WEEKLY MICHIGAN FISHING REPORT FOR JANUARY 15TH 2024

Ice fishing is here all over the state! Thanks to a deep temperature drop over the weekend, most inland lakes are building solid ice very quickly. Here’s the latest from this week’s report:

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LAKE ST. CLAIR

The main lake is unsafe in most spots. Webcams do not show anglers in the main lake, but that will change as the week progresses if we maintain good ice building temperatures. As for canals, they will have walkable ice if there is minimal current. Always check the ice thickness before walking on it.

BLUEGILL: If canals have good ice, anglers can fish around dock pilons and seawalls. If living weeds can be found around these canals, they can be a productive spot as well. Anglers are fishing tungsten jigs tipped with waxworms or spikes. Harsen’s Island is a great Bluegill spot if the ice is good, same with canals on Anchor Bay.

OAKLAND COUNTY INLAND LAKES

Several smaller lakes have about 3-4 inches of ice in areas with minimal current as of Monday. On sides of lakes where there are river and creek entrances, the ice can be as thin as 1 or 2 inches. Expect the thickness of the ice to increase as the week moves on and cold temperatures continue.

BLUEGILL: For Bluegill, fish canals with docks and seawalls as well as deeper weed beds and shallow flats. Anglers are fishing small tungsten jigs tipped with waxworms or spikes.

PIKE & BASS: Anglers are targeting Pike and Bass with Suckers rigged on tip ups. A simple steel leader to a number 4 treble is enough for most anglers. Some anglers rig up a Pike Rig with two trebles, while some use 50 lb fluorocarbon as a leader instead of steel to entice more finicky fish.

CRAPPIE: Many anglers fish for Crappie at night, often with a spreader rig or larger tungsten jig tipped with a small Emerald Shiner. Crappie can be found around hard cover like canal docks and seawalls, or sunken trees. Many anglers also catch Crappies in the main lake basin by waiting out roaming schools.

WALLEYE: In Oakland County Inland Lakes, Walleye can be finicky. Anglers fish tip ups with large Emerald Shiners or number 3-5 Swedish Pimples, Jiggin’ Raps, or Do-Jiggers. Walleye tend to use contour lines, as well as deep flats and humps. Many times, anglers will have to wait these fish out, often fishing into the night.

As far as reports for reports for certain lakes, next week will have many more reports from inland lakes. 

Thank you to The Bait Shop in Waterford, Michigan for help with this week's report! Visit The Bait Shop for live bait and tackle!