Weekly Fishing Report: June 11, 2015
Michigan Department of Natural Resources sent this bulletin at 06/11/2015 08:00 AM EDT|
Find out where the fish are biting this week! |
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Weekly Fishing Report
June 11, 2015
Weekly Fishing Tip: Fish for FREE this weekend
Don’t forget that all Michigan residents and non-residents can fish without a license this Saturday, June 13 and Sunday, June 14! Please note all other fishing regulations still apply.
Saturday and Sunday make up the Summer Free Fishing Weekend – an annual effort to promote Michigan’s numerous fishing opportunities. While many individuals and families will head out to fish for free on their own there are numerous organized events scheduled throughout the state to celebrate the weekend as well.
Various locations throughout Michigan will host scheduled events, including in more than 30 counties. Visit the Summer Free Fishing Weekend event chart online to see what’s going on in your area.
For more information about the 2015 Summer Free Fishing Weekend please visit michigan.gov/freefishing.
Click on the links below to jump to the report section that interests you most:
Southeast Lower Peninsula
Southwest Lower Peninsula
Northeast Lower Peninsula
Northwest Lower Peninsula
Upper Peninsula
Lots of anglers are heading out but activity and catch rates has been slow in many areas. Southern waters are offering much more opportunity than northern, including those targeting panfish, bass and salmon.
Lake Erie: Walleye fishing was slower than normal but fish were caught by those trolling crawler harnesses in 22 to 25 feet. White bass numbers are significantly lower and water temperatures were nearing 70 degrees.
Lenawee County: Bluegills can be found in two to six feet along the shoreline and sandbars. Anglers did best using light tackle tipped with wax worms or leaf worms.
Bass have been caught along the weed beds when casting soft plastics and spinner baits. A few pike were caught by those trolling in six to 12 feet. On Lake Hudson, boat and shore anglers are doing well for crappie and bluegills. Bass anglers continue to do well using slow presentations along the points and coves.
Detroit River: The water cleared up enough that anglers were fishing on the Canadian side. Catch rates were fair to good along the northern half including some limit catches. The better fishing was near the casino, whiskey plant and salt mines on the Canadian side. Fair to good fishing between the Renaissance Center and the Ambassador Bridge, around Belle Isle, the east side of Grosse Ile and near the mouth of Lake Erie. More anglers are bottom bouncing crawler harnesses or hand-lining spoons and stick baits. Those targeting muskie caught zero to three fish per boat. Those fishing off the Trenton Rotary Park and Belanger Park caught a good number of white bass right along with some large or smallmouth bass, muskie, freshwater drum and white perch.
Lake St. Clair: Bass fishing has been good in Anchor Bay and along the Mile Roads in three to 10 feet. White bass fishing has been very good in the Grosse Point area and off the point at the Lake St. Clair Metro Park. Shore anglers at the mouth of the Clinton River are catching a mixed bag of freshwater drum, carp, rock bass, northern pike, some large channel catfish and a few white bass. The Selfridge Boat Access Site improvement project is expected to be completed by this weekend.
St. Clair River: Walleye fishing has been good after dark for those whipping between Marysville to Algonac. Daytime walleye fishing was hit-or-miss. A few salmon and trout are still being caught by those targeting walleye.
Lexington: The best fishing was for lake trout but steelhead, chinook and coho were also caught in 60 to 90 feet. Anglers are using spoons, downriggers, lead core and dipsey divers. Pier anglers caught large and smallmouth bass or rock bass.
Port Sanilac: Also had good fishing for lake trout, steelhead and salmon. They are trolling in 60 to 90 feet with spoons off downriggers, lead core and dipsey divers. Pier anglers casting artificial baits or floating minnows caught bass.
Harbor Beach: A few salmon and steelhead have been caught in 40 to 80 feet straight out and north of the harbor. Anglers are using clean spoons off downriggers and offshore boards 40 to 75 feet down. Hot colors are still bright greens and yellows, black with orange, silver and blue. Limits of lake trout are still being caught north of the harbor on spoons off downriggers, dodgers and spin-glo’s near the bottom. Start in 60 feet and work your way out until you find them. A couple steelhead were caught behind the Edison Plant.
