Coho Master Loc: SW Michigan

Out of St. Joseph we hit the Cook plant discharge last Thursday. Even though the water temps are high 40’s and mid-50’s at the discharge, catch reports have been pretty slim. The Coho run to the warmer water but something else is keeping them at the South end of the Lake. Maybe a lack of baitfish? We usually don’t start hitting the Coho until mid to late March. But the warm weather and a flat lake were too tempting not to do a shakedown cruise. We ended up with one decent Laker caught on a 2-color and orange J9 Rappala just North of Cook in 20’ DOW. No other hits and very few marks on the graph.

fishyaker Loc: NW Michigan (Lower Peninsula)

The current fishing report is much appreciated! It might be an oddball season starting up this Spring due to the wacky Winter we had. The lake trout might end up spending extra time in shallow and close to shore over the next few months. The brown trout should be doing the same. A lot will depend on how fast the water warms up!

Glad you were able to get the boat out for the first trip of the season. I had some routine engine work done on my craft late last Fall and did not get a chance to run it before Winter storage, so I am anxious to put it thru the paces and start fishing soon too!

Good luck on any future coho trips you are able to make happen!

Coho Master Loc: SW Michigan

Agree with the wacky winter changing the fishing tactics this year. Last year wasn’t normal either. We couldn’t get a thermocline unless we were out near 300’DOW.