Anglers are reminded that on Sunday, April 1 all anglers 17 years of age and older will be required to have a new 2018 Michigan fishing license. Be sure to look at a copy of the 2018 Michigan Fishing Guide for new regulations that go into effect on April 1 – you can download it from Michigan.gov/dnrdigests.
Southwest Lower Peninsula
Dowagiac River: Anglers are catching steelhead at the Pucker Street Dam.
St. Joseph River: Has a good number of steelhead and fish are moving onto the gravel for spawning. Spawn bags, skein and plugs have all worked especially up near the Berrien Springs Dam. Some limit catches were reported.
Kalamazoo River: Also has a good number of steelhead.
Grand River at Grand Rapids: Has a good number of steelhead with spawning fish moving to the gravel.
Muskegon River: Boat and shore anglers are getting some steelhead but the action was still on the slow side with water temperatures in the mid 30’s.
White River: Steelhead fishing picked up with fresh fish moving in.
Northeast Lower Peninsula
Overall: Steelhead fishing was slow on some of the local rivers. Anglers were still ice fishing on some lakes, but extreme caution needs to used, as ice conditions are questionable.
Cheboygan River: Those using spawn at the dam were taking steelhead.
Pigeon River: Anglers were starting to fish for steelhead but most caught brown trout that had to be released.
Thunder Bay River: Is open water and conditions are right for steelhead fishing. The marina is still frozen but the Fletcher Street ramp is open. Not a lot of runoff yet so the river is still pretty fishable. The dam will likely be opened with the first real warm weather we get and that could make fishing more difficult. Up until freeze up last fall, Atlantic salmon were being caught regularly in the old ‘turning basin’ in the river and it is likely they are still there. Try casting from the walkway along LaMarre Park in Alpena.
Tawas River: Those drifting crawlers and spawn sacks were getting some steelhead.
Au Gres River: Steelhead anglers fishing at the Singing Bridge did well when drifting spawn sacks in the lower river. Surf fishing was nearly impossible due to the strong east winds.
Northwest Lower Peninsula
Overall: Steelhead fishing was slow on some of the local rivers as water levels were still low and cold.
Betsie River: Angling activity continues to increase with steelhead being caught. Some brown trout were also caught and released as the season is closed.
Manistee: Pier and boat anglers have caught coho and brown trout. Steelhead were caught by pier anglers.
Big Manistee River: Fishing picked up over the last week as a good number of fresh fish were moving in up near Tippy Dan, anglers reported a decent bite that was best in the morning. Those on the north bank did well floating spawn while those on the south bank had luck with beads and flies.
Pere Marquette River: Steelhead fishing is picking up with fresh fish moving in.
Pentwater River: Has steelhead.