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 Read More]]> 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 the St. Joe River, water levels were high so not Read More]]> 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 Huron River is producing good numbers of white Read More]]> 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.

At Ontonagon, lake trout fishing was good 40 to 60 feet down in waters 150 feet deep. A Read More]]> 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.

In some parts of the state, the salmon fishing has slowed, and the Lake Trout action has also slowed Read More]]> 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.

Southeast Lower Peninsula

Lake Erie Fishing Report – Walleye are being taken in 15 to 21 feet of water at Fermi. Read More]]> Walleye fishing in Saginaw Bay continues to be good, but has slowed considerably since the arrival of the cold front. Cooler weather has slowed fishing in many areas. Fishing should pick up as the weather warms.

Southeast Lower Peninsula

Lake Erie Fishing Report – Walleye are being taken in 15 to 21 feet of water at Fermi. Brest Bay and Celeron Island are producing good catches of perch.

Huron River Fishing Report – Anglers are catching smallmouth bass action upstream using crayfish, leeches, spinner baits and tube baits. Near Belleville catfish and walleye are being taken. Catfish are being caught near the dams in the lower river.

Detroit River Fishing Report – Walleye were caught in the Trenton Channel by those handlining with spoons or small rapalas.

Lexington Fishing Report – Anglers trolling are marking fish in 80 to 90 feet of water, but nothing is hitting. Perch fishing is slow.

Port Sanilac Fishing Report – Perch fishing has slowed.

Port Austin Fishing Report – Good catches of lake trout and some incidental chinook and steelhead are being taken in 90 to 135 feet of water. A few walleye are being taken in 20 to 40 feet off the reefs west of Port Austin. Pier fishing is slow.

Saginaw Bay Fishign – All of the usual spots continue to produce fish, but since the cooler weather set in the walleye have moved further offshore. Good catches were consistently taken out near Buoys 1 & 2 at the end of the shipping channel but catches on the Callahan Reef, in the slot, and out on the Bar were hit and miss. Consistently windy weather for the past several days has made fishing difficult. Nearshore areas are reported to be somewhat murky due to all the wind and waves. Warmer, more stable weather should cause fishing to improve.

Southwest Lower Peninsula

St. Joe Fishing – Still plenty of perch to catch but look for them in 40 feet of water. Look for salmon in 100 to 120 feet of water. A few Skamania being caught on the piers but windy conditions have kept most anglers away.

St. Joe River Fishing – Skamania were doing well at Berrien Springs Dam.

Grand Haven Fishing– Skamania were starting to come in. For best results, try using shrimp under a bobber. A few salmon were also hitting. Pier anglers have turned to catching catfish and freshwater drum.

Grand River at Grand Rapids Fishing Report – Skamania are starting to hit at the dam along with a big surge of brown trout. Try either flies or crawlers. Large catfish were hitting off the east side wall and Fulton Street Bridge. Anglers were catching walleye on small crank baits and crawlers. Pike were starting to hit on body baits.

Grand River at Lansing Fishing Report– Moores Park Dam has reports of rock bass and catfish being caught. At the North Lansing Dam, anglers will find plenty of carp and catfish using crawlers or corn. Anglers will also find ample catches of rock bass using red worms.

Lake Ovid Fishing– is producing some keeper size bass and large catfish up to 12 lbs.

Maple River – is reporting crappie and smallmouth bass.

Reeds Lake – Anglers are getting nice sized perch and bluegill off minnows and wax worms. Crappie were hitting in 6 to 10 feet of water.

Muskegon – Fishing is slow and not many anglers, but when fish are caught they are nice size, some 12 pounds and up.

Northeast Lower Peninsula

Mullett Lake – Catch rates were low due to the change in weather. Most action centered around perch, with limited action on walleye and smallmouth bass. Most boats are fishing the south end of the lake.

Rogers City – The offshore fishery has been great. Look for a scum line in waters 150 to 220 feet deep. Anglers are trolling planer boards with 3 to7 colors of lead core and bright colored spoons. Mixed bags of steelhead, lake trout, pink, chinook and Atlantic salmon have been taken. Fishing closer to shore has been slow.

Presque Isle – Fishing is slow with a few small lake trout being taken. Anglers targeting salmon are having little success. Tribal trap nets have been placed in nearby waters from the red can south to Stoneport and past Stoneport so be very careful.

