While fishing on the Great Lakes, be aware of commercial fishing activities ongoing near several popular ports. Commercial netting gear will be marked with tall buoys with orange flags, which may be a fair distance apart. Be aware of your surroundings and know that commercial nets and associated lines can cause entanglements with fishing gear or boat motors.

If you are entangled, cut yourself free and mark the location with GPS or attach a float or buoy and leave the net in the water. If fishing gear is lost, report GPS coordinates and location to enforcement agencies such as the Michigan Department of Natural Resources hotline, (800) 292-7800; Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission, (715)-685-2113; or Chippewa Ottawa Resource Authority, (906) 632-0043, as soon as possible.

For more information on Great Lakes nets, visit michiganseagrant.org/topics/coastal-hazards-and-safety/commercial-fishing-net-safety/.

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 and hot weather kept angler numbers low around the east side of the bay. Out from Quanicassee to Sunset Marina anglers tried both in shallower water of 10 to 13 feet and out deeper in 24+ feet of water. Those fishing deeper struggled and only managed 2 to 3 walleye per boat while fishing was a little better in shallower water around the weeds. Crawler harnesses did best around the weed beds.

Lake Erie: Walleye were not caught in large numbers this past week, as most schools remained deeper and farther out. Vegetation was heavy in some of the best walleye spots, such as off Stony Point. Yellow perch numbers were still low, with warm water temperatures likely keeping them deeper and on the Ohio side of the border near Turtle Island, where some anglers reported catching them. However, with cooler weather, conditions were better. Strong east winds during the week were also a limiting factor for good fishing.

Lower Saginaw Bay: Some walleye were caught in the inner bay, but anglers had to fish all day to catch a few while trolling northeast of the Spark Plug in 22 feet of water using night crawlers. A few were also caught at the Spark Plug and around the sailboat buoys.

Jackson County: Fishing activity has been slow due to hot weather.

Ionia County: Several limits at Jordan Lake, consisting mostly of bluegill. Anglers are also seeing success on Morrison Lake with bluegill and crappie.

Washtenaw County: Fishing has been tough with the warm weather. A few bluegills were observed in catches on the Halfmoon Chain of Lakes using live bait and small jigs. Bass fishermen on the Halfmoon Chain of Lakes were having fair success using a variety of soft plastics. Fishermen on Whitmore Lake were having fair success on bass and northern pike using a variety of artificial lures.

Monroe County: Anglers reported that the smallmouth bass bite has started to pick up in depths of 10 to 12 feet of water.

Saginaw Bay: Walleye numbers varied depending on the depth of water. Since the cooler weather appeared, anglers primarily used crawler harnesses.

Port Sanilac: Lake trout, steelhead and the incidental walleye were caught in 100 to 120 feet of water using downriggers, 5-color lead core with spoons.

Harbor Beach: Walleye were taken in 75 to 80 feet of water with a variety of body baits. A mix of lake trout, coho salmon, steelhead and an occasional Chinook salmon were caught in 130 to 135 feet with downriggers, sliders and lead core with spoons.

Port Austin: Walleye anglers caught a few fish scattered from north of the lighthouse and west towards the bay in 70 to 80 feet of water.

Inland SE Michigan: Due to warm water temperatures, fish were caught during early mornings and late evenings on inland lakes.

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Southwest Lower Peninsula

South Haven: Salmon fishing was slow. The fish were very scattered. Anglers fished from 65 feet of water out to well past 120 feet of water. The catch included a few Chinook salmon and some lake trout. Pier fishing was very slow for all species. The lake temperatures varied, so fishing was slow overall. Perch fishing showed a few signs of improvement. Some nice catches of fish were made in 35 feet of water.

St. Joseph: Salmon fishing was unsuccessful this week. Boats had been fishing mostly beyond 100 feet of water. Pier fishing was slow due to warm water temperatures. Perch fishing was decent. Anglers fished in 30 feet of water both north and south of the piers.

Muskegon: Boats continued to find decent numbers of salmon. Anglers targeted 80 to 110 feet of water early in the morning and slid out to 180 to 230 feet later in the day. Most of the fish were caught 50 to 100 feet down on plugs and green flasher-fly combinations.

