Weekly Fishing Report - August 2, 2012
Michigan Department of Natural Resources sent this bulletin at 08/02/2012 08:00 AM EDT
Weekly Fishing Report
August 2, 2012
Weekly Fishing Tip: Versatile Walleye Tips for August
Walleye can be especially difficult to catch during the hot summer months as their sluggish behavior keeps them from being their normally aggressive selves.
But there are a few specific things anglers can try to land this great sport fish; including the following:
1. Use crankbaits to cover any layer of the water column. You may get sluggish walleye to eat if you get the bait in the proper zone and change its speed and movement. Crankbaits can work especially well during nighttime walleye fishing.
2. Rip-jigging can be the way to go if you tip it with a minnow, leech, piece of night crawler or plastic.
3. An easy way to fish is by using a slip bobber rig – although requiring more patience, this technique is great to use after a cold front has moved through or during the extreme heat.
4. Try live-bait rigs or three-way rigs, especially when walleye are sitting on the bottom and haven’t shown much interest in feeding.
Want to learn more about fishing for walleye? Check out the Michigan Fish and How to Catch Them section of the DNR’s website.
This tip was adopted from Michigan Outdoor News.
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
Windy conditions, rain and thunderstorms combined are making it hard for anglers to get out. Those that do are working hard as fishing can be difficult for a couple days after a front passes through.
Lake Erie: Walleye fishing was slow however a few fish were found in 26 feet of water along the Michigan/Ohio line or in shallow waters 18 to 21 feet deep. Most are switching over to perch fishing. Anglers have done well in 17 feet of water in Brest Bay and those launching from Bolles Harbor found lots of fish in 15 feet of water near the C Buoy. Smallmouth and catfish have been caught throughout the lake.
Detroit River: Has fair walleye fishing in the Trenton Channel, near Sugar Island and the southern end of Celeron Island. Anglers are using crawler harnesses and bottom bouncers. Good colors were purple, gold and copper. Some are now starting to jig for walleye. A few perch were caught near Rat Island and the southern tip of Celeron Island.
Lexington: Had mostly pleasure boaters.
Port Sanilac: Perch fishing was spotty but fish were caught along the weed beds south of the harbor. Fish ranged from seven to 13 inches. Salmon were caught near the bottom in 70 to 100 feet of water. Coho and steelhead were about halfway down. Locals fishing early morning, dusk and after dark have caught walleye near the mouth when trolling crawler harnesses near the mouth of the harbor.
Harbor Beach: Had good salmon fishing with some nice fish taken 25 to 80 feet down in waters 60 to 100 feet deep. Use spoons off dispeys and downriggers as well as offshore boards with five and ten colored lead lines. Hot colors were orange, green, watermelon and orange with glow ladders. Brown trout were caught in 50 to 70 feet of water straight out and south of the harbor. Steelhead were caught on color lines in 60 to 100 feet of water. Start in 60 feet and work your way out. Lake trout fishing was fair in 80 to 120 feet with dodgers, spin glows, squid or flies just off the bottom. Orange and black, green, orange and yellow spoons caught fish. Pike and bass were caught on spoons and body baits inside the harbor. Perch fishing is picking up. Try minnows inside the harbor or to the south. Walleye picked up with catches reported north of the harbor at first light. Try crawler harnesses, small spoons and body baits.
Grindstone City: Walleye fishing was slow so few anglers were out. Smallmouth bass were hitting tube jigs in 10 to 15 feet of water.
Saginaw Bay: If you’re after walleye, go deep, fish slow near the bottom and drag crawler harnesses. The fish have done what they do every summer, they go deep. Walleye fishing was concentrated near the end of the shipping channel in 25 to 35 feet of water. Anglers had to move around a lot to find active fish. Crawler harnesses and bottom bouncers are working better than baits fished in mid-water. The Slot and Caseville were slow.
Detroit River: Has fair walleye fishing in the Trenton Channel, near Sugar Island and the southern end of Celeron Island. Anglers are using crawler harnesses and bottom bouncers. Good colors were purple, gold and copper. Some are now starting to jig for walleye. A few perch were caught near Rat Island and the southern tip of Celeron Island.
Lexington: Had mostly pleasure boaters.
