Waters in the Upper Peninsula and the northern sections of the Lower Peninsula still have good ice for those not yet ready to put away the ice fishing gear. For the southern sections of the Lower Peninsula, this could be the last weekend for ice fishing and as always, caution needs to be used. The reformed ice is very slippery so be sure to bring some cleats for better traction.

UPPER PENINSULA

Keweenaw Bay - The coho, herring and perch bite were a bit slow but the smelt action was good between Baraga and Bucks Marina. As for lake trout, the bite was good one day and absent the next. Those able to catch them did so out from Pequaming and out on Newton’s, Farmer’s and the Big Reef in waters 90 to 315 feet deep. Old Mission and the Whirl-I-Gig were also producing a few fish.

Stanley Lake - Has seen a fair number of anglers targeting walleye.

Menominee - The ice was holding. Perch anglers are jigging in 50 feet of water.

Menominee River - Walleye have been caught at first light and also in the evening with the average fish in the 20 inch range. Fish the Wisconsin side near the Hattie Street Dam with a variety of colored jigs in all sizes. Walleye and a few whitefish were caught from the Sixth Street slip. Trout anglers are casting rapalas, yarn or spawn on the Michigan side where there is open water near Hattie Street. A couple brown trout and steelhead were also caught. Anglers are reminded that the possession limit for walleye is (1) fish from March 2nd through May 1st, 2009.

Little Bay De Noc - Still has ice however travel has been limited due to drifting snow. Anglers marked good numbers of fish but catch rates were a little slow. The better walleye action was near the mouth of the Escanaba River and the Center Reef. At Kipling, anglers were using tip-ups with sucker minnows in 30 to 40 feet of water while the river anglers were jigging rapalas and minnows in 20 to 30 feet of water. Lot’s of sub-legal walleye and some jumbo perch between the Narrows and the First Reef. Perch anglers reported the most consistency in 14 to 17 feet of water when jigging minnows and wigglers. Most of the jumbo perch were out deeper in 30 to 40 feet of water. Buckeye Cove still has some good pike spearing in 30 feet of water. The whitefish action slowed a bit but some fish were taken off Sand Point when jigging minnows and spawn in 80 feet of water.

Munising - Trout Bay and Munising Bay have good ice with a couple feet of snow on top. Travel conditions are difficult. Conditions can change rapidly outside the bay so extreme caution needs to be used. For Trout Bay, some limits of coho were caught when using cut bait however catch rates were not consistent. Those heading out north of Grand Island for lake trout need to use extreme caution. In Murray’s Bay, anglers are catching a few smaller whitefish. Fishing was slow off the river and the City Dock. The lucky ones took home a few coho, whitefish, splake and herring. Off Sand Point, anglers are catching a few whitefish, splake and burbot. Coho are just starting to hit off Sand Point.

Cedarville and Hessel - Fishing has been very slow in part due to frigid temperatures. Perch fishing has slowed in Cedarville, Hessel and Musky Bay. Anglers were using mostly wigglers in 12 to 14 feet of water and not having much success. A few small pike were seen. Fishing was slow in the Moscoe Channel.

Waters in the Upper Peninsula and the northern sections of the Lower Peninsula still have good ice for those not yet ready to put away the ice fishing gear. For the southern sections of the Lower Peninsula, this could be the last weekend for ice fishing and as always, caution needs to be used. The reformed ice is very slippery so be sure to bring some cleats for better traction.

Northwest Lower Peninsula

Elk Lake - Few anglers have been out except for those targeting lake trout and whitefish. For lake trout, fish near Kewadin, Elk Rapids and the Whitewater Park while jigging Swedish Pimples with spawn or minnows in 80 to 140 feet of water. Fish up to 24 inches have been caught. For whitefish, try off Kewadin and Ringler Road in 30 to 50 feet of water. Herring were caught near Kewadin and Spencer Bay in 20 to 50 feet of water when using spawn or wax worms.

Skegemog Lake - Fishing pressure is still high for all species. Pike are hitting on minnows in 12 to 15 feet of water off the Baggs Road access site. Muskie spearing is still taking place but no fish were recorded. Anglers are fishing for perch off the Baggs Road access as well as in the northwest portion of the lake by the narrows. Try 10 to 15 feet of water with minnows, wax worms, wigglers or mousies and be ready to sort out the small ones.