Grindstone City and Port Austin: Shore and pier anglers were targeting large and smallmouth bass.
Saginaw Bay: Is producing walleye at Buoys 1 and 2, the Spark Plug in 23 feet, Pinconning Bar in 14 to 16 feet and off Finn Road in 20 feet when trolling crawler harnesses. Channel cats were caught on worms and perch rigs off Essexville. Quanicassee was fair for walleye, catfish, and freshwater drum. Crawlers worked best but fish were also taken on Hot-n-Tots and spoons. Anglers fishing off Sebewaing and Bay Port had fair walleye catches and they were working hard to get them. Most are using crawler harnesses. Catfish were caught in shallow water.
Sanford Lake: In Midland County, the crappies are done spawning and moving out to deeper water. Bluegills are moving in to spawn. Bass pressure has intensified and anglers are catching both large and smallmouth. Not much going on for walleye, pike or muskellunge.
Genesee County: Lake Fenton was producing six to eight inch bluegills for those using wax worms. Mott Lake was producing walleye, crappie, bluegill and yellow perch.
Holloway Reservoir: In Lapeer County was good for channel catfish.
Livingston County: Small numbers of panfish were caught on Crooked Lake and Lake Chemung.
SOUTHWEST LOWER PENINSULA
Panfish are biting on the inland lakes. Bluegills and bass are more active. The crappies are done spawning and have moved to deeper water. More catfish are starting to show up for those using shrimp, crawlers and cut bait.
St. Joseph: Pier anglers have caught a good number of freshwater drum on shrimp and crawlers. Pier fishing for steelhead was slow. The weather has hampered fishing conditions.
South Haven: Salmon fishing was steady with anglers targeting 70 to 100 feet. Most were caught on spoons. Pier anglers caught freshwater drum and catfish with crawlers on the bottom. Perch fishing was slow.
Grand Haven: Salmon fishing is good but difficult as factors seem to be changing daily. Water temperatures seem to be affecting the chinook salmon at this time. Anglers are fishing in 110 to 165 feet of water and using spoons up high but spin/fly combos and meat rigs deeper. Blue, green and purple spoons were good on cloudy days. Meat rigs were purple. Pier fishing was slow but anglers are getting some alewife with cast nets as they are in close and spawning.
Grand River at Grand Rapids: Anglers are catching a good number of steelhead when drifting flies and yarn near the dam before sunrise. Walleye were caught off the wall when using minnows. Catfish are hitting on crawlers, cut bluegill and chicken liver.
Grand River at Lansing: Anglers caught panfish, a few catfish and a couple pike.
Lake Ovid: Anglers have caught a few bass and small bluegills.
Jackson County: The inland lakes are providing anglers with panfish and bass.
Muskegon: Chinook salmon were in 70 to 150 feet. Try blue, green and purple spoons up high. There is a good meat rig bite 40 to 70 feet down in 150 feet. 200 coppers and lead core are working well. Steelhead were out in 280 feet and hitting on orange spoons.
Muskegon Lake: Anglers are catching walleye, large and smallmouth bass, crappie and bluegills.
Muskegon River: Continues to produce some steelhead for those using spawn or flies. Those targeting smallmouth bass have done well.
Whitehall: Boat anglers are taking chinook 60 feet down or steelhead 10 feet down in waters 100 to 160 feet deep. They are trolling with spoons and crank baits.
White Lake: There were substantial catches of panfish especially bluegills.
NORTHEAST LOWER PENINSULA
Rogers City: Lake trout fishing continues to be very good with plenty of limit catches. Once the fish are found they have been easy to catch. The best area was between Calcite and Adams Point in waters out to 60 feet deep. Fish the entire water column as some were caught within 10 feet of the bottom while others were suspended. Use cowbells or dodgers with spin-glo’s or bright green, blue and silver or yellow tail spoons. Atlantic salmon were in the same area and were caught on high-lines or 1 to 3 colors of lead core. Try orange and silver or blue and silver spoons. Water temperatures were still very cold in the mid to upper 40’s. Salmon fishing was very slow. Pier anglers caught the occasional walleye, lake trout or Atlantic salmon when casting spoons and body baits.
