Upper Peninsula Weekly Fishing Report – March 31, 2021

Keweenaw Bay: Most of the ice on the bay is gone except for some pack ice near the head of the bay that moves around each day with the wind. Shore anglers have caught some coho, brown trout, splake and steelhead. Boat anglers have caught the same along with some lake trout.  All of the rivers in the area are open.  Fish are slowly moving in, but it is still early.

Marquette: Is ice free and the docks are in. Those trolling have done well taking a combination of coho, brown trout, steelhead and the occasional Chinook. Most were taken in the Lower Harbor from the green can to the Carp and Chocolay Rivers in 30 feet or less with spoons and stick baits. Those launching from the Chocolay River Marina and fishing to the mouth have caught coho and brown trout. Shore anglers fishing the Carp, Chocolay and Garlic Rivers have caught a couple steelhead and brown trout when floating a single egg or crawlers.

Little Bay De Noc:  Is open south of Gladstone although there are some pockets of ice along the shoreline in some areas.  No skid piers are in yet. The northern part of the bay north of Gladstone and Kipling still had ice though it is melting rapidly. There have been a few boats going out although strong winds are keeping most anglers off the water.

Munising: The ice is out from Christmas to the Grand Island Access. The ice is gone in Munising Bay and the dock is in. The ice is 90% gone off Sand Point. Shove ice has blown in by the Anna River and the small access site is difficult at this time due to a large sand bar at the mouth.

Cedarville and Hessel: There are no reports for the week as many of the bays are now open water and ice conditions were unknown for any remaining ice. Boat anglers should be heading out soon.

Fishing Tip: Want to find fish? Use sonar!

Avid anglers are constantly looking for tips and tricks to have more successful fishing trips. Many turn to sonar technology to achieve this goal.

Although a bit of an investment (units start at $100 and go up), sonar products offer a variety of benefits on the water. Most units can provide anglers with readings on temperature, vegetation and structure in the water, type of bottom below you, fish in the area, depth, current speed of the vessel, GPS navigation, and waypoints for future trips. Some even allow you the opportunity to purchase nautical charts.

Need help, besides using sonar, in planning your next fishing trip? Visit Michigan.gov/Fishing.