Fishing report, March 20, 2014

The fishing report comes from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. 

Weekly Fishing Tip: Storing your ice fishing equipment for next season
It’s about that time when you’ll need to get ready to store your ice fishing equipment. The key is doing it properly so you’ll be ready to hit the ice next winter! Here is a checklist of things to do:

1. If you have an auger, check it for any damage and then dry all the blades before storing it. You may want to consult your power auger’s manual to know how to appropriately handle any leftover gas and how to protect the engine.
2. Remove the batteries from any of your electronics to prevent any potential damage from leaking batteries.
3. Make sure your portable shelter is completely clean and dry before storing. You may want to put some moth balls in it or hang it to keep pests at bay.
4. Take a full inventory of your rods, reels and tackle to see what you might need/want to purchase next year. Also remove all bait or line from your hooks and lures for storage and make sure everything is dry.

By the time everything is properly stored you’ll be itching to get out on your favorite stream, river or lake for some spring fishing.

Fishing Report, northwest Lower Peninsula:

Ice fishing is still going on the inland lakes. At this rate, anglers could be ice fishing well into April. Warmer weather should help with the panfish bite.

Manistee River:  Has some steelhead but the spring run has not yet started. Ice still covers some large areas of the river.

Pere Marquette River:  Also has steelhead and more anglers out targeting them. Large sections of the river still had ice

Lake Charlevoix:  Was producing fair catches of perch.

Torch Lake:  Was producing decent catches of whitefish and trout.

Traverse City:  The East Bay continues to produce some lake trout and large burbot. Most are fishing in 120 to 150 feet off Deep Water Point and Yuba. Try jigs that glow.  Lake trout have been caught in West Bay as well. Try 135 to 180 feet with sand kickers and pimples with or without a minnow. Perch anglers could not get the fish to bite. Warmer temperatures are starting to produce some pressure cracks so anglers need to be careful.

Green Lake:  Still had ice. Those fishing at night have caught smelt.

Lake Cadillac:  Those still heading out are now targeting panfish. Crappie could be found just off the bottom or just under the ice. Try minnows, wigglers or wax worms.

Lake Mitchell:   Still has a few anglers heading out for bluegill and crappie.