The all new Tight Line Extreme reel.

From the makers of the Sonic Ice Hopper, comes the Tight Line Extreme Reel! This is the next logical step in the evolution of ice fishing reels. It addresses all of the issues that ice fishermen experience when ice fishing. The Tight Line Extreme Reel is an ultra-light weight, durable, geared “fly reel”, with a uni-directional or one-way ball bearing drive, that won’t twist your line or break the piggy bank!

Check out these performance driven features:

• Fast Line retrieval: 12″ per handle turn
• Ultra light weight: 3.7 oz.
• Warm to the touch: Graphite frame
• Easy to grip: dual, soft touch handle-knobs
• Durable: ball bearing drive with center pin supported on both sides
• True No-Twist/Straight Line performance: Line comes off the top of spool
• Versatile Rod Grip: Able to Pencil Grip or top grip
• Drag: Fully adjustable with unidirectional bearing (drag engages only going out)
• Reel Orientation: Right and Left hand capable.

Fully function drag!

The Tight Line Extreme Reel is a slightly smaller frame than most of the conventional 3/4 weight fly reels that are currently on the market. Yet, it retrieves line faster than most micro sized spinning reels and won’t twist the line. Furthermore, it’s unique gear box design supports the center shaft and allows the line to come off the top of the reel vs. off the bottom like a traditional fly reel. This gives the Tight Line Extreme true Straight Line performance right through your 1st guide for increase sensitivity right down the axis of your rod and guides. Add the fact that you get Zero Twist and this reel will actually help you get bit more often and detect more strikes!

The Tight Line Extreme is available for this season in very limited quantities, so don’t wait for your buddy to try one first or you just might miss out!

A photo of DNR conservation officer Kris Kiel with the sturgeon poached from St. Clair County is available below.

A cooperative effort between the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and the Clay Township Police Department has resulted in the citation of Wadhah Noori Jabro, of Sterling Heights, for taking sturgeon during the closed season in St. Clair County.

DNR conservation officers Todd Szyska and Kris Kiel were on patrol, looking for illegal shining activity in Macomb County, when they received a call from the DNR Report All Poaching (RAP) line attendant that an anonymous citizen had reported the illegal activity. The citizen supplied a description of the suspect’s vehicle and license plate number.

The DNR conservation officers, who were 40 minutes away from the scene, called the Clay Township Police for assistance. Clay Township officers located the suspect and held him for the conservation officers.

The officers found Mr. Jabro in possession of a 61-inch sturgeon. He was fishing without a proper license, without a mandatory sturgeon tag and was taking a sturgeon during the closed season (an offense punishable by up to 180 days in jail, a fine of up to $2,000, restitution of $1,500 and a loss of fishing license for three years).

Mr. Jabro was arraigned yesterday, Nov. 13, in the 72^nd District Court in Marine City. The magistrate reviewed the misdemeanor charges and determined the case was sufficient to be heard by a district court judge. The pretrial hearing is set for Nov. 28.

“Based on the tackle he was using, the suspect was obviously fishing for sturgeon,” said Szyska. “We wouldn’t have had this case at all if it weren’t for the RAP line and an alert citizen who called it in. And we really appreciate the Clay Township Police Department’s help, which made this case possible.”

Sturgeon are relatively rare Great Lakes denizens.

“The lake sturgeon population in the St. Clair system is a unique and valuable resource,” said DNR fisheries biologist Mike Thomas. “Fishing regulations have been designed to protect that resource. Poaching is a direct threat to the viability of the sturgeon population.”

Anglers, in possession of an all-species fishing license, are allowed to harvest one sturgeon per year, which must be tagged immediately. Sturgeon season on the St. Clair River closes Sept. 30.

Anyone who witnesses illegal hunting, trapping or fishing is encouraged to call the DNR’s Report All Poaching (RAP) line at 800-292-7800.

To learn more about Michigan’s fishing seasons and catch limits, visit www.michigan.gov/fishing. To learn about the work of Michigan’s conservation officers, visit www.michigan.gov/conservationofficers.

The Department of Natural Resources has approved five stream segments in the Upper Peninsula for an increase in the daily possession limit for brook trout from five to 10 fish. The rule becomes effective April 1, 2013.

This limited experimental regulation is in response to requests from anglers to increase the daily possession limit on brook trout across the Upper Peninsula.

