Fishing report: Surf anglers catching steelhead

Fri, Dec 4, 2009    to del.icio.us

LANSING (AP) — Stream and pier fishing is about the only action taking place right now, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources said Wednesday in its weekly fishing report. Those with boats not in storage were still fishing a few inland lakes for walleye and perch. This is a good time of year for shore anglers to catch fish in the shallows.

SOUTHWEST LOWER PENINSULA

St. Joe: Pier anglers were still taking a fair to good number of whitefish. Try spawn or wax worms.

St. Joe River: Steelhead have been caught up near the dam at Berrien Springs. The latest trend is floating shrimp under a bobber.

Grand Haven: Whitefish are still being caught on spawn or wax worms. Steelhead anglers are fishing in the early morning or late evening. There were reports of perch caught in 50 feet of water. Try minnows or spikes.

Grand River at Grand Rapids: Steelhead numbers are good and with the recent rain, catch rates were better. Most are back bouncing with spawn sacks or floating a jig and wax worm. Those fishing near the mouth of the Rogue River and the Thornapple River have caught steelhead and walleye when using Hot-n-Tots or rapalas. Bluegill and crappie have been caught in the pond at Riverside Park. Try white or chartreuse jigs with a wax worm.

Muskegon: Those surfcasting have caught steelhead. Boat and shore anglers have caught whitefish in the channel in the early morning or late evening when jigging spoons just off the bottom.

Muskegon Lake: Walleye anglers have caught fish when trolling along the edge of the weeds in 10 to 15 feet of water. Concentrate on the east half of the lake when trolling deep diving Husky Jerks. White perch have been caught on the west side of the lake by those using wax worms, spikes or mousies just off the bottom in 40 feet of water. Try fishing the marinas as well.

Muskegon River: Steelhead have been caught up near Bridgeton when back trolling with spawn.

NORTHWEST LOWER PENINSULA

Traverse City: The East Bay is still producing some whitefish. The fish are starting to spawn so anglers will need to check various depths to locate fish. A few perch were taken in the West Bay. Some of those perch were in the 8 to 11 inch range.

Boardman River: Recent rains did push some steelhead up into the river.

North Lake Leelanau: Had fair to good perch fishing.

Big Glen Lake: Perch fishing has picked up again.

Frankfort: Boat anglers have caught salmon when trolling north and south in 125 feet of water. Steelhead were found in the top 15 to 20 feet of waters 40 to 125 feet deep. Brown trout were caught in 35 to 40 feet of water. Pier anglers caught fish in the early morning or late evening.

Betsie River: Steelhead can still be found in the river.

Manistee: Pier anglers are still heading out for steelhead.

Manistee River: Steelhead fishing continues to be the only fishing activity on the river right now.

Ludington: Pier and shore anglers are still catching steelhead.

Pere Marquette River: Steelhead have been caught near US-31 and up near Scottville. Try spawn under a bobber.