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NOTE: The Betsie, Platte, Pere Marquette and Little Manistee Rivers all remain open to fishing, and there have been no new changes in angler regulations. Please continue to follow guidelines outlined in the 2024 Michigan Fishing Guide.

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

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Southeast Lower Peninsula

Eastern Saginaw Bay: Windy conditions kept most anglers off the water. The few boat anglers who made it out reported targeting largemouth bass very close to shore.

Sebewaing: Anglers fishing between Sebewaing and Bayport reported catching a few largemouth bass when casting various artificial baits in 2 to 5 feet of water.

Lake Erie: Yellow perch fishing was reported to have been on the slower side, however some boat anglers had success out from the Luna Pier lighthouse in around 20 feet of water when using perch rigs with live minnows. The walleye were reported to have moved to deeper waters. Both large and small mouth bass fishing was steady, with anglers catching them in Brest Bay on artificial lures.

Lake St. Clair: Anglers fishing near buoy 12 in the shipping channel caught walleye, musky, and catfish in around 45 feet of water. Crawler harnesses and purple and green artificial minnows all worked well. Other anglers reported catching walleye straight out from Harley Ensign Boat Launch in 11 feet of water on shiner minnows with florescent jig heads. Anglers were beginning to catch musky near the spillway and near the dumping grounds. Smallmouth bass action was reported as slow. Overall, anglers reported fair performance near Selfridge.

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Southwest Lower Peninsula

Grand Haven: Good numbers of salmon were caught from the pier heads out to 90 feet of water. A mix of glow spoons, plugs, and meat rigs were all productive. Pier anglers caught salmon on alewives and while casting glow spoons.

Muskegon: Boat anglers found good numbers of salmon from the pier head out to 100 feet of water. Glow spoons, glow plugs, and white paddles with green flies all worked well. Pier anglers casting for salmon found the action to be slow.

Muskegon River: The fishing was reported as fair to good for walleye, while smallmouth bass fishing was very good. Crappie were caught by anglers fishing along the banks in fallen trees.

South Haven: Pier anglers caught a few salmon from the piers, along with a few steelhead. Most of these fish were caught by casting spoons and spinners. Boat anglers trolling the pier heads were catching a few salmon on spoons. 

St. Joseph: High winds and large waves kept many anglers off the water, however the few boat anglers that made it out reported fair fishing. Reports show there were some fish caught from around 40 feet of water out to well past 100 feet of water. The most consistent depths seemed to be well beyond 100 feet of water. All the fish caught came on spoons. Pier fishing was very slow for steelhead and salmon, however, there were a few catfish and freshwater drum caught on live bait. Perch fishing was reported as slow this week. Anglers fishing the St. Joe River saw slow fishing for salmon.  

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Northeast Lower Peninsula

Cheboygan: Lake trout anglers were sticking to the northeast corner of Bois Blanc Island near the lighthouse and Lafayette Point. Anglers were trolling spoons, and flashers and flies in around 70 feet of water. Good colors to use were blues, purples, red/white, and orange/chartreuse. Salmon anglers were either trolling spoons within the shipping channel or casting spoons from the Cheboygan Pier. Anglers did not have much luck catching early staged fish. 

Alpena: Weather permitting, anglers were targeting walleye with limited success. A few fish were caught in 25 to 30 feet of water in the shipping lanes with crawlers fished near bottom. A few nighttime anglers had success trolling crank baits between Grass and Supper islands in 15 to 20 feet of water. A few anglers targeted Chinook salmon with magnum spoons and plugs, however they did not find success. A few northern pike, walleye and catfish were caught off the pier when casting a variety of spoons and crank baits. 

Thunder Bay River: A few walleye were caught near the 9th Street bridge when using leeches and crank baits. Those using crawlers caught smallmouth bass, catfish and freshwater drum near the Holiday Inn and below the 2nd Avenue bridge. Although a little early, a couple Chinook salmon were caught while trolling magnum spoons and j-plugs. The only action had was during low light conditions in the evening. 

Rockport: Due to high winds, very few anglers were able to make it out on the water. Those who made it out found lake trout in 90 to 130 feet of water in the lower half of the water column. Green, chartreuse and orange were all productive, as well as dodgers and Spin-n-Glos. A few nice Chinook salmon and coho salmon were caught near False Presque Isle when fishing in 80 to 100 feet of water. Black/white, gold/green and green/silver saw the best results. Silver fish were found 45 to 60 feet down early and late in the day. The high winds had walleye very scattered. Anglers reported low catch rates and found the fish hard to locate. Those trolling orange, purple and rainbow pattern crank baits had the best results 10 to 25 feet down over 30 to 60 feet of water.

