More anglers have been out with the warmer weather however the fish were heading to deeper water due to warmer water temperatures. Early morning and evening were best. The season to take snapping turtles and softshell turtles opened on July 15 and will remain open until September 15. Be sure to check the 2019 Fishing Guide for size and possession limits.

All anglers 17 years of age and older are required to have a fishing license.

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Southeast Lower Peninsula

Lake Erie: The better walleye bite was off the River Raisin, Femi and out in Brest Bay in 20 to 23 feet when using a crawler harness with inline weights or bottom bouncers. Further south, fish were suspended off Toledo Beach and near the Dumping Ground and were caught on artificial baits. The catfish bite was good in the Edison Hot Pond. Largemouth, smallmouth and rock bass were caught near the rock walls off Bolles Harbor. Freshwater drum, white bass, white perch and yellow perch were also caught.

Detroit River: The walleye bite was better in the early morning or late evening when trolling a crawler harness or hand-lining with stick baits. Perch near the Cross-Dike slowed but a couple were still taken on minnows.

Lake St. Clair: Walleye anglers trolling in the shipping channel took limit catches when trolling a crawler harness. Fire-tiger was the hot color. Sizable perch are coming in now. Perch anglers did the best near the mouth of the South Channel but those using live bait picked a few along with the occasional pike or muskie near shore in the Masonic Park area. Muskie fishing on the north end was slow. A few were found in the shallows of Anchor Bay and around Fair Haven, but anglers had to put in their time to get them. The large and smallmouth bass action was steady in Anchor Bay. Smallmouth were caught along the Mile Roads. Most anglers averaged five to 10 fish when casting tube baits and plastics on a weed-less setup.

St. Clair River: Walleye have remained consistent with anglers fishing the Middle and South Channels. Most are averaging two to three fish when either trolling a crawler harness behind the boat or jigging along the drop-offs and deeper sections. Those using a live crawler had better luck than those fishing with leeches or artificial worms. The best bite was in the morning but tapered off between 9-10:00 am.

Lexington and Port Sanilac: Boats heading south caught some perch off Lexington Heights in 15 feet. Off Port Sanilac, those trolling were making fish, but they did not want to bite.

Harbor Beach: The fish are scattered, and some are out in deeper water. For lake trout, try 40 to 70 feet down in 160 to 180 feet with spoons off downriggers. Steelhead and pink salmon were taken in the same area with bright colored spoons off boards and 3, 5, and 7 colored lines. A few walleye were taken close to shore on body baits and crawler harnesses north of the harbor. Shore anglers caught bass when casting spoons and body baits.

Grindstone City: A few walleye and whitefish were caught when trolling plugs to the east in 30 feet.

Port Austin: Those fishing in 28 to 35 feet around the lighthouse were getting two to three walleye per boat when using a crawler harness.

Saginaw Bay: Walleye were caught with crawlers or spoons in 27 feet out near Buoys 4 & 5, east of the Spark Plug in 22 to 25 feet, off the State Park with crawlers in 10 to 12 feet, and off Finn Road in 12 to 15 feet. A couple yellow perch were taken out near Sailboat Buoy-A with a perch rig and worm. Fish were found as shallow as 8 feet or as deep as 27 feet near the Shipping Channel. A good number of walleye were caught off Quanicassee when trolling straight out in the Slot in 16 feet with a purple crawler harness. Off Sebewaing, more anglers were heading out deeper just over the Callahan Reef in 20 to 27 feet. Off Caseville, a few walleye were found between Oak Point and the Charity Islands. The Slot out from the islands and all the way down to Sebewaing and along the edge of the “Bar” in 16 to 18 feet had the best fishing.

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Southwest Lower Peninsula

St. Joseph: Continues to produce perch in 32 feet both north and south of the piers. Salmon fishing slowed as the fish seem to be very scattered and very deep. A few trout and the occasional steelhead were caught on spoons in 70 to 90 feet. Those fishing very deep caught a mixed bag of trout and salmon. Pier fishing for steelhead was slow but those using live bait on the bottom caught catfish and freshwater drum.

South Haven: Some were getting perch in 28 to 35 feet. Most of the fishing pressure was south of the piers. Salmon anglers reported slow fishing. Some lake trout were caught in 80 to 100 feet. A few salmon and lake trout were caught way out in very deep water. Pier anglers caught freshwater drum when casting spoons. Water temperatures are warm. If the temperature drops, fishing for steelhead should improve.

Holland: Those targeting salmon were heading out to deeper water as the fish were scattered.

Grand Haven: Boat anglers are catching good numbers of lake trout off the bottom in 100 to 160 feet. Salmon and steelhead were 45 to 90 feet down and hitting on blue and orange spoons. Pier anglers caught large and smallmouth bass on gobies.

