Angler numbers continue to drop around the state as many pursue the open hunting seasons or kick back and wait for the onset of ice fishing season, the Michigan Department of Resources said Wednesday in its weekly fishing report. Walleye and pike continue to feed around the state and the whitefish action improves daily.
Burt Lake: Not many, but a few anglers are still targeting and catching walleye in the early morning or late evening in waters about 8 feet deep. Perch are also there, but scattered.
Traverse City: Boats will target whitefish in waters 100 to 120 feet deep. Try Swedish Pimples or perch rigs with minnows just off the bottom. Perch anglers are fishing the bottom half of waters 45 to 65 feet deep.
Boardman River: Water levels are low so steelhead anglers are fishing right at the mouth. Most are floating spawn in the early morning or late evening.
Portage Lake: Although not too many people are doing it, trolling for walleye can be very good this time of year as the adult walleyes typically feed aggressively.
Manistee: Pier and surf anglers continue to do well on steelhead.
Manistee River: Decent numbers of steelhead are being caught in the lower river. There are a few fish further upstream but the low clear waters have made it difficult to catch them.
Manistee Lake: Is another good lake for late fall early winter walleye fishing. Try trolling along the drop-offs or the humps especially after dark.
Ludington: Pier and shore anglers are finding fish as they seem to be congregating in the deeper waters. They are floating fresh spawn or wax worms under a bobber.
Pere Marquette River: Steelhead are being caught in the lower stretches of the river where water levels are higher. Spawn has been the best bait.
Au Sable River: Look for more steelhead between the mouth and the dams. Anglers report fair to good catch rates just below the Foote Dam when using spawn or wax worms. The mouth is usually one of the hot spots for whitefish. Try a single egg or wax worm on a hook.
Tawas: The best spot here for whitefish is off the pier. Try using wax worms, spawn, small minnows or small lures that resemble the goby as they have become part of the diet. Catch rates should be good through the next two weeks or so.
Au Gres River: Those fishing the East Branch have caught steelhead and the occasional brown trout near the Singing Bridge. The better fishing takes place on those windy overcast days.
Higgins Lake: A few boats are trolling for brown trout between the Conference Center and the boat launch on the north side of the lake and along the drop-off on the west side. Try using body baits, rapalas or spoons.
Houghton Lake: A couple anglers are still heading out for walleye in the evening but most have moved on to fishing Saginaw Bay. Shoreline ice has started to form.
Alpena: This is the peak for whitefish in Lake Huron. For those who have not put their boats away for the winter, large numbers of whitefish are on the reefs of Thunder Bay, particularly off the end of Partridge Point and on the Grass Island reefs. Most are being caught on wax worms, spawn, or small minnows however the whitefish have now added the round goby to their diets so small lures can also catch fish. Catch rates should only get better through the first week of December.
