09-20-2007, 09:49 AM
[font "Arial, Helvetica"]Thursday, September 20, 2007 [/font] [font "Arial, Helvetica"]Recreational Fishing Report[/font]
[font "Arial, Helvetica"]![[Image: fish_reportmap2_23340_7.gif]](http://www.michigan.gov/images/fish_reportmap2_23340_7.gif)
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[url "http://www.coastwatch.msu.edu/"][font "Arial, Helvetica"][#000000]Great Lakes temperature map[/#000000][/font][/url]
Warmer temperatures this week will slow the salmon so anglers will want to fish the deeper holes. Though some areas have already reported catching dark fish, there is still fresh fish to be found. This is a good time to catch bass and monster bluegills.
Southeast Lower Peninsula
Lake Erie - Perch fishing has been good around the Second and Third Buoys which are straight out from the Raisin River. Try fishing right off the bottom in 17 feet of water with minnows and perch rigs.
Huron River - The steelhead are not in yet and warm temperatures this week will not help. A few walleye were caught at the dam in the evening. Some nice bluegills and smallmouth bass were caught in the backwaters at Huroc Park.
Detroit River - Perch anglers are still taking fish in the lower river when using minnows. There is still some action in the Trenton Channel with a few walleye taken when trolling bottom bouncers and crawler harnesses. Bass are hitting on spinners.
Lake St. Clair - Bass are hitting on spinners, tube baits and worms. The better fishing has been along the weedbeds and near structure. The occasional pike and musky have also been caught.
Lexington - A few salmon have started to show up in the harbor. Pier anglers casting for salmon have caught some pike.
Port Sanilac - There are a few salmon showing up in the harbors, and they are starting to draw some angler interest. Most of the fishing has been from the piers as it has been too windy for boats.
Harbor Beach - Light numbers of salmon are showing up here as well. Pier anglers are casting spawn or small spoons.
Port Austin - Has no salmon yet, however those casting have caught a few smallmouth bass near the mouth of Bird Creek.
Saginaw Bay - Light numbers of perch are being caught at the Spark Plug and four miles east around Buoys 15, 17, and 22. Most of the fish are running 8 to 12 inches. A few walleye were caught off Quanicassee when using crawlers in 5 to 7 feet of water. Some perch were caught near the mouth of the Sebewaing River. Shore anglers in the marina at Sebewaing were catching crappie.
Southwest Lower Peninsula
St. Joseph - Boat anglers are catching mostly chinook salmon when trolling between the piers and in the mud lines of the river. Pier anglers have also caught fair to good numbers of salmon.
St. Joseph River - There are good numbers of coho, some steelhead and a few chinook salmon going through the ladder at Berrien Springs. The water is clearing up and the level in back to normal.
Kalamazoo River - Salmon are starting to show up at the Allegan Dam. Smallmouth bass fishing has been very good along the river.
Grand Haven - Fishing has really slowed in the channel and out in the big lake. Those trolling were lucky to catch a couple fish.
Grand River at Grand Rapids - The best action has been between 4am and 9am when fishing up near the Sixth Street Dam. Anglers have caught coho, a few chinook and some big brown trout. Warm temperatures will slow the fishing later in the day, so check out the deeper holes. Near Ionia, those fishing Prairie Creek have caught salmon. Bluegill and crappie fishing has been good just about everywhere.
Reeds Lake - Is the place to catch bluegills and big crappie.
Grand River at Lansing - Anglers are looking for salmon at the point where the Grand River meets the Red Cedar River, but not many fish to report at this time. Those looking for panfish reported good catches of crappie and bluegills.
Muskegon - Most boats are trolling in the channel as windy conditions have shut down fishing on the big lake. Those fishing early and late have managed to catch salmon when trolling spoons, plugs, flashers and flies. Pier anglers have also caught fish on the channel side.
Whitehall - Pier fishing has been very good. The early bite was only lasting until about an hour after daylight. The afternoons were slow with the action picking back up from 5pm until dark when casting Cleo's or mega baits.
Northeast Lower Peninsula
Rogers City - Fishing has been up and down as water temperatures are changing. Anglers reported lots of bait fish in the water, so look for schools of fish in 30 to 60 feet of water in the early morning. The better fishing continues to be from Calcite Harbor to Adams Point, but some are fishing around Forty Mile Point. Not many fish at the weir yet so most are still out in the lake. No reports of any salmon caught in the harbor or around the breakwalls.
Rockport - Anglers are catching chinook and walleye straight out from the launch site in 40 feet of water. Hot colors were chartreuse, blue, or black and white. The walleye were hitting on anything green.
Thunder Bay River - Anglers are catching salmon up near the Ninth Street Dam. Shore fishing has been good as well with the best action between dusk and nightfall. Hot lures for shore anglers have been yellow and black spoons or black and white rattletraps. Some nice bass were caught near the Island Park Bridge when using worms. Walleye were caught at the mouth of the river on artificial baits.
