Cold temperatures along with strong winds put a damper on fishing conditions, but the fish are there and as soon as it warms up and stays that way, fishing will improve, the state Department of Natural Resources says.
Lake trout season in the waters of Lakes Huron and Michigan opens on Thursday, the DNR said in its weekly recreational fishing report.
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Elk Lake: Walleye anglers were trolling off the northern shores near the town of Kewadin. Boats were using rapalas and various stick baits in waters up to 25 feet deep, but no fish were caught.
Skegemog Lake: Smallmouth bass were the target along the southern end of the lake from the public access site to the Desmond Creek Marsh area.
Fish were caught and immediately released when using jerk baits in 4 to 8 feet of water. The dock is in at the public access site.
Traverse City: In the East Bay, steelhead fishing has been very good off the mouth of Mitchell Creek. Fishing off Dock Road has been good in the early morning for brown trout and steelhead. Whitefish have been caught off the Bluffs and in the south end of the bay off the white wall. Excellent lake trout fishing throughout the bay with limit catches reported. Off Elk Rapids, the fishing was spotty. In the West Bay, fishing was slower for lake trout and whitefish but steelhead were caught off the mouth of the Boardman. Excellent perch fishing in Suttons Bay with limit catches.
Boardman River: Steelhead have been caught off the mouth and up at the Union Street Dam.
Long Lake: The walleye action has started.
Frankfort: Pier fishing has slowed but those brave enough to venture out have caught some steelhead and lake trout on spawn or when casting spoons or wobblers. Trolling in the harbor has produced a few brown trout and steelhead as well.
Betsie River: Steelhead are still being caught in the river, mostly from the Homestead Dam on up.
Onekama: Pier fishing in the evening has produced some pike, largemouth, and the occasional walleye. Perch fishing in front of the channel has been good for the past week but the last couple of days anglers reported smaller fish.
Portage Lake: Boats anglers trolling on the north side of the lake have caught a few walleye and pike in the early afternoon and around sunset.
Manistee: Cold weather bought fishing to a halt. Only a few perch were caught off the pier.
Manistee River: Steelhead are in the river but the bite was slow. Check out the deeper holes and up near Tippy Dam.
Hamlin Lake: Has good fishing for bluegills, crappie and bullhead.
Ludington: Pier fishing slowed and not many boats have been out.
Pere Marquette River: Those looking for suckers will want to fish the river. Steelhead are in the river, fish the deeper holes. No word on the fly hatches.
Au Sable River: The Hendrickson hatch is going strong along the entire river system. Cooler temperatures this week should extend the hatch into next week.
Au Gres: Walleye fishing off the mouth of the river has tapered off as the fish have moved to deeper waters. Those trolling are now concentrating in waters 15 to 20 feet deep off Point Au Gres, Point Lookout and the Gravelly Shoal.
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