Michigan Weekly Recreational Fishing Report - 11/20/2008
November 20, 2008
Great Lakes temperature mapAngler numbers continue to drop around the state as many pursue the open hunting seasons or kick back and wait for the onset of ice fishing season. Walleye and pike continue to feed around the state and the whitefish action improves daily.
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Southeast Lower Peninsula
Lake Erie - Shore anglers continue to catch walleye and perch off Stony Point, Metro Park and Pt. Mouillee. Try jigs or perch rigs with minnows.
Huron River - Water levels are up and steelhead are being caught between Rockwood and Flat Rock. Most are using a jig and wax worm above the dam and spawn or crank baits below. The backwaters are still providing some decent crappie and bluegill action.
Detroit River - Shore anglers are catching perch in the cuts and canals and off the docks at Gibraltar and around the southern tip of Grosse Ile. Most are using shiners. Walleye can still be found off the Edison Power Plant and around the islands.
Clinton River - As more steelhead move into the river, one of the better spots to fish is up around Ryan Road. Try spawn, flies or even small spoons.
St. Clair River - Shore anglers fishing off the wall up at Port Huron were taking some steelhead. For whitefish, try a single egg on a small hook during the day or at night try jigging small spoons off the wall.
Lexington - Steelhead and perch are still being caught however the fish are running on the small side.
Saginaw Bay - Both the perch and walleye anglers are heading out when the weather permits. Perch anglers are fishing off Linwood, near the shipping channel and the first Spark Plug.
Saginaw River - Perch anglers using minnows in the lower river have caught some fish. Those willing to sort out the small ones should get enough for a meal.
Southwest Lower Peninsula
St. Joe - Pier anglers are taking steelhead when using spawn or spoons. Orange and pink have been good colors. Whitefish are also being caught. The best bait is a single egg on a hook.
St. Joe River - Both shore and boat anglers have caught steelhead up near the Berrien Springs Dam. A few walleye are still being caught at night when fishing below the dams.
Kalamazoo River - Steelhead are being caught from the mouth up to the Allegan Dam however the better bite continues to be in the lower river. Those trolling are using plugs and shore anglers are floating spawn.
Grand River at Grand Rapids - Boat and shore anglers are taking steelhead when bouncing spawn bags, floating small white jigs tipped with a few wax worms or when using an orange Mepps spinner. Boats trolling planer boards above the Fulton Street Bridge have caught steelhead and walleye on blue and chrome Hot-n-Tots with a red bill. Those handlining off the Fulton Street Bridge are using chartreuse Hot-n-Tots while others are back trolling with spawn. Crappie and other panfish have been caught in the lagoon at Riverside Park and off the East Wall.
Grand River at Lansing - No anglers means no report. No word on steelhead but there should be some walleye over at Moore’s Park. Pike anglers might want to try above or below the dams.
Muskegon - Pier anglers floating spawn are taking steelhead. Whitefish are in the channel and those fishing after dark have done well when jigging spoons off the wall.
Muskegon Lake - Perch are being caught in the deeper holes on both the north and the south ends of the lake. Good walleye action at night.
Muskegon River - Water levels are low so the better steelhead fishing has been in the lower river. Most are using spawn or crank baits.
Northern Lower Peninsula
Alpena - This is the peak for whitefish in Lake Huron. For those who have not put their boats away for the winter, large numbers of whitefish are on the reefs in Thunder Bay, particularly off the end of Partridge Point and on the Grass Island reefs. Most are being caught on wax worms, spawn, or small minnows however the whitefish have now added the round goby to their diets so small lures can also catch fish. Catch rates should only get better through the first week of December. Most fish are in the 3-4 pound range but the occasional 6-8 pound fish has been caught.
Thunder Bay River - Look for steelhead and whitefish below the Ninth Street Dam.
Au Sable River - Look for more steelhead between the mouth and the dams. Anglers report fair to good catch rates just below the Foote Dam when using spawn or wax worms. The mouth is usually one of the hot spots for whitefish. Try a single egg or wax worm.
Tawas - The best spot here for whitefish is off the pier. Try using wax worms, spawn, small minnows or small lures that resemble the goby as they have become part of the diet. Catch rates should be good through the next two weeks or so.
