As we move closer to October big water anglers are beginning to pull their boats. As the waters cool, the inland lakes were good for bass, walleye, pike and panfish. Anglers are reminded that the fishing season on all Type 1 and Type 2 streams as well as all Type A and Type D inland trout lakes will close after September 30.

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

Buy your license ►

Southeast Lower Peninsula

Lake Erie: Overall, the algae bloom has become more prevalent on the southern end and in the canals on the Michigan side. Surface water temperatures were still in the low to mid 70’s. Once the water temperatures drop, the perch bite should pick up. Most anglers were working hard for less than 10 fish which were caught out of Brest Bay near the Michigan/Ohio waters. Several fish were found off the River Raisin Buoys however most were under 7 inches. The walleye bite was fair in Brest Bay and south towards the E Buoy and the Dumping Grounds in 18 to 22 feet, but many were sub-legal. Most were trolling crank baits or spoons. Largemouth bass were caught in the Hot Pond and along the rocks off Bolles Harbor. Channel cats and white bass were also caught in the Hot Pond with both live and artificial baits.

Detroit River: Those fishing around Belle Isle caught some nice yellow perch along with an assortment of other panfish. Bass were also caught but most were too small.

Lake St. Clair: Those jigging live bait near Strawberry Island caught walleye and perch. Muskie were caught near the Clinton River cutoff channel. Smallmouth bass fishing was slow so many were fishing near the shoreline and the canals for largemouth. Catch rates were fair. Those trying for perch did not catch many.

Lexington and Port Sanilac: The water was still warm, and it was hard to find the thermocline. The few anglers that went out did manage to catch a couple lake trout, steelhead and walleye in 100 to 130 feet with spoons.

Harbor Beach: Had few anglers, but those heading out found a couple lake trout, steelhead and walleye when trolling spoons in 80 to 100 feet.

Saginaw Bay: The better perch fishing was near the Saganing and Pinconning Bars in 15 to 18 feet. A few were found off Linwood in 20 feet and around the manmade island at the mouth of the Saginaw River when using minnows. No big numbers but the fish were running decent size. Those trolling off the Callahan Reef in 18 feet caught a couple walleye with a crawler harness or body bait. Channel cats were caught near the Hot Ponds. Off Quanicassee, anglers were putting in a lot of time to get enough perch for a meal. Walleye were found in shallower waters 8 to 14 feet. From Sebewaing to Caseville, a few perch were caught however the action varies from day to day. Those doing best were putting in a lot of time and moving around a lot.

Saginaw River: A couple walleye were caught when bottom bouncing a crawler in the lower river.

Chippewa River: In Isabella County had a few walleye though many were small.

Back to Top

Southwest Lower Peninsula

St. Joseph: Perch fishing was a challenge as they were scattered. Those fishing north of the piers in 40 to 50 feet seemed to do a little better. Lake trout were caught in 70 feet. Those trolling and pier anglers along the river mouth reported slow catch rates for salmon.

St. Joseph River: Should still have salmon and trout especially up near the dams.

South Haven: Perch fishing here was steady when boats could get out. The better fishing was in 40 feet or so. Those targeting salmon reported slow catch rates. Lake trout were found in 80 feet when trolling in the bottom 5 feet. Pier fishing was slow with only a couple fish taken with spawn on the bottom or when casting spoons.

Grand Haven: Windy conditions have limited fishing. Boat anglers reported slow catch rates for trout and salmon. A couple fish were found 65 to 130 feet down in 130 to 200 feet with orange and green spoons. Pier anglers caught small coho on alewife and gizzard shad.

Grand River at Grand Rapids: Anglers were getting salmon at the 6th Street Dam. Perch and panfish activity picked up especially in the bayous. Salmon fishing picked up on the Rogue River as well.

Grand River at Lansing: Coho were caught at both the Portland and Webber Dams. Those targeting bass were also getting a few fish. Perch and bluegill were caught near Gale Road.

Morrison Lake: A small number of panfish and some bass were caught.

Muskegon: Had no report due to bad weather conditions.

Muskegon Lake: Bluegill and other panfish have been caught. Salmon were still trickling in and a few were caught off the channel walls. Walleye fishing was still on the slow side however those targeting pike were getting fish on rapalas, spinners and even swim baits. Catfish were hitting on crawlers.

Muskegon River: More salmon were starting to show up with fresh fish being caught up near Croton Dam. Salmon and catfish were caught at the mouth. Those fishing in Mecosta County caught perch near the Davis Bridge. Walleye, pike and bass were caught in Hardy Pond near Brower Park.

White River: Had salmon including some fish in the North Branch.

Back to Top

Northeast Lower Peninsula

Cheboygan River: Anglers caught a few Chinook salmon at the dam when drifting skein or casting spoons both early morning and at dusk. The recent heavy rain may have pushed more salmon up into the river. A few fish jumping near the dam were quite dark. Smallmouth bass were caught on worms and crank baits near the DNR office.

Burt and Mullett Lakes: Those targeting perch reported slow fishing.

