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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. Theyll remain relatively shallow until water temperatures climb into the mid- to upper 70s.
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Bluegills, bluegills and more bluegills.
Thats the report coming in from area bait shops as we head into the Memorial Day Weekend.
Americas favorite panfish is shallow and aggressive as they began spawning activity this week.
It seems that all the lakes have turned on at once, said Kevin Claire of Lunkers. Historically, the bluegills move into shallow areas on the shallow lakes first followed by the deeper lakes. But this year, the fish are shallow everywhere.
You can choose your bait of choice wax worms, red wigglers, red worms or get em on a fly. Claire said poppers and spiders have been good, but so have the black ants and small sinking flies.
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If you arent catching fish this week, you better change locations or tactics.
A survey of area bait and tackle shops reveals good fishing north and south of the state line. Its mostly crappies and bluegills, although just about everything is getting active.
Crappies are starting to spawn while the bluegills are still a few weeks away on most lakes. The late spring hasnt given the eggs time to develop in the deeper, colder waters. Dark bottom, shallower waters may see bedding long before the clearer lakes.
Crappies have been on fire for the past two weeks. Mike McNulty of Midway Marine said they are bedding in the St. Joseph River channels and Dick Parker said hes getting good crappie reports from gravel pit and Potato Creek fishermen.
Bonnie Kelley said shes heard similar reports about Potato Creek but noted anglers tell her they are running small.
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Ive always believed we have some of the nations best fishing at our doorstep and Bassmaster Magazine agrees.
The 500,000-circulation periodical listed the nations best bass fishing lakes and six of those lie within 3 1/2 hours of South Bend.
More impressively, Michigans Lake St. Clair landed No. 1.
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Seasons Open Saturday, April 27, 2013Saturday is a big day for anglers who enjoy fishing in Indiana and Michigan.
Indianas stream trout season opens and runs through Dec. 31. The inland lake trout season across northern Indiana is open all year.
For details and locations of Indianas put and take trout streams, visit www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/files/fw-trout_locations.pdf.
In Michigan, its the opener of the statewide trout season while Michigans Lower Peninsula inland walleye, northern pike, muskellunge seasons and the catch-and-immediate release bass seasons.
It should be noted that in Upper Peninsula waters, the walleye, pike and muskellunge seasons dont open until May 15 which is the same date the catch-and-immediate-release season for bass opens in those same waters.