Want to do something a bit different this Labor Day weekend? Make the trip to the Black River sturgeon hatchery, near Onaway, for free tours on Saturday, Sept. 5. Tours will run 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and visitors will learn about lake sturgeon and how the hatchery supports their conservation and recovery. Following the tours, visitors are invited to help release some of 3- to 4-month-old sturgeon reared at the hatchery into Black River and Mullet Lake.

Learn more about the tours and sturgeon release.

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

Buy your license ►

Southeast Lower Peninsula

Lower Saginaw Bay: Fishing was slow with very anglers seen. There was reports of walleye caught on the east side of Spoils Island in 10 feet of water using crawlers.

Eastern Saginaw Bay: Windy conditions and rain contributed to slow fishing across most areas. A few walleye were caught trolling nightcrawler harnesses in 16 feet of water in the slot off Sunset Marina. A few yellow perch were also caught in the same area.

Lexington: High winds and limited boat ramp access contributed to slow fishing. Pier fishing was also restricted due to beach-level access closures.

Port Sanilac: High winds limited angling activity. Pier anglers saw steady activity with variable success targeting bass and northern pike off the breakwall using both live bait and artificial lures. Boat anglers reported some success trolling for steelhead in 140 feet of water, though fishing was generally slow overall.

Harbor Beach: Windy conditions throughout the week resulted in slow fishing. Pier anglers targeting smallmouth bass had limited success, while anglers targeting salmon off the breakwall reported no catches.

Port Austin: Recreational boaters accounted for the majority of on-water activity. Both pier anglers and those fishing Bird Creek reported slow action, with few fish caught.

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Southwest Lower Peninsula

Muskegon: Southerly winds warmed the water and pushed down the thermocline. Boat anglers found salmon 70 to 130 feet down in 140 to 200 feet of water. Green and blue spoons were effective, along with green flies fished deeper in the water column. Pier anglers targeting salmon reported slow fishing due to warmer water conditions.

Grand Haven: Water temperatures warmed over the past few days, causing salmon to move offshore and hold deeper in the water column. The best action for boat anglers occurred 65 to 130 feet down in 150 to 220 feet of water. White flasher-fly combinations was effective deep in the water column. Pier anglers targeting salmon reported very slow action due to increased water temperatures. A few freshwater drum were caught by anglers casting spoons.

Ionia County: Fishing was slow but panfish were caught on inland lakes. The Grand River produced smallmouth bass, walleye, and panfish.

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Northeast Lower Peninsula

Tawas/Au Gres: Walleye fishing slowed, with boat anglers averaging zero to five fish. Other anglers targeting yellow perch had mixed success. A few boat anglers caught larger perch off Au Gres in approximately 40 feet of water. Perch were also caught off Standish, though most were undersized.

Alpena: Anglers reported walleye remained scattered in 20 to 40 feet of water. Near Sulphur Island, anglers had some success trolling crawler harnesses on leadcore line, as well as deep-diving crankbaits. Anglers also reported success targeting walleye in 30 to 50 feet of water near North Point using crankbaits and leadcore line. A few Chinook salmon and coho salmon were caught while trolling spoons in 30 to 50 feet of water. The best results came from medium-sized spoons in green and white, chartreuse, and black patterns.

Thunder Bay River: Anglers reported a few Chinook salmon were caught near the 9th Street Dam while casting crankbaits. A few walleye were also caught on crankbaits and small spinners. Boat anglers reported slow action, with only a few northern pike and smallmouth bass caught.

Rockport: Anglers reported walleye fishing as variable. Anglers that had success used deep-diving crankbaits and crawler harnesses in 20 to 50 feet of water. Anglers targeting salmon reported abundant baitfish in the area, though only a few Chinook salmon were caught. Lake trout were caught in 80 to 130 feet of water. Spin-N-Glos and spoons were effective when trolled near the bottom.

Cheboygan: In the Cheboygan River, Chinook salmon, walleye, smallmouth bass, rock bass, and yellow perch were caught. Early in the morning and at sunset, low numbers of Chinook salmon were caught at the Cheboygan pier and the Cheboygan Dam spillway. At the pier, salmon were caught on spoons. At the dam, salmon were caught drifting spawn and casting spoons and minnow-style crankbaits. Anglers trolling for salmon near the river mouth harvested up to two fish per boat using spoons, J-plugs, and flasher-fly combinations. An occasional walleye and smallmouth bass were caught incidentally while casting spoons for salmon. Rock bass, smallmouth bass, and yellow perch were caught drifting nightcrawlers between the Cheboygan Dam and the pedestrian bridge.

Rogers City: Salmon staged off Swan Bay, providing a variable bite. Overall catch rates remained low, though fish were present in the area. The most productive fishing occurred before sunrise, after sunset, or on overcast days. Productive depths ranged from 30 to 90 feet of water depending on conditions, with salmon holding shallower in low-light hours. Spreading lines throughout the water column produced the best results.

