Weekly Fishing Report - July 12, 2012
Michigan Department of Natural Resources sent this bulletin at 07/12/2012 08:00 AM EDT
Weekly Fishing Report
July 12, 2012
Weekly Fishing Tip: A Little Nighttime Fishing
With summer in full swing and the temperatures pushing record highs across most of the state, fish become quite lethargic. Even the classic warmwater large and smallmouth bass move slowly and show less interest in feeding during daylight hours when the sun is high in the sky. However they still can be caught by the angler looking for a little adventure!
This week's tip for bass, when summer is in full swing and the temperatures soar is….go NOCTURNAL! Some of the best bass fishing this time of year occurs during the first hour or so after dark. Dusk and dawn can still produce fish but that first hour or two after dark can be exceptional.
After dark, bass tend to move shallow in search of an easy meal. Target them near the same areas you would during other times of the day while also casting and targeting the shallows. You’ll definitely want to also change your technique. Since after dark you can't see the weed line or other underwater structures, fishing subsurface lures is not recommended. It is time for surface presentations. Frogs and poppers work great and rarely catch on anything, other than fish. After the cast, work them aggressively with a jerking motion making sure they pop and gurgle across the surface of the water during your retrieve. Pay close attention during the retrieve, watching and listening for the strike which can be explosive.
This type of fishing can be lots of fun and the darkness and solitude of the lake you’re fishing adds a new aura/mystery to the whole experience. So if you are feeling adventurous, get on the water at 10:00 p.m. and fish the shallows for bass until midnight or 1:00 a.m. The results can be spectacular!
For more information on fishing for bass in Michigan, visit the DNR’s Michigan Fish and How to Catch Them website.
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
Fisheries Division has received numerous calls regarding dead and dying fish, especially northern pike. Die-offs have been reported in the Kawkawlin River, Quanicassee River, the lower reaches of the Tittabawassee River at Green Point and the Shiawassee River between St. Charles and Chesaning. Elsewhere in the Lower Peninsula there have been pike mortalities in the lower Kalamazoo River, the Huron River and in Pontiac Lake. Fisheries biologists have determined the die-offs to be natural kills following the extremely hot weather. Pike cannot tolerate water temperatures in the high 80’s and low 90’s for any significant length of time. Dissolved oxygen levels and low water levels also contribute to mortalities.
Lake Erie: Fishing has been very good over the past week. Limit catches of walleye were taken in waters 19 feet deep in Brest Bay while others have done well between Stony Point and Fermi in 22 to 26 feet of water. Good numbers of walleye caught just off the Banana Dike in 19 feet of water. Crawler harnesses are still out-fishing spoons and body baits. Purple, pink and copper have been good colors. Perch anglers did well in 25 feet of water off Stony Point. Those launching out of Bolles Harbor are doing well off Luna Pier and the Dumping Grounds in 17 to 22 feet of water. The E-Buoy is showing steady numbers of perch.
Detroit River: Those hand-lining were still catching some walleye.
Lake St. Clair: Walleye were caught in 16 feet of water near the shipping channel.
St. Clair River: Those hand-lining caught a fair number of walleye especially up near Port Huron. Best time to fish was 9:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. or early morning.
Port Sanilac: Perch have been caught from the weed beds in the early morning in 15 feet of water. As the day goes on, the perch were moving out to waters as deep as 40 feet. The fish caught range from nine to 14 inches. Those out trolling in 70 to 90 feet of water caught a nice mix of chinook, coho, steelhead, lake trout and the occasional brown trout.
Harbor Beach: Those trolling caught walleye in 30 feet of water off Port Hope. Trout and salmon were marked in 90 to 120 feet of water but the bite was slow.
Grindstone City: Had very good walleye fishing during the evening hours. Quite a few fish were caught in 12 to 18 feet of water when using wiggle warts and other crank baits. Walleye were also caught as far out as 42 feet of water.
Port Austin: Had good walleye fishing off the reef in 35 feet of water but access continues to be a problem as the public ramp and harbor are closed all summer for reconstruction. Most boat anglers are launching from Grindstone City.
Saginaw Bay: Fishing has held up even with the continuing trend of walleye moving to cooler and deeper waters in the outer bay. Walleye were caught in 18 feet of water near Linwood, the Black Hole, the Pinconning Bar and in the deepest areas around the Slot. Channel cats have been caught in the Hot Ponds. At Caseville, walleye fishing was excellent off Oak Point, around the Steeples north of Big Charity Island and along the reefs off Sleeper State Park.
