Extremely hot temperatures this week are warming water temperatures and slowing the bite especially in the afternoon. As the water warms, fish become sluggish especially on the shallower inland lakes so try fishing deeper water. Early morning or later in the evening is usually best.

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 walleye bite was steady along the state line through Brest Bay and down to Toledo Beach. Limit catches were taken off Fermi in 20 to 26 feet when trolling a crawler harness with bottom bouncers or inline weights. Some did well off the end of the River Raisin while others caught limits when trolling spoons between the Edison stacks and the Dumping Ground while hugging the state line in 22 to 24 feet. The morning bite was best. White bass, white perch, smallmouth bass, rock bass, freshwater drum and channel cats have also been caught. A few anglers found yellow perch between Toledo Beach and the lighthouse and out near the Dumping Ground. No limits but fish up to 12 inches were caught on minnows. Largemouth bass were caught near Toledo Beach and the River Raisin. Catfish action slowed.

Detroit River: Higher water levels make for good shore fishing with anglers getting bass, bluegill, catfish and even a few walleye. Those hand-lining and jigging around Grosse Ile caught walleye. Some perch were found along the weed lines when using small shiners or small worms. Anglers continue to catch pike and muskie.

Lake St. Clair: The smallmouth action was still a bit sluggish. Anchor Bay did a little better compared to other locations on the north end. The fish are remaining closer to shore with the water levels as high as they are. Try weed less tube baits and worms out in front of Selfridge and around Grassy Island. The fish are a bit lethargic so a slower presentation may help. Yellow perch were reported near the North Channel. Most were small about six inches however some bigger fish were also spotted. Muskie were caught near shore however anglers were putting in their time to get a couple fish. Most were in front of Selfridge, but a couple were caught near Fairhaven. Smallmouth action was good on the south half of the lake in 13 to 15 feet. Walleye action was good in the shipping channel. Smallmouth bass were hitting live bait there as well.

St. Clair River: Walleye continue to be caught in both the North and Middle Channels. Anglers were jigging most of the time, but a few did well when trolling a crawler harness. Scented artificial worms worked as well as live bait.

Lexington and Port Sanilac: Yellow perch were caught in 15 to 20 feet along the weed beds north of Port Sanilac to south of Lexington. Salmon and trout anglers were having a difficult time. Those going deep caught mostly lake trout in 130 to 140 feet northeast of the reef. For walleye, anglers were trolling a crawler harness or artificial baits in 20 to 25 feet between the two ports. Those casting inside the harbor at Lexington got a couple walleye in the evening.

Harbor Beach: Lake trout are being taken straight out and north of the harbor in 120 to 180 feet on dodgers with spin-glo’s or spoons off downriggers. A few salmon were taken on spoons. Try silver, blue and green. Steelhead were hitting bright colored spoons off 5, 7, and 10 colored lines. Walleye were close to shore and hitting on small spoons or body baits in 20 to 40 feet. Bass were caught when casting small spoons or body baits close to shore as well as off the walls inside the harbor.

Grindstone City: Smallmouth bass were caught inside the harbor when casting.

Saginaw Bay: Walleye were caught off Bay City and the state park in nine to 10 feet, east of the old Dumping Grounds in 15 to 17 feet and at the Spark Plug in 20 to 22 feet with crawlers. Fish were found two miles east of Buoy #4 with crawlers and spoons. The Slot from Sunset Bay Marina at Unionville up to North Island continues to produce walleye in 16 to 18 feet and outside the Bar in 20 to 22 feet. Those heading deeper and fishing 27 to 30 feet out near the shipping channel caught fish. A couple walleye were found along the edge of the weed beds off Sebewaing and in Wildfowl Bay in seven to nine feet. Also try 30 to 40 feet off the Charity Islands, Oak Beach and Oak Point with a crawler harness, body baits or spoons. A variety of other fish including pike, channel cats, white bass, freshwater drum and yellow perch have also been caught.

Saginaw River: Shore anglers at Smith Park in Essexville caught smallmouth bass and channel cats.

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Southwest Lower Peninsula

St. Joseph: Boat anglers targeting salmon reported slow fishing. A few trout were caught in around 80 feet however the salmon seem to be very deep. Most fish were caught on spoons. Perch fishing was inconsistent as anglers had very good fishing one day and struggled the next. Most were in 20 to 30 feet. Pier fishing for steelhead was slow but anglers were getting freshwater drum and catfish with crawlers on the bottom.

