Weekly Fishing Report: August 22, 2019

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Weekly Fishing Report - August 22, 2019

fishing map Southwest Lower Peninsula Weekly Fishing Report Southeast Lower Peninsula Weekly Fishing Report Northeast Lower Peninsula Weekly Fishing Report Northwest Lower Peninsula Weekly Fishing Report Upper Peninsula Weekly Fishing Report

Cooler daytime and night temperatures by the end of the week should help improve catch rates. Salmon are still being caught out in the big waters as movement towards the rivers has been slow. Inland lakes are producing panfish, bass, walleye and pike.

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

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If your Labor Day weekend travel plans include crossing the Mighty Mac, please keep in mind the Mackinac Bridge Authority will close the bridge Monday, Sept. 2 from 6:30 a.m. to noon for the 62nd Annual Mackinac Bridge Walk.

Why not make the most of your extra time and explore one Michigan’s state fish hatcheries in the Upper or Lower Peninsula? Check them out at Michigan.gov/Hatcheries.

Southeast Lower Peninsula

Lake Erie: The walleye bite was on and off but there are still fish in Michigan waters to be caught. Overall the bite has slowed however some were picked up in front of Fermi in 22 to 26 feet, straight out from Bolles Harbor in 22 feet and near the old Dumping Grounds. Anglers are trolling crawler harnesses and crank baits. The yellow perch bite has been slow as most were only picking up a few on minnows. Channel cats, white bass, white perch and freshwater drum were also caught. Pike and largemouth bass were caught when casting artificial baits along the shoreline and rock walls.

River Raisin: Some nice largemouth bass were caught at the mouth when casting artificial lures.

Lake St. Clair: Has had fewer anglers and more pleasure boats. Perch and walleye were caught near the St. Clair Light and in the shipping channel. Artificial lures seem to work better than harnesses. No muskie action to report.

Lexington and Port Sanilac: There was little fishing activity at Lexington. At Port Sanilac, walleye were caught on a crawler harness or artificial in 55 to 65 feet. Lake trout and steelhead were taken on spoons in 120 to 130 feet. Steelhead were caught to the north near Forester in 100 to 130 feet. Only one or two fish per boat but they are being caught. Lake trout and a few walleye were mixed in.

Harbor Beach: Lake trout were caught straight out and north in 160 to 200 feet when trolling dodgers with spin-glo’s near the bottom or spoons 50 to 90 feet down. Steelhead were hitting bright colored spoons. Walleye were caught straight out and north of the harbor on spoons, worm burners or Hot-n-Tot’s in 40 to 90 feet. Bass are hitting small spoons and body baits close to shore.

Saginaw Bay: A decent number of yellow perch were caught in front of Eagle Bay Marina and south towards the Saganing and Pinconning Bars in 17 to 18 feet. Walleye fishing is slowing down, but a few fish were still being caught out near Buoys 1 & 2 in 25 to 30 feet with crawlers. Catch rates for yellow perch were starting to pick up a little near Buoys A, B and F as well as along the Pinconning Bar and the old shipping channel with worms and minnows. Along the east side, anglers had a hard time finding walleye, but a couple were caught between Quanicassee and Fish Point. Please note: the DNR boat launch at Quanicassee will be closed the week of August 26-29 so the large willow tree next to the boat ramp can be removed. From Sebewaing, Bay Port and Caseville, anglers had to work hard to find active walleye and most only caught one or two fish. From Caseville, anglers heading to the Charity Islands or fishing off Oak Point found a couple fish. Not much perch activity to report as more anglers were asking about them than fishing for them.

Saginaw River: Walleye were caught in the lower river when trolling crawlers. Shore anglers at Smith Park caught the usual channel cat or freshwater drum.

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Southwest Lower Peninsula

St. Joseph: Weather once again hampered fishing for boat anglers, and few had been out. Perch fishing was slower as the fish were scattered. Try anywhere from 20 to 55 feet. Pier fishing for salmon and steelhead was slow. A couple freshwater drum along with a few perch were taken on live bait.

South Haven: Boat anglers are still catching lake trout in 90 feet or Chinook and steelhead in 100 feet or more. Spoons and meat rigs caught fish. Perch fishing slowed as the fish were scattered however 35 feet was still the best depth. Pier fishing was slow for all species except freshwater drum.

