Michigan Weekly Regional Fishing Reports - 7/17/2008
July 17, 2008
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The season to take both softshell turtles and snapping turtles statewide will open on July 15th and will close on September 15th, 2008. Be sure to check the Michigan Fishing Guide for new minimum size limits and possession limits.
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Southeast Lower Peninsula
Lake Erie - Water levels were up and muddy so fishing on the big lake has been tough. A few walleye were caught in 27 to 29 feet of water near Stony Point and the Fermi Plant. Boat anglers reported one or two fish per trip. Catch rates were better near the Banana Dike when using Hot-n-Tots. Freshwater drum have been caught.
Huron River - Is fishable and anglers are catching bass and catfish in the pond between the two dams.
Detroit River - Some walleye are still being caught in the lower river. Those fishing the Trenton Channel are taking perch and bass.
Lexington - Some nice perch have been caught in 10 to 15 feet of water.
Port Sanilac - Perch fishing around the weedbeds has been fair with most reporting about a dozen fish per boat. The fish are in 20 feet of water and are good-sized.
Harbor Beach - Not a lot of fishing pressure here, but trout and salmon have been caught in 80 to 100 feet of water. Smallmouth bass are still hitting in the harbor.
Port Austin - Has excellent walleye fishing west of the port on the reefs and around the lighthouse. Crawler harnesses work best. Boats trolling for trout and salmon can be found north and northeast of the port in 100 to 130 feet of water.
Saginaw Bay - Walleye fishing in the bay has been incredible with lots of limit catches taken. Crawler harnesses and Hot-n-Tots were taking most of the fish, but some anglers were also using small spoons. Anglers from Standish, Pinconning, Linwood, and Bay City were fishing 20 to 24 feet of water near the Black Hole or the shipping channel between Buoys 1 and 12. For the east side of the bay, the Slot and 10 to 12 feet of water out on the Bar (the area between the Slot and the middle of the bay) were producing well for anglers coming out of Quanicassee, Sebewaing, Bay Port, and Caseville. As far as walleye fishing goes, it just doesn’t get any better than this!
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Southwest Lower Peninsula
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The bluegills are pretty much done spawning in southwest Michigan. The bigger bluegills have moved to 8 to 12 feet of water or deeper. Try fishing off the bottom with worms or crickets or slow trolling in deeper waters.
South Haven - Anglers are catching summer run steelhead off the piers in the early morning. Perch fishing remains strong with good catches taken in 18 to 30 feet of water. Most boats are going a couple miles south of the piers. Chinook and lake trout were caught when trolling in 85 feet of water.
Kalamazoo River - Water levels were still running high and fast after all the rain.
Rabbit River - Has high water levels.
Grand Haven - Boat anglers are fishing in 50 to 65 feet of water with downriggers set for the bottom 25 feet, and those out further in 80 to 120 feet of water have their downriggers set for the bottom 40 feet. Good colors have been green, blue, orange and chartreuse. Pier anglers have caught steelhead on shrimp off the south pier. Very few perch have been caught.
Grand River at Grand Rapids - Water levels are still a bit high however walleye have been caught when bouncing crawlers off the bottom. Pike fishing has been good with fish 30+ inches caught. Channel cats are being caught however the flathead bite was slow. Smallmouth bass were caught up near Riverside Park. Bluegills can be found in deeper waters.
Thornapple River - Water levels were up.
Grand River at Lansing - Has good catfish action throughout the river. Try both live and dead baits, corn, or shrimp. Walleye have been caught below the dams, like the Lyons Dam and the dam below Fitzgerald Park in Grand Ledge. Smallmouth bass have been caught near the Smithville Dam when casting tube baits.
Lake Lansing - Bluegills, pumpkinseed and crappie have been caught. Look for largemouth bass along the weeds in the early morning or late evening.
Muskrat Lake - Anglers are catching bluegill, crappie and a couple pike. Look for largemouth bass and brown bullhead in this lake.
Reeds Lake - Crappie fishing has been very good in 25 feet of water along the north shore when using a crappie rig with minnows.
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Northeast Lower Peninsula
Rogers City - The fish are still scattered. Boats are fishing about halfway down off the points with downriggers, planer boards and lead core.
Rockport - Boat anglers are limiting out on lake trout when trolling around the wreck. Chinook are hitting 20 to 40 feet down in 110 to 140 feet of water around the Middle Island. Green and metallic silver spoons have worked the best.
Alpena - Walleye action has slowed on the bay, but anglers are still catching some fish when trolling rapalas in 40 to 50 feet of water.