Harrisville - Chinook salmon were caught in 20 to 40 feet of water in the early morning or late evening. A few walleye and lake trout have also been taken. Salmon are starting to show up in the marina.
Oscoda - Those trolling found success within half mile of the pier when using spoons, J-plugs, or rapalas in 10 to 25 feet of water in the early morning. Salmon activity off of the pier was slow with only a couple fish caught.
Tawas - Walleye fishing has just about ended. Pier anglers caught a few perch early in the morning. Salmon are staging inside the harbor, but no fish were caught yet.
Au Gres - Some perch have been caught in 40 feet of water straight out from the mouth of the river and down near the hotel.
Au Gres River - A couple of salmon were taken by boat anglers trolling J-plugs. On the East Branch, a few salmon have been caught in the surf and in the lower Whitney Drain when casting spoons or drifting spawn.
Higgins Lake - Windy conditions have limited fishing activity. Those able to get out were targeting perch or trolling cowbells for lake trout.
Northwest Lower Peninsula
Crooked Lake - Some nice perch have been caught on minnows when fishing along the weedbeds. A few walleye were also caught on minnows.
Petoskey - Pier anglers and those wading have turned up some nice catches at night or early in the morning when casting spoons and diving plugs. Although some balmy days with sunshine have slowed results, fish have been biting well on the windy and overcast days.
Walloon Lake - Smallmouth bass have been caught in shallow waters near the rocky areas and docks or in deeper waters along the weedbeds. Try spinner baits or shallow diving lures. Most are targeting walleye at night.
Charlevoix - Action for salmon has been good one day and slow the next. Most of the fish caught have come from small boats running dipsey divers or long-lining in waters 30 to 100 feet deep right in front of the rivers and creeks. Pier and shore anglers caught fish in the early morning or at night when casting spoons or plugs.
Thumb Lake (Lake Louise) - Bass have been caught in 7 to 20 feet of water near the Methodist Camp which is located in the east basin. Try using spinners, tube baits, rapalas or crawlers. Bluegill and rock bass were caught in shallow waters near the public access site.
Traverse City - Salmon have been caught in both Bays. In the West Bay, they are fishing the deep hole right off the mouth of the river.
Boardman River - Those wading out in the mouth are fishing for salmon on the bay side of the bridge.
Long Lake - Walleye fishing has slowed, but anglers were still taking some fish when using a slip bobber and leech while anchored in 20 to 25 feet of water. A few fish were taken when trolling a crawler harness. Try both the east and west sides of South Island. The perch harvest has slowed as anglers were only catching little ones east of Long Island, in the North Bay and the South Bay. Some big bluegills were caught in and around the weedbeds.
Frankfort - Good numbers of fish are being caught in the Herring Hole, in front of the piers, and up past Point Betsie. With cooler waters close to shore, anglers were taking fish in waters 40 to 120 feet deep.
Betsie River - Anglers are catching fish from the Homestead Dam down to the M-22 Bridge when using spawn, spinners and flies. Those wading near the old Elberta Marina have caught fish.
Onekama - Some nice chrome fish have been caught down near the Saddle and along the north end of the Barrel when trolling spoons, J-plugs, or flies 20 to 50 feet down in waters 60 to 100 feet deep. Good colors have been white, blue, green, orange and anything that glows.
Portage Lake - Some nice panfish were caught on minnows and wigglers in 25 to 40 feet of water. Bass fishing was fair and pike have been caught along the drop offs on the north shore.
Manistee - Some boats have been trolling the harbor and around the piers for chinook and coho while others were still out fishing in 60 to 120 feet of water. Pier and shore anglers have also caught fish.
Manistee Lake - Is full of chinook salmon, and those trolling have caught good numbers of fish.
Manistee River - Salmon have been caught in the river but warmer temperatures will slow the action. Look for fish in the deeper holes. Steelhead were caught on spawn.
Ludington - Boat anglers trolling J-plugs in the harbor and around the piers have caught chinook salmon. Some are trolling in 30 to 40 feet of water and catching fish. Chinook and coho were caught off both piers but the North Pier was more productive.
Pere Marquette River - Salmon have been caught by those casting or drifting.
Pentwater - Pier fishing has been very good when casting Cleo's or mega baits. The better bite has been in the early morning until about an hour after daylight and later in the evening.
Upper Peninsula
Portage Lake - A couple walleye along with the one smallmouth bass were caught when jigging off the Humps. One walleye was taken in Pike Bay when drifting.
Paint River - Good brown trout fishing was reported on the South Branch when using artificial baits or wet flies.
Fortune Lake - Near Crystal Falls, has fair to good walleye fishing.
Michigamme Reservoir - Anglers are catching walleye but those in boats need to use extreme caution due to low water levels.
Little Bay De Noc - Walleye catches were down, but the fish caught were taken around the Black Bottom and the Fingers when trolling or drifting crawlers in 15 to 20 feet of water. Good smallmouth bass fishing when drifting or jigging crawlers off Hunters Point or fishing along the weedbeds near Brock's Cabins.
