Michigan Outdoor News Fishing Report – Dec. 7, 2018

SOUTHEASTERN LP

Lake St. Clair

Fishing pressure has been light on Lake St. Clair with high winds and rough water keeping anglers on shore. Those who could get out report catching a few walleyes. Skim ice was forming in the backwaters and canals in the mornings and anglers are punching holes and catching bluegills off the docks at Metro Beach. The firearms deer season was good the muzzleloader hunters are expecting a good season, too.

Lakeside Fishing Shops, (586) 777-7003.

Lake Orion

There was no safe ice anywhere in Oakland County. Skim ice is forming in the mornings, but melting as the temperatures rise. Firearms deer season was pretty good at Bald Mountain Recreation Area with a couple of nice bucks being reported. Muzzleloader season should be good.

Lakes Village Stop/Mobile Gas Station, (248) 693-4565.

Trenton Area

Perch anglers were still getting some fish in the cuts and canals on the Detroit River, as well as in the mouth of the river, just south of Gibraltar Bay. 

Bottom Line Bait & Tackle, (734) 379-9762.

Trenton Lighthouse, (734) 675-7080.

Horse Island Tackle, (734) 692-9839.

Luna Pier Area

 When they can get out, anglers are catching decent numbers of walleyes on Lake Erie. The best reports were coming from anglers fishing east of Stony Point and out near the Michigan/Ohio boundary waters.

Luna Pier Harbour Club, (734) 848-8777.

SOUTHWESTERN LP

Coloma Area

Most lakes in southwestern Michigan are still wide open. The firearms deer season was fair. Muzzleloader season should be decent, especially with a little snow on the ground.

Ellinee Bait and Tackle, (269) 468-7522

Union Area

The firearms deer season was good and the muzzleloader season should be pretty good, too. There was no ice on lakes in Cass County and there was about 2 inches of snow on the ground.

Halls Bait and Tackle, (269) 641-2304.

Grand Rapids Area

Ice was not forming on inland lakes around Grand Rapids. A few steelhead have been caught on the Grand River at the Sixth Street Dam.

Al & Bob’s Sports, (616) 245-9156.

Plainwell Area

There was no safe ice on Gun Lake. The firearms deer season was pretty good with several nice bucks being taken. There was about 8 inches of snow on the ground. The muzzleloader deer season should be good. 

Gillett’s Bait and Hardware, (269) 672-5371.

CENTRAL LP

Saginaw Bay Area

Perch have moved into the rivers and cuts along Lake Huron’s Saginaw Bay. When the wind allows, anglers report catching decent numbers of walleyes in deeper water. The firearms deer season was a good one in Bay County with several nice bucks being tagged. The muzzleloader season should also be productive with lots of deer in the area.

Franks Great Outdoors, (989) 697-5341.

Baldwin Area

Steelhead fishing has been good on the Pere Marquette River, but fishing pressure has been light. Egg-related baits are producing the best results. Shelf ice has not started to form yet so access has been good. Skim ice was forming on some of the smaller inland lakes but nothing close to being safe, yet. The firearms deer season was decent. Deer movement seemed to be limited by high winds and poor weather. There was a dusting of snow on the ground. The muzzleloader season should be fair. Coyote hunting has been very good.

Baldwin Bait & Tackle, (231) 745-3529.

Ed’s Sport Shop, (231) 745-4974, www.edsports.com.

Weidman Area

The firearms deer season was pretty good. There was about 6 inches of snow on the ground. The muzzleloader season should be good, too. There was up to 3 inches of ice on some of the smaller lakes and anglers are slowly sneaking out. Anyone venturing out should use extreme caution. There was warm weather in the forecast. Coyote hunting has been good.

Schafer’s Bait & Sporting Goods, (989) 644-3501.

Ludington Area

The firearms deer season as “so-so” in Mason County, although several nice bucks were taken including a 14-point in the 140-class and a 12-point in the 130-class. There was a dusting of snow on the ground, but no safe ice. Muzzleloader season should be decent. Steelhead fishing has been very slow with low, clear water in the Pere Marquette River. A few steelhead have been caught in Lake Michigan off the pier on spawn. Perch are hitting in Pentwater Lake.

Captain Chuck’s Fishing, Hunting and Archery, (231) 843-4458.

THE THUMB

Caseville Area

The firearms deer season was good in the Thumb. Several nice bucks have been tagged and the muzzleloader season should be good, too. Duck hunting also has been very good. Lake trout, burbot and walleyes are hitting in Lake Huron off the breakwall in Caseville. Crankbaits have produced for the walleyes, minnows for the burbot and lakers.

Walsh Gun & Tackle, (989) 856-4465.

Port Huron

Walleye fishing has been very good at Port Huron. Those fishing in Lake Huron are vertical jigging and anglers fishing the St. Clair River are whipping at night. Atlantic salmon are being caught in Lexington Harbor and Port Sanilac Harbor. Spawn has been the hot bait. Waterfowl hunting has been very good with lots of ducks in the area. The firearms deer season started out very good, but slowed towards the end. Hunting pressure has been light, too. The muzzleloader season should be good.

