January 24, 2013
Weekly Fishing Tip: What you need to know to catch walleyes this winter
Many anglers love to target walleyes during open water fishing, but they’re leery to target them once ice arrives. But fishing for walleyes in the winter can be just as fun, if you follow some of the tips below!
Where to fish
When ice is new plant yourself on top of shallow shelves that have sharp drop-off points. Then, as the ice thickens, head to deeper water but still stick close to those drop-off locations. You might also want to find places with structure that appeal to schools of bait fish.
When to fish
Since walleyes are fairly photosensitive, the best time to target them is during periods of low-light. That means cloudy days will probably be perfect for an all-day trip, or sunrise and sunset work great as well.
How to fish
Consider jigging for this species very close to the bottom with a good lure or a nice minnow or two.
Want even more information on fishing for walleyes? Check out their page on the Michigan Fish and How to Catch Them website.
This tip was adapted from Michigan Outdoor News.
Click on the links below to jump to the report section that interests you most:
Southeast Lower Peninsula
Southwest Lower Peninsula
Northeast Lower Peninsula
Northwest Lower Peninsula
Upper Peninsula
Waters in the southern half of the Lower Peninsula are freezing but anglers still need to use caution. Rivers may have flow ice coming down so use caution. Anglers are reminded to wear a life jacket, test the ice before you go, never go out alone, take a cell phone, and be sure to tell someone where you are going and when you plan to return. Safety should always be your top priority when heading out on the ice.
Lake Erie: Anglers are ice fishing for perch near the Metro Park and the Banana Dike. No machines for right now, foot traffic only.
Huron River: A couple anglers braving the cold were steelhead fishing.
Detroit River: Has ice coming down the river. Boats can no longer get out as the launch ramps are iced in. Those fishing Airport Bay are trying for perch but no word on catch rates. No machines are going out, foot traffic only.
Lake St. Clair: Cold temperatures are making ice but the process here is basically starting over again as the last warm spell completely wiped out all the ice. Anglers will need to use caution as this will be first ice all over again and fist ice can be dangerous ice. Try the Metro Park for bluegill or perch. New ice was reported off Selfridge and Gino’s however it may not be safe ice. Remember wind and currents can result in highly variable ice thickness.
Lexington: Anglers caught steelhead, brown trout and lake trout before the warm spell. The bite is sporadic and usually best on cloudy days. Most are using tiny jigs with spikes or small spawn bags. Brown trout eggs are good bait if you can catch one with eggs.
Port Sanilac: Ice is just getting started in the harbor. Some brown trout were caught in the south end of the harbor before the big thaw.
Harbor Beach: The Edison Plant is not generating so the discharge channel is not flowing. The harbor is starting to ice over again and one shanty was out a short distance from the boat launch.
Saginaw Bay: Mother Nature is making ice! With the cold weather, the prospects for ice fishing should improve this week. Ice is forming off White’s Beach, Pinconning and Newman Road. The only spot on the west side producing fish the last few days was inside the Linwood Marina where they caught a few perch. Action near the Hot Pond, mouth of the Saginaw River and off Quanicassee should pick back-up soon. Ice is forming along the east side of the bay however extreme caution needs to be because once again, this is first ice. A few fishing in the marina basin at Sebewaing caught a couple bluegills and the odd crappie. No activity at Bay Port. In Wildfowl Bay, strong winds blew over several pike spearing shacks.
Saginaw River: A couple boats launching at Zilwaukee did manage to catch a walleye up near the beanery. Freezing temperatures will most likely put an end to boat fishing as ice has started to form. In Bay City, all the launches were unusable due to shore ice. Anglers will have to wait until there is enough for ice fishing.
Tittabawassee River: Floating ice, slush and high flow made the river unfishable.
Ice conditions are getting better in this part of the state however anglers still need to use caution. Bluegill and pike were caught during the day. Black crappie were caught at night by those using jigs and minnows.
St. Joseph River: Steelhead fishing slowed with the cold front. Try using wax worms and jigs, Hot-n-Tots or spinners.
Kalamazoo River: Steelhead fishing slowed and few anglers were out. Try Hot-n-Tots or floating a jig and wax worm near the Allegan Dam.
Grand River at Grand Rapids: Steelhead are still hitting though the action did slow with the cold front. Most are using spinners, yarn rigs, wobble glows, wax worms or spawn. A few walleye can still be found throughout the river. As for panfish, try fishing near the parks.
Grand River at Lansing: Those fishing at the Moore’s Park and North Lansing Dam are still taking a few walleye and pike along with the occasional steelhead. Everyone is shore fishing.
Lake Lansing: Reports a few anglers starting to ice fish.
Muskrat Lake: Is producing some bluegill.
Morrison Lake: Anglers are starting to ice fish.
Burt Lake: Perch and walleye fishing were spotty.
Black Lake: Is producing walleye.
Thunder Bay River: Is frozen but the ice is not safe. The harbor is also iced in.
