin: Smallmouth bass and a few pike were caught in the bird creek inside the harbor area casting spinners and using night crawlers.

Quanicassee/Caseville: Fishing pressure was light. A few perch were caught straight out of Sunset Marina in the slot, in 15 feet of water. It was slow going, though, with anglers fishing all morning and doing a lot of sorting to keep seven to eight perch.

• 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!
• Saginaw 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!

2/9/22 Southeast Lower Peninsula, Michigan DNR Fishing Report

 

Southeast Lower Peninsula

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

Panfish anglers were finding success in inland lakes for panfish and pike while jigging off drop offs and flats in 10 to 20 feet of water with live bait (spikes, mousies and waxworms) as well as plastics. For pike, use tip-ups adjacent to weed edges with live bait.

Lake Erie: There were varying reports of success out of Metropark for yellow perch. Spoons tipped with spikes and waxworms were producing the most success. Panfish were also targeted. Jigs tipped with waxworms and spikes seemed to be most effective.  

• 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

Lake St. Clair: There were reports of a tough bite for large yellow perch. A lot of sorting through small
perch to find the larger ones. Anglers were having success out of Selfridge in 7 to 9 feet of water. Anglers also found a good mix of panfish and perch in canals and shallower water.

Saginaw Bay: On the west side of the bay, walleye were caught at the blackhole in Pinconning in 25 feet of water. Walleye were also caught at the cigar in front of Linwood in 18-23 feet of water and at the old dumping grounds in 20 feet of water. Some yellow perch were also caught at these locations. Anglers were also catching yellow perch at the spark plug in 25 feet of water. On the east side of the bay, fishing for yellow perch from Sebwaing to Bay Port had been hit or miss with lots of small perch to sort through. Those doing best were waiting for schools of perch to move to them. Anglers reported northern pike in the same areas while perch fishing.  

• 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: Anglers reported slow fishing through most of Bay City and Essexville, with a lot of sub legal walleye caught and released in this area. Upstream in the south end of Bay City at Cass Avenue and in the vicinity, anglers did well catching good numbers of walleye with some limits taken. Anglers did well in this area fishing the edge of the channel in 20 to 25 feet of water jigging a blue and silver or orange jigging Rapala. Anglers should plan to do lots of sorting. Most walleye were running in the 13 to 16-inch size range. Elsewhere walleye fishing was pretty slow at all points upstream around the Zillwaukee Bridge and through Saginaw.

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!

11/8/2018 Southwest Lower Peninsula, Michigan DNR Fishing Report

Southwest Lower Peninsula

Overall: Steelhead are still moving into the rivers however the waters were running high and turbid because of the recent rains. Inland lakes are producing bluegills and perch.

St. Joseph River: Look for steelhead at the Berrien Springs Dam. Water temperature was near 48 degrees. Fish have been reported all the way up to Niles and Buchanan as well however upstream movement of fish will drop as the water cools.

Nearby Bait Shops Include: 

Fishin Hole (269) 982-3474

Tackle Haven (269) 925-0341

Great Lakes Tackle  (269) 208-6178

Fishing Hole 2 (269) 468-7522

Kalamazoo River: Had reports of steelhead up near the Allegan Dam.

Black River: Shore anglers drifting or using spawn on the bottom caught steelhead.

Grand Haven: Had no boat or pier anglers due to the windy and rough conditions.

Grand River at Grand Rapids: The water level was up but still fishable. Steelhead are being caught up near the dam. Anglers are using a variety including spawn, plugs, thunder sticks, spinners, small spoons or a jig and wax worm.

Murray Lake: In Kent County was producing bluegills in 20 to 24 feet. Anglers were using perch rigs with wigglers, red worms and wax worms.

Muskegon River: Is producing some nice steelhead especially in the lower river. Catch rates were still spotty but a few more fish were caught after the last rain. Anglers are casting flies, spoons, beads and crank baits. Look for walleye and perch on both Croton and Hardy Ponds.

• 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)

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! 

11/1/2018 Southwest Lower Peninsula, Michigan DNR Fishing Report

Southwest Lower Peninsula

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

St. Joseph: No boats made it out to fish so there were no perch reports. Pier anglers were getting a couple steelhead and some whitefish on spawn. Those surf-casting have also taken a couple steelhead.

Nearby Bait Shops Include: 

Fishin Hole (269) 982-3474

Tackle Haven (269) 925-0341

Great Lakes Tackle  (269) 208-6178

Fishing Hole 2 (269) 468-7522

St. Joseph River: DNR staff cleaned out the fish ladders at Berrien Springs, Niles and Buchanan and reported a few Chinook and steelhead in each ladder. Fishing pressure was light below Berrien Springs.

