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The Wisconsin DNR is rerporting that in Oconto County, hot and humid were the call words for this past week driving up the water temperatures at the landings to near 80 degrees. Although fishing pressure was light to moderate, the number of pleasure boaters increased.
Smallmouth bass and brown trout are on the menu in the Stiles Dam area with the smallies actively engaging small crank baits and the browns reacting well to nymphs. Pensaukee fishermen are enjoying the walleye bite by fishing 9 to 15 feet using crawler/harness, some small and largemouth bass are being caught in the Pensaukee River using crank and spinner baits.
Carp and smallmouth are putting on a good show at the mouth of the Oconto River. Some carp are over 20 pounds and put up a terrific fight. Walleye, northern, catfish and sheephead are being caught trolling the bay out of Oconto Breakwater and Oconto Park II trolling crawler/harness in 9 to 22 feet of water.
- In Marinette County, Peshtigo harbor fishermen are catching some big cats, smallies and sheephead at the mouth of the river fishing dead stick with crawlers or casting small cranks and spinners around drops and structure. The smallmouth bite by the Peshtigo Dam area is in full swing with everything from live bait drifted in the current seams to streamers and crank baits.
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- One angler was successful for walleye out of the landing at Little River. Walleye fishermen on the Menominee River are catching fish by the Hattie Street, Mystery Ship and Government Pier areas early morning and evenings. There are reports of a few salmon and splake being caught in the bay in 50 feet of water fishing 40 feet down in the predawn hours.[mappress]
In Manitowoc County, The DNR is reporting that light easterly winds combined with temperatures in the 60s all week allowed fishing to pick up out of both Manitowoc and Two Rivers. Scattered rain with strong ENE winds slowed fishing on Sunday.
Water clarity remains good with water temperatures ranging from 55-58 degrees along the lakeshore and mid-60s in the harbors. Angler success has picked up during the past week, with boaters averaging 5-7 fish and some landing up to 13 fish. Some large chinook salmon have been reported from several boats anywhere from 18-21 pounds.
Angling success has been concentrated in the 140-160 foot range between the areas straight out of Manitowoc all the way to the northern most trap nets north of Two Rivers. North of the trap nets, off the lighthouse, anglers had success throughout the week in 80-100 feet of water. A few boats reported catching some 8-10 pound chinook as shallow as 30 feet north of the trap nets.
Coolers consisted mostly of Chinook salmon, with a few rainbow and lake trout. Blue dodger/aqua fly, white dodger/pearl fly combinations, and blue and silver spoons were successful on downriggers throughout the week. Orange, bloody nose, watermelon, and blue dolphin spoons had the most success on high lines, pump handles, and the dypsy.
With your downrigger depths out deep, try setting them in the 80-110 foot range. If fishing less than 100 feet in total depth, set your riggers in the 40-60 foot range. The majority of salmon have been taken during the morning bite before 7:00 a.m., so start your trip as early as possible to get your big chinooks before fishing slows by mid-morning. Continue reading Northern Lake Michigan Fishing Report: Action Improves
- In Kenosha County, the Wisconsin DNR is reporting that fishing in the harbor has been very slow, as they have not seen a fish caught at all recently. Word of the slow fishing is apparently out, as very few fishermen have even been out and many are not staying very long. The trolling bite has been good for those able to find the right areas.
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- Good catches have been made from 40 all the way out to 130 feet of water. Dodger and green fly combinations have been working, but spoons are now taking more fish as well. Along with good coho catches, some large kings have been showing up as well, with fish already being caught in the 20# range by a few of the charter boats. Finding the right temps and alewife schools has been key to filling the cooler. Continue reading Northern Lake Michigan Fishing Report: Trolling Remains Solid
The Michigan DNR is reporting on the Bear River, steelhead fishing slowed. However anglers were still catching plenty of rock bass and carp near the mouth.
The action on Petoskey Little Traverse Bay remains slow with only light numbers of lake trout being caught. It seems the fish were scattered.
