With some nice weather finally going into spring, anglers are dreaming of where the first trip of the season will be.
After waiting out a long winter, the last thing anyone wants to do is go on a research mission on the first fishing trip. Yes, we may not know exactly where to start. But starting out in a known location where there are lots of fish is a great way to begin your season.
Locally, we have a great opportunity to catch lots of lake trout and ciscoes on our big waters. Chasing perch in the many inland lakes and Grand Traverse bays this time of year is a great call for only a short truck ride!
If it’s walleye you’re after, there’s no better time than now to head to Lake Erie, Detroit or Saginaw Bay. Many anglers make their way to the Detroit river this time of year for unbelievable jigging action on walleye. Trolling catches them too, but jigging in the river is the game. Jig heads with live bait or paddle tails work great.
For the walleye angler that’s interested in trolling, Lake Erie on the West End and Saginaw bay are sure fire options every spring. On Lake Erie the ports between Detroit and Sandusky are usually fantastic early.
Saginaw Bay is much closer and is great out of the lower bay ports early, as the walleye spawn carries on in the Saginaw river. Trolling body baits like Flicker minnows and bandits is great in both Erie and Saginaw during the spring. Pinconning, Linwood and Bay City are close and typically a great option for early walleyes.
One of the places many anglers go in the spring for fantastic silver fish action is the south end of Lake Michigan. Benton Harbor, South Haven, and St Joseph are great places to find silver fish biting. Dirty water around those ports helps with fast action as the fish bite with feeding aggression. Generally if they can get close enough to see it they’re going to eat it. Spoons are common but attractors produce plenty of bites too. Using some of the smaller spoons early can produce lots of bites.
For years, one of the most common activities for spring anglers has been brown trout fishing. In Michigan, our populations have gotten a little better although the fishing is not what it was years ago for brown trout. The key to catching them is not to be further out than the first trough along Lake Michigan’s shoreline. That means 3 to 10 feet. If you get outside of that area, generally you will catch more lake trout. We like to trick brown trout with body baits and smaller flutter spoons.
Inside and around the Lake Michigan harbors is also a great place to catch brown trout in the spring. Warmer and dirtier water around these locations are key.
If you are looking to have an unbelievable brown trout fishing event, the best place to go on Lake Michigan is over around Milwaukee Harbor in the winter and spring. The dirty water along Wisconsin and Illinois shoreline produces some fantastic brown trout, especially at Milwaukee Harbor.
Where will you find yourself on the first trip of this season?
Best regards and good fishing!