Windy conditions rolled the waters in Lake Michigan over brining colder water to the surface. This brought salmon closer to shore and into the drowned river mouth lakes. Salmon are starting to move into the northern river systems however there has been no big push yet. Inland lakes around the state are producing walleye, pike, bass, crappie and other panfish.

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 very slow as strong winds and floating vegetation made fishing difficult. Most walleye anglers picked up freshwater drum, white bass, white perch and the occasional rock bass. A few yellow perch were caught near the C-Buoy. The channel catfish bite was very good in the Hot Ponds with crawlers and shrimp. Smallmouth bass were caught near the Dumping Grounds when casting tube baits.

Washtenaw County: Anglers on the Halfmoon Chain of Lakes in the Pickney Recreation Area had limited success for bass and panfish.

Lake St. Clair: Strong winds have stirred up floating vegetation which made fishing more difficult. Walleye anglers did best near the St. Clair Light and the Dumping Grounds when trolling a harness. Sizable perch were also caught. Those fishing around Gull Island caught some nice panfish. Large and smallmouth bass were caught in the channels.

Harbor Beach: Fish were scattered in 60 to 80 feet. A few walleye and lake trout were taken by those trolling spoons.

Port Austin: Walleye were caught in 35 to 65 feet when trolling crawlers and bottom bouncers. Lake trout and the odd steelhead were taken on spoons in 80 to 90 feet. A couple smallmouth were taken by those casting artificial baits inside and around the harbor walls.

Saginaw Bay: Perch fishing continues to be slow for those using perch rigs with minnows along the Saganing and Pinconning Bars in 12 to 18 feet. A few fish were caught near Sailboat Buoys A, B, G. H and F, Spoils Island and near the mouth of the Saginaw River. Walleye were scattered along the inner bay, but a few were caught on the Callahan Reef when trolling in 12 to 15 feet and along the Slot in 25 to 26 feet. A couple fish were caught between Quanicassee and Fish Point. Most reported lots of weeds floating around the inner bay which made fishing more difficult. Shore anglers caught a couple small panfish in the cuts and at the boat launches.

Kawkawlin River: A few largemouth bass were caught by those casting artificial baits.

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Southwest Lower Peninsula

St. Joseph: Water temperatures were cold as the lake turned over. Perch fishing was slow as the fish were scattered. Try 35 to 40 feet. Boat anglers caught a few salmon and lake trout in 80 to 120 feet however most of the salmon and steelhead were caught out deeper with spoons and plugs. Pier anglers were getting a few fish in the early morning when casting spoons.

Baw Beese Lake: In Hillsdale County was producing panfish. Most were taken by those using small flies tipped with wax worms.

South Haven: Had slow perch fishing as water temperatures were very cold. Strong winds have the fish scattered. Salmon fishing was fair with a few taken on spoons or plugs in 80 to 100 feet. Chinook and steelhead were found out deeper. Pier fishing was slow.

Kalamazoo River: Bass fishing picked up with the cooler weather. Largemouth were hitting jigs, jerk baits and crank baits.

Selkirk Lake: In Allegan County had bluegill hitting on live bait such as wax worms in the evening.

Grand Haven: A few salmon and trout were caught 55 to 120 feet down in 60 to 200 feet on green and orange spoons with green flies. Pier anglers caught freshwater drum.

Grand River at Grand Rapids: Smallmouth bass and catfish are being caught. Try large minnows or bluegill for the catfish. No salmon to report yet.

Kent County: Panfish activity picked up some on the inland lakes for those using wax worms and crickets.

Grand River at Lansing: Some bass and pike have been caught.

Muskrat Lake: Was producing some bass.

Maple River: Was producing a few crappie.

Ionia County: A few panfish were taken on Morrison Lake and Sessions Lake. Largemouth bass were caught on Morrison.

Muskegon: Salmon fishing continues to be slow as the fish were scattered. A few were found 55 to 100 feet down in 50 to 250 feet with green flies and meat rigs along with orange spoons.

Muskegon Lake: Panfish including small perch have been caught along the shoreline. For walleye, bass and pike, try trolling crank baits along the weed lines. Boats out for salmon have caught very few fish so far.

Muskegon River: Is producing smallmouth bass and suckers. Walleye were caught in Hardy Pond. Walleye and perch were caught near Brower Park in Mecosta County.

White Lake: Anglers caught panfish near the shoreline, mostly bluegill and some perch. Walleye were caught along weed lines in 15 feet.

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Northeast Lower Peninsula

Cheboygan: Chinook salmon are starting to stage in front of the river so most were now trolling in 40 to 60 feet in front of the river. Fish 10 to 23 pounds were hitting on spoons and meat rigs. Those trolling crank baits in Duncan Bay caught some pike.

Cheboygan River: All the chutes were closed at the dam so there was not much flow. Those bottom bouncing worms caught smallmouth bass, walleye and rock bass but the walleye and smallmouth were small. Those casting body baits caught a few pike.

