Fishing Report For Indian Lake, MI

Current Report: Fair To Good

Bluegill are a primary food source for predator fish here, as well as a sport fish for fun, and great table fare. Local anglers report quality bluegill being caught with some frequency.

WINTER. Cooling shallows have driven the bluegill back to deeper cover. In early Winter, they are being caught around deeper weed edges. In areas with no cover, anglers typically find them around drop offs, into even deeper water. Ice fishing, in water ranging from 12 to 25 feet deep, will be the next fishing opportunity for anglers. Small pieces of worms, and other baits worked slowly, tends to get the best results.

SPRING. In early Spring, bluegill migrate from winter holding areas toward the shoreline areas, and are typically caught around 4 to 12 feet deep. The northeast corner of the lake, in the area around the Big Springs Boat Ramp. is ideal spawning grounds. As the water warms to the mid 70's, later in Spring, they will begin the spawning ritual. They build nests in 3 to 6 feet of water. Many of the bigger bluegill prefer to spawn a bit deeper, depending on water clarity. After the spawn, bluegill drop to 4 or 8 feet deep. Small spinners and swimbaits, or jigs tipped with small pieces of nightcrawlers are good choices for catching a lot of bluegill in Spring.

SUMMER. Following the spawn, most bluegill hang out in 4 to 6 feet of water. They prefer rocky or weedy areas, often hanging out on steep, rocky banks where they can move up and down to feed without having to travel a great distance. Small spoons, underspins, and mini-crankbaits are catching some of the bigger bluegill. Earthworms also catch good numbers. Early and late in the day, anglers catch them in 1 to 6 feet of water.

FALL. Cooling, Fall weather drops the water temperature in the shallows and bluegill move shallow to feed, around the edges of weedlines in 6 to 15 feet of water. Steeper banks, and shallow weedy areas with drop-offs, are hold bluegill this time of year. Later in Fall, as the shallows get colder, bluegill will move out to 10 to 15 feet of water, in many of the same areas.

Current Report: Good To Very Good

A stable population of yellow perch reside here, providing good fishing for anglers, and food for predator fish. They are also very tasty table fare.

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 were caught when they are feeding around weedy areas, in 10 to 15 of water. Currently, as the lake begins to freeze over they descend as deep as 20 feet. Plenty of yellow perch were caught last winter through the ice, and there's no reason to expect anything different this year. Popular baits include small spoons, 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 will begin to catch them in 4 to 12 feet of water using spinners, small spinnerbaits, underspins, minnows, mealworms, maggots, and nightcrawlers. Docks, weed lines, drop offs all attract yellow perch searching for a meal. Later in Spring, they migrate toward shallow water to feed. Shallow bays off west shore, and the southwest, grassy shoreline near Indian Lake State Park, have historically delivered great stringers of perch.

SUMMER. Fat yellow perch here feed primarily on small fish and invertebrates. Spinners, underspins, small crankbaits, mealworms, nightcrawlers and maggots are catching perch in 10 to 20 feet of water. In early Summer, plus the first and last hours of the day, seek them out in feeding zones, 6 to 15 feet deep. Drop-offs, shallow weed lines, and in areas with submerged vegetation, are key feeding spots.

FALL. Early Fall finds yellow perch feeding in 8 to 18 feet of water. Later in the Fall, they begin migrating toward Winter holding areas, often in the deeper sections, around the edges of weedbeds, drop offs along flats, channel edges, rock piles and humps. Minnows, spinners, spoons and small jigs are ideal this time of year.

Current Report: Good

WINTER. This Winter, fishing for walleye has been pretty good, as it has been for the last few years. Before, during and after the ice, anglers report catching them in the main basin area, in 12 to 20 feet of water, along deep creek channel edges, rocky humps and ledges. At night they often feed in 6 to 12 feet of water. Steep drops in the area toward the dam are also producing during these cold months. These same areas and depths are classic spots during the upcoming ice fishing season. 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, all work while deep trolling or drifting. Edges of weedbeds in the west and northwest corner, and mid-lake flats northeast of Indian Lake State Park, are popular areas in Winter.

SPRING. Early Spring brings warming water in the shallows, and draws walleye here to feed, especially rocky areas and inlet channels. The best months for catching walleye are late April through August. In Spring, work points, drop offs, submerged structure, ledges, and flats adjacent to deeper water. The upriver end of the lake, from the Big Springs Boat Ramp to the Alexis Raney Wildlife Area, is popular during their annual spawn run, which starts in late March. Here, in 1 to 4 feet deep, they will spawn when the water warms to the mid to high 40's. When they are shallow, bright colored jigs, tipped with minnows or nightcrawlers are typically productive. Spinnerbaits, jerkbaits and crankbaits are also working when walleye are up shallow. Afterwards, they move to 8 to 10 feet deep around points, flats, shoals and ledges, nearby shore, often staying in close proximity to their spawning locations. Inlets from creeks on the north and west side of the lake usually produce some nice fish.

SUMMER. Water temperatures rise notably in Summer, and walleye fishing is good if you can get your bait deep enough. Early in Summer, walleye tend to concentrate in 10 to 12 feet of water. As Summer develops they descend in deeper water, around 10 to 18 feet deep. Trolling with crankbaits or crawler harnesses is popular during the warm months. Throughout Summer, early in the morning, and from dusk to long after dark are good times to catch walleye. At those times they move shallow, in 4 to 10 feet of water, to feed in low-light conditions. Night fishing is often good in Summer, as well. When the bite is slow, grubs and nightcrawlers, fished just off the bottom typically catch walleye.

FALL. Fall brings cooler temperatures to shallow water, drawing walleye and baitfish into coves and bays. Walleye continue to be a major draw for anglers, even as the weather cools. Locals report catching nice walleye on long points, flats along the river and creek channels, and structure off shore. Jigs, swimbaits, spoons, crankbaits, jerkbaits, and spinnerbaits are all historically good for catching walleye this time of year. Early in Fall finds them in 8 to 10 feet of water, in Late Fall they hold 8 to 16 feet deep. Dragging jigs, bottom bouncers, or worm harnesses with nightcrawlers or leeches, around ledge drop-offs catches walleye fairly consistently. Watch for the bigger walleye to be slightly deeper than the majority of the school.