Port Sanilac: Perch fishing was spotty but fish were caught along the weed beds south of the harbor. Fish ranged from seven to 13 inches. Salmon were caught near the bottom in 70 to 100 feet of water. Coho and steelhead were about halfway down. Locals fishing early morning, dusk and after dark have caught walleye near the mouth when trolling crawler harnesses near the mouth of the harbor.
Harbor Beach: Had good salmon fishing with some nice fish taken 25 to 80 feet down in waters 60 to 100 feet deep. Use spoons off dispeys and downriggers as well as offshore boards with five and ten colored lead lines. Hot colors were orange, green, watermelon and orange with glow ladders. Brown trout were caught in 50 to 70 feet of water straight out and south of the harbor. Steelhead were caught on color lines in 60 to 100 feet of water. Start in 60 feet and work your way out. Lake trout fishing was fair in 80 to 120 feet with dodgers, spin glows, squid or flies just off the bottom. Orange and black, green, orange and yellow spoons caught fish. Pike and bass were caught on spoons and body baits inside the harbor. Perch fishing is picking up. Try minnows inside the harbor or to the south. Walleye picked up with catches reported north of the harbor at first light. Try crawler harnesses, small spoons and body baits.
Grindstone City: Walleye fishing was slow so few anglers were out. Smallmouth bass were hitting tube jigs in 10 to 15 feet of water.
Saginaw Bay: If you’re after walleye, go deep, fish slow near the bottom and drag crawler harnesses. The fish have done what they do every summer, they go deep. Walleye fishing was concentrated near the end of the shipping channel in 25 to 35 feet of water. Anglers had to move around a lot to find active fish. Crawler harnesses and bottom bouncers are working better than baits fished in mid-water. The Slot and Caseville were slow.
St. Joseph: Salmon fishing remains good. Anglers should target at least 70 feet or deeper. Perch fishing continues to be slow. Anglers targeting perch should continue to change locations frequently as the fish are scattered.
South Haven: Boat anglers continue to do very well targeting salmon and trout. Spoons work best when starting out in 80 to 90 feet of water. Perch fishing is slow. Those doing the best are constantly moving around and covering a lot of distance.
Kalamazoo River: Has walleye, smallmouth and catfish below the Allegan Dam.
Holland: Is producing a good number of chinook. Anglers are fishing 60 to 65 feet down in 110 to 115 feet of water. Steelhead were caught in 60 to 90 feet.
Grand Haven: Is still producing salmon and trout for those trolling about halfway down in waters up to 120 feet deep either early or later in the evening. With the warm water near shore, pier fishing remains slow.
Grand River at Grand Rapids: Boat anglers need to use caution with the low water levels. A good number of flathead and channel cats have been caught on live or cut bait like suckers. Smallmouth bass were hitting top water lures, spinners, crawlers or crayfish in the early morning. Pike fishing was good for those floating suckers. At Millennium Park, the bigger fish were caught 10 to 15 feet down when using leaf worms or wax worms. At Riverside Park, carp were caught on dough baits.
Grand River at Lansing: Water levels are still low even with all the rain. Channel cats are still hitting below the dams. Try crawlers, leeches or cut bait. A few smallmouth bass have also been caught however some were on the small side.
Reeds Lake: Had perch in 10 to 15 feet of water. Bass and pike fishing were good.
Gull Lake: Is producing some nice bluegills in deeper water. Try leaf worms, red worms or wax worms. Bass are also being caught on top water baits, spinners, crank baits, crawlers or leeches.
Gun Lake: Is producing bluegills. A fair to good number of pike have been caught on spinners, crank baits and sucker minnows.
Whitehall: Fishing slowed so many were traveling north to Minor Park and Stony Creek. The waters near shore were very warm. The bite was better in the early morning and salmon were caught on anything that glows before daylight. Salmon were also caught 100 feet down in 150 feet of water with blue flies and green flashers or pearl J-plugs. Orange and green were good colors for steelhead.
South Haven: Boat anglers continue to do very well targeting salmon and trout. Spoons work best when starting out in 80 to 90 feet of water. Perch fishing is slow. Those doing the best are constantly moving around and covering a lot of distance.
Kalamazoo River: Has walleye, smallmouth and catfish below the Allegan Dam.
