Good fishing on coldwater trout streams and wooded inland lakes depends on the health of surrounding forests. To ensure the long-term, sustainable management and health of the state forest — which benefits fishing, as well as other outdoor activities — the Michigan Department of Natural Resources has drafted a new State Forest Management Plan to serve as a guide for the next 10 years.

The DNR will host a webinar at 1 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 5, to release the plan, provide an overview and answer initial questions. Register for the webinar for your opportunity to review and weigh in on the draft plan. Three in-person meetings also are set for Sept. 9 (East Lansing), Sept. 10 (Grayling) and Sept. 12 (Marquette). Read the news release for full details.

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

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Southeast Lower Peninsula

Lower Saginaw Bay: Fishing was reported to have been slow. Anglers fishing for yellow perch focused their efforts near sailboat buoy S out in front of Linwood; however, most fish were too small to keep. A few walleye anglers were trolling out in front of Finn Road and reported catching a few walleye in 9 feet of water.

Quanicassee: A few perch were caught in 12 to 15 feet of water, but lots of sorting was done to keep a few decent sized fish. Anglers reported that early mornings seemed to be the best, and they moved often to find the schools. Walleye fishing was slow. Anglers averaged 1 to 2 walleye per boat when trolling night crawler harnesses 2 miles east of the Spark Plug in 28 feet of water.

Sebewaing: A few perch were caught off Sunset Marina in 16 feet of water in the slot. Anglers were also trolling in the vicinity of the Spark Plug and catching 1 to 2 walleye.

Geiger Road: Anglers caught a few perch; however, sorting was required to find keepers. A few walleye were caught on night crawler harnesses as well. Both perch and walleye anglers were fishing shallow in 5 feet of water, straight out.

Caseville: Some walleye anglers tried their luck off Oak Point but did not have much success.

Port Austin/Harbor Beach: A few smallmouth bass were caught by anglers casting artificial lures from a boat in 25 to 30 feet of water.

Grindstone: Boat anglers trolling in 140 feet of water with downriggers reported catching a couple lake trout about 20 feet from the bottom.

Lake Erie: Anglers reported marking yellow perch but had trouble getting them to bite.  Those fishing early in the morning or at dusk east out from Luna Pier in around 21 feet of water had the most success. Anglers used live minnows and crawlers. Walleye on the Michigan side were extremely scarce; however, anglers who had an Ohio license were able to catch them on the Ohio side in deeper waters. 

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Southwest Lower Peninsula

Grand Haven: The warmer weather and southerly winds warmed up the nearshore water temperature. Salmon were caught 45 to 100 feet down in 90 to 200 feet of water. Green or blue meat rigs, orange spoons, and white glow plugs were productive. Pier action for salmon slowed down. Anglers casting glow spoons caught a few freshwater drum.

Muskegon: Nearshore water temperatures warmed up and the salmon were reported to have moved out. The best action was 50 to 110 feet down in 80 to 160 feet of water. Glow spoons and white flashers with white flies worked well. Boats trolling the channel and the basin found the salmon action to be slow. 

South Haven: Boat anglers targeting trout and salmon had a pretty good week of fishing. The fish were reported to have been a little spread out, but good numbers of fish were caught. Anglers were targeting well beyond 110 feet of water. Spoons were very productive; however, rotators and flies also caught some big fish. Perch fishing was pretty slow for anglers, but there were a couple of decent catches in 50 feet of water. Pier fishing was good for salmon and steelhead early in the week, but died down as the week went on.  

St. Joseph: Salmon anglers were catching fish in 90 to 100 feet of water, but the most productive water was well beyond 120 feet. Spoons were reported to have caught most of the fish. Pier fishing was slow for all species. Perch fishing was tough this week, and fishing was very inconsistent. Anglers were fishing from 45 to 70 feet of water.  