Grand Haven: Boat anglers caught a few trout and salmon 55 to 120 feet down in 75 to 275 feet however the fish were scattered. Try green spoons, meat rigs and glow plugs. Pier anglers caught freshwater drum on gizzard shad.

Grand River at Grand Rapids: Those wading were using spawn or wax worms for steelhead. No word on salmon as it has been too warm. Those targeting catfish did well with chicken liver or cut bait.

Grand River at Lansing: Bass anglers fishing near the dams caught a few fish in the early morning or evening. Panfish were found in shaded areas.

Looking Glass River: Anglers have caught bowfin and the odd pike.

Muskegon: Salmon and trout action was slow as the fish were scattered. A few were found 50 to 100 feet down in 85 to 250 feet with spoons, glow plugs or green and red meat rigs. Pier anglers caught largemouth bass and channel cats on leeches.

Muskegon Lake: Had a couple salmon seen just inside the lake near the channel but no big numbers yet. Walleye were caught on the west/northwest side when trolling spinners with crawlers in 15 to 20 feet. Bass were caught along the rocks near shore.

Muskegon River: Continues to produce some good size smallmouth bass. Those fishing Croton and Hardy Ponds caught a few walleye, perch and other panfish.

Big Blue Lake: In Muskegon County was producing some bigger bluegill near the camp and the county park.

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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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Northwest Lower Peninsula

Harbor Springs: Most anglers were targeting salmon out front in Petoskey. Lake trout were caught north of Harbor Point near Five Mile and Seven Mile Point.

Petoskey: Most boats were fishing from just east of the marina to Bay Harbor and East Park. Some salmon were caught anywhere from 40 to 85 feet down along the drop-off with spoons, meat rigs and flies. Lake trout were caught near the bottom in 100 to 125 feet. Pier anglers were starting to target salmon early morning or late evening.

Bear River: Fishing was slow at the “Bobber Hole” and D Pier down near the mouth as the water was too warm.

Charlevoix: Fishing effort has increased with salmon in the area however most boats were not getting any. Most were fishing North Point to the cement plant however some were going as far as Nine Mile Point or south to Fisherman’s Island. The Chinook were about 30 feet down in 50 to 75 feet and hitting spoons, plugs, meat rigs and flies. Lake trout were caught up high in waters 300 feet plus or near the bottom in 120 to 130 feet. Smallmouth fishing in the channel was a bit slow. Try artificial worms and leeches on the bottom.

Traverse City: Anglers have started to catch a few salmon including one fish almost 31 pounds. In the East Bay, a few were caught by those trolling along the south bank and off the M-37 launch in the early morning or evening. Bass were caught near the M-37 launch. The Elk River was slow with only a couple smaller bass and panfish caught. Salmon were caught in the West Bay when trolling the hole at the south end, along the West Bank, north of Elmwood Marina and south of the M-22 launch. Catch rates for bass were hit-or-miss near Power Island, south of Bowers Harbor and in Sutton’s Bay. The Boardman River was slow. A few were looking for early salmon but had no luck.

Frankfort: Chinook, coho and steelhead were caught just out from the piers in the early morning and evening or out to 250 to 300 feet during the daylight hours. Those using spoons and meat rigs 30 to 100 feet down caught more fish.

Betsie River: Chinook salmon are just starting to move into the river. Anglers reported a few catches at the tubes and at the Homestead Dam. Anglers will need to use caution as water levels are higher and much faster than usual.

Onekama: Some very large Chinook salmon along with a few lake trout were caught from here to Arcadia Bluff when trolling spoons in the top 75 feet of waters 150 to 250 feet deep.

Portage Lake: The number of keeper size perch is starting to increase with the cooler temperatures. Most were caught on shrimp.

Manistee: Chinook, coho and steelhead were caught 40 to 70 feet down in 100 to 200 feet with spoons, J-plugs and meat rigs. A decent push of salmon moved into the harbor and were caught by those trolling in the channel and around the piers with spoons and J-plugs. Pier anglers casting spoons also caught a few fish early or late.