Anglers trolled standard spoons and magnum spoons, J-plugs, and meat rigs. Flasher-fly combinations and squids were also successful. Effective colors included green, blue, chartreuse, orange, white, black, and UV patterns, with glow presentations working best early and late in the day. Walleye were occasionally caught as incidental catches.

Anglers venturing outside the Swan Bay area caught lake trout, along with a few steelhead and coho salmon. Lake trout were caught near the bottom in colder water, while steelhead and coho salmon held higher in the water column.

Presque Isle: Fishing improved though angler effort remained low. Anglers fishing between the lighthouses or south toward Stoneport caught a mixed bag of lake trout, along with the occasional salmon and walleye. Productive depths ranged from 45 to 90 feet of water, with fish caught throughout the water column. Both standard and magnum spoons produced fish. Anglers also had success running flasher-fly and flasher-squid combinations. Effective colors included green, blue, orange, chartreuse, black, purple, white, UV, and glow patterns early and late in the day.

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Northwest Lower Peninsula

Manistee: A few chinook salmon were caught off the pier, in the channel, and in Manistee Lake by anglers jigging and trolling. Anglers trolling off the piers also caught Chinook salmon using plugs and spoons in 30 to 40 feet of water. Warm water from southerly winds slowed the bite. Anglers fishing along the shelf, both north and south of Manistee, caught a mix of Chinook salmon, coho salmon, and steelhead in 70 to 150 feet of water while trolling 45 to 60 feet down with spoons, plugs, and flies, though the bite was variable.

Ludington: Windy weather throughout the week kept most boat anglers off Lake Michigan. Early in the week, Chinook salmon were caught by anglers jigging, drifting eggs, or trolling in Pere Marquette Lake and the channel. Warm water in the area slowed the bite in the harbor and on Lake Michigan. Pier fishing was slow.

Charlevoix: Anglers targeting salmon reported low numbers of Chinook salmon and the occasional steelhead. Trolling 60 to 90 feet down in over 120 feet of water produced fish on spoons, flasher-fly combinations, plugs, and meat rigs. An occasional lake trout was also caught.

Little Traverse Bay: Boat anglers reported low numbers of salmon on both sides of the bay. Trolling 60 to 90 feet down in over 100 feet of water produced fair results. Catches consisted mostly of Chinook salmon, along with the occasional coho salmon, steelhead, and lake trout. A few fish moved into the Bear River.

East Grand Traverse Bay: Anglers fishing out of Elk Rapids caught lake trout and chinook salmon while trolling approximately 80 to 90 feet down in 100 to 140 feet of water. Cowbells, along with white and green flasher-fly combinations, were effective. Anglers heading south of the Center Road launch caught both lake trout and salmon while trolling in 80 to 140 feet of water. Water temperatures throughout the bay hovered between 70 and 73 degrees.

West Grand Traverse Bay: Chinook salmon were caught by anglers trolling around the mouth of the Boardman River in 80 to 120 feet of water. A mix of plugs, spoons, and flasher-fly combinations was effective.

Frankfort/Lake Michigan: Wind over the weekend kept some anglers off the water, as cooler water conditions were still reported. Anglers fishing out front and, in the Herring Hole, reported good catches during the morning and late evening bites. Plugs generated more action in 90 to 140 feet of water. Pier anglers reported moderate numbers of Chinook salmon and coho salmon during the overnight hours and early morning. Overnight anglers cast glow spoons and caught alewives for bait. Chinook salmon began to darken in color as they staged for the river run. Anglers jigging the harbor and channel reported catching Chinook salmon.

Onekama/Lake Michigan: Anglers fishing the Barrel and off the golf course in 100 to 140 feet of water reported catching Chinook salmon and coho salmon while trolling spoons and plugs in the early morning, then moving to deeper water as the sun rose.

Martiny Chain of Lakes: Panfish fishing was excellent across the chain, with multiple anglers catching limits of large bluegill from both shore and boats.

Tri-Lakes: Bass and panfish fishing was very good. Anglers reported good bass action after sunrise. Some limits of quality bluegill were caught, and anglers targeting northern pike landed a few fair-sized fish.

Muskegon River: Walleye fishing was good in the late evening. Bluegill and rock bass were caught in good numbers below Rogers Dam.

Haymarsh: Fishing was very good from kayaks and shore. Anglers caught multiple panfish and bass, with most effort focused in the channels.

Newaygo County: Anglers reported success targeting smallmouth bass on the Muskegon River downstream from Croton Dam. Inland lakes produced good catches of panfish and bass.

Oceana County: Lake Michigan produced limits of Chinook salmon from Little Sable Point to the Silver Lake Sand Dunes. An upwelling event dropped water temperatures from 70 to 50 degrees. In addition, anglers caught Chinook salmon inside the Pentwater channel.

