WEEKLY FISHING REPORT FOR DECEMBER 18TH, 2023

As we approach Christmas, Ice fishing gets closer in the southern half of the state. North of the Saginaw River, anglers have been shuffling out on Inland lakes as well as larger lakes like Houghton, Otsego, and Margarethe. Look for the ice to thicken in these Northern regions this week. As for further South, we are still looking for first ice. Here’s the latest in this week’s report:

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HOUGHTON LAKE

Reports are minimal for these northern lakes as most anglers tend to keep a tight lip during the early season ; ).

Anglers are catching Pike and Bass on tipups placed on the tops and bottoms of drop-offs in the main lake. Use Golden Shiners or Pike Chubs on a size 6 treble hook with a steel leader and a couple of small split shot. Anglers also do well for Bluegill by fishing some of the small holes on the edges of the lake or the deeper flats where they can find living weed beds.

DETROIT RIVER

WALLEYE: Anglers are still catching Walleye jigging 1 oz. jigs with a minnow style plastic, tipped with an Emerald Shiner and a stinger hook. Many anglers report a tough bite and having to fish hard for a few keepers. Successful Walleye Jiggers will target high percentage areas such as depth changes, current speed changes, structure changes, mud lines, and main river island points. Multiple drifts on the same spot may trigger more bites. Slower jigging cadences as the water gets colder can trigger more bites as well.

Water temperature is right around 40 or in the upper 30’s.

LAKE ERIE

WALLEYE: Anglers are catching walleye trolling planer spreads with hard baits over hard structure and reefs. Some anglers opt for faster troll speeds with Bandits to cover water, whereas others opt for slower troll speeds with Smithwicks. Colors depend on water clarity but tend to include Perch patterns or Chromes. Anglers report that as the water temperature cools, slower troll speeds and tighter wiggling baits trigger more bites.

PERCH: Anglers are catching Perch on Perch Rigs (Spreader Rigs) or Perch Pounders tipped with Emerald Shiners. Anglers tend to fish between 16-25 feet of water. Successful Perch anglers are mobile and bounce around until they find the size of fish they are looking for.

Water temperature is right around 40 or upper 30’s

Look for a pick up in the fishing when fronts come through, or unseasonably warm days warm up shallow water areas.

LAKE HURON PIERS

BURBOT: Anglers are catching Burbot on Perch rigs (Spreader Rigs) tipped with Emerald Shiners or Shad. Anglers are concentrating their efforts on piers on Saginaw Bay. Anglers also note that when schools of Shad are swimming around the piers, the fishing is better. Anglers tend to favor night fishing.

LAKE TROUT & SALMON: Anglers are catching Lake Trout and Salmon on several piers along the thumb and along the main Lake Huron. Spoons, Spinners, and Grand Haven rigs with Emerald Shiners, Shad, or Spawn tend to be most effective.

WHITEFISH: Anglers are catching Whitefish along the main lake piers on tungsten ice jigs tipped with Waxworms. Anglers tend to say, “The rougher the conditions the better.” Anglers tend to fish on cloudy, rainy or snowy, and windy days. Sometimes night fishing can be effective as well.

For all piers, fishing is better when baitfish are present. Look for baitfish skipping on the surface or running the sides of the pier.

Water temperature is in the low 40’s and upper 30’s depending on the pier.

WEST SIDE STEELHEAD RIVERS

STEELHEAD: Anglers with access to a boat are doing much better for Steelhead than shore anglers on average. This may be due to low water levels. However, Anglers who find good shore access where they can fish deeper runs and holes also do well. Anglers are fishing with Skien, Spawn, Beads, and Jigs with Waxworms off bobbers, as well as Spinners, Spoons, and Jerkbaits. The Muskegon, Grand, Manistee, and Kalamazoo river tend to be most popular for Steelhead. Some anglers are favoring the lower sections but some anglers with smaller rigs or on the bank favor the upper sections of the river. As the winter lengthens, more steelhead will enter the river and the fishing will get better.

Water temperature hovers in the upper 30’s.

INLAND LAKES (NO ICE)

BASS: Anglers insane enough to fish for Inland lake bass this time of year have minimal success, however they tend to stay mobile and fish slow moving baits on deeper structures, remaining living weedbeds, and laydowns and docks on sunny shorelines. Slow Jerkbaits, Bladebaits, slow flatsided crankbaits, slowrolled swimbaits, and ned rigs are most effective.

CRAPPIE: Anglers are catching Crappie on Shallow sunny shoreline structure, suspended over deep water, or in remaining living weedbeds. Anglers fish slip bobber rigs with lead jigs and minnows.

Water Temperature is in the upper 30’s.

INLAND LAKES (WITH ICE)

Anglers able to shuffle out on inland lake ice may find themselves focusing around canals due to thicker ice. This time of year especially, test ice thickness frequently and carry a spud! No fish is worth losing your life over!!

PANFISH: Anglers hole hopping on canals with tungsten jigs and waxworms are catching Bluegills regularly. Fishing jigs with minnows for Crappie around dock posts in canals can also be effective. In the main lake, anglers who are finding the living weed beds also find good numbers of Panfish.

BASS & PIKE: Anglers are catching Bass and Pike on tip ups with Golden Shiners or Suckers. Some anglers opt for a Pike rig with double treble hooks and a steel leader. Place tip ups at the entrances to canals, or on points and main lake weed beds if the ice permits.

Water temperature under the ice may be in the mid 30’s.