Southwest Lower Peninsula

Dowagiac River

Steelhead were caught at the Pucker Street Dam in Niles.

St. Joseph River

Steelhead anglers have caught fish up at the Berrien Springs Dam.

 

Kalamazoo River

A few limit catches of steelhead were reported by boat anglers fishing up near the Allegan Dam.

 

Grand River at Grand Rapids

Those fishing up near the 6th Street Dam have caught steelhead. Look for some fresh fish to move in with the rain and warmer temperatures.

Grand River at Lansing

Had reports of a steelhead here or there but nothing consistent. Rain the next couple days could bring some more fish up this far.

 

Muskegon River

Steelhead fishing was average but should pick up with the rain and warmer temperatures.

 

White River

Had fair to good steelhead fishing.

Northeast Lower Peninsula

Cheboygan River

Anglers caught steelhead at the dam with spawn, beads, spinners, worms and minnows. Conditions were a bit difficult because of high currents from overflow.

Ocqueoc River

Fishing pressure was slow at times, but anglers have caught steelhead averaging 15 inches. Try spawn and spinners.

 

Thunder Bay River

Fishing was slow, but anglers were getting a couple steelhead and Atlantic salmon when drifting flies or spawn bags with bobbers. The water is low, clear and very cold.

 

Au Sable River

Steelhead were caught by anglers drifting or floating wax worms, flies and spawn bags through the holes. River temperatures were hovering around 39 degrees, and the water is very clear, so winter tactics continue to produce best. Some fresh fish entered the river, and a fair amount of black stone flies were emerging.

Black River

Despite on and off skim ice, anglers found a couple steelhead at the mouth of the river when floating spawn bags.

 

 

Au Gres River

Down at Singing Bridge (Whitney Drain), steelhead anglers were doing well in both the lower river and in the surf. They were either drifting spawn or wax worms down the river or still-fishing with floating spawn sacks in the surf. A few anglers dragging small boats across the beach and launching to fish just off the river mouth were getting some steelhead, lake trout and coho close to shore.

Northwest Lower Peninsula

 

Bear River

Catch rates were a bit slow, but some nice chrome fish were caught with spawn bags up near the dam and downstream between the bridges. A couple steelhead were also caught on wax worms or spawn bags at the mouth.

 

Traverse City

On the Elk River in Elk Rapids, a couple steelhead were caught below the dam in the early morning. In the West Bay, Bowers Harbor was still frozen at the boat launch. On the Boardman River, steelhead were caught below the dam with spawn or wax worms. There were quite a few planter rainbow trout near the dam, so beads and soft plastics would be a good option if you are losing bait quickly.

 

Big Manistee River

Steelhead were caught up as far as Tippy Dam by those using beads and spawn bags. The rain should help bring more fish in.

 

Pere Marquette River

Has a mix of winter run steelhead and a few fresh fish.

 

 

 

 

 

Southwest Lower Peninsula

St. Joseph River: Had a few anglers out targeting steelhead but the bite was slow once again. We need rain and warmer temperatures.

Grand River at Grand Rapids: Catch rates slowed but a few anglers were still finding some steelhead.

Muskegon River: Has some nice steelhead however cold water temperatures have slowed the bite. Try fishing the deeper holes until it warms back up.

Northwest Lower Peninsula

Overall: Snow and cold water temperatures are delaying the primary steelhead run. We need warm weather and rain as water levels were low and clear.

Betsie River: The steelhead bite slowed with the onset of snow and cold temperatures.

Big Manistee River: Has fresh fish but the bite has slowed with the cold weather. Target the deeper holes until it warms back up.

Anglers are reminded that on Sunday, April 1 all anglers 17 years of age and older will be required to have a new 2018 Michigan fishing license. Be sure to look at a copy of the 2018 Michigan Fishing Guide for new regulations that go into effect on April 1 – you can download it from Michigan.gov/dnrdigests.

Southwest Lower Peninsula

Dowagiac River: Anglers are catching steelhead at the Pucker Street Dam.

St. Joseph River: Has a good number of steelhead and fish are moving onto the gravel for spawning. Spawn bags, skein and plugs have all worked especially up near the Berrien Springs Dam. Some limit catches were reported.

Kalamazoo River: Also has a good number of steelhead.

Grand River at Grand Rapids: Has a good number of steelhead with spawning fish moving to the gravel.

 

Muskegon River: Boat and shore anglers are getting some steelhead but the action was still on the slow side with water temperatures in the mid 30’s.

White River: Steelhead fishing picked up with fresh fish moving in.

Northeast Lower Peninsula

Overall: Steelhead fishing was slow on some of the local rivers. Anglers were still ice fishing on some lakes, but extreme caution needs to used, as ice conditions are questionable.

Cheboygan River: Those using spawn at the dam were taking steelhead.

Pigeon River: Anglers were starting to fish for steelhead but most caught brown trout that had to be released.

