Southwest Lower Peninsula

Muskegon River: Steelhead are still being caught though catch rates are spotty. Leech patterns are working in the deeper holes.

White River: Those casting or drifting spawn and beads continue to catch the occasional steelhead or brown trout.

Northeast Lower Peninsula

Thunder Bay River: A good number of Atlantic salmon have moved off the beds and were more willing to bite. Some were still up near the dam however a good number were dropping back in the river. Atlantic salmon along with a couple steelhead and brown trout were caught by those drifting or floating spawn, wax worms and beads, casting spoons, stripping streamers or drifting nymphs and egg flies. The steelhead action was relatively slow. The harbor had skim ice.

Au Sable River: Atlantic salmon have moved off the beds and could be found in the holes and around current breaks and structure like downed trees. Only a small number were still on the beds and spawning. The Atlantics were taken when drifting or floating spawn bags, beads, spinners, wax worms or egg flies. The steelhead action was slow with only a few caught. Walleye were taken when casting crank baits near the mouth.

Northwest Lower Peninsula

Manistee River: Those braving the cold caught steelhead, but the bite was slow.

Pere Marquette River: Had a slow steelhead bite.

Pentwater River: Some big steelhead were caught however the bite slowed.

Southwest Lower Peninsula

Black River: Shore anglers were still getting some steelhead when drifting or using spawn on the bottom. A few lake trout were also caught.

Grand River at Grand Rapids: Steelhead anglers were still getting fish up near the dam. Try small spoons, spinners, plugs, spawn bags or a jig and wax worm.

Grand River at Lansing: Some steelhead were caught between Ionia and Portland. No big numbers but a few fish here and there. Boat anglers were trolling crank baits while shore anglers and those wading were using spawn or flies.

Muskegon River: Steelhead are being caught though the run is still spotty. Fish can be found in both the shallows and the deeper holes. Some are casting spoons, beads and crank baits while others are fly casting. Water temperatures were in the low to mid 40’s.

White River: Is producing steelhead.

Northeast Lower Peninsula

Thunder Bay River: Atlantic salmon, steelhead, a couple Chinook salmon, lake trout and brown trout have been caught by those casting spoons, spinners and crank baits or when bottom bouncing and floating beads or spawn bags. Fly anglers stripping and swinging streamers have also taken fish. Some steelhead were moving into the river and the bite picked up. Most of the Atlantic salmon were still spawning but a few are post spawn and were dropping off the beds. Those still-fishing with minnows caught a few small perch.

Au Sable River: Most of the Atlantic salmon were still on the beds but a few hungry post spawn fish have been caught. Steelhead and the odd Chinook were also caught when casting spoons and spinners or when bottom bouncing or floating spawn, flies and beads. Fly anglers were stripping streamers and using egg patterns. A few more fall steelhead were entering the river. A couple large fish up to 10 pounds were caught.

Northwest Lower Peninsula

Manistee River: Should still have a decent number of steelhead however with snow and cold temperatures, many are hunting instead of fishing.

Pere Marquette River: Had a few anglers targeting steelhead but the bite was slow.

Pentwater River: Is producing steelhead.

Upper Peninsula

Two Hearted River: Luce County has received several inches of snow over the past week which will make navigation near the river difficult. Steelhead reports have been spotty with a few fish being picked up here and there. Most anglers are targeting fish down near the mouth. Those using small worms with a sinker caught Menominee near the mouth.

Southwest Lower Peninsula

Overall: Steelhead are still moving into the rivers however the waters were running high and turbid because of the recent rains.

St. Joseph River: Look for steelhead at the Berrien Springs Dam. Water temperature was near 48 degrees. Fish have been reported all the way up to Niles and Buchanan as well however upstream movement of fish will drop as the water cools.

Kalamazoo River: Had reports of steelhead up near the Allegan Dam.

Black River: Shore anglers drifting or using spawn on the bottom caught steelhead.

Grand River at Grand Rapids: The water level was up but still fishable. Steelhead are being caught up near the dam. Anglers are using a variety including spawn, plugs, thunder sticks, spinners, small spoons or a jig and wax worm.

Muskegon River: Is producing some nice steelhead especially in the lower river. Catch rates were still spotty but a few more fish were caught after the last rain. Anglers are casting flies, spoons, beads and crank baits.

Continue reading “Michigan DNR Fishing Report for November 7, 2018” →

Northwest Lower Peninsula

Bear River: Water levels were normal. Angler pressure was low at the dam with the major salmon run tapering off. Anglers could still find a few lake trout or a couple coho. Most were drifting real or artificial spawn and flies up near the dam. The mouth had the most fishing pressure and anglers caught Chinook, coho, lake trout and one small steelhead on spawn, spinners, spoons and crank baits.

Traverse City: In the Elk River, lake trout and a couple Chinook were caught at the dam on spawn bags. A couple small steelhead were also reported. The Boardman River has been slow with only a couple Chinook and steelhead reported at the dam. No sign of lake trout yet.

Manistee River: Boat anglers on the lower river have caught a few fish. There is still a small number of salmon present however they are actively spawning and will be gone soon. Steelhead fishing was tough as the water is low and clear.

Pere Marquette River: Was low and clear which made steelhead fishing more difficult.

Continue reading “Michigan DNR Fishing Report for November 1, 2018” →