Weekly Fishing Report - August 23, 2012
Michigan Department of Natural Resources sent this bulletin at 08/23/2012 08:00 AM EDT
Weekly Fishing Report
August 23, 2012
Weekly Fishing Tip: Have you tried this bass technique?
If you jig fish for bass you’ve probably experienced a snag or two. Did you know the typical snag-release technique (shaking your rod vigorously) can actually attract bass and sometimes walleye as well?
Rod shakes – and the subsequent lure shaking – often alert nearby fish. This technique is particularly effective when sunny conditions are present and bass are sticking close to cover. With the being said, you may want to purposely find snag-worthy locations!
Be sure to check out rocks, boulders and other hard cover locations, as well as logs, brush piles and weeds. As your jig starts to get hung up shake accordingly and you just might catch that smallmouth bass you’re after.
Please note this technique works best with snag-free, weedless-style jigs.
Want to learn more about fishing for bass in Michigan? Check out all the details you need to know on the DNR’s Michigan Fish and How to Catch Them website.
This tip was adapted 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
Inland lake fishing is still going strong. Stream trout fishing is good however few anglers are taking advantage of it. The salmon runs are just getting started in the northern sections of the Lower Peninsula. No big numbers yet but the fish were starting to move.
Lake Erie: Is producing perch straight out from Brest Bay in 22 feet of water and the E Buoy in 18 feet of water. Most anglers did well when running spreaders with emerald shiners. A few limit catches were taken in Brest Bay. Perch were caught out by the McDonalds Buoy in Ohio waters however Buoys 1 & 2 off the River Raisin are starting to slow down. A few walleye were picked up in 13 to 16 feet of water in Brest Bay and out from the Banana Dike. Large and smallmouth bass fishing remain very good.
Huron River: Good numbers of bluegill were caught near the Belleville Dam.
Detroit River: Walleye were caught around Celeron Island and Sugar Island. Smallmouth bass were caught and perch were taken near Rat Island.
Lake St. Clair: Has very good bass fishing. A good number of walleye were caught by those using crawler harnesses out near the shipping channel. Muskie fishing was also good especially in Ontario waters.
St. Clair River: Is producing good numbers of walleye at Port Huron. White bass and walleye were caught off the wall.
Lexington & Port Sanilac: Fishing for trout, salmon, and perch was slow.
Grindstone City: Lake trout are being caught at a bearing of 0 degrees in 130 to 150 feet of water. Pier and shore anglers have caught smallmouth bass.
Harbor Beach: A few boats are taking a mix of chinook, coho and steelhead 40 to 70 feet down in waters 170 to 200 feet deep. This is 12 to 15 miles offshore, so you need a big boat and a calm day to fish that far out. A few brown trout were caught off the cemetery in the early morning in 50 feet of water. Smallmouth bass fishing was good inside the harbor.
Saginaw Bay: Walleye fishing was slow to non-existent at all ports so most anglers have switched over to perch fishing. There is a chronic shortage of shiner minnows at most bait shops, as it is difficult for minnow catches to get them this time of year and the wholesalers supplies are gone. Just the same, if you can get minnows you can catch perch from several locations, including the abandoned shipping channel just north of Bay City, Buoys 11 & 12 near the Spark Plug, the Black Hole, and 17 feet of water off Linwood. Most of the fish averaged eight to 10 inches. Walleye fishing is at a standstill which is often the case during the month of August. Boats out of Sebewaing are perch fishing. Pier and shore anglers at Port Austin are catching a good number of smallmouth bass.
Flint River: Anglers have been catching smallmouth bass on worms, minnows, spinners and body baits.
Huron River: Good numbers of bluegill were caught near the Belleville Dam.
Detroit River: Walleye were caught around Celeron Island and Sugar Island. Smallmouth bass were caught and perch were taken near Rat Island.
Lake St. Clair: Has very good bass fishing. A good number of walleye were caught by those using crawler harnesses out near the shipping channel. Muskie fishing was also good especially in Ontario waters.
