If you’re headed out fishing, please do your part to keep yourself and others safe by following COVID-19 public health and safety guidelines. Go fishing only if you're feeling well. Practice proper social distancing, at least 6 feet away from people who don’t live in your household. Frequently wash your hands with soap and warm water, or use hand sanitizer.

With extremely hot weather this week and next, anglers may witness a fish kill, which can occur naturally in lakes and streams during periods of hot weather. It is not unusual to see dead or dying fish when this happens. High temperatures and low dissolved oxygen levels combined cause stress on fish. Most prone to summer kills are pike, perch, suckers, bass and bluegill living in shallow, productive lakes or bays with excessive amounts of algae or rooted aquatic vegetation. The plants consume large amounts of oxygen at night, causing a temporary shortage just before dawn. A cloudy, calm day extends the critical period by reducing reoxygenation from photosynthesis and wave action. Fish in oxygen-depleted areas do not sense the danger and therefore do not swim to deeper water. 

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Southeast Lower Peninsula

Lake Erie: Walleye fishing picked up as most were getting limit catches, especially near Ohio waters in 26 to 28 feet with a purple crawler harness. Others fished near the Canadian waters or in the mouth of the River Raisin. Catfish were caught in the Hot Pond. No considerable perch action to report.   

Detroit River: A couple walleye continue to be caught on a crawler harness as most fish continue to move out to Lake Erie. White bass have been caught in the lower river, including limit catches of some nice fish.    

Lake St. Clair: Walleye were caught along the edge of the shipping channel in 20 feet between buoys 27 and 30 and near the mouth of the North and Middle channels when trolling a bottom bouncer with a crawler harness. The musky action did pick up some, but overall, the bite was slow. Smallmouth anglers were working hard to catch a few fish in Anchor Bay and along the mile roads even though the mayfly hatch has slowed. The fish were found in 8 to 15 feet. A few yellow perch were caught out near the shipping channel.  

Saginaw Bay: Walleye were caught off Pinconning and Gambill’s Landing in 20 to 25 feet, off Linwood in 18 feet and east of the Spark Plug in 24 feet. Bass were caught at the end of Linwood Road. At Finn Road, those trolling crawlers caught walleye and a few pike in 7 to 10 feet.  Walleye were caught straight out from Quanicassee in 9 feet and along the Slot in 19 to 20 feet with a crawler harness or body baits. Fishing was hit or miss at times, but limits were caught by those covering lots of water to find active fish. Good action was noted in the Slot between Sunset Bay Marina and North Island in 18 to 20 feet as well as along the Bar in 22 to 24 feet. A crawler harness in a variety of colors is still being used by most. Fish were also taken on Hot-n-Tots, flicker shad or spoons.

Harbor Beach: Anglers are trolling for trout and salmon in 100 to 200 feet. Walleye were caught north of the harbor in 20 to 30 feet with artificial lures or crawler harness. 

Port Sanilac and Lexington: A few coho and steelhead were caught off Port Sanilac when trolling straight out in 117 feet and fishing higher up in the water column. Fish also were found in 45 to 100 feet to the north when running lead core, downriggers and small boards with spoons. One steelhead was caught off the pier in the early morning when casting spoons. At Lexington, trout and salmon were caught straight out and to the north in 60 to 80 feet. A few perch are being caught at various weed beds as far south as Lakeport when using minnows and crawlers. Rock bass and bluegill were caught inside the harbor with crawlers and small spoons.

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Southwest Lower Peninsula

New Buffalo: Boat anglers are beginning to catch perch along Lake Michigan. 

St. Joseph: Perch fishing was good in 30 to 45 feet, and most were fishing south of the piers. Salmon fishing was slow. A few lake trout were caught in 120 feet. Pier anglers caught freshwater drum and the occasional steelhead. 

South Haven: Perch anglers caught decent numbers straight out and south of the piers in 30 feet. Lake trout were caught in 100 feet, but salmon fishing was slow. Freshwater drum were caught off the piers and up into the Black River. 

Holland: Salmon and steelhead action picked up slightly 40 to 100 feet down in 100 to 160 feet. Orange, green and blue spoons worked best for salmon and steelhead. Green meat rigs also produced a few salmon. Good lake trout action on the bottom with yellow or green spin-glo’s. Perch fishing was very slow. Freshwater drum have been caught by pier anglers casting silver spoons. 