East & West Twin Lakes: A few walleye were caught on East Twin but it is still hit-or-miss. There have been a few perch taken but the water is still too cold. West Twin had good walleye fishing with fish ranging 15 to 20 inches. Most anglers are jigging crawlers in the 10 foot holes. The bass fishing was also good using tube baits for smallmouth and rock bass. A pike was caught in the canal.
Alpena: Had great lake trout fishing. Thunder Bay Island has been a great place to try. They are suspended or within 10 feet of the bottom. Cowbells or dodgers with spin-glo’s have taken fish and they seem to like big flashers. Walleye fishing continues to pick up. The fish have been moving around a lot depending upon water temperature and baitfish. Good places to try have been Sulphur Island, Grass Island, Partridge Point and just outside of the marina. Try trolling body baits or crawler harnesses in green, purple or fire-tiger.
Thunder Bay River: Was slow for walleye but anglers can still find a lot of smallmouth bass at the dam. A few rock bass and sunfish have been caught.
Harrisville: The harbor is still being dredged but access has not been impeded. Boat anglers have done well for lake trout in 80 to 120 feet. The fish are spread throughout the water column so fish top to bottom with flies, body baits and cut bait. The walleye action has slowed but should pick up as the water warms.
Oscoda: The walleye bite slowed in the river and out in the big lake. A few fish were still being caught in the early morning and late evening for those using body baits, crawlers and leeches. Lake trout have been caught in good numbers in 75 to 110 feet. Fish the entire water column as a good number of fish were suspended and hitting on spoons, body baits and cut bait.
Higgins Lake: Those targeting perch were using minnows or wax worms in 20 to 40 feet. Anglers are starting to catch some nice rock bass.
Houghton Lake: Is having a mayfly hatch. Bluegills and sunfish are being caught along the weed beds. Walleye were along the drop-offs in eight feet. Anglers have caught a good number of pike and bass.
Lake St. Helen: Bluegills are making their way to the shallows to spawn. The crappie are done and have moved to deeper water. Both pike and largemouth bass have been very active.
Tawas: Those trolling in 20 to 40 feet caught a few walleye. The occasional lake trout was caught in 50 to 70 feet. Pier anglers caught a few smallmouth bass, carp, catfish and small perch.
Tawas River: Is producing a few stray walleye, some smallmouth bass and some small perch.
Au Gres: Had good walleye fishing straight out from the harbor in 30 to 35 feet.
Au Gres River: Anglers are catching channel cats, freshwater drum and the occasional perch.
NORTHWEST LOWER PENINSULA
Chinook fishing is decent around the piers. Alewives are spawning in the harbors so the salmon and brown trout are chasing them. Panfish are spawning on the inland lakes.
Harbor Springs: Had good lake trout fishing around Harbor Point. Fish were caught near the bottom or 50 to 60 feet down. Try spoons and spin-glo’s. Smallmouth bass fishing was good. Anglers are casting along the shoreline from the east end to inside Harbor Point. Depending on the location, surface water temperatures were 49 to 54 degrees.
Petoskey: Water temperatures were about 48 degrees which is still cold. Lake trout fishing has been hit-or-miss with most boats targeting Bay Harbor and east to the breakwall. Fish were caught on spoons near the bottom in 60 to 80 feet. Smallmouth bass, rock bass, pike, bullhead, carp and suckers were caught from the mouth of the river to the breakwall when using worms, flies, jigs and soft plastics or crank baits. Those fishing the D Pier caught bass and bullhead.
Bear River: Steelhead fishing is very slow but a couple were caught on spawn bags. Water levels should be back up after the rain. A lot of chubs were moving in around the dam.
Charlevoix: Anglers should find lake trout in waters 30 feet and deeper when using spoons, spin-glo’s and flasher/fly combos around North Point. A few fish were still being caught off the end of the pier in the early morning or evening with spoons or jigs with soft plastics. A few walleye were caught in the channel after dark with jigs and soft plastics or crank baits. Cisco were hit-or-miss in the channel. Try spinners or spoons. Smallmouth bass fishing should start picking up in the channel.
Elk River: Had fair catch rates for smallmouth bass. Try leeches or tube baits.