St. Clair River: Is producing good numbers of walleye at Port Huron. White bass and walleye were caught off the wall.
Lexington & Port Sanilac: Fishing for trout, salmon, and perch was slow.
Grindstone City: Lake trout are being caught at a bearing of 0 degrees in 130 to 150 feet of water. Pier and shore anglers have caught smallmouth bass.
Harbor Beach: A few boats are taking a mix of chinook, coho and steelhead 40 to 70 feet down in waters 170 to 200 feet deep. This is 12 to 15 miles offshore, so you need a big boat and a calm day to fish that far out. A few brown trout were caught off the cemetery in the early morning in 50 feet of water. Smallmouth bass fishing was good inside the harbor.
Saginaw Bay: Walleye fishing was slow to non-existent at all ports so most anglers have switched over to perch fishing. There is a chronic shortage of shiner minnows at most bait shops, as it is difficult for minnow catches to get them this time of year and the wholesalers supplies are gone. Just the same, if you can get minnows you can catch perch from several locations, including the abandoned shipping channel just north of Bay City, Buoys 11 & 12 near the Spark Plug, the Black Hole, and 17 feet of water off Linwood. Most of the fish averaged eight to 10 inches. Walleye fishing is at a standstill which is often the case during the month of August. Boats out of Sebewaing are perch fishing. Pier and shore anglers at Port Austin are catching a good number of smallmouth bass.
Flint River: Anglers have been catching smallmouth bass on worms, minnows, spinners and body baits.
St. Joseph: Fishing is slow for all species. Pier fishing is extremely slow. Boat anglers are having a hard time finding salmon and those that did were way out which is too far for most anglers because conditions can change quickly on the Great Lakes. Perch fishing was also slow.
St. Joseph River: Cool rain and the cool evenings have prompted some steelhead to start moving upstream however when the hot weather will force these fish to take refuge at the mouth of the coldwater tributaries.
Kalamazoo River: Is producing a few bass, pike and some panfish.
Long Lake: In Portage produced some nice pike up to 35 inches. The bigger bluegills were suspended in 30 feet of water.
Grand Haven: Salmon anglers are doing well in water 120 to 170 feet deep with downriggers at 90 to 150 feet along with green or green and white flies. Pier anglers have caught a couple coho when using alewife. No perch to report.
Grand River at Grand Rapids: Is experiencing a big push of steelhead but water levels are still low so boat anglers need to use extreme caution. Most are bouncing spawn bags, casting flies or using half a crawler. Some coho and brown trout have also been caught. Walleye were caught on Hot-n-Tots blue with a red lip or junior thundersticks that glow. Pike were hitting on sucker minnows or big spinners. Silver and gold were good colors. Smallmouth bass are hitting on top water body baits. Big flathead catfish were caught on sucker minnows or cut bait.
Grand River at Lansing: Catfish are still being caught at Moore’s Park when using leeches, minnows and small bluegills. Anglers may find a few walleye below the dams. These are resident fish and are usually few and far between.
Looking Glass River: Is producing a good number of pike off Babcock’s Landing.
Reeds Lake: Perch and bluegills are hitting on shiner minnows or wax worms.
Muskegon: Salmon anglers are fishing 200 to 250 feet of water with downriggers set 140 to 200 feet. Use green or green and white flies as well as white UV paddles.
Muskegon River: Is producing some nice smallmouth bass.
Muskegon Lake: Anglers are starting to troll and jig for chinook salmon but catch rates were hit-or-miss.
Whitehall: Water temperatures warmed again which in turn makes it harder to find fish. A few anchored in 12 to 15 feet of water and were still-fishing with alewife. Others are getting out very early in the morning and fishing in 20 feet of water.
St. Joseph River: Cool rain and the cool evenings have prompted some steelhead to start moving upstream however when the hot weather will force these fish to take refuge at the mouth of the coldwater tributaries.
Kalamazoo River: Is producing a few bass, pike and some panfish.
Long Lake: In Portage produced some nice pike up to 35 inches. The bigger bluegills were suspended in 30 feet of water.