For selected stream segments, the daily possession limit for brook trout would be 10 fish and the minimum size limit would be 7 inches. Streams were selected from existing Type 1 streams which have a daily possession limit of five fish and a 7-inch minimum size limit.

Stream segments and their tributaries include: Dead River (Marquette County), Driggs River (Schoolcraft County), East Branch Ontonagon River (Houghton and Iron counties), East Branch Tahquamenon River (Chippewa County) and East Branch Huron River (Baraga and Marquette counties).

In October the DNR proposed a new Type 5 stream category at the Natural Resources Commission meeting, with 10 streams to be included. Angler input resulted in a reduction of the number of streams proposed from 10 down to five and the removal of the Type 5 category, substituting instead the experimental regulations category. In addition, the DNR has committed to evaluations that will begin next year.

Streams selected for this regulation will constitute 3 percent of the current Type 1 stream mileage available in the Upper Peninsula. During the next several years, Fisheries Division will work with a variety of partners to assess the biological effects of the possession limit increase on the brook trout populations in the experimental regulations category streams.

The stream segments are not accessible to brook trout from the Great Lakes. In recent years, rehabilitation of lake-run brook trout populations has attracted considerable interest among resource agencies, conservation groups and anglers, and a variety of measures have been taken to protect these populations. These “coaster” brook trout are a life history variant and are not a genetically distinct strain or sub-species. The DNR has also proposed future work in this area of brook trout management.

Maps and written descriptions of the upstream (where applicable) and downstream boundaries for the experimental trout regulations are available atwww.michigan.gov/fishing.

While doing survey work in Montmorency County, Matt Dontz (left), Department of Natural Resources professional land surveyor, and his student assistant, Ethan Richmond, recently found an original corner post from 1850. To find the post, Dontz used a hand-written copy of field notes from 1850 that were compiled by a DNR surveyor in the 1930s and ’40s.

Department of Natural Resources professional land surveyor Matt Dontz used a pair of waders, GPS coordinates, notes from 1850 and a lot of resourcefulness in a recent discovery that he said will undoubtedly be the highlight of his career. While working in Montmorency County, Dontz recovered an original wooden survey post that was set in a stream 162 years ago to mark a section corner used in surveying the land.

In July 1850 when the post was set, The U.S. government’s General Land Office – which laid out the state’s townships in square miles – would set wooden posts to mark a section or quarter corner every half-mile. The posts were usually cedar stakes that were cut and had one end shaped into a point so it could be driven into the ground.

The surveyors marked two “bearing trees” in the vicinity as reference points, or accessories, which could be used later to locate the corners. The live trees were blazed with a mark on the side that faced the post. Surveyors would record the bearing and distance from the post to each tree – this way the post could be found.

Dontz said that because many of the original bearing trees are gone, and based on the length of time that has passed since the original posts were set, it’s unlikely that another complete post will be found in Michigan again.

“The scenario would have to be very similar with the post submerged in water, preserving it,” he said. “To think that the point of this post hasn’t seen the light of day since July 30, 1850, and probably hasn’t been touched by human hands since the day it was set 162 years ago indicates how special this discovery was. This was unquestionably the highlight of my 13 years of surveying – possibly my career.”

Finding the post wasn’t an easy feat for Dontz or his student assistant Ethan Richmond, who was instrumental in finding the post.

While looking at the original notes from the General Land Office, Dontz noticed some inaccuracies. A corner that was being used for the past 60 years wasn’t in the right place based on the measurements, so he used other corners in the section to find it. The notes said a spruce and cedar were used as the two bearing trees and the original surveyors also noted crossing a small stream west of the section corner.

Using GPS to find and map out the stream that was described in the notes, Dontz measured a quarter corner half a mile to the north that a DNR surveyor reset off of its two original bearing stumps in 1954. Using those two measurements, Dontz calculated a search area. Donning the waders, he began to explore.

This corner post, discovered by Department of Natural Resources professional land surveyor Matt Dontz, was put in the ground in 1850. Because it was in a stream, the cedar post had been preserved for 162 years.

He discovered a small piece of stump sticking up that looked like cedar so Dontz yelled to Richmond to check the bearing and distance to the cedar witness that was written in the field notes. With a GPS shot of the remains of the stump, he calculated a position that was within a foot of a waist-deep channel of non-flowing water.

“I jumped in and started feeling around with my feet and then my hands,” Dontz said. “I felt a ton of roots and sticks in the mucky water when all of a sudden I touched something that would’ve been the right diameter of what these posts should be. I pulled hard and 4.5 feet from the end of the piece of cedar I was holding I saw the telltale axe-shaped point. I let out such a scream that anyone within a mile could have heard.”

