Go Fish, Trenton and Grosse Ile: Fishing License Fees Waived Feb. 16-17

It's free fishing on inland and Great Lakes this weekend in Michigan.

Go Fish, Trenton and Grosse Ile: Fishing License Fees Waived Feb. 16-17

It's free fishing on inland and Great Lakes this weekend in Michigan.

Attention, anglers, it's a free fishing weekend in Michigan. Twice a year, the Department of Natural Resources waives fishing license fees to give resident and out-of-state fishermen a chance to enjoy their sport on any of the state's inland and Great Lakes' waters. All fishing regulations will still apply, but anglers are free to pursue all species of fish. This year's free fishing weekends are Feb. 16-17 and June 8-9. Trenton and Grosse Ile residents can find several designated fishing spots just outside thier front doors. For the latest Trenton and Grosse Ile news and information, "like" Trenton-Grosse Ile Patch on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and sign up for our daily newsletter.

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Nice Catch! Michigan's 'Summer Free Fishing Weekend' is Coming Soon

Fish on, on June 9 and 10.

Mark your calendars for June 9 and 10, a weekend where everyone who is in the state of Michigan can officially fish without a license. Though all other fishing regulations will still apply, residents and non-residents alike can partake in this annual free-for-all event, happening across the state since 1986. The purpose of the 'Free Fishing' weekend is to promote awareness of our state's abundance of freshwater resources, along with getting people interested in the recreational sport that is fishing. Michigan boasts more than 3,000 miles of Great Lakes shoreline, 36,000 miles of rivers and 11,000 inland lakes. Check out the official 'Summer Free Fishing Weekend' website for all things related to this unique weekend.

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Cool Weather Slows Fishing

Low catch rates have been reported due in large part to weather shifts, disrupting local fishing going into the weekend.

Fishing is slow going into the weekend thanks to the cold front that has moved into the region, with anglers working hard to catch much of anything. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources reported that perch were being caught in the Detroit River near Lake Erie. In a message from Frank Chakrabarty of the Trenton Lighthouse bait shop, he agreed that perch and also walleye fishing were decent. Anglers fishing around the Cross-Dike and in the shipping channel are reporting bass catches, but shore fishing is slow. Going further south into Lake Erie, fishermen are doing perch limits near Brest Bay in Monroe County, in 25 feet of water. Water temperatures are hanging around the mid 60s to low 70s, but rain and scattered storms are …

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Labor Day Weekend Sees Storms And Slow Fishing For Anglers

A slowdown of fishing action in the waters and forecasted storms on Saturday and Sunday may put a damper on those planning on going out on the lake.

Anglers are reporting a slight slowdown in fishing going into the Labor Day weekend, though with cooling waters the action should be picking up. Frank Chakrabarty, owner of the Trenton Lighthouse, said “Some fishermen are reporting good to spotty fishing.” He added that silver bass have been caught out on the river using minnows and shiners. Perch have also been found in the river around Celeron and Sugar Islands, and walleye have been spotted in the lower Trenton Channel. Chakrabarty also said catfish and smallmouth bass have been reported in the river. Water temperatures are hanging in the mid 70s at the moment, which should help draw in fish, but with the weather forecasting scattered thunderstorms on Saturday and Sunday boaters should …

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Friday Fishing Report

Perch And Catfish In The River Going Into The Weekend

Despite a rainy forecast for Saturday, there appears to be good fishing going into the weekend in the river and Lake Erie.

Outside of possible storms on Saturday, the weather for fishing looks solid going into the weekend for local anglers. Skies should be clear on Friday and Sunday, and the fishing itself appears to be good. “The weather seems to be cooling down, which should help keep the fish in the river,” said Frank Chakrabarty of the Trenton Lighthouse bait shop. Fishermen are catching perch around Celeron, Sugar, and Calf islands, as well as around the Cross Dike. Chakrabarty also added that walleye fishing in general seems to be good, as well as catfish along the river. Further south, walleye are being caught in Lake Erie near the Fermi Power Plant in 20 feet of water, as well as near Sterling State Park in 20-27 feet of water. Pink and yellow perch …

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Weekend Rain May Disrupt Fishing

Perch and Smallmouth Bass are in the river, but possible bad weather could keep anglers away.

Fishing pressure is light on the river going into the weekend, but the fish are still out there biting. Perch fishing is decent, according to Trenton Lighthouse owner Frank Chakrabarty, who said that fishermen are catching those out around Calf Island, Celeron Island, and the Cross Dike area. Smallmouth bass are also reported as being caught around Elizabeth Park, and the riverfront in Wyandotte, he said, while walleye are being caught southward in Lake Erie, in “18 to 24 feet of water near the Fermi Power Planet.” “It’s quiet out there, and people are catching fish,” he said. “There are just not a lot of guys out there.” The weekend weather is forecast as being rainy, however, with scattered rain storms moving in Saturday afternoon and …

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Friday Fishing Report

Walleye Action Good Going Into Weekend

Though not many anglers are on the water, so far, this week, the ones that are there are doing limits on walleye.

Anglers that have been going out on the Trenton Channel have been catching limits on walleye, though competition seems fairly light. “I don’t know if it’s the economy or the weather or what,” said Frank Chakrabarty, owner of the Trenton Lighthouse bait shop. “There’s lots of walleye but no fishermen.” Chakrabarty said anglers have been catching walleye around Celeron & Calf Islands, as well as south into Lake Erie. Additionally, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources reports other anglers have had success around Horse Island with rapalas, spoons, and flat fish with nightcrawlers. Chakrabarty added that perch action is also pretty good out on the river, and some fishermen report success south of Sugar & Celeron Islands. The DNR also …

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Friday Fishing Report

Smallmouth Bass Tournament Kicks Off Fine Fishing Weekend

Desirable fish of all kinds are hanging around the Trenton Channel and south into Lake Erie, though the smallmouth bass is currently king.

The Detroit River at Trenton has been rife with both anglers and fish, as the EverStart Central Division Tournament for smallmouth bass kicked off this week. The event is planned to only last through Friday, but according to Frank Chakrabarty of the Trenton Lighthouse, the action looks like it should remain furious. “Smallmouth bass have gone nuts,” said Chakrabarty. “There are about 140 boats on the river, and everyone is doing limits.” Though smallmouth bass are getting much of the attention, other prized fish are still hanging around. Chakrabarty said that silver bass are still in the Livingston shipping channel, and that yellow-belly perch are still southward in Lake Erie. In addition, catfish are still in the river itself. “Fishing is…

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Fishing Action is Up Over Holiday Weekend

The fish are biting in the river, just in time for the July 4 weekend.

The long holiday weekend is shaping up to be a good one for Trenton anglers, with action picking up along the Detroit River. Though silver bass action has been a bit quiet, smallmouth bass, walleye, and yellow-belly perch are all making their presence known, according to Trenton Lighthouse owner Frank Chakrabarty. “A guy came in here the other day and said he caught an 8-pound walleye,” said Chakrabarty. The yellow-belly perch seem to be found largely around the cross dike and Celeron Island, he added. Water temperatures are in the mid to high 60s, according to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, and as a result walleye are being driven into deeper waters. Minnow type lures and pencil plugs are proving successful at catching …

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