Ford River -The salmon runs have started. Anglers casting Cleo's or crankbaits have caught some nice silver fish down near the mouth.
Big Bay de Noc - Good bass fishing was reported across the mouth of Garden Bay when drifting minnows in 15 to 20 feet of water. Snail Shell Harbor and south to Snake Island also had fair to good catches when jigging or drifting minnows in 10 to 35 feet of water. Perch have been caught in Fayette Harbor when jigging crawlers.
Marquette - Chinook, coho, lake trout and walleye have been caught by those trolling in shallow waters near the lower harbor breakwall and near the mouth of the Chocolay and Carp Rivers.
Munising - Anglers fishing off the dock or wading near the mouth of the Anna River have caught a few coho and splake when casting spoons or spawn. Coho and splake were taken off the Grand Island dock, but catch rates were spotty.
Manistique River - The salmon runs have started and anglers are reporting fair to good catches.
De Tour - Boat anglers have caught a few chinook, coho and lake trout when fishing both sides of the channel. Those going out to the lighthouse are using blue, yellow, and white spoons or green and silver J-plugs. No atlantic or pink salmon have been caught. Walleye fishing was slow.
Drummond Island - Perch have been caught on the north and south sides of Grape Island when using minnows under a bobber.
Cedarville and Hessel - Perch fishing picked up for the east end of Hessel Bay and the west end of the Snows Channel when using minnows or crawlers. Government Bay has perch in 10 to 20 feet of water. Pike are still hitting and smallmouth bass are starting to do well. As for salmon, only a few have been caught in Hessel Bay.
St. Ignace - A few chinook and lake trout were caught when casting green and white Cleo's off the rocks.
Upper Peninsula:[/url]
Copper Harbor is producing fair splake fishing.
Anglers on Lake Gogebic are reeling in a few bass, perch and walleye. The walleye are hitting on minnows, the bass and perch on crawlers.
Out of the Marquette area, the lake trout and salmon fishing is good on the Lower Marquette and Upper Marquette harbors, when the weather allows anglers to get out. Some salmon are starting to move into the Carp and Dead rivers. However, the low water levels are limiting the number of salmon, so far. The perch fishing on Little Lake is fair. The perch and walleye action on Lake Independence is spotty.
In the Escanaba area, some salmon are showing up in the Ford River. The walleye fishing ranges from slow to fair on Little Bay de Noc. Strong winds this past week have been keeping many anglers off the bay.
Out of the Manistique area, the steelhead fishing is fair on the Manistique River. Both spawn and yarn are being used as bait.
By Sault Ste. Marie, the walleye fishing is good on the St. Marys River. The salmon action is fair and the perch fishing is improving on the upper end of the river.
The walleye fishing is good on the St. Marys River between Munuscong and Raber bays. Try using a crawler harness with a bottom bouncer.
Around Drummond Island, the bass and pike fishing is fair on Maxton, Scott and Whitney bays. Anglers on Maxton and Scott bays are reeling in a few pike. An occasional salmon is being caught on the St. Marys River, near the lighthouse.
And at St. Ignace, the pike and walleye fishing is slow on Brevort Lake. Some salmon are starting to show up in the Carp River.
Northwest:[/url]
By Alanson on Crooked Lake, the perch fishing is good, with minnows being the preferred bait. The bass fishing on the lake is fair. Anglers in Petoskey on the pier to Little Traverse Bay are catching a few salmon.
Around Boyne City, the salmon action is good on Lake Charlevoix and Lake Michigan. Some salmon are stating to move into the Boyne River. Anglers using minnows as bait are catching good numbers of perch on Lake Charlevoix.
In the Traverse City area, the salmon fishing is fair along the Boardman River.
Out of the Frankfort area, the salmon action is good on both the Betsie and Platte rivers. The fish are hitting on a variety of baits and lures.
Manistee Lake by Manistee is producing good salmon and steelhead fishing. When the weather allows anglers to get out, the salmon fishing is good on Lake Michigan and the Manistee River. Anglers are Crystal Lake are reeling in a few perch.
The walleye fishing is fair on Manistee Lake near Kalkaska.
On Otsego Lake near Gaylord, the smallmouth bass and walleye fishing is good. The trout fishing is fair for fly-fishermen along sections of the Au Sable, Black, Manistee, Pigeon and Sturgeon rivers.
And at Cadillac, the bass and pike fishing is very good on both lakes Cadillac and Mitchell. Anglers on the canal between the two lakes are catching good numbers of bluegill and sunfish.
West:[/url]
Anglers on the breakwater on Lake Michigan in Ludington are finding some very good salmon fishing. Anglers are casting spoons, with green being the hot color. Outside of the harbor, in water up to 50 feet deep, the salmon fishing is good. The Pere Marquette River is producing excellent salmon fishing. The salmon fishing is fair on the Big Sable River.
Out of the Pentwater area, the coho, king salmon and steelhead fishing is very good on Lake Michigan, when the weather allows anglers to get out. The fish are found in the top 60 feet of water that is up to 95 feet deep. The salmon action is improving on the Pentwater River.
