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Southeast Lower Peninsula

Lower Saginaw Bay: The weekend was very slow due to northeast winds. Walleye were caught on Sunday at the dumping grounds by trolling in 22 feet of water. Most of the anglers spent their time at the mouth of the Saginaw River, with very few catches to report.

Saginaw River: Walleye were reported caught by shore anglers at Veterans Park casting jigs. Reports of crappie from boat anglers around the marina docks in Bay City fishing with a small tube jig under a bobber.

Eastern Saginaw Bay: Anglers were able to fish along the east side of the bay when wind conditions permitted. Most targeted walleye within the slot limit from Sebewaing, extending south past the island to the bay's southern end, in depths ranging from 14 to 16 feet. A few walleye were also caught near Quanicassee in 10 to 12 feet of water and over the bar in 20 to 24 feet. Walleye closer to shore tended to be smaller, averaging 14 to 16 inches. Those fishing deeper waters encountered larger walleye, though in fewer numbers. Nightcrawlers proved more effective, but body baits also yielded catches. Shore anglers caught catfish using nightcrawlers, and some largemouth bass were caught on artificial baits.

Lake St. Clair: Walleye anglers found success off the point of the Metropark in 7 feet of water, primarily trolling with crawler harnesses. Anglers were also catching muskellunge in 8 feet of water in Anchor Bay near the Salt River. Walleye fishing was productive on the east side of the shipping channel, especially near the buoys in 20 to 30 feet of water. Smallmouth bass fishing showed improvement, with anglers catching fish in 7 to 10 feet of water in Anchor Bay and in 15 to 17 feet of water along the mile roads. Brown and green were effective color choices, with flat worms and goby-style lures proving successful. While targeting smallmouth bass, anglers also caught northern pike, catfish, and drum.

Port Austin: Very few lake trout and salmon were caught; those that were, were found in waters over 100 feet deep northeast of the harbor. Smallmouth bass were caught along Bird Creek by anglers casting spinners and tubes.

Harbor Beach: A small number of lake trout, steelhead, and coho salmon were caught in 90 to 130 feet of water east of the harbor using downriggers and spoons. Smallmouth bass were caught inside the harbor by boat anglers casting artificial lures.

Lexington: Smallmouth bass, rock bass, and bluegill anglers had the most success from the docks and along the beach area inside the harbor. Anglers were successful casting small lures and nightcrawlers.

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Southwest Lower Peninsula

South Haven:  Boat anglers targeting salmon reported catching a few coho salmon and the occasional Chinook salmon. They found the most success between 65 and 80 feet of water, primarily trolling spoons. Anglers reported slow and inconsistent fishing for steelhead. Perch fishing was also reported as slow.

St. Joseph: Boat anglers targeting salmon reported a much slower week. They focused on the pier head for steelhead and 70 feet of water for coho salmon. Some anglers had good success targeting Chinook and coho salmon beyond 120 feet of water. Small dodgers and flies, along with standard-size spoons, yielded the best results. Pier anglers reported catching freshwater drum, with shrimp and nightcrawlers being the most effective baits.

Muskegon: Boat anglers reported a slower week for salmon fishing. A few Chinook and coho salmon were caught 30 to 100 feet down in 80 to 150 feet of water. Orange and green spoons proved effective.

Grand Haven: Salmon action was reported as slow; however, some were caught in 70 to 150 feet of water. Orange spoons and white flashers with green flies were the most effective. Pier anglers reported catching steelhead using shrimp or alewives. Freshwater drum were caught while casting silver spoons.

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Northeast Lower Peninsula

Cheboygan: Boat anglers on Lake Huron primarily targeted lake trout at Poe Reef, with the most productive depths ranging from 40 to 70 feet. Effective lures included orange and green, silver and green, green, silver, white, and chartreuse spoons, as well as spin-n-glos. Reports indicated that Atlantic salmon were occasionally caught in shallower depths while using spoons. In the Cheboygan River, when weather conditions permitted, walleye anglers brought home up to three fish. Boat anglers drifted nightcrawlers or leeches, while shore anglers used deep-diving crankbaits or floated nightcrawlers. Prime walleye fishing spots were found downstream of the Cheboygan Lock to the Cheboygan DNR field station. Additionally, anglers caught large smallmouth bass and rock bass using nightcrawlers, spinnerbaits, or tube jigs.

