WEEKLY MICHIGAN FISHING REPORT FOR JANUARY 8TH 2023

Good news for ice fishing, anglers have been getting out in the Houghton, Otsego, and Margarethe Lakes area since the start of the year. Looking into this week and next, temperatures are supposed to drop into prime ice building temperatures across the state. Our fingers are crossed! Here’s this week’s report:

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BIG WATER TROLLING

WALLEYE: Anglers are using a variety of tactics to locate fish on Saginaw Bay and Lake Erie. Many anglers are targeting shallow dirty water, with some anglers reporting running extremely wide spreads in 5-10 feet of water. However most anglers tend to fish in the 15 to 25 foot range. Anglers report that the key is setting trolling baits above the fish which might mean fishing baits 10 feet down to fish that are sitting in the 12 to 15 foot range.

LAKE ST. CLAIR

WALLEYE: Anglers are concentrating efforts at the mouth of the Detroit River, the Mile Roads, and the Selfridge shore. Depth anglers fish usually differs on a day to day basis but lies between 8 and 16 feet. Anglers tend to fish bandits on a wide spread, then fish through areas several times after they get bites.

DETROIT RIVER

WALLEYE: Anglers are targeting walleye from the shore and from boats with mild success. There are many guys who hit the river on a regular basis that have the fish dialed and can get a limit almost every time, but for the average weekend warrior, it can be tough to come back with a limit.

Anglers are fishing 1.0 oz. jigs with a minnow style plastic, Emerald Shiner, and stinger hook. Shore anglers frequent the Riverwalk park between Miliken Boat launch and the Renaissance Center. Boat anglers concentrate most of their efforts around the Ambassador and Gordie Howe Bridges.

Water Temperature is in the upper 30’s, but expect it to drop as the week goes on.

LAKE HURON PIERS

On piers along Lake Huron have been producing good numbers of a variety of species of fish. Anglers can be seen catching Whitefish, Atlantic Salmon, lake run and Burbot across Lake Huron. Anglers say that the fishing is better on piers where bait is present.

WHITEFISH: Anglers are catching Whitefish on the piers with the closest deep water access. Anglers say that the better fishing is on days that are windy, cold, dark, and overall nasty. Anglers are fishing small tungsten jigs tipped with a clump of wax worms. Anglers say a direct blow inward from the lake is ideal for Whitefish fishing.

SALMON: Anglers are catching Salmon across most of the main lake piers, during the low light hours of the day. Anglers are fishing spawn or skein on bobbers, spinners, spoons, or jerkbaits. Glow colors are popular during dark hours and UV and bright colors when the sun is shining.

BURBOT: Anglers are catching Burbot on several piers using spreader rigs tipped with Shad. Anglers say that when schools of Shad are present, fishing improves. Experienced Burbot anglers prefer Shad over Emerald Shiners and Golden Shiners because Shad are the Burbot’s natural forage in most parts of the state. Anglers also say that night fishing tends to be better.

INLAND LAKES

Many of the lakes south of the Saginaw River remain iceless, however that should change as this week and next week progress.

To find fish of any species during the open water cold months, find the weeds and any hard structure. Deeper weed beds will be most effective, however anglers can do very well fishing gravel bars, chunk rock banks, laydown trees, and deeper docks.

CRAPPIE: Anglers are fishing for crappie on deep weed beds, laydown trees, docks, and suspended over main lake basins on slip bobbers with a jig and minnow, or jig and scented plastic.

BASS AND PIKE: Anglers are catching Bass and Pike in deep weedbeds, and sunning themselves on sand and gravel bars. On bright days, blackbottom bays can be productive. Fish slow with spoons, spinners, jerkbaits, bladebaits, and ned rigs. Fishing may be tough for these preditor fish in cold months with artificial lures, so some anglers prefer Suckers or Shiners on a large bobber.

NOTE ABOUT ICE FISHING:

As we approach the start of the ice fishing season here in the lower peninsula, we remind anglers to check the ice thoroughly throughout their walk or drive to their spot. Bring a spud and be careful!

Temperatures in the teens and lower twenties are expected and will be ideal for ice building in the coming weeks. To gear up for your ice fishing adventures, visit The Bait Shop in Waterford, Michigan for bait and tackle!

Be safe and tight lines everyone!

If we missed something in our report, or you would like to send in a report of your own, email us at northstaroutfittersusa@gmail.com