Grand Haven: Salmon anglers are doing well in water 120 to 170 feet deep with downriggers at 90 to 150 feet along with green or green and white flies. Pier anglers have caught a couple coho when using alewife. No perch to report.
Grand River at Grand Rapids: Is experiencing a big push of steelhead but water levels are still low so boat anglers need to use extreme caution. Most are bouncing spawn bags, casting flies or using half a crawler. Some coho and brown trout have also been caught. Walleye were caught on Hot-n-Tots blue with a red lip or junior thundersticks that glow. Pike were hitting on sucker minnows or big spinners. Silver and gold were good colors. Smallmouth bass are hitting on top water body baits. Big flathead catfish were caught on sucker minnows or cut bait.
Grand River at Lansing: Catfish are still being caught at Moore’s Park when using leeches, minnows and small bluegills. Anglers may find a few walleye below the dams. These are resident fish and are usually few and far between.
Looking Glass River: Is producing a good number of pike off Babcock’s Landing.
Reeds Lake: Perch and bluegills are hitting on shiner minnows or wax worms.
Muskegon: Salmon anglers are fishing 200 to 250 feet of water with downriggers set 140 to 200 feet. Use green or green and white flies as well as white UV paddles.
Muskegon River: Is producing some nice smallmouth bass.
Muskegon Lake: Anglers are starting to troll and jig for chinook salmon but catch rates were hit-or-miss.
Whitehall: Water temperatures warmed again which in turn makes it harder to find fish. A few anchored in 12 to 15 feet of water and were still-fishing with alewife. Others are getting out very early in the morning and fishing in 20 feet of water.
Cheboygan: Anglers are still trolling from the bell to Mackinaw City, the back side of Bois Blanc Island, off LaFayette Point and Cordwood Point for trout and salmon. Fish were caught on spoons, flashers and flies.
Cheboygan River: Is producing smallmouth, rock bass and freshwater drum for those fishing between the Foot Bridge and the Lock.
Hammond Bay: Boats trolling 20 to 30 feet down in 90 feet of water off 9 Mile Point have caught salmon, steelhead and lake trout.
Rogers City: Has lots of baitfish so the salmon and steelhead are eating well. The salmon will start staging soon. Anglers are fishing 50 to 100 feet of water off Forty Mile Point, Swan Bay and Adams Point. Good numbers of steelhead have been caught. Fish the entire water column with dark colored spoons, dodgers with squid or flies, and J-plugs. Be sure to look for structure.
Presque Isle: Fishing was slow due to warm water. A few fish were caught off Big Lighthouse Point where there is structure. Remember just off the bottom for lake trout and higher up for salmon and steelhead.
Rockport: Boat anglers are catching lake trout, steelhead, walleye and the occasional smallmouth bass. Crawler harnesses for walleye and spoons for lake trout and steelhead.
Cheboygan River: Is producing smallmouth, rock bass and freshwater drum for those fishing between the Foot Bridge and the Lock.
Hammond Bay: Boats trolling 20 to 30 feet down in 90 feet of water off 9 Mile Point have caught salmon, steelhead and lake trout.
Rogers City: Has lots of baitfish so the salmon and steelhead are eating well. The salmon will start staging soon. Anglers are fishing 50 to 100 feet of water off Forty Mile Point, Swan Bay and Adams Point. Good numbers of steelhead have been caught. Fish the entire water column with dark colored spoons, dodgers with squid or flies, and J-plugs. Be sure to look for structure.
Presque Isle: Fishing was slow due to warm water. A few fish were caught off Big Lighthouse Point where there is structure. Remember just off the bottom for lake trout and higher up for salmon and steelhead.
Rockport: Boat anglers are catching lake trout, steelhead, walleye and the occasional smallmouth bass. Crawler harnesses for walleye and spoons for lake trout and steelhead.
Alpena: Is producing walleye in Thunder Bay. Anglers are trolling crank baits. Those heading out and fishing the “Humps” caught lake trout, steelhead and the occasional salmon when trolling spoons, flies and dipseys. Yellow perch, rock bass and bluegills were caught off the docks in the marina.