Thunder Bay River - Walleye and catfish action has shut down however some nice smallmouth bass have been caught on crawlers.
Harrisville - Lake trout and salmon catches are increasing in 80 to 100 feet of water. Try orange and silver spoons. The fish have been on the move from north to south and not holding in one spot. A few walleye were caught in 45 to 55 feet of water.
Oscoda - Rough waters have lead to slow catch rates. Those able to get out were trolling with spoons in 80 to 120 feet of water. Good colors have been silver and orange or anything with white.
Au Sable River - Walleye are still in the river and anglers have been limiting out in the early morning. Crawler harnesses or drifting with a slip bobber seem to be producing the most fish.
Tawas - Walleye are hitting near Buoy #2 however most anglers are heading to Au Gres. A few bass and catfish were taken near the mouth of the Tawas River and the odd walleye, pike and panfish were caught off the pier.
Au Gres - Continues to provide excellent walleye fishing in 20 to 24 feet of water. Crawler harnesses and Hot-n-Tots were taking most of the fish, but some anglers were also using small spoons.
Higgins Lake - Lake trout are hitting on spoons, body baits or live bait in 85 to 100 feet of water. Perch were biting but if the mayfly hatch starts, it will no doubt shut the perch fishing down.
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Northwest Lower Peninsula
Elk Lake - Boat anglers are trolling for trout from the Narrows to north of the Whitewater Park and over to Spencer Bay. Try 60 to 140 feet of water while using spoons or rapalas. For bass, try the backwaters near Kewadin where all the stumps are and the shoreline between Kewadin and Spencer Bay. Try tube baits, crank baits or spinners in 5 to 25 feet of water. A few perch were taken in 8 to 12 feet of water south of the Whitewater County Park.
Skegemog Lake - The bass are still hitting on the east side of the lake near the mouth of the Torch River and on the west side between the public access site and the Narrows. A few pike were also caught. Rock bass have been caught all over the lake when using spinners or crawlers in 5 to 20 feet of water and bluegills are hitting on crawlers.
Big Glen Lake - Perch are still the favorite and can be found on the east end of the lake near the ski area. The mayflies are finally gone and the trout are hungry. Anglers have once again caught several lake trout and rainbow trout when trolling in 50 to 100 feet of water. The lake trout are hitting on green and black spoons and the rainbow trout on silver rapalas.
Little Glen Lake - Perch anglers are doing well on the west end of the lake.
Fisher Lake - Has good bluegill fishing.
Frankfort - Fish have been caught from the pier heads to Point Betsie and down near the Herring Hole. Some nice chinook salmon have come from waters 30 feet deep to waters over 200 feet deep. Those trolling 12 to 17 miles out have caught steelhead. A couple small salmon were caught off the pier. Blue and orange have been good colors.
Onekama - Fishing was decent off the Shelf and up near the Barrel. Chinook, lake trout, brown trout and steelhead have been caught in 130 to 200 feet of water. Look for the temperature breaks. Good colors have been blue and orange spoons and a white on white flasher/fly combination.
Portage Lake - Bass anglers are catching good numbers of fish along the south shore. Big bluegills can be found in waters 15 to 20 feet deep. Boat anglers trolling in the afternoon have caught small walleye and those trolling after dark are catching a mix of walleye and pike. Lots of small perch and rock bass have also been caught.
Manistee - Anglers are catching chinook and lake trout off the Shelf in 100 to 175 feet of water. Good colors are green and blue.
Hamlin Lake - Fishing has slowed due to the mayfly hatch. Anglers targeting bluegills are having a tough time finding fish willing to bite. Those fishing the North, Middle and South Bayou’s have caught some fish using wax worms or a piece of crawler but the better action seems to be up around Wilson Hill Park and the Boy Scout Camp in 8 to 12 feet of water. Smallmouth bass were caught in 10 to 15 feet of water on Lower Hamlin’s east side when using tube baits near the bottom.
Ludington - Good catches of chinook and lake trout have come in 80 to 160 feet of water off the Point. Some bigger salmon in the 15 to 20 pound class have also been caught. An 18 pound steelhead also came in.
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Upper Peninsula
Lake Gogebic - Fishing has been sporadic however trolling with a crawler harness has been a good way to locate a school of fish. Use a slip bobber and a small minnow. The mayfly hatch is just getting started.
Otter Lake - In Houghton County will be closing the access site on July 14th due to construction on the ramp. The ramp will remain closed until July 18th. Boaters can access the lake from the north end near the Otter Dam.
