By Louie Stout

Steelhead fishing continues to provide good action on the St. Joseph River, while lake fishing is slowly coming around.

Steelhead continue to filter into the river although the spring run is near its peak. More than 2,800 steelhead have moved into South Bend so far and anglers are enjoying success.

“There’s a lot of fish on the gravel right now,” said Dick Parker of Central Park Bait in Mishawaka. “The river is in great shape; a little low but the water is clean. I know of a few 12-pounders being caught.”

Flies, fresh spawn and Corkies drifted over the gravel have been good baits.

Anglers are advised to be careful with the young fish that were planted in recent days. They are undersized and fragile, so unhook and release them gently.

Bryan Williams of Trailhead Mercantile in Niles said he’s getting good reports along the lower river as well.

“I’m still hearing a few reports of fresh steelhead being caught,” he said. “The Berrien Springs area is still fairly active with fish. Spawn baits have been best but we’re starting to hear of some fish being caught on Oslos (spinners).”

For those who enjoy sucker fishing, Williams said fishing has been very good. Suckers will bite just about any livebait presentation fished on or near the bottom.

Weather continues to plague inland lake fishing although bluegills, crappies and bass are starting to move shallow.

“Anglers expect everything to happen at once, but remember, it was a long winter and the fish are slowly adapting,” said Williams. “I really look for it to bust open in the coming days.”

Everyone agrees we need some warmer nights to retain the warmth in the water generated by daytime sunshine. Lake temperatures range from the upper 40s to mid-50s.

Crappies are providing the best reports for panfishermen, especially in the wind-protected bays and channels off the main lake. Minnows are accounting for most of the crappie catches.

“The river has been pretty good for crappies,” said Mike McNulty of Midway Bait in Osceola. “The fish are hanging around brush piles. A few walleyes are being caught around bridge pilings, an indication that the spawn may be near the end.”

Darrin Schaap of Clear H2o said fishing has been improving for just about all species.

“Crappies are being caught shallow and the perch are finishing up the spawn,” he said. “Bluegills are starting to move up. Bubble bobbers and flies have been working best for ‘gills, and the better fishing is later in the afternoon once the water warms up.”

Bass fishing, he added, has been improving daily. Jerkbaits and Poor Boys Darters have been the best baits, fished in 10 feet or less.

Muskie fishing is getting better on the Kosciusko County lakes as well. Todd Sautter of the Tackle Box in North Webster said several 40-inch-plus fish have been caught.

The Indiana DNR reports good walleye fishing at Lake Maxinkuckee, Winona Lake, Sylvan Lake and Lake of the Woods.

According to biologist Neil Ledet, fishing is best after sunset when the walleyes move into spawn. Most walleyes are in 2 to 4 feet of water on windswept shorelines or shallow submerged islands, he said. Suspended jerkbaits with rattles are good baits to use.

Coho have been biting well on Lake Michigan when the wind allows boaters to get out. Biologist Brian Breidert said limits of coho have been caught inside 30-foot depths at Michigan City. A few kings and lakers are being caught in deeper water.