Weekly Fishing Report: June 12, 2014

Find out where the fish are biting this week!
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Weekly Fishing Report

June 12, 2014

 


 

Weekly Fishing Tip: It's AIS Awareness Week! What can you do to help? Screenshot of MISIN app
June 7 – 15 is Aquatic Invasive Species Awareness Week, an effort to raise awareness about the need for citizens to take action to stop new introductions and control the spread of AIS.

There are many things citizens can do to help prevent the introduction of new aquatic invasive species and the spread of those already here. This includes things like monitoring your bait and disposing of it properly at the conclusion of your fishing trip and cleaning your boat and trailer before transporting it to another water body.

In addition, it’s a good idea to be on the lookout for species of concern and to report anything that seems odd to you. A good tool for doing so is the Midwest Invasive Species Information Network smartphone app – available for free for iPhone or Android users.  





 


Weekly Fishing Report map

 

 

Great Lakes Temperature Map

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 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.  

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


As we head further into summer, catch rates are finally improving. Anglers are doing well on the inland lakes for bluegill, crappie, bass, walleye, pike and some perch. The Great Lakes are producing trout and salmon.

SOUTHEAST LOWER PENINSULA

Lake Erie:  Walleye are still being caught in 18 to 24 feet near the Raisin River Buoys and 14 to 20 feet straight out from the beach at Sterling State Park. Perch and walleye were caught in 25 feet between Brest Bay and Stony Point and in 19 to 21 feet straight out from Bolles Harbor and into Ohio waters, especially around West Sister Island. Anglers are bottom bouncing bright colored crawler harnesses or trolling spoons on jet divers in deeper water. Try trolling hard jerk baits for walleye suspending in shallower waters mid-day.

Detroit River:  Walleye fishing is still good, but white bass continue to pester walleye anglers. White bass fishing was excellent and smallmouth fishing was very good.  

Portage Chain-of-Lakes:  Has good bluegill action for those using crawlers. Beds can be found along most of the sandbars throughout the lakes. The bass are done spawning and hitting on soft plastics, worms and swim baits along the weedy flats. Because of heavy boat traffic on the weekends, fishing is better during the week.    

Lake St. Clair:  Muskie reports from the opener were mixed but some large fish were caught near Metro Beach and the 400 Club. Smallmouth fishing was good near Selfridge and the Mile Roads. Pike continue to show up in Anchor Bay. Try the shallow weed beds near Fair Haven and the Salt River.  

St. Clair River:  Had very good walleye fishing at Port Huron, Marine City, and the South Channel at Harsens Island. Bottom bouncing, whipping and jigging were producing good catches of walleye.  

Lexington:  Those trolling have taken a mix of trout and salmon in 40 to 90 feet. Pier anglers were catching lots of rock bass on worms, small minnows or small hardware.  

Port Sanilac:  A couple steelhead were taken on large minnows under a bobber. Boat anglers are getting trout and salmon when trolling in waters up to 90 feet deep. Pier anglers are catching some large rock bass.  

Harbor Beach:  Walleye fishing is slow, but a few were caught by those casting off the wall. Try small spoons or body baits in the early morning or late evening. Some took limit catches of lake trout in 80 to 110 feet of water. Use dodgers or cowbells with spin glows just off the bottom or spoons 40 to 85 feet deep. Salmon and steelhead are in 50 to 120 feet straight out or north of the port. Try spoons off downriggers, 5, 8 and 10 colored lead lines with offshore boards. Anglers can also look for mud lines and fish there. Hot colors were orange and black, purple and gold or bright colors. There is plenty of water at the launch and out the channel.  

Grindstone City:   Those wading caught smallmouth bass in Eagle Bay and the Grindstone City harbor.  