Holland: Is producing a good number of chinook. Anglers are fishing 60 to 65 feet down in 110 to 115 feet of water. Steelhead were caught in 60 to 90 feet.
Grand Haven: Is still producing salmon and trout for those trolling about halfway down in waters up to 120 feet deep either early or later in the evening. With the warm water near shore, pier fishing remains slow.
Grand River at Grand Rapids: Boat anglers need to use caution with the low water levels. A good number of flathead and channel cats have been caught on live or cut bait like suckers. Smallmouth bass were hitting top water lures, spinners, crawlers or crayfish in the early morning. Pike fishing was good for those floating suckers. At Millennium Park, the bigger fish were caught 10 to 15 feet down when using leaf worms or wax worms. At Riverside Park, carp were caught on dough baits.
Grand River at Lansing: Water levels are still low even with all the rain. Channel cats are still hitting below the dams. Try crawlers, leeches or cut bait. A few smallmouth bass have also been caught however some were on the small side.
Reeds Lake: Had perch in 10 to 15 feet of water. Bass and pike fishing were good.
Gull Lake: Is producing some nice bluegills in deeper water. Try leaf worms, red worms or wax worms. Bass are also being caught on top water baits, spinners, crank baits, crawlers or leeches.
Gun Lake: Is producing bluegills. A fair to good number of pike have been caught on spinners, crank baits and sucker minnows.
Whitehall: Fishing slowed so many were traveling north to Minor Park and Stony Creek. The waters near shore were very warm. The bite was better in the early morning and salmon were caught on anything that glows before daylight. Salmon were also caught 100 feet down in 150 feet of water with blue flies and green flashers or pearl J-plugs. Orange and green were good colors for steelhead.
Cheboygan: Anglers are still catching trout and salmon off the points and the reefs. Orange, gold and green were good colors. Hammond Bay is producing some nice rainbow trout for those using spoons in light orange, blue and red. Fish up high as the trout are looking for bugs near the surface.
Cheboygan River: Had a few anglers targeting large and smallmouth bass.
Rogers City: Limit catches of trout and salmon are coming in. The water was in the upper 40’s about 30 feet down which explains why most anglers have done well 25 to 35 feet down in 50 to 120 feet of water. Try three, five and seven color lead lines and downriggers fished in the top 45 feet of water. Hot colors were green, blue, orange, yellow, chartreuse, purple, glow, black and white or blue and silver. Try Adams Point, Seagull Point, Forty Mile Point or Hammond Bay Biological Station.
Presque Isle: Continues to produce a mixed bag of chinook, coho, steelhead, lake trout and the occasional walleye. Pink salmon were also caught. Fish the top half of the water column in 50 to 120 feet of water with the same colors as Rogers City. Glows work early and late however with the full moon the better fishing may very well be in the morning or mid-day. Also, pay close attention to wind direction. The east/southeast and south winds are best for cold water while the northwest and west winds tend to push the cold water out.
Rockport: Is producing walleye for those trolling crawler harnesses or crank baits. Stoneport, Middle Island and False Presque Isle were the hot spots. Those trolling spoons caught chinook and pink salmon, lake trout and steelhead near Middle Island, Stoneport and the Nordmere Wreck. Orange and yellow were good colors.
Alpena: Those trolling spoons, crank baits and crawler harnesses are catching walleye off North Point and Thunder Bay Island. Smallmouth bass were caught by those casting crank baits or trolling with body baits.
Thunder Bay River: Continues to produce smallmouth bass and rock bass between the dam and the mouth. Body baits and worms worked best. Channel cats were caught by those trolling crawler harnesses or those shore fishing with worms.
Harrisville: Those able to get out had limited success. Lake trout were targeted the most and these fish are in deeper water so anglers were starting out in 80 feet and working their way out to 150 feet. Spoons, spin glows, squid and flies seem to work best. The fish were suspended so anglers were using lead core and planer boards.
Oscoda: Those able to get out have caught a mix of salmon, steelhead and lake trout. Most are starting in 70 to 80 feet and working their way out to deeper water. Copper and lead core off planer boards with spoons, spin glows or cut bait worked best. Try darker colors on your artificial baits.