Traverse City - As of this report, both bays had ice. Anglers were fishing Bowers Harbor for perch and whitefish.

Cedar Lake - In Traverse City had good smelt fishing.

Glen Lake - In Leelanau County still had ice with a few slush spots. The perch seem to be moving into the shallows to feed. Anglers did well near Burdickville and on Little Glen. Minnows just off the bottom did the trick.

Crystal Lake - The ice was holding and the smelt fishing was good.

Green Lake - Is still producing some smelt.

Betsie River - Steelhead are hitting on spawn or wax worms.

Lake Cadillac - Is treating anglers to panfish and pike.

Lake Mitchell - Is good spot for panfish and pike.

Manistee Lake - Ice anglers are catching some nice crappie off the East Lake Village Park. The ice is holding but caution needs to be used.

Manistee River - Steelhead fishing was decent right after the recent thaw, and should get successively better in the next month as new fish move in each time we see warmer temperatures and higher water levels.

Hamlin Lake - Anglers are taking a mixed bag of panfish between the Wilson Hill Park and the Boy Scout Camp in 12 feet of water. Tear drops with wax worms just off the bottom worked best and bright colors stand out in the murky water. Try jigging with short strokes to entice the fish. Crappie are still hitting off Lincoln Road on the right day when using minnows hooked in the back just off the bottom in 30 feet of water. The pike have started to move into the shallows. Try the dense weeds in 5 to 10 feet of water off Layman’s or Sterns Landing.

Waters in the Upper Peninsula and the northern sections of the Lower Peninsula still have good ice for those not yet ready to put away the ice fishing gear. For the southern sections of the Lower Peninsula, this could be the last weekend for ice fishing and as always, caution needs to be used. The reformed ice is very slippery so be sure to bring some cleats for better traction.

Northeast Lower Peninsula

East Twin Lake - The ice is holding however few anglers have been out.

West Twin Lake - Has decent walleye fishing. Try minnow jigs in perch colors in 8 to 10 feet of water. Perch fishing has picked up. The ice is holding however caution needs to be used as there are some pressure cracks the width of the lake and the snow cover makes it impossible to see them. Anglers should avoid taking cars or trucks out on the ice.

Oscoda - Still had ice and anglers are heading out. Catch rates were slow due in part to the cold.

Higgins Lake - The ice is holding but anglers should avoid taking cars and trucks out. The smelt are coming into shallow waters 10 to 15 feet deep and the bigger fish like perch and whitefish are following them. Perch were also found in 5 to 8 feet of water. Lake trout are still hitting just off the bottom in waters about 80 feet deep.

Houghton Lake - Still has lots of ice with about 2 inches of snow on top and there are still a few drifts here and there. The artic blast slowed the bite however warmer temperatures should help improve catch rates.

Tawas - Walleye action right before the rain last week was good however the cold front once again shut the bite down. Pike and small perch were caught.

Au Gres - Fishing activity was concentrated off the hotel and in the coves near the mouth of the river. Success was spotty.

Waters in the Upper Peninsula and the northern sections of the Lower Peninsula still have good ice for those not yet ready to put away the ice fishing gear. For the southern sections of the Lower Peninsula, this could be the last weekend for ice fishing and as always, caution needs to be used. The reformed ice is very slippery so be sure to bring some cleats for better traction.

Southwest Lower Peninsula

St. Joe - Has ice around the pierheads and no boats have been going out.

St. Joe River - Water levels are high and muddy however word has it steelhead are being caught on spawn at the Berrien Springs Dam.

Kalamazoo River - Look for steelhead below the Allegan Dam.

Holland - Has open water but the piers were still ice and snow covered.

Grand Haven - Had ice flows in the channel.

Grand River at Grand Rapids - Water levels are up and ice is coming over the dam, but fish are still being caught. Steelhead anglers are drifting spawn sacks or yarn off both sides of the river. Steelhead have been caught above and below the first coffer dam and behind the Post Office. Those fishing off Bridge Street are casting towards the coffer dam. Boat anglers are trolling Hot-n-Tots or anchoring with 50 feet of rope and fishing back 25 feet while working the waters from side to side. Walleye are hitting on bucktail jigs with minnows off the east wall, the west side of Fulton Street and below Fulton Street on the college wall. Some are fishing off the G-Lock wall which is south of Wealthy Street.