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Northeast Lower Peninsula

Cheboygan: Boat anglers were targeting salmon near the buoy markers just outside of the mouth of the Cheboygan River in 55 to 70 feet of water and off the southeast side of Bois Blanc Island in 100 feet of water. Spoons, Spin-n-Glos, and j-plugs were all used. Anglers found trolling green and orange glow spoons to be the most effective for catching salmon off the lake early in the morning and late at night just outside the river mouth. Chinook salmon, coho salmon, pink salmon, and lake trout were all caught. During warm days, stick to fishing for salmon from the Cheboygan pier early in the morning or late at night for a better chance at catching one from shore. When fishing for walleye, stick to using leeches or night crawlers on slip bobbers near the DNR field office, the pedestrian walkway bridge, or at the dam. Anglers were catching bass, freshwater drum, and catfish using night crawlers. 

Alpena: Anglers reported Thunder Bay fishing as slow. Anglers targeted Chinook salmon but had very little success. Those who were successful trolled plugs and magnum spoons in green, purple, and chartreuse. A few walleye were caught near Sulfur Island while trolling crawlers in 25 to 35 feet of water. Copper, purple, and pink harnesses saw the best results early and late in the day. A few catfish and northern pike were caught throughout the bay. Pier anglers casting spoons for Chinook salmon reported no success. Catfish were caught with crawlers after dark along with the occasional walleye.

Thunder Bay River: Fishing pressure was low with little success being reported. A few catfish and bullhead were caught throughout the river while using crawlers and leeches. Walleye anglers reported very slow fishing with only a few fish being caught after dark on small crank baits. While several salmon were seen in the river, anglers reported no success targeting them. 

Rockport: Overall fishing improved over the past week. Anglers targeting lake trout had very good results in 110 to 140 feet of water near Stoneport and east of Middle Island. Spoons and dodgers/Spin-n-Glos were both productive with white, oranges, and greens being good colors. A fair number of steelhead, Chinook salmon, Atlantic salmon, and coho salmon were reported to have showed up recently. Spoons behind copper lines and dipseys in the middle of the water column were the most productive for silver fish. Walleye were reported to be very scattered and hard to locate. Crankbaits and small spoons ran 25 to 35 feet down over 50 to 60 feet of water saw the best results. The most productive colors were copper, pink, watermelon, and chartreuse.

Rogers City: Chinook salmon were reported to be in the area, and anglers were catching decent sized fish, just not in high numbers. Boats were averaging 1 to 2 fish when conditions were favorable. Anglers targeting the entire water column were also getting a few lake trout, walleye, and an 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. 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: Anglers fishing the lower Au Sable River were catching a good amount of walleye off the pier using husky jerks, twister tails, and drifting crawlers under a deep slip bobber. Anglers targeting channel catfish did very well off the pier and accessible docks using mostly crawlers on the bottom, with some people doing well on cut bait. Anglers targeting salmon out of Oscoda found fish scattered in 100 to 160 feet of water. Most fish were caught on spoons and flasher flies. Anglers reported a few Chinook salmon beginning to show up around the pier head in the early hours of the morning. 

Harrisville: Good numbers of lake trout were caught in 140 feet of water by anglers trolling green Spin-n-Glos right above the bottom. Steelhead and Atlantic salmon were caught by anglers in 115 to 140 feet of water pulling spoons 20 to 70 feet down. Walleye fishing outside of the Harrisville Marina picked up with limits of walleye caught while trolling plugs and crawler harnesses in 20 to 35 feet of water. Anglers mentioned that the fishing was much better when trolling north as opposed to trolling south.

Black River: A few Atlantic salmon were caught by anglers fishing in 50 to 80 feet of water pulling plugs on longlines. Walleye were also caught in 20 to 30 feet of water trolling deep husky jerks and reef runners. There were a few Chinook salmon around with fish being caught in 100 feet of water 75 feet down.

Tawas: A few walleye were caught in 55 to 60 feet of water, with the average per boat being 1 to 2 fish. Anglers used crawler harnesses, flicker minnows, and spoons. Anglers reported that the fish were on the bottom. The occasional steelhead was also caught, along with channel catfish and freshwater drum. 