Dontz had found what other surveyors spend their careers searching for – an original corner post.

Bill O’Neill, chief of the DNR’s Forest Resources Division, said Dontz’s dedication was the driving force in uncovering the corner post.

“We in the forestry and surveying worlds know just how rare this discovery was; now it’s our job to share the importance of this piece of Michigan’s history with the rest of the state,” said O’Neill, who also serves as state forester. “In addition to being historically important, Matt’s discovery helps correct land maps that had been inaccurate for many years – maps that may be referenced by current and future land users. This finding shows that even with all of the great technology the DNR uses, it’s the boots-on-the-ground fieldwork that still gets things done.”

Tungsten old, Tungsten new,  Tungsten black and Tungsten Blue.  That’s right I said blue. We have added even more to “The Original Heavy Metal Tungsten” jig line up, making it bigger and better than ever. We’ve brought back some favorites, some limited editions and lots of new colors and shapes too.
If you’re not familiar with tungsten,  let me give you brief run down.

Raw Wolfram (Tungsten)

Tungsten, also known as wolfram and is a chemical element with the chemical symbol W and atomic number 74. The word tungsten comes from the Swedish language tung sten directly translatable to “heavy stone”, though the name is actually volfram in Swedish. Tungsten is 1.7 times  heavier than lead. It melts at around 6000 degrees ferenheit and is fairly hard and brittle. It’s also more costly than lead and not available domestically as a raw material. Much of the raw material comes from Sweden, Russia or China.

Tungsten ice fishing jigs have been manufactured and used in these Eastern countries for many years. They are often referred to as Mormyshka, Marmooska,  marmyshka.  Lately here in the US,  companies are using just about any name they can come up with with a Mooska type sounding word on the end here to sell jigs, even when they don’t have one spec of tungsten in them… You will however find that most of the jig styles used in tungsten’s home land have a hole through them for tying the line to the hook shank vs our preference of tying the line to an eye on the hook.

The New Pro Series Jig in Firetiger

So what’s so special about tungsten? It gets down faster and can plow through weeds and slush better than lead, right? Well, yes, but that’s only part of it. The real secret to tungsten is that you can make it move differently than lead.  Since it’s heavier and has less water resistance, it has a faster and sharper response when jigged. That means lots more action when put into capable ice fishing hands and on the right rod. It also means that you can make tiny and not so tiny soft plastic baits jiggle and dance like never before.  And of course that means more bites…

Ok, so back to our Pro Series and other new jigs. With most of you folks now fishing plastics, the Pro Series has longer hooks and wider hook gaps than any other tungsten jig that we have offered to date. And in this case, bigger is better. Better for packing more live bait. Better for setting the hook and better for threading plastics on while leaving hook for sticking it to ‘em…

Picture is Blue Hot Tiger

This series also incorporates both long lasting, super bright, super glow colors as well as UV Reflective Colors. Combine that with crazy detailed eyes, stripes and scale patterns on a tiny jig and you have tiny little works of art.  I guess I should also mention that we could have have them painted over seas, but we didn’t.  These jigs as well as our new Kuu and Smoothie jigs are all hand painted here in the US using premium epoxy finishes. Oh, and the gold and silver colors on the metallic based jigs, like all of our tungsten,  they are really gold and silver plating, not Nickle, chrome or paint. And trust me, it makes a difference in how well they reflect light.

Kuu Jig in Clown Tiger

Our new Kuu jig, gets its name from the Crescent Moon. It too has amazing paint finishes and gold and silver plating. This jig drops like a razor blade through weeds because of its shape and presents a big profile to horizontal feeding predators. It also stuffs nicely into micro sized tubes…hint…hint…

Smoothie Jig in Gilbert

The Smoothie is a round ball tungsten jig with lots of attitude and hook shank to go with it. We are offering this jig all the way up to a monster 8mm jig that is perfect for thumping the bottom for giant deep water perch, walleye, lake trout, and white fish.

So there you have it. Lots of cool new tungsten with a size, shape and color for all of your hard water needs.

Water levels are low and clear in the rivers and streams. Cold weather pushed steelhead up into the rivers however warmer temperatures by the weekend could slow the bite. Walleye are moving closer to shore. Those fishing the inland lakes for large and smallmouth bass have caught a good number of fish.

