technique Archives - Werkman Outfitters

With above freezing temperatures for most of December the area rivers have opened up to fishing. Over the past few weeks steelhead fishing has been decent. Here is the Grand River Fishing Report as of January 1, 2020.

A few fish have been hooked and landed throughout the day. We’ve been catching a mixed bag of dark hold-over steelhead with fresh chrome.

We continue to use beads but have been mixing it up with spawn for the best action. Try running nickel to quarter size bags with pink and chartreuse netting. As far as beads go, try the more pale and milked out colors to entice the fish. Mottled peachy king and peach fuzz in 8 and 10 millimeters have been working best.

Water temps have been between 32-34 degrees. We’ve been targeting slightly deeper and slower runs where the fish will lay this time of year. Rain, wind, sleet and snow, it’s all in the future forecast,which will hopefully bring in new fish before it gets too cold to river fish.

On the flip side, colder temps in the future will help with our ice growth. As of now, very few if any of the area lakes have ice. Because of that, we have moved our ice trips into February.

While the rivers are open, get out and enjoy some steelhead fishing before the the ice takes over, or start thinking of spending the day on the hard water and give us call to book a trip in February.

In west Michigan it sure looks like you shouldn’t have put your boat away in winter storage. The warmer than average temps have made the lakes essentially ice free and those that have it, you shouldn’t attempt to go on. Which leads to the question, where in Michigan do you go ice fishing these days?

Lakes Cadillac and Mitchell

If you have the time to drive head up to Lakes Cadillac and Mitchell in Michgan. These lakes are in great shape for ice fishing and have around 6 to 8 inches of ice.

Look for crappie in the 6 foot to 10 foot range of water. The bite the past few days has been light so make sure you are using lighter and more sensitive gear. Use tear drop jigs in bright colors, tipped with spikes. A fish finder such as a Vexilar helps. Drill and fish lots of holes to help increase your chances of success.

If your looking for bass or northern pike, as usual, find the weeds. Small Cove has been producing the best action. Set your tip-ups in 6 to 10 feet of water around weeds and tip your hooks with suckers. If your going to jig, you’ll want to use crappie minnows. These minnows are a little larger and help create more movement in the water to attract these fish.

Speaking of attracting fishing, also trying using Rippin Raps in natural colors with medium action rods and 8 lbs test. The water is stained and these lures have the action and vibration you’ll need to attract the fish from further away.

If you need bait make sure to swing by Pilgram’s Village Bait Shop. They have all you need to make your time on the water more successful.

Possible Polar Vortex?

It seems we have been hearing this for awhile but there are some weather models that are saying and continue to say we could be due for some arctic air toward the end of January, with February being below normal temps. Let’s hope so.

On January 19th we’re going to be at the Cabela’s Outfitters Expo in Grand Rapids from 12 to 4. If you have the time, swing by and see us. Until then we’ll leave you this. “If you fish all day, you’ll never miss the bite window.”