SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN — The Department of Natural Resources reports walleye, northern pike and muskellunge season on the Upper Peninsula Great Lakes, inland waters and the St. Marys River opened on Tuesday, May 15. The openers could be on the slow side until the waters warm up.

Southwest Lower Peninsula

Overall: Chinook salmon fishing is off to a great start in the far southern portion of Lake Michigan. Some limit catches including fish over 20 pounds were reported. The fishery will continue to move north as the waters warm. Inland lakes are producing panfish including some limit catches of crappie.

• St. Joseph: Boat anglers caught lake trout and a fair to good number of Chinook salmon. Most were trolling spoons in 80 to 100 feet. A few coho were also caught. A couple pier anglers managed to catch a few brown trout and coho on spawn. 

• South Haven:  Had decent fishing with a good number of lake trout and the occasional Chinook salmon and steelhead taken. Fish were caught in 45 to 70 feet with magnum spoons. Pier fishing activity was low but a few coho and brown trout were caught. Those using spawn did best. No perch to report.

• Holland: Boats trolling just outside the piers caught trout and the occasional salmon on spoons. Pier anglers casting spoons and rapalas were also targeting trout and salmon. Boat anglers caught a few perch in 40 to 50 feet.

• Lake Macatawa: Had some good perch fishing.

• Gun Lake: In Barry County is producing some panfish including crappie.

• Grand Haven: The south pier is closed from the first lighthouse to the end due to construction. Pier fishing for brown trout was slow. Those trolling caught a few Chinook salmon 25 to 60 feet down in 50 to 100 feet and a decent number of lake trout 90 to 180 feet down in 170 to 230 feet. Yellow and green spin-glo’s worked best.

• Grand River at Grand Rapids: Anglers are still getting the occasional steelhead but the fishery is just about done. Walleye fishing will pick up in about a month. Those fishing the backwaters and bayous have caught panfish.

• Grand River at Lansing: The smallmouth action continues for those using crawlers, minnows and small crank baits. Panfish were hitting on worms and minnows. 

• Lake Ovid: Continues to produce some crappie, bluegills and sunfish. A couple largemouth bass were caught and released. 

• Muskegon: Boats trolling the shoreline reported slow brown trout action. Those heading out to 160 to 230 feet and fishing 60 to 160 feet down found some lake trout and coho. Lake trout were hitting on yellow spin-glo’s and the coho on orange spoons.

• Muskegon Lake: Anglers were getting some walleye including a few limit catches. The panfish action improved greatly with the warmer weather. 

• Muskegon River: Water temperatures were up into the 40’s. Anglers continue to catch steelhead and brown trout.

• Whitehall: Those trolling did well for brown trout with orange or purple body baits in five to 15 feet. Pier anglers caught walleye early and late on body baits and soft plastics.

• White Lake: Was producing some walleye for those trolling or jigging. Panfish were caught in the shallows on sunny days.