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Upper Peninsula

Little Bay de Noc: Anglers reported fair to good walleye fishing over the past week. Anglers used sonar to locate fish and cast minnow-profile baits. Presentations varied from erratic reaction-style lures to slow-moving live bait, including nightcrawlers on crawler harnesses or jigs. Anglers also caught coho salmon near the mouth of the Escanaba River while trolling or casting spoons and small crankbaits.

Ontonagon River: Angling effort on the river was low. Anglers reported fair numbers of walleye caught while jigging, while trolling remained a less effective method. Early morning hours produced the most successful trips.

Ontonagon/Silver City/Union Bay: Angling effort out of Ontonagon was low over the past week, with even lower effort observed from the Silver City and Union Bay access sites. Angler reports indicated fair catches of lake trout. Anglers reported trolling across depths ranging from 50 to 150 feet of water to find fish.

Black River Harbor: The harbor continued to see low angling effort. Boat anglers reported fair to low catches of lake trout. Reports indicated fish were caught while trolling in depths of 50 to 150 feet of water. A few anglers fishing within the harbor boundaries reported low numbers of white suckers.

St. Ignace: Low numbers of Chinook salmon were reported at the mouths of the Carp River and Nunns Creek. Anglers caught up to one salmon per boat while casting spoons or drifting spawn at both locations.

Manistique: Anglers fishing near the river mouth reported slow chinook salmon fishing. Despite marking fish on sonar, bites were rare. Anglers heading away from the mouth of the river and targeting staging salmon reported good fishing while trolling spoons. Few adult Chinook salmon were caught near the Garden Peninsula, though overall catch rates remained good.

Marquette: Most anglers continued to troll north of White Rocks out toward Granite Rock and the Clay Banks in 80 to 160 feet of water for lake trout. Anglers reported catching fish throughout the water column. A few anglers reported catching salmon and brown trout near Little Presque Isle and the Clay Banks around Granite Point and the Little Garlic River in 60 to 100 feet of water. Few anglers ventured out to the Sand River and Shot Point, resulting in low numbers of lake trout, though fish were caught in deeper water near the sand hole in around 180 feet of water. Coho salmon were caught between the Lower Harbor Lighthouse and the Chocolay River in 60 feet of water, with lines set 25 to 30 feet down. The South Shore Fishing Tournament yielded few salmon.

Au Train: A few anglers fished out of Au Train. Commercial net presence decreased in the area, which saw low fishing pressure overall throughout the summer. Anglers targeted the flats northeast of Au Train Island in 120 to 160 feet of water. Lake trout were caught near the bottom using chartreuse Spin-N-Glo lures.

Keweenaw Bay/Huron Bay: Anglers reported catching primarily lake trout, with the occasional coho salmon trolling spoons and flasher-fly combinations. Anglers jigging for lake trout reported a poor to fair bite, with success on both natural and artificial presentations. Fish were caught in 100 to 140 feet of water, with some anglers catching smaller fish in water deeper than 200 feet.

Lake Independence, Big Bay: Fishing activity remained slow with most anglers targeting walleye and yellow perch. Anglers did best jigging in 10 to 15 feet of water using natural bait.

Traverse Bay/Portage Entry: Anglers reported fair to good fishing for lake trout while trolling spoons and flasher-fly combinations near the bottom in 60 to 100 feet of water and around structure. Coho salmon and a few brown trout were also caught in low numbers while trolling. Anglers jigging for lake trout reported a fair bite when using natural presentations, with most fish caught between 100 and 140 feet of water with a few caught in water deeper than 200 feet.

Les Cheneaux/DeTour: Anglers in Hessel caught yellow perch off the pier at the marina. Perch of various sizes were present in good numbers throughout the area, with minnows proving to be the most productive bait. Anglers also caught smallmouth bass around the marina using jigs and soft plastics as the fish schooled up and grew more aggressive. Lake trout were caught while trolling and jigging in the middle and west entrances. In DeTour, conditions were extremely windy. However, when anglers made it out, they did well catching lake trout and picked up a few pink salmon.

Chippewa County: Atlantic salmon and lake whitefish fishing was extremely slow in Sault Ste. Marie over the summer, leading to minimal angling effort in the area. Anglers targeting walleye throughout the St. Marys River reported improved success near the shipping channel and around the north side of Drummond Island.

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Fishing tip: Looking for some fun? Go fishing this fall!

Targeting walleye in the fall can offer some of the best fishing of the season. Here are a few things to keep in mind if you target this sportfish in the near future.

1. In early fall, walleye can be found in a variety of locations within the water body, including deep, shallow or anywhere in between. Keep that in mind and don’t stick to one depth range.
2. If you’re out in the morning, check the areas where deep water meets the shallow spots.
3. As the day progresses start heading deeper, as walleye can be photosensitive.
4. Don’t forget to try your luck during the nighttime hours! This can be a very productive time during the fall, especially along rock points and flat areas.

Learn more about fishing for walleye in Michigan at Michigan.gov/Walleye.

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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 nearly 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.