Au Sable River: Catch rates were slow and the fish caught were running on the small side. Smallmouth bass action did seem to pick up and catfish are still moving in and out of the river at night.
Higgins Lake: Has lots of rock bass. Smallmouth bass have been caught out near Treasure Island. Those targeting lake trout are trolling or jigging in waters up to 100 feet deep. A few perch were also caught over near the island but the fish are scattered. Anglers found fish in waters from 18 to 60 or 70 feet deep.
Houghton Lake: Walleye are being caught along the weed beds in 14 feet of water. Try leeches under a bobber. Bluegills were also found in 14 feet of water or deeper. Bass were caught in the early morning or later in the evening.
Tawas: Walleye fishing inside the bay was actually pretty good when anglers could get out. Fish were caught in 15 to 20 feet of water near the weed beds and in 50 to 60 feet of water down off Alabaster. Some perch were caught in 10 to 15 feet of water off Jerry’s Marina and off the pier very early in the morning. Expect to do a lot of sorting and throw the small ones back.
Au Gres: A few good catches of walleye were still taken straight off the mouth of the river in 34 to 38 feet of water. Crawler harnesses and spoons worked best. Others were running south of Pointe Au Gres and fishing just north off the end of the shipping channel or Big Charity Island.
Cheboygan River: Had a few anglers targeting large and smallmouth bass.
Rogers City: Limit catches of trout and salmon are coming in. The water was in the upper 40’s about 30 feet down which explains why most anglers have done well 25 to 35 feet down in 50 to 120 feet of water. Try three, five and seven color lead lines and downriggers fished in the top 45 feet of water. Hot colors were green, blue, orange, yellow, chartreuse, purple, glow, black and white or blue and silver. Try Adams Point, Seagull Point, Forty Mile Point or Hammond Bay Biological Station.
Presque Isle: Continues to produce a mixed bag of chinook, coho, steelhead, lake trout and the occasional walleye. Pink salmon were also caught. Fish the top half of the water column in 50 to 120 feet of water with the same colors as Rogers City. Glows work early and late however with the full moon the better fishing may very well be in the morning or mid-day. Also, pay close attention to wind direction. The east/southeast and south winds are best for cold water while the northwest and west winds tend to push the cold water out.
Rockport: Is producing walleye for those trolling crawler harnesses or crank baits. Stoneport, Middle Island and False Presque Isle were the hot spots. Those trolling spoons caught chinook and pink salmon, lake trout and steelhead near Middle Island, Stoneport and the Nordmere Wreck. Orange and yellow were good colors.
Alpena: Those trolling spoons, crank baits and crawler harnesses are catching walleye off North Point and Thunder Bay Island. Smallmouth bass were caught by those casting crank baits or trolling with body baits.
Thunder Bay River: Continues to produce smallmouth bass and rock bass between the dam and the mouth. Body baits and worms worked best. Channel cats were caught by those trolling crawler harnesses or those shore fishing with worms.
Harrisville: Those able to get out had limited success. Lake trout were targeted the most and these fish are in deeper water so anglers were starting out in 80 feet and working their way out to 150 feet. Spoons, spin glows, squid and flies seem to work best. The fish were suspended so anglers were using lead core and planer boards.
Oscoda: Those able to get out have caught a mix of salmon, steelhead and lake trout. Most are starting in 70 to 80 feet and working their way out to deeper water. Copper and lead core off planer boards with spoons, spin glows or cut bait worked best. Try darker colors on your artificial baits.
Au Sable River: Catch rates were slow and the fish caught were running on the small side. Smallmouth bass action did seem to pick up and catfish are still moving in and out of the river at night.
Higgins Lake: Has lots of rock bass. Smallmouth bass have been caught out near Treasure Island. Those targeting lake trout are trolling or jigging in waters up to 100 feet deep. A few perch were also caught over near the island but the fish are scattered. Anglers found fish in waters from 18 to 60 or 70 feet deep.
Houghton Lake: Walleye are being caught along the weed beds in 14 feet of water. Try leeches under a bobber. Bluegills were also found in 14 feet of water or deeper. Bass were caught in the early morning or later in the evening.
