By Staff
Now that cold weather has entered the state, it looks like ice fishing season might finally be here. As cold temperatures will keep producing ice, anglers are still reminded to use extreme caution on this first ice of the season. Avoid areas that have moving water and be extra careful around pressure cracks. There have already been a few incidents of people going through the ice, so please use caution.
Southeast Lower Peninsula
Lake Erie – Walleye anglers are still catching some fish, even with the onset of colder temperatures. Boat anglers are using reef runners and rapalas. Those fishing the cuts and canals are catching bluegills on minnows or wax worms.
Huron River – Water levels are not only coming down but are also clearing up, so walleye fishing should improve.
Saginaw Bay – Walleye were being caught at the Hot Ponds when using body baits and spoons. Perch action is slower. Those fishing at the Quanicassee Bridge and off the end of Thomas Road are catching perch, but the fish are running small.
Saginaw River – There is no ice fishing to report yet. Walleye are still hitting on jigs with minnows, but the fish are running small. Walleye were caught in the lower river in about 16-feet of water in front of the Coast Guard Station and the Bay Harbor Marina. Perch were caught in the lower river at the Bay Aggregate cut.
Southwest Lower Peninsula
St. Joseph River – Recent rains again pushed more water into the river system.
Kalamazoo River – Is currently experiencing high water levels. Steelhead and walleye have been caught by boat and shore anglers only.
Grand River at Grand Rapids – Water levels are now receding and clearing up. Steelhead fishing continues to be good when using jigs with minnows or choker bags up near the Sixth Street Dam. Walleye have been caught off the Fulton Street Bridge and the East Wall when bouncing minnows off the bottom. Off Wealthy Street, anglers are catching walleye when floating shiner minnows under a bobber.
Grand River at Lansing – Anglers may still be able to find some steelhead above the Webber Dam even though the DNR did close the fish ladder. The closing of the fish ladder every year is temperature based. Once the water temperature falls below 45 degrees, no more fish will move through. The ladder should be reopened by March 1st.
Muskegon – Those fishing off the breakwall are still catching steelhead. Anglers need to use extreme caution and avoid the piers when they have become ice covered and slippery.
Muskegon River – Good steelhead fishing continues in the upper section of the river. More walleye are starting to show up in the lower river.
Northeast Lower Peninsula
Otsego Lake – Anglers are starting to ice fish but caution needs to be used.
Lake Margrethe – Ice fishing has started here as well, but use caution.
Tawas – Only a few walleye, northern pike and whitefish have been caught in the harbor. Only a few perch were caught.
Higgins Lake – Has ice out to the drop off but the ice is NOT safe. Anglers are hoping by next week they will be ice fishing.
Houghton Lake – Has iced over and is making new ice every night. Anglers are encouraged to use caution and avoid the areas near the pressure cracks. Those fishing just off shore are catching northern pike on sucker minnows.
Northwest Lower Peninsula
Traverse City – Though ice has started to form, the bays do not have safe ice at this time. Anglers could start fishing by next week if cold temperatures continue and the winds stay light.
Big Manistee River – Steelhead fishing continues to be good. Those fishing up near Tippy Dam are also catching good numbers of brown trout, but the fish are small.
Lake Cadillac – Ice fishing has just started. As anglers start venturing out on the ice, they are reminded to use extreme caution. Rumor has it a few anglers fishing by the Junior High School were catching crappie on minnows. Quite a few small perch have been caught on minnows near the City Dock.
Upper Peninsula
Caution is still the word when venturing out on any lake, especially on the Great Lakes or large bodies of water. Smaller inland lakes are starting to provide some good ice fishing opportunities.
Lac Vieux Desert – Good numbers of perch, bluegill and pumpkinseed have been caught.
Sporley Lake – Small perch have been caught with a few nice ones mixed in.
Munuscong Bay – Is starting to make ice. A few anglers are perch fishing with minnows, but the bite has been slow.
Raber Bay – Still has open water with no safe ice to report.
Cedarville / Hessel * Ice anglers in Cedarville Bay are catching perch with wigglers when fishing by Little Joe Island. Musky Bay has ice, but it is not quite ready for fishing yet.