Traverse City: The East Bay has good Cisco and lake trout fishing. For Cisco, try jigging spoons in waters between 20 and 80 feet deep. For lake trout, try 30 to 45 feet or deeper in 90 to 110 feet. The smallmouth action is picking up as the surface water temperatures climb slowly. In the West Bay, smallmouth bass were caught near the mouth of the Boardman. Lake trout and Cisco were caught by those trolling in 20 to 50 feet.
Boardman River: Smallmouth bass, rock bass, and carp have been caught downtown. Try live bait for smallmouth.
Frankfort: The brown trout bite is still good for those using jointed body baits between the pier heads. Alewives are in the area. A few Chinook and lake trout were caught around the Herring Hole in the early morning. The Chinook are hitting in the top 75 feet and the lake trout were caught by those bouncing cowbells off the bottom.
Onekama: Those heading out and trolling the top 80 feet of waters 180 to 220 feet deep have caught a few Chinook salmon on spoons or meat rigs 60 feet down.
Portage Lake: The mayfly hatch has begun with hundreds around the light posts in Onekama. Bass are on beds and very active. Panfish including some perch were caught along the weed beds in 12 to 20 feet.
Manistee: Salmon and trout have been caught in 100 to 250 feet. Use orange spoons higher up and meat rigs down deep. Pier anglers caught some brown trout when casting spoons or using alewife.
Ludington: Boat anglers caught trout and salmon when trolling in 100 to 200 feet. Orange or green spoons have worked well on short coppers or lead cores. Red or green meat rigs worked well. Pier fishing is slow.
Pentwater: Boat anglers caught Chinook and steelhead in 100 to 160 feet. The salmon were hitting 60 feet down and steelhead about 10 feet down. Baitfish have moved into the channel and steelhead were caught by those trolling.
Pentwater Lake: Those fishing at Long Bridge caught a fair number of bullhead.
UPPER PENINSULA
Keweenaw Bay: The bite is once again up and down. Those trolling are working hard for a mix of Chinook, coho, lake trout and splake. They are trolling 15 to 40 feet down in 30 to 60 feet from the head of the bay north to Old Mission and both the east and west sides of the bay. Trolling speeds were between 1.9 and 2.5 mph with spoons and body baits in a variety of colors. Those jigging for lake trout did well out from Jentofts Dock, the Whirl-I-Gig and Pequaming in 220 to 260 feet. In Traverse Bay, those jigging for lake trout did well with jigs and cut bait in 180 to 140 feet.
Lake Gogebic: The majority of anglers are targeting walleye. While there were a handful of boats that were still catching a good number the last week has been slow for many others. Those using crank baits caught fewer fish however they also caught more keepers. Smallmouth bass fishing was good with most anglers casting lures into the rocky shoreline. Yellow perch anglers targeting Bergland Bay have also caught some pumpkinseed.
Menominee River: A few muskie were caught near Boom Island. Walleye anglers caught fish in the evening when trolling however a strong current made fishing more difficult. Shore anglers are catching a few walleye, catfish, and freshwater drum when using live bait in the slow water. Bass anglers had good success.
Little Bay De Noc: For walleye, those fishing Garth Point reported good catches of undersize fish with the occasional keeper when trolling or drifting crawlers in 18 to 20 feet. The mouth of the Escanaba River reported several good catches drifting crawler harnesses in 14 to 23 feet and Breezy Point 18 to 24 feet. Smallmouth bass fishing was fair to good in the Ford River. Try casting plastics, spinners or crank baits along the banks and at the mouth. Perch fishing was spotty. A few were caught on minnows around the green buoy near the Ford River in 22 feet or the “Narrows” and off Gladstone Beach when using crawlers and wigglers in 14 to 33 feet.
Big Bay De Noc: Walleye catches were reported at the head of the bay when trolling or drifting crawler harnesses in 16 to 18 feet. Smallmouth bass fishing was spotty with most targeting the waters near Ogontz, Puffy Bay, South River Bay, Porcupine Point and near the Fish Dam Rivers. Try casting crank baits, plastics or spinners in three to 10 feet.
