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!

9/13/2018 Southwest Lower Peninsula, Michigan Fishing Report

Southwest Lower Peninsula

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

St. Joseph:  Boat and pier anglers reported slow catch rates. No perch to report.

St. Joseph River:  A good number of steelhead, coho and Chinook salmon were moving through the Berrien Springs fish ladder at the beginning of the week. While there were some Chinook, most were coho and 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

South Haven:  Boat anglers continue to catch lake trout in 80 feet. Those targeting the pierheads are beginning to catch a few salmon however fishing was slow. Pier anglers caught the occasional salmon on spoons. The perch were scattered but anglers were getting a few when drifting.

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

Black River:  A few salmon were starting to move up into the river. Boat anglers caught a couple Chinook when trolling.

Calhoun County:  Some good size bluegills were caught in Duck Lake.

Grand Haven:  Boat anglers caught a few salmon from the pierheads out to about 50 feet with glow or pearl plugs. Pier anglers caught a few coho on glow spoons. 

Grand River at Grand Rapids:  The rain and cooler temperatures pushed a few more fish up into the river. Anglers were getting Chinook and some steelhead up near the Sixth Street Dam. Most were using a variety including spawn, spinners, thundersticks, Cleo’s and flies.

Grand River at Lansing:  A few walleye were caught. Try the usual spots such as near the dams. Anglers should find smallmouth bass and catfish. Check out the shallows and weed beds for pike. 

• 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)

Morrison Lake:  Was producing bluegills and a small number of 10-inch crappie.

Muskegon:  The salmon action was slow for boat anglers. A few fish were caught from the channel out to about 60 feet with chrome or glow plugs. Pier fishing was slow.

Muskegon Lake:  Strong winds had stirred up the lake and fishing was slow. Some perch were found near the Black Buoy which is southeast of the Bear Lake Channel. Those jigging a Swedish pimple near the channel leading to Lake Michigan caught a few salmon in the early morning or late evening. Those casting Cleo’s off the pier also caught a few fish. 

• 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)

Whitehall:  Chinook, coho and lake trout were caught 50 to 80 feet down in 150 to 200 feet when trolling J-plugs, flies and green or red spoons. Pier anglers casting spoons in the early morning or late evening caught the occasional salmon. 

White River:  Anglers casting body baits or spinners in the early morning caught the occasional Chinook salmon in the lower stretches.

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!

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!

8/29/2018 Southwest Lower Peninsula, Michigan Fishing Report

Southwest Lower Peninsula

St. Joseph:  Boat anglers targeting salmon were catching lots of lake trout in 120 feet.  The occasional coho was caught even deeper.  Pier fishing was slow.  Some perch were caught in 30 feet before the storms moved in. 

St. Joseph River:  Despite the warm weather, a light number of steelhead were moving through the fish ladders but no salmon yet.  Anglers caught steelhead at the mouth of Townsend Creek into Lake Chapin.  

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:  Pier anglers caught the occasional steelhead.  Boat anglers should be able to catch lake trout just off the bottom in 80 to 100 feet.  Perch fishing was slow. 

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

Grand Haven:  A few salmon were caught 65 to 120 feet down in 110 to 180 feet.  Lake trout continue to be caught near bottom on yellow or green spin-glo’s.  Pier anglers are catching freshwater drum and channel cats on gizzard shad.

Grand River at Lansing:  Anglers had success with smallmouth bass especially in the stretch south of Portland.  A few walleye were caught below the Webber Dam. 

• 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)

Shiawassee County:  A few smallmouth bass were caught in the Shiawassee River near the Corunna Dam and Shiatown Dam.  Anglers have caught largemouth bass on Lobdell Lake.

Ionia County:  Jordan Lake was producing some large panfish.  Some anglers were taking limit catches including some bluegills as big as 10.5 inches.  Anglers on Sessions Lake and Woodard Lake had limited to no success. 

Muskegon:  Boats reported slow salmon fishing with only a few caught 55 to 120 feet down in 100 to 180 feet with orange spoons and green meat rigs.  Pier anglers caught large and smallmouth bass.   

Muskegon Lake:  Walleye were caught between the state park and Bear Lake Channel when trolling a crawler harness with a bottom bouncer during the day or a husky jerk at night.  Fish were also caught in the channel leading to the big lake when jigging off the wall.  Boats trolling in the channel caught salmon on J-plugs. 

• 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)

Muskegon River:  Walleye and bluegill fishing increased in Croton and Hardy Ponds. 

Whitehall:  Changing water temperatures made for inconsistent salmon fishing.  Boats trolling 35 to 80 feet down in 50 to 130 feet caught Chinook, lake trout, and the occasional steelhead on flashers and green flies, green plugs, and green or purple spoons.  Boats trolling glow-spoons and plugs well before sunrise in 50 to 90 feet caught better numbers of mature salmon.  Pier anglers using casting jigs or spoons in the early morning or late evening caught the occasional Chinook. 

White Lake:  Bluegill fishing was inconsistent however some boats managed to catch a good number of fish when drifting red worms or wax worms in 15 to 20 feet.  

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!

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!