Upper Peninsula Fishing Report
Category: fishing reports
Apr 5th, 2019 by Keith Worrall 305
Modified Apr 5th, 2019 at 10:24 AM
UPPER PENINSULA
Keweenaw Bay: Ice conditions are still holding in most places. Shoreline ice north of the tire shop is getting weak and starting to break up. Ice at the head of the bay near the third bridge is in poor shape and has areas with open water. Watch out for old holes that were drilled in front of the Falls River. With rain and warmer temperatures in the forecast, anglers need to check the ice before heading out. Both the lake trout and the whitefish bite were slow. The coho action was a little better in 8 to 20 feet. The smelt bite was fair for those using wax worms or spikes. Steelhead have been showing up in the area rivers that are open.
Marquette: A decent number of boats were going out to the “Bubbler” near the mouth of the Dead River but catch rates were hit or miss. Some managed to get their limit but most were lucky to get a couple coho. Cloudy days with a light wind seem to produce the most fish. The warm water discharge from the power plant has been shut down for good. The “Bubbler” will still be running until mid-June without warm water. The Upper Harbor is completely ice free and anglers were launching boats. The Lower Harbor is also ice free; however, the marina still has ice and it could be another week or so before boats can launch from there.
Little Bay De Noc: Still had ice fishing and could for a while yet because of the cold temperatures at night. Perch anglers did best with minnows or wigglers in 25 to 30 feet near Kipling. The numbers were light, but many reported some nice jumbos in the mix.
Munising: Fishing pressure has been very light. Those out reported slow catch rates with only a few coho taken. Reports from Trout Bay, Sand Point and near the Anna River were no fish taken.
Cedarville and Hessel: Ice fishing continues but those heading out need to use caution as there are some areas with open water. Perch fishing was good with limit catches taken out of Musky Bay and Hessel Bay when jigging wax worms, wigglers or spikes in 15 to 17 feet. Fish were 7 to 11 inches with most about 8 inches.