Au Gres River - Those fishing the East Branch have caught steelhead and the occasional brown trout near the Singing Bridge. The better fishing takes place on those windy overcast days.
Higgins Lake - A few boats are trolling for brown trout between the Conference Center and the boat launch on the north side of the lake and along the drop-off on the west side. Try using body baits, rapalas or spoons.
Houghton Lake - A couple anglers are still heading out for walleye in the evening but most have moved on to fishing Saginaw Bay. Shoreline ice has started to form.
Northwest Lower Peninsula
Burt Lake - Not many, but a few anglers are still targeting and catching walleye in the early morning or late evening in waters about 8 feet deep. Perch are also there, but scattered.
Traverse City - Boats will target whitefish in waters 100 to 120 feet deep. Try Swedish Pimples or perch rigs with minnows just off the bottom. Perch anglers are fishing the bottom half of waters 45 to 65 feet deep.
Boardman River - Water levels are low so steelhead anglers are fishing right at the mouth. Most are floating spawn in the early morning or late evening.
Portage Lake - Although not too many people are doing it, trolling for walleye can be very good this time of year as the adult walleyes typically feed aggressively.
Manistee - Pier and surf anglers continue to do well on steelhead.
Manistee Lake - Is another good lake for late fall early winter walleye fishing. Try trolling along the drop-offs or the humps especially after dark.
Manistee River - Decent numbers of steelhead are being caught in the lower river. There are a few fish further upstream but the low clear waters have made it difficult to catch them.
Ludington - Pier and shore anglers are finding fish as they seem to be congregating in the deeper waters. They are floating fresh spawn or wax worms under a bobber.
Pere Marquette River - Steelhead are being caught in the lower stretches of the river where water levels are higher. Spawn has been the best bait.
UPPER PENINSULA
Menominee River - Water levels are low enough that rocks can easily be seen sticking out of the water. A few walleye have been caught up near the Hattie Street Bridge. Rumor has it some whitefish have been caught after dark when using yarn or a single egg. Green and chartreuse have been good colors however it is always a good idea to take along a variety of colors.
Little Bay De Noc - Walleye anglers are still taking fish in the shallows at night. Most are jigging with minnows. A few boats are still out trolling around the Second and Center Reefs. The better perch fishing continues to be off Kipling when trolling or drifting minnows in waters 10 to 15 feet deep.
Marquette - Those fishing off the breakwall in the Lower Harbor are still taking whitefish and the occasional lake trout. The ore docks in the Upper Harbor also provide good open water fishing before the ice starts to move in.
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Michigan Weekly Recreational Fishing Report - 11/13/2008
November 13, 2008
Many anglers have now turned their attention to hunting so the reports will start to drop off until ice starts to form. Late fall and early winter is prime time for hungry walleye and spawning whitefish. Cold rain will bring on the better steelhead and brown trout fishing.
Southeast Lower Peninsula
Lake Erie - Shore anglers are taking walleye and perch off the seawall at the field office at Pt. Mouillee. Perch are also being caught off the Metro Park boat launch.
Huron River - Some steelhead are showing up and those fishing up near Flat Rock have caught fish. Look for the steelhead action to pick up if we get some much needed rain and as we move further into the month of November. Anglers are using spawn, Hot-n-Tots, Mepps spinners, Cleo’s or a jig and wax worm.
Detroit River - Perch fishing has been good off Gibraltar when fishing the canals. Anglers are using shiners with perch rigs in 4 to 8 feet of water. Work the weed beds. Walleye action was good for those handlining at night from the Edison Power Plant down the Horse Island. Chartreuse has been a hot color. Walleye were also caught during the day when using a jig and a minnow down around Celeron Island.
Clinton River - Steelhead are in the river but not in big numbers yet.
St. Clair River - Shore anglers up near Port Huron are catching some steelhead and the occasional whitefish. Walleye fishing in the same area has dropped.
Lexington - Has lots of small perch being caught in the harbor. Those willing to sort will find some decent sizes. A few small steelhead are being caught on crawlers and the occasional chinook salmon was also been caught. These must be younger fish as this year’s salmon run has been done for sometime.