SOUTHEAST LOWER PENINSULA

Lake Erie: Is producing a few walleye for those trolling perch rigs in the early morning or late evening. For bluegill, perch and crappie, try the docks at the Metro Park Marina.

Huron River: Is producing steelhead downstream of Flat Rock. Those fishing below the dam are drifting spawn and wax worms or bouncing flies.

Detroit River: Perch were caught in the lower river. Try fishing near Sugar Island, the north end of Celeron Island or the Trenton Channel with shiners on perch rigs.

Lake St. Clair: Should still have some good perch fishing even though fishing usually drops off this time of year as most anglers have put their boats away.

St. Clair River: Was muddy after the rain and strong winds so it may take a few days for the water to clear up.

Harbor Beach: Still has one dock in for those that may want to fish for walleye or brown trout behind the Edison Plant.

Saginaw Bay: The walleye are moving in closer to shore so those trolling or drifting will want to fish shallow or near the mouth of the rivers especially at night.

Saginaw River: Walleye are being caught near Bay City. Some are fishing up near the confluence of the Tittabawassee and the Shiawassee River. Shore anglers caught perch in the lower river.

Tittabawassee River: Has walleye however boat anglers will need to watch for low water levels.

Kawkawlin River: Has walleye. Anglers may have to put in some time but they should catch some fish.

SOUTHWEST LOWER PENINSULA

St. Joseph River: Continues to produce steelhead for those drifting spawn bags or casting plugs. Fish the deeper holes if it warms up. A couple brown trout were caught between Shamrock Park and the Berrien Springs Dam.

South Haven: Pier anglers caught steelhead in the early morning or late evening. Most are floating spawn or wax worms.

Kalamazoo River: Is producing steelhead all the way up to the Allegan Dam. Anglers are using spawn, spinners, plugs or yarn.

Grand Haven: Pier anglers and those surfcasting continue to target steelhead. Not much on whitefish as catch rates were slow.

Grand River at Grand Rapids: Has a good number of steelhead. Off the east wall, try white jigs with a couple wax worms about three foot down or small spawn bags on a #10 or 12 hook. Some were also casting wobble glows. White jigs and wax worms caught fish near the Post Office. Off Fulton Street, try Hot-n-Tots or back bouncing spawn with bait casters. Walleye were caught off the east wall by those using bucktail jigs and three inch white twister tails.

Grand River at Lansing: Is producing the occasional steelhead but no big numbers yet. Walleye were caught near the Waverly Bridge by those using golden shiners or crawler harnesses.

Looking Glass River: Pike are being caught off Babcock’s Landing. Anglers are using shiner minnows or bluegills.

Muskegon River: Has more steelhead moving up into the river even though water levels are low. Anglers are floating spawn and wax worms, casting small spoons or fly fishing.

NORTHEAST LOWER PENINSULA

Cheboygan River: Leftover salmon were still being caught up near the dam. The better fishing for steelhead was early morning or late evening with spawn, yarn, small spinners or small spoons. Good colors are blue and silver, orange and silver, pink and chartreuse.

Rogers City: Pier anglers should find brown trout when casting cleo’s, bombers or small spoons.

Thunder Bay River: More steelhead were moving in as temperatures dropped. Most are floating spawn or casting rapalas and small spoons up near the dam. Good colors were orange, chartreuse, pink or silver.

Oscoda: Pier anglers targeting steelhead will want to try spoons or body baits.

Au Sable River: Steelhead coming in from the lake can be found all the up to Foote Dam. The numbers are increasing and the fish are good size. Spawn or small spoons have caught fish in all areas of the river.

Higgins Lake: This can be a good time of year to find perch. Try 25 to 40 feet of water around the Sunken Island or just off Big Creek.

Houghton Lake: Look for large and smallmouth bass in the canals. Those looking for walleye could try floating minnows or drifting crawler harnesses.

Tawas River: Still has a few leftover salmon. More steelhead were moving up into the river. Try spawn or wax worms.

Au Gres River: Should still have some good action for steelhead, brown trout and Atlantic salmon. The better action has been in the lower end of Whitney Drain and for those surfcasting near the Singing Bridge. Try spawn, spoons or plugs.

NORTHWEST LOWER PENINSULA

Petoskey: Pier anglers are out and trying for coho, Chinook or pink salmon with spawn, small spinners or small spoons. Try orange, pink or chartreuse.