Rogers City: We are nearing the end of the season on the big lake however there should be some good fishing in October as the younger salmon and steelhead start to feed before winter. Salmon were staging off Swan Bay and those getting out early or late had success when trolling from the shoreline out to 60 feet. In the shallows, anglers were running bombers with long leads off planer boards and those out deeper were running spoons, J-plugs, bombers and attractors with flies or squid. Hot colors were black and white, green, blue, purple or glow early and late. Those targeting lake trout did well in the bottom 20 of 70 to 100 feet with spoons, cowbells and dodgers with spin-glo’s.

Presque Isle: Had limited action but those heading south towards Stoneport and False Presque Isle did catch a few salmon, steelhead and lake trout in 60 to 120 feet. The lake trout were in the bottom 20 feet while the salmon and steelhead were up higher. Most were using spoons, attractors with flies or squid. Hot colors were green, blue, orange, silver or glow early and late.

Alpena: Those targeting trout, salmon and walleye when trolling spoons, body baits or plugs found a few fish in 40 to 80 feet along the outer edges of the bay. Lake trout and walleye were caught in deeper water off Thunder Bay Island. Walleye picked up for those trolling spoons and body baits in 15 to 45 feet off North Point and Sulphur Island. The fish have been eating multiple year classes of smelt.

Thunder Bay River: A couple Chinook and the odd coho were caught in early morning by those floating skein or casting spoons, thunder sticks and rattle traps. Fish were present, but slow to strike. A couple nice smallmouth bass were caught by those casting crank baits.

Hubbard Lake: Walleye were caught in 45 feet during the day or 12 to 20 feet in the evening. A few perch were caught in 15 feet along the south shore.

Oscoda: Salmon and trout anglers caught a few lake trout, walleye, steelhead and the occasional Chinook or coho on spoons and spin-glo’s in 70 to 160 feet but the odd fish was found as shallow as 30 feet. Anglers reported a tough bite while marking a good number of fish and baitfish. Pier anglers caught a couple walleye and nice smallmouth bass when casting body baits and jigs in the early morning or evening. Chinook salmon were very slow with the odd fish taken on spoons or body baits. Those using crawlers or minnows caught smallmouth bass, channel cats, rock bass and freshwater drum.

Au Sable River: Water temperatures below Foote Dam were in the mid-60s. Anglers caught a few pike and smallmouth bass in the holes below Foote Dam when casting jigs and crank baits. Freshwater drum, channel cats, smallmouth bass and rock bass have been taken on crawlers.

Houghton Lake: A few walleye and bluegill were caught near the weed beds in 8 to 12 feet with leeches under a slip bobber. The walleye were hitting in the early morning and evening.

Tawas: Walleye anglers did well out past Buoy #2 with spoons, body baits and crawlers in 35 to 50 feet. Pier anglers caught pike when casting body baits.

Tawas River: Those fishing at Gateway Park caught small perch on minnows or a piece of crawler. Lots of catfish were caught on crawlers.

Au Gres: Walleye were caught between Pt. Lookout and Pt. Au Gres with crawlers or body baits in 25 to 30 feet. The better perch fishing was south of Eagle Bay Marina.

Back to Top

Northwest Lower Peninsula

Harbor Springs: Boat anglers caught quite a few lake trout north or Harbor Point, up near 5-Mile Point. Fish were found near the bottom in 125 to 130 feet.

Petoskey: Salmon anglers fishing very close to the breakwall were marking fish in 30 to 80 feet but did not catch any. Lake trout were caught outside Little Traverse Bay, either south to 9-Mile Point or north to 5-Mile Point and taken near the bottom in 125 to 140 feet. Pier anglers were getting a couple salmon early morning or evening when casting spoons, crank baits or spawn. The “Bobber Hole” and the D Pier produced salmon for those using spawn however those casting spoons or crank baits also took fish. Most were caught before sunrise and after sunset.

Bear River: Fishing slowed with the warm weather but should have picked back up. Salmon were caught up near the dam by those using spawn, artificial eggs and flies.

Charlevoix: Boating pressure was low. Those trolling for salmon near the cement plant had no luck but a couple smaller boats in the freighter slip did catch a couple fish when casting spoons and crank baits or floating spawn. Those wading near the cement plant caught a few salmon before sunrise and after sunset. Fishing pressure in the channel is slow this time of the year, but anglers will find a few smallmouth bass when using crawlers.

Boyne River: Had a few salmon including some large fish.

Traverse City: Cisco were caught in the East Bay when trolling or jigging off Elk Rapids, around Deepwater Pt. and along the West Bank. Salmon fishing was slow. On the Elk River, a couple Chinook were caught near the dam. Smallmouth bass were found in the river by those using crawlers. In the West Bay, perch were caught off Northport, but many were small. In Suttons Bay, perch fishing was slow. A couple salmon were caught when trolling both the north end and the south end early morning or evening with spoons and flies. The salmon bite on the Boardman River slowed as well. The best time to fish was early morning with spawn or skein.

Leelanau County: There were reports of the occasional salmon in Shalda Creek off Good Harbor Bay and in the Crystal River which flows from Glen Lake. The number of fish was minimal and angler activity was low.

