🎣 Buc’s Fishing Report — Wednesday, November 26, 2025
Presented by Buc’s Aqua Farms Inc.
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BAIT MAN’S MORNING BRIEF
Bait Man here. We have cold weather pushing in today with a storm warning for this afternoon and Thursday. After the storm rolls through, temperatures look to stay cold. Facebook took down my Northern Michigan Fishing Report page, so you’ll need to follow the Bait Man directly for updates.
Before the storm hit, perch and walleye were biting very well across the region. Steelhead are starting to come into the rivers in good numbers, especially on the Betsie. They were working on the dam at Tippy and the flow dropped very low, but hopefully it rises again so fish can move. We are getting close to ice season and, if this forecast holds, we may see safe ice somewhere in about a week and a half. I will keep you posted.
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NORTHERN MICHIGAN WEATHER
Today
Rain and snow mix developing this afternoon. High 36 to 38 degrees. South winds 15 to 25 mph with gusts over 35.
Tonight
Snow with blowing snow at times. Low 25 to 27 degrees.
Thursday
Storm continues early. Cold and windy. High 28 to 30 degrees. Northwest winds 20 to 30 mph.
Friday
Mostly cloudy with light snow. High 29 to 31 degrees.
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BAROMETER
Today: 29.32 and falling
Thursday: 29.00
Friday: 29.45 and rising
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MOON PHASE AND BITE TIMES (EST)
Waning gibbous
Today
Major: 11:10 AM to 1:10 PM
Minor: 5:00 to 6:00 AM
Minor: 4:50 to 5:50 PM
Thursday
Major: 11:50 AM to 1:40 PM
Minor: 5:40 to 6:30 AM
Minor: 5:30 to 6:20 PM
Friday
Major: 12:30 PM to 2:20 PM
Minor: 6:20 to 7:10 AM
Minor: 6:10 to 7:00 PM
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RIVER FLOWS AND CONDITIONS
Manistee River
Flow dropped low from dam work at Tippy. Should rise as gates return to normal.
Betsie River
Good number of steelhead holding in deeper water.
Boardman River
A few steelhead reported, water rising.
Elk River
Steelhead starting to stack below the dam.
Platte River
Fishable color, a few steelhead mixing in with late coho.
Pere Marquette River
Fresh steelhead pushing in with some late coho.
White River
Steelhead below the dam.
Manistique River
Consistent steelhead activity.
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PERCH REPORT
Torch Lake
Good numbers on minnows and wigglers.
Lake Skegemog
Steady ten to eleven inch fish.
Big Glen Lake
Fair to good depending on wind.
Lake Leelanau
Solid perch bite on minnows.
Northport
Some good fish mixed with small ones.
Suttons Bay
Fair perch bite.
Bowers Harbor
Better size on the flats.
Portage Lake
Lots of small fish with keepers mixed in.
White Lake
Excellent perch action.
Muskegon Lake
Deep bite in forty to fifty feet.
Manistee Lake
Picking up now that salmon have moved out.
Burt Lake
Good perch numbers.
Mullett Lake
Steady bite with minnows.
Indian Lake (UP)
Strong perch fishing on wigglers and wax worms.
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WALLEYE REPORT
Burt Lake
Dusk bite on jigs and minnows.
Mullett Lake
Evening bite remains good.
Long Lake (Traverse City)
Good walleye before the storm.
Otsego Lake
Walleye biting on minnows.
Houghton Lake
Some fish moving into the canals.
Manistee Lake (Kalkaska)
Evening jig bite improving.
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STEELHEAD REPORT
Betsie River
Very good steelhead numbers.
Pere Marquette River
Steelhead mixed with late coho.
Manistee River
Should improve as flows rise again.
Elk River
Fish holding below the dam.
Boardman River
Steelhead present with light pressure.
Pier Fishing
Should pick up after the storm with skein and spawn bags.
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ICE FISHING SPOTLIGHT — 2025/2026
Eskimo E40 Electric Auger
Quiet, fast, brushless motor with no gas or fumes and strong cutting power.
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LIVE BAIT TIP
Minnows, wigglers, and wax worms are the best late fall baits. Slow lifts and natural scent work best as water temperatures continue to fall.
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