Fishing Report

Walleye fishing has been very good in Brest Bay when jigging rapalas or Swedish Pimples in 15 to 20 feet of water. Perch have been caught off Luna Pier, Bolles Harbor, on the north end of the Banana Dike, and in the marinas. Wax worms and minnows worked best.

Ice fishing for walleye was excellent the weekend of February 10 before the winter storm hit. Fish were caught off of Crane Creek, SE of Rattlesnake Island, off the South Bass Island state park, and 1 to 3 miles W of Catawba State park. Most fish were 18 to 22†with a few larger fish. Strong NE winds on 2/13 will most likely cause a water level change and could drastically change ice conditions. Before planning an ice fishing trip call bait stores or ice guides to check local conditions. Also pay attention to wind forecasts when venturing out on the main lake. Wind shifts can cause wide cracks to open in the ice and prevent crossing back over the crack when trying to return.

Anglers are starting to catch fair numbers of smelt along the drop off near the west access site. Ice conditions are improving daily with the extremely cold temperatures. Anglers are hoping to be able to walk out to the lake trout areas by the weekend.

Is reporting about 11 inches of ice. Even though fishing slowed a bit with the colder temperatures, anglers still managed to catch some pike and walleye.

Those fishing off M-115 are catching a lot of perch using bright colored jigs with minnows in 8 feet of water. Black crappie have also been caught using the same jigs in 12 feet of water. Panfish are hitting a variety of bait in 18 feet of water off the City Launch.

Good numbers of large pike have been caught on the west end off the Boy Scout Camp in 3 to 11 feet of water. Ice conditions are varying from 5 to 10 inches. In Big Cove, the ice is very dangerous and anglers should avoid this area.

Steelhead can still be found up near Tippy Dam.

Steelhead are still in the river. Try using a #6 hook with medium egg sacks or drifting jigs with wax worms up near the dam. A few walleye were taken off the wall on the east side and off the bridges.

Is iced up all the way up to Berrien Springs but the ice is not safe. Anglers should stay off the main river. Those looking for steelhead can still fish up near the dam at Berrien Springs. Check the shallow backwaters for pike.

Lake Michigan is starting to freeze as shelf ice can now be seen as far out as a quarter of a mile. Ice conditions are not safe and anglers should avoid this area.

Anglers are still ice fishing for perch off Fairhaven, Selfridge and Metro Beach. Try using minnows, wax worms, spikes and wigglers. Bluegills have been caught in the cuts and canals.

Icy conditions have pretty much put a stop to river fishing. Boat access is not possible and ice conditions are not safe at this time.

A couple nice steelhead were taken at the Flat Rock Dam.

Anglers are reporting up to 7 inches of ice and good walleye fishing in Brest Bay when jigging rapalas and Swedish Pimples in 20 feet of water. Limit catches were reported. Perch action is just getting started and bluegills have been caught in the marinas.

Quite a few walleye have been caught. Though the fish are running small, just enough legal fish have been caught to keep anglers interested in fishing.

Walleye have been caught in 20 feet of water off Jerry's Marina. The better fishing has been at night. A few perch were also taken and some northern pike were speared. Brown trout and menominee were caught inside the harbor.

Has seen a lot of fishing activity with walleye being caught from Saginaw to Bay City. Many of the fish are running small so anglers will need to do some sorting. Some of the most popular fishing spots are near the grain elevators at Zilwaukee, all along the river between Saginaw and Bay City and in the lower river from the Independence Bridge downstream to the mouth. Try any kind of jigging lure tipped with minnows. Some nice perch have been caught near the mouth of the river, off the cement plant at Essexville, and in the various marina basins.

Walleye and northern pike have been taken at the Hot Ponds, but few anglers have been out. Some have been fishing inside the marinas where they can get out of the wind. Sebewaing has not seen a lot of action other than some nice northern pike speared inside the marina. A few small perch were also taken.

From Capt. Dan.

I've been getting a ton of E-mails asking about the Bay. I have not posted any new reports simply because I have not been out. Firstly because of the shifting ice on the Bay, and lately because of the severely cold temps and wind. Getting old I guess. But I have heard reliable info about both the river and the bay, that I've both been privy to and observed myself from some of the river launching areas. You all know my policy for posting here. I'd prefer to have pictures and fresh info you could reliably count on. So please take this report with a grain of salt, until I can get out and get serious myself.

The river for all practical purposes, is on fire. The most productive spots are near all the bridges in Bay City. I watched the guys catch maybe 70 walleyes the last 30 minutes before dark last Thursday near the Independence bridge. Of course I watched them throw all but a few of those 70 right back in as well. Most looking to be between 9 and 13 inches. Jigging Raps in all colors were the ticket. Now, the more recent reports are saying the size is creeping up, with a few nicer fish starting to show up.

The Bay ice is (from reports) getting thicker every day. But again, I have not personally been out on the bay yet. But lets face it, it's been freezing 24 hours a day now for the last 2 weeks. People are out 2 miles from Linwood road and 3 to 4 miles out on the east side roads, starting from Callahan road to Vanderbilt Park in Quanicassee. The catches are varying, pretty much like they always do on the east side during the winter. The perch that people are seeing on the west side are real spooky for some reason. One jig and there gone. That can change, and hopefully will. Well, that's it for now. If you go, please be very careful, fish smart and tight lines.

The cold weather is making ice but the lake has about 5 inches of snow on it. It could be another week or so before good ice is seen on most of the lake. A few perch and brown trout have been caught off West Road however anglers are fishing close to shore. Try using tip-ups with minnows.

Is reporting about 5 inches of ice with snow cover and slush. Caution needs to be used especially near the inlets and outlets. Walleye have been caught when jigging on the east side of the lake near the Middle Ground. Northern pike are hitting on tip-ups.

Those fishing off the city launch site on the northeast corner of the lake are catching limits of black crappie when using bright colored jigs with minnows, wax worms and spikes. Fish were caught in 18 feet of water in the middle of the day, but more were taken at night. Those fishing off the causeway near the Frosty Cup have caught perch in 12 feet of water, but anglers will need to sort out the small ones.

Some nice large pike have been caught when fishing over the weed beds using tip-ups with golden shiners and sucker minnows. Ice condition are anywhere from 1 inch to 6 inches, so extreme caution needs to be used.

Has good steelhead fishing for those willing to brave the cold.

Over half the lake has open water and the ice close to shore is supporting foot traffic only. Anglers are fishing in the bays, coves and marinas while staying close to shore. Lots of small perch ranging from 3 to 5 inches have been caught. A few pike have also been taken on tip-ups with golden shiners.