Fishing report: GH pier anglers still hauling in steelhead

Fri, Nov 6, 2009    to del.icio.us

(AP) — Water levels on the rivers were high and muddy after the recent rains, but catch rates should improve as the waters recede, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources said in its weekly fishing report.

The DNR reminds anglers that November is a good time to fish for those who don't like crowds. Fishing starts to take a back seat to hunting and that opens up space on the lakes, rivers, piers, docks and shorelines, the DNR noted.

SOUTHWEST LOWER PENINSULA:

St. Joe: Pier anglers are catching steelhead.

St. Joe River: Fishing was difficult with the high water levels. Anglers need to use caution. The salmon runs are essentially over. Steelhead were being caught up near the Berrien Springs Dam.

Dowagiac River: The river had high water levels. Salmon are done and steelhead have become the main attraction.

Kalamazoo River: The river had high water levels. Steelhead and walleye action should resume once the water levels recede.

Grand Haven: Pier anglers are catching steelhead and whitefish.

Grand River at Grand Rapids: Water levels were up, which means boat traffic should be able to go up near the Sixth Street Dam and the coffer dam. Good numbers of steelhead were reported up near the Sixth Street Dam. Try floating choker bags with yarn on top or wobble glos. Peach cobbler was a good color. Some are back bouncing spawn up and down the river or drifting flies and yarn off the east wall. A few walleye were caught off Fulton Street and the east wall. Try jigs with minnows, bucktails or plastic worms. Some crappie were caught in Felix Bayou and near Riverside Park.

Reeds Lake: Boat and shore anglers were catching crappie, bluegill and perch.

Muskegon: Steelhead have been caught off the piers when using spawn. Those surfcasting also have caught steelhead along with a few catfish. Boats still are finding a few chinook and steelhead when trolling from the piers to 40 feet of water.

Muskegon Lake: The lake is producing some perch but the fish are small. Bluegills can be found in the marinas.

Muskegon River: The river is running high and muddy.

Mona Lake: Bluegills have been caught in the southwest cove.

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NORTHWEST LOWER PENINSULA:

Torch Lake: Whitefish spearing has begun as the season opened Nov. 1.

Traverse City: Whitefish action was slow in both the East Bay and the West Bay. Try perch rigs with minnows just off the bottom.

Big Glen Lake: Perch have been caught but anglers will need to sort out the small ones. Smallmouth bass fishing was good in about 20 feet of water.

Platte River: Steelhead are being caught on spawn. Higher water levels will make fishing more of a challenge.

Crystal Lake: Perch have been caught but anglers will need to sort out the small ones. Smallmouth bass fishing has been very good.

Manistee: When the conditions are right, boats are catching salmon and steelhead in 50 to 150 feet of water. Pier and shore anglers are catching steelhead on spawn.

Manistee River: Salmon are done and steelhead fishing has been hampered by high water levels. When the waters come down, fishing should be very good with fish distributed throughout the watershed.

Ludington: Boat anglers still are taking salmon and steelhead in 100 to 200 feet of water. Pier and shore anglers also are catching steelhead.

Pere Marquette River: High waters levels slowed the action but catch rates should improve once the water levels recede.

Pentwater River: Anglers were catching steelhead.