In the Muskegon area, the salmon fishing is good on Lake Michigan, weather permitting. The salmon action on the Muskegon Channel, Muskegon Lake and the Muskegon River ranges from fair to good. Anglers on Muskegon Lake are reeling in a few bluegill, with the best fishing found near the weed beds.
Fishing activity this week is slow on Chippewa Lake.
And at Baldwin, the salmon fishing is good on the Pere Marquette River. Anglers are using thundersticks and spawn as bait.
Southwest:[/url]
Out of the Holland area, the salmon fishing is very good off the pier on Lake Michigan and trolling around the pier area. The perch action on the lake is spotty.
In the Benton Harbor area, the salmon fishing is fair on along the St. Joseph River. The salmon fishing ranges from slow to fair on Lake Michigan. The perch fishing is fair on the lake.
Around New Buffalo, the steelhead fishing is very good on the Galien River. The salmon fishing is good on the river. Anglers are reeling in a few salmon on Lake Michigan, when the weather permits anglers to get out.
By Kalamazoo, the perch fishing is good on Eagle Lake, with the late morning hours being the best time to be out. Sugarloaf Lake is producing fair bluegill fishing. Anglers on Pine Lake are reeling in a few crappie. The smallmouth bass fishing is good on the Kalamazoo River between Comstock and Galesburg. Some salmon are starting to show up in the river by the Allegan Dam.
And at Three Rivers, the bluegill and perch fishing is very good on most the local lakes. Early mornings or late afternoons are the best times to cast a line in the water.
Northeast:[/url]
Around Alpena, the salmon fishing is fair on the Thunder Bay River, with the best area to cast a line in the water being by the Ninth Street Dam. The bass and perch fishing is spotty on Hubbard Lake.
In the Grayling area, the walleye fishing on Lake Margrethe ranges from fair to good. The best fishing occurs from the midday period into the early evening hours. The bluegill fishing on the lake is fair and the perch action is spotty.
By Oscoda, the perch fishing is good on Van Etten Lake. Cooke Dam and Foote Dam ponds are producing fair to good bluegill and perch fishing. Along the Au Sable River, some salmon are starting to move into the river. The catfish and walleye fishing on the river is fair.
Anglers on Higgins Lake are catching good numbers of lake trout. Mornings are the best time to be out. Try trolling with Rapalas in water at least 100 feet deep.
Houghton Lake is producing good bass, perch, pike and walleye fishing. Try fishing near the weed beds in water up to ten feet deep.
And at Au Gres, the perch fishing is fair on Saginaw Bay. The best areas to cast a line in the water are by Point Lookout and by the “channel” in water about 35 feet deep.
East:[/url]
Saginaw Bay near Linwood is producing some steady walleye action. The perch fishing on the bay is improving.
Around Bay City, the perch and walleye fishing is fair, when the weather allows anglers to get out.
In the Saginaw area, the smallmouth bass fishing is good on the Tittabawassee River. Anglers on the Cass River are catching good numbers of crappies, rock bass and smallmouth bass. The catfish fishing on the Saginaw River is good.
Out of the Harbor Beach area, the brown trout, lake trout and salmon fishing is good on Lake Huron, in water about 40 feet deep. The perch fishing is fair in front of the harbor.
By Port Huron, the walleye fishing is good on the St. Clair River. Many anglers whipping at night, are limiting out. The salmon fishing on the southern end of Lake Huron ranges from fair to good.
And at St. Clair, the bass fishing is good along the St. Clair River. The walleye fishing is fair.
Central:[/url]
In the Mount Pleasant area, the bass fishing is fair on Lake Isabella.
By Lansing, the bass, bluegill and crappie fishing ranges from fair to good on the Grand River. One of the best spots to cast a line in the water is at Moores Park. A few salmon are showing up at the point, where the Grand and Red Cedar rivers come together.
And at Jackson, the bluegill fishing is very good on Wamplers Lake. Waxworms are the preferred bait. The gill fishing on Devils Lake is good.
Southeast:[/url]
The perch action on Anchor Bay ranges from fair to good near the “B” buoy and along the edges of the North, Middle and South channels. The smallmouth bass fishing is good all around the bay. Anglers dropping a line in the water by Harsens Island are catching a few bluegill.
Elsewhere on Lake St. Clair, the musky fishing is good along the south shoreline. Natural colored baits are working best. The perch action is good out from the Grosse Pointe Yacht Club, Nine Mile and Ten Mile roads and by Huron Point.
Anglers on the north end of the Detroit River are reeling in a few walleye. On the south end of the river by Wyandotte, the walleye fishing is slow. Anglers are catching good number of perch at the mouth of the river. The bluegill and crappie fishing is fair on the Huron River.
Out on Lake Erie near Monroe, the perch fishing is fair, when the weather allows anglers to get out. The best areas to cast a line in the water are near the “sputnick,” Brest Bay, the “S” buoy, Turtle Island and at the mouth of the River Raisin.
