WEEKLY MICHIGAN FISHING REPORT FOR FEBRUARY 19TH, 2024

Hundreds of anglers head to the great lakes and connecting tributaries as they search for Steelhead, Walleye, Perch and other cold water species. Here’s the latest from this week’s fishing report:

A note on ice fishing: last week, some anglers made their way north of the Mackinac Bridge to find ice. In the Lower Peninsula, some anglers are shuffling out on small ponds. But after this week’s warm temperatures, there’s a high likelihood that many lakes will ditch their ice.

DETROIT AND ST. CLAIR RIVER

WALLEYE: Anglers fishing the rivers have reported icy ramps in the mornings last week, as well as some dirty water. However, this week’s warm temperatures will help open up ramps and water on these fisheries might clear up towards the end of the week.

For jigging the Detroit, anglers opt for 1 oz. jigs tipped with a minnow style plastic, a large emerald shiner, and a stinger hook. Anglers tend to fish near the mouth near Peche island, between the bridges, and in front of Mud island.

SAGINAW RIVER

WALLEYE: Anglers are catching Walleye at the Saginaw river near the Zilwalkee Bridge, Bay City, and the mouth of the Saginaw River. Some anglers report dirty water.

Saginaw river walleye jiggers opt for jigs between ¼ and 3/8 oz. depending on depth and current speed. They add a minnow style plastic, a Wyandotte worm, or an Emerald Shiner, then topped off with a stinger hook.

BIG WATER TROLLING

WALLEYE: Anglers are trolling for Walleye on Lake St. Clair, Saginaw Bay, and Lake Erie. Most anglers fish Bandits, Flicker Shads, and Smithwick P-10’s on Planer Board spreads.

On Lake St. Clair, many anglers fish near the mouth of the Detroit River and near Grosse Pointe, fishing 7-15 feet of water.

On Saginaw Bay, anglers tend to fish around 15-25 feet, focusing on structure and bait.

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On Lake Erie, many anglers report catching good numbers of fish between 6 and 20 feet of water, around shallow reefs.

STEELHEAD RIVERS

STEELHEAD: Anglers have been catching Steelhead on a variety of Michigan rivers, but report low numbers of fish near the higher stretches of river. Anglers fish spinners, spoons, and jerkbaits, as well as jigs tipped with waxworms, spawn bags, beads, and marabou jigs on bobber rigs.

EAST SIDE PIERS

STEELHEAD: Anglers report catching Steelhead on piers of Michigan’s east side by fishing jigs and waxworms off bobbers, as well as spawn bags or shrimp on live bait rigs. While an angler has a live bait rig out, they might use another rod to cast a UV and Glow spinners, spoons, and jerkbaits.

Anglers report better fishing during the low light hours of the morning and cloudy days.

Find all you need for Michigan fishing as well as live bait at the Bait Shop in Waterford, Michigan.