Saginaw River: Walleye are still being caught between the mouth and the Independence Bridge. Smaller boats are fishing the river when the bay is rough. Shore anglers fishing at Smith Park in Essexville are catching channel cats, freshwater drum, smallmouth bass and a few perch.
SOUTHWEST LOWER PENINSULA
St. Joseph: Salmon fishing has improved with good catches taken in 60 to 90 feet of water. Perch fishing continues to be steady. The fish were scattered in 20 to 40 feet of water. Pier fishing was slow.
St. Joseph River: Has low water levels. Shore anglers and those wading have caught walleye, bass and pike in the deeper holes.
South Haven: Salmon anglers caught a few fish in 80 feet of water but overall catch rates were slow. Those looking for perch reported spotty fishing and slow catch rates. Boat anglers will want to move around in waters at least 20 feet deep. Pier anglers caught steelhead with winds out of the north or east.
Kalamazoo River: Is now open except for a 1000 foot section in the Morrow Lake Delta area which is from about the 35th Street Bride in Galesburg to River Oaks Park. The closed section is marked off with booms.
Grand Haven: Pier anglers caught chinook and steelhead on alewife and shrimp. Steelhead fishing was good with a north or east wind. A few perch were caught on alewife or crawlers. Salmon fishing improved as water temperatures cooled. Boat anglers are fishing 40 to 90 feet down in 125 to 200 feet of water with copper lines with spoons. Hot colors were green and blue deep and orange higher up. White paddles with green or blue flies also worked well.
Grand River at Grand Rapids: Water levels are very low and clear. Anglers were catching smallmouth bass and a few walleye.
Grand River at Lansing: Has low water levels. Check the dams for catfish and carp. Try corn or crawlers. Bass were caught on crawlers or plastics.
Muskegon: Salmon fishing picked up with the cooler temperatures. Anglers are fishing 60 to 75 feet down in waters 80 to 150 feet deep with spoons or white paddles with green or blue flies. Pier anglers caught steelhead when the winds were out of the north or the east.
Whitehall: Salmon were hitting on anything orange set 45 to 60 feet down in waters 85 feet deep. Steelhead were caught on white flies. Pier anglers were still catching steelhead when floating shrimp.
NORTHEAST LOWER PENINSULA
Cheboygan: Lake Huron is producing chinook salmon and lake trout for those fishing off the south and east sides of Bois Blanc Island with orange or yellow, green and white spoons with scallops. In Hammond Bay, anglers are targeting chinook 40 feet down in 90 feet of water off the Nine Mile Drop-Off and out from the Biological Station. Locals were fishing off the breakwall for pike and smallmouth bass.
Cheboygan River: Had fewer anglers however the river has a good current which should produce walleye. Try crawlers on a single hook or crawler harnesses. Rock bass and largemouth bass are hitting small silver spoons near the dam.
Rogers City: Catch rates are fair but some days are better than others because of all the baitfish. Most are fishing deeper but fish were also found higher up in warmer waters especially when they are feeding. Try straight out, north towards the State Park and the Biological Station or south towards Adams Point. The best bite was very early before sun rise or evening. Mid-day was good for steelhead which were hitting on lead core in 3, 5 or 7 colors with dipsey divers out 130 feet. Downriggers set about halfway down or in the top 30 feet. Good colors were green, blue with silver and yellow tail. Try darker colors early and late or anything that glows.
Presque Isle: Has the same report as Rogers City. Anglers are fishing south towards Stoneport, Albany Point or north between the two lighthouses.
Rockport: Boat anglers caught steelhead, lake trout and salmon when trolling spoons out near the Nordmere Wreck and Middle Island. Shore anglers are catching bluegill, smallmouth bass and rock bass. Try worms or spinners.
Alpena: Walleye are being caught in Thunder Bay by those using crawler harnesses, spinners and body baits. Walleye fishing was good along Sulphur Island, Scarecrow Island and along North Shore. Channel cats were caught by those using crawler harnesses. Those trolling spoons out near Thunder Bay Island, the “Humps”, and the Nordmere Wreck have caught several lake trout.
Thunder Bay River: Is producing rock bass and smallmouth bass between the 9th Street Dam and the marina. Try worms or artificial baits.