Tawas/Au Gres: Fishing in Tawas continued to be slow, with only a few boat anglers and a handful of shore anglers reporting catches. Boat anglers managed to catch lake trout, steelhead, bluegill, and Atlantic salmon, but there were no reports of walleye or yellow perch. A few largemouth bass were caught by shore anglers. The slow fishing was attributed to wind and waves, which made it difficult for boat anglers to get out.

In Au Gres, fishing remained good, with anglers reporting catches of walleye and yellow perch. Sheepshead were also caught while trolling with suckers, and white bass and catfish were reported as well.

Oscoda/Au Sable: Anglers fishing in the deeper sections of the lower river, both above and below the US 23 bridge, reported catching walleye. Drifting nightcrawlers and jigging plastics off the bottom have been effective methods. Atlantic salmon were caught by anglers drifting minnows 3 to 5 feet below the surface off the catwalk and pier-head. Offshore anglers continued to find good numbers of lake trout. Atlantic salmon and steelhead were also taken offshore.

Harrisville: Anglers targeting lake trout still caught a handful of trout in 60 to 80 feet of water. A few Atlantic salmon were caught this week on spoons. A few bass and pike were also caught by anglers fishing in the harbor.

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Northwest Lower Peninsula

Little Traverse Bay: Fishing pressure along the Bear River decreased, with limited reports of steelhead, pike, and smallmouth bass being caught. Steelhead were primarily caught in the early morning hours while drifting spawn bags. Smallmouth bass and pike were taken by anglers casting jigs near the river mouth.

West Grand Traverse Bay: Anglers reported smallmouth bass fishing to be slow as the water temperatures dipped to roughly 55 degrees. Lake trout and cisco were being caught by anglers jigging around Power Island in 20 to 60 feet of water. Those targeting lake trout and cisco reported marking plenty of fish but had trouble catching any.

East Grand Traverse Bay: Smallmouth bass fishing slowed down as the water cooled this past week. Water temperatures around the bay hovered around 53 to 56 degrees. Those who reported having success caught bass in 10 to 25 feet of water while casting swim baits and tube jigs. On the Elk River, anglers had success catching smallmouth bass while drifting worms or casting swim baits. Lake trout were also caught directly below the dam while drifting minnows. 

Manistee: Anglers trolling for chinook salmon caught fish to the south in 150 to 350 feet of water while fishing 30 to 80 feet down; most were small and caught on spoons. The lake trout bite was fair in 80 to 140 feet of water while fishing bottom. A summer-run steelhead was caught off the pier while using shrimp, and brown trout were caught while using alewife. Anglers also caught sheepshead, pike, and bowfin while pier fishing with crankbaits and spoons.

Ludington: The salmon bite was reported hit or miss from anglers this week, but chinook salmon were caught at Big Sauble Point and Northwest of the harbor in 80 to 300 feet of water while fishing 30 to 100 feet down with spoons; steelhead, chinook and coho salmon were reported as well.

Leland: Anglers targeting lake trout did well. Trolling the first bank produced consistent lake trout around 57 feet with spoons, spin-n-glos and cowbells. Chinook salmon were found around the north manitou islands as well as the crib. Chinook salmon were caught anywhere from 150 to 300 feet of water. Using orange, red and blue spoons early morning and meat rigs later in the day were found most successful for most anglers.

Charlevoix: Fishing pressure along the Pine River Channel has decreased, with reports of some cisco, lake trout, and walleye being caught. Cisco were taken using 3/4 oz Gold/Silver/Bronze spoons. Anglers reported the most success in the early morning, between 6:00 and 10:00 AM, on the north pier and the walkway near the ferry docks. Pier anglers reported limited success targeting lake trout and walleye between 12:00 and 5:00 AM. Boat anglers reported success targeting lake trout by trolling around Fisherman’s Island in 100 to 150 feet of water using spoons.

Frankfort/Lake Michigan: Water temperatures warmed enough for Alewife’s to move in. Anglers fishing the piers are reported chinook salmon in the early morning and brown trout throughout the day on alewife. Chinook salmon were caught in 100-160 feet of water on green and blue spoons 30 to 60 feet down. Lake trout were reported in most of the same areas or bouncing spin-n-glows off the bottom.

Onekama/Lake Michigan: Anglers had success in 180 to 250 feet of water targeting chinook salmon but had the most success with lake trout in the top 80 feet of water on spoons.

Northport/Suttons Bay: Smallmouth bass and northern pike were caught in Northport Marina. Boat anglers reported no Lake Trout out of the Suttons Bay launch.