Van Etten Lake: Has ice which should only get thicker by the end of the week.
Au Sable River: Boat ramps will be icy and there may be too much ice for floating by the end of the week. Rea Road to Whirlpool may still be good for boat anglers looking to float however ice buildup on the ramps may cause problems. With the lack of snow the river bank is clear for foot travel. Steelhead are in the river in good numbers and anglers had good success from the mouth to Foote Dam. Most catches are coming on spawn and wax worms. Bottom bouncing and floating bait from a bobber is working well. A few brown trout have also been caught. The most active sites have been right at the mouth and from the Rea Road Bridge to the dam.
Foote Dam Pond: Has ice which should only get thicker by the end of the week.
Higgins Lake: Has just started to freeze so no safe ice yet.
Houghton Lake: Ice anglers are catching walleye. Try the East Bay. For perch, try along the south shore. Pike anglers are using tip-ups with sucker minnows.
Lake Margrethe: Fishing was slow but should pick-up soon.
Tawas: Good numbers of perch were caught off Jerry’s Marina back in the “Armpit” in 15 to 18 feet of water. Anglers are sorting out the small ones and still taking some fish home. Some caught the odd steelhead, lake trout, brown trout or pike. Walleye were caught near dusk. Pike spearing in Tawas Bay is just getting started.
Tawas River: Had no report. Floating ice has made fishing very difficult.
Au Gres River: Is in the process of freezing over.
Manistee River: Anglers are still catching some nice chrome steelhead. With fresh snow as a backdrop, fish were hitting on pretty much anything including bright colors.
Lake Missaukee: Anglers are ice fishing for bluegill, crappie or the occasional perch. Try the west side and look for weedbeds. Those looking to spear pike will want to try the east or northeast side of the lake.
Lake Cadillac: Is producing some bigger bluegills and crappie. Anglers are fishing in 10 to 12 feet of water with jigs and spikes or wax worms. Pike fishing is on for those using tip-ups with large minnows.
Lake Mitchell: Is producing bluegill, crappie and even some perch. Pike are hitting on tip-ups.
Pere Marquette River: Is producing steelhead and brown trout. Fish the deeper holes during the cold front.
Lac Vieux Desert: Has good ice and excellent pike fishing with most fish averaging 16 to 24 inches and a few in the upper 20’s to low 30’s. Most are using golden shiners on tip-ups over submerged vegetation or along the edge of the weeds. A few walleye measuring 18 to 24 inches were caught at dusk and dawn. A good number of bluegills were caught in the bays when using wax worms in six to 10 feet of water. The fish were smaller at 6.5 to 7.5 inches. Crappie were caught but were still hard to find for the most part. Catch rates for perch were good but anglers are having a hard time getting fish over eight inches. The better fishing was along the west shore and in Thunder Bay.
Groveland Mine Ponds: Island Lake was producing bluegills for those jigging or using tip-ups. West Lake had few anglers but those heading out did catch bluegill and sunfish when jigging wax worms. East Lake had a few anglers catching panfish but the bite was slow.
Lake Antoine: Is producing good numbers of small perch for those jigging wax worms or minnows near the City Park. Those fishing further out caught some nice bluegills, a few black crappie and a couple perch. The north end of the lake is where you will find those spearing or using tip-ups with large minnows for northern pike.
Lake Michigamme: Was producing 16 to 18 inch walleye on the north side.
Greenwood Reservoir: In Marquette County was producing a few walleye, pike and panfish however catch rates were mixed.
Little Bay De Noc: Ice conditions are improving and so are travel conditions with the added snow. Ice along the shoreline and the near the pressure cracks have water coming up due to the weight of the snow. Most anglers are still fishing from Gladstone to Garth Point. Some were venturing south but ice conditions were dangerous, caution was a must. Most walleye anglers were fishing in the evening with the better catches coming near Kipling in 17 to 30 feet of water. Fish were caught off Gladstone with minnows in 27 to 30 feet. Perch fishing has improved with fair to good catches reported between the Kipling Flats and Garth Point. Jumbo perch were caught in 18 to 22 feet of water. Those fishing in eight to 14 feet had good catches but many were throw backs. Fishing is definitely getting better but anglers still need to use caution because ice thickness varies greatly.
Manistique Lakes: Have ice but catch rates were not good. Extremely cold temperatures and falling snow are responsible for fewer anglers heading out.
Munuscong Bay: Has a lot of snow on the ice which is preventing anglers from taking four-wheelers out. Walleye and perch fishing are fair for anglers trying to get out to 5 feet of water. The area east of Roach Point is dangerous because the ice deteriorated with the thaw and the new ice is still very thin. Avoid this area!
Cedarville and Hessel: Are ice covered once again but also have 16 inches of snow and slush in some areas. Musky Bay is good for perch in 10 to 12 feet of water when using minnows and wigglers. Ice shanties are popping back up on Hessel Bay where perch fishing is good.
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