Southeast Lower Peninsula
Lake Erie - Has no safe ice to report. Anglers are starting to catch a few perch and bluegills when fishing the canals and around the marinas. Boat fishing is pretty much done as the ramps are iced in.
Detroit River - Boat and shore anglers have caught perch in the Gibraltar canal. Some 9 to 14 inch fish have been caught, just not in big numbers.
Huron River - Shore anglers have caught some steelhead off Labo Park. Try spawn, wax worms or Hot-n-Tots. A few boats were still launching out of Flat Rock.
Lake St. Clair - Some were ice fishing close to shore and along the canals. Anglers are urged to fish in shallow waters 2 to 5 feet deep.
Saginaw Bay - Shore ice has formed and perch anglers are making their way out. They are getting perch in shallow waters 1 to 3 feet deep. Some sorting will be required as there are a lot of little ones in the mix. The good thing about this ice fishing is it takes place in shallow waters. Some actually wear neoprene waders which will keep you warm and your feet dry if the ice does break.
Southwest Lower Peninsula
St. Joseph River - Not many anglers have been out, but those seeking walleye have caught fish below the Berrien Springs Dam when using a jig and minnow. Anglers are warned that the ice in the channels is not safe.
Port Sheldon - A few boats were fishing around the bubblers near the Power Company.
Grand River at Grand Rapids - Those fishing the deeper holes and up near the Sixth Street Dam have caught some steelhead when using spawn, jigs with wax worms or Wobble Glows. Walleye have been caught by those throwing rapalas and bucktail jigs.
Lake Lansing - Ice anglers are fishing along the shoreline for bluegills and pike.
Muskrat Lake - Anglers venturing out on this lake are advised to stay close to shore due to the natural springs.
Lake Ovid - Located in Sleepy Hollow State Park has ice but anglers may want to stay closer to shore and fish the shallows. A quad went through the ice about 200 yards straight out from the boat launch. The retrieval team ended up cutting the ice with chainsaws all the way back to the launch site. This area will be extremely dangerous and should be avoided.
Muskegon - The whitefish action is just about done, but anglers might still be able to find a fish or two in the channel.
Muskegon Lake - Boats launching out of Hartshorne Marina are catching a few walleye at night and perch during the day.
Muskegon River - Steelhead have been caught up near Bridgeton when floating spawn under a bobber. Some are casting spinners and crankbaits.
White Lake - Ice anglers are starting to fish for bluegills.
Northeast Lower Peninsula
Grand Lake - Ice anglers are catching some perch but caution needs to be used as there are patches of thin ice all around the lake.
Thunder Bay River - Boat ramps on the river are still frozen and most likely will not thaw to the point where they can be used. There is shore fishing just below the Ninth Street Dam and those fishing in the turn basin have caught whitefish, walleye and a few perch. Even though there has been no word on steelhead activity, there are still some fish in the river.
Van Etten Lake - Anglers are ice fishing but caution still needs to be used. Perch and northern pike have been caught. Some walleye were caught just off Loud Island.
Oscoda - The mouth of the river is open but the State Launch below Highway 23 is not accessible to most due to ice and snow. Those that could get out should be able to find some whitefish.
Au Sable River - Those looking for steelhead in the upper river should be able to launch at the Rea Road and Whirlpool access sites.
Tawas - Might not have many whitefish left, but could be producing some brown trout, walleye and perch.
Higgins Lake - Has shoreline ice only. The majority of the lake still has open water. No one including the shore anglers have been out fishing.
Houghton Lake - Those ice fishing may encounter some slush around the pressure cracks. Anglers fishing the Middle Grounds or the East Bay are catching walleye and northern pike when using jigs with minnows and tip-ups. No word on bluegills.
Northwest Lower Peninsula
Traverse City - Not much to report as the cold weather has kept anglers off the water. Both bays offer good whitefish action this time of year. Try jigging when you find a school of fish.
Little Glen Lake - Anglers are starting to ice fish but use caution.
Spider Lake - In Grand Traverse County is reporting ice fishing activity.
Big Manistee River - Steelhead are being caught in the lower river.
Lake Cadillac - Has ice, but caution needs to be used. Anglers are catching panfish along with a few pike.
Lake Mitchell - Anglers have started to catch northern pike.
Lake Missaukee - Ice fishing is on and anglers are catching panfish.
Upper Peninsula
Cold temperatures in December have the small inland lakes setting up with ice. This early ice is providing fishing opportunities for panfish, pike and walleye. Anglers will have to deal with slush on some lakes. Use extreme caution this time of year as ice conditions vary from lake to lake. |