Michigan Fishing Reports for 4/15/2011

Archived report for 4/15/2011.

We also have daily updates on Third Coast Fly.

Reference page for USGS real time stream data.

Sharp looking single page pdf for bulletin boards and counter tops.

"The Pere Marquette River is an almost entirely wild or non-hatchery fishery. If you want the fishing to get better
you have to release fish so that they can spawn and make new fish."

Pere Marquette Fishing Report and Baldwin Fishing Report (4/15/2011)
Level – average (913 cfs, falling) Temp – 40s to 50 Color – clear in Baldwin, perfect lower Fishing – steelhead very good

The Pere Marquette is fishing very well with lots of steelhead in the system. I would expect good fishing for the near future but it is impossible to tell how long or how good it will get. There were rumors of a big run of steelhead moving through the lower river a few days ago. With the warmer water temps some of the steelhead are crazy once you set the hook!

Smaller flies and lighter leader for the clearer upper river but medium eggs and bigger stuff has worked best lower. I've had good luck on the Pearl Jam Shrimp and bead-head leech pictured below, both patterns show up very well in off-colored water. Great to see the suckers back in the river again, we caught three yesterday. Kevin

Manistee Fishing Report (4/15/2011)
Level – high average (2550 cfs, stable) Temp – 44 Color – some color Fishing – steelhead good

The water temps on the Mansitee River soared over the past week and the fishing has increased as well. Lots of spawning steelhead with pre-spawn fish in the holes and pockets. The trout fishing has increased with the warmer temps. Kevin

Muskegon Fishing Report (4/15/2011)
Level – above average (3430 cfs, falling) Temp – 44 Color – color Fishing – trout good, steelhead good

Steelhead haven't begun to seek spawning gravel in earnest. Above average flows over the past week coupled with water temps in the mid 30's has put the peak run off. Look for fish in slack water seems in areas down stream of spawning gravel. Eggs, stoneflies and hex nymphs have been the most productive patterns. On warmer days, stoneflies have been hatching in good numbers — bring a trout rod with you and fish your favorite dry stonefly pattern to rising trout to break up the steelhead fishing excitement!

Phil's version of an Afternoon Delight steelhead fly, one of his favorites for the Muskegon. Phil

Hamlin Lake Fishing Report (4/15/2011) – No information. Kevin

Lake Michigan Fishing Reports

ReferRe

Reference page for Lake Michigan information.

Ludington Fishing Report (
Pere Marquette Lake Fishing Report (4/15/2011) – Big winds over the last week have mixed things up but good fishing should be expected with the rising water temps. Kevin

Ludington Pier and Near-Shore Fishing Report (4/15/2011) – Brown trout and steelhead off the pier and beeches. Spring is a great time for big aggressive fish in shallow water. Keep an eye on the Coastwatch surface temp site for Ludington and look for warm pockets of water. Kevin