Like I just read, MICHIGAN. I live in Elk Rapids, Mi just north of Traverse City, Mi. I have 6 inland lakes 1/2-4 miles from me and the East Bay of Grand Traverse Bay. In the spring in elk Rapids, from shore, you get big, 25-15", steelhead and in the fall same area the King atlantic and coho salmon come in along with browns and lake trout. We also have a fall steelhead run-can't beat this area and I'm on;y 9/10 of a mile away from t he power dam.

Nice area. I live in north of Traverse City, Mi and have fished there. Night crawlers, minnows 3" are great for bass and walleye. Chubs in the 6-20" range good for the pike and muskie that like to hide in the weed beds close to shore.

BIG pike and muskie in the lake also.

Rhythm is the key just like in fly casting. don't "power cast" your lures. It takes a little practice but worth it fishing into the wind as well.

I fish Michigan spring steelhead from the banks-if you haven't caught a steelhead you're in for a
real exercise. Get a good pair of tie on shoes as you WILL do a lot of running to land one of the chrome beauties. Getting the right drift and walking around to find the right hole/pool IS exercise in my book.

Michigan, to date, is good. Our DNR advise to use the outdoors BUT, do social distancing. I've this fishing for decades-don't want a person sitting in my back pocket when fishing, cast or landing. Good luck.

Michigan's just got its Stay at Home order but one of the things a person is allowed to do is exercise outdoors. I fish alone and have always kept my distance. I'll do this come Friday.

Michigan just got its "stay at Home-Stay Safe" order. But one of the things a person can do is exercise. Unless I'm in a boat in the lakes I fish alone. Looks like I'm good to go in the next couple of days as the steelhead run should be starting here in lower northern Michigan. All take care.

Very true-health experts say the great outdoors won't hurt you.

Hi Charlie-almost neighbors-I'm Don Reynolds from Elk Rapids. Fished your area a lot, in my youth, and always had great success. Just waiting for the steelhead to come into our power dam area in the village-we get some big boys every spring. Spawn mainly drift bouncing or bobber fishing will work. I host an annual free fishing expo here every summer and this year is Wed. July 1st from 5-7 p.m. located at the Elk Rapids Harbor Marina Pavilion-easy to find. It's like a mini show with 11 tables and assorted " fishing experts" showing their specialty. Ranging from rod/fly making, how to fillet a fish and cook it , soft and hard lures, etc. We also have three from the DNR with their table and goodies. You get a free door prize raffle ticket when you come in with an agenda showing where everything is located-free grab bags with fishing tackle and lures fishing website handouts and free refreshments. Last year's top prize was a $150 rod/reel combo and we usually run about 8-10 more prizes at the drawing at end of show. This year we are going to have the DNR research vessel "Steelhead" in port for free tours/information on their various program -same day but at 3-5 p.m. Come out if you can and enjoy

In lower Norther Michigan, Traverse City area, early spring is a start for steelies when the water temp hits 42-45; 58-65 degrees for the bass; and in the fall when the temps of the waters stet to drop around the 55 degrees and night time air temps are in the 40s. BUT, if a good rain hits either spring or fall that could start a run as water is warmed ( spring ) and cooled down.

I now live in northern lower Michigan near Traverse City but I lived 10 years south of Detroit near the end of the Detroit river emptying out into lake Erie. YES!!! Fantastic fishing and in the Flat Rock/Gibraltar areas by the lake erie mateo Park-great fishing and huge new marina to get boats in/out. Also down near the Mile marker 11 in Monroe, Mi is great area to fish out in the lake.

A good friend that works in the Michigan DNR recommends, for bass, holding by lip but make sure the fish stays in a straight vertical up and down line. Puts less pressure on the jaw area or hold by lip and horizontal with other hand under belly. A lot of people, and I've seen it, hold by jaw but hold fish in a horizontal position-huge pressure on jaw area and may damage permanently.

I use to live in the downriver area of Detroit and Lake Erie was only about 15 minutes away. The best area, my opinion, is off Michigan I-75 mile marker 11 going to Brest Bay. You will see the twin smoke stacks of the Detroit Edison plant and the two towers of the monroe Fermi plant-the dolly Parton basin. rest area. Chartreuse jighwads ( 1/4 oz. ) or anything chartreuse lie spinner blades in a harness or deep divers. Good luck!

From Elk Rapids 16 miles north of Traverse City, Michigan-rain this a.m. and 40 then-Boom! 4 inches of slushy snow. Hope all had a great holiday and great 2020 to come. Santa was goos-4 Bass Pro Shop gift cards!