Northeast Lower Peninsula
Cheboygan: Those heading out to Bois Blanc Island caught Chinook salmon up to 15 pounds off Lafayette Point and on the south side of the island. J-plugs and flies were not working.
Cheboygan River: There was one chute open at the dam. Those drifting crawler harnesses or bottom bouncing with leeches for walleye had no luck. Pike 24-28 inches were caught. Rock bass, freshwater drum and a few perch were taken on worms and leeches.
Rogers City: The Chinook salmon are beginning to stage off Swan Bay and anglers are catching some nice ones however most were only getting 0-3 fish per boat. Very early or very late were best. Deploy lines throughout the water column in 20 to 90 feet with spoons, J-plugs or attractors with flies, squid and cut bait. Those using the cut bait did a little better. Lake trout along with the occasional Atlantic, coho, steelhead or walleye were also caught.
Presque Isle: Fishing pressure slowed here as many were heading to Rogers City for salmon. Those out trolling were getting a mixed bag of trout and salmon in 60 to 140 feet with spoons, J-plugs and attractors.
Alpena: Lake trout, walleye, steelhead and even some coho were taken by those trolling spoons, meat rigs and spin-glo’s in 80 to 150 feet off Thunder Bay Island and the Nordmeer Wreck. Lake trout and salmon were eating young smelt. Walleye were a little slower, but anglers managed to get a few on crawler harnesses or crank baits in 20 to 60 feet off the north shore, North Point and down near Sulphur Island. Smallmouth bass and the odd channel cat were caught by those trolling harnesses.
Thunder Bay River: Anglers caught smallmouth bass, rock bass, freshwater drum and the odd pike or channel cat when floating crawlers. Walleye fishing was slow.
Oscoda: Atlantic salmon, coho, steelhead and lake trout were caught by those trolling spoons, meat rigs and flies 85 to 120 feet down in 160 to 190 feet around the “Hump.” Pier anglers caught channel cats, smallmouth bass, rock bass and the occasional crappie when floating or drifting crawlers and minnows.
Au Sable River: Anglers caught a few channel cats, smallmouth bass, rock bass and freshwater drum on crawlers. Pike were caught by those casting spinners or crank baits. Those casting poppers and streamers caught the odd largemouth bass, smallmouth and rock bass.
Higgins Lake: Those using jigs caught a couple lake trout just off the bottom in 80 to 100 feet. Perch including some that were eater size on minnow in 35 to 40 feet near Treasure Island. Rock bass are everywhere and a good fishery for the young anglers.
Houghton Lake: Nothing has changed especially with the hot and humid weather. Try fishing very early morning or late evening. During the day, target deeper water and the weed beds for walleye, bass and panfish.
Tawas: Walleye were caught off Tawas Pt. in 80 to 90 feet when trolling spoons, body baits or crawlers. The fish are suspended at various depths. Rumors of Chinook salmon and steelhead being caught as well. Pier anglers caught small perch, rock bass and even a few walleye in the evening.
Tawas River: Fishing was slow with only a few small perch, some rock bass and the occasional catfish taken on crawlers.
Au Gres: Walleye fishing slowed here as well as the Pine River and Eagle Bay Marina area. A few along with the incidental perch were taken in 20 to 30 feet or more on crawlers or body baits. Largemouth bass were caught off the breakwall when casting various lures.
Au Gres River: A few small perch and some catfish were caught off the docks at the boat access site when using crawlers.
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