Tawas: Walleye fishing inside the bay was actually pretty good when anglers could get out. Fish were caught in 15 to 20 feet of water near the weed beds and in 50 to 60 feet of water down off Alabaster. Some perch were caught in 10 to 15 feet of water off Jerry’s Marina and off the pier very early in the morning. Expect to do a lot of sorting and throw the small ones back.
Au Gres: A few good catches of walleye were still taken straight off the mouth of the river in 34 to 38 feet of water. Crawler harnesses and spoons worked best. Others were running south of Pointe Au Gres and fishing just north off the end of the shipping channel or Big Charity Island.
Harbor Springs: Is where salmon fishing was a little better especially for those traveling out toward Seven Mile Point and fishing 60 feet down. Winward and Five Mile Creek were also producing anywhere from 40 to 120 feet down in 140 to 160 feet of water. The thermocline in Little Traverse Bay was moving up, with a temperature of 55 degrees at 65 feet.
Petoskey: Anglers are doing very well for lake trout around Bay Harbor and straight out from the pier. Fish were caught anywhere from 40 feet to 150 feet down. A steelhead was caught between the hospital and the pier in 60 feet of water. Pier anglers caught sub-legal smallmouth bass and a few nice rock bass.
Bear River: Rumor has it a salmon was caught up near the dam however that rumor was not confirmed. A few anglers are still there and using spawn for bait.
Charlevoix: Is producing salmon 60 to 90 feet down in waters 100 to 300 feet or deeper. Most were fishing North Point or near the Cement Plant. The thermocline was at 90 but has since moved up to 70 feet. Blue was a good color. Try ladderbacks, flies and meat rigs or glow spoons after dark. Smallmouth bass were caught off the pier but many were too small. Walleye were hitting on crawlers.
Traverse City: Boat anglers in both bays were bringing in chinook and lake trout. Salmon were caught 50 to 80 feet down. Green or white flies or meat rigs worked best. Smallmouth bass fishing was slower, try 40 feet of water or more.
Elk River: Is still producing smallmouth bass, rock bass, freshwater drum and carp. Most of the smallmouth bass were sub-legal but fun to catch when using live baits.
Boardman River: Had slow fishing. Rock bass and a couple fairly nice smallmouth were caught on leeches or crawlers.
Platte Bay: Fishing has moved three miles out into the West Bay where anglers are fishing about 100 feet down in waters over 100 feet deep. Most are using spoons like Cotton Candy or Easter Egg.
Frankfort: The thermocline has moved and will move again with north to northwest winds. It was 100 feet down and the fish were hitting in 90 to 140 feet of water. Use anything that glows in the early morning or U.V. spoons after daylight. Plugs were catching fish right along with meat rigs, dipseys and ten colors of lead line. Steelhead were caught. The Point was seeing good numbers and the Herring Hole did well on most days.
Arcadia: Fishing slowed. With warm water pushed into shore, anglers are fishing about 100 feet down in 150 feet of water straight out. Most are using chrome J-plugs and chrome flasher flies.
Onekama: Had fair to good fishing straight out in 120 to 160 feet of water and north to the golf course in 80 to 120 feet. Use meat rigs after the sun comes up. Green spoons seem to be the favorite.
Portage Lake: Bass can be found near the drop-offs as well as the shoreline and near any structure. he bigger bluegills were caught in the early morning. Surface water temperatures were 73 to 75 degrees.
Lake Cadillac: Continues to produce a good number of crappie for those fishing with slip bobbers on the east side of the lake. Walleye fishing was hit-or-miss for those trolling crawler harnesses or body baits. Bass and pike fishing were good. Try spinners, crank baits, crawlers or leeches.
Lake Mitchell: Is producing crappie, bass pike and the occasional walleye.
Pentwater: Continues to have good fishing. Most were staying close to the port but a few ventured towards Silver Lake. Fish were caught 50 to 70 feet down in 80 to 90 feet of water or try long lines 115 feet down in 150 feet of water. Blue flies and green flasher worked best.
Petoskey: Anglers are doing very well for lake trout around Bay Harbor and straight out from the pier. Fish were caught anywhere from 40 feet to 150 feet down. A steelhead was caught between the hospital and the pier in 60 feet of water. Pier anglers caught sub-legal smallmouth bass and a few nice rock bass.
