WEEKLY MICHIGAN FISHING REPORT FOR JANUARY 2ND 2024

New Year, new fishing report! We’re rolling into the new year still without ice, but forecasts show temperatures dropping to good ice-making temperatures around the 9^th of January. Until then, however, there are many opportunities to catch fish in the open water.

DETROIT RIVER

WALLEYE: Anglers say the bite at the Detroit River is picking up. Anglers fishing the riverwalk and parks along the river are catching decent numbers of fish but struggle to catch full limits. Anglers able to get out in boats tend to do better. Anglers are fishing 1.0 oz. jigs with minnow style plastic baits, Emerald Shiners, tipped with a stinger hook. Between the Ambassador Bridge and the Gordie Howe tends to produce for most anglers.

Anglers report water temperatures in the upper 30’s.

LAKE ST. CLAIR

WALLEYE: Anglers are trolling for walleye from Grosse Point Yacht Club to the Detroit River mouth, and along the Mile Roads in 10-15 feet of water. Anglers tend to troll mostly Bandits at around 1.2-1.6 mph depending on how the fish feel. P-10’s also seem to be effective in the colder temperatures.

Anglers report water temperatures around the upper 30’s and lower 40’s depending on location on the lake.

SAGINAW RIVER

WALLEYE: Anglers are Jigging the river for walleye and catching fish between the 24 and 28 inch range on average. Anglers are fishing ¼ oz. to ½ oz. jigs depending on depth and current speed, tipped with a plastic minnow style bait, an Emerald Shiner and a stinger hook. Anglers tend to launch and fish near the Zilwaukee Bridge or near the river mouth.

Water temperatures tend to fall in the upper 30’s.

SAGINAW BAY

WALLEYE: Anglers are trolling the bay around the Charities and reefs in about 12-18 feet of water. Anglers are fishing Bandits at about 1.2-1.4 mph.

Water temperatures sit around the upper 30’s.

INLAND LAKE FISHING

CRAPPIE: Anglers are catching Crappies on jigs and spreader rigs with Emerald Shiners or Fathead minnows. Anglers are targeting shoreline structure like laydowns and docks with deep water nearby, deeper weed beds, and open water in main lake basins.

A NOTE ON ICE FISHING

Ice that had formed in central and northern Michigan has mostly broken up. For a few week span, Anglers were fishing in the Houghton, Otsego, and Margarethe area, but the ice dissipated about a week and a half ago due to warmer temperatures.

It appears that we are about a week, maybe a week and a half out from safe ice on smaller lakes by the latest weather forecasts. If cooler daytime temperatures can be sustained, the ice fishing season will start for the whole state around the second and third week of January.

If you’re shuffling out on fresh ice, PLEASE bring a spud and check the ice thickness. As a general rule, try to find at least 4 inches to be safe with about an inch for a buffer. 

Thank you to the Bait Shop in Waterford, Michigan for help with the fishing report! Visit the Bait Shop for live bait and tackle!