Thunder Bay River: Smallmouth and rock bass were hitting on leeches or worms.
Harrisville: Catch rates for lake trout have been consistent. Anglers are using lead core, copper or dipseys and lead core off planer boards. Steelhead and salmon are suspended in 65 to 100 feet and hitting on spoons, wobble glows, squid and flies.
Oscoda: Has lots of lake trout. The fish caught were suspended or right on the bottom in 80 to 150 feet of water. Salmon and steelhead were in 65 to 100 feet. The salmon may be staging to the south near Au Sable Point.
Au Sable River: Walleye action was hit-or-miss but smallmouth was very good.
Higgins Lake: Lake trout ranging 5 to 11 pounds have been caught by those trolling spoons, rapalas, cowbells and dodgers or a spin-glow and dodger. Those jigging have also caught fish with Swedish pimples or castmasters. Good smallmouth bass action around Treasure Island and the south end of the lake along the drop-off. Lots of rock bass have been caught including some master angler fish.
Houghton Lake: The better walleye fishing was early morning or late evening when using crawlers or leeches. Try between the North Bay and Muddy Bay or 12 feet of water near the Cut River. Bluegills can be found along the weed line in eight to 12 feet of water, go deeper for bigger fish.
Tawas Bay: Pier anglers are getting a few small perch, some rock bass and a big channel cat was caught. Those trolling crawler harnesses in 35 feet of water out near Buoy #2 and off Jerry’s Marina have caught a few walleye.
Au Gres: Anglers are targeting yellow perch in 28 to 30 feet of water straight off the mouth of the river. While limit catches are not the rule, they are getting good catches of seven to 10 inch perch right along with the occasional 12 inch fish when using shiners. Those trolling for walleye are heading south and fishing in 35 to 40 feet of water off the end of the shipping channel. Catch rates were spotty.
Thunder Bay River: Smallmouth and rock bass were hitting on leeches or worms.
Harrisville: Catch rates for lake trout have been consistent. Anglers are using lead core, copper or dipseys and lead core off planer boards. Steelhead and salmon are suspended in 65 to 100 feet and hitting on spoons, wobble glows, squid and flies.
Oscoda: Has lots of lake trout. The fish caught were suspended or right on the bottom in 80 to 150 feet of water. Salmon and steelhead were in 65 to 100 feet. The salmon may be staging to the south near Au Sable Point.
Au Sable River: Walleye action was hit-or-miss but smallmouth was very good.
Higgins Lake: Lake trout ranging 5 to 11 pounds have been caught by those trolling spoons, rapalas, cowbells and dodgers or a spin-glow and dodger. Those jigging have also caught fish with Swedish pimples or castmasters. Good smallmouth bass action around Treasure Island and the south end of the lake along the drop-off. Lots of rock bass have been caught including some master angler fish.
Houghton Lake: The better walleye fishing was early morning or late evening when using crawlers or leeches. Try between the North Bay and Muddy Bay or 12 feet of water near the Cut River. Bluegills can be found along the weed line in eight to 12 feet of water, go deeper for bigger fish.
Tawas Bay: Pier anglers are getting a few small perch, some rock bass and a big channel cat was caught. Those trolling crawler harnesses in 35 feet of water out near Buoy #2 and off Jerry’s Marina have caught a few walleye.
Au Gres: Anglers are targeting yellow perch in 28 to 30 feet of water straight off the mouth of the river. While limit catches are not the rule, they are getting good catches of seven to 10 inch perch right along with the occasional 12 inch fish when using shiners. Those trolling for walleye are heading south and fishing in 35 to 40 feet of water off the end of the shipping channel. Catch rates were spotty.
Harbor Springs: A few salmon were caught past the buoy at Harbor Point although more lake trout were caught. A few salmon were also taken near Seven Mile Point.
Petoskey: Anglers are trolling from the breakwall to Bay Harbor, with a lot of boats congregating near the sewage plant. The thermocline fluctuated from 50 to 100 feet plus so fish were caught anywhere from 35 to 100 feet of water. Try flashers, flies, meat rigs, glow spoons or lures that resemble squid. Some of the salmon coming in have already started to turn dark. Pier anglers are catching rock bass.