Ottawa Lake - In Iron County has good smallmouth bass fishing.
Hagerman Lake - West of Iron River is producing very good smallmouth bass action. Anglers are also catching largemouth bass and bluegills.
Paint Pond - Located south of Crystal Falls is producing muskie and northern pike on bucktails and jerk baits.
Menominee River - Walleye are still being caught including one fish that was 30 inches long however, most of the fish have been much smaller. Try crawlers or Mr. Twisters. For smallmouth bass, rock bass, freshwater drum or channel cats, try fishing between the mouth and the Hattie Street Bridge.
Cedar River - Has lots of smallmouth bass but the fish are small. Try trolling or drifting with a crawler harness or casting crank baits. Freshwater drum and northern pike have been caught near the mouth.
Green Bay - Boat anglers are trolling one to eight miles offshore. Close to the Cedar River, boats are trolling 60 to 70 feet down around the Whaleback Shoal for chinook, steelhead and brown trout. Try spoons or dipsey divers in a variety of colors.
Little Bay De Noc - Walleye have been caught off Breezy Point when trolling or drifting crawlers just off the break in 10 to 14 feet of water. Best fishing was in the early morning or late evening. Gladstone has produced several nice catches of walleye and perch for those jigging or trolling with crawlers in 20 to 30 feet of water. Good smallmouth action near the mouth of the Ford River when casting spinners or crank baits. Good perch fishing was reported around Garth Point when jigging in 10 to 20 feet of water.
Escanaba River - Channel cats have been caught along the old bridge area when drifting crawlers. Catch rates have been good as there appears to be good numbers of fish in the river.
Big Bay De Noc - Walleye anglers reported the best catches off Garden Bluff in 20 to 30 feet of water when trolling or drifting crawlers. Good fishing from Ansell’s Point out to the “Boot” and south to Big Bay Reef when trolling crawlers in 20 to 25 feet of water. Good smallmouth action in Garden Bay when casting crank baits or spinners along the weeds. From Fairport, salmon action is starting to pick up. Those trolling 80 to 90 feet down in waters up to 105 feet deep have done well with cut bait. Steelhead could be found about 30 feet down.
Au Train - Boat anglers able to get out have been fishing the backside of Au Train Island. Try about 100 feet down in 140 to 160 feet of water.
Munising - Those able to get out are taking limits of lake trout out on the big reef. Rumor has it one 22 pound fish was caught. A few splake have been caught off the mouth of the Anna River when using spawn and artificial lures.
St. Mary’s River - Lake herring have started to bite around Harbor Island, Boulanger Island and Wreck Island. Although the hatches are behind schedule, the herring are biting on red teardrops with a wax worm.
De Tour - Catch rates have dropped but anglers are still fishing the channel to the #3 green can and the lighthouse. Try 25 to 55 feet down when using small spoons or body baits in a variety of colors.
Cedarville and Hessel - There has been very light fishing pressure in Hessel with those casting from the pier catching a few northern pike and yellow perch. Boat anglers fishing the Snows Channel have caught pike, smallmouth bass and yellow perch. Musky Bay and Middle Entrance are also producing some perch in 10 to 12 feet of water when using minnows. Those fishing Cedarville Bay and the Moscoe Channel have caught good numbers of pike. For herring, target Government Bay, Musky Bay, Prentice Bay or the east end of the Moscoe Channel while using a tear drop with a wax worm in 15 to 20 feet of water.
Pine River - Has slow action with only white suckers caught on leeches or crawlers.
St. Ignace - The primitive launch on the northwest side of the bridge is producing smallmouth bass. Anglers are wading into the bull rushes while casting floater baits or small spinners.
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High, Muddy Water No Problem for Catfishermen
June 10, 2008
LINCOLN, Neb. – Recent heavy rains, high water so murky it could pass for strong coffee, high humidity and the warmest temperatures so far this year, proved to be the right combination for catching catfish at Wagon Train Lake east of Hickman on Saturday morning, May 7 for three Lincoln fishermen.
Luke Covington and his sons, Eli and Micah, all of Lincoln, were fishing on the west side of the lake and caught two channel catfish on worms.
Covington said the fish were taken from an area where the grassy shoreline was underwater after recent heavy rains.
Before heading to the lake, be sure you have a 2008 Nebraska fishing permit which can be purchased online from the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission’s Web site at www.OutdoorNebraska.org
, from a Commission office, or any of some 900 permit vendors across the state. With a few exceptions, any angler 16 years old or older is required to have a Nebraska fishing permit to fish in Nebraska. The resident annual fishing permit costs $26, a nonresident annual fishing permit is $58. Also pick up a free copy of the 2008 Nebraska Fishing Guide, which has information about fishing regulations and public waters across the state.