Grand River at Lansing - Anglers fishing below the Moore’s Park Dam are looking for walleye. A couple steelhead were caught over near Ionia in Prairie Creek.

Duck Lake - In Calhoun County is producing some nice bluegills. Anglers are sight fishing with tip-ups and minnows or jigging wax worms along the south end of the lake. Be ready to move around as the pike will move in and the bluegill bite will stop.

Lake Ovid - Those fishing shallow were taking some bluegill and crappie.

Reeds Lake - Has ice along with good perch and crappie fishing.

Muskegon - When the channel is open, anglers are taking the occasional steelhead and brown trout when fishing off the pier with spawn.

Muskegon Lake - Still has ice and it is very slippery. Bring some cleats for easier travel. For perch, target the west end of the lake and the ledge behind Shoreline Marine. Good baits were minnows, spikes, cut bait, and fish eyes.

Waters in the Upper Peninsula and the northern sections of the Lower Peninsula still have good ice for those not yet ready to put away the ice fishing gear. For the southern sections of the Lower Peninsula, this could be the last weekend for ice fishing and as always, caution needs to be used. The reformed ice is very slippery so be sure to bring some cleats for better traction.

Southeast Lower Peninsula

Lake Erie - Ice anglers were still taking some nice perch off the north end of the Banana Dike. Most are going out near the State Game Area. Metro Park Marina was still producing a few jumbo perch and some bluegills. The rest of the lake has open water.

Huron River - Water levels are high and muddy, but steelhead are being caught. Try spawn or wax worms between the coffer dam and the Flat Rock Dam. No walleye yet but anglers anticipate a few fish before the season closes.

Detroit River - Ice is still coming down and the water is a bit muddy. The canals around Gibraltar were still producing some perch and bluegills however it may be hard to find good ice by the end of the week.

Lake St. Clair - Still has ice. Anglers have been catching lots of small perch, but the big ones just haven’t materialized yet.

Lexington - Has mostly small perch being caught. The ice is getting bad near the mouth of the harbor.

Port Sanilac - Stay off the ice in the harbor, it is not safe.

Port Austin - Still a few shanties out but not much activity.

Saginaw Bay - Ice fishing continues however anglers need to use extreme caution due to pressure cracks in most locations and bad shore ice. Walleye are nice to catch but they are not worth the risk of losing your life! Off Palmer Road, a large crack is making it hard for anglers to find a way to get out. White’s Beach has perch and walleye in 8 to 10 feet of water. Off Linwood and Erickson Road, the water is muddy and there is a large pressure crack. Walleye action was fair to good in 17 to 22 feet of water. Those heading northeast of the Bay City State Park are taking walleye as well as those fishing in 10 to 12 feet of water off Vanderbilt Park. Thomas Road was good for some limit catches of walleye when heading out 7 to 8 miles. Water in the marina in Sebewaing is high and muddy. Off Geiger Road, walleye have been caught about 9 miles out. Some perch were taken outside the islands in the Slot. Near Mud Creek, ice conditions are variable. Perch are hitting on minnows but many were small.

Tittabawassee River - Water levels are high and muddy and the boat launches are plugged with ice.

Saginaw River - Is high and muddy and the boat launches are plugged with ice.

Pigeon River - Fishing is slow as the river is high and muddy

Contact:  Mary Dettloff 517-335-3014
Agency: Natural Resources

March 6, 2009

The Michigan Natural Resources Commission on Thursday approved a proposal to expand the use of crossbows for hunting in Michigan.

Under the new regulations, crossbows may be used:

• during any season in which a firearm may be used, for both big and small game;
• for any hunting season in Zone 3 of southern Michigan;
• by anyone 50 years of age or older during the Oct. 1-Nov. 14 deer season.

Included in the regulations are limits on the velocity of the crossbow. Crossbows used for hunting are restricted to no more than 350 feet per second.

The regulations have a three-year sunset. Crossbow hunters will be surveyed over the next three years and regulations will then be re-evaluated by the Department of Natural Resources. Data will be collected that analyzes impact on the resource and the crossbow’s potential to recruit or retain hunters. The data also will be analyzed to determine if crossbow use should be expanded further in the future.

A crossbow stamp will be required in addition to hunting licenses for those using crossbows. Stamps will be available at all license retailers starting March 15.

For more information on hunting opportunities in Michigan, visit the DNR’s Web site at www.michigan.gov/dnr.

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