Bear River: Anglers are now catching more steelhead. Try spawn, skein or yarn. Some are fly fishing.

Elk River: Is producing coho and steelhead. Try floating spawn and skein or casting small spoons and spinners.

Boardman River: Is producing coho and steelhead even with the lower water levels. Fish the deeper holes for now.

Frankfort: Steelhead have been caught in the surf and off the piers.

Betsie River: Is producing steelhead. Those fishing up near the Homestead Dam caught fish on spawn.

Manistee: Is producing some steelhead for those surfcasting as well as those fishing off the piers. Try early morning, late evening or during the day when the weather is nasty.

Manistee River: Water levels are low and clear again which makes steelhead fishing somewhat difficult. Conditions like this require light leaders and small stealthy presentations to get them to bite.

Ludington: Steelhead were caught in the surf and off the piers. Fish early, late or when the weather is nasty.

Pere Marquette River: Water levels were low and clear and could stay that way for a while. The low and clear water conditions require light leaders especially if fish are on the gravel. For now, try fishing the deeper holes.

UPPER PENINSULA

Keweenaw Bay: Salmon and lake trout are still out there for those that have not put their boats away.

Fall’s River: Is producing coho and steelhead for those casting spoons and spinners or drifting crawlers and spawn bags.

Menominee River: Is a good spot to target walleye, steelhead or brown trout. Try drifting fresh spawn, small spoons or rapalas.

Little Bay De Noc: Walleye catches are getting better every week as water temperatures drop below 50 degrees. The fish are in so there is no better time than now. Fish were caught during the day but the better reports are still coming by those fishing at night. During the day, the best catches were taken between the Second and Third Reefs by those trolling stick baits in 25 to 30 feet of water. Night anglers reported good catches between the Center Reef and the Black Bottom. Most were trolling crank baits or stick baits in 10 to 28 feet of water. The fish were averaging 21 to 23 inches. Perch action was fair for those using minnows or crawlers in 10 to 25 feet of water off Kipling.

St. Mary’s River: This is a good time of year to target smallmouth bass. Try fishing around the points and the islands.

A partnership between the Department of Natural Resources and the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge is paying off with increased opportunities for Michigan hunters.

Working with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, DNR Wildlife Division staffers helped write the plan that allows waterfowl hunters to utilize some of the marsh on the refuge. The plan created three managed hunt zones on the refuge within the Brancheau Unit; morning drawings for the hunt zones are held in conjunction with the drawing at nearby Pointe Mouillee State Game Area, which occurs on Sundays and Wednesdays.

“It’s a win-win situation,” said DNR wildlife supervisor Joe Robison, who oversees Pointe Mouillee. “It’s helping us stretch our dollar further and providing additional public hunting opportunity in Southeast Michigan, where there are a lot of people and limited public land.”

Established in 2001, the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge consists of 6,000 acres of uplands, marsh, islands and undeveloped riverfront about 20 miles south of Detroit. The hunt plan was approved last summer, and the managed waterfowl hunting zones have been open to the public this season.

“The waterfowl hunters have done pretty well the first couple of weeks of the season,” Robison said.

The cooperative project “is working great right now,” said Assistant Refuge Manager Steve Dushane. “All the reports I’ve gotten are positive.

“It took us a time to get public input, write the plan and get it through the approval process,” Dushane continued. “It was a long process, but now the important thing is that it’s official and we’re finally hunting on the refuge.

“We would not be able to offer this hunting opportunity without the partnership with the DNR.”

DNR waterfowl specialist Barb Avers said that the new hunting opportunity may help stem the tide of declining waterfowl hunter numbers.

“Waterfowl hunting has always been an important part of Michigan’s outdoor legacy, particularly in the Detroit River and Western Lake Erie corridor,” she said. “Opening up the refuge to duck and goose hunters provides public access to a historic waterfowl hunting area.”

For more information on Michigan’s waterfowl legacy and managed waterfowl areas, visit www.michigan.gov/mwl.

The effects of hurricane Sandy shut fishing down around the state. Action this week was found in the rivers or smaller inland lakes. Waters around the state are turbid and murky so it will take a few days to clear up. Catch rates should resume once the waters settle. Anglers are reminded that catch rates increase during the month of November because perch, pike, whitefish, walleye, bass and steelhead go on a feeding frenzy before winter comes.

SOUTHEAST LOWER PENINSULA

Shore and boat anglers fishing the inland lakes were catching bluegill and crappie.