Grand River at Grand Rapids: Walleye including a few limit catches were taken off the wall, up near the 6th Street Dam and above the dam. Most were taken on crawlers. A fair number of catfish were caught on minnows.

Grand River at Lansing: Water levels are coming down. Smallmouth bass, rock bass and channel cats were caught at the North Lansing Dam.

Motz Park: In Clinton County was producing a good number of largemouth bass in Clinton Lake which is on the west side of the road. Shore anglers were using golden shiners, small bluegill, leeches and crawlers. Many were undersize.

Morrison Lake: The bluegill action was fair to good near the weed beds. Crappie fishing slowed.

Muskegon: Is producing a decent number of lake trout just off the bottom in 100 to 180 feet. Yellow spin-glo’s worked best. A few salmon were caught on orange and green spoons 50 to 90 feet down. The better fishing was early or late with a glow green or blue spoon. Pier fishing was slow.

Muskegon Lake: The bass action was good along the shoreline and near docks. Pike were caught off the east end near the river mouth and off Fisherman’s Landing when trolling body baits. Bluegill were caught near the state park when fishing along the edge of the weeds and off the boat launch.

Muskegon River: Water levels are dropping, and water temperatures were on the rise. Smallmouth bass were caught along the banks and under structure. Those fishing Croton and Hardy Dam Pond have done well.

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Northeast Lower Peninsula

Cheboygan: Trout and salmon were caught off Lafayette Point on Bois Blanc Island.

Cheboygan River: Had one chute open at the dam. No word on walleye however anglers have caught catfish up to 12 pounds when bottom bouncing worms near the DNR Field Office. Rock bass and freshwater drum were also caught.

Rogers City: A word of caution: Boats heading out need to be on the lookout for floating debris such as logs and large sticks that have been reported in the water. Anglers are putting in a lot of effort to catch fish right now. We are moving into that transitional time where lake trout are starting to move to deeper water. The classic mixed bag is just starting with Chinook, coho, Atlantics and pink salmon, lake trout, steelhead and walleye starting to be caught. Lake trout were found all over the water column however the larger fish are heading out deep so only sublegal fish were caught in the warmer water. Most are using dodgers or cowbells with spin-glo’s. For salmon, run lines in the top 60 feet with spoons.

Alpena: Lake trout were caught trolling spoons and spin-glo’s with attractors in 80 to 140 feet off Thunder Bay Island and the Nordmeer Wreck. Fish were found throughout the water column. Good colors were orange, chartreuse, purple, and glow. Good walleye action with fish up to seven pounds taken when trolling a harness or body bait in 10 to 35 feet off North Point, 9-Mile Can and out in front of the harbor. Walleye were feeding on fly hatches and goby. Smallmouth bass, channel cats and freshwater drum were caught when trolling a crawler harness. Those stripping streamers or casting crank baits in Squaw Bay caught smallmouth bass.

Thunder Bay River: Those drifting, jigging or floating crawlers and leeches caught walleye in the morning or evening. Those trolling a crawler harness or body bait also caught fish. Freshwater drum, channel cats, rock bass, small perch, bullhead and a couple smallmouth bass were caught when floating or drifting crawlers and leeches.

Oscoda: Lake trout were caught in 80 to 160 feet when trolling spoons meat rigs and spin-glo’s with attractors along the shelf between Three Mile Beach and Au Sable Point. Steelhead were taken on spoons 10 to 50 feet down in 100 to 150 feet. Gold, orange, black, pink, and chartreuse were good colors. Pier anglers floating or drifting crawlers and leeches caught channel cats, smallmouth bass, rock bass, freshwater drum and a couple walleye.

Au Sable River: Those floating or drifting crawlers and leeches in the holes below Foote Dam caught a few walleye, rock bass, freshwater drum, channel catfish, and smallmouth bass. Walleye were caught on crawlers and body baits below Mio Dam.

Higgins Lake: Good lake trout action on the bottom in 90 feet in the early morning. Those trolling downriggers are using rapalas and spoons and those jigging are using Swedish pimples, sand kickers and Cleo’s. Good smallmouth bass action along the drop-offs and rock bass are everywhere. Some decent catches of perch were reported when anglers could find them. Try near the bottom in 30 to 40 feet.

Houghton Lake: The better fishing was in the early morning or late evening. Those anchoring near the weed beds have caught fish. Most are using a bobber with leeches or worms. The bigger bluegill were found in eight feet or so.