At Charlevoix, the lake trout action remains slowwith anglers catching a few under sized fish. Smallmouth bass are starting to show up in the Pine River channel. Try drifting crawlers along the bottom.
At Traverse City, smallmouth bass anglers had great success in the south end of the East Bay in 25 feet of water. Shore anglers along the bypass in Elk Rapids caught good numbers of smallmouth bass when using leeches or minnows. In the West Bay, lake trout fishing was good in 30 feet of water when using spoons along the east side. Whitefish were caught north of Yuba Creek. Smallmouth bass fishing was good along the east side in 10 feet of water.
On the Boardman River, there are still a good numbers of perch and smallmouth bass by the dam at Union Street. Anglers had success using wigglers or artificial tubes. Lots of northern pike could be seen along the river however they would not bite.
At Frankfort, North winds pushed colder water in so the bait fish have gone for now.
Portage Lake had lots of smaller bass near the docks and along the shoreline.
Lake Missaukee anglers are catching some big northern pike. A few walleye were caught with the warm up. Catch rates picked up for largemouth bass, crappie and bluegill.
Lake Cadillac was producing limit catches of bluegill and sunfish. Try wax worms, crickets, leaf worms or fly fishing.
In Lake Mitchell, schools of crappie were reported near the State Park and the north end of the lake along the drop off. Smallmouth bass were caught in the shallows on crank baits, spinners, minnows, crawlers and leeches.
In Manistee, catch rates were hit-or-miss. Small trout and salmon were caught 50 to 100 feet down in 100 to 200 feet of water on green or blue spoons.
In Ludington, boat anglers trolling orange and green spoons have caught smaller trout and salmon in 100 to 200 feet of water.
In Pentwater, salmon fishing here has started to pick up. Boats trolling downriggers lead core and dipsey divers have caught a mixed bag of smaller fish. Green and orange spoons were the ticket.
In Mullett Lake, the DNR is reporting that surface temperatures have been around the high 60′s to low 70′s. For walleye, a few were caught during the day when trolling crawler harnesses, stick baits or spoons east of the northern sunken islands, near Aloha State Park, between Dodge Point and Long Point and near the mouth of the Indian River. Try 15 to 30 feet of water.
Night anglers fish near the Cheboygan River and the north section of the lake. Northern pike were targeted in Pigeon Bay and the mouth of the Indian River in 8 to 12 feet of water. Try live minnows, rapalas or spinner baits. Bass are starting to congregate in the shallows as they get ready to spawn. Try tube baits, spinners, crank baits, and rubber crawlers in waters up to 35 feet deep. Perch anglers did not have much luck.
In Rogers City, good fishing surrounds the port, especially for those fishing 40 to 90 feet of water near any structure. The top half of the water column is where most of the silver fish are being caught and the lake trout were hitting in the bottom 10 feet. Lake trout were caught on cowbells or dodgers with spin glows along with spoons that are green, silver, gold, yellow and chartreuse. Silver fish were caught on mainly greens, blues and purple.
Presque Isle has been a good spot for Atlantic salmon and lake trout. The Atlantic salmon were caught very high on boards in the top 15 feet of waters 50 to 70 feet deep. Try body baits that look like rainbow trout or bright colors like orange, red and yellow. Lake trout were hitting just off the bottom in 45 to 70 feet of water when using cowbells or dodgers with spin glows.
In Rockport, boat anglers are catching lake trout just off the bottom in 60 to 70 feet of water. Dodgers and spin glows in fluorescent green was the ticket. Good spots were around Middle Island and in between the island and the shipping channel.
In Alpena, walleye fishing was good in front of the launch and south of Grass Island. Some also did well out by the Cement Plant and down the shoreline when using crawler harnesses and perch-style body baits.
In the Thunder Bay River, those trolling leeches and crawlers had limited success.