Lake Erie: Strong wind and high waves have kept anglers off the lake.

Huron River: Is producing steelhead downstream of Flat Rock towards Labo Park. Crappie were caught near the Belleville Dam.

Detroit River: Perch are still being caught near Sugar Island. Smallmouth bass were caught in the Trenton Channel, Livingston Channel and the cross-dike near Sugar Island. Walleye were caught by those trolling crawlers and minnow type baits.

Lake St. Clair: Those fishing inside the Metro Park reported limit catches of bluegill from Black Creek. Yellow perch were caught off the 400 Club.

Lexington: Those casting spoons, rapalas or spawn caught the occasional brown trout, steelhead or Chinook salmon. A few perch were caught on minnows.

Harbor Beach: When the wind and wave action permitted, walleye were caught off the north wall by those casting at night.

Saginaw River: Had perch anglers in the lower river.

Kawkawlin River: Had anglers fishing but no reports came in.
SOUTHWEST LOWER PENINSULA

St. Joseph River: Has a good number of steelhead. When they can get out, boat anglers caught fish when casting small spoons or plugs. Shore anglers were drifting spawn bags. Panfish were caught near the Mottville Dam.

Kalamazoo River: Is producing steelhead for those drifting spawn bags.

Duck Lake: In Calhoun County was producing bluegill, bass and crappie.

Prairie Lake: In Calhoun County was good for bass and panfish.

Grand Haven: No anglers were out.

Grand River at Grand Rapids: Is producing steelhead and the occasional brown trout. Fish have been caught from the mouth to the Sixth Street Dam. Try spawn, small spoons and spinners or a jig with a wax worm. A few walleye were caught.

Grand River at Lansing: Anglers may still find a few leftover coho. A few nice pike were caught on sucker minnows. Steelhead are not here yet but a good number of fish were spotted in Prairie Creek near Ionia. A couple walleye were caught near the Moore’s Park Dam. Catfish and suckers were caught on skein near Portland and Eaton Rapids.

Looking Glass River: Continues to produce northern pike for those using sucker minnows.

Muskegon River: Is producing steelhead along with the occasional brown trout for those floating spawn.

Whitehall: When conditions allow, pier anglers are targeting steelhead. They are floating spawn or casting small spoons.

NORTHEAST LOWER PENINSULA

Inland lakes are producing catches of perch and walleye.

Cheboygan River: Still has a few Chinook salmon up at the dam. Look for the number of steelhead to increase by the weekend. Try spawn, yarn or small spinners in orange, pink or chartreuse.

Weber Lake: In Cheboygan County is a good bet for inland trout fishing for brook trout and brown trout.

Black Lake: Should be good for walleye as this is the time of year the fish tend to get aggressive as they prepare for winter.

Rogers City: No anglers have been out on the lake. Brown trout are showing up in and around the marina and those fishing off the wall before the storm caught fish on a regular basis. They were casting cleos, bombers and spoons in the early morning or late evening.

McCormick Lake: In Montmorency County is a good inland lake for trout fishing. If offers brown trout, brook trout and rainbow trout.

Heart Lake: In Otsego County is a good lake for inland trout fishing.

Long Lake: Should be good for walleye.

Hubbard Lake: Should also be good for walleye. Try the south end of the lake when trolling or drifting.

Thunder Bay River: Has salmon and steelhead being caught near the 9th Street Dam. Try floating spawn or casting rapalas and small spoons.

Harrisville: Salmon are still in the harbor, but they are few and far between. Walleye are just outside the harbor wall. Early morning and late evening were the best time to fish with body baits and crawler harnesses.

Au Sable River: Salmon are slowing down but a fair to good number of steelhead are in the river and on the beds. Fish can be found from the mouth all the way up to the dam. Most are using spawn of small spoons. A few walleye are making their way into the river. The fish caught appear to be bigger than those caught in the spring and summer. Anglers are floating crawlers under a slip bobber or casting body baits.

Tawas River: A few salmon were caught by those drifting spawn. Look for more steelhead to move up in the next week.

Au Gres River: Had reports of anglers catching Atlantic salmon, brown trout, steelhead and the occasional dark king salmon. Anglers are surfcasting near the Singing Bridge or fishing in the lower end of Whitney Drain. Some nice Atlantic salmon have been caught on assorted spoons or plugs. The fish were aggressive.

