Sport Fish Michigan Fishing Report

Sport Fish Michigan Lake Report March – April 2017

Posted on March 21, 2017 by admin

Spring is here! With all the ice gradually melting, open water fishing on most inland lakes is in full swing and Grand Traverse Bay is open for some great fishing opportunities, as well. Listed below is brief description of what techniques and tips Sport Fish Michigan has to offer anglers when hitting the water over the course of the next month.

Inland lake fishing for perch has been very good, and this is an awesome time of year to take advantage of big fish and large schools. Most fish can be found feeding in 38-50 feet of water adjacent to steeper drop-offs and weed-covered flats. If you are lucky enough to find perch minnows at your local bait shop, this will help yield the best action when targeting perch. The fish tend to move this time of year as they are actively spawning and transitioning from deeper to shallower water. Make sure to use a Minn Kota Motors I-Pilot or back trolling technique, as using an anchor can spook the school, forcing them to move.

Grand Traverse Bay has been fishing very well this March and will only continue to heat up for several species. Lake trout and cisco fishing is incredible this time of year. Utilizing good, effective electronics, and successfully anchoring on top of large schools will bring the most success. This time of the year, jigging spoons and blade baits are key, fish are constantly moving, in search for alewife, gobies, and other baitfish in the warming water. 50-100 feet of water is a great place to start, this is usually a key area to find both species, however don’t be afraid to check shallower as the water warms, as most of the baitfish and insect life will be gathering around the warmer rocks and weed cover. And if all else fails, deep waters of 150 feet or even more will almost always hold fish. These deeper fish may not be the actively feeding fish that cruise the shallower waters, but can often be tempted with a good jig.

Traverse City, Frankfort, Leland, and Manistee offer some excellent shallow water trolling opportunities on Lake Michigan for brown trout, steelhead, and even the occasional lake trout. Anglers will have great success trolling body baits on in-line planer boards in 8-15 feet of water. Locating stained water areas and gradual temperature breaks will help pinpoint where feeding fish are located. Browns tend to congregate in the water that has the least amount of visibility and the warmest temperature. Don’t be afraid to fish very close to the shoreline, the inside trough can be very productive this time of year!

Good luck and see you on the water!

Sport Fish Michigan December 2015 Angler Magazine Report

Posted on December 8, 2015 by admin

December is upon us, and our hard-water ice fishing season is still seemingly a far way off for many bodies of water. With a much milder El Nino winter, it seems that there is still be much more open-water fishing to be had here in northern Michigan. Rivers will stay open, unlike the past two winters, and big bodies of water like Grand Traverse Bays will almost assuredly remain open as well.

Grand Traverse Bays in early winter can be an awesome place to wet a line when the weather cooperates. Lake trout season is still closed out on the Bays, but there is still some great yellow perch action to be had, and whitefish will be moving shallow as well. For perch anglers, Deep Water Point on East Bay is always a go-to spot. Wigglers or minnows are the top choices out here on the Bays, but sometimes a jigging spoon can really help to attract fish that are spread out. Personally, I like a jigging spoon with a dropper chain tipped with a couple of wigglers or a small piece of minnow to call in fussy fish. Very often it’s a small jigging cadence that gets fish to move in closer, and then a dead-stick approach to tempt bites. Many perch anglers opt to use their ice fishing electronics for this style of fishing because it is immediate feedback on how a fish is reacting to our offerings. And don’t be surprised when a big Grand Traverse Bay whitefish or lake trout gobbles up your perch rig. Whitefish love a vertically jigged Swedish pimple or a small Jonah Jig. Wigglers work well at times, also, but whitefish can be so tricky in hooking when using wigglers, that sometimes it’s better to look for other techniques.

Steelhead on the rivers are still a great option in December, before the dead of winter truly sets in. Last year, winter hit us in November and didn’t let up. This year, water should be flowing well throughout the winter if we do indeed have the El Nino year that is predicted. Spawn bags can work wonders on Lake Michigan tributary steelhead, but don’t forget about small jigs tipped with wax worms. The old Jig and wax routine can be truly deadly on winter steelhead when fished under a float. And if there are trout in the system? They love a good wax worm too!

Inland lakes probably won’t see too much ice in December, with the exception of the smaller lakes in the middle of the state. Lakes closer to Lake Michigan will be protected by the big lake, tempering air temperatures. This means that anglers can still get out in a boat on many bodies of water. Yellow perch are the target of choice for many anglers, and the techniques that work on the Bays work well here too. The flash of a minnow can really trigger aggressive feeding responses from big perch this time of year, and with fishing pressure low, these fish are often very willing to bite.

Fishing Report April 23, 2015

Posted on April 23, 2015 by admin

Having just returned from a very productive trip down to the Detroit River for some walleye jigging, now is a great time to discuss some of the particulars that make that fishery such an incredible one, and how anglers curious about fishing the Detroit River can get a head start towards success.