In Harrisville, lake trout are being caught in 45 to 60 feet of water. Silver and white were the most productive colors. A few reports of steelhead near the harbor in 30 to 40 feet of water. Walleye were caught in 25 to 80 feet of water when trolling spoons.
In Van Etten Lake, anglers caught perch were caught by those using minnows and wax worms. Crappie were hitting on minnows and smallmouth bass can be found in the shallows.
In Oscode, lake trout catches were reported in 60 to 80 feet of water. The fish appeared to be healthy and some were good size. A few salmon were caught straight out from the river in 40 to 60 feet of water. Try silver and white spoons.
On the Au Sable River, the walleye fishing shut down but should pick back up in a week or so. Those fishing Foote Pond caught perch, rock bass, smallmouth, walleye and pike.
On Higgins Lake, those out trolling found lake trout and whitefish in waters up to 100 feet deep. Rock bass have moved in so perch anglers were taking a mix of fish in 20 to 40 feet of water. Minnows worked best. Smallmouth bass and suckers could be found in the shallows and around the docks as they get ready to spawn.
Houghton Lake was producing some big crappie for those using minnows.
In Tawas, pier fishing was slow with a few bass and panfish caught. Good numbers of walleye were caught by those trolling crawler harnesses in 25 to 35 feet of water out off Tawas Point. Bass anglers did well when sight-fishing with assorted plastics.
In Au Gres, anglers fishing in all directions did well for walleye when trolling crawler harnesses in 25 to 40 feet of water. Bass were caught out near the Charity Islands.
The Michigan DNR is reporting that at St. Joe, Boats were heading out to waters 150 to 200 feet deep especially with the onset of warmer temperatures. Those able to find fish did catch coho and chinook. A few coho were caught off the piers.
In the St. Joe River, water levels were high so not many were fishing. Catfish anglers did well with some nice fish caught on crawlers, shrimp, and stink baits.
South Haven is producing chinook and coho. Perch anglers were still taking fish in 40 to 60 feet of water when using minnows.
The Grand River at Grand Rapids is producing good catfish action. Flatheads have started to come in so angles are using small bluegills or big sucker minnows. The channel cats are hitting on liver or cut bait. Northern pike and longnose gar have also been caught. Good fishing at Millennium Park for bluegills and crappie. Bass were hitting on top water lures such as hula poppers, jitterbugs or weedless frogs.
In the Grand River at Lansing, Moore’s Park is producing lots of catfish while the North Lansing Dam is producing pike, carp and smallmouth bass. Some large 20 to 30 pound carp along with some catfish were caught off Riverfront Park. Those fishing the point where the Grand meets the Red Cedar caught pike and catfish. Large catfish along with a fair number of walleye were caught near Lyons and Portland when fishing off the bottom.
In Lake Lansing, bass anglers were taking largemouth in the 3 to 4 pound range. Small pike were also caught.
Lake Ovid is still producing the occasional muskie along with some crappie. Fish the shallows and around the island for bass.
On Morrison Lake, bluegills were on the beds and hitting on red worms. Crappie were caught on minnows. Sessions Lake is producing bluegill and crappie.
In Whitehall, salmon fishing has started to pick up for those trolling downriggers, lead core and dipsey divers. Green and orange were still good colors. Most of the chinook were small in the 7 to 8 pound range.
The DNR is reporting that on Lake Erie, Fishing was hit-or-miss but walleye were found in 20 to 25 feet of water south Stony Point and near Bolles Harbor. Trolling was the most productive. White bass are hitting in good numbers in the shallow waters off Bolles Harbor.
The Huron River is producing good numbers of white bass and smallmouth bass. Anglers are using minnows, crawlers, spinners, crank baits or flies. A couple nice muskie were caught in the backwaters and near the dam. Walleye fishing was slow.
Lake St. Clair is producing a few walleye for those casting from shore at night. Channel catfish and rock bass were also caught.
