Upper Peninsula
Lake Gogebic: Had deep slush on the north end in Bergland Bay. Try to stay on the hard pack the snowmobiles made for easier travel but drill your holes away from the hard pack. Travel on the west shore was good however wheeled vehicles should not be on the ice. Walleye fishing slowed and the perch bite has not picked up yet. The walleye bite was sporadic with a few fish taken in 15 to 20 feet. Catch rates for perch were limited. Try wigglers in 20 to 28 feet. The east shore boat launch was slushy. It was not as deep as Bergland Bay but the slush did extend from the boat launch to the south end of the lake.
Keweenaw Bay: Anglers fishing off the pier in L’Anse have picked up a couple of rainbow trout on spinners and Cleo’s. Those fishing off Sand Point reported some good catches of coho and a couple splake when casting Cleo’s or Swedish pimples. A couple rainbow trout were caught on spawn and spinners in the Falls Rivers.
Menominee River: The hot spot continues to be the 6th Street Slip with walleye being the target species. Anglers are jigging minnows and plastics in 30 feet. Electronics have been very helpful. Some trout were caught in open water by the dam above Hattie Street. Small Cleo’s and raps worked well.
Little Bay De Noc: Ice conditions remain good in the northern section from Gladstone Bay to Garth Point. Pressure cracks tightened up over the last week making travel better in several areas. Saunders Point is considered DANGEROUS because of open water. Ice in the southern bay improved as far south as Portage Point. A pressure crack at Aronson Island is running several hundred yards south. Anglers are using extreme caution when navigating this area. The best walleye catches were reported south of Aronson Island in 25 to 45 feet when using jig raps with minnows or tip-ups with sucker minnows. Good numbers of large fish were reported. Whitefish were also caught in this area. Fair to good walleye catches in 15 to 20 feet south of the Escanaba River, 25 to 34 feet in Gladstone Bay, 23 to 30 feet near Kipling, and 14 to 24 feet near the Day’s River. The better perch fishing was in 17 to 35 feet from the Second Reef north to the Center Reef when using mousies, wigglers or minnows. Good numbers of smaller perch were taken in the Escanaba Yacht Harbor. Pike were still active and some large fish were taken in 15 to 20 feet just south of the Escanaba River. Try tip-ups with sucker minnows. Those spearing did well in five to 10 feet near Butler Island but the water was stained.
Munising: Still has ice in the bay however areas to avoid because of poor ice and/or the movement of ice are Powell Point, the City Docks, and Sand Point. Strong winds coupled with strong currents have caused the ice to deteriorate especially at Sand Point which was pretty much open water except for broken ice near shore. The fishing tug has moved up shore and has cut a different path towards the channel so this area would not be safe. Those on snowmobiles should NOT cross Munising Bay. The better ice was off the Pictured Rocks dock and the Anna River access. Catch rates were mixed with a few splake and whitefish taken on a single egg. Those fishing off the Anna River had poor success.
Munuscong Bay: Was very slow for walleye and perch with the exception of Grassy Island which is where most of the fish were coming from. The ice east of Roach Point was still questionable.
Cedarville and Hessel: Muskie Bay has been producing a few nice catches of perch. Pike spearing is fair to good with plenty of undersized fish. Government Bay is also a very good spot for pike. Hessel Bay has produced some perch.
Fishing Tip: Fish for FREE this weekend!
Just a reminder this Saturday and Sunday brings the 2016 Winter Free Fishing Weekend to Michigan!
On those two days all fishing license fees will be waived. Residents and out-of-state visitors will be able to enjoy fishing on both inland and waters of the Great Lakes for all species of fish during their respective open seasons. Please note all other regulations still apply during that time.
There are plenty of ways to take advantage of the upcoming Free Fishing Weekend – whether that means heading out to your favorite fishing hole or taking your family to an organized event. Please note all events are subject to local weather conditions.
More information on this weekend’s unique opportunity to fish for free and this year’s official events can be found at michigan.gov/freefishing.
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