And at Belleville, the bass, bluegill and crappie fishing is good on Ford Lake, with the morning hours being the best time to be out. Anglers on Belleville Lake are catching a few bluegill, crappie and walleye.
[font "Arial, Helvetica"]
[/font] [url "http://www.coastwatch.msu.edu/"][font "Arial, Helvetica"][#000000]Great Lakes temperature map[/#000000][/font][/url]
Warmer temperatures this week will slow the salmon so anglers will want to fish the deeper holes. Though some areas have already reported catching dark fish, there is still fresh fish to be found. This is a good time to catch bass and monster bluegills.
Southeast Lower Peninsula
Lake Erie - Perch fishing has been good around the Second and Third Buoys which are straight out from the Raisin River. Try fishing right off the bottom in 17 feet of water with minnows and perch rigs.
Huron River - The steelhead are not in yet and warm temperatures this week will not help. A few walleye were caught at the dam in the evening. Some nice bluegills and smallmouth bass were caught in the backwaters at Huroc Park.
Detroit River - Perch anglers are still taking fish in the lower river when using minnows. There is still some action in the Trenton Channel with a few walleye taken when trolling bottom bouncers and crawler harnesses. Bass are hitting on spinners.
Lake St. Clair - Bass are hitting on spinners, tube baits and worms. The better fishing has been along the weedbeds and near structure. The occasional pike and musky have also been caught.
Lexington - A few salmon have started to show up in the harbor. Pier anglers casting for salmon have caught some pike.
Port Sanilac - There are a few salmon showing up in the harbors, and they are starting to draw some angler interest. Most of the fishing has been from the piers as it has been too windy for boats.
Harbor Beach - Light numbers of salmon are showing up here as well. Pier anglers are casting spawn or small spoons.
Port Austin - Has no salmon yet, however those casting have caught a few smallmouth bass near the mouth of Bird Creek.
Saginaw Bay - Light numbers of perch are being caught at the Spark Plug and four miles east around Buoys 15, 17, and 22. Most of the fish are running 8 to 12 inches. A few walleye were caught off Quanicassee when using crawlers in 5 to 7 feet of water. Some perch were caught near the mouth of the Sebewaing River. Shore anglers in the marina at Sebewaing were catching crappie.
Southwest Lower Peninsula
St. Joseph - Boat anglers are catching mostly chinook salmon when trolling between the piers and in the mud lines of the river. Pier anglers have also caught fair to good numbers of salmon.
St. Joseph River - There are good numbers of coho, some steelhead and a few chinook salmon going through the ladder at Berrien Springs. The water is clearing up and the level in back to normal.
Kalamazoo River - Salmon are starting to show up at the Allegan Dam. Smallmouth bass fishing has been very good along the river.
Grand Haven - Fishing has really slowed in the channel and out in the big lake. Those trolling were lucky to catch a couple fish.
Grand River at Grand Rapids - The best action has been between 4am and 9am when fishing up near the Sixth Street Dam. Anglers have caught coho, a few chinook and some big brown trout. Warm temperatures will slow the fishing later in the day, so check out the deeper holes. Near Ionia, those fishing Prairie Creek have caught salmon. Bluegill and crappie fishing has been good just about everywhere.
Reeds Lake - Is the place to catch bluegills and big crappie.
Grand River at Lansing - Anglers are looking for salmon at the point where the Grand River meets the Red Cedar River, but not many fish to report at this time. Those looking for panfish reported good catches of crappie and bluegills.
Muskegon - Most boats are trolling in the channel as windy conditions have shut down fishing on the big lake. Those fishing early and late have managed to catch salmon when trolling spoons, plugs, flashers and flies. Pier anglers have also caught fish on the channel side.
Whitehall - Pier fishing has been very good. The early bite was only lasting until about an hour after daylight. The afternoons were slow with the action picking back up from 5pm until dark when casting Cleo's or mega baits.
Northeast Lower Peninsula
Rogers City - Fishing has been up and down as water temperatures are changing. Anglers reported lots of bait fish in the water, so look for schools of fish in 30 to 60 feet of water in the early morning. The better fishing continues to be from Calcite Harbor to Adams Point, but some are fishing around Forty Mile Point. Not many fish at the weir yet so most are still out in the lake. No reports of any salmon caught in the harbor or around the breakwalls.
Rockport - Anglers are catching chinook and walleye straight out from the launch site in 40 feet of water. Hot colors were chartreuse, blue, or black and white. The walleye were hitting on anything green.
Thunder Bay River - Anglers are catching salmon up near the Ninth Street Dam. Shore fishing has been good as well with the best action between dusk and nightfall. Hot lures for shore anglers have been yellow and black spoons or black and white rattletraps. Some nice bass were caught near the Island Park Bridge when using worms. Walleye were caught at the mouth of the river on artificial baits.
Harrisville - Chinook salmon were caught in 20 to 40 feet of water in the early morning or late evening. A few walleye and lake trout have also been taken. Salmon are starting to show up in the marina.
