Northeast Lower Peninsula

This is a good time of year to try fishing trout lakes in the area.  Be sure to check the Inland Trout and Salmon Regulations to make sure the lake is open to fishing and did not close on September 30.     

Burt & Mullett Lake:  Yellow perch fishing was hit-or-miss.  Anglers will need to be mobile to find them.  

Thunder Bay River:   Steelhead came in with the rain but catch rates were still on the slow side.  Try flies, salmon eggs near the bottom or small Cleo’s.  

Au Sable River:  Had some steelhead in the lower river.  Anglers are using spawn on the bottom, fly fishing or casting small spoons.  Some have caught the occasional walleye when casting body baits.  Blue and silver, orange and silver or fire-tiger are usually good colors.   

Higgins Lake:  Those seeking lake trout will want to try trolling in 80 to 100 feet.  For rainbow trout and brown trout, try fishing along the drop-offs.  No word on perch.    

Houghton Lake:  Had few anglers going out.  Those that are did catch a few pike, walleye and bass.  Crappie were caught in the canals.  

Tawas:  Had a few anglers trolling for walleye.  They were using crank baits and each boat was getting a couple fish.  A few walleye were caught by pier anglers casting crank baits in the evening.  Perch fishing off the pier was hit-or-miss with lots of sorting.  The water was all stirred up from all the wind.  

Au Gres:  The boats trolling rapalas caught a few walleye in 18 to 20 feet off Whitestone Point.  Not much to report on perch.  There have been some shore anglers fishing off the docks in Eagle Bay Marina but they are sorting through a lot of small ones to get a few keepers. 

Au Gres River:  Had reports of some steelhead in the East Branch.  The fish were bright chrome and fresh.  Look for more as the weather cools.  

Rifle River:  Anglers may find some steelhead as fresh fish did move in after the rain.

Northwest Lower Peninsula

Walleye fishing on the inland lakes picked up especially for those trolling or casting body baits at night. Fair to good pike and bass fishing were also reported.  

Petoskey:  Steelhead were starting to show up in the harbor.  There are a lot of lake trout as well but the season in the waters of Lake Michigan is closed.  The docks at the boat launch have been pulled for the season.   

Bear River:  Steelhead are moving into the river.  Lake trout are also being caught but anglers need to be careful on where they are keeping them.  The mouth upstream to the dam is open to keep lake trout but Little Traverse Bay is closed.  Windy days are the best when using spawn bags or spinners.  

Boardman River:  Continues to produce lake trout up near the Union Street Dam.  Salmon were few and far between but more steelhead were starting to show up.  

Frankfort:  Pier fishing was good when anglers could safely access the pier.  Strong winds have kept most of the boat traffic at bay.  Those surfcasting have also caught steelhead.  

Betsie River:  Much needed rains did help push some fresh steelhead into the river.  The salmon are done and any leftover fish are pretty dark.   

Manistee:  Pier and surfcasting for steelhead was good depending on wind and wave action.  

Manistee River:  Steelhead fishing picked up after the rain.  Some are still catching the odd salmon however the fish are spent.  Steelhead were found in the Little Manistee River.  

Ludington:  Pier anglers and those surfcasting have caught steelhead when the weather allows.  A few boats were heading south when the winds allowed.    

Pere Marquette River:  Anglers were catching steelhead especially after the rain.  Try spawn or small spoons.   

Upper Peninsula

Keweenaw Bay:  Anglers were still picking up a mix of coho and splake off the pier in L’Anse and at the head of the bay near the cement bridge.  From the South Portage Entry, lake trout and a couple steelhead were caught by those trolling in 70 to 100 feet between the lighthouse and Farmers Reef.   In Traverse Bay, lake trout and steelhead were caught straight out from the pier and down near the Gay Stacks.  

Menominee River:  Whitefish were starting to show up and the next couple weeks could bring some very good fishing.  Walleye were caught on rapalas and plastics near the Hattie Street Dam.  A few brown trout were caught between Stephenson Island and the Hattie Street Dam.  Anglers were casting small spoons, rapalas and plastics.  Shore anglers found perch and walleye near the Mystery Ship landing and the Lighthouse Pier.  Try minnows on the bottom.   

Little Bay De Noc:  Walleye anglers did best when trolling stick baits with boards at night along the Center Reef and the Third Reef in 12 to 30 feet.  Day anglers were trolling the same in 24 to 34 feet between the “Narrows” and the Center Reef.  Perch fishing was spotty.  Most anglers could be found along the Second Reef and the Center Reef where fish were caught on minnows in eight to 20 feet.   Northern pike were still active throughout.  Smallmouth anglers did best just south of Hunters Point when using minnow rigs or spinners in 12 to 25 feet.    

St. Mary’s River:  Should still have some walleye for the taking.  Try trolling crank baits or crawler harnesses.  

Fishing Tip:  Boat winterization - it's time!

Now may be a good time to think about winterizing your boat to ensure you’ll be ready to get out on the water in a timely fashion next spring. Need some steps to get started? Check out the suggestions below:

1. Flush the engine with fresh water.
2. Fill the tank with gas and add some fuel stabilizer. Run the motor for five minutes to mix. Shut off the fuel valve and run the remaining fuel out of the engine.
3. Apply fogging oil on the carburetor and remove spark plugs and spray those locations as well.
4. Replace the fuel filter.
5. Wipe down the engine.
6. Completely drain your bilge.
7. Remove the battery and other electronics and store in a dry place where they won’t freeze.
8. Cover the boat with a tarp and keep it sealed. Leave one or two small vents to prevent condensation and moisture build-up.
9. Store outboard engines standing up. Store inboard engines by making sure the boat’s bow is a few inches higher than the stern.