Rogers City: Anglers reported catching decent sized Chinook salmon; however, they were low in numbers. Anglers reported catching one to two fish on average when conditions were favorable. When targeting the entire water column, some anglers were also getting a few lake trout and walleye, along with the occasional pink salmon.  Anglers were using downriggers, dipseys, lead cores and coppers to fish the entire water column. Spoons, flasher and fly/squid combinations, meat rigs and a few j-plugs were other common choices as well.  Good colors to use were red/white, greens, blues, black/white, purples and glow stuff early and late.  

Hammond Bay: Angler pressure was reported to be low out of Hammond Bay. Those that went out were fishing straight out of the harbor, near the trench, Nine Mile Point, or south towards the biological station. The best depths were reported to have been 60 to 120 feet of water and deploying lines throughout the water column seemed to work best.  Spoons were the popular choice among anglers and good colors to use were greens, blues, yellow, orange, black/white, red/white, and glow stuff early and late.

Oscoda/Au Sable River: Pink and Atlantic salmon, along with some steelhead, were caught in 140 feet of water when fishing with spoons 40 to 70 feet down. Walleye were also caught on spoons by anglers targeting salmon. In the lower Au Sable River good numbers of channel catfish were caught using nightcrawlers on the bottom. A few walleye were caught off the end of the pier by anglers casting deep diving stick baits.

Harrisville/Black River: Walleye were caught in 30 to 40 feet of water out of Harrisville by anglers trolling reef runners and deep diving Rapalas. Salmon fishing was reported as somewhat slow; however, anglers were marking a lot of fish in 120 to 150 feet of water.

Tawas/Au Gres: Angling effort remained low due to unfavorable weather conditions. Few boats made it out from Au Gres; however, those that did were able to pick up few walleye and yellow perch. Off the Au Gres pier, walleye, freshwater drum, white bass, channel catfish and flathead catfish were all caught. Out from the Pine River, anglers caught yellow perch, averaging 7 to 9 inches, in the shallow waters. Walleye were caught off the Tawas pier in the late evening. 

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Northwest Lower Peninsula

Frankfort: Poor weather conditions kept most anglers off the water, but those that made it out found excellent catches of both Chinook and coho salmon. Both the morning and evening bite were found to be productive from the pier heads out to 120 feet of water. Anglers heading out to Platte Bay reported very good numbers of coho salmon with an occasional Chinook salmon. Spoons and plugs were the most popular, with flashers/flies and meat rigs landing a bit bigger fish. 

Onekama: Anglers were landing limits of Chinook and coho salmon while trolling around the “Barrel” area. Bait fish were plentiful in the area as the morning bite was reported to have been on fire.

Charlevoix: Windy conditions kept fishing pressure to a minimum. Those targeting salmon found success primarily trolling near the pier heads and out by Medusa. Anglers reported steady numbers of Chinook salmon, coho salmon, lake trout, and the occasional pink salmon. Trolling spoons, meat rigs, and flasher flies produced the best results while fishing 50 to 80 feet down in 120 feet of water. The hot bite was reported to be before 8 a.m.

Little Traverse Bay: Salmon anglers trolling the bay reported slow but steady numbers of Chinook and coho salmon. Trolling spoons and meat rigs produced the best results 60 to 80 feet down in roughly 150 feet of water. Those targeting salmon in the Bear River reported slow numbers of Chinook salmon and the very occasional steelhead. Evening fishing seemed to produce better results.

Manistee: Chinook and coho salmon were caught just outside the pier heads, in the harbor, and along the coast in 50 to 180 feet of water while fishing 25 to 60 feet down. Green and blue plugs and spoons worked best. Chinook salmon were also caught off the pier while casting and jigging spoons. 

Ludington: A mix of salmon and trout were caught from the projects to Big Sable Point in 80 to 150 feet of water as well as just outside the pier heads. Spoons and plugs in white and green worked well, along with flasher/fly combos. The piers produced salmon while casting and jigging spoons. Pere Marquette Lake saw a lot of action following the wind and rainy conditions. 

Leland: Poor weather conditions limited angler activity around North and South Manitou Islands this past week. Anglers who were able to make it out on the water stayed tight to the first bank about one mile out from shore, fishing in 125 feet of water with baits set 80 feet down. Anglers reported success trolling for Chinook salmon, coho salmon, and steelhead. The best baits to use were green spoons, white flashers and flies, white j-plugs and meat rigs.

West Grand Traverse Bay: Chinook salmon were the main target for many anglers this past week. There were reports of steady numbers of Chinook coming into West Bay. Anglers were successful catching these fish around white walls and the bowl. Anglers saw the best results when trolling earlier in the morning and staying tight to the mouth of the Boardman River and then moving out to deeper water after sun rise. Trolling and jigging were both very successful. Popular baits to use included a variety of colors of spoons, j-plugs, jigs and meat rigs. 

Betsie/Platte Rivers: A light run of fish in the Betsie River was reported, however no run in the Platte River yet. The weir was installed in the Platte with anticipation of the coho salmon starting to run.

Pere Marquette/Little Manistee Rivers: Salmon were reported to be in light numbers on the Little Manistee and Pere Marquette rivers. The weir has been installed on the Little Manistee.