Saginaw Bay:  Is producing walleye in a number of places including 21 to 24 feet around the Spark Plug (Buoys 11 & 12), 21 feet near the Dumping Grounds, eight feet off the Pinconning Bar, 14 feet east of Spoils Island, and 14 to 16 feet in the Slot between Quanicassee and the tip of Sand Point. Most anglers are using crawler harnesses with purple, green or brass blades. Catch rates were good from most access points including Sebewaing and Bay Port. Fishing at Caseville was slow but will pick up as the water gets warmer.  

Saginaw River:  Anglers trolling the lower river between the mouth and the Coast Guard Station have caught quite a few walleye including some limit catches on silver and blue crank baits.   


SOUTHWEST LOWER PENINSULA
St. Joseph: 
Salmon fishing was fair with fish taken on spoons in 70 feet. Pier anglers caught a few freshwater drum but no steelhead or salmon. Perch fishing was just getting started but was still slow. A few fish were taken in 50 feet.  

South Haven: 
Salmon were caught on spoons in 80 to 90 feet however catch rates were spotty. Pier and perch fishing remain slow.   

Grand Haven: 
Water temperatures have cooled once again. Salmon are now around the piers and have been caught between the surface and 40 feet down. Try small spoons or spinnie/fly combos. Orange has been the hot color. Pier anglers caught alewife but the salmon were just outside their reach.  

Grand River in Grand Rapids: 
Is producing channel catfish for those using cut baits, crawlers or leeches. Flatheads are also being caught on fresh cut bait, live suckers, crawlers or leeches. Some are getting walleye when drifting or vertical jigging. Check out the backwaters for bluegill and crappie.  

Grand River at Lansing:  I
s producing a good number of smallmouth bass for those using minnows, crawlers or leeches. Catfish have been caught below the dams.  

Lake Lansing: 
Is producing panfish.  

Ingham County: 
Anglers are out fishing and several have taken limit catches of panfish.  

Jackson County: 
Lakes are producing bluegill, crappie, bass, pike and rock bass.       
 
Calhoun County: 
Boat anglers are on the water. Bluegill and bass are being caught in good numbers with some approaching limit catches.    

Muskegon: 
Water temperatures were in the mid to low 40’s. Look for salmon closer to shore. Pier anglers may also find fish in the early morning. The fish cleaning station at the Snug Harbor Launch is now open.  

Whitehall: 
Anglers were catching trout and salmon in 120 to 150 feet however cold water has moved in and those fishing deep were no longer marking fish. Try 60 to 80 feet with spoons. Orange and blue were good colors.  


NORTHEAST LOWER PENINSULA
Rogers City: 
Lake trout are starting to show up in decent numbers up near Forty Mile Point and the State Park or south between Calcite and the Dyno Shack. Try the bottom 10 feet in waters 45 to 60 feet with cowbells or dodgers with spin glows. Some caught the occasional Atlantic, Chinook or steelhead in the top 45 feet of waters 60 to 90 feet deep with lead core, copper and downriggers. Hot colors were green glow, orange and green, orange and silver, blue or anything that glows early and late. The salmon are still scattered. Minnows around the breakwall should attract Atlantic salmon, lake trout or a possible walleye. Try casting bright colored spoons or body baits in orange or chartreuse with silver.      

Alpena:  
Is starting to produce some walleye in the bay but those trolling along the shoreline caught the most fish on crawler harnesses and body baits. Hot colors were chartreuse, purple and perch. Those heading out to the Nine Mile Can and Thunder Bay Island caught lake trout and the occasional Chinook, pink or Atlantic salmon. Lake trout are just off the bottom and hitting on cowbells or dodgers with spin glows. A few were caught on spoons near the bottom. The salmon are higher in the top 50 feet. Hot colors were green, yellow, orange and blue.   

Thunder Bay River: 
Walleyes are once again showing up as they move in and out of the river. They are most likely following the food source. Most are casting live bait or body baits from the Ninth Street Bridge. They also caught lots of smallmouth bass.  Those trolling caught a mix of walleye, smallmouth bass and pike. The steelhead are pretty much done but a few Atlantic salmon were feeding on steelhead eggs.  

