Southeast Lower Peninsula
Lake Erie: Had heavy yellow perch fishing especially out of Brest Bay, off Stony Point, Fermi, and Toledo Beach. Those that caught fish were using minnows on spreaders while anchored in 20 to 25 feet. Fish were also caught around the E-Buoy, and the C-Buoy as well as Buoys 1 & 2 at the mouth of the Raisin River. No walleye to report this week.
Lenawee County: Bluegill anglers fishing Devils Lake reported slow catch rates.
Those that did catch some say the fish were suspended in 20 to 30 feet and were hitting on wax worms and crickets. Crappie fishing was starting to pick up for those using minnows. For Lake Hudson, anglers were putting in more time looking for muskie with the cooler water temperatures. Bass anglers were starting to do better especially in shallow waters.
Detroit River: Boat anglers are targeting walleye, bass, muskie, channel catfish and yellow perch. Walleye anglers are bottom bouncing with crawler harnesses, hand-lining or jigging. Those hand-lining at night did catch a few fish. Fishing slowed around Mud Island and Grassy Island. Success rates downriver were variable at the mouth and up along the east side of Grosse Ile. Those fishing around Celeron Island averaged zero to two walleye though a few limit or near limit catches were reported. Most of the fish were 16 to 18 inches but a few were up to 25. Catch rates were fair for large and smallmouth bass but many were sub-legal. Anglers are casting and drop-shotting along the east side of Grosse Ile and around the smaller islands. Yellow perch anglers were getting a few more keepers. The better fishing was near Hennepin Point and Sugar Island. Catch rates should pick up as minnows become more plentiful. Muskie anglers reported light action with a few fish in the 30 inch range. Water temperatures were 68 to 70 degrees.
Lake St. Clair: Smallmouth bass fishing remains very good. Water temperatures are starting to drop and anglers should see bass to begin moving into shallower waters again. Perch fishing continues to be slow with anglers reporting lots of small fish, but few finding any number of keeper size. Walleye fishing has been slow but should improve as the fall migration from Lake Huron to Lake Erie gets underway.
St. Clair River: Walleye fishing remains slow with only a few fish caught in the upper river near the Bluewater Bridge. As temperatures cool, fishing should improve as walleye that have been roaming Lake Huron begin to filter south into the St. Clair River on their way back to Lake Erie. Sturgeon fishing has been steady with some large fish in the mix. Those looking for sturgeon should focus on the Delta Channels. Sturgeon anglers have also been catching some nice catfish.
Lexington & Port Sanilac: A few lake trout and steelhead were caught in 60 to 70 feet. Pier anglers managed the occasional bass or pike.
Harbor Beach: Had rumors of walleye taken at night by those fishing off the breakwall. Some lake trout were caught north of the harbor in 100 to 120 feet. Try dodgers with spin-n-glows right on the bottom or spoons off downriggers. Digging the bottom with dodgers worked best. For steelhead, try fishing near the color line with bright colored spoons. A few perch were caught inside the harbor. They are small but will entertain the kids.
Port Austin: Produced a nice limit of lake trout for one boat trolling straight north of the lighthouse and using spin-n-glows in 130 feet.
Saginaw Bay: Run-off from the last heavy rain did murk up the water near the mouth of the rivers which put a damper on fishing success. Some boats were out fishing the dead shipping channel in the early morning most likely for perch.
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