Rogers City: Had a good week for those targeting Chinook. The bite was very early or at sunset in anywhere from 20 to 90 feet between Swan Bay and Adams Pt. Run highlines and boards in shallow with J-plugs and bombers. Out deeper, run lines throughout the water column with spoons, flashers, flies and squid although cut bait behind a bigger flasher was the ticket lately. Good colors were green, blue, black and white or glow early and late.

Presque Isle: Those locating the thermocline caught lake trout near the bottom in 70 to 150 feet. Some caught the occasional Chinook, Atlantic, steelhead or walleye.

McCormick Lake: In Montmorency County had some active rainbow trout being caught including some decent size fish.

West Twin Lake: Reported hit-or-miss walleye action but when anglers found them, some were getting limit catches.

Alpena: Had strong winds but those able to get out caught lake trout, walleye, and the odd coho and steelhead when trolling spoons, spin-glo’s and flies in 90 to 160 feet along the “Humps” off Thunder Bay Island and around the Nordmeer Wreck. Walleye were caught off the north shore, North Point and Thunder Bay Island when trolling a crawler harness or body bait.

Thunder Bay River: A couple freshwater drum, smallmouth bass and rock bass were caught by those drifting and still-fishing with crawlers.

Oscoda: Those targeting trout and salmon found a few Atlantics, coho, lake trout and walleye when trolling spoons and meat rigs in 80 to 120 feet or 150 to 180 feet. Walleye and coho were in the upper half of the water column while Atlantics and lake trout were caught high and low. Pier anglers caught smallmouth bass, rock bass, freshwater drum and a couple channel cats on crawlers.

Au Sable River: Fishing was slow but should improve as the water continues to cool. Those using crawlers caught smallmouth bass, rock bass, freshwater drum and a couple channel cats.

Higgins Lake: When they can get out, those targeting lake trout were still finding some fish in 80 to 100 feet. A couple cisco were caught near the bottom in 40 to 50 feet. Perch anglers will have to do some searching near the islands to find some decent size fish. Lots of rock bass are still being caught.

Houghton Lake: Bluegill were hitting on leaf worms near the weed beds in 8 feet. Walleye were caught on the east side when drifting crawlers, but many were small.

Tawas: Walleye, brown trout, steelhead and Chinook were caught out past Buoy #2 and down near Alabaster in 35 to 60 feet with spoons and body baits. A couple walleye were caught inside the bay off Jerry’s Marina and near Buoy’s 4 & 6 in 20 to 25 feet with a crawler harness. Large schools of small perch were stealing the crawlers. A couple pike were caught off the pier.

Tawas River: A few small perch and a couple catfish were caught on crawlers at Gateway Park.

Au Gres: Fishing slowed, but anglers found a couple walleye in 25 to 35 feet with crawlers and body baits. A couple fish were found straight out from Eagle Bay Marina with the same in 15 to 20 feet.

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Northwest Lower Peninsula

Petoskey: Boats trolling near the breakwall and marina caught chinook 20 to 80 feet down as the lake rolled over and water temperatures were 45 to 50 degrees. Lake trout were also up high at 20 to 45 feet down. Fish shallow early and late with spoons, meat rigs, J-plugs and flasher flies. Pier anglers had no luck.

Bear River: Had a couple salmon up near the dam but no big numbers yet. Water levels were getting very low. A couple small steelhead were caught near the dam with spawn and flies.

Charlevoix: A couple Chinook salmon along with a few lake trout were caught 40 to 70 feet down. While the action is not great, some big fish have been caught on spoons, flies and meat rigs. Smallmouth fishing in the channel was slow but some bigger fish were caught on both live and artificial crawlers and leeches. Some perch and rock bass were also caught.

Lake Charlevoix: Was producing some nice smallmouth bass and panfish.

Traverse City: A few salmon were caught in the East Bay when trolling along the south end or along the peninsula in the early morning or late evening with spoons and flies. Bass were found north of Deepwater Point and up near Old Mission. On the Elk River, a couple small bass and some panfish were caught but no sign of salmon yet. In the West Bay, salmon were caught when trolling along the hole at the south end, along the west bank north of Elmwood and south of the M-22 launch. A couple fish were also found north of Sutton’s Bay. Those looking for perch found small fish in Sutton’s Bay. Slow bass fishing around Lee Point. The Boardman River was slow however salmon should start to show up in the coming weeks.

Long Lake: Was producing walleye and largemouth bass.

Lake Leelanau: Walleye were caught in the south end.

Benzie County: Those fishing the inland lakes with walleye were taking fish on crawlers and crank baits.

Frankfort: The Chinook salmon bite had not been consistent most likely due to the changing winds. If anglers are patient, good catches were reported with several fish over 30 pounds taken when trolling in front of the piers in the early morning or evening and when heading north as the sun rises. They are starting to catch coho in Platte Bay.

Betsie River: Is seeing a slow but steady increase in the number of salmon but the main run is still a week or two away.

Manistee: Surface temperature readings were about 55 degrees as the lake had rolled over. Chinook salmon out on the “Shelf” had pushed into the channel and around the pier heads where those trolling spoons, flies and J-plugs had success. Out deeper, anglers came in with a mixed bag of Chinook, coho and steelhead taken 30 to 50 feet down in 80 to 150 feet. Pier anglers casting spoons caught a few fish.