Grand Haven: Salmon action was good, but the fish were scattered. The most success was found 50 to 100 feet down in 80 to 220 feet of water. A mix of glow spoons, glow plugs, and flasher flies all worked well. Pier anglers were unsuccessful targeting salmon. Largemouth bass were caught on crankbaits and live bait.

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Northeast Lower Peninsula

Cheboygan: Fishing pressure was limited on Lake Huron due to fluctuating weather conditions and wind. Salmon anglers trolled spoons and flasher-fly combinations. In the Cheboygan River, anglers caught smallmouth bass, rock bass, freshwater drum, and the occasional walleye. Worms were the most commonly used bait for these species. For smallmouth bass, natural-colored or white soft plastic swimbaits produced good results. Crankbaits and spinners had some success with walleye. Good areas to target these species included the area beside the pedestrian walkway bridge by the baseball fields, the State Street drawbridge near the Cheboygan DNR field office, and along the parking lot by the Plaunt’s Transportation ferry. Early-run salmon were expected to move into the Cheboygan River within the following week, as cooler days brought river temperatures down. At the time, the water temperature was roughly 65 degrees at the mouth and near the drawbridge at the surface. Pier anglers were advised to cast spoons an hour before sunrise and just after sunset. Glow-in-the-dark presentations worked well in the dark or in deeper water. In cloudy conditions, greens, yellows, and blues were effective in the top 50 feet of water. In sunny conditions, reds, oranges, and purples worked best between 30 and 50 feet of water.

Tawas/Au Gres: Walleye fishing was very slow, with an average of five fish caught per boat and no limits reached. Many of the walleye caught were undersized or deemed too small by fishermen, with none larger than 18 inches caught. No yellow perch were caught or reported. Freshwater drum, catfish, and a largemouth bass were caught while fishing for walleye. In Tawas, walleye fishing was fairly good at times, with an average of eight fish caught per boat, but no limits were reached. A steelhead was caught alongside the walleye. Fishing slowed down at the end of the week due to bad weather and choppy water. Many boaters opted for recreational activities instead. Shore anglers caught freshwater drum, catfish, rock bass, and smallmouth bass.

Oscoda/Au Sable: A handful of walleye were caught by anglers fishing in 100 to 130 feet of water, targeting depths of 30 to 60 feet down while trolling small spoons and crawler harnesses. Anglers fishing from the catwalk and pier caught a few freshwater drum and the occasional channel catfish while still-fishing crawlers on the bottom.

Rogers City: Salmon were caught from Calcite to Adam’s Point. The best depths ranged from 60 to 100 feet of water, depending on the day. Anglers deployed downriggers, lead core, coppers off boards, and dipseys. Lines were run throughout the water column for the best results. When the water was cold, the spoon bite was better. When the water warmed up, the meat bite improved. Anglers used spoons, flashers or dodgers with flies and squids, meat rigs, and J-plugs. Productive colors included dark greens, greens, blues, oranges, black and white, and white and glow patterns early and late in the day. The best salmon fishing occurred about an hour before first light in the morning and after sunset in the evening. Anglers also picked up a few lake trout and an occasional bonus walleye while targeting salmon.

Presque Isle: Anglers reported multiple catches, consisting mostly of lake trout, with occasional Chinook salmon, steelhead, coho salmon, walleye, and Atlantic salmon. Productive areas included the waters between the lighthouses, south toward Stoneport, or north off North Bay and Black Point. Anglers ran lines throughout the water column using downriggers, lead core, coppers, and dipseys. The best depths ranged from 60 to 120 feet, depending on where the cold water was located. Anglers used spoons, flashers, and dodgers with flies and squids, as well as meat rigs and J-plugs. Effective colors included greens, blues, white, black and white, oranges, and glow patterns early and late in the day.

Alpena: Walleye fishing in Alpena was hit or miss, with some anglers having no success while others caught limits. Not many anglers were targeting lake trout last week, and there was not much activity on the river either.

Rockport: Anglers had success in Rockport both trolling and jigging for walleye and lake trout. A few anglers reported Chinook salmon and Atlantic salmon catches. Some also reported catches and releases of freshwater drum and smallmouth bass.

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Northwest Lower Peninsula

Manistee: Early in the week, lake conditions changed. Chinook salmon and coho salmon were caught in the area while fishing in 140 to 150 feet of water, 40 to 65 feet down. Plugs, flasher/fly combinations, spoons, and meat rigs all caught fish. Chinook salmon and coho salmon were also caught off the piers while casting and jigging spoons, as well as using alewife for bait. Boat anglers reported salmon in the harbor and just outside the pier heads while trolling plugs in green, blue, and white glow colors.