Port Sanilac - Has the same mix of fish as Lexington, but not much fishing pressure. Anglers here have also caught a few brown trout.
Kawkawlin River - Had lots of angler activity, more than likely for perch.
Saginaw River - Perch anglers may want to start trying the lower river and the marina basins from now until freeze-up, as this can be the best time to fish for perch.
Quanicassee River - For perch, hit the lower river here and the around the marinas while fishing with minnows.
Sebewaing River - Look for fair to good perch fishing in the lower river.
Southwest Lower Peninsula
St. Joe - Pier anglers have caught steelhead. A few whitefish have also been caught just off the bottom when using a single egg on a hook.
St. Joe River - A few more steelhead have started to show up in the lower river. Fair to good walleye action continues below the dam at Niles and Buchanan.
South Haven - Steelhead are there for the taking. Most are now pier fishing or surfcasting.
Saugatuck - Pier anglers have managed to catch the occasional steelhead.
Kalamazoo River - Steelhead are being caught from the mouth up to the Allegan Dam however the better bite seems to be down near the mouth.
Grand River at Grand Rapids - Limits of steelhead have been caught in the center run and at the dam. Those throwing plugs off the bridges have also caught fish. The walleye action has slowed however those using bucktail jigs or drifting crawler harnesses with small blades have managed to catch a couple fish. Crappie can be found in the lagoon at Riverside Park when fishing around the brush piles.
Grand River at Lansing - Still no word on steelhead making it up this far. Try the waters over at Moore’s Park for walleye.
Looking Glass River - Is a good bet for pike action this time of year.
Reeds Lake - Perch and crappie were still hitting but the pike action has slowed.
Muskegon - Pier anglers and those surfcasting are taking some steelhead.
Muskegon River - Steelhead are in the river with the better action in the lower river.
Northern Lower Peninsula
Alpena - Anglers are reminded that the middle of November is the best time to catch whitefish in Lake Huron as the fish start to move in close to shore for spawning. Best places to fish are over the rocky areas, in and around the marinas and off the walls. Use small baits with light line as the fish have a small delicate mouth.
Thunder Bay River - Steelhead are being caught from the mouth up to the Ninth Street Dam. Anglers are drifting spawn, crawlers or small spoons. Walleye are hitting after dark.
Van Etten Lake - A couple anglers are still taking a few perch. Target the waters straight out from the YMCA Camp.
Oscoda - Anglers fishing off the end of the pier have caught steelhead, whitefish and walleye. Catch rates were sporadic.
Au Sable River - Look for more steelhead below the dams especially after the rain.
Tawas - The pike action has slowed however walleye are still hitting after dark. Whitefish action should only pick up as we move further into November. Try a small jig or a plain gold hook with a single egg or wax worm.
Higgins Lake - Only a couple boats are still going out for perch and there has been no brown trout action to speak of.
Houghton Lake - As the walleye target minnows and move in closer to shore, anglers will want to target shallow waters with a jig and a minnow, floating rapalas or small crank baits.
Northwest Lower Peninsula
Traverse City - The gales of November have kept the boat anglers on shore. When the winds let up, look for improved whitefish action in waters up to 120 feet deep. Keep with the Swedish Pimples or perch rigs with minnows just off the bottom. Anglers are reminded that lake trout season in the Bay is closed and will not reopen until January 1st, 2009.
Boardman River - Rain is still needed to push more steelhead into the river. A few fish were caught in the early morning or late evening when drifting spawn. Lake trout are also being caught in the river.
Frankfort - Steelhead are being caught off the piers when using fresh spawn. Those surfcasting with spawn or small spoons are also taking fish.
Betsie River - Anglers here are focusing on steelhead but catch rates were still on the slow side. With water levels low and clear, the fish are spooked easily. Try drifting spawn through the deeper holes.
Manistee - Both the pier anglers and those surfcasting have caught fair to good numbers of steelhead. It is just a matter of being there on the right day.
Manistee River - Steelhead fishing is the main game right now. Some fish are being caught however the water is low and clear so most anglers are concentrating on the lower and middle stretches.
Ludington - Pier and shore anglers here are taking some steelhead. They are floating fresh spawn or casting small spoons.