Bear River: Salmon have been caught by those using spawn bags or a single egg.
Charlevoix: Catch rates were hit-or-miss and many came back skunked. Most fish were caught in front of McSauba in 100 feet of water. A couple salmon were caught near the “Can” or the Cement Plant. Lake trout and herring were also caught. Most fish were marked 80 to 90 feet down on sliders and spoons. A couple big smallmouth bass were caught by pier anglers using crawlers or leeches but most were sub-legal. Walleye action was slow but a few were hitting on crawlers.
Traverse City: Boat anglers are catching salmon and lake trout in both bays. No big numbers but most are getting one or two chinook and a couple lake trout when fishing 50 to 90 feet down in waters up to 160 feet deep. Those jigging in 100 to 120 feet of water have caught lake trout and the occasional whitefish.
Elk River: Not much to report except for a few smallmouth bass and rock bass hitting on live bait or scented plastic baits.
Platte Bay: Catch rates are improving as chinook move closer to the mouth of the river. Those trolling the East Bay have caught coho on bright colored J-plugs. The fish were 50 feet down in 70 feet of water.
Platte River: The mouth of the river is still very shallow especially over the large sand bar. It is only accessible to small boats that are light and easy to pull. Dredging will start after Labor Day and then medium size boats will be good to go.
Frankfort: It is salmon time and the fishing has been hot. Most fishing is still offshore, but at least a few fish are now being caught off the piers each morning and evening. Cold water was pushed up on the beach a week ago when the lake rolled over but the waters have once again warmed up. A hard east or northeast blow will turn the lake back over.
Betsie River: Is starting to produce chinook in the lower stretches of the river. No big numbers yet but fish are present.
Arcadia: Fishing is very good. Anglers are trolling 55 feet down in 70 to 130 feet of water. Most fish were caught during the day. Try green J-plugs or green spoons with a black ladder back.
Lake Cadillac: Is producing some nice largemouth bass. Try small spoons, spinners, crawlers or leeches. Look for pike in the weedbeds. Crappie were caught on minnows and wax worms. Those fishing at night have caught some nice bullhead.
Lake Mitchell: Has good bass fishing. Target the drop-offs near the sand bars as well as shallow waters around along the shoreline. For crappie and bluegill, try a twister tail jig with a wax worm.
Manistee: Has very good fishing. Chinook were caught on meat rigs and plugs 40 to 100 feet down in 60 to 200 feet of water. Coho and steelhead were caught 25 to 50 feet down with red and orange spoons. Most fishing is still offshore, but a few fish are now being caught off the piers in the morning and evening. Try glow spoons.
Manistee River: Chinook salmon are being caught in the lower stretches. The run is just starting, but fish are there. Try skein or body baits like thundersticks. The Little Manistee River had a bigger concentration of fish.
Ludington: Has very good fishing. Anglers have done well from the Project to Big Sable Point when fishing 50 to 100 feet down in 70 to 240 feet of water with meat rigs and plugs. Pier anglers and those trolling around the piers reported slow catch rates as water temperatures warmed up. Those casting have caught a couple salmon in low light conditions.
Pere Marquette River: The salmon run is just getting started. Anglers fishing the lower river have started to catch chinook. Skein and body baits are the ticket.
Pentwater: Fishing is the slowest it has been this year. Anglers say it is difficult to find water temperatures lower than 60’s degrees. Those using cut bait 65 feet down in 85 feet of water did mange to catch a few fish.
Petoskey: Anglers are trolling from the breakwall to Bay Harbor, with a lot of boats congregating near the sewage plant. The thermocline fluctuated from 50 to 100 feet plus so fish were caught anywhere from 35 to 100 feet of water. Try flashers, flies, meat rigs, glow spoons or lures that resemble squid. Some of the salmon coming in have already started to turn dark. Pier anglers are catching rock bass.
