Bait Man’s Fishing Update
Spring keeps hanging on across Michigan, but the fishing is slowly shifting away from river season and into inland lakes and the big water bite. Most of the steelhead fishing around the Traverse and Manistee corridor has slowed down now, though a few fish are still being picked up early and late by anglers working beads, spawn, and smaller presentations in the colder flows.
The better action right now is moving toward inland lakes. Around Traverse City, anglers are finding improving bass fishing on Spider Lake, Long Lake, Green Lake, and Duck Lake as fish push shallow around docks, emerging weeds, and wood. Bluegill and crappie continue getting more active during sunny afternoons in canals, marinas, and protected bays where water temperatures are warming first.
Walleye fishing remains fair to good on inland lakes tied to rivers and flowages as post spawn fish slide toward first breaks, channel edges, and inside weedlines. Jigs tipped with minnows and smaller crankbaits continue producing best during low light periods.
Up in the Upper Peninsula, systems around Curtis, Indian Lake, the Big Manistique, and the Tahquamenon remain in that cold water transition. Walleye are scattered but still catchable around current seams, shallow breaks, and river mouths when wind and weather stabilize.
Out on Lake Michigan, the salmon bite is steadily improving from Frankfort south through Manistee, Ludington, Grand Haven, and St. Joe. Coho and kings are showing up around warmer water, color lines, and bait pods, with many fish riding high in the water column. Spoons, crankbaits, and meat rigs continue producing, especially when anglers locate warmer streaks and active bait.
Right now across Michigan, the fishermen finding warmer water, bait, and stable conditions are usually the ones finding fish.
📖 Ecclesiastes 3:1
To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven.
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