LANSING, Mich. (AP) Angler numbers continue to drop as many pursue hunting, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources said Wednesday in its weekly fishing report. Some are preparing for the onset of ice fishing season. Those looking for whitefish will want to get out there as the action continues to improve daily.

^SOUTHEAST LOWER PENINSULA:

Lake Erie: Anglers were still catching yellow perch between Metro Park and Rat Island in 8 feet of water. Brest Bay is still providing the better walleye action. Anglers are trolling pink rapalas. Bluegills are still being caught in the Metro Park Marina. Try a tear drop with a wax worm.

Huron River: Steelhead have been caught between Rockwood and Flat Rock. Try spawn or crank baits below the dam. Boat anglers were launching from the access site on the downstream side of the Telegraph Road Bridge and heading downstream to find some of the deeper holes.

Detroit River: Yellow perch have been caught in 8 feet of water on the north side of Sugar Island. For walleye, anglers are fishing the lower river near Gibraltar. Most are handlining just outside the Humbug Marina and near Calf Island.

Lake St. Clair: Anglers fishing off the 400 Club have caught some yellow perch when using minnows. Target the weed line.

St. Clair River: Walleye anglers were launching from the Pine River and fishing in Canadian waters.

Saginaw Bay: Walleye have been caught in 12 to 16 feet of water near the mouth of the Saginaw River and around the sailing buoys. Most are trolling body baits. Those fishing the cuts and canals caught some perch but many were small.

Tittabawassee River: Walleye anglers were still finding fair to good numbers of walleye in the lower river. Boat anglers are vertical jigging.

Saginaw River: Good numbers of walleye were in the lower river. Those fishing between Bay City and the mouth have caught yellow perch. Many are small however those willing to put in the time might be able to catch enough for a meal.

^SOUTHWEST LOWER PENINSULA:

St. Joe: Pier anglers are still taking some steelhead and the whitefish action continues to build. Spawn was the bait of choice.

St. Joe River: Steelhead were caught upstream between Jasper Dairy and Berrien Springs. Fresh fish were still being caught. Try orange Hot-n-Tots or spawn.

Grand Haven: Some fresh steelhead are still being caught off the piers. Try floating spawn or casting rapalas, body baits or small spoons. Fair to good numbers of whitefish have been caught.

Grand River at Grand Rapids: Anglers are still catching steelhead when using a white jig with wax worms or spawn. Most are floating over the holes or back bouncing. Fair to good walleye action near Futon Street and the off the east wall when using paddle tail grubs. Glow in the dark worked well. Those fishing Riverside Park were catching crappie and bluegill.

Grand River at Lansing: The occasional steelhead has been caught near Lyons and the Webber Dam. Walleye, smallmouth bass and bowfin have been caught in Grand Ledge at Fitzgerald Park. Anglers are reminded that the park is temporarily closed and will reopen on Friday, Nov. 20.

Muskegon: Daytime anglers have caught steelhead off the pier when casting spoons or floating spawn. Whitefish have also been caught by pier and boat anglers in the early morning or late evening.

Muskegon Lake: The northwest corner was giving up some nice bluegills.

Perch have been caught around the lake however most were small. Night anglers caught a few walleye near the Bear Lake Channel and along the drop-offs when trolling crank baits. Clown and perch patterns worked best.

White Lake: Those fishing the channel have caught whitefish. Hot colors were gold, orange, silver or glow in the dark.

^NORTHEAST LOWER PENINSULA:

Alpena: Whitefish are just now starting to spawn in earnest which means the peak of whitefish season will take place over the next two weeks. Anglers are fishing the reefs of Thunder Bay with hook and line or spearing at night.

Thunder Bay River: Anglers are now taking whitefish below the Ninth Street Dam. Those fishing for steelhead with spawn this time of year have an excellent chance of taking a whitefish or two. Best fishing is dawn and dusk.

Harrisville: Pier anglers continue to catch steelhead and walleye. Steelhead were hitting on spawn. The occasional walleye was also taken.

Oscoda: The whitefish action has been very good off the end of the piers. Anglers are using a jig with a wax worm and fishing on the bottom. Some walleye have been caught near the mouth.

Au Sable River: Steelhead are hitting on spawn all the way up to Foote Dam. Whitefish are in the lower river and hitting on a small jig with a wax worm or a single egg. Some walleye have also been caught.

Higgins Lake: Had no fishing activity to report. Anglers are hunting or waiting for ice fishing season.

Tawas: Whitefish action continues off the State Dock. Fish have been caught just off the bottom in the early morning and at night. Anglers are still finding light numbers of steelhead and the occasional walleye.

Rifle River: Had reports of steelhead being caught.

^NORTHWEST LOWER PENINSULA:

Traverse City: Some whitefish are still being caught in the East Bay by those using Swedish Pimples, Sand Kickers and Elk Rapids jigs. Perch anglers were fishing the West Bay.

Long Lake: Perch are still being caught by boat anglers.

Lake Leelanau: Anglers are still heading out for perch and the occasional walleye.

Frankfort: Steelhead and whitefish are still being caught off the pier. Those surfcasting have also caught fish.

Betsie River: Water levels are low and clear however steelhead are still being caught. Target the deeper holes until water levels come back up.

Manistee: Had good steelhead fishing off the piers and in the surf.

Manistee River: Steelhead fishing remains good however the water levels are low and clear. The fish are easily spooked during low water levels and that makes them harder to catch. Anglers will want to target the deeper holes and runs which support plenty of wood cover.

Ludington: Pier anglers are still taking steelhead and some whitefish.

Try floating spawn or wax worms under a bobber.

Pere Marquette River: Had fair to good steelhead action. Low water levels here are also making it harder to catch fish. Fish the deeper holes until we get some rain.

Pentwater River: Is still producing some steelhead.

^UPPER PENINSULA:

Black River: In Gogebic County was producing some lake trout.

Lake Gogebic: Had good walleye fishing with some limit catches reported.

Little Bay De Noc: Walleye action was slow and fewer fish were marked. Those trolling at night did manage to catch a few fish just off the East Bank near Kipling in 22 to 40 feet of water. Those jigging minnows and crawlers or trolling crank baits during the day found a few fish in 25 to 40 feet of water. Good pike action just off the Narrows when trolling crank baits in 10 to 15 feet of water. A fair number of perch were caught out from Brach's Cabins in 10 to 14 feet of water. Most anglers were jigging minnows.