Harrisville: Lake trout seem to making their way out to deeper water. Anglers caught fish in 90 to 120 feet of water straight out and north of the harbor with spoons about three quarters of the way down. Hot colors were black and silver, black and orange or blue and silver. For steelhead, look for the scum line.
Oscoda: Walleye were caught by those trolling in deeper water for lake trout and salmon. Small spoons seem to work best in deeper water. Lake trout were moving out deeper north and south of the river. Colors vary but darker is better.
Au Sable River: Boat and shore anglers caught walleye on crawlers and leeches.
Houghton Lake: Is producing a few walleye along the weed beds in the early morning or late evening. Bluegills were caught on leeches or crawlers.
Tawas: Pier anglers are catching the usual summer mix of rock bass, smallmouth bass and a few small perch. Those fishing off the old Coast Guard Station also caught perch. Walleye were caught by those trolling in 40 to 50 feet of water off Alabaster. Some limit catches were reported.
Au Gres: Has good walleye fishing for those making the long run and heading out north of the Charity Islands or as far as Oak Point which is north of Caseville and the reefs off Sleeper State Park. Others are still heading south and fishing the inner bay in 30 feet of water north of Buoys 1 & 2.
NORTHWEST LOWER PENINSULA
Harbor Springs: Salmon fishing improved with fish caught around 5 Mile Point. The lake turned over and temperatures were dropping in the water column. It was 57 degrees at 80 feet. Salmon were caught 40 to 75 feet down in 160 feet of water and lake trout were caught 120 to 140 feet down.
Petoskey: Boat anglers targeting salmon were heading over to the Harbor Springs and fishing 100 feet down in 150 feet of water. Lake trout were still being caught between the pier and Bay Harbor when trolling at least 150 feet down.
Bear River: The steelhead bite is really slowing down, but anglers are still finding the occasional fish near the dam. Brown trout can be found at the dam and small rainbow trout were caught both above and below the dam. Try natural bait or flies.
Charlevoix: Salmon action has picked up. Some nice fish up to 16 pounds were caught 60 to 85 feet down in 160 to 180 feet of water with a Hootchie Mama, dipsey divers and flies. Bigger lake trout are also starting to show up around North Point. Try 135 to 140 feet down in 150 to 160 feet of water with spin glows and flies. The channel is still producing walleye, smallmouth bass and freshwater drum. Try crawlers or leeches in the evening.
Lake Charlevoix: Was producing some nice perch for those jigging in deep water.
Traverse City: The bays have good smallmouth bass fishing. Try 15 feet of water with soft plastic baits. Plenty of lake trout are being caught as well. Try jigging or trolling in 80 to 110 feet of water. A few chinook salmon were also caught.
Elk River: Anglers are mainly targeting smallmouth bass. Try leeches, crawlers, or plastic baits. Most of the fish are on the small side.
Boardman River: Anglers are targeting carp with corn or dough baits. For smallmouth bass try live baits such as crawlers, leeches, minnow or crayfish.
Frankfort: Anglers are taking limit catches of chinook when using meat rigs, spoons and green flies. A couple steelhead were also caught. Try 60 to 100 feet down in 90 to 150 feet of water but the depths were changing daily so check with the local shops. Most are trolling straight out from the lighthouse and heading north.
Onekama: Those heading straight out from the canal and north to the Golf Course caught some nice fish 60 to 90 feet down in 120 to 150 feet of water. Green was the hot color after sunrise.
Portage Lake: Early morning walleye are hitting on crawler harnesses. Fair to good bluegill catches for those using worms or shrimp in 14 to 18 feet of water. Bass anglers are still working the drops.
Lake Missaukee: Is producing panfish and some large pike.
Lakes Cadillac and Mitchell: For bluegill and crappie try small spinners or minnows, wax worms, crickets or leeches.
Manistee: Has good fishing 40 to 110 feet down in 80 to 200 feet of water with meat rigs. Good colors were yellow, green and blue. Try spoons higher in the water column. Green, orange and blue were good colors.
Manistee River: Is still producing some steelhead up near Tippy Dam.
Ludington: Boat anglers are catching trout and salmon 25 to 100 feet down in waters 60 to 180 feet deep. Try running orange, yellow, and green spoons. Meat rigs in various colors are also working.