Rockport – Salmon and lake trout are being taken around Middle Island in 90 feet of water. Hot baits for the area have been watermelon spoons and yellow tails. Salmon and trout have also been caught around the wreck in 90 to 120 feet of water. Anglers have reported tribal fishing nets covering fishing grounds in Bell Bay so that is a spot to avoid presently.

Alpena – Anglers on the bay are having the best luck for walleye using crawler harnesses. Sulfur Island near the 9 mile can has been a hot spot this week with anglers catching limits of walleye in 14 to 18 feet of water trolling with crawler harnesses.

Thunder Bay River – Walleye are being taken on leeches, worms, shad wraps, and clowns, with leeches working the best. Catfish are being taken in the river mouth on worms. There have also been some crappie and perch caught in the river.

Harrisville – Lake trout catches are up and are expected to improve. Boats that are fishing in 70 to 90 feet of water are having the most success on yellow tails, and some of the new silver streak colors are producing good catches.

Higgins Lake – Perch and rock bass are being taken between the table top and the north end of Treasure Island. Smallmouth bass can be found along the drop off. Lake trout were caught trolling in 85 to 100 feet of water. Fishing is picking up.

Houghton Lake – Anglers are catching walleye, bluegill, bass, and pike in East Bay, North Bay and Long Point on crawlers and leeches.

Oscoda – Lake trout catches are steady, with morning being the most productive. There are a few salmon being caught north of the river in 80 to 100 feet of water. Anything resembling smelt seems to be working.

Au Sable River – Walleye seem to be in and out of the river. Varied reports are coming from the pier head and mornings seem to be producing more catches.

Tawas – Overall fishing was slow. Those trolling are getting a few walleye out by Buoy 2. Pier anglers are catching the odd rock bass, smallmouth, catfish or carp, but nothing consistent.

Au Gres – Still has good walleye fishing, but the best location is now about 8 miles south of Au Gres in 30 to 45 feet of water.
Northwest Lower Peninsula

Petoskey – Anglers continue to fish for lake trout at Bay Harbor fishing 55 feet down in waters 85 to 95 feet deep.

Charlevoix – Lake trout continue to provide the majority of the action. Anglers are using spoons or cowbells and spin glos, with green being the best color. Look for fish from 55 feet down to the bottom in 85 to 95 feet of water off Harbor Point and straight out from Charlevoix’s light house. With the change of weather panfish and smallmouth bass fishing was slow.

Lake Bellaire – Walleye fishing in the evening and early morning is producing 13 to 24 inch fish. Anglers have been trolling with crawler harnesses, spoons and rapalas or jigging leaded and floating jigheads with leeches in 10 to 60 feet of water near the Grass River outlet and in the northwest arm narrows. Those targeting bass have been still fishing with artificial grubs and casting spinners and tubes in 4 to 15 feet of water along the southwestern margin of the lake and the flats near the Grass River outlet.

Traverse City – Smallmouth bass can be found in the shallows throughout the East Bay with fish being taken on plastic baits and crank baits. Lake trout have been suspended over deep water with spoons being the most productive. Angler activity has been slow in the West Bay.

Elk River – Smallmouth bass and freshwater drum are being caught between the dam and the mouth using leeches or crawlers.

Boardman River – Carp and smallmouth bass can be found below Union Street Dam to the mouth of the river.

Leland – Some chinook are being picked up around the west to northwest side of South Manitou Island. Lake trout fishing is still good trolling the lakeshore in 70 to 90 feet of water.

Glen Arbor – Early morning anglers are having the most success picking up nice chinook around the points fishing the slopes. Lake trout are also going strong and have produced some nice size fish. Trolling the 45th parallel seems to be the spot in 70 to 80 feet of water.

Frankfort – Salmon were being caught 60 to 120 feet down in 25 to 35 feet of water.

Portage Lake – Bass and pike fishing is steady although not many large fish are being caught. Panfish action is still slow.

Manistee – Boat anglers are catching trout and salmon off the Shelf fishing 60 to 80 feet down. Try blue dolphins and blue whales. Steelhead were caught on orange spoons near the surface.

Ludington – Anglers targeting salmon and trout have found the best action between the Bathhouse and Sable Point in 75 to150 feet of water. Spoons in green or orange have been producing the most fish.

Pentwater – Has good chinook fishing with a few steelhead being taken.