Bear River: Salmon have been caught by those using spawn bags or a single egg.
Charlevoix: Catch rates were hit-or-miss and many came back skunked. Most fish were caught in front of McSauba in 100 feet of water. A couple salmon were caught near the “Can” or the Cement Plant. Lake trout and herring were also caught. Most fish were marked 80 to 90 feet down on sliders and spoons. A couple big smallmouth bass were caught by pier anglers using crawlers or leeches but most were sub-legal. Walleye action was slow but a few were hitting on crawlers.
Traverse City: Boat anglers are catching salmon and lake trout in both bays. No big numbers but most are getting one or two chinook and a couple lake trout when fishing 50 to 90 feet down in waters up to 160 feet deep. Those jigging in 100 to 120 feet of water have caught lake trout and the occasional whitefish.
Elk River: Not much to report except for a few smallmouth bass and rock bass hitting on live bait or scented plastic baits.
Platte Bay: Catch rates are improving as chinook move closer to the mouth of the river. Those trolling the East Bay have caught coho on bright colored J-plugs. The fish were 50 feet down in 70 feet of water.
Platte River: The mouth of the river is still very shallow especially over the large sand bar. It is only accessible to small boats that are light and easy to pull. Dredging will start after Labor Day and then medium size boats will be good to go.
Frankfort: It is salmon time and the fishing has been hot. Most fishing is still offshore, but at least a few fish are now being caught off the piers each morning and evening. Cold water was pushed up on the beach a week ago when the lake rolled over but the waters have once again warmed up. A hard east or northeast blow will turn the lake back over.
Betsie River: Is starting to produce chinook in the lower stretches of the river. No big numbers yet but fish are present.
Arcadia: Fishing is very good. Anglers are trolling 55 feet down in 70 to 130 feet of water. Most fish were caught during the day. Try green J-plugs or green spoons with a black ladder back.
Lake Cadillac: Is producing some nice largemouth bass. Try small spoons, spinners, crawlers or leeches. Look for pike in the weedbeds. Crappie were caught on minnows and wax worms. Those fishing at night have caught some nice bullhead.
Lake Mitchell: Has good bass fishing. Target the drop-offs near the sand bars as well as shallow waters around along the shoreline. For crappie and bluegill, try a twister tail jig with a wax worm.
Manistee: Has very good fishing. Chinook were caught on meat rigs and plugs 40 to 100 feet down in 60 to 200 feet of water. Coho and steelhead were caught 25 to 50 feet down with red and orange spoons. Most fishing is still offshore, but a few fish are now being caught off the piers in the morning and evening. Try glow spoons.
Manistee River: Chinook salmon are being caught in the lower stretches. The run is just starting, but fish are there. Try skein or body baits like thundersticks. The Little Manistee River had a bigger concentration of fish.
Ludington: Has very good fishing. Anglers have done well from the Project to Big Sable Point when fishing 50 to 100 feet down in 70 to 240 feet of water with meat rigs and plugs. Pier anglers and those trolling around the piers reported slow catch rates as water temperatures warmed up. Those casting have caught a couple salmon in low light conditions.
Pere Marquette River: The salmon run is just getting started. Anglers fishing the lower river have started to catch chinook. Skein and body baits are the ticket.
Pentwater: Fishing is the slowest it has been this year. Anglers say it is difficult to find water temperatures lower than 60’s degrees. Those using cut bait 65 feet down in 85 feet of water did mange to catch a few fish.
Black River Harbor: Fishing was good when anglers can get out. Most were trolling spoons in 120 to 140 feet of water for salmon and lake trout.
Keweenaw Bay: The bite has picked up with nice catches of salmon, lake trout and rainbow trout caught between Sand Point and Newton’s Reef. The fish seem to be in pockets so you will have to look for them while trolling spoons in a variety of colors. Good trolling speed was between 1.9 and 2.8 mph. Those trolling around Farmers Reef caught fish 60 to 100 feet down in 80 to 120 feet of water. Trolling speeds were between 2.0 and 2.6 mph. Some reported limit catches. Those trolling in Traverse Bay caught trout and salmon between the marina and Big Louie’s Point. Try 35 to 70 feet down in 40 to 100 feet of water with spoons.
