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Fishing’s transition period continues

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MANISTEE — As anglers transition from ice fishing to open-water fishing, some are getting out in boats, while others are targeting the rivers for trout and suckers, the DNR said.  Many of the bays and marinas were still ice covered, but the ice was not safe.

The DNR said all ice in northwest Michigan should be considered unsafe. Fishermen are starting to fish for steelhead near the mouth of the Boyne River and the Jordan River.

Craig Walter, of The Eyes Have It Bait shop in Leroy, expects activity at his store to increase as anglers anticipate open-water fishing.

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"Davis Bridge is doing well on perch," Tanner Havens, of Frank's Sporting Goods in Morley, said. "I heard a guy caught 110 and kept 40. I heard crappies are starting to bite now. They're getting some around Davis. Steelhead by Croton has been pretty good. Seems like everyone is catchng fish out there."

"The water is warming up and fishing has been sporadic. The water levels are good and the water is clear," Chelsea Pete, of DLoop Outfitters in Wellston, said.

The DNR reports fishermen continue to catch steelhead at the Manistee River and fishing should be good by the weekend.   

"They are catching perch in Manistee Lake and Portage Lake now that the ice (is gone)," Rob Eckerson, of Pappy's Bait Shop in Wellston, said. "This warmer weather is helping the river as well. We were down around 35 degrees and now are at 38. It's in the right direction. Fish don't bite as well in the cold water. It should be a better weekend."

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The Betsie River was producing the occasional steelhead.

Lakes Cadillac and Mitchell still had ice but no fishable ice, the DNR said, while anglers are advised to wait for open water fishing.   

"They're catching some steelheads and browns off the pier," Dewey Buchner, of Don's Sporting Goods in Manistee, said. "In Manistee Lake they're getting some nice perch. In the river, they're getting steelheads and browns, but nothing real heavy yet until this weather straightens up."

A few boats were starting to head out and target brown trout in shallow waters near shore at Ludington, the DNR said. Pier anglers should also find some steelhead and brown trout.

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"So far, brown trout fishing has been real good this spring," active fisherman Dave Rommel, of Frankfort, said. "Perch fishing at Crystal Lake has been spectacular."

At the Pere Marquette, steelhead fishing picked up with the warmer weather and should only get better as the spring rains arrive the DNR said.

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