In the St. Clair River, anglers were catching a fair number of walleye. Those fishing near Port Huron were starting to catch more walleye when drift fishing up past the Blue Water Bridge.
In Port Sanilac, Lake trout and pink salmon made up the bulk of the catch for those trolling in 65 to 75 feet of water.
In Harbor Beach, limits of lake trout were caught north and south of the harbor when trolling dodgers and spin glows just off the bottom or spoons with downriggers in 60 to 130 feet of water. Good colors were pink with white dots, yellow, green, black or anything that glows. Chinook, coho and pink salmon were still being caught on spoons off boards or downriggers 30 to 70 feet down. For offshore boards, try adding tadpole weights with spoons to get the lines down deeper.
Steelhead are in 90 to 120 feet of water. Try bright colored spoons. Walleye were caught off the north wall in the early morning or late evening when casting small body baits or spoons. Try green, silver or shades of blue. Those out trolling did well with crawler harnesses, small spoons or body baits. Perch fishing has started to pick up.
In Grindstone City, those trolling close to shore between here and Port Hope were catching lots of bass with crank baits.
In Port Austin, anglers had good catches of lake trout from 80 feet of water. Walleye anglers trolling crawler harnesses were also catching whitefish in 65 feet of water. Walleye were caught off the Flat Iron Reef which is west of the port.
Saginaw Bay had good walleye action in all the usual locations. The Callahan Reef was good in 5 feet of water in the early morning however the water was clear so many were fishing deeper. The area around the Spark Plug was good in 20 to 25 feet of water. The Slot between Quanicassee and Sand Point was also producing fish. Most walleyes were being taken on crawler harnesses, but hot-n-tots were getting fish out in the deeper waters. Purple and blue were good colors. Lots of bass were caught around the islands. Bow fishing for carp and gar was well underway near Geiger Road. Good channel cat action in the Hot Ponds.
Small boats trolling the Saginaw River for walleye were still taking fish in the lower river between the mouth and the Coast Guard Station. Most were trolling crawler harnesses along the edge of the shipping channel.
In Black River Harbor, The DNR is reporting that Fishing was slow with most boats going out and trolling 20 to 50 feet down in waters 300 to 400 feet deep. Only a few lake trout were caught.
At Ontonagon, lake trout fishing was good 40 to 60 feet down in waters 150 feet deep. A few chinook salmon were also caught. Walleye fishing was good in the river for those trolling or jigging.
Lake Gogebic had a very good bass opener and walleye were also being caught. A good number of walleye caught were in the 14 inch range and will be good in the fall. Northern pike and yellow perch can be found along the weed beds.
At Keweenaw Bay, the fish bite was slow so anglers had to put in their time to catch coho and lake trout. In Traverse Bay, a few lake trout were caught out from Gay Point. A few lake trout were caught near the South Portage Entry when fishing in 30 feet of water near the Farmers Reef. Some reported fish stacking up along the reefs in 30 to 40 feet of water.
Marquette had good lake trout action and a few coho were also caught in the Lower Harbor. Best action was near the white rocks and the Sand Hole. Fish in the 15 to 20 pound range were caught around Stannard Rock, where a large hatch of flying ants were reported and could be seen in the belly of lake trout.
Little Bay De Noc had a good bass opener with smallmouth hitting on tube baits, crank baits or worms in 3 to 8 feet of water off Garth Point and the east bank south of Hunters Point. Catch rates for walleye were slow except off Breezy Point where the south winds pushed a good number of fish into the area. Most were trolling crank baits or crawlers 8 to 20 feet down along the break. Night anglers did well at the head of the bay when trolling crank baits or drifting crawlers in 8 to 14 feet of water. Jumbo perch were caught in 20 to 25 feet of water near the Gladstone Beach.
Big Bay De Noc also had a good bass opener with fish caught in the head of the bay, near the Fish Dam Rivers, Ogontz and South River Bay. Fish were in the shallows and ready to spawn. Catch rates were down some but not from a lack of fish, but more so due to the number of anglers targeting them. Fish were caught in 3 to 8 feet of water when casting crank baits and tube baits or drifting with crawlers and leeches.