Au Gres/Standish: Only a few yellow perch and walleye were caught out of Au Gres. Out of the Pine River, yellow perch were caught in around 12 feet of water on minnows. Walleye, along with yellow perch and white perch, were caught while trolling crawler harnesses.

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Northwest Lower Peninsula

Frankfort: Good numbers of Chinook salmon remained out front in 90 to 160 feet of water, and trolling the top 60 feet with spoons and plugs was reported to have worked best. Coho salmon in Platte Bay were still hitting good as anglers were trolling and jigging a little closer to shore. Steelhead were hitting occasionally near the surface on orange spoons. 

Onekama: Anglers in the Barrel reported good numbers of Chinook salmon for the early morning bite early in the week, but the numbers dropped as the week went on. Spoons and plugs in the top 40 feet of water seemed to work best.

Charlevoix: Salmon anglers reported success trolling meat rigs, spoons, and flasher flies anywhere between North Point and Fisherman’s Island. A mix of nice sized coho salmon, Chinook salmon, and lake trout were reported throughout the week. Water temperatures were high, resulting in the break at roughly 90 to 100 feet down. Those fishing the piers reported smallmouth bass, the occasional perch, and a few salmon late during the night.

Little Traverse Bay: Salmon anglers found success trolling anywhere from Bay Harbor to the Petoskey Marina. Trolling meat rigs, spoons, and flasher flies produced a good mix of coho and Chinook salmon. The temperature break was reported deep at roughly 90 to 100 feet down. The occasional lake trout and steelhead was reported. 

Manistee: Warming water temperatures made fishing slower this week. Chinook salmon were caught just outside the pier heads in 40 feet of water and in 100 to 180 feet of water while fishing 50 to 65 feet down. In the mix came a couple coho salmon and steelhead as well. J-plugs and spoons seemed to work best. Very few Chinook salmon were caught off the pier while casting and jigging spoons.

Ludington: A mix of Chinook and coho salmon were caught at Big Sable Point in 80 to 200 feet of water while fishing 60 feet down or deeper. Spoons and plugs worked best. Warm temperatures made pier fishing slow early this week. Only a few Chinook salmon were caught outside the pier heads. 

Leland: Salmon fishing continued to be successful for anglers. North of the Manitou Islands produced steady numbers of Chinook salmon, with increasing numbers of coho salmon as well. First bank was also producing good numbers of Chinook salmon, with the occasional coho salmon. Anglers reported catching increasing numbers of steelhead near the North Manitou Island. Good baits to use were flasher flies, green spoons, and meat rigs. 

West Grand Traverse Bay: Fishing conditions continued to improve throughout the week, and anglers were catching a fair amount of Chinook salmon. Larger Chinook salmon were starting to come further down West Bay to stage in front of the Boardman River. Chinook salmon were still being caught by anglers around white walls and in front of the Boardman River. Fishing early before sunrise and after sunset seemed to be the key for success. Anglers targeting lake trout found success jigging 3oz white and green Swedish Pimples in front of white walls. Good baits to use for the Chinook salmon included spin doctors, flasher flies, flat fish, a variety of colored spoons, and meat rigs.

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 the last week found plenty of lake trout while trolling and jigging. Lake trout were by far the most caught species with only a few coho salmon caught during the week. Most fish were caught while trolling in medium depth water with the fish dispersed throughout the water column. 

Big Traverse Bay/South Portage Entry Canal: Anglers were incredibly successful fishing for lake trout this last week. Most anglers found trolling to bring the most fish into the boat, however jigging trips were also productive. While trolling, silver and red seemed to be the most successful colors. Jigging anglers had luck with Swedish Pimples and jigging spoons with or without cut bait.

St. Ignace: Boat anglers caught good numbers of pink salmon and lake trout between the Wawatam Lighthouse and the Coast Guard Pier Boat Launch. Within 30 to 50 feet of water, anglers were trolling spoons and Spin-n-Glos. Good colors to use were blue/white, greens, oranges, and chartreuse. Salmon were jumping at the Carp River, and anglers were successful with casting glow-in-the-dark spoons that were green or orange. At Nunns Creek, anglers used spawn bags and spinner baits. At both locations, they were the most successful an hour before sunrise or an hour after sunset. Good sized perch were caught underneath the Pine River Bridge when using night crawlers on slip bobbers. 