Harrisville: 
Had good lake trout fishing with fish up near 20 pounds harvested. Salmon and steelhead were also caught. Boats were trolling close to shore early and heading out deeper as the day progressed. Fish were taken in waters 20 to 120 feet deep by those using a range of baits from spoons, fly’s, cut bait, squid or spin-glows.  

Oscoda: 
Most anglers are targeting walleye near the mouth and in the river. Pier fishing was good in the early morning and throughout the night. Some are targeting catfish but few were caught. Wait for water temperatures to come up.    

Au Sable River: 
Steelhead are still making their way up into the river. Those fishing the Boy Scout Camp, High Banks and up near the dam had good success.  

Higgins Lake: 
Some perch were caught in 30 to 40 feet near the Main Island and the Sunken Island. Try minnows or wax worms. Rock bass have been caught along the drop-off. Those jigging in 80 to 100 feet caught a good number of lake trout out from the Conference Center and the North State Park. Rainbow trout were caught along the drop-off in 20 to 40 feet.   

Houghton Lake: 
With a fly hatch underway the fish are feeding. Anglers are catching some bluegill, crappie, walleye and bass.    

Tawas: 
Only a few were trolling for walleye as most of the locals were trailering their boats down to Au Gres. A couple fish were caught out past Buoy #2 in 35 feet. Pier anglers caught a mixed bag of smallmouth bass, rock bass, crappie, catfish and carp.  

Tawas River: 
Shore anglers caught bluegills, smallmouth bass, freshwater drum and channel cats.

Au Gres: 
Has had a lot fishing pressure and a lot of walleye caught. With over 150 boats out, more than half of those checked had limit catches. Good fishing in 25 to 35 feet between Point Lookout and Pointe Au Gres. Some were heading as far south as Pinconning.  

Au Gres River: 
Fishing was slow with only a few channel cats caught.


NORTHWEST LOWER PENINSULA
Harbor Springs: 
Smallmouth bass anglers were focusing their efforts near the permanent structures east of Wequetonsing (the pier at Roaring Brook) and the north shore of Petoskey State Park. Many fish were still on the beds. Anglers saw large schools of fish in shallow waters near Harbor Point which could be cisco.  

Petoskey: 
Surface water temperatures were between 37 and 49 degrees in Little Traverse Bay. Those heading out did catch lake trout in 40 to 50 feet with rigs using peanuts and winged glow bobbers. A midge hatch made fishing off the breakwall a challenge but those near the mouth of the Bear River caught smallmouth bass, rock bass, carp and freshwater drum. Try crawlers, soft plastics and spinners.  

Charlevoix: 
Surface temperatures were 48 degrees. No sign of salmon yet but good numbers of lake trout were marked in 40 feet near the Can and the Cement Plant. Fishing was good in 40 to 50 feet around North Point. Some fish were suspended and some were on the bottom. A large midge hatch made pier fishing a challenge. A couple smallmouth bass were caught in the channel. Use crawlers and soft plastics during the day and crank baits near sunset. Pier anglers caught lake trout on spoons or crank baits. Catch rates for walleye in the channel improved for those fishing around sunset and into the night from both sides of the pier. Try crank baits and jigs with soft plastics on the bottom.  

Lake Charlevoix: 
Anglers have done well for smallmouth bass in 12 to 14 feet. The bass are still full of eggs and not on the beds yet.  

Bear River: 
Is still running a bit low. No steelhead were seen above the dam but fish were jumping at the dam. Those using spawn are still picking up a few.    

Traverse City: 
Those fishing in the East Bay caught a fair number of smallmouth bass on tube baits in five to 15 feet of water. Catch rates will improve as water temperatures rise. Some caught cisco but the lake trout seem to be scattered in waters 20 to 90 feet deep. Those trolling or jigging in the West Bay caught lake trout in 20 to 115 feet. Smallmouth bass could be found in shallow waters.    