Oscoda - Those trolling found success within half mile of the pier when using spoons, J-plugs, or rapalas in 10 to 25 feet of water in the early morning. Salmon activity off of the pier was slow with only a couple fish caught.
Tawas - Walleye fishing has just about ended. Pier anglers caught a few perch early in the morning. Salmon are staging inside the harbor, but no fish were caught yet.
Au Gres - Some perch have been caught in 40 feet of water straight out from the mouth of the river and down near the hotel.
Au Gres River - A couple of salmon were taken by boat anglers trolling J-plugs. On the East Branch, a few salmon have been caught in the surf and in the lower Whitney Drain when casting spoons or drifting spawn.
Higgins Lake - Windy conditions have limited fishing activity. Those able to get out were targeting perch or trolling cowbells for lake trout.
Northwest Lower Peninsula
Crooked Lake - Some nice perch have been caught on minnows when fishing along the weedbeds. A few walleye were also caught on minnows.
Petoskey - Pier anglers and those wading have turned up some nice catches at night or early in the morning when casting spoons and diving plugs. Although some balmy days with sunshine have slowed results, fish have been biting well on the windy and overcast days.
Walloon Lake - Smallmouth bass have been caught in shallow waters near the rocky areas and docks or in deeper waters along the weedbeds. Try spinner baits or shallow diving lures. Most are targeting walleye at night.
Charlevoix - Action for salmon has been good one day and slow the next. Most of the fish caught have come from small boats running dipsey divers or long-lining in waters 30 to 100 feet deep right in front of the rivers and creeks. Pier and shore anglers caught fish in the early morning or at night when casting spoons or plugs.
Thumb Lake (Lake Louise) - Bass have been caught in 7 to 20 feet of water near the Methodist Camp which is located in the east basin. Try using spinners, tube baits, rapalas or crawlers. Bluegill and rock bass were caught in shallow waters near the public access site.
Traverse City - Salmon have been caught in both Bays. In the West Bay, they are fishing the deep hole right off the mouth of the river.
Boardman River - Those wading out in the mouth are fishing for salmon on the bay side of the bridge.
Long Lake - Walleye fishing has slowed, but anglers were still taking some fish when using a slip bobber and leech while anchored in 20 to 25 feet of water. A few fish were taken when trolling a crawler harness. Try both the east and west sides of South Island. The perch harvest has slowed as anglers were only catching little ones east of Long Island, in the North Bay and the South Bay. Some big bluegills were caught in and around the weedbeds.
Frankfort - Good numbers of fish are being caught in the Herring Hole, in front of the piers, and up past Point Betsie. With cooler waters close to shore, anglers were taking fish in waters 40 to 120 feet deep.
Betsie River - Anglers are catching fish from the Homestead Dam down to the M-22 Bridge when using spawn, spinners and flies. Those wading near the old Elberta Marina have caught fish.
Onekama - Some nice chrome fish have been caught down near the Saddle and along the north end of the Barrel when trolling spoons, J-plugs, or flies 20 to 50 feet down in waters 60 to 100 feet deep. Good colors have been white, blue, green, orange and anything that glows.
Portage Lake - Some nice panfish were caught on minnows and wigglers in 25 to 40 feet of water. Bass fishing was fair and pike have been caught along the drop offs on the north shore.
Manistee - Some boats have been trolling the harbor and around the piers for chinook and coho while others were still out fishing in 60 to 120 feet of water. Pier and shore anglers have also caught fish.
Manistee Lake - Is full of chinook salmon, and those trolling have caught good numbers of fish.
Manistee River - Salmon have been caught in the river but warmer temperatures will slow the action. Look for fish in the deeper holes. Steelhead were caught on spawn.
Ludington - Boat anglers trolling J-plugs in the harbor and around the piers have caught chinook salmon. Some are trolling in 30 to 40 feet of water and catching fish. Chinook and coho were caught off both piers but the North Pier was more productive.
Pere Marquette River - Salmon have been caught by those casting or drifting.
Pentwater - Pier fishing has been very good when casting Cleo's or mega baits. The better bite has been in the early morning until about an hour after daylight and later in the evening.
Upper Peninsula
Portage Lake - A couple walleye along with the one smallmouth bass were caught when jigging off the Humps. One walleye was taken in Pike Bay when drifting.
Paint River - Good brown trout fishing was reported on the South Branch when using artificial baits or wet flies.
Fortune Lake - Near Crystal Falls, has fair to good walleye fishing.
Michigamme Reservoir - Anglers are catching walleye but those in boats need to use extreme caution due to low water levels.
Little Bay De Noc - Walleye catches were down, but the fish caught were taken around the Black Bottom and the Fingers when trolling or drifting crawlers in 15 to 20 feet of water. Good smallmouth bass fishing when drifting or jigging crawlers off Hunters Point or fishing along the weedbeds near Brock's Cabins.
Ford River -The salmon runs have started. Anglers casting Cleo's or crankbaits have caught some nice silver fish down near the mouth.