South Haven: Had no boat reports. Pier anglers using spawn caught a few whitefish and the occasional steelhead.

• For more places to fish in Van Buren County: Click Here!

Black River: Those trolling and shore anglers using spawn caught a couple steelhead.

Grand Haven: Boats continue to catch lake trout along the bottom in 90 to 160 feet with yellow spin-glo’s. Pier anglers caught a couple steelhead on spawn.

Grand River at Grand Rapids: Those fishing up near the dam are getting a few coho and steelhead.

Grand River at Lansing: A odd coho was caught at the Moore’s Park Dam and the North Lansing Dam however there are no big numbers of fish. Try spinners or spawn bags. A few catfish have been caught.

• For a more accurate report on the Grand River at Lansing I suggest reaching out to the people at Grand River Bait & Tackle. Phone: (517-482-4461)

Muskegon: Pier and shore anglers reported slow steelhead action.

Muskegon River: Anglers are still getting some Chinook salmon although the fish have turned dark. Look for more steelhead after the recent rain.

Whitehall: Pier anglers still-fishing with spawn bags caught small coho along with the occasional steelhead in the morning. Those casting jigs or soft plastic swimbaits in the morning or evening caught walleye and the occasional largemouth bass.

White Lake: Perch were caught by those using vertical jigs tipped with minnows or wigglers in 30 feet.

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! 

10/25/2018 Southwest Lower Peninsula, Michigan Fishing Report

Southwest Lower Peninsula

St. Joseph: Once again the weather has hampered fishing as no boats had made it out for salmon. Pier fishing was slow for steelhead with only a couple caught on spawn. The whitefish action is also slow.

Nearby Bait Shops Include: 

Fishin Hole (269) 982-3474

Tackle Haven (269) 925-0341

Great Lakes Tackle  (269) 208-6178

Fishing Hole 2 (269) 468-7522

South Haven: No trout and salmon anglers had been out as windy conditions kept boats off the big lake. Pier fishing was slow for all species.

• For more places to fish in Van Buren County: Click Here!

Black River: Boat and shore anglers reported slow steelhead fishing.

Kalamazoo River: Some steelhead were caught up near the Allegan Dam. Look for more fish to move in with rain in the forecast. Those using live and cut bait have caught some catfish in the early morning.

Grand Haven: Weather conditions have made it difficult for anglers to get out. When they do, lake trout were caught on the bottom in 90 to 150 feet with a yellow flasher and spin-glo combo. Pier anglers reported slow steelhead action however a couple small coho were caught on spawn.

Grand River at Grand Rapids: Any leftover salmon are in rough shape. Anglers are getting some steelhead up near the dam but no big numbers yet.

Grand River at Lansing: The coho action is pretty much done for this year. A few scattered steelhead have been caught in the area however there are no big numbers by any means. A few bass and panfish were caught on occasion.

• For a more accurate report on the Grand River at Lansing I suggest reaching out to the people at Grand River Bait & Tackle. Phone: (517-482-4461)

Murray Lake: In Kent County was producing some nice bluegills in 24 feet.

Muskegon: No boat report due to weather conditions. Pier anglers reported slow steelhead fishing.

Muskegon River: Is producing the occasional steelhead however some rain by the weekend should help bring more fish into the system. A small number of salmon can still be found. Hardy Dam Pond was producing a few walleye for those using minnows.

Whitehall: Had no boat anglers. Pier anglers still-fishing with spawn bags caught coho and steelhead. Those casting jigs and blade baits caught walleye in the evenings.

White Lake: Perch fishing was slow but some were caught in 40 feet with perch minnows or wax worms.

White River: Water levels are low and clear. A few salmon are still being caught however we need some rain to get the steelhead moving.

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

Kalamazoo County Bait Shops: Click Here!

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!

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! 

10/4/2018 Southwest Lower Peninsula, Michigan Fishing Report

Southwest Lower Peninsula

St. Joseph:  Boat anglers are still catching lake trout even though the action has slowed. Most were caught in 100 feet or so. Pier fishing is slow for all species. Perch fishing slowed with only a few caught in 40 feet.   

St. Joseph River:  A few coho, the occasional Chinook and a couple fresh steelhead were moving through the ladder at Berrien Springs.   

Nearby Bait Shops Include: 

Fishin Hole (269) 982-3474

Tackle Haven (269) 925-0341

Great Lakes Tackle  (269) 208-6178

Fishing Hole 2 (269) 468-7522

 

South Haven:  Boat anglers continue to catch a few lake trout in 80 to 100 feet. Pier fishing was slow but perch fishing was good with a decent number caught in 35 feet.  

• For more places to fish in Van Buren County: Click Here!

Grand Haven:  Boat anglers are catching lake trout along the bottom in 100 to 150 feet with a yellow spin-glo and flasher. Pier anglers reported slow salmon action.  