Lake Macatawa: Was producing small walleye and bluegills. 

Kalamazoo River: Catfish are being caught on cut bait. Walleye were hitting on jigs and body baits. 

Port Sheldon: Boat anglers found a decent number of lake trout and the occasional salmon or steelhead with orange and green spoons in 100 to 160 feet. Lake trout are on the bottom and hitting yellow spin-glo’s. 

Grand Haven: The Harbor Island boat launch is still closed.

Grand River near Grand Rapids: Smallmouth bass and rock bass were caught on hula grubs. 

Grand River near Lansing: Anglers are catching a few bass and bluegills. There has been very little word on catfish activity. 

Ionia County: Panfish have been caught on Morrison, Woodard and Sessions Lake.  Bass fishing on the lakes was hit or miss. Perch were caught on Sessions.    

Muskegon: Boats are finding lake trout and the occasional salmon or steelhead in 100 to 160 feet. Salmon and steelhead were 45 to 100 feet down and hitting orange spoons.  Lake trout were hitting green or yellow spin-glo’s on the bottom. Pier anglers caught freshwater drum while casting spoons.

Muskegon Lake: Was producing some walleye. Bass and bluegill were slow. 

Muskegon River: Trout fishing was slow. Average-size walleye and some nice pike were caught in Hardy Pond. Those fishing in Hersey caught suckers. 

White Lake: Bluegills were caught along the south shore. Bass fishing was good, and the channel cat bite was very good. Walleye were found in 16 feet.

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Northeast Lower Peninsula

Cheboygan: Limits of lake trout were caught at Poe Reef or Spectacle Reef trolling spoons in 20 to 65 feet. Coho were caught when trolling spoons between 45 and 65 feet off Lafayette Point on Bois Blanc Island. Smallmouth bass were caught near the shoreline of Duncan Bay and near the river.   

Cheboygan River: Anglers have caught smallmouth bass, catfish, freshwater drum, rock bass, carp and walleye when bottom-bouncing worms. The catfish action picked up with many between 8-12 pounds. Anglers have also been catching 20- to 30-inch pike casting spinners along the shoreline at the mouth. 

Burt Lake: Was producing some large smallmouth bass. 

Rogers City: Water temperatures warmed into the 50s, and the fish were scattered. Smaller lake trout were caught in good numbers. The larger fish were suspended a bit deeper or moving out to cold water in 60 to 120 feet. Run lines near the bottom or suspend dodgers and cowbells with spin-glo’s and spoons. Steelhead were caught in the top 20 feet with smaller orange and green or orange and silver spoons. Atlantic salmon may also be caught. Some are starting to get the occasional Chinook, coho or pink salmon throughout the water column in 90 to 150 feet with green, blue, black and white, or glow spoons at first or last light.   

Presque Isle: Had good lake trout fishing, but anglers are having to move out deeper to get bigger fish. They also caught the occasional Atlantic, coho, pink or Chinook salmon throughout the water columns in 65 to 150 feet. Lead core up high with regular or smaller spoons was good for Atlantics and steelhead. Hot colors were green, blue, orange and green, orange and silver, black and white, or glow. 

Alpena: Lake trout, steelhead, pink salmon and the occasional coho were caught trolling spoons and spin-glo’s in 70 to 120 feet off Thunder Bay Island and the Nordmeer Wreck. Steelhead and pink salmon were found in the top 35 feet of water while feeding on insects. Hot colors were orange, copper, blue and yellow. A few walleyes were found in 15 to 30 feet when trolling a harness or crankbait in the morning or evening in front of the harbor, off the north shore and North Point. Freshwater drum and pike were also caught.   

Thunder Bay River: Fishing was slow, but anglers caught a few smallmouth bass and walleye when trolling or casting crankbaits in the morning and evening. Freshwater drum, rock bass and channel cats were caught when drifting or jigging crawlers. 

Fletcher’s Pond: Was producing bass and panfish. 

Oscoda: Lake trout, steelhead, coho, Atlantic and pink salmon were caught when trolling spoons in 70 to 100 feet or out at the “Humps” in 150 to 180 feet. Hot colors were green, orange, copper, red and purple. Lake trout were taken on dodgers with spin-glo’s. Pier anglers caught channel cats, smallmouth bass and freshwater drum on crawlers and minnows. 