Pere Marquette River - Has low water levels so try fishing the lower stretches.
UPPER PENINSULA
Lac Vieux Desert - Boat anglers slow trolling or drifting with sucker rigs have caught some nice muskie. Some are also using jerk baits however the sucker rigs seem to catch more fish.
Smokey Lake - In western Iron County is still producing some good muskie action and live sucker rigs have caught the most fish.
Lake Michigamme - Hearty anglers are still taking muskie on sucker rigs.
Paint Pond - Good numbers of nice muskie are being caught here as well.
Menominee River - Cooler wet weather will help to bring more steelhead into the river and increase the brown trout bite.
Little Bay De Noc - Walleye action has picked up at night because of the good water clarity. Fish were caught in 7 feet of water east of the Black Bottom when jigging with minnows. Those trolling stick baits or jigging minnows in 6 to 17 feet of water out near the Second and the Center Reefs caught fish. Those trolling crank baits during the day only caught a few along the reefs near Kipling. Several nice perch including jumbos were also caught when drifting or trolling natural baits in 10 to 15 feet of water near Kipling. Walleye catch rates should only get better in the next few weeks.
Marquette - A few small whitefish and some lake trout are still being caught off the lower harbor breakwall.
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Thanksgiving Turkey? How About Duck, Venison, Salmon, Clams or Crab?
November 13, 2008
General turkey-hunting seasons are closed for the year, but hunters and anglers still have plenty of opportunities to contribute to the Thanksgiving Day feast in the days ahead.
The late buck season - already under way in Eastern Washington - gets started tomorrow (Nov. 13) on the west side of the Cascades for deer hunters using modern firearms. Conditions are looking good for those hunters, as well as for archers and muzzleloaders who will take to the field later this month, said Dave Ware, game manager for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW).
“The high winds and rain that are blowing through the state have cleared a lot of leaves from the trees, which should improve hunters’ visibility,” Ware said, adding that the recent blustery weather could also improve waterfowl hunting. “With these conditions, however, hunters should check the weather reports and avoid flooded areas that could be potentially dangerous.”
While seafood may be less traditional Thanksgiving fare, it certainly is in season. The chum salmon return is nearing its peak in rivers and streams throughout Puget Sound, while the winter steelhead fishery in western Washington is just getting started.
Rather serve shellfish? Crab fisheries are open seven days a week in several areas of Puget Sound, and WDFW has scheduled a razor-clam dig on ocean beaches Nov. 13-16.
For more information on these and other hunting, fishing and wildlife-watching opportunities around the state, see the regional reports below:
North Puget Sound
Fishing: Heavy rains and high winds made fishing difficult in mid-November. Many freshwater fisheries are on hold as anglers wait for several swollen rivers to drop back into shape. Fishing effort also is down on Puget Sound as saltwater anglers wait for blustery conditions to subside.
“Fishing has been tough recently throughout the region, mostly due to the poor weather,” said Steve Thiesfeld, WDFW fish biologist. “We’ve seen a big drop in angler effort out there, but that will likely pick up once weather conditions become more favorable.”Â
Once the weather does improve, Thiesfeld recommends fishing for blackmouth salmon - resident chinook - in marine areas 9 (Admiralty Inlet) and 10 (Seattle/Bremerton). Anglers fishing Marine Area 10 can keep one chinook as part of a two-salmon daily limit. Those fishing in Marine Area 9 also have a two-salmon daily limit but can keep up to two hatchery chinook per day. Wild chinook salmon, which have an intact adipose fin, cannot be brought aboard the boat in Marine Area 9.
Thiesfeld reminds anglers that there are still a lot of shakers out in the Sound, and suggests using larger spoons and plugs to minimize the catch of those juvenile chinook. “Treat those fish with extreme care when releasing them because they are next year’s crop of blackmouth,” he said.
Sport crabbing also is an option out on the Sound. Marine areas 6 (eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca), 9 (Admiralty Inlet), 10 (Seattle/Bremerton) and 12 (Hood Canal) recently reopened for sport crabbing seven days a week through Jan. 2. Crab fishing also remains open seven days a week through Jan. 2 in marine areas 4 (Neah Bay), 5 (Sekiu), and 13 (south Puget Sound), where the fishery has continued uninterrupted since June 18.
