Fishing Report

Reported about 6 to 8 inches of snow and skim ice around the shoreline of the lake. There is no safe ice to report at this time.

Very good whitefish action continues even though angler activity has been light. The good fishing should last for another week or two. Stick with the ice fishing jigs and a wax worm.

Snow and ice on the ramps will make launching a boat dangerous, so use caution. Steelhead and whitefish are still being caught in the river and around the breakwalls.

Some great catches of whitefish have been reported. The good fishing should continue well into the next two weeks as December usually brings the better fishing. Ice fishing jigs tipped with wax worms seemed to work best.

Snow and ice on the ramps will hamper boat launching efforts for those thinking of fishing on the river. Even those using vehicles with four wheel drive need to use caution. The whitefish are still in and steelhead fishing has been reasonably good with the better fishing near the breakwalls.

Skim ice was reported in the shallow waters and around the marinas; however there is no safe ice to report. While anglers are getting anxious, it is still too early for ice fishing. The 10-day forecast is calling for temperatures in the upper 30's for all of next week.

Water levels have been up and down, but those fishing the lower river have caught fish. Yellow perch have been caught around the marinas and in the cuts and canals. Walleye are still hitting on jigs with minnows in the Lower Trenton Channel and around Sugar Island.

Over the past week (11/27 to 12/4) walleye fishing was excellent just prior to the weather front that moved through on 11/30. Since the front passed through air temperatures have been in the 20’s and 30’s with substantial wind. The prior week’s fishing report is listed below, since no new information is available. If temperatures recover and the wind decreases the walleye fishing should continue to be good in the same areas listed below.

Lake Erie surface temperatures are in the 40’s.

With decreasing water temperatures, be sure to take extra precaution when fishing on Lake Erie.

Walleye fishing remains hot from Cedar Point to Vermilion, as well as in Cleveland. Water depths have ranged from 25’ to 45’, with some fish coming in shallower water. Crankbaits have been the ticket for both numbers and size, and large fish are being taken on Reef Runners, Ripsticks (try Blueberry Muffin, Blue Hawaiian, Wonderbread, and Mooneye), and Rapala Husky Jerks (Glass colors seem better). Most fish have been caught in the top 10 to 15’ of water. Night fishing success from both piers and boats has been sporadic.

Yellow perch fishing had been spotty. Few catches have been reported as most anglers have either switched to walleyes or finished for the year. Try traditional areas from Catawba to Cleveland. Be prepared to search for fish.

Steelhead fishing has been fair to good in the Vermilion River, Rocky River, Chagrin River, Grand River, Arcola Creek, Cowles Creek, Geneva State Park, Conneaut Creek, and along the Conneaut west breakwall. Shore anglers are using small spinners and spoons, and jigs and maggots rigged with a split shot under a light bobber. Boat anglers have caught steelhead by trolling near the Vermilion breakwall.

Crappie are still hitting on minnows near the drop off on the north side of the lake. Boat anglers trolling for northern pike are using rapalas and bodybaits.

Walleye have been caught when trolling Husky Jerks after dark. The hot spot has been over the slab-wood piles near Strawberry Island, which is located just west of Hartshorn Marina. Good numbers of perch have been caught, however sorting will be necessary.

Good numbers of northern pike have been caught in the shallows during the day. Walleye are still hitting at night right off shore. Live minnows, crankbaits and rapalas have worked best.

Boat anglers have caught brown trout and rainbow trout when trolling near the drop off with planer boards and rapalas. Those surfcasting around the entire lake have also caught browns and rainbows.

Boats trolling between the piers and the Big Sable Point have managed to catch some steelhead. Pier and shore anglers have caught steelhead and whitefish, with the better catches coming in the early morning.

Steelhead can still be found in the river. Try fishing the deeper holes. Those fishing up near Tippy Dam have caught good numbers of brown trout, but the fish are running small.

Pier anglers continue to catch steelhead and whitefish. The North Pier is still providing the better catch rates.

Anglers continue to catch steelhead even with the warm temperatures. Look for fishing to improve when the onset of colder weather by the weekend.

Pier anglers are still catch whitefish, with the better fishing in the early morning or late evening. Those casting rapalas, stickbaits or spawn bags have caught some steelhead.

Steelhead action has been fair to good.

Whitefish have been caught in the East Bay near Elk Rapids. The fish have moved out to waters over 200 feet deep. The West Bay reported slow action except for a few small perch.

Some steelhead have been caught along the lower stretch of the river below Newaygo.

Whitefish have been caught when jigging spoons in the channel by the Coast Guard Station. Pier anglers are still taking some steelhead when floating spawn bags.

Has few anglers, few reports and few fish being caught. One angler did manage to catch a handful of bluegills over at Moore's Park Dam. Still no word on steelhead this far up.

Is still producing good steelhead and walleye fishing. Try fishing the deep holes behind the Post Office with white jigs and wax worms or spawn bags. Lake trout have been caught when rolling spinners on the bottom or when casting or trolling spoons. Walleye have been caught off the Fulton Street Bridge. Try bucktail jigs with minnows, Hot-n-Tots and crawler harnesses. The crappies are hitting on minnows at Millennium Park and Riverside Park.

Boat anglers trolling with spoons have caught some salmon and steelhead just outside the piers. Perch fishing was fair to good depending on the day. Try minnows in 50 to 70 feet of water.

Boat anglers have managed to catch a few brown trout when drifting spawn. Walleye fishing has been fair to good depending on who you talk to. Try fishing between the Berrien Springs Dam and the Sportsmen Club. Shore fishing has been slow.