Fishing Report For Lake Leelanau, MI

Current Report: Good To Very Good

FALL. As Fall arrives, smallmouth here follow schools of baitfish into coves and bays 5 to 15 feet deep. This is where jerkbaits, crankbaits, and slow-rolled spinnerbaits, are being successful. Later in Fall, smallies move to slightly deeper water, around 10 to 20 feet deep. Fishing shallow for smallmouth is often good on cold, windy, cloudy and rainy days.

WINTER. Ice fishing is decent in winter around deeper, rocky structures, points, flats and creek channels, often suspending in open water above these features. They can generally be found from 20 to 35 feet deep. Tube baits, jigging spoons, drop shots and Ned rigs often produce when fished with a very slow presentation. Here they hold, feeding less frequently, awaiting warmer water to return in Spring.

SPRING. When water temperatures rise into the 50's now, smallmouth have moved from deep wintering spots to shallower water, just outside spawning areas. They feeding heavily in 5 to 15 feet of water at this time, and are typically caught on jerkbaits, crankbaits, tube baits, Ned rigs, and crayfish imitating plastics. Once water warms into the high 50's, they move into shallower water, and create nests in gravel or sand areas, then lay their eggs. Females then move to deeper water and males remain to guard the eggs, and then the fry. After a couple weeks, the males also move to 15 to 25 feet deep, and feed aggressively. Crankbaits, tube baits, Ned rigs, plastic worms, spoons and swimbaits are catching smallies during this period.

SUMMER. Smallmouth bass feed shallow early and late in the day, where they are typically caught on topwater, crankbaits, swimbaits, Ned rigs and tube baits. Many locals report good success in the narrows between North Lake Leelanau and South Lake Leelanau. Smallmouth bass here feed on crawfish, gizzard shad, and small sunfish. They prefer rocky or gravel bottom areas, as this is where crayfish live. During the hotter parts of the day, they are being caught on points, humps, and ledges 15 to 30 feet deep. Often these deeper fish are part of a small school of smallmouth.

Current Report: Fair To Good

FALL. Fishing reports by local fishing guides and walleye enthusiasts tend to confirm the belief that Lake Leelanau is the best walleye lake in the state. The north basin is the most popular walleye destination. Fall brings cooler temperatures to shallow water, drawing walleye and baitfish shallower. Jigs, swimbaits, spoons, crankbaits, jerkbaits, and spinnerbaits are all historically good for catching walleye this time of year. Early Fall finds them in 10 to 25 feet of water. Later in Fall, they move out deeper again. Dragging jigs or worm harnesses with nightcrawlers or leeches, or bottom bouncers, around ledge drop-offs catches walleye fairly consistently. Watch for the bigger walleye to be slightly deeper than the majority of the school.

WINTER. This Winter, ice fishing for walleye was quite good. Before, during and after the ice, anglers report catching them in 20 to 35 feet of water, along creek channel edges, humps and ledges. They primarily feed on small fish, staying close to the bottom. After ice-out blade baits, jigs, swimbaits, spoons, deep-diving crankbaits, and worm harness spinners, are all working while deep trolling or slow drifting.

SPRING. Early Spring brings warming water in the shallows, and draws walleye here to feed, especially rocky areas and inlet channels. In Spring work the river area, and anywhere water is flowing in. Here, in 5 to 15 feet deep, they will spawn once the water warms to the mid to high 40's. When they move shallow, bright colored jigs, tipped with minnows or nightcrawlers typically catch them. Spinnerbaits, jerkbaits and crankbaits are also working when walleye are up shallow. Afterwards, they move to 10 to 20 feet deep around points, flats, shoals and ledges, nearby shore, often staying in close proximity to their spawning locations.

SUMMER. Water temperatures rise in Summer, and walleye fishing is good if you can get your bait deep enough. Walleye prefer the cooler temperatures of deeper water. Focus on water depths from 20 feet to 40 feet during the day, 10 to 20 feet deep at night. Jigs tipped with minnows or worms work well for casting or slow trolling with deep-diving crankbaits. Throughout Summer, early in the morning, and from dusk to long after dark are good times to catch walleye. At those times they move slightly shallower to feed in low-light conditions. Night fishing is often good in Summer, as well. The rest of the time they are cruising flats and creek channel edges. When the bite is slow, grubs and nightcrawlers, fished just off the bottom are catching walleye.

Current Report: Good To Very Good

Plenty of yellow perch can be found throughout both North Lake Leelanau and South Lake Leelanau. Locals report excellent fishing year round - ice fishing in Winter, shallow fishing in Spring and Fall, and deeper structure fishing in Summer.

FALL. Early Fall finds yellow perch feeding aggressively in 10 to 20 feet of water, especially around weed lines and drop offs, Later in the Fall, they begin migrating toward Winter holding areas, often in the deeper sections around the narrows. Minnows, spinners, spoons and crankbaits are ideal this time of year.

WINTER. The cold of winter drives perch deeper again in search of food and stable water conditions. Mid-depth flats are ideal Winter holding spots. Early in Winter, perch are caught when they are feeding in weedy areas, in 10 to 20 of water. Later in Winter, as the lake freezes over they descend into 25 to 35 feet of water. Fishing for perch through the ice was good again this year, using minnows, mealworms, maggots, and nightcrawlers.

SPRING. Perch spawn in Spring when the water temperature warms to the mid 50's and mid 60's. Anglers are beginning to catch them in 5 to 15 feet of water using minnows, mealworms, maggots, and nightcrawlers. Docks, weed lines, and drop offs all attract yellow perch searching for a meal. Spinners, jigs, and minnows are good options for Spring perch fishing.

SUMMER. Fat yellow perch here feed primarily on small fish and invertebrates. Spinners, underspins, small crankbaits, mealworms, nightcrawlers and maggots are catching perch in slightly deeper water. Seek them out 15 to 30 feet deep, around drop-offs and areas with submerged vegetation.