Pre-season fishing report from Captain Butch. Water temps rising, ice is off, and the 2026 season is almost here. Here's what to expect in April.
The 2026 season is right around the corner, and Grand Traverse Bay is showing early signs that it’s going to be a good one. Here’s what Captain Butch is seeing as we head into April.
Current Conditions
Water Temperature: Mid to upper 30s. The bay still needs to warm up before smallmouth become consistently active, but we’re trending in the right direction. A few warm days in a row could push temps into the low 40s by early April.
Water Clarity: Excellent, as usual. Visibility is 10 to 15 feet in most areas. The spring runoff hasn’t muddied things up, and the bay is looking clean.
Weather Pattern: We’ve had a mix of warm days and cold nights. The pattern needs to stabilize with consistent warm weather to really get the fish moving. The extended forecast is showing daytime highs in the 50s starting the first week of April, which is encouraging.
Ice Status: Ice is off the bay. Some of the smaller inland lakes in the region still have remnant ice, but Grand Traverse Bay has been open for a few weeks now.
What the Fish Are Doing
Right now, smallmouth are still in their deep winter locations, holding in 30 to 50 feet of water over rocky structure. They’re not actively feeding much at these temperatures, but that changes quickly once the water hits the mid-40s.
The first fish to move shallow will be males scouting for spawning areas. This typically starts in late April on Grand Traverse Bay, though the exact timing depends on how fast the water warms. Keep an eye on the reports for updates as we get closer.
What Captain Butch Expects for April
“I’m optimistic about this season. The bay looks healthy, the water levels are good, and we had solid spawning conditions last year, which means there should be plenty of fish this spring.” — Captain Butch
Early April trips will focus on deeper structure where fish are transitioning from winter patterns to pre-spawn staging areas. Drop shots and ned rigs fished slowly near rocky ledges and gravel transitions will be the primary approach. As the month progresses and water temps climb, expect the action to pick up steadily.
By the last week of April, if the weather cooperates, the pre-spawn bite should be building. That’s when things get exciting.
Booking Update
The 2026 season opens April 1. May and June weekends are already filling up, and July is starting to book. If you’re planning a trip during peak months, booking sooner rather than later is the move.
Call Captain Butch at (231) 883-2200 or visit the Trips & Rates page to check availability and reserve your dates.
Stay Updated
This is the first fishing report of the 2026 season. Captain Butch will post regular updates throughout the April-through-October season with current conditions, what’s biting, and what techniques are working. Check back here or follow us on Instagram and Facebook for the latest from the water.