Grand River at Grand Rapids:  Is producing Chinook, coho and even a couple steelhead. Most are fishing up near the Sixth Street Dam with spawn bags, skein, thunder sticks and small spoons.  

Grand River at Lansing:  Had a good push of coho around the Webber Dam Monday morning. Fish were also being caught near the Portland Dam. Most are using spinners or spawn. Water levels are high which is not good for those looking to wade.  

• For a more accurate report on the Grand River at Lansing I suggest reaching out to the people at Grand River Bait & Tackle. Phone: (517-482-4461)

Looking Glass River:  Was producing some pike off Babcock’s Landing and in the city of Dewitt. Those using spinners or rattle traps have caught a few keepers.  

Clinton County:  Anglers at Motz Park were taking bluegills on a piece of crawler from both the northwest and the east lake. Largemouth bass were hitting on plastics. Muskrat Lake was producing some crappie in shallower waters just off the boat launch.   

• For more places to fish in Clinton County: Click Here!

Muskegon:  Pier anglers are catching freshwater drum while casting spoons.  

Muskegon River:  Is producing salmon but the run has been on the slow side. A couple brown trout were caught and those targeting smallmouth continue to do well.    

Whitehall:  Had no boat anglers due to poor weather conditions.  Pier anglers casting spoons or still-fishing with spawn bags in the early morning caught the odd coho.   Those casting body baits or jigs caught walleye early morning or late evening.    

White River:  Those fishing the lower stretches reported slightly higher numbers of new fish entering the system. Try casting body baits in the early morning or drifting skein and spawn bags through the deeper holes.

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

Kalamazoo County Bait Shops: Click Here!

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!

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! 

9/27/2018 Southwest Lower Peninsula, Michigan Fishing Report

To access the original Michigan DNR fishing Report: Click Here! Southwest Lower Peninsula Overall: Bass and bluegill are actively feeding in the morning and evening. Try jigs and spinners for bass and red worms for bluegill. Along the deep weed lines and drop-offs, try a worm under a slip bobber.  St. Joseph:   Boat anglers targeting lake trout reported decent catch rates in 80 to 100 feet. Perch fishing was good north of the pier in 40 feet. Pier anglers caught a few Chinook when casting spoons and spinners.    St. Joseph River:  Appears to have a decent number of Chinook and coho. Nearby Bait Shops Include:  Fishin Hole (269) 982-3474 Tackle Haven (269) 925-0341 Great Lakes Tackle  (269) 208-6178 Fishing Hole 2 (269) 468-7522 Branch County:  Anglers were having success at the Union Lake Dam. Catfish are being caught on crawlers or chicken liver. South Haven:  Perch fishing continues to be decent including some nice catches in 35 to 50 feet south of the piers. Boat anglers are still catching lake trout out in 80 feet. Pier fishing was slow for all species. For more places to fish in Van Buren County: Click Here! Grand Haven:  Anglers going offshore are finding a mix of salmon and trout 40 to 100 feet down in 225 to 300 feet when trolling orange or green spoons. Pier anglers found slow salmon action but a decent number of channel cats were caught on gizzard shad. Grand River at Grand Rapids:  Anglers were still catching a few coho and the occasional Chinook in both the Grand and the Rogue River. Bluegill and crappie fishing picked up in the bayous, especially Stearns Bayou in Ottawa County. Grand River at Lansing:  Had fishing activity at the Webber and Portland Dams. Anglers were targeting coho when drifting spawn and crawlers or casting small spoons. For a more accurate report on the Grand River at Lansing I suggest reaching out to the people at Grand River Bait & Tackle. Phone: (517-482-4461) Muskegon:  Boat anglers targeting salmon near the breakwalls caught very few fish. Pier anglers caught freshwater drum on spoons. Muskegon Lake:  Those trolling were getting Chinook salmon south of the channel and down near the mouth of the river. Perch anglers were still getting some fish with perch rigs and minnows.   Muskegon River:  Anglers are picking up a few salmon throughout including up near Croton Dam. Smallmouth bass continue to be caught.   Whitehall:  Angling activity slowed, but steelhead and coho were caught on spoons 50 to 80 feet down in 250 to 350 feet. Pier anglers casting for salmon had slow catch rates. Those casting body baits or soft-plastic minnows caught walleye in the evening. White Lake:  Those casting spoons near the mouth of the river caught the occasional Chinook salmon in the early morning.   White River:  Anglers casting body baits or drifting skein in the lower end for salmon reported spotty catch rates. Chinook salmon were caught up near Hesperia.   For more bait shops in the southwest lower peninsula follow the links below: Kalamazoo County Bait Shops: Click Here! 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! 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!