Bear River: Rumor has it a salmon was caught up near the dam however that rumor was not confirmed. A few anglers are still there and using spawn for bait.
Charlevoix: Is producing salmon 60 to 90 feet down in waters 100 to 300 feet or deeper. Most were fishing North Point or near the Cement Plant. The thermocline was at 90 but has since moved up to 70 feet. Blue was a good color. Try ladderbacks, flies and meat rigs or glow spoons after dark. Smallmouth bass were caught off the pier but many were too small. Walleye were hitting on crawlers.
Traverse City: Boat anglers in both bays were bringing in chinook and lake trout. Salmon were caught 50 to 80 feet down. Green or white flies or meat rigs worked best. Smallmouth bass fishing was slower, try 40 feet of water or more.
Elk River: Is still producing smallmouth bass, rock bass, freshwater drum and carp. Most of the smallmouth bass were sub-legal but fun to catch when using live baits.
Boardman River: Had slow fishing. Rock bass and a couple fairly nice smallmouth were caught on leeches or crawlers.
Platte Bay: Fishing has moved three miles out into the West Bay where anglers are fishing about 100 feet down in waters over 100 feet deep. Most are using spoons like Cotton Candy or Easter Egg.
Frankfort: The thermocline has moved and will move again with north to northwest winds. It was 100 feet down and the fish were hitting in 90 to 140 feet of water. Use anything that glows in the early morning or U.V. spoons after daylight. Plugs were catching fish right along with meat rigs, dipseys and ten colors of lead line. Steelhead were caught. The Point was seeing good numbers and the Herring Hole did well on most days.
Arcadia: Fishing slowed. With warm water pushed into shore, anglers are fishing about 100 feet down in 150 feet of water straight out. Most are using chrome J-plugs and chrome flasher flies.
Onekama: Had fair to good fishing straight out in 120 to 160 feet of water and north to the golf course in 80 to 120 feet. Use meat rigs after the sun comes up. Green spoons seem to be the favorite.
Portage Lake: Bass can be found near the drop-offs as well as the shoreline and near any structure. he bigger bluegills were caught in the early morning. Surface water temperatures were 73 to 75 degrees.
Lake Cadillac: Continues to produce a good number of crappie for those fishing with slip bobbers on the east side of the lake. Walleye fishing was hit-or-miss for those trolling crawler harnesses or body baits. Bass and pike fishing were good. Try spinners, crank baits, crawlers or leeches.
Lake Mitchell: Is producing crappie, bass pike and the occasional walleye.
Pentwater: Continues to have good fishing. Most were staying close to the port but a few ventured towards Silver Lake. Fish were caught 50 to 70 feet down in 80 to 90 feet of water or try long lines 115 feet down in 150 feet of water. Blue flies and green flasher worked best.
Black River Harbor: Had good fishing until water temperatures bumped back up. Salmon, lake trout and steelhead were caught in 140 feet of water.
Ontonagon: Fishing was fair to good for salmon when colder water was pushed back into shallow waters 20 to 40 feet deep. Stick baits and spoons were good in shallow waters. Lake trout were deeper and could be found in the bottom 20 feet of waters 75 to 90 feet deep. Salmon and brown trout were also caught at this depth but were higher in the water column.
Keweenaw Bay: Catch rates were still slow due to warm water temperatures. Lake trout were caught by those jigging in 240 to 280 feet of water off the Township Park and the tree off Pequaming. Those fishing the South Portage Entry caught lake trout near Farmers Reef and Newtons Reef when trolling in 130 to 150 feet of water. Lake trout were also caught by those jigging off Farmers Reef and the south end of Big Reef. In Traverse Bay, lake trout and coho were caught off Five, Six and Seven Mile reefs. Fish right on the bottom in 140 to 150 feet of water. Trolling speeds were between 2.2 and 2.4 mph.
Marquette: Had increased fishing pressure for lake trout. Results were mixed but most anglers were averaging two to four fish in four hours of fishing. Best areas to fish were east of the White Rocks and near Granite Island with spoons and flies in 180 to 220 feet of water. Some reported catching coho near Little Presque Isle. Near shore water was in the mid 70’s. Reports from Shot Point had water temperatures in the low 50’s in 60 feet of water.