Tawas: Some limits of walleye along with a couple steelhead, lake trout or salmon were taken on spoons anywhere from three to six miles off Tawas Point in 50 to 70 feet. Walleye were taken in 30 to 40 feet with crawlers. Pier anglers caught smallmouth bass and catfish on a crawler or when casting various lures. A large mayfly hatch is ongoing.

Tawas River: Largemouth bass, rock bass, bluegill and sunfish were caught on crawlers or lures at Gateway Park.

Au Gres: Was still producing a good number of limit catches of walleye from the Charity Islands to south of Eagle Bay Marina in 25 to 40 feet. Most were using a crawler harness, but a few fish were also taken on crank baits. Perch, catfish and freshwater drum were caught.

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Northwest Lower Peninsula

Wilderness State Park: Fishing slowed however a couple smallmouth bass ranging 10-16 inches were caught in Goose Bay with tube baits or worms. Those fly fishing for carp had no luck but did manage to catch smallmouth bass.

Harbor Springs: A few lake trout were caught 80 feet down in over 100 feet around Harbor Point or further west and north over deeper water at 60 to 100 feet down in 180 to 300 feet. Good smallmouth action along the entire shoreline.

Petoskey: More boats are heading out but those fishing the Petoskey side had no luck. Fish were marked 50 to 75 feet down near Bay Harbor. A large number of baitfish are in the area. Water levels in the Bear River were still a bit high. Rock bass, chubs and a couple smaller bass were caught at the dam. Most were fishing down near the mouth where smallmouth bass, rock bass, catfish, freshwater drum and even a couple bluegill were caught on worms. Shore anglers near the breakwall caught smallmouth bass with worms or when casting crank baits.

Charlevoix: Fishing was tough with only a few lake trout caught 30 to 50 feet down in 100 to 250 feet with spoons, flies and spin-glo’s. Boats were fishing near the cement plant and south. The cisco action in the channel is just about done so anglers are now targeting smallmouth bass. Anglers are using both live and artificial worms or leeches. There are lots of alewife in the channel along with a few carp.

Lake Charlevoix: Was in the middle of a large mayfly hatch.

Traverse City: A couple cisco were caught in the East Bay when trolling around Deepwater Point and along the east bank. Smallmouth bass were caught in 15 to 30 feet along the south end. In the Elk River, smallmouth bass were caught at the dam and along the walkway using leeches and plastics. A couple freshwater drum were caught. On the West Bay, bass were caught in the shallows south of the M-22 launch and in Sutton’s Bay. No word on salmon and those looking for perch had no luck. Fishing was slow on the Boardman River with only a couple small panfish and bass caught at the dam. Water levels remain high.

Frankfort: North winds rolled the lake over and surface water temperatures were in the 40’s. The Chinook bite was spotty, and the fish were smaller. A good number of lake trout were caught close to the point and near Six Mile Hole when bouncing the bottom with cowbells and spin-glo’s. Steelhead were up high in 250 to 350 feet.

Onekama: Some good catches of lake trout along with a couple Chinook salmon were taken in the “Barrel” in the early morning. The lake trout were on the bottom while the Chinook in the top 80 feet of waters 120 to 180 feet deep.

Portage Lake: The mayfly hatch is still going strong so the number of bass and panfish caught has been down. There is flooding in the area due to high water levels.

Lakes Cadillac & Mitchell: The better fishing has been in the early morning before it gets too hot and the fish move to deeper water. Bluegill were found along the weed beds in eight to 12 feet and crappie in eight to 16 feet though the bite was slow. Those trolling or drifting a crawler harness along the drop-offs managed to get a few walleye. Bass were hitting topwater lures and artificial worms.

Manistee: Surface temperature readings were about 55 degrees. Chinook salmon fishing was slow however a good number of lake trout were caught. The best fishing was in 80 to 150 feet when bottom bouncing with cowbells and spin-glo’s. Pier fishing was slow however a couple steelhead were taken on shrimp or alewife.

Manistee River: Skamania have been caught all the up to Tippy Dam.

Ludington: A good number of lake trout were caught in 90 to 200 feet when bottom bouncing cowbells and spin-glo’s. Pier fishing was slow.

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Upper Peninsula

Keweenaw Bay: Fishing was slow. Those heading out from all ports were putting in their time to catch a few fish. Reports have been coming in that the scum line is up in Eagle Harbor and fishing there was good. Those willing to make the run out to Isle Royal have been rewarded with some nice bags of lake trout.

Marquette: Fishing was hit-or-miss with some boats getting four to eight fish while others reported zero to three. The fish were scattered throughout the water column. This trend could continue for the next week or two with the recent bug hatches and water temperatures in the mid to upper 40’s. Lake trout was the number one catch followed by a couple Chinook and coho. Most boats were heading north towards Granite Island or the White Rocks and fishing in 130 to 200 feet.