NORTHWEST LOWER PENINSULA

Petoskey: When the weather allows, those surfcasting have caught coho, pink salmon and the occasional Chinook. Most were using spawn or small spoons.

Bear River: Coho and pink salmon were caught on spawn, skein or yarn. More steelhead were moving up into the river.

Elk River: Is producing coho and steelhead. Try floating spawn and skein or casting small spoons and spinners.

Bear Lake: In Kalkaska County produces brown trout and rainbow trout. Try fly fishing in the southeast corner or along the west shore.

Starvation Lake: Located in northern Kalkaska County is another good spot for inland trout fishing. The lake is up to 47 feet deep and sustains a population of brown trout and rainbow trout. The lake offers year-round fishing with a minimum size limit of 8 inches for rainbow and brown trout.

Boardman River: Is producing coho and steelhead. Fresh steelhead should be moving up into the river as they search for salmon eggs. Anglers will want to use skein, spawn bags or a single egg on a hook.

Betsie River: Is producing steelhead.

Manistee: Pier and surf anglers are catching steelhead when the winds allow. They are using spawn or casting orange spoons. Anglers are reminded that the piers can be very dangerous this time of year.

Manistee River: The steelhead action is underway. Water levels were low and clear so rain should help push more fish up into the river. Some are fly fishing with eggs while others may try casting small spoons or spinners. Good colors to try would be orange, pink, chartreuse, blue and silver along with orange and silver.

Ludington: Is producing steelhead for shore and pier anglers. Most were caught on spawn however a few were also taken on orange spoons.

Pere Marquette River: Water levels were low and clear. The remaining salmon are dark. Fresh steelhead continue to enter the river. Some nice steelhead and brown trout have been caught.

Pentwater: Pier anglers were floating spawn but no steelhead were caught. Those surfcasting had better luck with spawn or small orange spoons.

UPPER PENINSULA

Lake Gogebic: Was producing some limit catches of walleye.

Keweenaw Bay: When they can get out, boat anglers managed to catch a couple lake trout, Chinook and coho.

Fall’s River: Is producing coho and steelhead for those casting spoons and spinners or drifting crawlers and spawn bags. Try orange, pink or chartreuse.

Huron River: In Baraga County is producing coho.

Menominee River: The few out fishing were targeting trout and salmon near the Hattie Street Dam. They are drifting yarn and spawn or casting small spoons, spinners or twister tails.

Little Bay De Noc: Walleye anglers did well all night long when trolling stick baits in eight to 20 feet of water off the reefs. Fair catches were reported off the lighthouse in Escanaba in 25 to 35 feet and off the north end of Butler Island when still-fishing crawlers or minnows in 10 to 20 feet. Day anglers caught fish near the Second and Third Reefs as well as the Black Bottom.

Escanaba River: A few salmon were seen but none were caught.

Big Bay De Noc: A few walleye were caught on crawler harnesses in 20 to 30 feet of water near Ansell’s Point. Perch anglers in Garden Bay reported good catches of small fish over by the “Fish House”, out to the middle of the bay and over to Ansell’s Point. Try eight to 12 feet of water with crawlers. Good smallmouth action between Garden Bluff and Snail Shell Harbor for those drifting crawlers or minnows 35 to 50 feet down in the deeper water.

Just few of the crappies I kept all are basically the same size.

Yesterday I headed out on the pond aka Lake St. Clair for a little panfish action. The game plan was to head out on the main lake and go after some perch with plastics. When I woke up in the morning the wind had already started whipping out on the lake.

So it was time to change up things and search out some calmer waters. I went up into the extreme shallows looking for gills, but the wind soon made it impossible to see the pockets in the weeds. I was able to catch a few nice gills with the largest being 9 inches.

The few I kept for my effort .

I then made a move to an area that I have had some good luck at. I tied on a drop-shot rig and plastics. When I got into my area I find out I am not alone here.There was up to 12 boats with in sight distance of me working the area. One of the docks I have been fishing was open so I made a be line for it.

After setting anchor I went to working the dock complex in front of me…..I soon had none stop action.I was pitching the drop-shot rig to the and past the dock pillions and worked it back to the boat. The fish really hammered  the offering of a Candy Plastics Munchies from Micro Spoons and Jigs in Glow rigged on a VMC Spinshot in size 8.I was fishing the rig on a St. Croix Panfish series rod model PFS70LXF which is a great rod for dropshotting panfish.

If you would like some more info on Drop-Shotting panfish check out my blog on this topic here.