With a DNR-estimated 10-12 million walleye running up the Detroit River to spawn, this urban setting transforms into a true world-class fishery. Not only for perfect eater-size walleyes, but for trophies, too. Fish over 10 pounds are fairly common in early April, and there are numerous fish over 12 and 13 pounds caught every year.

Once the ice floes from Lake St. Clair subside in early April, walleyes begin to swim upstream from Lake Erie. This is the big fish time, and anglers in the know target giant walleyes during the first 2 or 3 weeks of April. The last portion of April, and through the first couple of weeks of May, is the time to target numbers as well as eaters. Eaters are generally sized between 1 and 4 pounds. These fish swarm the river once slightly warmer water begins flowing in late April.

To catch these awesome eating fish, anglers tend to employ one of 2 basic methods. Handlining is a staple for many seasoned veterans. This technique covers lots of water, keeping lure presentations in the strike zone almost the entire time. What we at Sport Fish Michigan love is vertical jigging. Jigging the Detroit River is simple in principle, but much more complicated in the intricacies that make this technique so deadly.

Generally speaking, jigs between half an ounce and an ounce are used to bounce along the river bottom while slipping down-current. The river is full of rocky snags, and bouncing the river’s bottom vs. dragging the bottom is critical to not snagging. Braided line is also a must for us, since the diameter of the line is far less than that of monofilament or fluorocarbon. It also allows for much more sensitivity, and anglers can feel each thump of the bottom affirming bottom contact, which is important information. Without this feedback, it’s all too easy to let the jig accidentally drag along the bottom, inevitably resulting in snags.

Successful jigging motions can vary from day to day, but the rule of thumb tends to be small, short jigs, about 6 inches in height. With braided line, a 6 inch jigging motion moves much closer to 12 inches under the water. Small jigging motions allow for more contact with the bottom, where the walleyes hug in the river current. Additionally, a small jigging motion keeps the bait in the strike zone more of the time than does a longer jigging motion. There are times, however, that walleyes will want a longer jigging motion. Experimenting each day will let anglers know what will trigger the fish on any given day.

Sport Fish Michigan Captains tend to use similar tackle. Through trial and error, we have refined our techniques and tackle preferences to put our customers on the best fishing setups that we can. I prefer 8-10 pound braided line. If the water has a clarity of more than 2 feet, I also like to use a short fluorocarbon leader, about 2-3 feet or so. Walleyes typically don’t have time to inspect a bait closely due to the river’s current, so braided line tied directly to a jig is fine in most instances, but there are times that I am convinced that a short leader can lead to more bites.

The use of a treble stinger hook on my jigs is a must, as walleyes will often strike short. Part of the reason for this is because walleyes don’t have a lot of time to look at a bait as it comes down in the swift river current. Using a stinger hook will help to hook these short-biters.

Anglers use a variety of soft plastics on their jigs. While there are many different baits that will work, the 2 that I tend to use more than others are the Wyandotte Wonder worm and the Lunker City Fin S Fish. I have also used various paddle tail style baits with great success as well. Early in the spring, when waters coming out of Lake St. Clair are cold, I like to also tip my jig with a 3-4 inch minnow. I also use water temperature as a guide to whether to use a minnow on my jig or not. With water under 50 degrees, I am a firm believer in the use of a minnow. This was proven time and again this past week as a successful tactic. Waters were 44 degrees, and bites seemed to be almost immediate when we had a minnow. When we did not have a minnow on our jigs, bites were very few and far between.

The Detroit River is a big river with lots of flow. Navigating through heavy boat traffic is something anglers must be conscious of before launching. This is also a shipping channel, and freighters and freighter wake are common. Make sure to have all of the boat’s safety equipment onboard and in good working order before getting out onto the river. And, as always, take care, be safe, and have fun on the water!

Sport Fish Michigan April Angler Magazine Report

Posted on March 22, 2015 by admin

As submitted by Captain Ben Wolfe to Angler Magazine for the month of April, 2015

February’s brutally cold temperatures meant ice fishing on Grand Traverse Bays in early March, and many anglers got out and were able to enjoy this spectacular fishery from the ice. Sport Fish Michigan guides were able to also take advantage of this rare opportunity, and our many guide customers were thrilled to catch lake trout, burbot and huge whitefish. How things change quickly, however, as mid March ushered in a warm, sunny spell that sent ice anglers all across northern Michigan scurrying for the banks as ice rapidly melted, prompting Coast Guard warnings across the region.

April is a different story, and even though ice fishing may not be an option, the fishing can still be awesome. In fact, for those with cabin fever, this early season can be awesome! Fish haven’t seen moving baits in months, and anglers can easily move to different contours and depths in a boat as opposed to drilling holes. It’s good to be back on the water fishing from a boat!

Grand Traverse Bays are still very cold and there will be burbot still shallow following their late winter spawning. Whitefish are also “shallow”, and Grand Traverse whitefish are huge. We may not have the numbers of whitefish that places like Green Bay does, but what we lack in numbers we more than make up for in size. And we also have a world-class lake trout fishery too. April is a prime month to fish shallow for lake trout, brown trout and steelhead on the Great Lakes near harbors and river mouths. Trolling or casting, action can be spectacular.