Sport crabbing will not reopen this year in marine areas 7 (San Juan Islands), 8-1 (Deception Pass, Hope Island and Skagit Bay), 8-2 (Port Susan and Port Gardner) or 11 (Tacoma/Vashon Island), where the summer catch reached the annual quota.
The daily catch limit in Puget Sound is five Dungeness crab, males only, in hard-shell condition with a minimum carapace width of 6ÂĽ inches. In addition, fishers may catch six red rock crab of either sex per day, provided those crab measure at least 5 inches across. Additional information is available on the WDFW website at http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/shelfish/crab/index.htm
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Meanwhile, freshwater anglers waiting for rivers to become fishable again might want to try casting for trout at Beaver Lake. About 1,800 hatchery rainbows - averaging approximately 3 to 5 pounds each - were recently released in the lake. Beaver Lake, one of several westside lowland lakes open to fishing year-round, is best fished by small boat, although anglers can also be successful fishing from shore. The daily bag limit is five fish, and bait anglers must keep the first five trout they catch.
Before heading out to the lakes, rivers, or Puget Sound, anglers should check the rules and regulations for fisheries in WDFW’s Fishing in Washington pamphlet ( http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/regs/fishregs.htm ).
Hunting: The modern firearm season for elk closed Nov. 10. Up next for modern firearm hunters is the late black-tailed deer season, which runs Nov. 13-16 in select game management units. Archers and muzzleloaders also have late-season opportunities, when deer and elk hunts open Nov. 19 in select game management units.
Waterfowlers have through Jan. 25 to hunt for ducks and geese in the region, while upland bird hunters have until the end of November to bag pheasant . For information about WDFW’s pheasant release sites, see the Western Washington Pheasant Release pamphlet ( http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/game/water/wwapheas.htm ).
Other hunts open in the region include cougar, grouse, California quail and bobwhite seasons. Bear hunts are also open, but the season closes Nov. 15.
Waterfowl and upland game bird hunters are reminded to avoid harvesting or handling any birds that are obviously sick or found dead, follow good hygiene when cleaning game birds, and report birds found dead to WDFW’s Dead Bird Hotline at 1-800-606-8768.Â
Before going afield, hunters should check the Big Game Hunting pamphlet ( http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/game/hunter/hunter.htm ) and the Waterfowl and Upland Game pamphlet ( http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/game/water/water.htm ) for details.
Wildlife Viewing: Several birders in the region have made their way to the Boeing Ponds to catch a glimpse of a great egret . Several visitors to the Ponds have spotted the large white bird recently. A rare visitor to the Puget Sound region, great egrets are mainly found in the wetlands and arid steppe of eastern Washington. In the winter, some can be found at the mouth of the Columbia River and along the Washington coast.
Elsewhere, a few birders spotted several species during a rainy and windy day at Marymoor Park in Redmond. Highlights of the trip included a bufflehead , a Wilson’s snipe , a barn owl , a Townsend’s warbler , a western meadowlark and a purple finch .    Â
Fishing: Fall rainstorms temporarily stalled chum fishing in mid-month, but anglers can look forward to catching some winter-run steelhead once rivers drop back into shape. Meanwhile, the late-season Dungeness crab fishery is now under way in a number of marine areas, and a razor-clam dig is coming up soon.
Salmon fishing on coastal rivers has been hampered by recent heavy rains, but catch rates should improve once the weather gets better, said Scott Barbour, WDFW fish biologist. “Virtually every river is out of shape right now, but on the bright side, the rain is also bringing in the fish,” he said.
By the time conditions improve, anglers can start thinking about the winter steelhead season, Barbour said. “December is the big month for hatchery steelhead on the North Olympic Peninsula - including the Quillayute River system ad Hoh River - but early returns start showing up around Thanksgiving,” he said. Starting Dec. 1, wild steelhead retention rules go into effect on those rivers. Before heading out, anglers are advised to review retention rules in WDFW’s 2008/2009 Fishing in Washington pamphlet (wdfw.wa.gov/fish/regs/fishregs.htm).