Big Bay de Noc - Good bass fishing was reported across the mouth of Garden Bay when drifting minnows in 15 to 20 feet of water. Snail Shell Harbor and south to Snake Island also had fair to good catches when jigging or drifting minnows in 10 to 35 feet of water. Perch have been caught in Fayette Harbor when jigging crawlers.
Marquette - Chinook, coho, lake trout and walleye have been caught by those trolling in shallow waters near the lower harbor breakwall and near the mouth of the Chocolay and Carp Rivers.
Munising - Anglers fishing off the dock or wading near the mouth of the Anna River have caught a few coho and splake when casting spoons or spawn. Coho and splake were taken off the Grand Island dock, but catch rates were spotty.
Manistique River - The salmon runs have started and anglers are reporting fair to good catches.
De Tour - Boat anglers have caught a few chinook, coho and lake trout when fishing both sides of the channel. Those going out to the lighthouse are using blue, yellow, and white spoons or green and silver J-plugs. No atlantic or pink salmon have been caught. Walleye fishing was slow.
Drummond Island - Perch have been caught on the north and south sides of Grape Island when using minnows under a bobber.
Cedarville and Hessel - Perch fishing picked up for the east end of Hessel Bay and the west end of the Snows Channel when using minnows or crawlers. Government Bay has perch in 10 to 20 feet of water. Pike are still hitting and smallmouth bass are starting to do well. As for salmon, only a few have been caught in Hessel Bay.
St. Ignace - A few chinook and lake trout were caught when casting green and white Cleo's off the rocks.
Upper Peninsula:[/url]
Copper Harbor is producing fair splake fishing.
Anglers on Lake Gogebic are reeling in a few bass, perch and walleye. The walleye are hitting on minnows, the bass and perch on crawlers.
Out of the Marquette area, the lake trout and salmon fishing is good on the Lower Marquette and Upper Marquette harbors, when the weather allows anglers to get out. Some salmon are starting to move into the Carp and Dead rivers. However, the low water levels are limiting the number of salmon, so far. The perch fishing on Little Lake is fair. The perch and walleye action on Lake Independence is spotty.
In the Escanaba area, some salmon are showing up in the Ford River. The walleye fishing ranges from slow to fair on Little Bay de Noc. Strong winds this past week have been keeping many anglers off the bay.
Out of the Manistique area, the steelhead fishing is fair on the Manistique River. Both spawn and yarn are being used as bait.
By Sault Ste. Marie, the walleye fishing is good on the St. Marys River. The salmon action is fair and the perch fishing is improving on the upper end of the river.
The walleye fishing is good on the St. Marys River between Munuscong and Raber bays. Try using a crawler harness with a bottom bouncer.
Around Drummond Island, the bass and pike fishing is fair on Maxton, Scott and Whitney bays. Anglers on Maxton and Scott bays are reeling in a few pike. An occasional salmon is being caught on the St. Marys River, near the lighthouse.
And at St. Ignace, the pike and walleye fishing is slow on Brevort Lake. Some salmon are starting to show up in the Carp River.
Northwest:[/url]
By Alanson on Crooked Lake, the perch fishing is good, with minnows being the preferred bait. The bass fishing on the lake is fair. Anglers in Petoskey on the pier to Little Traverse Bay are catching a few salmon.
Around Boyne City, the salmon action is good on Lake Charlevoix and Lake Michigan. Some salmon are stating to move into the Boyne River. Anglers using minnows as bait are catching good numbers of perch on Lake Charlevoix.
In the Traverse City area, the salmon fishing is fair along the Boardman River.
Out of the Frankfort area, the salmon action is good on both the Betsie and Platte rivers. The fish are hitting on a variety of baits and lures.
Manistee Lake by Manistee is producing good salmon and steelhead fishing. When the weather allows anglers to get out, the salmon fishing is good on Lake Michigan and the Manistee River. Anglers are Crystal Lake are reeling in a few perch.
The walleye fishing is fair on Manistee Lake near Kalkaska.
On Otsego Lake near Gaylord, the smallmouth bass and walleye fishing is good. The trout fishing is fair for fly-fishermen along sections of the Au Sable, Black, Manistee, Pigeon and Sturgeon rivers.
And at Cadillac, the bass and pike fishing is very good on both lakes Cadillac and Mitchell. Anglers on the canal between the two lakes are catching good numbers of bluegill and sunfish.
West:[/url]
Anglers on the breakwater on Lake Michigan in Ludington are finding some very good salmon fishing. Anglers are casting spoons, with green being the hot color. Outside of the harbor, in water up to 50 feet deep, the salmon fishing is good. The Pere Marquette River is producing excellent salmon fishing. The salmon fishing is fair on the Big Sable River.
Out of the Pentwater area, the coho, king salmon and steelhead fishing is very good on Lake Michigan, when the weather allows anglers to get out. The fish are found in the top 60 feet of water that is up to 95 feet deep. The salmon action is improving on the Pentwater River.