Menominee: Chinook, steelhead and brown trout have been caught in 100 feet of water near Green Island but the number of fish caught has decreased. Those trolling out from the Cedar River were also catching fewer fish as water temperatures keep rising. The Whalesback was producing an average of one to three chinook per boat. Some caught the occasional brown trout or steelhead. Calm waters in the early morning or late evening were best at 65 to 85 feet down. Those trolling north and south of the Green Can in 70 to 85 feet of water were still catching some fish. Those heading out to Washington Island seem to catch a few more fish about 85 feet down in 100 feet of water. Some were launching out of Stony Point and fishing near Chambers Island but only a few chinook were caught.
Menominee River: Those trolling are getting freshwater drum, channel cats, smallmouth bass, pike and walleye. Try crawler harnesses or different colored rapalas. A few shore anglers were mainly targeting smallmouth bass or walleye. Early morning or late evening is best.
Cedar River: Bass anglers are still fishing from the mouth up to the first rapids. Most of the fish caught were sub-legal so most are catch and release. Freshwater drum and rock bass are hitting on worms.
Little Bay De Noc: Catch rates for walleye were fair with some fish caught straight out from the Escanaba River in 14 to 28 feet of water or between the Second and Third Reefs in 17 to 26 feet of water. Most are trolling crawlers. Kipling had fair perch fishing in 10 to 14 feet of water. Fish were also caught near the Escanaba Coal Docks in 18 to 25 feet of water. Salmon action was fair to good out near the Ford River Buoy when trolling spoons 70 feet down in 90 to 120 feet of water.
Big Bay De Noc: Anglers reported seeing walleye throughout the bay. Smallmouth bass fishing slowed so anglers were looking in deeper water. The better catches came off Garden Bluff when using crawlers or crank baits in 20 to 30 feet of water. Fish were also caught on plastics or crank baits in 10 to 14 feet of water near Ogontz. Salmon action was still fair to good for those trolling spoons or meat rigs 70 to 90 feet down in 90 to 120 feet of water. Best color for spoons was black, green or red. For meat rigs, the hot colors were red and purple.
Au Train: Fishing pressure was light as lake trout fishing was not very productive. Boats are fishing east of Au Train Island, the flats near Shelter Bay and near the shipping lanes in 180 to 220 feet of water. The fish were right on the bottom. Anglers were using spoons and flies in no particular color. The algae bloom can still be seen near shore as water temperatures were still warm.
St. Mary’s River: Walleye have been caught in Raber Bay. Anglers are trolling crawler harnesses in eight to 12 feet of water near Carlton Creek. Walleye were caught near Round Island when trolling crawler harnesses with bottom bouncers in and around the weed beds. Purple beads and purple blades were the ticket. Some pike were caught in 24 to 28 feet of water around Kemps Point. Some were targeting yellow perch on the south end of Neebish Island however no fish were caught.
DeTour: Atlantic salmon and lake trout have been caught by those trolling spoons from the lighthouse to the first Red Buoy on the south end of Drummond Island. Chinook were caught in at least 70 feet of water two miles south of the lighthouse.
Cedarville and Hessel: Perch fishing slowed but anglers are still targeting them in 10 to 12 feet of water around the islands. Pike should also be found. A good number of smallmouth bass have been caught along the rock piles and off the points in Musky Bay and Hessel Bay.
St. Ignace: Salmon anglers are fishing from the Coast Guard Station to the old fuel tanks, off the west shore of Mackinac Island, and the northwest corner of Round Island. Try 40 to 50 feet down in 70 to 90 feet of water.
Ontonagon: Fishing was fair to good for salmon when colder water was pushed back into shallow waters 20 to 40 feet deep. Stick baits and spoons were good in shallow waters. Lake trout were deeper and could be found in the bottom 20 feet of waters 75 to 90 feet deep. Salmon and brown trout were also caught at this depth but were higher in the water column.
Keweenaw Bay: Catch rates were still slow due to warm water temperatures. Lake trout were caught by those jigging in 240 to 280 feet of water off the Township Park and the tree off Pequaming. Those fishing the South Portage Entry caught lake trout near Farmers Reef and Newtons Reef when trolling in 130 to 150 feet of water. Lake trout were also caught by those jigging off Farmers Reef and the south end of Big Reef. In Traverse Bay, lake trout and coho were caught off Five, Six and Seven Mile reefs. Fish right on the bottom in 140 to 150 feet of water. Trolling speeds were between 2.2 and 2.4 mph.
