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Southeast Lower Peninsula

Eastern Saginaw Bay: Walleye continued to be caught around the east side of the bay, from the shallows out to 30+ feet of water. Anglers fishing around Quanicassee caught a few walleye off Callahan Reef, straight out in 10 to 14 feet, and also at the south end of the slot. Those fishing from Sunset Marina to Sebewaing and up to Wildfowl Bay caught walleye in the slot, around the bar, and out in deeper water of 24 to 26 feet. Fishing in shallow water started to slow down, with fewer numbers, smaller overall-sized walleye, and more issues with weeds. Those fishing deeper water reported better numbers and larger walleye. Anglers fishing off Caseville found walleye straight out and up toward Oak Beach in about 30 feet of water. Walleye were also caught around the Charity Islands. Crawler harnesses and body baits were the most successful.

Lake Erie: Walleye were still being caught, anglers were catching them in 24 feet of water east of Fermi by bottom-bouncing crawler harnesses. They were also catching them in 14 feet of water directly east of Luna Pier on crawlers. A large bass tournament is scheduled to take place out of the Sterling State Park boat launch on Wednesday July 16 through Friday, July 18.

Lower Saginaw Bay: Walleye are still being caught in 20 feet of water in the dumping grounds. The black hole is producing walleye in 23 feet of water trolling with flicker shads. Anglers reported success trolling two miles northeast of the sparkplug in 18 to 22 feet of water with night crawlers.

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Southwest Lower Peninsula

South Haven: Salmon fishing was a little slower than the previous week. There was still a mixed bag of Chinook salmon and coho salmon being caught. The best water was 70 to 80 feet of water, with some decent fishing also reported in 120 feet of water. Most fish were still being caught on rotators and flies or meat rigs. Pier fishing was slow for all species. Perch fishing had been slow all week, although there were some early signs of improvement. A couple of reports mentioned good numbers of perch caught around 25 feet of water. Most of the fishing pressure remained south of the piers.

St. Joseph: Salmon fishing slowed down this week. Chinook salmon and coho salmon were still being caught, but the warmer water slowed the action. Anglers reported good fishing in 80 to 90 feet of water. The very early or very late hours produced much better results than during daylight hours. Pier fishing was slow for everything except freshwater drum. Anglers used shrimp and nightcrawlers to catch freshwater drum. Perch fishing was pretty good. The most consistent water depth was between 30 and 40 feet. Perch anglers fished both north and south of the piers. The DNR boat launch in St. Joe/Benton Harbor is now open.

Muskegon: The salmon action picked up over the past week. Decent numbers of salmon were caught 40 to 90 feet down in 70 to 130 feet of water. Glow spoons and meat rigs worked very well. Pier anglers caught a few freshwater drum while casting spoons.

Grand Haven: Boat anglers caught decent numbers of Chinook salmon 40 to 90 feet down in 70 to 120 feet of water. Glow spoons, meat rigs, and white flasher/fly combinations worked well. Pier anglers caught a few freshwater drum and largemouth bass while casting spoons or crankbaits. Steelhead action was slow, with a few being caught on shrimp.

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Northeast Lower Peninsula

Cheboygan: Lake trout anglers had the most success around the ledges of Raynold’s Reef using Spin-N-Glos with dodgers or flashers. Other productive rocky structures included Poe Reef and the northeast points of Bois Blanc Island. Effective colors were green, blue, orange, and chartreuse. There were no reports of salmon, but it was considered worth targeting them along the north side of Bois Blanc Island while trolling spoons, as nearby ports were catching decent numbers of Chinook salmon. In the Cheboygan River, anglers caught walleye, freshwater drum, smallmouth bass, and panfish. Walleye anglers used a variety of techniques, including bottom bouncing nightcrawlers, floating nightcrawlers under a bobber, drifting nightcrawler harnesses, or using minnow-like deep-diving crankbaits. Anglers targeting freshwater drum primarily bounced nightcrawlers. Those fishing anywhere from the Cheboygan Dam spillway to the Cheboygan DNR field office had success when targeting walleye and freshwater drum.

Tawas/Au Gres: Fishing in the Tawas area was pretty slow, with walleye and a few freshwater drum being caught on nightcrawlers and artificial lures. Fishing in the Au Gres area remained good, with boaters continuing to catch walleye mostly on nightcrawlers, though Flicker Shad also worked. A few yellow perch, catfish, freshwater drum, and white bass were caught while anglers were fishing for walleye.

Oscoda/Au Sable: Anglers targeting lake trout reported fishing the second set of humps, where Spin-N-Glos were productive. Decent numbers of steelhead and a handful of coho salmon were taken in 100 to 150 feet of water. These fish appeared to still be scattered throughout the upper water column. Two to five colors of leadcore, wire divers, and sliders were successful. Anglers occasionally found walleye schools while trolling offshore. Anglers targeting walleye in the river reported a slower bite this week, although a handful were still caught by drifting crawlers along the bottom. Freshwater drum remained abundant in the lower Au Sable River and off the pier head.