Manistee River: Salmon are slowly starting to make their way into the system and a few have been caught but no big numbers yet.

Ludington: The lake rolled over which caused a good number of Chinook salmon to run into Pere Marquette Lake. Those trolling around the piers, in the channel and into the lake caught fish on spoons and J-plugs. Those fishing offshore were still bringing in a fair number of fish. Try 20 to 50 feet down in 60 to 120 feet with spoons, meat rigs and J-plugs in the early morning.

Pere Marquette Lake: Continues to produce Chinook salmon for those trolling spoons and J-plugs in both the channel and the lake.

Pere Marquette River: Salmon are slowly starting to push up into the river. A couple Chinook were seen in the South Branch.

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Upper Peninsula

Portage Lake: Anglers reported decent walleye catches.

Keweenaw Bay: Is still producing lake trout for those trolling or jigging. Those trolling have been picking up a few salmon here and there.

Marquette: Boats are still picking up a fair number of lake trout near the White Rocks and Granite Island. Some bigger fish over 10 pounds have been caught every day which is a good sign the fish are starting to move closer to shore. Those targeting 120 to 140 feet had good luck but still no sign of any salmon.

Little Bay De Noc: Had fair walleye fishing with the best action in the evening when trolling a crawler harness or jigging crawlers along the weeds on the First and Second Reefs. During the day, anglers were jigging crawlers in 10 feet along the east bank off Kipling. Good to excellent smallmouth catches reported near Garth Point, Hunters Point and straight out from the Day’s River in 6 to 10 feet with tube baits and other plastics. Fair perch catches off Saunders Point in 10 feet and south of the Day’s River with crawlers in 6 to 10 feet. Pike were active between Butler Island and the coal piles near Kipling in 10 to 16 feet with spinners or crank baits.

Big Bay De Noc: Had good bass fishing including some limit catches.

Manistique: Boat anglers were looking for staging salmon however few were caught.

Manistique River: A few boats trolled for salmon, but no catches were reported. Those fishing up near the High Dam caught a couple when casting rapalas and J-plugs. Fly anglers were throwing large flies or spawn bags. It is still early and there’s not a lot of fish yet but enough for anglers to give it a try. Walleye slowed with only a few caches reported in the “Bass Hole” at dusk when using crawlers.

Munising: Had very low fishing pressure. A few trying for coho had no luck. Most caught a couple lake trout near Wood Island Reef and north of Grand Island when jigging or trolling with cut bait. The average fish was 3 to 4 pounds.

Grand Marais: Had few anglers. Those heading out for lake trout were fishing straight out towards the shipping channels and west towards Au Sable Point when trolling in 180 to 220 feet. Those trying for coho caught very few fish.

St. Marys River: Fishing was hit-or-miss however on the good day’s anglers did very well for Atlantic salmon, whitefish and walleye.

Detour: Anglers are reporting fair catches of Chinook salmon on the Drummond Island side of the river. Try east of the Detour Lighthouse and fish from the first red buoy southeast to the next one with baits 55 feet down in 110 feet. Lake trout are still good two miles straight south of the lighthouse. Fish the 90-foot flat that runs east and west with spin-glo’s and while skipping cannon balls along the bottom. Best colors were chartreuse and white, or white and orange when trolling 2.5 mph. Those doing best were running short leaders 18 to 24 inches behind flashers for lake trout.

Cedarville and Hessel: Off Cedarville, yellow perch fishing improved in Government Bay when using worms or shiners just off the weeds in 6 to 8 feet. If the fish are not there, try drifting in 18 to 20 feet. Fish were caught on both sides of the bridge at Island #8 with worms or shiners in 4 to 6 feet. Hill Island Road was producing smallmouth bass, rock bass and sunfish for young angler’s early morning or evening. Good smallmouth action in Peck Bay with artificial worms in 6 to 8 feet or in Duck Bay when casting gold spinners in 4 to 6 feet. For Hessel, those trolling caught Chinook and lake trout near Goose Island. Most were running dipsey divers with flies for chinook or blue and chrome spoons along with flashers 60 feet down in 90 feet for lake trout. Better salmon catches were reported off Mission Point with flashers and squid 55 feet down in 150 feet. There were reports of splake coming from Wilderness Bay when trolling or long lining with a 6-inch black and silver crank bait. Slow your trolling speed between 2.0 and 2.5 mph. Pike were caught in Mismer Bay with creek chubs or when casting black and yellow spotted bucktail spinners near the bull rushes and cattails. No perch were caught at the finger docks.

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Fishing Tip: Catching big pike in the summer

Most anglers consider winter the best time to catch a trophy-sized pike but following a few key pointers can make summer pike fishing worthwhile.

When it’s very warm out think about where pike will hide – places with cooler water. These spots include along the thermocline, where coldwater streams/rivers flow into lakes, or around springs.

Look for water bodies that aren’t densely populated with pike so those present may have a chance to grow fairly large. Also consider locations that have special regulations (size limits).

Lastly, focus on water bodies that have a good pike forage base – particularly other species that prefer cooler water.

Want to learn even more about fishing for northern pike? Check out their page on the DNR’s website.

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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