South Haven: Perch fishing continues to be good here with some nice fish caught south of the piers in 30 feet. Salmon fishing was slow. A few trout and salmon were found in 90 feet. Pier anglers casting spoons caught freshwater drum, but the steelhead fishing was slow.

Grand Haven: Boats continue to catch good numbers of lake trout along the occasional salmon and steelhead 45 to 90 feet down in 100 to 180 feet with green and blue spoons. Lake trout were hitting yellow and green spin-glo’s on the bottom. Pier fishing was slow except for channel cats or freshwater drum caught on alewife.

Grand River at Lansing: Water levels are back to normal and the river is wadable. Few anglers were out but those fishing near the North Lansing Dam caught bullhead along with smaller panfish. Early morning and late evening are best and look for deeper water or areas that have shade. Night anglers should find some catfish.

Motz Park: In Clinton County continues to produce largemouth bass especially on the west side of the road in Clinton Lake. Leeches and crawlers worked well.

Muskegon: Lake trout continue to be caught on the bottom in 90 to 160 feet with chrome flashers and yellow spin-glo’s. A few salmon were caught on green and orange spoons 45 to 90 feet down. Pier anglers are caught freshwater drum.

Muskegon River: Water levels are good however water temperatures have spiked into the 70’s. Smallmouth can be found along the edges and shady areas near structure. Fish were hitting top water baits as well as artificial crayfish, goby and minnows.

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Northeast Lower Peninsula

Cheboygan: Those heading out to Bois Blanc Island and trolling spoons, spin-glo’s, J-plugs and meat rigs 60 to 80 feet down off Lafayette Point caught Chinook and lake trout. The thermocline was 60 feet down. Spoons seemed to work best.

Cheboygan River: Smallmouth bass were caught drifting worms or casting soft baits. Rock bass, catfish and freshwater drum were taken by those drifting worms. The catfish were 10-15 pounds. Walleye were caught throughout when jigging soft baits or bottom bouncing with crawlers and leeches.

Rogers City: The better fishing seems to be out very deep in 150 to 250 feet which is about five miles out so be cautious and watch the weather as winds can pick up and the lake can get quite rough quickly. The fish are scattered but anglers caught Chinook, coho, pink and Atlantic salmon, lake trout, steelhead and walleye. Some were heading deep to 150 feet or more while others stayed closer to shore in 60 to 120 feet. Target the top 40 feet with bright colored spoons such as silver, orange and green. Look for the scum line and mayflies on the surface. Spoons worked best but some did well on flashers with flies, squid or cut bait. Good colors were green, blue, silver, purple and orange.

Presque Isle: Waters 150 feet and deeper were best with anglers getting steelhead, lake trout, pink salmon and the occasional Chinook in the top 40 feet. Use bright colors like orange, green and silver. Those fishing closer to shore in 65 to 120 feet did find the occasional Chinook, steelhead or walleye. Most were using spoons however a couple lake trout were taken on a flasher with a spin-glo. Good colors were orange, green purple, blue, silver or glow early and late.

Alpena: For lake trout, anglers continue to troll spoons or spin-glo’s with attractors in 90 to 140 feet off Thunder Bay Island and the Nordmeer Wreck. Those targeting walleye caught some nice fish along with freshwater drum on a crawler harness or body bait in 15 to 40 feet off the north shore, off North Point, in front of the harbor and in the channel. Smallmouth bass were caught in Squaw Bay with spinners and soft plastics. Fly hatches are ongoing.

Thunder Bay River: Still-fishing and floating crawlers or leeches caught walleye, channel cats, freshwater drum, bullhead, rock bass and smallmouth bass. Walleye and smallmouth were also caught on body baits. Morning and evening were best.

Oscoda: Lake trout continue to be caught in 80 to 160 feet with spoons and spin-glo’s with attractors. Larger fish were found deeper and most were on the bottom. A couple steelhead were taken on spoons in the top 50 feet of waters 100 to 140 feet deep. Pier anglers caught channel cats, freshwater drum, smallmouth bass, rock bass and a couple walleye with crawlers and leeches.

Au Sable River: A couple walleye were caught when trolling, drifting or floating crawlers in the holes between Foote Dam and the mouth. Channel cats, rock bass and smallmouth bass were also caught. Those drifting crawlers below the Mio Dam found a few walleye and smallmouth bass. Brown trout and rainbow trout were also caught in the evening during the hex hatches.

Rifle River: A couple brown and rainbow trout were caught upstream of Sage Lake Road when casting spinners.