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NOAA Reduces Halibut Limits, and Other Regulatory Changes for Southeast Charter Anglers
May 30, 2008
Under newly released federal regulations, effective June 1, 2008 the daily bag limit for anglers fishing from a sport fishing charter vessel in IPHC Area 2C (all marine waters of southeast Alaska except Yakutat) is one (1) halibut of any size per day with a possession limit of two (2) halibut of any size. A charter vessel is a vessel registered by the State of Alaska and operated by a State of Alaska licensed sport fishing guide. They are easily identified by a green and gold decal attached to each side of the vessel. Anglers fishing from vessels other than registered charter vessels in Southeast can harvest two (2) halibut of any size per day with a possession limit of four (4) halibut of any size.
A charter vessel angler fishing in IPHC Area 2C waters may use only one fishing line; no more than six lines are allowed on a charter vessel fishing for halibut. Charter operators, guides and crew may not catch and retain halibut during a charter fishing trip. Newly released federal rules also require guides to record anglers’ names and fishing license numbers in the charter vessels’ trip log book and for anglers retaining halibut to sign the log at the end of the charter vessel fishing trip.
All recording requirements for halibut annual limits in the 2008 Salt Water Logbook are no longer required. Charter operators do not need to record any information regarding annual limits for halibut.
These rules only apply to chartered anglers fishing in IPHC Area 2C. Anglers fishing from a sport fishing charter vessel in other areas of the state may continue to keep two halibut of any size per day. Sport anglers fishing from non-chartered vessels statewide may also continue to keep two halibut of any size daily.
Refer to the following NOAA web site for the News Release: http://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/newsreleases/2008/halibut052208.htm
Questions regarding these new rules should be directed to the NMFS at 907-586-7228
These new regulations will remain in effect until further notice.
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Fish for Free in Delaware Waters June 7 and 8
May 30, 2008
Have you been thinking of casting a line into that nearby stream or daydreaming about a sunny afternoon on the beach with your surf rod and reel, but just haven’t gotten round to purchasing your 2008 Delaware fishing license yet?
To celebrate National Fishing Week, June 1-8, the Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife invites you to test your favorite First State waters for a free taste of this year’s fishing, clamming and crabbing season by holding free fishing days on Saturday and Sunday, June 7 and 8. On these two days, anyone may fish in Delaware waters without a fishing license.Â
National Fishing Week festivities will also include the Division’s 22nd Annual Youth Fishing Tournament from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, June 7 at Ingrams Pond in Millsboro, Wyoming Pond in Wyoming’s Town Park and the dog training area at Lums Pond State Park in Bear.
With the exception of this one weekend, resident and non-resident anglers between the ages of 16 and 64 fishing in any Delaware waters – including lakes, ponds, impoundments, streams, bay and ocean - are required to purchase a fishing license and display it while fishing. Clammers and crabbers are also required to have fishing licenses. Delaware residents 65 and older, and both residents and non-residents under age 16 do not have to purchase a license. Licenses are required for non-residents age 65 and older.Â
Fishing licenses for Delaware residents cost $8.50, while non-residents pay $20. Licenses may be purchased at DNREC’s Richardson and Robbins Building, 89 Kings Highway, Dover, or at any of the more than 100 license agents located in sporting goods stores, hardware stores and other businesses throughout the state.Â
The 2008 Fishing Guide, which includes complete details on licensing and exemptions, is also available from the DNREC Dover office, licensing agents and on the Division of Fish and Wildlife website.
To purchase a Delaware fishing license online, view the Fishing Guide, or for more information on fishing licenses, please visit the Fisheries homepage at www.fw.delaware.gov/Fisheries/Pages/Fisheries.aspx.
For other inquiries or further information, please call 302-739-9918.
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Fishing for Free June 7-8
May 22, 2008
North Dakota anglers are reminded they can fish for free June 7-8.
That is the weekend North Dakota residents may fish without a license, except for paddlefish. All other fishing regulations apply.
Refer to the 2008-10 North Dakota Fishing Guide for season information.
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Paddlefish Snaggers Reminded of Possible Burn Ban
April 30, 2008
Anglers planning on participating in the state’s paddlefish season should check with local authorities for possible burning restrictions.
Several counties in western and central North Dakota have had burn bans, and recent moisture has allowed some to rescind burn restrictions. If burn bans are in place, open burning, including campfires, is prohibited.