Not much for walleye anglers except for those fishing the “Sand Pit” off the Nahma Golf Course. Trolling crank baits or crawler harnesses in 20 to 40 feet of water worked best.
In Indian Lake, walleye catches picked up as anglers were trolling crawler harnesses along the north shore. Some were even adding a leech to their harness. Smallmouth bass were caught in the weeds along the northwest shore.
For pike, try the north end when trolling harnesses. Yellow perch were caught in Langes Bay however most of the fish were small. Lake herring were caught in the southern portion of the lake with crawlers and stick baits.
Au Train had good lake trout catches with fish averaging 3 to 10 pounds. Most are trolling spoons or crank baits in 70 to 200 feet of water off Laughing Whitefish Point or north of Au Train Island where surface water temperatures were near 45 degrees.
In Munising, salmon season has slowed with only a few chinook caught when trolling. Lake trout fishing around Grand Island continues to be good especially on the north side near Trout Point. Splake fishing was hit-or-miss, but those lucky enough to catch fish did well when casting spoons or still-fishing with eggs.
Grand Marais had good whitefish action for those fishing off the pier with a single egg or other natural baits. Early morning or evening was best. Boat anglers caught some lake trout in an area referred to as the ?shipping channel’ which is 3 to 5 miles north of the bay in 150 feet of water. The fish were running small with an average of 2 to 4 pounds.
Munuscong Bay had good walleye and northern pike action for those trolling shallow diving crank baits. Chrome was a good color. Yellow perch were caught by those trolling crawler harnesses for walleye. Northern pike were caught on plugs or spoons trolled near the weed beds of Round Island. Walleye were also caught in Raber Bay in the shallows.
At De Tour, boats were trolling both sides of the shipping channel to the #3 can and lighthouse, and also to the two red cans on Drummond Island. Fish were caught in 5 to 45 feet of water with the lake trout found in deeper water. Atlantic salmon were slow and no steelhead were caught recently.
In Cedarville and Hessel, the better pike fishing was off the marina pier in Hessel in the early morning when using minnows. A few perch were caught but for the most part, the action was spotty. Good smallmouth bass action around the points. Cedarville Bay produced pike for those trolling or casting around the weed beds.
At the Carp River, those fishing primitive launch west of the bridge have caught pike and rock bass when wading or casting from shore. Success came on orange and silver spinners and orange and green stick baits.
The Michigan DNR reported that warmer temperatures produced some good fishing for bass, bluegill, crappie, pike and catfish. Spawning is taking place around the state. Fly hatches could be in full swing in the next few weeks.
In some parts of the state, the salmon fishing has slowed, and the Lake Trout action has also slowed slightly. Some rivers are still producing steelhead, but anglers are catching fish. You just need to put in your time.
The Wisconsin DNR reported that this coming weekend, June 5 and 6, is Free Fishing Weekend when people of all ages can fishwithout a fishing license or trout stamp. More than two dozen free fishing clinics are scheduled and free loaner equipment is available from 50 state parks and offices. All waters of the state are open; remember, all fishing regulations including bag and size limits still apply.
A number of parks have fishing clinics and other events planned to coincide with Free Fishing Weekend. Check the DNR website for more details.
Very nice summer-like weather brought out many people over the Memorial Day weekend, and improved conditions for fishing. Water temperatures climbed into the low 70s on northern lakes.
Crappie, largemouth and smallmouth bass have pretty much completed spawning; while bluegill, pumpkinseed and rock bass are still on nests. With the northern zone musky opener last weekend,
musky anglers were out in good numbers but reported only mediocre action. Walleye fishing showed a little more consistency. Panfish action has been generally good, with bluegill providing most of the success. Continue reading Wisconsin Fishing Report and Fishing Outlook
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