Ludington: Chinook salmon and a couple of coho salmon were caught northwest and at Big Sable Point in 80 to 110 feet of water, while fishing 45 to 65 feet down. Salmon and steelhead were also caught to the south off the projects in 80 to 100 feet of water at various depths, though the action was slower. Plugs and spoons caught fish. Salmon fishing off the pier was slow, Chinook salmon was caught early in the week while casting spoons. Smallmouth bass were reported along the piers over the weekend.

Frankfort/Lake Michigan: Rain and a cold front that moved in during the week pushed some Chinook salmon closer to shore or up into the bay. Anglers trolling in 100 to 140 feet of water still reported good numbers in the top 60 feet. Spoons and plugs worked best, with the early morning bite producing slightly better results. Lake trout were hitting in the same areas or off the bottom in Platte Bay. A few coho salmon were reported out front on regular spoons.

Leland: Weather kept fishing efforts low. Anglers who did make it out reported great catch rates while fishing the first bank in 100 to 150 feet of water for Chinook salmon. Dipsies with spoons (blue and green), and downriggers with spoons and large flasher-fly combinations were reported to be the most effective setups. Anglers who fished near the islands found schools of salmon 75 to 95 feet down in 100 to 300 feet of water around the crib and north of North Manitou Island. It was reported that fishing below the thermocline was most productive, as the fish were more active. Pier fishing remained slow, as the salmon had not yet entered the marina.

Suttons Bay: A few anglers who were targeting lake trout around Stoney Point reported less fish in the area. Anglers fishing for smallmouth bass in Northport found success bottom bouncing small plastics in 45 feet of water.

Charlevoix: Smallmouth and the occasional perch were caught in the Elk River by those drifting worms. Anglers fishing the breaks south of Deepwater Point also reported catching smallmouth in 15 to 30 feet of water. Chinook salmon and lake trout were caught out of Elk Rapids by those trolling around sunrise. Most Chinook salmon were caught using flasher/fly combinations as well as spoons. Anglers had the best success trolling in 100 to 140 feet of water, about 60 feet down, as the fish were suspended.

Little Traverse Bay: Fishing pressure increased with reports of Chinook salmon and Smallmouth bass being caught. Chinook salmon were caught just off the drop-offs in Harbor Springs and Petoskey. Success was reported while trolling in 120 to 150 feet of water with a combination of flies, meat rigs, and plugs. More salmon were caught later at night.

East Grand Traverse Bay: Smallmouth bass and the occasional perch were caught in the Elk River by those drifting worms. Anglers fishing the breaks south of Deepwater Point also reported catching smallmouth bass in 15 to 30 feet of water. Chinook salmon and lake trout were caught out of Elk Rapids by those trolling around sunrise. Most Chinook salmon were caught using flasher/fly combinations as well as spoons. Anglers had the best success trolling in 100 to 140 feet of water, about 60 feet down, as the fish were suspended.

West Grand Traverse Bay: Rainy and windy conditions kept fishing pressure low this week. Those trolling in front of the Boardman River caught a good number of Chinook salmon. Anglers trolling green flasher/fly combinations, as well as green or white trolling spoons, had the best luck around sunrise. Most fish were caught 60 to 80 feet down in 100 to 120 feet of water. Smallmouth were caught around the west arm of the bay in 15 to 30 feet of water by anglers who found structure along the breaks.

Onekama/Lake Michigan: Numbers of catches picked up in the Barrel and in front of golf course. Chinook salmon, coho salmon and lake trout were reported hitting spoons and plugs.

Mason County: Salmon fishing was great on Lake Michigan out of Ludington. Several limits of fish were reported. 

Oceana County: Fishing was very slow on the inland lakes with the warm water.  Anglers reported catching limits with a mixed bag of Chinook salmon, coho salmon, and steelhead being caught in the upper water column of Lake Michigan with the cold water up well from Pentwater to Little Point Sable.

Newaygo County: The water was very warm and fishing slowed down on the Muskegon River. The river saw low water levels from Croton Dam to Henning Park.

