Fishing opportunities remain good for Michiana anglers as the fish in inland lakes are beginning to transition from spring to summer patterns.

This might be a good weekend for Hoosiers to sample Michigan fishing as the state offers its free fishing weekend. That means no license is required for residents or non-residents but all other regulations apply.

Bluegill bedding activity has continued on most lakes although not quite the peak it was two weeks ago. Nonetheless, bluegills are still being caught shallow given the unseasonably cooler weather. They’ll remain relatively shallow until water temperatures climb into the mid- to upper 70s.

“The cold fronts this week has slowed fishing somewhat, but there are still a lot of fish being caught,” noted Bryan Williams of Trailhead Mercantile in Niles.

“Fishing is still pretty good for bluegill and crappie,” added Bonnie Kelley of Kelley’s Bait in Lakeville.

Wax worms, red wigglers and flies are producing most of the bluegills.

“I’ve been out a couple of times the past week and am still catching bluegills off beds,” offered Kevin Claire of Lunker’s. “Most of the crappies have spawned but I’m hearing of them being caught on the outer edge of the weeds over deeper water and suspended off the bottom.”

River bluegill fishing has been good, too, says Mike McNulty of Midway Bait in Osceola.

“They’re catching them deeper, say 6 to 8 feet of water, along the river,” he said.

Bass are winding up their spawning activities as well and are starting to become more aggressive. Soft plastic baits, jigs and an array of crankbaits are catching quite a few fish on flats and the inside edges of weeds on the inland lakes.

“The smallmouth have really been biting on the river,” said Williams. “Curly tail grubs, small Rapalas and Brad’s Wigglers (crankbaits) are accounting for the best river bass action I’m hearing about.”

Walleye fishing has been good on the St. Joseph River above Twin Branch dam although most of the fish are sub-legal, said McNulty.

Dick Parker of Central Park Bait in Mishawaka agreed, noting that walleyes are being caught in Central Park along the wall and below Twin Branch.

There have been some scattered reports of a few Skamania steelhead moving into the St. Joseph River. The Skamania are programmed to run into the river during summer months where they will remain through the fall and winter. However, summer runs have been minimal in recent years.

Lake Michigan biologist Brian Breidert said some steelhead have been caught off the Michigan City pier and in the harbors while boat anglers are getting a few steelhead and coho just outside the harbor mouth.

“It looks like a lot of bait has moved in and the trout and salmon are gorging themselves,” he said. “Coho up to 5 pounds have been caught consistently while kings have been spotty. Water temperature has been 46 degrees from top to bottom.”

Breidert noted that a couple of nice brow trout also have been taken.

In addition, muskies have been hitting on the Barbee Chain, according to Dave Garber of the Tackle Box in North Webster. Most anglers are throwing crankbaits shallow, luring the fish to the boat, and then the muskies are taking the suckers on lines dragged behind the boat.

Williams also said catfishing has been good on the river.

“Man, they’ve been biting everything, including lures,” he explained. “I’m hearing that from a lot of people.”