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
