Southwest Lower Peninsula

St. Joseph River: Had good numbers of steelhead going through the Berrien Springs fish ladder.

Kalamazoo River: Anglers were getting steelhead including some limit catches.

Grand River at Grand Rapids: Anglers were still getting a couple steelhead. Look for walleye up near the dam and around the bridges. Those fishing the Rogue River were getting a couple steelhead. Look for more fish to move into the tributaries with the warm weather and warm rain in the forecast. Bluegills and crappie were caught in the shallows.

Muskegon River: Those streamer fishing did well catching some large steelhead and some brown trout. Water levels were up so watch for floating debris. Those fishing Croton and Hardy Dam Pond did catch some walleye.

 

Northeast Lower Peninsula

Cheboygan River: Steelhead fishing was slow with no fish harvested. A couple walleye were caught when casting artificials.

Ocqueoc River: Steelhead were caught on spawn. Some were also using spinners and artificial baits.

Au Sable River: Atlantic salmon were caught by those fishing the holes between Mill Street in Oscoda and the mouth. Drifting or still-fishing spawn bags and minnows took Atlantics up to eight-and-a-half pounds, walleye and suckers. Pyramid sinkers in two ounces or higher were required in the current. Those trolling plugs also caught Atlantics. A few good walleye catches at Foote Dam for those casting jerk baits. Steelhead were taken when drifting wax worms, wigglers, beads, flies, and spawn bags. Both chrome and winter fish were caught but high water levels from an open gate at the dam had the fish scattered. Most steelhead were pre-spawn.

Au Gres River: Down at Singing Bridge, surf anglers fishing late in the evening are catching quite a few walleye which seem to be feeding on gobies as they were full of them. A couple steelhead were also caught.

Northwest Lower Peninsula

 

Bear River: Water levels at the dam were high and fast. Steelhead fishing was pretty good but mornings seemed best. Quite a few fresh fish were up near the dam but they were hard to land because of the fast water. Anglers are using spawn bags and flies.

Traverse City: In the Elk River, catch rates were hit-or-miss but steelhead were caught at the dam when using spawn in the morning. A couple nice fish were caught at the kid’s pond. The Boardman River is producing steelhead in the early morning or evening with spawn or a jig and wax worm. A few nice brown trout were caught at the dam.

 

Big Manistee River: Was still producing steelhead. Fish were hitting on spawn, spinners, crank baits, flies and beads.

Pere Marquette River: Has a good number of steelhead as well. Warmer temperatures along with the warm rain should produce some very good catches along the river and its tributaries.

Upper Peninsula

Marquette: On the Carp and Chocolay Rivers, the steelhead run has not really started yet but a few were caught. Water levels have come up on both rivers so anglers should expect a good run soon.

 

 

This coming Saturday, April 28 is the statewide trout opener on all Type 1 and Type 2 streams as well as all Type A and Type D Designated Trout Lakes.

Southwest Lower Peninsula

St. Joseph River: Was producing steelhead at the Berrien Springs Dam. Bluegills were caught just beyond the Union Lake Dam.

Kalamazoo River: Anglers were getting steelhead including some limit catches.

Grand River at Grand Rapids: Has a decent number of steelhead. Fish have been caught on a variety including spawn, jig and wax worm, spinners, wigglers, wobble glo’s and spin-glo’s. Crappie are starting to bite. Walleye anglers should find some fish up near the 6th Street Dam and near the bridges.

Muskegon River: Steelhead fishing continues and warm temperatures should hasten the remaining fish to run and spawn fairly quickly. Because of that, trout anglers fishing in waters accessible to steelhead on the opener this weekend will find more steelhead than usual. Other trout streams to try in the watershed would be the Hersey and the Middle Branch Rivers. As for the walleye opener, try Croton Pond and Hardy Pond.

Northeast Lower Peninsula

Cheboygan River: Had good steelhead fishing at the lock and dam with spawn, wax worms, artificial baits and lures but did best with spawn. Anglers caught Atlantics on lures at the lock and dam and near the DNR Office. Spawn or a jig and wax worm also took a few fish. The Atlantics were about 20 inches and up to six pounds.

Pigeon River: Had a small number of steelhead.