Marquette: Most are fishing early morning before the winds pick up. Anglers are fishing four to five miles east towards Shot Point or east of the White Rocks. Some caught the occasional coho or lake trout.
Peavy Reservoir: In Iron County is producing some walleye. Live baits such as minnows, crawlers or leeches are best in the dark waters.
Lake Antoine: In Dickinson County is producing large and smallmouth bass.
Menominee: Anglers are switching their gear from salmon to walleye. Some are trolling near Green Island but catch rates were slow. Those fishing off the Cedar River did best in 12 to 15 feet of water with crawler harnesses or rapalas after dark.
Menominee River: Fishing was poor due to low water levels.
Little Bay De Noc: Catch rates for perch were fair to good in the northern parts of the bay. Try 14 to 20 feet of water just off the Third Reef, 10 to 14 feet off Garth Point or 18 to 25 feet off Gladstone Beach when using crawlers. Walleye action was spotty but a few fish were caught in 16 to 24 feet of water off Kipling, 25 to 35 feet out from the Terrace Bay Inn, and 14 to 22 feet off the southern end of the Black Bottom.
Big Bay De Noc: Had excellent smallmouth bass action in the northern bay up near Poplar Point and Porcupine Point. Try crawlers or crank baits in 12 to 18 feet of water. The better catches came off minnows or crawlers in 15 to 35 feet of water off Garden Bluff. Fair perch fishing was reported in 16 to 20 feet of water in Kate’s Bay or 18 feet on the southern end of Ansell’s Point. Crawlers worked best. Off Fairport, salmon fishing has tapered off but fish were still caught in the “Gap” between the islands. Try 75 to 110 feet down in 90 to 140 feet of water when trolling spoons or artificial cut bait.
Au Train: A few fish were caught off the flats of Shelter Bay or east of Au Train near the shipping channel in the early morning. Lake trout were suspended 40 to 50 feet from the bottom in 150 to 200 feet of water.
Munising: Boat anglers caught lake trout ranging two to eight pounds on the west side of Grand Island, Trout Bay, and the reefs around Wood Island. Those able to make it out to the Big Reef did well for fish averaging five to 10 pounds. A few fish weighed over 30 pounds. Pier fishing was slow.
Grand Marais: Was producing lake trout in 140 to 220 feet of water five to eight miles north of the bay. Salmon were caught about halfway down in waters 50 to 60 feet deep. Those trolling east and west outside the harbor caught coho with purple spoons. Shore anglers caught pike on minnows but most were sub-legal.
Manistique Lake: Is producing a few walleye and pike.
Detour: Produced limits of pink salmon off the lighthouse when trolling small orange and gold spoons in 45 to 60 feet of water. A few Atlantic salmon were also caught. Those trolling from the Red Buoy back towards the lighthouse caught salmon. Pike were caught by those trolling spoons in eight to 12 feet of water near the coal dock. For Drummond Island, smallmouth bass are hitting on the north end of Scotts Bay and Bruce’s Point. Try jigging dark colored tube baits in six to eight feet of water. Some reported perch hitting on minnows in 12 to 14 feet of water on the inside of the horseshoe near Harbor Island.
Cedarville and Hessel: Perch and smallmouth bass were caught along the east end of Cedarville Bay, Hessel Bay, north end of Snows Channel, Musky Bay and the Middle Entrance in eight to 12 feet of water. Catch rates for pike have picked up for those using minnows or chubs.
St. Ignace: Remains good for salmon from the Coast Guard Station north to the old fuel tanks and off the northeast side of Mackinac Island. Those fishing 60 to 90 feet down are harvesting big healthy fish. A couple pink salmon were also caught.