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Upper Peninsula

St. Ignace: Lake trout anglers reported catches off the back side of Mackinac Island in 40 to 50 feet of water. Spoons with attractor colors such as orange and green, green and silver, silver, and chartreuse proved most effective. At the Pine River, walleye anglers reported catching between 1 and 3 fish when the bite was good. Boat anglers trolled nightcrawler harnesses or used deep-diving crankbaits, while shore anglers found success floating leeches. The walleye bite was best between 5:00 and 10:00 AM. Additionally, bullhead catfish, rock bass, and perch were also caught at the Pine River while targeting walleye.

Grand Marais: The lake trout bite was good with boat anglers having success when jigging and trolling at deeper depths. Boat anglers trolling in shallower depths caught a few coho salmon and rainbow trout east of the break wall. Anglers caught lake whitefish off the break wall using spawn but reported the bite slowing down. The best reported times were early morning.

Ontonagon River: Fishing efforts on the river were good. Walleye were caught in respectable numbers. Most anglers preferred trolling, some found success when jigging.

Ontonagon/Silver City/Union Bay: Angling efforts from these ports were fair. Reported catches consisted of lake trout, with occasional coho salmon and brown trout. These fish were caught in fair numbers by those trolling.

Black River Harbor: Fishing efforts from the harbor were low. Catches consisted of coho salmon, brown trout, and lake trout in low numbers. Anglers had the most success when trolling across a variety of water depths.

Little Bay de Noc: Anglers reported slower walleye fishing this week, with limited catches. However, some anglers found success using sonar to accurately present casted lures to walleye, while others employed slow trolling with crawler harnesses near the bottom. Most fish were observed along or near steep drop-offs. Yellow perch anglers reported fair to good fishing, catching fish in relatively deep water. Smallmouth bass anglers also reported good fishing.

Big Bay de Noc: Walleye anglers reported tough fishing, although the catches reported were large fish. Good smallmouth bass fishing was reported near rocky areas, along weed lines, and near rock to sand transition areas.

Keweenaw Bay/ Huron Bay: Anglers reported catching good numbers of coho and chinook salmon, as well as an increase in the number of chinook salmon caught. These fish were caught trolling spoons and flasher/flies in 50 to 100 feet of water. Those targeting lake trout were successful when trolling and jigging both natural and artificial presentations in 120 to 150 feet of water.

Marquette: Water temperatures continued to warm to around 45 to 50 degrees, even out towards White Rocks and Granite Rock. The coho and chinook salmon bite around Marquette decreased this week. Lake trout were found from the end of the break wall eastward towards White Rocks while jigging in 100 to 130 feet of water. Few anglers were able to make it out towards Granite Rock and the Clay Banks this week but reported both jigging and trolling as successful methods.

Au Train: Lake Trout anglers continued to do very well jigging or trolling Northeast of the Au Train Island. With warmer weather, lake trout were caught in shallower water by anglers targeting salmon from Scott Falls out towards 5 Mile point in 40 to 60 feet of water.

Traverse Bay/Portage Entry: Anglers reported catching lake trout and whitefish while jigging in 100 to 130 feet of water. Natural baits yielded the best success. Those trolling spoons and flasher/flies also caught lake trout, as well as coho and chinook salmon, with the most success occurring in 60 to 90 feet of water.

Les Cheneaux Islands/DeTour: Anglers in Hessel caught perch using worms, minnows, and leeches. Smallmouth bass were also caught off the pier. Boat anglers reported good numbers of smallmouth bass and pike in the shallows of Cedarville and Hessel. In Detour, anglers had success with lake trout by jigging and trolling in the shallows at depths of 80 to 120 feet. Atlantic and Chinook salmon were targeted by trolling near the lighthouse. Atlantic salmon were caught on 3-color lead core lines and in the top 20 feet of the water column.

Munising: The bite was reported as slow. However, boat anglers trolling had some quality catches of chinook salmon near Grand Island along with some lake trout. Anglers had success splake fishing off the dock on the Anna River mouth with spawn reported working best.

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Fishing tip: Target deeper waters during peak heat

As summer temperatures rise, fish often seek cooler, deeper waters to maintain comfort. In the heat of the day, focus your efforts on depths ranging from 18 to 30 feet, especially near drop-offs, weed edges, sunken humps, and rock piles. These areas attract baitfish, which in turn draw predatory species like walleye and bass.

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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.