Au Sable River: Fishing was slow; however, a couple walleye were caught when drifting crawlers or trolling crankbaits early morning and late evening. Smallmouth bass, freshwater drum, channel cats and rock bass were caught when drifting crawlers. 

Higgins Lake: Lake trout anglers are getting fish when trolling with downriggers or jigging in 100 to 110 feet. Perch have been caught in 40 feet around the islands, but anglers are sorting out the small ones. Pike were caught when trolling. The rock bass and smallmouth bass action was good. 

Houghton Lake: Fishing has been slow, but a few walleyes were taken along the drop-offs in 14 feet with a crawler harness and leeches. Bluegills were found deeper along the edge of the weed beds in 8 feet. Bass also have been caught. 

Tawas: Had good walleye, steelhead and Atlantic salmon fishing between Tawas Point and Alabaster in 50 to 70 feet with crawlers, body baits and spoons. 

Tawas River: Not much was going on at Gateway Park other than a few smallmouth bass taken on various lures or crawlers. 

Au Gres: Walleye fishing was spotty; however, a few limit catches were taken in 35 to 45 feet out near the Gravelly Shoals and south toward the Saganing Bar when using crawlers. The access road to the Pine River was flooded with some serious damage to the road, including deep holes. 

Rifle River: Brown trout and rainbow trout were caught in the early morning.   

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Northwest Lower Peninsula

Harbor Springs: Lake trout were caught around Harbor Point and north up to Good Hart. Anglers are targeting smallmouth bass along the shoreline in Harbor Springs when casting soft plastics. Bass were reported both on and off the beds, with some found along the drop-offs.  

Petoskey: Catch rates were low for boats fishing on the Petoskey side. A couple lake trout were caught between Bay Harbor and 9-Mile (toward Charlevoix) in 75 to 100 feet. The Bear River had higher water levels. One angler did hook a couple of small rainbow trout at the dam. Those fishing the mouth of the river caught smallmouth bass, rock bass, suckers, catfish, bullhead and a couple small perch or bluegills on worms, minnows and crankbaits. 

Charlevoix: Lake trout were caught both trolling and jigging near the bottom around North Point in 75 to 120 feet and when jigging near the cement plant in 100 feet or so.  Cisco were still in the channel, but in lower numbers. A few were caught in the early morning by those using Swedish pimples, kastmasters and spoons. Large freshwater drum, a few smallmouth bass and the odd walleye also were caught in the morning using artificial lures, crawlers and leeches. A good number of alewives moved into the channel over the weekend and were caught on spoons. 

Lake Charlevoix: Had good smallmouth bass action, with some good-size fish taken. 

Traverse City: Cisco and a few bass were caught in the East Bay and Pine River.  Bass and a couple walleye were caught in the Elk River. A couple lake trout were caught in the West Bay. 

Lake Leelanau: Was producing some walleye south of the narrows.

Frankfort: Those fishing straight out and to the north caught good numbers of lake trout 60 to 90 feet down in 100 to 160 feet. A temperature break was reported 65 to 75 feet down. Chinook were caught on meat rigs in the early morning and at dusk. 

Onekama: Boats heading out to the “Barrel” and off the golf course caught lake trout in 70 to 90 feet, but the Chinook numbers were low. 

Portage Lake: A mayfly hatch means slower catch rates. The warm weather has pushed the bass, perch and other panfish into deeper water. 

Lakes Cadillac and Mitchell: The bite will slow with the hot weather. Topwater bass fishing should be decent.    

Manistee: A few Chinook and a couple steelhead were caught straight out on the “Shelf” and slightly north in 100 feet with spoons. Lake trout were caught along the bottom in 100 to 200 feet with spoons and spin-glo’s.    

Manistee River: The hex hatch should be going full bore on the upper river. Water levels were very fishable.    

Hamlin Lake: Had fair to good pike fishing. Panfish were in deeper water. 

Ludington: Lake trout were caught 60 to 80 feet down in 70 to 150 feet off Big Sable Point. A couple Chinook were caught between the harbor and Big Sable Point in 100 to 200 feet. Steelhead were found in 140 to 300 feet. Most were using spoons and spin-glo’s or a flasher/fly combo. Meat rigs were hit or miss. 

Big Star Lake: In Lake County reported good bass fishing.   

Lake Mecosta: Bass fishing was fair, but the bluegill and perch fishing slowed.   