Rivers are teaming with steelhead and April is the perfect month to be on the river fishing for these silvery chromers. Adult steelhead can be anywhere from 5 or 6 pounds all the way up to 15 pounds or more! Hook into one of these fish, and you’ll be in for a battle royal! Long 8-10 foot rods are the typical rule for steelhead and even float rods to 13 feet aren’t uncommon. Spawn bags or jigs tipped with wax worms are a staple for cold-water steelhead and trout. Depending on water clarity, bright colors can work one day and produce nothing the next. Sometimes dark colors produce well, so a variety of spawn bags and jigs are essential for the best success.

Walleyes flood northern Michigan’s rivers as well, but anglers should know that this season is closed until the last weekend in April. With cold temperatures from this winter, it’s likely that there will still be excellent walleye numbers in the rivers once the season opens, meaning anglers can keep these tasty fish. Plugs, wobble-glos, worm harnesses and jigs all work well for walleye anglers.

The opening date for trout season is one that many have circled on their calendar. This year, it’s April 25th. A cold winter means that trout should be hungry when the opener rolls around, and streamers will rule the day for fly anglers.

Bass fishing is still closed until the last weekend in April as well, so die-hard bass anglers still have to wait a while before heading out to target the bronzebacks and largemouths that inhabit our northern waters. The early bass season is catch and immediate releases only, so snap a quick picture and send that trophy back! The season to keep bass won’t be until later. Regulation changes are being discussed for the future, so we will have to stay tuned as to what transpires.

Make sure to check out the DNR’s 2015 regulations for seasonal openers, size regulation changes and other information to stay informed for the soft-water season. April is a great month to be out on the water, whether it’s on a river or a lake. As always, take care, be good stewards of our precious resources and have fun!

Michigan River Fishing Report 04.28.2014

Posted on April 28, 2014 by admin

It’s an exciting time here in Michigan, and the fishing possibilities are now seemingly boundless. Last week saw the ice finally melt in northern Michigan, and with the recent inland lakes and river walleye opener, the bass catch & immediate release opener, as well as the trout opener, opportunities for anxious anglers are huge. With so much ice covering the water until several days ago, anglers have been chomping at the bit to get out, and now they finally have their chance.

Rivers

The Big Manistee River is fishing well, despite the record high water levels from a couple of weeks ago. The water is still incredibly muddy, but the fish are there, and are biting. Many large steelhead are being caught, on beads as well as flies. Several fish in the mid- to upper-teens weight-wise have been landed, and many of these fish are still bright chrome, meaning they are fresh into the river. Trout in the Manistee are also feeding, and with steelhead fanning the gravel to make their spawning redds, bugs like stoneflies are being dislodged and the trout are gorging. It’s surprising that the fish can see anything in the dirty water, but even though the clarity doesn’t seem good to us, the steelhead and trout don’t seem to be too bothered. Brown trout, resident rainbow trout, and planter smolts have even been taking bugs off of the surface, so obviously they can see in the water better than we can!

Sturgeon showed up a couple of days ago on the Manistee, and one of our Wolfe Outfitters trips from this past weekend had the excitement of battling 2 of these prehistoric fish, despite not being able to land them. Bank anglers around Tippy Dam have also been hooking these behemoths, which are in the river for their annual spawn.

The Platte River got a small push of steelhead, but many of the anglers fishing its waters fished for walleye the day of the opener. Walleye spawning was delayed because of the slow, cold spring, and in conjunction with the walleye opener this past weekend, anglers were able to target and catch these awesome tasting fish. The Betsie River is still stained, and many of the fish are now above the Homestead dam.

Big Lake

Anglers fishing the big lake down by St. Joseph have been catching king and coho salmon, with hot action as the weather permits. Up by Frankfort, the brown trout are biting, and the fish are averaging a respectable 4-6 pounds. Trolling body baits has been the ticket of late, and early morning and evening seem to be the best times.

Grand Traverse Bays just had ice out and, in fact, there is still slush floating on the water. A few anglers have been getting out, trolling the deep breaks. The water is very cold, and with a few nice sunny days, the fishing should start to get better.

Inland Lakes

Waters are still extremely cold, and it has been windy. Despite that, boats have been getting out on the smaller inland lakes, fishing for walleyes and perch. It has been an incredibly long winter, and it’s almost May, so anglers are bound and determined to make the most of the now open water!

The smaller lakes in northern Michigan will warm faster with some sun than will the larger lakes like Torch, Elk, and Crystal Lake. Steep breaks, old weed lines and medium-depth flats are likely targets for a variety of species, including walleyes, bass, northern pike and panfish. Lake St. Clair in Southeast Michigan is now open for catch & immediate release bass fishing, and from the sounds of it, the fishing is getting better and better. This is the time to fish prespawn bass, and the big ones are feeding heavily.

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