Water levels on the rivers were high and muddy after the recent rains, but catch rates should improve as the waters recede, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources said Wednesday in its weekly fishing report.
The DNR reminds anglers that November is a good time to fish for those who don't like crowds. Fishing starts to take a back seat to hunting and that opens up space on the lakes, rivers, piers, docks and shorelines, the DNR noted.
Torch Lake: Whitefish spearing has begun as the season opened Nov. 1.
Traverse City: Whitefish action was slow in both the East Bay and the West Bay. Try perch rigs with minnows just off the bottom.
Boardman River: Some steelhead have been caught but water levels are up. Lake trout have also been caught in the river. Anglers are reminded that lake trout season in the bays closed on Sept. 30.
Big Glen Lake: Perch have been caught but anglers will need to sort out the small ones. Smallmouth bass fishing was good in about 20 feet of water.
Platte River: Steelhead are being caught on spawn. Higher water levels will make fishing more of a challenge.
Crystal Lake: Perch have been caught but anglers will need to sort out the small ones. Smallmouth bass fishing has been very good.
Manistee: When the conditions are right, boats are catching salmon and steelhead in 50 to 150 feet of water. Pier and shore anglers are catching steelhead on spawn.
Manistee River: Salmon are done and steelhead fishing has been hampered by high water levels. When the waters come down, fishing should be very good with fish distributed throughout the watershed.
Ludington: Boat anglers still are taking salmon and steelhead in 100 to 200 feet of water. Pier and shore anglers also are catching steelhead.
Pere Marquette River: High waters levels slowed the action but catch rates should improve once the water levels recede.
Otsego Lake: There was fair walleye fishing.
Au Sable River: A few salmon are left in the river and the steelhead are making their way up and hitting on spawn. Look for whitefish in the lower river.
Houghton Lake: Fishing was slow due to the cold but a warm-up by the weekend could improve catch rates.
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