Mecosta County: Some perch were caught on the Muskegon River but walleye fishing has been slow for the month of August.  Inland lake fishing was slow with the warm water.

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Upper Peninsula

Ontonagon River: Fishing efforts on the river were low the past week. Angler reports showed that walleye were caught in fair numbers by those trolling and jigging alike. Recent weather had slightly diminished river conditions and occasionally limited reasonable fishing efforts.

Ontonagon/Silver City/Union Bay: Angling efforts in Ontonagon were fair over the past week. Efforts from Union Bay and Silver City were lower in comparison. Inclement weather occasionally limited reasonable lake access. When weather permitted, fishing on the lake was good, with anglers recently reporting catches consisting of lake trout in good numbers. Anglers found success when trolling across a variety of water depths.

Black River Harbor: Angling efforts out of the harbor were low over the past week. Weather conditions occasionally limited reasonable lake access. Reported catches recently consisted of lake trout in fair numbers. Anglers found success when trolling across a variety of water depths.

Little Bay de Noc: Anglers reported fair to good walleye fishing. Anglers fared well south of the Ford River, at Black Bottom, and around Minneapolis Shoals. Anglers trolled crankbaits and casted minnow- or goby-like artificial baits. Yellow perch anglers reported good success using night crawlers and minnows, with some achieving limit catches during the morning hours.

Fairport: Chinook salmon and steelhead continued to be caught. However, average sizes of catch were down, with fewer catches of large adult salmon. Anglers used spoons or flasher fly combos.

Keweenaw Bay/ Huron Bay: The bays saw a low amount of angling effort over the past week due to the weather. Anglers reported that lake trout fishing was fair, having had success trolling spoons and flasher flies in 80 to 140 feet of water. Salmon fishing was reported to be more productive that week, with more coho salmon reported to have been caught.

Traverse Bay/Portage Entry: Anglers reported catching fair amounts of lake trout when trolling spoons and flasher/flies. These were caught in 100 to 150 feet of water, with most fish caught near the bottom. Anglers also reported that salmon fishing had been poor, with only a few anglers seeing any success.

Grand Marais: The lake trout bite was great this past week, with boat anglers catching them while trolling and jigging at deeper depths. Coho salmon were also reported caught by boat anglers trolling at shallow depths east of the break wall.

St. Ignace: At the Carp River, early-run salmon were expected to be making their way into the river, with the surface temperature at 62 degrees. Anglers fishing from the cement footing pier cast spoons an hour before sunrise and just before sunset. Glow-in-the-dark presentations were used in the dark. In cloudy conditions, anglers used greens, yellows, and blues. In sunny conditions, reds, oranges, and purples were more effective. At the small rapids just upstream of the cement footing pier, anglers caught walleye and steelhead. For walleye, crankbaits and spinners produced success. For steelhead, spoons and spinners yielded good results.

Les Cheneaux/DeTour: Anglers in Hessel caught northern pike throughout the islands while trolling and casting. Some small pike were caught around the Middle Entrance. Anglers had been bass fishing and were having some luck, but the fish were still hard to find due to the warm waters. Temperatures inside the islands ranged from 76 to 83 degrees. A few anglers were out trolling for splake last week but had no luck. Lake trout were still being caught while jigging out of the Middle Entrance. In DeTour, the weather was a problem this week. When the wind was gusty, storms were rolling through. A few anglers were out walleye fishing without success, but overall, there was little activity in the big water due to the conditions.

Alger County: Strong inland lake fishing of bass and sunfish continued. Anglers did well near Munising Bay for lake trout, with some reporting of occasional Chinook salmon and coho salmon.

Delta County: Walleye and bass were caught at the head of Little Bay de Noc. Salmon and steelhead were caught on Lake Michigan, but the size of fish has gotten smaller as the year goes on. Anglers throughout Chippewa County experienced a very slow fishing season. The Atlantic salmon fishery near Sault Ste. Marie was extremely slow. Anglers targeting walleye and pike experienced slower than average catch numbers.

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Fishing tip: August fishing

During late August, fish often move to deeper, cooler waters as surface temperatures remain warm. Focus your efforts during early morning or late evening hours when fish are more active. Use slow presentations like drop-shot rigs or jigging spoons near structure in 15 to 30 feet of water for species like walleye and smallmouth bass. Don’t forget to check your electronics for thermocline layers — fish often hold just above them this time of year.

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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.