Manistee River: Is producing some bass and pike. Below Tippy Dam, a few small brown trout and Skamania were caught above and below the coffer dams and near Suicide Bend.

Ludington: Salmon fishing slowed though Chinook, coho and steelhead were found 40 to 70 feet down in 100 to 200 feet with spoons, J-plugs and meat rigs. Pier anglers also caught fish when casting spoons.

Pere Marquette Lake: Chinook salmon were still being caught in the channel and the lake when trolling spoons and J-plugs.

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Upper Peninsula

Keweenaw Bay: A couple limit catches of lake trout were taken by those trolling or jigging in the deeper waters of Huron Bay and the Keweenaw Bay. The launch in Traverse Bay is mostly cleared out from dredging that has been going on. Some coho are starting to be caught along with lake trout by those trolling.

Marquette: Fishing picked up. Many boats were catching lake trout, and some did very well especially when trolling spoons right on the bottom in 60 to 150 feet. Anglers were marking large numbers of fish up high, but they did not want to bite. Most were fishing the White Rocks area and near Granite Island. Salmon numbers were light however a fair number of steelhead were caught.

Little Bay De Noc: Walleye anglers reported fair catches off Gladstone Beach when trolling or jigging crawlers in 14 to 25 feet or the Kipling reefs in 12 to 30 feet however most of those fish were undersize. Perch catches were fair between the First and Second Reef with crawlers or minnows in eight to 23 feet. Good northern pike action throughout the Bay. Some were undersize but several large fish were caught when trolling spoons, spinners or crank baits in eight to 15 feet. No smallmouth bass reports this week although anglers were doing best around Garth Point or between Hunters Point and Squaw Point when casting plastics with drop shots.

Manistique: Salmon have started entering the river and so have the anglers. Most boats were looking for staging fish near shore, but few were caught.

Manistique River: Anglers are fishing the “Bass Hole” and the rapids by the High Dam spill over. Most were casting J-plugs or spawn sacks. Very few catches were reported however it is still early. Good walleye action in the same area when drifting crawlers in the current. Good northern pike catches were reported along the breakwalls and into the river near the marina when trolling spinners, rapalas or sucker minnows.

Munising: Not many anglers were out and those trolling for lake trout had slow catch rates. Those targeting coho had no luck. Water temperatures were low to mid 60’s.

Grand Marais: Those targeting lake trout had good results with most taking limit catches out near Five Mile Reef and Au Sable Point. Those trying for coho had no luck.

Detour: Atlantic salmon and a few Chinook were caught at the green buoy northwest of the lighthouse in 80 feet. The thermocline was up high at 35 to 45 feet depending on wind direction and that is where the salmon were caught when trolling in 80 to 90 feet.

Drummond Island: Had good walleye fishing on the north side of Peck Island which is located at the north end of Scott Bay in 18 to 20 feet when trolling a purple crawler harness with blades and bottom bouncers. Good smallmouth fishing near Bruce Point when casting or jigging dark brown and orange tube jigs off the points. Also try the north side of Burnt Island with tube jigs along the rocky shelfs.

Cedarville and Hessel: Currently, the Cedarville launch on Meridian Road is open for all boats to launch. Good large and smallmouth bass action throughout Government Bay with artificial and live crawlers under the docks. Crank baits were also taking fish under docks throughout the Les Cheneaux Islands. Yellow perch were caught near Connors Point with shiners or worms in 12 to 14 feet. For Hessel, some limit catches of perch were taken from the finger docks in the morning. The perch have attracted some schools of walleye. Pike were hitting early morning outside the pier. Try creek chubs or large minnows two cranks off the bottom in eight feet. Good pike fishing in Mismer Bay along the shallow weed beds or deeper. Good bass fishing in Mackinaw Bay or try around Echo and Lone Susan Island with spinners and crank baits. A couple walleye were found east of Mackinaw Bay in eight to 12 feet with shiners or worms early morning and after dark.

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Fishing Tip: Time to target panfish - here's how!

Summer is a great time to target panfish (bluegill, pumpkinseed, sunfish) – in fact, all year is a great time to target them!

This species is an especially good target for beginning anglers, if you know how to choose the right equipment. Check out our video that provides an explanation of the simple tackle you’ll need to catch lots of panfish in Michigan!

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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