Higgins Lake: Lake trout were caught near the bottom in 90 feet or deeper when trolling rapalas and spoons or jigging Swedish pimples, sand kickers and Cleo’s. Perch are still being caught but anglers are putting in some time to get them. Good catches of smallmouth bass and rock bass continue.

Houghton Lake: Walleye were caught along the weed beds in nine to 11 feet in the early morning on live leeches. Crappie fishing slowed. Bluegill were caught in eight feet or more when floating wax worms.

Tawas: Reported good catches of walleye, steelhead, brown trout, lake trout and a couple Atlantic salmon in 40 to 70 feet off Tawas Point with spoons and body baits. Walleye were caught in 25 to 40 feet with a crawler harness. The mayfly hatch is ongoing on most warm nights.

Tawas River: Anglers at Gateway Park caught smallmouth bass, rock bass and bluegill on crawlers and various lures.

Au Gres: Limit catches of walleye were taken north of the Charity Islands to south of Eagle Bay Marina in 25 to 35 feet or more. Most were using a crawler harness, but fish were also taken on spoons and crank baits. Perch, catfish and freshwater drum were caught. Pier anglers caught rock bass and catfish on crawlers.

Pine River: Bullhead were caught on crawlers. Boat anglers casting lures along the shoreline caught and released lots of largemouth bass.

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Northwest Lower Peninsula

Harbor Springs: Lake trout fishing was slow with only a couple small fish caught just off the bottom in waters over 75 feet deep north of Harbor Point. Smallmouth bass fishing was slow as the fish were moving out to deeper water.

Petoskey: Lake trout fishing was slow. Panfish and freshwater drum were caught at the mouth of the river.

Charlevoix: Boat anglers targeting steelhead caught the occasional lake trout. The fish were up very high at 10 to 20 feet down in waters over 200 feet deep. A couple undersize smallmouth bass were caught in the channel on worms and crank baits. Alewife and mayflies were still in the channel.

Traverse City: Smallmouth fishing in the East Bay was somewhat slow in the shallows however fish were found near structure at Deepwater Point and at the south end of the bay. Anglers should target slightly deeper water. A few fish were caught in the Elk Rapids Harbor along the rocks. On the Elk River, lots of undersize smallmouth were caught on crawlers and plastics between the dam and the end of the walkway. In the West Bay, bass were caught at various depths in Suttons Bay and off Northport. Pier anglers at Clinch Park caught a few small panfish. Those looking for perch near Northport had no luck. Those trolling for salmon near Lee Point marked some fish in deep water but none were caught. Fishing was slow on the Boardman River with only few rock bass or undersize smallmouth caught.

Frankfort: The number of Chinook salmon caught was down due to water temperatures however some 20+ pounders were caught in the early morning and evening on spoons and meat rigs in the top 100 feet of waters 150 to 250 feet deep. Lake trout were very active in the area from Six Mile Hole to the shallow water out in front of the piers. Spin-glo’s on the bottom worked best.

Onekama: Those trolling in front of the golf course and through the “Barrel” caught a couple Chinook salmon in the early morning. Good numbers of lake trout were caught throughout the day.

Portage Lake: Bass anglers are starting to see better numbers now that the mayfly hatch is done. Most were fishing around docks and along the drop-offs. Panfish numbers improved in 16 to 18 feet with worms.

Manistee: Surface temperature readings were about 65 degrees and salmon fishing was slow with only a couple taken along with steelhead 30 to 90 feet down in 90 to 150 feet. Lake trout fishing is still good along the bottom in 70 to 120 feet. Pier fishing remains slow. Anglers had some decent days for steelhead, but catch rates were not consistent.

Hamlin Lake: Overall fishing was slow. Those targeting bluegill had a tough time with only six keepers per trip. Same story with perch and crappie, lucky to get 10 keepers per trip. Bass fishing was fair. Walleye fishing on the south end was slow. Though most anglers are complaining about them there are plenty of freshwater drum to be caught. Water temperatures were up to 79 degrees which is playing a part in the slow fishing.

Ludington: Surface temperate readings were about 67 degrees. The better fishing seemed to be near the Ludington Pump Storage facility and south. Lake trout fishing remains hot especially when bouncing the bottom in 80 to 120 feet. Slow salmon fishing with only a couple found 30 to 90 feet down in waters up to 150 feet or so. The occasional steelhead was caught. Pier fishing remains slow.