Marquette: Had increased fishing pressure for lake trout. Results were mixed but most anglers were averaging two to four fish in four hours of fishing. Best areas to fish were east of the White Rocks and near Granite Island with spoons and flies in 180 to 220 feet of water. Some reported catching coho near Little Presque Isle. Near shore water was in the mid 70’s. Reports from Shot Point had water temperatures in the low 50’s in 60 feet of water.
Menominee: Chinook, steelhead and brown trout have been caught in 100 feet of water near Green Island but the number of fish caught has decreased. Those trolling out from the Cedar River were also catching fewer fish as water temperatures keep rising. The Whalesback was producing an average of one to three chinook per boat. Some caught the occasional brown trout or steelhead. Calm waters in the early morning or late evening were best at 65 to 85 feet down. Those trolling north and south of the Green Can in 70 to 85 feet of water were still catching some fish. Those heading out to Washington Island seem to catch a few more fish about 85 feet down in 100 feet of water. Some were launching out of Stony Point and fishing near Chambers Island but only a few chinook were caught.
Menominee River: Those trolling are getting freshwater drum, channel cats, smallmouth bass, pike and walleye. Try crawler harnesses or different colored rapalas. A few shore anglers were mainly targeting smallmouth bass or walleye. Early morning or late evening is best.
Cedar River: Bass anglers are still fishing from the mouth up to the first rapids. Most of the fish caught were sub-legal so most are catch and release. Freshwater drum and rock bass are hitting on worms.
Little Bay De Noc: Catch rates for walleye were fair with some fish caught straight out from the Escanaba River in 14 to 28 feet of water or between the Second and Third Reefs in 17 to 26 feet of water. Most are trolling crawlers. Kipling had fair perch fishing in 10 to 14 feet of water. Fish were also caught near the Escanaba Coal Docks in 18 to 25 feet of water. Salmon action was fair to good out near the Ford River Buoy when trolling spoons 70 feet down in 90 to 120 feet of water.
Big Bay De Noc: Anglers reported seeing walleye throughout the bay. Smallmouth bass fishing slowed so anglers were looking in deeper water. The better catches came off Garden Bluff when using crawlers or crank baits in 20 to 30 feet of water. Fish were also caught on plastics or crank baits in 10 to 14 feet of water near Ogontz. Salmon action was still fair to good for those trolling spoons or meat rigs 70 to 90 feet down in 90 to 120 feet of water. Best color for spoons was black, green or red. For meat rigs, the hot colors were red and purple.
Au Train: Fishing pressure was light as lake trout fishing was not very productive. Boats are fishing east of Au Train Island, the flats near Shelter Bay and near the shipping lanes in 180 to 220 feet of water. The fish were right on the bottom. Anglers were using spoons and flies in no particular color. The algae bloom can still be seen near shore as water temperatures were still warm.
St. Mary’s River: Walleye have been caught in Raber Bay. Anglers are trolling crawler harnesses in eight to 12 feet of water near Carlton Creek. Walleye were caught near Round Island when trolling crawler harnesses with bottom bouncers in and around the weed beds. Purple beads and purple blades were the ticket. Some pike were caught in 24 to 28 feet of water around Kemps Point. Some were targeting yellow perch on the south end of Neebish Island however no fish were caught.
DeTour: Atlantic salmon and lake trout have been caught by those trolling spoons from the lighthouse to the first Red Buoy on the south end of Drummond Island. Chinook were caught in at least 70 feet of water two miles south of the lighthouse.
Cedarville and Hessel: Perch fishing slowed but anglers are still targeting them in 10 to 12 feet of water around the islands. Pike should also be found. A good number of smallmouth bass have been caught along the rock piles and off the points in Musky Bay and Hessel Bay.
St. Ignace: Salmon anglers are fishing from the Coast Guard Station to the old fuel tanks, off the west shore of Mackinac Island, and the northwest corner of Round Island. Try 40 to 50 feet down in 70 to 90 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.