Betsie River Steelhead Fishing Report

The Steelhead run on the Betsie was one of legend. After a dam washed out in the upper watershed years ago, the river has had to deal with a important increase of sand and silt. This ‘wearing away’ filled up holes that once held good populations of steelhead which now temporarily stay in those holes before continuing to move upstream. Efforts by different conservation groups Conservation Resource Alliance / CRA, Betsie River Watershed Restoration board, Trout Unlimited and others have stabilized banks to eliminate more degrading, and I’m happy to report enhancements established off of observing deeper water, better spawning gravel and cooler water temperatures. (current-works.com)

Ice conditions in the northern Bay remain good though pressure cracks have produced some problems. Anglers should use caution if taking vehicles on the ice. Saunders Point is open water so avoid the area. The most of anglers have fished from the Escanaba River north because of ice conditions in the southern Bay. Walleye anglers stated catches in Gladstone Bay when using minnows with tip-ups in 25 to 35 feet. The head of the Bay was best using tip-ups with sucker minnows in 8 to 25 feet. Perch anglers stated the best catches north of Butler Island with minnows or wigglers in 8 to 24 feet. (michigan.gov)

WHERE’S THE question on everyone’s mind. While we do not have ice, those hitting the rivers and lakes via ship or foot are doing pretty well. Our local Brown Trout master was fishing almost everyday on the Big Water and catching consistent Steelhead and some Lakers. I had a indistinct phone caller seeking Goldens saying they have been ‘slaying them’ but giving no more info. We’re stocked now with perch minnows. (bigbobsupnorth.com)

Before fishing. Below this point, steelhead and salmon fishing may be remaining all the way to Lake Michigan. The best steelhead and salmon water is found below path 115. Inhabitant trout fishing also remains excellent during this stretch. Some number of roads cross the river and many of them supply access for anglers. A couple of these access points include Psutka Road bridge and path 31 bridge. Below path 31 the river bottom consists primarily of sand, silt, gravel, and clay with an average width of 60-70 feet. Some number of beautiful pools, deep runs, and charming riffles are found in this estimated 25 mile stretch from the connection with the Little Betsie to Lake Michigan. (flyfishingconnection.com)

The Big Lake was unhappy for the last week. A range of high winds and pressure systems have the fish scattered and DEEP. Best action is down 110-150 with Mag Divers our 200 and standard divers out 275 . The 300 of Blood Run 60# Super Copper also has been to get down where it needs to be. The Meat Rigs are performing better than the other rigs but we’re starting to see a plug bite also. This last wind sent any fish staging in the harbor up the river, although there weren t many hanging there to start with. Best combos have been a Black Crush turn Doctor with the Red Holo or Hambone Meat Rig, The Showtime turn Doctor with the Diabolical Meat Rig and the Big Weenie Spotted Dick combo. (tinybubblescharters.com)

. Anglers are fishing as far south as Portage Point, however open water starts around the Breezy Point so use caution in these regions. Ice conditions were good in the northern bay, however not as good near Portage Point. Saunders Point had a big area of open water that just froze over and was considered dangerous. Walleye catches were stated during the bay, however the southern waters were best. Anglers stated just action at the Escanaba ship docks or just south of the Escanaba River in 18 to 22 feet of water. Some number of big pike also were stated in this area. Just numbers of perch were being caught between the second and 3rd reefs. (outdoornews.com)

. Walleye catches were stated during the Bay but the southern waters were best. The Escanaba ship docks or just south of the Escanaba River stated just catches when jigging rapalas or using tip-ups in 18 to 22 feet. Some number of big pike were also stated in this area. The best catches were between Aronson Island and Portage Point in 25 to 45 feet. Just walleye catches between the Center and the Second Reef in 20 to 35 feet. Perch catches were down. The best area was between the Second and 3rd Reefs when using wigglers or mousies in 17 to 28 feet. Some nice catches were stated from the flats off Kipling in 24 feet. (mifishreport.com)

Home Waters Recreational Real Estate offers Betsie River info on our website. We take great pride in keeping the Betsie River info updated. We know the value that the Betsie River info offers because we fish it all the time and when we aren’t fishing we’re generally thinking of fishing the Betsie River. The Betsie River info brings you everything you have to prepare for an thrilling day on the Betsie River. When you’re looking through all of the Betsie River info don't forget check out the Betsie River Hatch map also as the Betsie River Float Times offered by the Trout Unlimited Challenge Chapter. (homewaters.net)

Little Bay De Noc: Walleye have migrated up into the northern parts of the Bay and catch rates were just. Anglers that fished before sunrise or at dusk did best between the 1st Reef and the Black Bottom when trolling stick baits in 8 to 30 feet of water along the reefs and the east bank. Northern pike were active as some number of big fish were caught by those trolling crank baits or stick baits straight out from the coal piles near Gladstone. Attempt 12 to 23 feet of water. Good smallmouth catches stated during the Bay particularly off Hunter’s Point and Squaw Point. (Additional reading)

: Catch rates for walleye were low on the northern half of the Canadian side with anglers to get zero to three fish. The better fishing in Canadian waters was around Belle Isle. On the Michigan side, catch rates were poor. The few fish that were caught were taken in the Trenton Channel, near Mud Island and Grassy Island or on the east side of Grosse Ile. The vast most of anglers had zero to two fish. They’re bottom bouncing with crawler harnesses, hand-lining or jigging in 15 to 35 feet. Some caught yellow perch ranging seven to nine inches. Those fishing the Trenton Channel caught channel catfish. (piermichigan.org)