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Upper Peninsula

Keweenaw Bay: Fishing was sporadic as those coming in with lake trout had anywhere from one to limit catches. A few reports of salmon, steelhead and brown trout however anglers were marking baitfish as well. More anglers were launching from Traverse Bay which was a little slow after spring storms partially silted in the site.

Marquette: While many boat anglers are picking up a few fish, overall fishing had been slow with zero to four fish taken including smaller lake trout and the occasional Chinook and coho. Fish were scattered throughout the water column.

Chocolay River: Brown trout were caught in the upstream sections, but many were five to eight inches. Some are fly fishing but those using spinners have done well. Water levels were quite low in the upstream sections so target the deeper holes.

Little Bay De Noc: Walleye anglers reported very little action with undersize fish caught most likely due to the recent fly hatches. Best areas were the head of the Bay in five to 12 feet, Black Bottom in 14 to 28 feet, or Breezy Point in 10 to 20 feet. Fair to good perch fishing off the beach in Gladstone in 18 to 27 feet and at the head of the Bay along the weed beds in five to eight feet with crawlers or minnows. Northern pike were active from the Escanaba ship docks to the municipal docks when trolling spinners or crank baits in 12 to 30 feet. No salmon to report.

Manistique: Had few anglers. Those targeting salmon and lake trout had little to report.

Munising: Those targeting salmon had poor catch rates as they were lucky to get two fish. Catch rates for lake trout were spotty. Splake fishing continues to be slow when casting spoons or fishing with spawn sacs. Water temperatures were in the mid 50’s.

Grand Marais: Had very low fishing pressure but those trying for lake trout had good catches near Five Mile Reef. Those fishing from the breakwall caught a few whitefish.

Detour: Anglers out of Detour Village have switched from salmon and trout to cisco. Fly hatches have been mild this summer; however, anglers are now catching a few cisco on the east side of the shipping channel at Macomb, Maple, and Howard Islands when jigging in 25 to 30 feet. Try reddish brown or gold tear-drop jigs tipped with wax worms or natural cadis flies. Fish were also found on the southeast side of Burnt Island when jigging in 13 to 15 feet mid-day.

Drummond Island: A few Menominee were caught on the south side at the mouth of Whitney Bay, just off the big water with four to six-pound test line and a red or brown tear-drop jig tipped with wax worms or natural flies.

Cedarville and Hessel: Young anglers had fun casting crank baits from shore in Flower Bay just east of Cedarville. Mid-day was excellent for bass off the two fishing docks. Good smallmouth action in Bush Creek when casting crank baits or still-fishing with worms just off the weeds in two to five feet. Rock bass can be found around the docks throughout the Les Cheneaux Islands. McKay Bay had a mild fly hatch, so a few boats were targeting cisco. At Hessel, yellow perch were caught in the marina. Most were smaller but a few were eight to 10 inches. Good pike action in the early morning with creek chubs or a black bucktail spinner with yellow spotted blades. Pike were caught in Mismer Bay when casting or still-fishing in four to six feet in the early morning.

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Fishing Tip: A simple method for summer lake fishing

Sometimes we want to go fishing and enjoy getting out on the water, but just don’t want to expend a lot of energy – especially if it’s too hot to work hard at it. Here’s a laidback way to cover water and find fish you might otherwise miss, without needing complicated gear or a fancy boat. All you need is basic fishing tackle and watercraft. Even a rented rowboat, paddle boat or canoe can work.

Rig your rod with light line (four to eight-pound test), tie a small hook on the end of the line (#4 or smaller), and add a split shot or two about a foot above the hook. Favorite baits for this method include half a nightcrawler or a baby crawler, leeches or even some of the heavily scented artificial leeches or small plastic worms. Hook the bait in the center of one end so it doesn’t spin when you gently pull it through the water.

Position your boat so the prevailing breeze will carry it along a drop-off or across any area with water depths of at least 12 to 20 feet. Let out enough line, or adjust the amount of weight on the line, so your bait will stay about 12 to 20-foot-deep no matter how deep the water is. Then set your rod down against the side of the boat, relax and watch the tip of the rod for a bite. Drop the rod tip when you see a bite and count to three before reeling in and setting the hook with a firm pull. Not too hard!

Many fish such as bass, walleye, yellow perch, crappie and larger bluegill will move into deeper water and suspend at their preferred cooler temperature during the hot summer months. Slowly drifting a larger, natural bait at these deeper depths will often get you more than you bargained for.

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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