Keweenaw Bay: The bite has picked up with nice catches of salmon, lake trout and rainbow trout caught between Sand Point and Newton’s Reef. The fish seem to be in pockets so you will have to look for them while trolling spoons in a variety of colors. Good trolling speed was between 1.9 and 2.8 mph. Those trolling around Farmers Reef caught fish 60 to 100 feet down in 80 to 120 feet of water. Trolling speeds were between 2.0 and 2.6 mph. Some reported limit catches. Those trolling in Traverse Bay caught trout and salmon between the marina and Big Louie’s Point. Try 35 to 70 feet down in 40 to 100 feet of water with spoons.
Marquette: Most are fishing early morning before the winds pick up. Anglers are fishing four to five miles east towards Shot Point or east of the White Rocks. Some caught the occasional coho or lake trout.
Peavy Reservoir: In Iron County is producing some walleye. Live baits such as minnows, crawlers or leeches are best in the dark waters.
Lake Antoine: In Dickinson County is producing large and smallmouth bass.
Menominee: Anglers are switching their gear from salmon to walleye. Some are trolling near Green Island but catch rates were slow. Those fishing off the Cedar River did best in 12 to 15 feet of water with crawler harnesses or rapalas after dark.
Menominee River: Fishing was poor due to low water levels.
Little Bay De Noc: Catch rates for perch were fair to good in the northern parts of the bay. Try 14 to 20 feet of water just off the Third Reef, 10 to 14 feet off Garth Point or 18 to 25 feet off Gladstone Beach when using crawlers. Walleye action was spotty but a few fish were caught in 16 to 24 feet of water off Kipling, 25 to 35 feet out from the Terrace Bay Inn, and 14 to 22 feet off the southern end of the Black Bottom.
Big Bay De Noc: Had excellent smallmouth bass action in the northern bay up near Poplar Point and Porcupine Point. Try crawlers or crank baits in 12 to 18 feet of water. The better catches came off minnows or crawlers in 15 to 35 feet of water off Garden Bluff. Fair perch fishing was reported in 16 to 20 feet of water in Kate’s Bay or 18 feet on the southern end of Ansell’s Point. Crawlers worked best. Off Fairport, salmon fishing has tapered off but fish were still caught in the “Gap” between the islands. Try 75 to 110 feet down in 90 to 140 feet of water when trolling spoons or artificial cut bait.
Au Train: A few fish were caught off the flats of Shelter Bay or east of Au Train near the shipping channel in the early morning. Lake trout were suspended 40 to 50 feet from the bottom in 150 to 200 feet of water.
Munising: Boat anglers caught lake trout ranging two to eight pounds on the west side of Grand Island, Trout Bay, and the reefs around Wood Island. Those able to make it out to the Big Reef did well for fish averaging five to 10 pounds. A few fish weighed over 30 pounds. Pier fishing was slow.
Grand Marais: Was producing lake trout in 140 to 220 feet of water five to eight miles north of the bay. Salmon were caught about halfway down in waters 50 to 60 feet deep. Those trolling east and west outside the harbor caught coho with purple spoons. Shore anglers caught pike on minnows but most were sub-legal.
Manistique Lake: Is producing a few walleye and pike.
Detour: Produced limits of pink salmon off the lighthouse when trolling small orange and gold spoons in 45 to 60 feet of water. A few Atlantic salmon were also caught. Those trolling from the Red Buoy back towards the lighthouse caught salmon. Pike were caught by those trolling spoons in eight to 12 feet of water near the coal dock. For Drummond Island, smallmouth bass are hitting on the north end of Scotts Bay and Bruce’s Point. Try jigging dark colored tube baits in six to eight feet of water. Some reported perch hitting on minnows in 12 to 14 feet of water on the inside of the horseshoe near Harbor Island.
Cedarville and Hessel: Perch and smallmouth bass were caught along the east end of Cedarville Bay, Hessel Bay, north end of Snows Channel, Musky Bay and the Middle Entrance in eight to 12 feet of water. Catch rates for pike have picked up for those using minnows or chubs.
St. Ignace: Remains good for salmon from the Coast Guard Station north to the old fuel tanks and off the northeast side of Mackinac Island. Those fishing 60 to 90 feet down are harvesting big healthy fish. A couple pink salmon were also caught.
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.