Harrisville: Lake trout fishing remained strong when wind and weather allowed. Trolling Spin-N-Glos in 150 to 200 feet of water, while targeting the bottom 20 feet, produced limits. A handful of Atlantic salmon were caught in 70 to 100 feet of water by trolling spoons 55 feet down. Steelhead were caught by anglers trolling bright spoons high in the water column and at faster speeds, along with the occasional coho salmon.

Rogers City: Wind and mixed-up weather conditions were not allowing any kind of consistency for fishing. Lakers were still being caught, but as the water started to warm up, the fish began moving out a little. Occasionally, silver salmon were caught as well as Chinook salmon, steelhead, Atlantic salmon, and coho salmon. The best depths were 65 to 100 feet of water. The lake trout were coming mostly from 55 feet and down, sometimes a little higher. They were caught on flashers and attractors with Spin-N-Glos, Spin-N-Glo flies, and some spoons. Some days, they seemed to be scattered throughout the water column. The coho salmon were caught running lines in the top 50 feet of water using downriggers, leadcores, copper lines, and dipsey divers. Spoons took most of the coho salmon, though some were caught on flashers or attractors with flies. Good colors included green, blue, yellow, orange, white, and black glow patterns early and late, while oranges and bright colors worked well up high. Anglers fished up the lake between the state park and past 40 Mile Point. Anglers fishing south found the best results around Adam’s Point. The hump straight out of the harbor was also good for lake trout.

Presque Isle: Anglers caught plenty of lake trout but were also seeing coho salmon, Chinook salmon, steelhead, and Atlantic salmon. The fish had moved out a little deeper as the water warmed up. The best depths were 60 to 90 feet of water. Anglers targeted edges and drop-offs, with structure proving very important. Anglers fished between the two lighthouses, past the big lighthouse toward Black Point and what they called the farm. Fishing south toward Stoneport and False Presque Isle was also good. Lake trout were caught near the bottom with flashers, flies, and Spin-N-Glos. They were still caught suspended as well, from about halfway down or 55 to 65 feet down, using flashers, flies, Spin-N-Glos, and spoons. Coho salmon were caught 55 feet up to the surface. Regular and super slim-sized spoons worked best. Anglers used downriggers, leadcore, dipseys, and copper lines, running them scattered from 50 feet to the surface. Good colors included green, blue, orange, white, and black glow patterns early and late. Oranges and bright colors worked very well up high. A few Chinook salmon were caught on spoons, but also on flashers or attractors with flies or squid.

West Grand Traverse Bay: Anglers targeting lake trout had good success while trolling in 80 to 100 feet of water near Power Island. Those fishing the west arm of the bay reported marking good numbers of fish but did not have much luck getting bites. Anglers targeting smallmouth bass reported the bite was slow and the fishing tough, as most of the fish were moving back deep as the spawn wrapped up in the southern end of the bay.

East Grand Traverse Bay: Lake trout action picked up throughout the bay, as fish were caught by anglers trolling in 70 to 100 feet of water. Those jigging around Deepwater Point also had success and reported good numbers of baitfish being marked on their graphs. Anglers launching out of Elk Rapids caught lake trout while trolling in 90 to 120 feet of water. Smallmouth bass were still being caught in the Elk River, but their numbers were reportedly thinning out as water temperatures increased. Water temperatures throughout the bay ranged from 67 to 69 degrees.

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Northwest Lower Peninsula

Manistee: A few Chinook salmon were caught while trolling straight out in 120 to 170 feet of water when fishing 35 to 75 feet down with spoons, flasher fly combos and meat rigs; a few steelhead, coho salmon and suspended lake trout were in the mix. Bass were reported from the piers while using night crawlers, soft plastics and lures.

Ludington: A few Chinook salmon, coho salmon and steelhead were caught at Big Sauble Point in 90 to 200 feet of water and northwest of town in 80 feet of water while trolling 35 to 60 feet down with spoons and flasher fly combos.

Frankfort/Lake Michigan: Anglers reported moderate catches of Chinook salmon straight out and heading north in 130 to 180 feet of water. Trolling 30 to 60 feet down with spoons, flasher-flies, and meat rigs produced fish. Steelhead hit a bit higher on orange spoons, and lake trout numbers were picked up as well. Good numbers of alewives were also reported.

Onekama/Lake Michigan: It was still a bit slow out front and in the Barrel as some Chinook salmon are moving through but lake trout were reported around the drop off the bottom in good numbers.

Leland: Anglers who targeted Chinook salmon reported few catches. Fishing north of North Manitou Island was the best location for some while trolling in 120 to 150 feet of water. Lake trout fishing continued to be productive as well.