Little Bay de Noc: Walleye anglers reported fair to good fishing. Anglers had success fishing “black bottom”, Minneapolis shoals, and near the mouth of the Escanaba River. Drifting or trolling crawler harnesses caught fish at slow speeds. Some anglers caught fish casting retrieving style lures close to the bottom. A few anglers reported having a few fish eat jigs paired with live bait. Smallmouth bass anglers also reported good fishing.

Manistique: Anglers salmon fishing in the lake reported having success in numbers of steelhead and small Chinook salmon. Anglers reported that adult Chinook bites were few and far between, although most had at least one or two adult-sized fish bites per trip. Among those launching out of Manistique, fishing activity was most prevalent by the “red can” and Barques Pointe. Boats trolling for Chinook salmon near the river mouth had only limited success. Anglers fishing in the river reported a few pink salmon with limited Chinook sightings. Walleye anglers reported fair to slow fishing.

Marquette: Lake trout were caught consistently with the most successful boats making their way out towards the Clay Banks west of Granite Rock. The upper harbor seemed to be the harbor that most anglers were leaving from on days that the weather cooperated. Excellent numbers of lake trout were still being caught jigging or trolling around the northeast side of White Rocks and out towards Granite Island this week. A few anglers also reported catching a few salmon out by Granite Rock. Watermelon was very good along with green and orange Spin-n-Glos or green/silver flasher fly presentations for lake trout. Chartreuse and silver jigs worked well around the northeast side of White Rocks especially with a little cut bait. Trolling between White Rocks towards Granite Rock or Clay Banks in around 130 to 160 feet of water was a popular depth range.

Au Train: Lake trout were still being caught from anglers jigging in approximately 160 feet of water north to northeast of Au Train Island, especially with cut bait. Anglers reported lake trout being caught while trolling in waters around 130 to 180 feet 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 Wonder Bread or chartreuse cowbells did well at deeper depths of 160 to 180 feet of water.

Ontonagon River: Over the past week fishing efforts on the river were reported as healthy, with anglers bringing in good numbers of walleye. Occasional catches of rock bass were also reported. Anglers had luck throughout the day, with early morning trips yielding the best results.

Ontonagon/Silver City/Union Bay: These ports saw healthy fishing efforts over the past week. Anglers reported catches consisting of lake trout in good numbers along with some occasional Chinook salmon. Anglers had the most success in finding these fish when trolling deeper waters.

Black River Harbor: Over the past week, inclement weather limited lake access on occasion. Fishing efforts from the harbor were healthy, with anglers reporting catches of lake trout in good numbers. Anglers had the most success when trolling in deeper waters.

Les Cheneaux Islands: Anglers were still catching perch off the Hessel Marina, however the bite slowed down a good amount. There were good numbers of pike caught while using chubs, but the majority of the fish being caught were undersized.

DeTour: The fishing in DeTour produced plenty of pink salmon when trolling in the 45 feet of water range with spoons. Anglers also did well with lake trout in the flats and were picking up an Atlantic and Chinook salmon here and there as well. 

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Fishing tip: Glow lures are popular with Great Lakes salmon

Salmon fishing on the Great Lakes is really hitting its stride, as many species are getting ready to begin their upstream migration. At the moment, Lake Michigan is particularly popular for Chinook salmon, with anglers trying various techniques to land this prized sportfish.

One tactic that can be particularly useful when targeting Chinook salmon is fishing with glow lures. This species can often be caught near the surface in low-light conditions, and glow lures make that opportunity even more appealing.

In particular, glow lures work well in the early morning hours before the sun comes up or at night. Many believe this type of lure attracts salmon because it can be seen in the dark from longer distances and encourages them to strike.

Are you interested in targeting Chinook salmon this later summer/early fall? Click here to learn more about this species.

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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.