Elk River: 
Still has the occasional steelhead being caught however most anglers are now targeting smallmouth bass. Try crawlers, leeches or tube baits.  

Boardman River: 
Is producing smallmouth bass, suckers and carp. Most of the action came on live bait fished near the Union Street Dam.  

Platte Bay: 
Some big lake trout have been caught by those trolling spoons about two miles out and northwest of the port. They are using spoons in brown, orange, copper and green with a black ladder back.  

Platte River: 
Fishing has slowed with the exodus of the steelhead and brown trout. A few smaller fish were caught up near the hatchery and down near Honor off South Street. A couple smallmouth bass were caught near the mouth and up at Loon Lake.  

Frankfort: 
Had great fishing for Chinook salmon in front of the piers and from the Herring Hole. There are plenty of alewife in the area and the salmon are taking advantage it. The early morning bite was the best when trolling 50 to 80 feet down in 120 to 180 feet with mini or slim spoons and meat rigs. Green and mixed fruit were the hot colors.  

Onekama: 
Those heading straight out and trolling 40 to 70 feet down in 120 to 170 feet have caught Chinook and steelhead on orange and green mini or slim spoons.  

Portage Lake: 
Is producing nice catches of bluegill and bass. Bluegills are hitting on worms in six to 12 feet. Bass were caught along the drop-offs in 13 to 18 feet. Walleye anglers are picking up a few at night but the season is off to a slow start.

Lakes Cadillac and Mitchell: 
Had some bluegills on the beds. Anglers are catching a good number of bass. Those trolling crawler harnesses in deeper water have found a few walleye.  

Manistee: 
Salmon are being caught 20 to 70 feet down in 60 to 160 feet of water. Orange and yellow spoons worked well. Purple and Green meat rigs have done better deeper in the water column. Pier anglers are catching a few brown trout on live bait or spoons.

Ludington:  
Trout and salmon are being caught in waters 50 to 150 feet deep. Most of the fish are coming in the top 60 feet and hitting on bright colored spoons. A few were also taken on purple or red meat rigs.


UPPER PENINSULA
Boat anglers heading out into Lake Superior still need to use caution because of scattered ice flows and believe it or not, icebergs. With surface water temperatures in the low 40’s, the ice could be there until the end of the month.  

Ontonagon: 
Had fair fishing with a mixed bag of lake trout, brown trout, Chinook, coho, walleye and rainbow trout taken by those trolling in 15 to 55 feet. They are using lead core and stick baits. Some also did well when trolling boards with spoons or body baits.  

Ontonagon River: 
Had a few nice catches of walleye ranging 15 to 18 inches. Anglers are trolling body baits.  

Keweenaw Bay: 
Had only a couple pieces of ice in the bay. Those trolling in 30 to 60 feet did manage to catch a few trout and salmon. Splake were caught shallow in four to 15 feet with spoons or body baits in a variety of colors. Splake were caught off the rock dock near the L’Anse Marina and at the mouth of Linden Creek. Lake trout were caught by those jigging off the Whirl-I-Gig, Old Mission and off Pequaming. Try 180 to 260 feet of water with a ¾ to 1 ½ ounce jig head and cut baits such as a sucker. In Traverse Bay, anglers are trolling for lake trout in 130 to 180 feet off Big Louie’s and Gay Point or jigging in 20 to 260 feet off Big Louie’s. Try spoons in a variety of colors. The bite from the South Portage Entry has picked up. Lake trout were taken 50 to 100 feet down in 60 to 130 feet when trolling spoons or body baits. Best speed was between 1.5 and 1.8 mph. Those jigging also caught some nice lake trout.  

Lake Antoine: 
Shore anglers caught bluegills, perch, rock bass and crappie when still-fishing or drifting crawlers, minnows and wax worms. Bass anglers have done well when casting crank baits or trolling artificial baits.  
 