Even if a burn ban has been lifted, caution is advised with open fires so that a wildfire doesn’t develop.
Snagging is legal in all areas of the Yellowstone River in North Dakota, and in the area of the Missouri River lying west of the U.S. Highway 85 bridge to the Montana border, excluding that portion from the pipeline crossing (river mile 1,577) downstream to the upper end of the Lewis and Clark Wildlife Management Area (river mile 1,565).
North Dakota’s paddlefish snagging season opens May 1 and is scheduled to continue through the end of the month. However, depending on the overall harvest, an early in-season closure may occur with a 36-hour notice issued by the state Game and Fish Department.
For more information on the state’s paddlefish season, access the Game and Fish Department’s website at gf.nd.gov, or refer to the 2008-10 North Dakota Fishing Guide.
 - North Dakota Game and Fish Department -
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Beat High Gas Prices This Spring and Summer — Fish Close to Home
April 25, 2008
LINCOLN, Neb. – Gas prices just keep going up, but you don’t have to let high fuel costs keep you from going fishing this summer — chances are there are plenty of good spots within just a few miles of your front door.
Most people tend to fish the larger, better-known lakes and reservoirs and are willing to travel a couple of hours or more to get to them, but you should consider trying some of the smaller, more out-of-the-way areas which often provide just as good, or even better fishing because they get less pressure and may be closer to where you live.
The smaller lakes, such as the flood control reservoirs in the eastern part of the state, offer fishing for different species than the larger impoundments. The smaller lakes and ponds usually provide channel catfish, largemouth bass, bluegill and maybe some crappie, while many of the larger impoundments also offer species such as walleye, wipers and white bass.
You can increase your chances of success during the summer by fishing in the early morning and then again in the evenings instead of during the middle of the day when temperatures are the highest.
Another way to help cut costs is to tent camp on or near the area you are fishing rather than driving back and forth from home or staying in expensive motels. And, as an added bonus, remember that cooking over a campfire is less expensive and much more fun than eating at restaurants, bars or fast-food joints.
To help you find good fishing close to home, biologists across the state have picked spots in their areas they predict will provide good fishing this year and mentioned some of the species you’ll find there. Many of the areas listed are large impoundments, but the locations of all public waters, including the smaller, out-of-the-way “secret spots” are included in the 2008 Nebraska Fishing Guide, which is free at permit vendors across the state, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission offices, and available for download at the Commission’s Web site at www.OutdoorNebraska.org.
Panhandle
Lake Minatare – walleye, channel catfish
Oliver Reservoir – walleye, channel catfish
Smith Lake WMA – largemouth bass, bluegill
Soldier Creek – brook, rainbow and brown trout
North-central
Valentine National Wildlife Refuge Lakes – northern pike, largemouth bass, bluegill, yellow perch
Merritt Reservoir – walleye, northern pike, catfish, panfish
Calamus Reservoir – walleye, muskellunge, catfish, white bass, wiper
Big Alkali Lake – northern pike, crappie, channel catfish
Shell Lake – largemouth bass, panfish
Cottonwood Lake – largemouth bass, panfish
Long Pine Creek – brown and rainbow trout
Plum Creek – brown and rainbow trout
Northeast
Willow Creek – walleye, channel catfish
Lewis and Clark Lake – walleye, white bass, smallmouth bass
Missouri River above Lewis and Clark Lake – walleye, white bass, smallmouth bass, channel catfish
Goose Lake – bluegill, yellow perch northern pike, largemouth bass
Summit Lake – panfish, largemouth bass, channel catfish
Maskenthine Reservoir – channel catfish
Skyview Lake – panfish, channel catfish
Buckskin Hills Lake – largemouth bass, channel catfish
Grove Lake – largemouth bass, bluegill, northern pike
Elkhorn River – catfish
Niobrara River – catfish
East Branch Verdigre Creek – trout
Fremont State Recreation Area Lake No. 3 – bullheads
Powder Creek Reservoir – bullheads
Southwest
Lake McConaughy – walleye, channel catfish
Lake Ogallala – walleye, white bass, wipers, channel catfish
Enders Reservoir – white bass, wipers, channel catfish
Swanson Reservoir – white bass, wipers
Medicine Creek Reservoir – white bass, wipers
Red Willow Reservoir – white bass, wipers
Lake Maloney – walleye
Sutherland Reservoir – walleye
Arnold Lake SRA – largemouth bass, bluegill
I-80 Lakes – channel catfish, largemouth bass
South-central
Harlan County Reservoir –