WEEKLY MICHIGAN FISHING REPORT FOR NOVEMBER 13TH 2023

As opening day of gun season approaches, most anglers are putting away boats and rods for the winter. For those that are willing to chase a bite, late fall and winter months can give anglers great and unique opportunities to catch many different types of fish across the state. Fishing during November can be tough, but great days of fishing can come to those who are willing to fish through the tough conditions. Here’s the latest fishing report:

ST. CLAIR

PERCH: Anglers are still slaying the Perch along the west shore from 9 Mile Tower down to Detroit and along the Belle River Hump. Fish for them with Perch rigs with beads or spinners, spreader rigs, and Perch Pounders tipped with Emerald Shiners.

Picture courtesy of Captain Eric Long with Long Line Charters

SMALLMOUTH: As the water temperature cools, smallmouth fishing can get tough, stay mobile and be willing to change techniques and retrieve speed to trigger fish to bite. Anglers have been fishing in shallower waters from about 4-12 feet south of the Dumping Grounds, along the higher Mile Roads, and in Anchor Bay. Fish with Blade Baits, Jerkbaits, Lipless Crankbaits, Crankbaits for good success.

Water temperature continues to hover in the upper 40’s.

ST. CLAIR RIVER & DETROIT RIVER

WALLEYE: Reports tell us the bite has gotten tough down at the Detroit River. Anglers went from smashing 4-man limits of Walleye in several hours to grinding for a few bites in a day of fishing.

It’s unclear what the cause of the drop off in results from Detroit River shore and boat anglers, most anglers said something like “I don’t know what happened, the fish are just gone.”

As most know, that’s the game of fishing. Anglers that are persistent and keep targeting good areas and attacking different depth ranges will experience success sooner or later. Anglers are confident and hopeful that the bite will improve in the coming days and weeks.

The Bait Shop in Waterford, Michigan is a great place to stock up on Detroit and St. Clair River Tackle.

EAST SIDE PIER FISHING

BURBOT: Anglers are catching Burbot off several piers along Michigan’s Lake Huron shore. Many anglers report the presence of Shad drawing in the Burbot, so when looking for a pier to fish, find the Shad. Anglers are catching burbot on Perch rigs tipped with Emerald Shiners or Shad. Concentrate efforts during low light hours and at night.

WHITEFISH: Anglers are catching Whitefish off several piers along Michigan’s Lake Huron shore on small tungsten or lead jigs tipped with Waxworms or Grubs. Anglers report catching better numbers of fish in nasty conditions. Most report, “The nastier the better.”

SALMON & STEELHEAD: Anglers are catching Salmon and Steelhead from piers along the main lake. Anglers are fishing with Spawn Bags, Skein, Jerkbaits, Spoons, or Spinners. Concentrate efforts during low light hours.

WEST SIDE STEELHEAD RIVERS

STEELHEAD: Now that most of the Salmon are done spawning and out of the rivers, Steelhead are still feeding on the unhatched eggs left by the salmon upriver and entering the rivers on the lower end. Manistee, Muskegon, Betsie, and Grand Rivers tend to have the better reports. Anglers are using mainly Beads, Spawn bags, Jerkbaits, Spoons, and Spinners.

INLAND LAKES

BASS: Die-hard Bass anglers are still catching good numbers of bass if they can change and adapt to conditions. On many lakes, Bass are lurking around hard structure like rock, laydown trees, gravel, and docks or in the remaining living weed beds and emergent vegetation. Anglers are fishing with hardbaits like Crankbaits, Blade baits, Jerkbaits, and Lipless Crankbaits. Some are slowing down with Ned rigs and drop shots.

PIKE: Anglers are catching Pike in the last remaining weed beds on Spoons, Spinners, and live bait like Suckers.

CRAPPIE: Anglers are still catching Crappie on Jigs and plastics or slip bobber rigs tipped with minnows. Find Crappies suspended over deep water, the remaining living weed beds, and hard structure like deep docks and laydowns.