Lansing, Michigan – November 13, 2015 – The report this week is much shorter as most anglers now have their sights set on hunting season. After a relatively dry week, rain is needed to bring water levels up and improve steelhead fishing in the rivers. Those fishing the inland lakes have caught bluegill and crappie and this is also the time of year when pike go on a feeding frenzy. The season to take frogs, toads, salamanders and mudpuppies will close on November 15, 2015.
Northeast Lower Peninsula
Otsego Lake: Was producing some panfish.
West Twin Lake: In Montmorency County was producing a few walleye. Try crank baits, stick baits, small spoons or leeches.
Alpena: Whitefish are most likely on the reefs however it is rare to see anyone on the big water this time of year. Colder weather is needed before whitefish will come into the shallows to spawn.
Thunder Bay River: Had light fishing activity up at the Ninth Street Dam where anglers are targeting fall run steelhead, Atlantic salmon and the odd Chinook salmon. Some have caught walleye or whitefish.
Au Sable River: Should have steelhead especially in the lower river. Look for more fish to start moving in after the rain this week.
Tawas: Walleye were starting to become active in the shallows of Tawas Bay. The fish move in closer to shore when chasing the baitfish.
Northwest Lower Peninsula
Traverse City: Cisco were caught in the East Bay. Anglers were using primarily Swedish Pimples.
Frankfort: Had little boat traffic. Depending on the day and the weather conditions, pier anglers were still getting some steelhead. Most are using spawn. Some are surfcasting with spawn or small spoons.
Portage Lake: Was producing some large perch.
Long Lake: In Missaukee County was producing some crappie.
Manistee: Pier fishing and surfcasting for steelhead was still good on certain days, depending on wind and waves. Spawn was still the best bait.
Manistee River: Dry weather caused water levels to drop once again. The low and clear water makes steelhead fishing much more difficult. Fish are around but anglers will need to be patient and use light line.
Ludington: Steelhead were caught by pier anglers and those surfcasting. Catch rates were dependent on wind and wave action. Most are using spawn.
Pere Marquette River: Has steelhead but the water was low and clear. The fish will spook easily so use light line. Anglers are reminded that possession limits are put into place for a reason and to help prevent overharvest.
Upper Peninsula
Menominee River: Fishing pressure increased at the Hattie Street Dam. Whitefish were caught from the fisherman’s walkway to the dam. Evenings were best. Fish ranging 16 to 22 inches were caught by those floating a jig and minnow in the current. Some walleye and pike were caught by boat and shore anglers in the lower stretches when using jigs tipped with live bait or stick baits.
Little Bay De Noc: Walleye anglers reported results similar to last week.Those fishing during the day had fair catches when trolling stick baits in 35 to 40 feet at Kipling or 20 to 30 feet near the Black Bottom. Night anglers did best trolling stick baits along the edge of the First and Second Reefs in ten to 22 feet. The best perch catches were taken by those fishing off the dock in the Escanaba Yacht Harbor. The boat slip docks were a good place to try jigging minnows and worms. A lot of walleye anglers reported incidental pike catches throughout the bay.
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