Traverse City Record-Eagle

Outdoors

November 26, 2008

Skim ice forming, but no safe ice yet

Skim ice has started to form along Michigan shorelines and across the shallow inland lakes, but there is no safe ice to report, the Michigan Department of Resources said in its weekly fishing report.

Steelhead and whitefish action continues around the state, but the DNR reminds anglers they may not snag or retain a fish that has not been hooked in the mouth.

Burt and Mullett lakes: Angler activity has been quiet due to hunting season. Skim ice was starting to form on both lakes however it is still early for safe ice.

Traverse City: A few boats are still going out in the East Bay and fishing just off the bottom in 100 feet of water for whitefish. Most are using Swedish Pimples or sand kicker jigs. A few perch have been caught in both the East Bay and the West Bay.

Boardman River: Steelhead fishing is almost done, however a couple lake trout have been caught. The fish seem to move in one day and out the next.

Crystal Lake: Spear fishermen are starting to take a few whitefish. Target the rocky area on the northwest corner of the lake. When boat anglers can get out, they are catching perch.

Manistee: Pier anglers and those surfcasting are still catching steelhead when using spawn.

Manistee River: Water levels continue to be low so most anglers are fishing the lower river for steelhead. Those fishing up near Tippy Dam are targeting the deeper holes.

Ludington: Pier and shore anglers are still catching steelhead when floating spawn.

Pere Marquette River: Steelhead are being caught near the Twin Bridges at US-31 and up near Scottville. Orange pinners and spawn were the favored baits.

Alpena: Boat anglers are still taking whitefish in Thunder Bay when they can get out. Fish the reefs and off the points with a single egg, small minnows, or small lures that resemble the goby. This is the time to catch whitefish as they come into the shallows to spawn.

Thunder Bay River: Steelhead and whitefish have been caught from the mouth up to the Ninth Street Dam. Try spawn or wax worms.

Au Sable River: More anglers have been seen on the river and they are catching steelhead. Whitefish are also in the river and catch rates have been good. A few walleye were caught here and there but nothing consistent.

Tawas: Many whitefish anglers have been fishing off the State Dock with good results. Many have reported catching up to 12 fish.

Houghton Lake: Ice is forming, however heavy snowfall at the beginning of the week has covered the lake and there is no safe ice to report.

Menominee River: Anglers fishing up near the dam have caught whitefish on wax worms and walleye when jigging rapalas.

Little Bay de Noc: With the cold and snow, ice is forming fast and becoming a hazard for boat anglers. Not many have been out, but those braving the conditions have caught fish in the evening. The best catch rates were out from the Terrace Inn when trolling stick baits or jigging minnows in 10 to 27 feet of water.

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