Ocqueoc River: Steelhead were caught on spawn, artificial baits and spinners.

Au Sable River: Anglers caught steelhead when drifting or floating spawn bags, beads, and wax worms or when casting plugs. Despite the warmer weather, melting snow has kept the lower river temperatures around 38 degrees. Most fish were still pre-spawn and found in the holes. Atlantic salmon and a couple young Chinook and coho were caught by those drifting spawn or casting plugs in the lower river.

Northwest Lower Peninsula

Overall: Steelhead fishing continues. The remaining fish should run and spawn fairly quickly so anglers may find more steelhead for the trout opener this weekend. Conditions for the opener depend on how much rain we get this week.

Bear River: Had higher water levels as warmer temperatures melt the deep snow. There were quite a few steelhead up near the dam but anglers had a hard time landing them because of the high water levels. Most were using spawn bags and flies.

Boyne River: More steelhead were starting to come in.

Traverse City: On the Boardman River, a couple steelhead were caught on spawn and wax worms. Suckers had also moved in.

Betsie River: Was producing some decent size steelhead. Anglers were catching both dark fish and some fresh fish.

Big Manistee River: Steelhead fishing continues and the fish will run and spawn quickly now that it has warmed up. Fish should also be found in the Little Manistee.

Pere Marquette River: Has a good number of steelhead as well. Trout anglers will want to check out some of the major tributaries including the Middle and the Little South Branch as well as the Baldwin River.

Upper Peninsula

Grand Marais: Had no report. Steelhead action was slow in the Sucker River. Access to the river mouth will be limited due to ice jams along the shoreline.

Two Hearted River: Steelhead are steadily moving into the river and the big push of fish has not really occurred yet. Many fish in the river are dark.

Newberry: For trout waters in the area, expect snowpack on all roads heading into area trout lakes and many streams. Despite the warmer temperatures, the heavy snowpack still exists and will likely make travel into any of the trout waters difficult and limited to foot traffic or snowmobile. Inland lakes will most likely be ice covered. Extreme caution should be used by those deciding to venture out as ice conditions have deteriorated and rain this week will only make conditions worse. Water levels in the streams were low but are beginning to rise with the snowmelt.

Southwest Lower Peninsula

St. Joseph River: A lot of steelhead were moving through the Berrien Springs ladder after the rain. The river was high and turbid.

Grand River at Grand Rapids: There was a good push of fresh steelhead resulting in a good number of fish in the river over the last week.

Muskegon River: Water levels were up after the storm. Turbid and stained water made fishing a little more difficult.

Northeast Lower Peninsula

Overall: Rivers will rise over the next couple weeks with the daytime melting and the snow will definitely be around until May. At this point, conditions for the trout opener next weekend do not look good.

Ocqueoc River: Before the winter storm hit, a couple steelhead were caught on spawn. Fishing pressure declined with the onset of colder weather.

Thunder Bay River: A couple steelhead and Atlantic salmon were caught before the storm. Fishing is slow and the spring run has not even begun yet. We need warmer weather and an increase in water levels.

Au Sable River: Snow, cold air, and ice on the ponds have kept river temperatures about 38 degrees. Flow has increased but the water stayed fairly clear towards Foote Dam Pond. A couple steelhead were caught in the deeper holes as well as up near Foot Dam when drifting spawn bags, flies, and wax worms. These and other natural looking baits continue to produce in the cold water.

Black River: A couple steelhead were caught by those floating spawn.

Northwest Lower Peninsula

Overall: Rivers in this area will rise over the next couple weeks with the daytime melting. Some lakes were still ice covered however deep snow makes it impossible to tell what the ice conditions are like.

Bear River: Was flowing at a higher level. Steelhead were caught on spawn bags, flies or wax worms. A few suckers were also caught.

Big Manistee River: Steelhead fishing continues, and will for a while.

Pere Marquette River: Had good steelhead fishing.

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.

 

Have a new sticker, from our popular Swing Fly logo from last fall had a few requests for a sticker.  Now you can add the Mangled Fly Swing logo to your favorite cooler, truck window, or coffee mug.  Same great quality as the rest of our stickers.  Check it out and get yours today.

Sticker is approximately 7″x4″

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