Pentwater: Anglers are catching quite a few smallmouth bass in the channel. They are using body baits and minnows. Boat anglers targeting salmon were heading south and fishing the area near Stony Lake.
UPPER PENINSULA
Ontonagon: Had good fishing over the last week as more anglers were starting to catch salmon. Most are trolling spin glows, spoons and flies. Lake trout were scattered in 60 to 100 feet.
Marquette: Lake trout fishing continues to be slow with most averaging two to five fish. The fish are eating plankton and sticklebacks. Most are fishing near the “Sand Hole”, north of the white rocks and near Little Presque Isle. Stannard Rock continues to be consistent with lake trout averaging three to 10 pounds.
Menominee: Chinook, steelhead and brown trout were caught 50 to 80 feet down in 100 feet of water near Green Island. Limit catches of chinook salmon were taken near the Whalesback. The calm waters in the early morning or late evening were best. Those trolling in 70 to 85 feet of water north and south of the green can caught one to three fish per boat. Bright colored spoons worked best but some were also using dipsey divers and flies.
Menominee River: Those trolling are taking smallmouth bass, channel cats, freshwater drum, pike and walleye. Most are using crawler harnesses or rapalas. Try the deeper holes near the Foundry for the bigger walleye. Shore anglers did best in the evening especially during the hot weather.
Cedar River: Is producing smallmouth bass, rock bass, pike and freshwater drum.
Little Bay De Noc: Mayfly hatches and baitfish are providing plenty of food so catch rates were down. Walleye anglers were fishing the “Black Bottom” or the “Fingers” when drifting or jigging crawlers along the weeds in 10 to 20 feet of water. Those trolling along the north end of the bay were using stick baits in 20 to 30 feet of water. Several perch were caught near the beach at Gladstone when still-fishing with crawlers in 10 to 18 feet of water. Those after salmon had fair to good action when trolling spoons 30 to 75 feet down in 50 to 120 feet of water. Best catches were just south of the “Fingers” in 50 to 60 feet of water.
Big Bay De Noc: No walleye to report this week however smallmouth bass anglers did well catching fish in the four to five pound range. Try St. Vitals Point or between Poplar Point and Stony Point in 12 to 14 feet of water or Garden Bluff in 14 to 18 feet of water with crawlers, crank baits or plastics. Fairport continues to produce very good salmon action for those trolling spoons 60 to 90 feet down in 80 to 140 feet of water. Good colors were black, green, and orange.
Au Train: Anglers participation has been low with the strong winds and occasional storm. Water temperatures near shore were in the low 70’s but offshore waters were in the mid to upper 60’s.
Munising: Lake trout anglers were fishing the west side of Grand Island, Grand Portal Point, Trout Bay and Wood Island. The fish range two to eight pounds. Limit catches were reported but those anglers put in a lot hours. The fish are feeding on a variety including freshwater shrimp and lake herring. Perch fishing was slow in Murray Bay and pier fishing was slow.
Grand Marais: Had fair to good lake trout fishing in 100 to 200 feet of water about five to seven miles north and west to the Au Sable Point Lighthouse.
St. Mary’s River: Cisco have slowed off Lime Island. Walleye are good, but many were too small. Walleye and northern pike have slowed in Munuscong Bay. Smallmouth bass fishing is very good on the Drummond Island side at Bruce’s Point when using tube jigs around the around the points in four to six feet of water.
DeTour: Has good lake trout fishing for those trolling gold and orange spoons 55 feet down in 90 to 100 feet of water between the lighthouse and the first red buoy on the south end of Drummond Island. Chinook and Atlantic salmon were also caught. Cisco are good off Drummond Island, Long Island, Butterfield Island, and Big and Little Trout Islands. Use a red teardrop tipped with a wax worm or fly.
Cedarville and Hessel: Government Bay and Hessel Bay are very good for pike when still-fishing with minnows and chubs. Perch are slow, but the occasional nice catch is coming from Cedarville Bay and Hessel Bay. Herring are still in Prentice Bay and McKay Bay with some anglers catching their limit.
St. Ignace: Salmon fishing remains excellent off the Coast Guard Station, the city launch and the southwest corner of Mackinaw Island in 40 feet of water.
Just a reminder, you can purchase fishing licenses online 24-hours a day!
Enjoy your catch! Eat safe fish! Learn about eating safe, local and healthful fish from our Great Lakes State at www.michigan.gov/eatsafefish.