 

Thunder Bay River: Is open water and conditions are right for steelhead fishing. The marina is still frozen but the Fletcher Street ramp is open. Not a lot of runoff yet so the river is still pretty fishable. The dam will likely be opened with the first real warm weather we get and that could make fishing more difficult. Up until freeze up last fall, Atlantic salmon were being caught regularly in the old ‘turning basin’ in the river and it is likely they are still there. Try casting from the walkway along LaMarre Park in Alpena.

Tawas River: Those drifting crawlers and spawn sacks were getting some steelhead.

Au Gres River: Steelhead anglers fishing at the Singing Bridge did well when drifting spawn sacks in the lower river. Surf fishing was nearly impossible due to the strong east winds.

Northwest Lower Peninsula

Overall: Steelhead fishing was slow on some of the local rivers as water levels were still low and cold.

Betsie River: Angling activity continues to increase with steelhead being caught. Some brown trout were also caught and released as the season is closed.

Manistee: Pier and boat anglers have caught coho and brown trout. Steelhead were caught by pier anglers.

Big Manistee River: Fishing picked up over the last week as a good number of fresh fish were moving in up near Tippy Dan, anglers reported a decent bite that was best in the morning. Those on the north bank did well floating spawn while those on the south bank had luck with beads and flies.

Pere Marquette River: Steelhead fishing is picking up with fresh fish moving in.

Pentwater River: Has steelhead.

 

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(Tim holding this beautiful translucent chrome hen)

Check out Tim’s absolute beauty!   Holding his translucent crystal chrome steelhead along with his son Andrew.

(Andrew with the biggest of the day)

Well it might not be the prettiest of the day but it was the biggest weighing in at 14lbs on the boga grips.  You can tell Andrew’s kinda bummed by his expression in the photo…ha..ha!  Great job Andrew!

(Andrew with a hard fighting young fresh spring steelhead)

This young male steelhead fought like a 20-lber with his aerial assault in full effect!  Awesome fight!

(Tim with the last chrome steelhead of the day)

Really nice to see several nice chrome steelhead brought to the boat today by Tim and Andrew.  Great sign of whats to come!

Good numbers of steelhead are in the river system now with several more on the move in the cover of high dirty water.  Water temps are hovering around the 36 degree point with the cold spell to hit this week holding water temps in place.  Next week’s warm up coupled with rain and warmer nights will help water temps to climb that magic 42 degree ideal spawning temp.  Looks like we’re only a few weeks away from the start of the spring steelhead run!

post by: jon fortuna

 

Anglers are reminded that the 2018 fishing licenses go on sale starting March 1. Be sure to pick up a copy of the 2018 Michigan Fishing Guide or download it from Michigan.gov/dnrdigests.

Southwest Lower Peninsula

Overall: Steelhead were on the move last week before the rapid rise in water levels. Some have already started boat fishing. A few boats braving the float ice were going out onto Lake Michigan to target lake trout and brown trout.

St. Joseph River: Had some steelhead action.

Kalamazoo River: Also had some steelhead action.

Grand River at Grand Rapids: Steelhead and walleye were caught before the high water levels which have restricted fishing opportunities.

Muskegon River: Water levels were coming down and steelhead were being caught. Try spawn, flies, beads or wax worms.

Northeast Lower Peninsula

Cheboygan River: Was producing some steelhead including some silver fish that were coming in.

Ocqueoc River: Was producing some steelhead including some fresh fish.

Northwest Lower Peninsula

Overall: Stream steelhead fishing should be picking up with the warmer weather.

Betsie River: Water levels have returned to near normal. Look for steelhead with the warmer temperatures.

Big Manistee River: Steelhead fishing picked up with the rain and warmer temperatures. Try spawn, beads and wax worms. Water levels were near normal.

Pere Marquette River: With the lower water levels, anglers were catching some steelhead again.

Pentwater River: Was also producing some steelhead.

Very few updates have come in this week as few anglers were out.  Rain and warm temperatures have many rivers at or above flood stage.  Moving ice may also cause additional flooding.  Anglers should avoid the rivers until water levels recede.  Many inland lakes will no longer be safe.

Southwest Lower Peninsula

St. Joseph River:  Had extremely high water levels and no one was fishing.  It could be a week or so before the water recedes to fishable levels.  Look for steelhead up near the dams once it does.

Kalamazoo River:  Had high water levels.

Grand River at Grand Rapids:  High water levels and a strong current will make fishing very difficult.

Muskegon River:  Had ice jams resulting in rapidly rising water near Rogers Dam and near Croton.

Northeast Lower Peninsula

Rifle River:  Was under a flood warning.  High water levels and a strong current are not ideal fishing conditions.

Northwest Lower Peninsula

Big Manistee River:   Had reports of steelhead being caught.

Pere Marquette River:  Also had reports of steelhead being caught after the rain and warmer temperatures.