Michigan DNR Fishing Report for April 24, 2019

Southwest Lower Peninsula

Grand River at Grand Rapids: Is still producing some steelhead though the run is slowing.

Rogue River: Steelhead were spawning.

Muskegon River: Has high water levels but was still fishable. A good number of steelhead are in the river including fresh fish. Anglers have found fish up near Croton Dam. Those fly fishing are using nymph patterns.

Northeast Lower Peninsula

Sturgeon River: Water levels are extremely high, and the current is fast. A couple steelhead were caught when drifting worms or spawn in the holes near Wolverine but those bottom bouncing worms near Wolverine Park caught no fish.

Cheboygan River: Water levels were very high and fast which makes steelhead fishing very difficult. A few fish were caught on spawn, spoons or wax worms. Spawn bags worked best. A few walleye and one pike were caught and released by those targeting steelhead.

Ocqueoc River: Should have plenty of steelhead.

Thunder Bay River: Those drifting and floating beads and spawn have taken steelhead, suckers, and the occasional brown trout. The flow was high with one or two of the gates open which is bringing more fish into the river daily.

Au Sable River: Water levels were high, and the lower portions were somewhat dirty. Steelhead and the occasional Atlantic salmon have been caught by those drifting and floating beads, spawn, flies or stripping and swinging streamers. The bite was hit-or-miss but a good number of fish were present. A couple chrome Atlantic’s were caught at the mouth and in town with minnows, spawn or body baits. A nice brown trout was caught near Foote Dam. Suckers were increasing in number.

Au Gres River: Steelhead anglers are finding fish well upstream in the East Branch. At the Singing Bridge, those surf casting for walleye at night have done well.

Rifle River: Those fishing upstream have caught steelhead.

Northwest Lower Peninsula

Petoskey: On the Bear River, water levels were high at the dam, but a couple steelhead were caught on spawn, beads or flies.

Traverse City: In the Elk River, steelhead fishing remains slow. On the Boardman River, only a couple steelhead were taken when drifting spawn and beads.

Manistee River: Steelhead fishing was a little more difficult due to high water levels, but a few fish were caught. Anglers are hoping the levels will be down somewhat by the trout opener this weekend.

Upper Peninsula

Chocolay River: Had slow fishing as water temperatures were below 40 degrees. A few brown trout have been caught but there were no reports on any steelhead taken.

Manistique River: Steelhead anglers reported good catches up near the dam when casting spawn. Several nice brown trout were also reported. There were two gates open at the dam which raised the water levels by three feet, so the water was very high and fast.

Two Hearted River: Is difficult to fish due to high water levels. Fish are likely in the river, but conditions will limit success greatly.

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