Marquette: 
Boat anglers heading out 15 to 20 miles or more will need to use caution because of scattered ice flows including some large icebergs still in the area Catch rates were fair to good.  Surface water temperatures remain in the low 40’s. Chinook were hitting on spoons in less than 50 feet near the Carp River, Chocolay and Sand River areas. Most are using planer boards and high lines. Lake trout were caught mainly north of the White Rocks to Granite Island and towards Little Presque Isle in 150 to 200 feet or deeper. Try spoons with cut bait in the morning. Catch rates for coho were poor.  

Little Bay De Noc:  H
ad fair to good walleye catches from the Whitefish River south to the Center Reef when trolling or drifting crawler harnesses with crawlers in 14 to 24 feet as well as between the Second Reef and the east bank at Gladstone when trolling or jigging crawlers in 18 to 30 feet. Walleye fishing was very good off Breezy Point for those using crawlers with harnesses in eight to 10 feet. While some big fish have been caught many are now catching younger fish that range 16 to 19 inches. Smallmouth bass anglers report very good fishing throughout the bay especially near the Ford River. Most of the fish caught were males guarding the beds. Try casting, jigging or trolling plastic crank baits or crawlers along the edge and near structure in three to seven feet. Perch fishing was fair along the beach at Gladstone in 11 to 25 feet and near Kipling in 12 to 23 feet. Crawlers or minnows worked best.  

Escanaba River: 
Reported fair walleye catches for those using crank baits or crawlers along the weed beds in 12 to 20 feet. Pier anglers fishing the river reported several catches when still-fishing with crawlers.  

Big Bay De Noc: 
Walleye catches were good between Valentine Creek and Kate’s Bay for those trolling or drifting harnesses with crawlers in 10 to 20 feet. Some did well when jigging along the weeds in shallow water off the northern end of Kate’s Bay. Good to excellent smallmouth action at the head of bay, near Ogontz and the South River area. Anglers are casting, trolling or jigging plastics, crank baits or crawlers in three to eight feet. At Fairport, some of the slips are just being filled as the season is just getting underway. No salmon reports as of yet but the water is cold.    

Au Train: 
Catch rates increased for those targeting trout and salmon. Few coho were taken but small Chinook were caught in waters less than 40 feet deep in the mornings. Surface water temperatures were extremely cold at 40 degrees but warmer near the mouth of the Au Train River and the Rock River. Those trolling between the Brownstone Launch and the Au Train River did best. Lake trout have been caught east of Au Train Island, near the shipping channel and the Wood Island Reef in 150 to 200 feet. A number of lake trout were feeding on freshwater shrimp and insects and were seen surface feeding at night and pre-dawn.  

St. Mary’s River: 
Near Sault Ste. Marie, northern pike action was good for those trolling spoons and bucktail spinners in Bay De Wasaui. Catch rates for walleye were excellent on the north end of Munuscong Bay near the mouth of the Munuscong River in four to six feet. The weeds are not up in most of the bays so this is a good time to catch walleye in shallow water. Raber Bay and Lime Island were slow for walleye and pike. A few walleye were taken near Carlton Creek when trolling crawler harnesses in four to six feet. The water is still cold in Raber Bay.  
 
Detour: 
Anglers caught steelhead, Atlantic and Chinook salmon around the lighthouse. Try spoons and body baits in orange, watermelon, gold or green.    

Drummond Island: 
Walleye fishing was still very good in the early morning or late evening in Scott Bay. Anglers are using planer boards and bottom bouncers with crawler harnesses in four to eight feet or long-lining with a tiny split shot ahead of a night crawler.  

Cedarville and Hessel:
The report is the same as last week. Perch are in the Hessel Marina but many are small. Pike are being caught in Government Bay, Musky Bay, Middle Entrance, and off the pier at Hessel.  

Carp River: 
Anglers are fishing the Carp River Bridge and McDonald Rapids for steelhead and suckers. The water is still fast and muddy, but anglers are harvesting fish on spawn, red or green spinners and orange yarn.



 

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