Marquette: Surface water temperatures were between 40 and 44 degrees. More anglers are targeting lake trout but catch rates were slow. They fished Granite Loma, the Sand Hole, and along the outside of the Lower Harbor towards Sand River and Shot Point. Most caught no fish but a few lucky anglers did manage to take a limit of five at various depths anywhere from less than 100 to over 200 feet. The fish are eating sticklebacks and smelt. Anglers are using spoons but some had better luck with spoons and flies tipped with cut bait. A couple Chinook were also caught in less than 60 feet. Fishing near the mouth of the Carp River was slow with only a few hits on spawn or crawlers. Water levels in the river have dropped but there was still a strong current.
Au Train Lake: Anglers targeting walleye had fair success. Most were small but a few legal-size fish were caught. Pike were caught but most only averaged 20 inches. Anglers were using worms and leeches or trolling crank baits. Weeds have started to come up in areas and a small mayfly hatch was observed. Water temperatures were in the upper 50’s.
Munising: Catch rates were low for those trolling for Chinook and coho. Boats were targeting 60 to 200 feet of water near Sand Point and Trout Bay. Fresh spawn was used by those fishing off the dock of the Anna River but few fish were caught. Water temperatures were in the mid to high 40’s.
Grand Marais: Many are still fishing off the end of the pier but most are trolling about five miles out for lake trout. Catch rates are good on lake trout with anglers bringing in fish ranging 18 to 30 inches every trip. Whitefish average 14 inches with a few 20 inches or more.
South Manistique Lake: Walleye were caught by those trolling the drop-off between De Shelter Road and the island. Catch rates for bluegill and pumpkinseed have increased as the water warms up. Those using wax worms and red wigglers did well near the Wolf Road public access site.
Newberry: Walleye lakes and rivers in the area are producing some fish. Many are using crank baits and live bait in waters such as the Tahquamenon River, Nawakwa, Pike, Culhane, and Bodi Lakes. For largemouth bass, try Twin, Kaks and East Lake. Twin and East Lakes are located off of M-28 west of Newberry and Kaks Lake is located off M-117 just west of Newberry. The Dollarville Flooding is a great place for muskie this time of year. Try artificial lures or trolling with suckers.
Munuscong Bay: Anglers caught good numbers of small walleye near the mouth of the river.
DeTour: Cold water temperatures have slowed the salmon and trout fishing along the DeTour Reef but anglers were still getting a mix of Chinook, Atlantic salmon and lake trout. They are trolling lead core with orange and chrome colored spoons 12 to 18 feet down in 45 to 60 feet between the green can and the lighthouse.
Drummond Island: The walleye bite slowed because of the cold clear water in Scott Bay. Fish were caught by those trolling around Peck Island with bottom bouncers and crawler harnesses with orange or copper blades in nine to 12 feet. Trolling speed was 1.2 mph. Smallmouth bass are still good at the south end of James Island using green or brown tube jigs in two to three feet.
Cedarville and Hessel: The water is still cold. Northern pike are biting, but harvest has been very slow. Perch in the Moscoe Channel were hitting on minnows and worms in five to six feet. Smallmouth bass are starting to move onto the beds.
St. Ignace: Had a handful of anglers but fishing was slow.
The Weekly Fishing Report is intended to give anglers an ”idea” of what is going on around the state. Updates for the report come from our DNR Fisheries Creel Clerks (seasonal staff) and field staff as well as DNR Conservation Officers working in in the field. General information when available can be found in the first paragraph for each section of the report. For those looking for specific information on a certain body of water or port, it is safe to say if a certain species is being caught in some waters in the area, more than likely they are being caught in all waters in that section of the state that have that species.
While we would love to include all waters and ports of the state that simply is not possible, especially with more than 11,000 inland lakes, the Great Lakes and thousands of miles of rivers and streams.
Do you have a great spot to go fishing that you'd like to share? Consider submitting it to the DNR for the Family Friendly Fishing Waters project!
Revenue from fishing and hunting license sales supports DNR activities to enhance Michigan’s natural resources. These license sales also increase federal revenue to the State of Michigan for the management of these resources. Please help support Michigan’s abundant natural resources by purchasing a fishing and hunting license each year. 