WEEKLY MICHIGAN FISHING REPORT FOR FEBRUARY 12TH, 2024

As we charge into the second week of February without ice, fishing opportunities across the state have opened up to provide Anglers with some newfound opportunities that they haven’t had in past years around this time. From late winter walleye jigging to big water trolling, anglers can target many species. Here’s the latest fishing report:

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DETROIT, SAGINAW, AND ST. CLAIR RIVER JIGGING

DETROIT & ST. CLAIR RIVER WALLEYE: Anglers are steadily making their way out the Detroit River, fishing around the bridges and the mouth of rivers in Lake St, Clair. Anglers are fishing 1 oz. jigs tipped with walleye minnows, a scented plastic, and a stinger hook. Anglers report water temperatures in the mid 30’s and river hazards are common, so be careful!

SAGINAW RIVER JIGGING: Anglers on the Saginaw have been catching good numbers of fish near the Zilwalkee. Anglers report less than a foot of clarity and a swift current due to the rain and snow runoff. Anglers are fishing jigs from ¼ to 3/8 oz. depending on current speed and tipping with minnows, a scented plastic and a stinger hook. Check out our Deal of the Month for some great deals on Walleye Jigs!

INLAND LAKES SOUTH OF SAGINAW

Many lakes south of Saginaw still have skim layers of ice covering part of the lakes, but as the week goes on some of these lakes will open up and provide opportunities for anglers who want to try and grind for some late winter bites. If your lake happens to have some open water, try these tactics:

BASS: For Bass, many anglers are focusing on hard structures that hold heat like laydown trees, rock, gravel, sand and docks, as well as focusing on drop-offs and contour changes. Many anglers fish jerkbaits, lipless and lipped crankbaits, Ned rigs, tubes, bladebaits, and skirted jigs.

PIKE: For Pike, anglers are fishing around drop-offs as well as shallow flats. Anglers are fishing spoons and spinners fished on slow retrieves, as well as live minnows.

BLUEGILL & CRAPPIE: Anglers can catch Bluegill and Crappie in shallow areas around structure like docks and laydown trees. Anglers fish small jigs and waxworms on bobbers for bluegill, and small hair jigs and jigs with plastics or minnows on bobbers for Crappie.

EAST SIDE PIERS:

STEELHEAD: Anglers are catching Steelhead on various piers across the east side of the state on jigs and waxworms, spawn bags, and skien on bobbers. Anglers can also do well on glow and UV spoons, spinners, and jerkbaits. Bite has been very hot lately.

BIG WATER TROLLING:

Anglers have been fishing Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, and Saginaw bay for Salmon, Steelhead, and Walleye. Anglers report water temperatures in the mid 30’s. Anglers have been taking advantage of a hot Steelhead bite as they prepare to enter the rivers, as well as a hot walleye bite in Saginaw bay. On Lake Huron and Saginaw Bay, anglers have been reporting catching solid numbers of fish in 15-25 feet of water.

STEELHEAD RIVERS:

STEELHEAD: As daytime temperatures warm and warm rains and snow runoff enter the river, large numbers of Steelhead will be trying to enter the rivers. In many areas, anglers report good numbers of Steelhead already entering the rivers but they expect the bite to get increasingly better as the weeks go on. Anglers are fishing Bobber rigs with jigs and waxworms, spawn bags, skein, and hair jigs, as well as hard baits like glow and UV spinners, spoons, and jerkbaits.

Stop into the Bait Shop in Waterford, Michigan to stock up on lures, rods, reels, and live bait!