Very cold temperatures have kept most anglers from open-water fishing. Most are now waiting for ice fishing season to get started.
All anglers 17 years of age and older are required to have a fishing license. If you’re headed out fishing, please do your part to keep yourself and others safe by following COVID-19 public health and safety guidelines. Go fishing only if you’re feeling well. Practice proper social distancing (at least 6 feet away from people who don’t live in your household) and keep a face covering handy for when social distancing cannot be maintained. Frequently wash your hands with soap and warm water, or use hand sanitizer.
Northwest Lower Peninsula
While the smaller lakes were starting to get skim ice, there was no safe ice anywhere in this region of the state. With the colder temperatures, there was not much steelhead activity.
Lakes Cadillac and Mitchell: Though the lakes are partially iced over, there was still no safe ice to report. Cold weather this week may help, but there was 8-10 inches of snow in the area and warmer temperatures are expected next week.
Pentwater Lake: A few anglers were either trolling for steelhead or perch fishing.
Upper Peninsula
First ice is great for pike and panfish; however, ice thickness is variable on most of the inland lakes and many still had unfishable ice. It is not recommended to venture out on any ice that you are not familiar with or without a plan in case you break through.
Manistique River: Anglers were still getting some steelhead.
Two Hearted River: Had fair to good steelhead fishing.