Anderson’s Pro Bait, (810) 984-3232.

NORTHWESTERN LP

Traverse City Area

Perch are hitting in Grand Traverse Bay’s Bowers Harbor. The best action has come to anglers fishing in 60 to 100 feet of water, when the wind allows boaters to get out. Good numbers of walleyes are being caught in South Lake Leelanau. Hunters enjoyed mixed results during the firearms deer season and expect much the same for the black-powder season.

WildFishing Guide Service, www.wildfishing.com. 

NORTHEASTERN LP

Grayling Area

Anglers were waiting for safe ice to form on Lake Margrethe. Ice is covering Otsego Lake, but nothing safe for foot traffic yet. If the weather holds up anglers may be able to get out in a week or so. There was a dusting of snow in the ground. The firearms deer season was slow. Hunters are hoping things pick up for the muzzleloader season.
Late grouse season should be pretty good. Bird numbers appear to be in good shape.

Skip’s Sport Shop, (989) 348-7111.

Old Au Sable Fly Shop, (989) 348-3330

Houghton Lake Area

Anglers are waiting for safe ice on Houghton Lake. There is between 1 and 4 inches of ice, but the lake has not frozen evenly and should be safe for foot traffic soon, if the weather holds up and remains below freezing. The firearms deer season was fair. Hunters report seeing fair numbers of deer, but “nothing to write home about.” 

Lyman’s on the Lake, (989) 422-3231.

Oscoda Area

Lake trout and walleyes have been caught in Lake Huron by pier anglers casting spoons, crankbaits and jigs. Lake trout were also caught by anglers still-fishing with spawn. Atlantic salmon have been caught in the lower end of the Au Sable River. They have moved off the beds and are being found in the holes and around current breaks and structure. Spawn bags, beads, spinners, wax worms and egg flies have all produced. The steelhead action was slow. A few walleyes have been caught when casting crankbaits near the mouth. The firearms deer season was good with several nice bucks taken. 

Wellman’s Sport Center, (989) 739-2869.

EASTERN UP

Pickford Area

The firearms deer season was great with lots of deer being seen and lots of big deer being shot. There was a couple of inches of snow on the ground. The muzzleloader season should be good, too. Ice was running up to 6 inches on Munuscong Bay. Walleye and perch are hitting minnows and jigs fished through the ice. Boat anglers fishing along the edge of the ice are catching big walleyes up to 8 pounds and some nice muskies, too.

Wilderness Treasures, (906) 647-4002.

Drummond Island Area

The firearms deer season was fair on Drummond Island with a lot of small bucks being taken. Hunting pressure was light, too. The muzzleloader season should be good. Shore ice is forming up to 6 inches thick, but heavy winds keep breaking up the ice. 

Johnson’s Sport Shop, (906) 493-6300.

Curtis Area

The firearms deer season was fair and the muzzleloader season should be very similar. There was a dusting of snow on the ground. There was between 2 and 4 inches of ice on Manistique Lakes and anglers are starting to sneak out in the shallow bays. Anglers are urged to use extreme caution as thickness varies. Those heading out are catching decent numbers of walleyes, perch and northern pike. There was more cold weather in the forecast.

Mick’s Bait Shop, (906) 586-6040.

CENTRAL UP

Marquette Area

Fishing pressure has been very light on Lake Superior with most of the locals focusing on deer hunting. The firearms season was pretty good with several nice bucks being taken in Marquette County. The muzzleloader season also should be pretty good.

Gander Mountain, (906) 226-8300.

Escanaba Area

Walleye anglers reported good to excellent catches on Lake Michigan’s Little Bay de Noc. Anglers trolling stickbaits in the Narrows in and around 30 feet of water are reporting some limit catches. Those fishing the reefs off Kipling reported good catches in 25 to 35 feet of water. Boat anglers need to use caution and watch for floating ice. Most fish were between 16 and 22 inches. The firearms deer season was good and the muzzleloader season should also be good.

Bay View Bait & Tackle, (906) 786-1488.

BayShore Resort Bait & Tackle, (906) 428-2950.

WESTERN UP

L’Anse Area

Fishing has been pretty good on some of the smaller inland lakes in the area. A few anglers have been out on Burns and Laws lakes. There was about 2 inches of snow on the ground. The firearms deer season was good and some very nice bucks were taken, especially early in the season. Shelf ice is forming on the rivers and put an end to fishing there. 

Indian Country Sports, (906) 524-6518.

Bergland Area

There was no safe ice on Lake Gogebic. Fishing pressure was very light.

Bear’s Nine Pines Resort, (906) 842-3361.

Iron River Area

The firearms deer season was pretty good with several nice bucks being taken in the area. There was about 2 inches of snow on the ground. The muzzleloader season should be good. There was between 3 and 7 inches of ice on some of the smaller lakes in the area. Anglers report catching a mixed bag of walleyes, bluegills, crappies and northern pike. The bigger lakes were not starting to freeze yet. With sub-freezing temperatures in the forecast the ice was expected to stick around. 

Luckey’s Sport Shop, (906) 265-0151.

The DNR contributed to this report.