Little Bay De Noc: Had a very large mayfly hatch and slow fishing overall. Walleye were caught with a crawler harness in 20 to 30 feet near the “Black Bottom” however most of the fish were undersize. Perch catches were fair at best. Most were fishing the Kipling area south to the Day’s River with crawlers in five to 20 feet. Smallmouth bass anglers reported fewer catches. The best areas were Hunters Point in four to 10 feet, in the Escanaba River along the shoreline and at the mouth of the Ford River in three to 10 feet. Most were casting plastics, spinners or crawlers.

Big Bay De Noc: Was producing some northern pike. Smallmouth bass were hitting spinners and crank baits off Indian Point and St. Vital Island.

Manistique: Salmon anglers were searching but few fish were marked. Lots of baitfish in the area as surface water temperatures were between 60 and 70 degrees. Conditions are good so anglers are just waiting for the Chinook salmon to arrive.

Manistique River: Anglers reported fair catches of smallmouth bass, northern pike and walleye with crawlers along the breakwalls and weed beds.

Munising: A few boats out targeting lake trout had good results when trolling or jigging various drop-offs along the reef. The salmon and splake action were slow. A couple boats out near the White Rocks did fair with three to four lake trout while others reported slow catch rates.

Grand Marais: Lake trout anglers continue to do well near Au Sable Point, Five Mile Reef and the Southwest Bank area. Those trolling for salmon outside the harbor reported slow fishing.

Detour: Atlantic salmon, rainbow trout, and lake trout are still being caught 18 to 35 feet down. When salmon and trout are in feeding mode, they still want a smaller four-inch spoon behind flashers. The best colors were orange and metallic green. The best area for Atlantic salmon was on the Drummond Island side when trolling from the red buoy back to the lighthouse at 3.5 to 4 mph and near the quarry loading dock. For lake trout, fish the 90-foot flat two miles south of the lighthouse with orange and white or chartreuse and white spin-glo’s behind flashers. Good smallmouth action one mile west of Detour Village at Seymour Creek with gold and chrome spinners or worms.

Drummond Island: Those launching from the DNR boat launch in Detour Village have caught a few cisco. Target the islands on the north end like Macomb, Butterfield and Maple Island. Fly hatches were mild this week but should pick up. On the south end of Drummond where Lake Huron hits the mouth of Whitney Bay, a few Menominee were caught. Best baits were dark brown or red teardrop jigs tipped with wax worms in 25 to 28 feet. Those using four to six-pound test line seem to catch more whitefish.

Cedarville and Hessel: A fly hatch at the yacht entrance to the Les Cheneaux Islands may have triggered the perch bite at Island No. 8 and reports of Atlantic salmon at Boot Island. Those trolling for Atlantic salmon were using chrome and dark blue four-inch spoons about halfway down in 35 feet. Make sure the hooks are sharp. Hill Island Road located two miles east of Cedarville has been very good for youngsters that want to fish from shore or the new fishing platforms. Smallmouth bass, rock bass and pumpkinseed were caught on worms or shiners. Try both sides of the road for panfish in the early morning or late evening. For Hessel, there were no reports of yellow perch in the marina at the finger docks. Good pike fishing northwest of the marina at Mismer Bay when using creek chubs in four to six feet in the early morning or when casting a red eye copper spoon.

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Fishing Tip: Fishing deep for post-spawn bluegill

After spawning, bluegills will move to deeper water for the rest of the summer and larger bluegills can be hard to locate. They can be found living near the top of the thermocline where water temperatures approach 69 degrees. Depending on the lake, this depth will usually be somewhere between 12 and 18 feet.

To locate this depth, either use a lake thermometer (available at most larger tackle stores) or contact the nearest DNR office. If the lake has a public access site, fisheries biologists will have surveyed it and will have a temperature-oxygen profile of the lake. This chart will identify the depth with a temperature near 69 degrees.

Try fishing at this depth where the 69 degree temperature is close to the bottom…usually at the deep edge of weed beds. Use light line (four-pound test or less) tipped with a white ice-fishing tear-drop jig baited with a wax worm. Some anglers use slip bobbers, while others fish European-style with very long fiberglass poles. Early morning and dusk are most productive.

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This report is intended to give you an idea of what is going on around the state. Updates come from Fisheries staff and Conservation Officers. With more than 11,000 inland lakes, the Great Lakes and thousands of miles of rivers and streams, not all locations can be listed. However, it is safe to say if a species is being caught in some waters in the area, they are likely being caught in all waters in that section of the state that have that species