NOTE: The Betsie, Platte, Pere Marquette, and Little Manistee Rivers all remain open to fishing, and there have been no new changes in angler regulations. Please continue to follow guidelines outlined in the 2024 Michigan Fishing Guide.

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Upper Peninsula

Keweenaw Bay/Huron Bay: Anglers in Keweenaw Bay and Huron Bay had most of their success during trolling trips in the last week. Anglers found lake trout all through the water column but most recently near the bottom. Most fish were caught with spoons during those trolling trips. Some anglers also found luck while jigging for lake trout. Jigging anglers were using cut bait for most of their success.

Traverse Bay/South Portage Entry Canal: Anglers were mostly fishing for lake trout and salmon. Some anglers had success catching salmon, however not many were able to find them. During the successful trips, anglers were fishing with spoons and flies and were fishing mostly in the lower half of the water column. Those targeting lake trout found luck trolling and jigging. Those jigging were mostly using jigging spoons and cut bait while those trolling mostly used spoons. 

St. Ignace: Boat anglers caught lake trout and the occasional Chinook salmon off the west side of the Grand Hotel off Mackinac Island. Anglers were trolling spoons, Spin-n-Glos, and flashers and flies in 50 to 70 feet of water. Good colors to use were blues, purples, oranges, and chartreuse. Salmon were reported to have been staging out in front of Nunn’s Creek. Anglers were using spawn bags and spinner baits to test their luck. Salmon were also seen in the Carp River at the cement footing pier, but anglers were not successful in catching one. These anglers were primarily using spoons.

Marquette: Anglers reported catching good numbers of lake trout when jigging or trolling around White Rocks and out towards Granite Island this week. There were reports of a few Chinook and coho salmon caught around Granite Rock as well. Lake trout were still being caught consistently with the most successful boats making their way out towards the Clay Banks west of Granite Rock. Watermelon along with green and orange Spin-n-Glos or green/silver flasher fly presentations all worked well for lake trout. Chartreuse and silver jigs were hot around the northeast side of White Rocks especially with a little cut bait. Trolling between White Rocks towards Granite Rock or Clay Banks in 130 to 160 feet of water was a popular combination for success. The steelhead were caught on a Dancing Anchovy Moonshine UV and Bloody Nose.

Au Train: Lake trout were still being caught by anglers jigging in approximately 160 feet of water north to northeast of Au Train Island, especially with cut bait. Most anglers trolling reported lake trout being caught when trolling in 130 to 180 feet of water north to northwest of the Au Train Island in the flats or out towards the Laughing White Fish Clay Banks. Wonder bread, multicolored glow spoons or green/silver flasher flies were good color combinations. A little bit of cut bait jigging or trolling with orange or chartreuse cowbells seemed to do very well at deeper depths.

Ontonagon River: Fishing efforts on the river were good over the past week. Angler reports show that walleye were caught in fair numbers throughout the day, with early morning hours yielding the best results. Occasional catches of rock bass were also reported. Anglers leaned towards jigging, rather than trolling, as their preferred method of fishing.

Ontonagon/Silver City/Union Bay: Fishing efforts from these ports were reported as somewhat low over the past week. Recent weather conditions limited lake access on occasion. Lake trout were reportedly being caught in fair numbers, while the occasional coho salmon was also caught. Anglers had the most success in finding these fish when trolling deeper waters.

Black River Harbor: Over the past week, fishing efforts from the harbor remained low. Harsh weather conditions were somewhat limiting for those hoping to access the lake. Reports show that common catches consisted of lake trout in low numbers. Anglers had the most success when trolling in deeper waters.

Les Cheneaux Islands: Wind and rain limited angler activity this past week. Anglers in Hessel were actively targeting perch in the marina and within the channels. The bite was reported as difficult, but a few were picked up using leeches, minnows, and crawlers. There were also good numbers of northern pike caught within Hessel, mostly being on the smaller side.

DeTour: Anglers were trolling in the flats and around the lighthouse mostly picking up good numbers of pink salmon and lake trout, with a few Chinook and Atlantic salmon mixed in.

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Fishing tip: Catching bass on top of the water

Many anglers would agree that there’s a special excitement that comes with using topwater techniques to target bass. There’s something to be said for seeing a bass strike your lure with your own two eyes.

But how do you fish for this species on top of the water? It mostly comes down to location and lure selection.

Target areas that provide good cover for bass that have a few feet of water over them, such as weed beds, logs, big rocks, etc. Cast a floating lure next to the cover and play with it a bit before reeling it in.

When it comes to lures, select those that float and are designed to resemble the favorite foods of bass, such as frogs.

Also, top water fishing for bass works best in low-light conditions, such as early in the morning or late in the evening.

Learn more about fishing for bass in Michigan:

• Largemouth bass (michigan.gov)
• Smallmouth bass (michigan.gov)

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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.