Frankfort: Those trolling caught a couple fresh Chinook salmon. There were several reports of fish rolling on the surface. Coho numbers were holding steady in Platte Bay. Pier anglers caught Chinook, coho and steelhead in the evening.

Portage Lake: Perch anglers reported moderate catches off the point and in front of the bible camp with worms. Those trolling for coho near the channel caught pike.

Manistee: Surface temperature readings inched up to about 67 degrees, so fishing remains slow. Warm water top to bottom made things tough for pier anglers. Out deep, anglers found good numbers of coho and steelhead. Fish were caught 70 to 100 feet down in 300 to 500 feet with spoons and flies.

Manistee River: While the warm-up may have slowed catch rates, salmon were still moving up into the river and will continue to do so especially with any rain and cooler temperatures. The peak of the run typically occurs in the first week of October.

Hamlin Lake: Bluegill fishing was steady in the upper lake with boats getting 10-25 fish per trip. Most were using worms in 7 to 10 feet in front of Indian Pete’s Bayou. Pike fishing was decent though most were on the small side. Walleye fishing was slow.

Ludington: Still had warmer water. Coho and steelhead were hitting spoons 50 to 90 feet down in 200 to 400 feet where the cooler water was found. Pier anglers caught small coho on spawn.

Pere Marquette River: Salmon were still running and could be found in the South Branch in Oceana County.

Back to Top

Upper Peninsula

Copper Harbor: Anglers continue to catch splake however the action did slow, and many were sub-legal. A few lake trout, steelhead and brown trout were being caught out on the big lake, but anglers were doing a lot of trolling.

Keweenaw Bay: Anglers caught salmon, splake and lake trout when they could find colder water. Those fishing deeper water in Huron and Traverse Bay caught lake trout and the occasional salmon.

Marquette: Fishing is starting to pick up as anglers were getting coho, steelhead, brown trout, lake trout and even a couple Chinook salmon near the river mouths and between the White Rocks and Granite Island. Salmon were found in 30 to 60 feet and lake trout in 100 to 160 feet however few limit catches to report. Surface water temperatures were in the low 60’s. A small number of fish were still being caught in the Chocolay, Carp and Dead rivers. The Chocolay and Carp rivers produced coho.

Little Bay De Noc: Walleye anglers reported spotty catches. The better action was at the mouth of the Escanaba River and the “Black Bottom” with a crawler harness or stick baits in 24 feet. Only a few perch were caught but some were nice jumbo’s taken by walleye anglers trolling a crawler harness. Good smallmouth bass action near Butler Island, Hunters Point and Squaw Point with tube baits or crank baits in 4 to 8 feet. A few salmon anglers tried the Ford River, but no fish were caught. A couple salmon were spotted in the Escanaba River, but no catches were reported.

Manistique River: Good numbers of brown trout were caught up near the dam with beads, yarn or spawn. Chinook, coho and pink salmon were reported in the same area and anglers were also using crank baits or skein. Two gates up near the dam were open so the flow was fast but fishable. Boat anglers were trolling crank baits where the fast water meets the slower water or when anchoring near the holes and casting spawn.

Munising: Had a handful of boat anglers that reported poor catch rates with only a couple coho found off the Anna River. The occasional splake was caught but most were sub-legal.

Drummond Island: A few perch were caught in Scott Bay between Peck Island and Rutland Island in 14 to 18 feet when jigging on the bottom with shiners or worms on a beaded spreader.

Detour: The lake trout action was consistent beyond the Detour lighthouse and along the 90-foot flat south of the reef and lighthouse. Most were skipping cannon balls across the flat with a #3 blue and white spin-glo with a 26-inch leader behind a flasher. There were no recent reports of chinook salmon being caught from the ferry boat lane.

Cedarville and Hessel: This week, the Cedarville Public Boat Launch on Meridian Road, will be closed for renovation. Boaters should use the ramp at the Hessel Marina. There were no good reports of perch being caught in Cedarville Bay. As it cools down, perch fishing should get better. Good pike fishing at Connors Pointe when trolling a slender blue and chrome 8-inch stick bait just off the weed beds in 6 to 10 feet. Good smallmouth action in Duck Bay when casting gold spinners or when jigging at the mouth with an orange and brown tube jig just off the rock piles in 6 to 8 feet. For Hessel, splake were still hitting natural and artificial spawn bags from the finger docks at the marina and the fishing pier. Most were jigging a 3-inch copper spoon with orange or red beads. A few salmon were seen around the finger docks.

St. Martin Bay: A good salmon run was taking place in both Nunns Creek and the Carp River.

Back to Top

Fishing Tip: Is your outdoor first-aid kit ready to go?

Do you carry a first-aid kit with you while you’re out fishing? You never know what can happen, so it never hurts to be prepared. If you’re interested in putting together a kit be sure to include the following:

• Rubber gloves
• Scissors
• Tweezers
• Thermometer
• Hemostat
• Compresses
• Adhesive bandages
• Medical tape
• Compression bandage
• Antibiotic ointment
• Hydrocortisone cream
• Antibiotic wipes
• Eye-wash fluid
• Aspirin/ibuprofen

Don’t forget to regularly check your first-aid kit’s inventory and replenish as needed!

Back to Top

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