Four evening razor clam digs are scheduled at Copalis and Mocrocks Nov. 13-16, while Long Beach and Twin Harbors are scheduled for three evening digs Nov. 14-16. Kalaloch Beach in Olympic National Park is closed for the fall season due to a low abundance of razor clams.
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Evening low tides during the dig are at 6:27 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 13 (-1.6 ft.), 7:15 p.m. Friday, Nov. 14 (-1.8), 8:04 p.m. Saturday Nov. 15 (-1.6), 8:54 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 16 (1.2).
Clam diggers are encouraged to take lights or lanterns with them due to the timing of the low tides. He also recommends checking weather and surf forecasts before heading out. Digging is restricted to the hours between noon and midnight.
Harvesters are allowed to take no more than 15 razor clams and must keep the first 15 they dig, regardless of size or condition. Each digger’s clams must be kept in a separate container.
A license is required for anyone age 15 or older. Any 2008 annual shellfish/seaweed license or combination fishing license is valid. Another option is a razor-clam only license available in annual or three-day only versions. Descriptions of the various licensing options are available on the WDFW website at https://fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov . Clam diggers are not required to display their licenses on outer clothing.
Meanwhile, as the chum salmon season nears its peak, the big fish can be found in virtually every small stream in the area. The most popular fishing spots include the mouth of Kennedy Creek on Totten Inlet (where 68 anglers were checked with 13 fish on Nov. 8 and 9) and near the Hoodsport Hatchery on Hood Canal (where 91 shore anglers recently landed 177 chum). Anglers are reminded that the daily limit on the Hoodsport “hatchery zone” is four salmon, with a maximum of two chinook.
Although the chum fishery is producing results for anglers, the overall run size is lower than expected, said Steve Thiesfeld, WDFW fish biologist. “We now expect to see about 350,00 chum returning to south Puget Sound, which is about half our original forecast,” he said. “We’ll learn more as the season progresses.”
Other areas now open to chum-salmon fishing include the Dosewallips and Duckabush rivers in Jefferson County, and Minter Creek in Pierce/Kitsap counties. Thiesfeld advises anglers to check WDFW’s 2008/2009 Fishing in Washington pamphlet (http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/regs/fishregs.htm ) for other stream openings and closures.
Thiesfeld also noted that November’s blackmouth fishery off Sekiu (Marine Area 5) has been producing results for those making the trip north. “The effort’s been low, but folks going out have been averaging a fish per rod,” he said.
Recreational crab fishing got under way Nov. 1 in four marine areas of Puget Sound and will be open seven days a week through Jan. 2. Crab fishing is open in marine areas 6 (eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca), 9 (Admiralty Inlet), 10 (Seattle/Bremerton) and 12 (Hood Canal).
Crab fishing will also remain open seven days a week through Jan. 2 in marine areas 4 (Neah Bay), 5 (Sekiu), and 13 (south Puget Sound), where the fishery has continued uninterrupted since June 18.
The daily catch limit in Puget Sound is five Dungeness crab, males only, in hard-shell condition with a minimum carapace width of 6ÂĽ inches. In addition, fishers may catch six red rock crab of either sex per day, provided those crab measure at least 5 inches across. Additional information is available on the WDFW website at http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/shelfish/crab/index.htm .
Hunting: The late-buck, black-tailed deer season starts with a modern-firearm hunt that runs Nov. 13-16 in western Washington. Following on the heels of the four-day hunt, archers and muzzleloaders will take to the field for the late deer and elk season, which starts Nov. 19.
Hunters planning to hunt big game this year should check WDFW’s 2008 Big Game Hunting pamphlet at http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/game/hunter/hunter.htm before heading afield.
Goose hunting re-opened in Management Area 3 on Nov. 1 and runs through Jan. 25. In Pacific County (Area 2B), where the season runs from Oct. 11 through Jan. 10, hunters must have written authorization to hunt, which requires passing a goose identification test. Goose hunting in Pacific County is allowed on Saturdays and Wednesdays only.
The season for duck , coot and snipe reopened Oct. 18. Hunters may also pursue pheasant, California quail and bobwhite through Nov. 30. Meanwhile, the statewide forest grouse season continues through Dec. 31.
Check the WDFW website at http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/game/water/wwapheas.htm