UPPER PENINSULA

Keweenaw Bay – Anglers have picked up lake trout on Farmers Reef and Mud Bank out from South Portage Entry trolling in 90 to 150 feet of water or jigging in 150 to 240 feet of water. The salmon bite is slow. Some lake trout were caught off Pequaming and Big Reef jigging in 150 to 260 feet of water. Yellow perch have been taken in Baraga and Bucks Marinas on minnows and crawlers. Some pike have also been caught on minnows, crank baits and spoons at the head of the bay and Baraga Marina. Fishing pressure has slowed in Traverse Bay with only a few trout and coho taken between Big Traverse Marina and Big Louie’s Point in 60 to 110 feet of water with spoons.

Marquette – Fishing action has been fair to good for lake trout in 100 to 200 feet of water. Limit catches of lake trout have been reported from Shot Point and Stannard Rock. Coho and chinook action remains slow in the area. Some reports of menominee and whitefish being taken off of the Marquette harbors.

Menominee – Salmon anglers trolling near Green Island and Chambers Island are finding fish in 30 to 120 feet of water. Walleye fishing has been slow with some fish being caught using crawler harnesses in 25 to 60 feet of water.

Menominee River – Some walleye have been caught in the deeper holes from the mouth to the first dam but most are in the smaller range. Freshwater drum have also been caught near Hattie Street Dam on both the Michigan and Wisconsin side. Some nice smallmouth bass have been taken using night crawlers.

Cedar River – Smallmouth bass are being caught between the mouth and the first rapids. Most are sub-legal size with an occasional keeper. Crawlers and crawler harnesses are the preferred bait.

Little Bay De Noc – Few catches of walleye were reported. The southern portion of the bay held most of the larger fish. Best reports were out from the Terrace Inn trolling crank baits in 25 feet of water right on the break. Good smallmouth bass catches in the Ford River casting crank baits from shore. Also good bass catches in the Gladstone area off the west bank casting crank baits and tubes along the weed line. Perch catches were down with most reporting small fish jigging and drifting worms all around the Butler Island area in 10 to 25 feet of water. Salmon anglers reported fair catches trolling spoons out by the Ford River buoy in 80 to 90 feet of water and 65 feet down.

Big Bay De Noc – Walleye anglers have been fishing out from Ansels Point and marking fish in 20 to 30 feet of water. There is still good smallmouth bass fishing in Ogontz, the Fish Dam River area and Garden Bay, casting crank baits or plastic baits along the weed lines and shores in 6 to 12 feet of water. Several nice northern pike catches in Kate’s Bay trolling crank baits and spoons in 12 to 20 feet of water. The best time to fish is mid-morning. At Fairport, fishing action is picking up. Anglers reported fair to good catches of salmon trolling spoons and artificial cut bait in 90 to 110 feet of water fishing 65 to 80 feet deep.

Au Train – Lake trout action was fair. Cold weather and windy conditions prevented anglers from getting out.

Munising – High winds have kept most anglers off the water. Some lake trout have been caught by boating anglers that venture out.

Grand Marais – Some lake trout are still being taken when anglers can get out.

St. Mary’s River – Anglers are catching walleye at Antelope Point in the early morning hours at the mouth of Carlton Creek in 8 to 12 feet of water trolling one ounce bottom bouncers trailed with a crawler harness. Good fly hatches are being reported all around Lime Island, but no herring or cisco catches yet.

De Tour – Is producing lake trout, chinook, Atlantic salmon and rainbow trout. Anglers are trolling south towards the lighthouse using sideboards and four colors of lead core and orange or black spoons. Limited numbers of lake herring have been harvested around Howard, Harbor and Big Trout Islands while still fishing with wax worms.

Drummond Island – A few lake herring and whitefish are being caught on the south side of Howard Island in 16 feet of water using natural flies and Swedish Pimples. Boaters are reminded to be very cautious of rocks and rocky shoals when boating around the Island.

Cedarville and Hessel – Fishing for northern pike continues to be excellent in Hessel Bay and from Hessel Marina Pier while still fishing with minnows or trolling or casting in boats in 5 to12 feet of water. Good catches are also being reported from Cedarville Bay and along the shoreline of Musky Bay. Those targeting salmon are bringing in a few chinook from Goose Island fishing 15 to 35 feet down.

Pine River – Anglers are fishing the river mouth for white suckers using crawlers or leeches.

St. Ignace – The primitive launch has been slow with only a few northern pike coming in on green and orange weedless spoons. Anglers launching from the city launches are trolling from the old fuel tanks across the bay to the Coast Guard Station. They are catching chinook salmon and lake trout close to the bottom on blue/silver or combination blue/black ladder spoons.