Suttons Bay: Fishing efforts continued to be slow. Water temperatures throughout the bays were reported at 55 to 62 degrees. Smallmouth bass anglers found some success fishing closer to banks where temperatures were in the lower 50s.

Alpena: Most fishing seen was pre-fishing for this week’s walleye tournament. Fishing was hit or miss, with some anglers catching 15 to 30 walleye and some with zero. Most anglers were casting and using night crawlers. There was very little salmon and trout fishing. Many anglers unintentionally caught goby and freshwater drum.

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Upper Peninsula

St. Ignace: At the Carp and Pine Rivers, shore anglers floated leeches for walleye and perch. Boat anglers targeting walleye on the Pine River either floated leeches or trolled nightcrawler harnesses.

Ontonagon River: Recent rain showers left the river water very dirty. Fishing efforts were fair to low over the past week. Walleye were reportedly caught in low numbers. Anglers seemed to have more success finding fish when jigging.

Ontonagon/Silver City/Union Bay: Ontonagon saw a low angling effort. Effort was even lower in Union Bay and Silver City. Rough weather occasionally limited access to the lake. Recently reported catches consisting of lake trout in low numbers. Coho salmon were also reportedly caught on occasion.

Black River Harbor: Fishing efforts from the harbor remained low. Rough weather conditions occasionally limited access to the lake. Recent catches consisted of lake trout in low numbers. Occasional catches of coho and Chinook salmon were also reported. Fishing activity was described as very slow by anglers.

Little Bay de Noc: Walleye anglers traveled farther south and focused on the outer bay. However, smaller walleye were reported at the bottom of drop-offs in the upper bay. Some anglers targeted walleye feeding on alewives near main lake structures. Anglers cast jigs and snap-jig-style lures. Smallmouth bass fishing was good.

Big Bay de Noc: Anglers reported catching a few large walleye. Anglers also noted that schools of walleye were spread out, making it more challenging to find fish. Smallmouth bass anglers fished near islands and areas with rocky bottoms, casting soft plastics.

Fairport: Chinook salmon fishing was reported as good. Anglers trolled areas near DeTour and deep water near the island chain, using flasher flies and spoons trolled near the thermocline.

Keweenaw Bay/ Huron Bay: Anglers reported catching low numbers of coho salmon as well as very few Chinook salmon in the last week. These were caught trolling crankbaits, spoons, and flasher/flies in 30 to 60 feet of water. Those fishing for lake trout were successful when trolling and jigging both natural and artificial presentations in 100 to 200 feet of water.

Marquette: There was a very limited number of fishermen around Marquette due to heat, wind, and thunderstorms. The coho salmon and Chinook salmon bite around Marquette remained very slow. Lake trout trolling from northeast of White Rocks out toward Granite Island accounted for many reports in Marquette this week, with a total of six lake trout caught.

Au Train: Only two fishermen were reported in Au Train. One angler had his limit of lake trout in two and a half hours. The other angler caught five lake trout in three hours. They were both trolling for lake trout in 150 to 180 feet of water northeast of Au Train Island, out in the flats.

Traverse Bay/Portage Entry: Anglers reported catching a fair number of lake trout while trolling spoons and flasher/flies around structure, with most fish caught near the bottom in 50 to 130 feet of water. Anglers targeting salmon saw mixed success, with a few coho salmon and Chinook salmon caught. These were taken on spoons fished 30 to 50 feet down.

Les Cheneaux Islands/DeTour: Anglers in Hessel caught good numbers of pike off the pier using live bait. Many were on the smaller side, but some keepers were mixed in. A few splake were caught while trolling out of the west entrance with stick baits. There were a few Atlantic salmon and walleye caught in that same area. Lake trout were caught outside of the middle entrance out of Cedarville while trolling spoons. The DeTour launch had been very busy lately with many walleye tournament pre-fishermen. There were two tournaments in the area last week, with another big one coming up this weekend. Anglers did well casting and trolling for walleye all around the islands north of Drummond. Herring fishing was reported to be very good, using small jigs with wax worms around the islands, including Fairbanks and the harbor. Some lake trout were caught in the flats this past week, but minimal reports of salmon.

Munising: Boat anglers did well when targeting lake trout trolling around Grand Island and out at deeper depths. Boat anglers also reported doing well targeting lake trout out on Big Reef.

Grand Marais: The lake trout bite was steady with boating anglers doing well trolling and jigging at various depths. Boat anglers also reported catching coho salmon while trolling west of the break wall.

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Fishing tip: Targeting lake trout

When targeting lake trout in deeper waters, try trolling with brightly colored spoons or Spin-N-Glos near the bottom during low-light conditions like early morning or late evening. These colors and times often trigger more aggressive strikes.

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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.