Chippewa Lake: Had decent bass fishing in the early morning.

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Upper Peninsula

Keweenaw Bay: Those targeting salmon and lake trout had some success, though most of the fish caught were lake trout. The action off Baraga was slow, but anglers are marking fish. Lake trout have been caught out of Traverse Bay and Huron Bay, but no limit catches were reported. 

Marquette: Those targeting lake trout have done well near Granite Island, the Pinnacles and toward the Clay Banks. Coho and a few brown trout also have been caught. Those fishing near Shot Point marked fish but had no luck. Catch rates were moderate near Stannard Rock with smaller lake trout caught. 

Little Bay de Noc: Walleye fishing was still a bit slow because of all the baitfish and fly hatches. Most fished near the mouth of the Whitefish River when trolling crawlers or stick baits in 22 feet and the mouth of the Escanaba River in 20 feet. Many were small, but some caught fish up to 20 inches. Smallmouth bass were caught near U.S. 2 in the Gladstone Bay area and the east bank area off the Days River when casting plastics in 4 to 10 feet. Perch anglers reported some good catches at Kipling using crawlers or minnows along the edge of the reefs in 28 feet. Bass were caught in the Ford River. 

Manistique: Salmon anglers reported few catches with baitfish in the area. Best fishing was for lake trout 60 feet down in 100 feet and steelhead just outside the pier. Good smallmouth action in the river when casting plastics or crawlers. 

Manistique Lake: Walleye, pike and bass have been caught in both lakes. 

Munising: Had little fishing activity. A couple boats trolling the bay and West Channel for lake trout caught very few. Try trolling the drop-off near Grand Island, the White Rocks or the Wood Island Reef area. For Chinook or coho, try the West Channel.  Those fishing off the Anna River dock reported no catches. 

St. Marys River: Good catches of walleye were noted in Carlton Creek, which is just south of the Raber boat launch. Use a crawler harness with a bottom bouncer in 8 to 12 feet near the mouth. Fish also were caught near Round Island, which is on the north end of Lime Island. Target the weed beds in 8 to 12 feet with shiner minnows under a slip bobber.    

Detour: Salmon and trout fishing improved, as it appears more Atlantic salmon have moved into the mouth of the river from Lake Huron. A few Chinook, coho and steelhead also were caught when trolling from the lighthouse east. Fish the underwater hump halfway between the lighthouse and the first red buoy on the Drummond Island side.  The hump rises from 70 to 90 feet and seems to hold baitfish for salmon. Fish throughout the water column with lead core and orange and gold spoons with black ladder backs 15 to 60 feet down. A few Chinook were taken on purple and black spoons 55 feet down in 80 to 100 feet. 

Cedarville and Hessel: A fly hatch is underway. There were no reports of yellow perch caught in Cedarville Bay. The new parking lot is open for anglers to park vehicles and boat trailers. Anglers are starting to take a few cisco in McKay Bay on a teardrop tipped with a wax worm two to three cranks off the bottom in 12 to 14 feet. Jigging usually works best, and anglers can try 4 to 5 feet down. For Atlantic salmon, try just west of the Cedarville Stone Quarry, at Boot Island and Coryell Island when trolling small squid or fly-type baits in 25 to 40 feet. Young anglers will want to try shore fishing off Hill Island Road, where two fishing platforms offer easy access to Flower Bay. For Hessel, large schools of yellow perch were moving into the Hessel Marina. 

St. Ignace: Had no reports, as water temperatures in the straits were 58 degrees at the surface and 55 degrees about 60 feet down. Walleye fishing slowed in the Pine River, but those drifting a crawler harness with leeches at the rapids caught fish. On the Carp River, pier anglers caught a couple walleye when bottom-bouncing with leeches. 

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Fishing Tip: How to know if you've found an invasive species

An invasive species is one that is not native and whose introduction causes harm, or is likely to cause harm, to Michigan’s economy, environment or human health.

Think you’ve found an invasive species? Familiarize yourself with potential invasive species threats to Michigan by visiting Michigan.gov/Invasives and clicking on the “Species Profiles & Reporting Information” box.

Once there, you can search for species of plants, insects, diseases, mollusks, fish, mammals, birds or crustaceans and learn about Watch List versus non-Watch List species. You can also learn how to identify invasive species and how to report it if you think you've found one.

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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.