Northwest Lower Peninsula
Overall: The return of winter has slowed things down. River steelhead fishing is decent in the lower stretches. Water levels were low and clear levels which makes fishing a little more difficult. Ice on the inland lakes is unpredictable. Caution needs to be used.
Bear River: In Emmet County had reports of some steelhead starting to run.
Betsie River: Steelhead are being caught.
Manistee: Coho salmon and brown trout fishing is picking up for those trolling along the beach. There is one dock in at the First Street launch. Pier anglers caught a couple steelhead and brown trout.
Big Manistee River: Steelhead fishing is decent in the lower river.
Ludington: A few hardy anglers trolling or pier fishing caught steelhead and brown trout. Those trolling were in 10 to 20 feet along the beach.
Pere Marquette River: Steelhead fishing picked up from the Twin Bridges at US-31 to Lake County but cold temperatures have once again slowed the bite.
Pentwater River: Has steelhead for those braving the cold weather.
Southwest Lower Peninsula
Overall: Coho salmon and brown trout fishing was picking up in the waters south of St. Joseph. Most of the action came when trolling along the beach but some anglers were going out to 200 feet when the weather allowed.
St. Joseph River: Although river levels are still higher than normal, steelhead action was good as the fish ladders are open and steelhead could be seen. Boat anglers were doing best but shore anglers caught a few.
Dowagiac River: Anglers caught a couple steelhead up near the Pucker Street Dam.
Kalamazoo River: Water levels were still a bit high but anglers have caught steelhead and walleye up near the Allegan Dam.
Grand River at Grand Rapids: Although river levels are still higher than normal, steelhead action was good with a number of fish observed at 6th Street. Walleye were also being caught at a slower pace but they are definitely in the river. Steelhead are being caught in Prairie Creek in Ionia County.
Rogue River: Is also producing some steelhead.
Muskegon: Pier anglers were getting the occasional steelhead.
Muskegon River: Water levels continue to drop and the water clarity was still stained. Steelhead fishing was good but the cold and snow will slow the bite.
White River: Steelhead were caught but the cold spell slowed the bite.
Northeast Lower Peninsula
Sturgeon River: Some steelhead were starting to run.
Ocqueoc River: Had steelhead fishing.
Au Sable River: Was producing some steelhead.
Tawas River: Fishing was generally slow with just a couple walleye, pike and steelhead picked up.
Rifle River: Steelhead were caught in the lower river.
Southeast Lower Peninsula
Huron River: Anglers were still getting some steelhead up near the dam at Flat Rock when using fresh spawn or a jig tipped with a wax worm. Those fishing the deeper holes downstream were using crank baits.
Upper Peninsula
Menominee River: Anglers are starting to catch brown trout near the Hattie Street Dam.
Marquette: Limits or near limit catches of coho were taken on the bubblers. A mix of brown trout, splake, herring, and a couple kings were also taken but the ice moved back in and locked up access to the bubblers once again. Rivers in the Marquette area had very little fishing pressure.
Grand Marais: Still had ice within the harbor but low fishing pressure. Anglers were fishing for Menominee in shallower water. A few coho and steelhead were caught in the upper part of the marina.