Southwest Lower Peninsula
St. Joseph River: A lot of steelhead were moving through the Berrien Springs ladder after the rain. The river was high and turbid.
Grand River at Grand Rapids: There was a good push of fresh steelhead resulting in a good number of fish in the river over the last week.
Muskegon River: Water levels were up after the storm. Turbid and stained water made fishing a little more difficult.
Northeast Lower Peninsula
Overall: Rivers will rise over the next couple weeks with the daytime melting and the snow will definitely be around until May. At this point, conditions for the trout opener next weekend do not look good.
Ocqueoc River: Before the winter storm hit, a couple steelhead were caught on spawn. Fishing pressure declined with the onset of colder weather.
Thunder Bay River: A couple steelhead and Atlantic salmon were caught before the storm. Fishing is slow and the spring run has not even begun yet. We need warmer weather and an increase in water levels.
Au Sable River: Snow, cold air, and ice on the ponds have kept river temperatures about 38 degrees. Flow has increased but the water stayed fairly clear towards Foote Dam Pond. A couple steelhead were caught in the deeper holes as well as up near Foot Dam when drifting spawn bags, flies, and wax worms. These and other natural looking baits continue to produce in the cold water.
Black River: A couple steelhead were caught by those floating spawn.
Northwest Lower Peninsula
Overall: Rivers in this area will rise over the next couple weeks with the daytime melting. Some lakes were still ice covered however deep snow makes it impossible to tell what the ice conditions are like.
Bear River: Was flowing at a higher level. Steelhead were caught on spawn bags, flies or wax worms. A few suckers were also caught.
Big Manistee River: Steelhead fishing continues, and will for a while.
Pere Marquette River: Had good steelhead fishing.