In the Muskegon area, the salmon fishing is good on Lake Michigan, weather permitting. The salmon action on the Muskegon Channel, Muskegon Lake and the Muskegon River ranges from fair to good. Anglers on Muskegon Lake are reeling in a few bluegill, with the best fishing found near the weed beds.
Fishing activity this week is slow on Chippewa Lake.
And at Baldwin, the salmon fishing is good on the Pere Marquette River. Anglers are using thundersticks and spawn as bait.
Southwest:[/url]
Out of the Holland area, the salmon fishing is very good off the pier on Lake Michigan and trolling around the pier area. The perch action on the lake is spotty.
In the Benton Harbor area, the salmon fishing is fair on along the St. Joseph River. The salmon fishing ranges from slow to fair on Lake Michigan. The perch fishing is fair on the lake.
Around New Buffalo, the steelhead fishing is very good on the Galien River. The salmon fishing is good on the river. Anglers are reeling in a few salmon on Lake Michigan, when the weather permits anglers to get out.
By Kalamazoo, the perch fishing is good on Eagle Lake, with the late morning hours being the best time to be out. Sugarloaf Lake is producing fair bluegill fishing. Anglers on Pine Lake are reeling in a few crappie. The smallmouth bass fishing is good on the Kalamazoo River between Comstock and Galesburg. Some salmon are starting to show up in the river by the Allegan Dam.
And at Three Rivers, the bluegill and perch fishing is very good on most the local lakes. Early mornings or late afternoons are the best times to cast a line in the water.
Northeast:[/url]
Around Alpena, the salmon fishing is fair on the Thunder Bay River, with the best area to cast a line in the water being by the Ninth Street Dam. The bass and perch fishing is spotty on Hubbard Lake.
In the Grayling area, the walleye fishing on Lake Margrethe ranges from fair to good. The best fishing occurs from the midday period into the early evening hours. The bluegill fishing on the lake is fair and the perch action is spotty.
By Oscoda, the perch fishing is good on Van Etten Lake. Cooke Dam and Foote Dam ponds are producing fair to good bluegill and perch fishing. Along the Au Sable River, some salmon are starting to move into the river. The catfish and walleye fishing on the river is fair.
Anglers on Higgins Lake are catching good numbers of lake trout. Mornings are the best time to be out. Try trolling with Rapalas in water at least 100 feet deep.
Houghton Lake is producing good bass, perch, pike and walleye fishing. Try fishing near the weed beds in water up to ten feet deep.
And at Au Gres, the perch fishing is fair on Saginaw Bay. The best areas to cast a line in the water are by Point Lookout and by the “channel” in water about 35 feet deep.
East:[/url]
Saginaw Bay near Linwood is producing some steady walleye action. The perch fishing on the bay is improving.
Around Bay City, the perch and walleye fishing is fair, when the weather allows anglers to get out.
In the Saginaw area, the smallmouth bass fishing is good on the Tittabawassee River. Anglers on the Cass River are catching good numbers of crappies, rock bass and smallmouth bass. The catfish fishing on the Saginaw River is good.
Out of the Harbor Beach area, the brown trout, lake trout and salmon fishing is good on Lake Huron, in water about 40 feet deep. The perch fishing is fair in front of the harbor.
By Port Huron, the walleye fishing is good on the St. Clair River. Many anglers whipping at night, are limiting out. The salmon fishing on the southern end of Lake Huron ranges from fair to good.
And at St. Clair, the bass fishing is good along the St. Clair River. The walleye fishing is fair.
Central:[/url]
In the Mount Pleasant area, the bass fishing is fair on Lake Isabella.
By Lansing, the bass, bluegill and crappie fishing ranges from fair to good on the Grand River. One of the best spots to cast a line in the water is at Moores Park. A few salmon are showing up at the point, where the Grand and Red Cedar rivers come together.
And at Jackson, the bluegill fishing is very good on Wamplers Lake. Waxworms are the preferred bait. The gill fishing on Devils Lake is good.
Southeast:[/url]
The perch action on Anchor Bay ranges from fair to good near the “B” buoy and along the edges of the North, Middle and South channels. The smallmouth bass fishing is good all around the bay. Anglers dropping a line in the water by Harsens Island are catching a few bluegill.
Elsewhere on Lake St. Clair, the musky fishing is good along the south shoreline. Natural colored baits are working best. The perch action is good out from the Grosse Pointe Yacht Club, Nine Mile and Ten Mile roads and by Huron Point.
Anglers on the north end of the Detroit River are reeling in a few walleye. On the south end of the river by Wyandotte, the walleye fishing is slow. Anglers are catching good number of perch at the mouth of the river. The bluegill and crappie fishing is fair on the Huron River.
Out on Lake Erie near Monroe, the perch fishing is fair, when the weather allows anglers to get out. The best areas to cast a line in the water are near the “sputnick,” Brest Bay, the “S” buoy, Turtle Island and at the mouth of the River Raisin.
And at Belleville, the bass, bluegill and crappie fishing is good on Ford Lake, with the morning hours being the best time to be out. Anglers on Belleville Lake are catching a few bluegill, crappie and walleye.
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