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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: Winds kept most anglers off the bay; however, those who were able to make it out walleye fishing reported hit-or-miss results. Over the bar in 22 to 24 feet of water was reported to be best. Fishing in the slot was slow. Crawler harnesses caught most fish, with body baits taking a few as well.

Lower Saginaw Bay: Walleye anglers reported catching fish when trolling in 12 to 15 feet of water with crawlers around Callahan Reef and around 3 miles northeast of Spoils Island in 20 feet of water. 

Lake Erie: Walleye anglers reported catching fish in around 15 feet of water straight out from Sterling State Park. They were caught both high and low in the water column on harness setups with bottom bouncers as well as setups with only a 1-ounce weight on a short lead. Anglers fishing for yellow perch have not had much luck finding fish. Both largemouth and smallmouth bass were caught on lures in the boat launch channels and the hot ponds. Channel catfish were reported to have been caught more recently both on purpose and as bycatch.

Lake St. Clair: Fishing was reported to have been slow on all fronts. Ned rigs and tubes were most successful for smallmouth bass. The 9 Mile area near Ford Cove seemed to be the best location, however the numbers were still on the low side. Some walleye were brought in from the mouth of the south channel by anglers trolling with harnesses. Perch action slowed to a crawl, but there were a few being caught near the south channel mouth, buoy 26, and near bottom around the dumping grounds. Minnows were reported to be best for perch. Pike action dropped, off and there were few musky caught. The fish fly hatch was reported to still be underway, and this was likely having a big impact on fishing success.

Harbor Beach: Anglers who were trolling caught a mixed bag of lake trout, coho salmon, steelhead and walleye when fishing straight out in 80 to 110 feet of water running spoons suspended at various depths. Early morning fishing was reported to have been best.

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Southwest Lower Peninsula

Muskegon: Boat anglers continued to find the salmon action to be slow. A few large Chinook salmon were starting to show up in the catches, with meat rigs and flies catching these fish. Best action was 50 to 100 feet down in 70 to 130 feet of water. Pier anglers caught freshwater drum while casting spoons.

Grand Haven: Boat anglers found the salmon action to be slowly picking up, with larger Chinook salmon showing up. The best action was 40 to 120 feet down in 60 to 120 feet of water. Green spoons, green meat rigs, and white or green flies all worked well to catch these fish. Pier anglers caught good numbers of freshwater drum while casting spoons or crankbaits. Steelhead were caught using alewives and shrimp.

South Haven: Pier anglers reported catching some steelhead mostly on shrimp. As the water temperature heats up, anglers have reported the fishing getting worse. Few boats were able to make it out, but those that did were making decent catches of coho salmon with an occasional Chinook salmon. Spoons seemed to work best, and most boat anglers were targeting 80 to 100 feet of water. Perch fishing was on the slow side.  

St Joseph: Pier fishing was decent for steelhead when the water was cold. The water temperature has increased quickly, which caused the fishing to become very slow for steelhead. Pier anglers were catching good numbers of drum and catfish. Night crawlers or cut alewives were catching these fish. Boat anglers had slower fishing but were able to catch coho salmon in 100 feet of water when using spoons.

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Northeast Lower Peninsula

Cheboygan: Anglers targeting lake trout found fish just south of Reynold’s Reef trolling Spin-n-Glos between 15 and 25 feet of water. Good colors used for Spin-n-Glos were pink/white and purple/chartreuse. Steelhead, coho salmon, Atlantic salmon and pink salmon were all caught within the top 25 feet of water using spoons that were orange, pink, silver or chartreuse. Keeper-sized pike were caught off the first lighthouse from the mouth of the Cheboygan River. Smaller pike, between 10 and 18 inches, were found off the Cheboygan pier. Smallmouth bass and rock bass were being caught all throughout the Cheboygan River. Some keeper-sized smallmouth bass were caught across from the DNR field station and below the dam. A couple drum and carp were caught as well. Most anglers reported using night crawlers. 

Alpena: Walleye fishing remained hit or miss near shore in Thunder Bay. High winds and fluctuating water temperatures caused fish to scatter. A few fish were caught in 14 to 18 feet of water near the cement plant and Grass Island on crawler harnesses and deep-diving crank baits. Catfish, freshwater drum and a few northern pike were also caught. Sulfur and Scarecrow Islands were productive, with most fish being caught after dark on crank baits. Purples, chartreuse and blue/silver were the most productive colors. Walleye and smallmouth bass were found along North Shore to North Point. Blade baits and jigging plastics were good for bass around the rocks in 8 to 12 feet of water, while deep-diving crank baits and spoons produced walleye in 16 to 25 feet of water. Those targeting the 60- to 90-foot depths found good numbers of lake trout as well as Atlantic salmon, Chinook salmon and steelhead. Flashers and Spin-n-Glos in chartreuse worked well for trout near the bottom, while salmon and steelhead were found in the top half of the water column. Standard-sized spoons in green, gold and orange were most productive for silver fish. 

Thunder Bay River: The Thunder Bay River was producing catfish, freshwater drum, smallmouth bass and the occasional walleye. Crawler harnesses fished near the bottom caught the majority of the fish throughout the day.

Rockport: Good numbers of steelhead, salmon and lake trout were caught by anglers. Fish were scattered top to bottom from Middle Island to Stoneport. Flashers/Spin-n-Glos caught lake trout near the bottom while chartreuse, watermelon and gold/orange spoons saw the best results in the middle of the water column. Anglers found fish in anywhere from 30 to 90 feet of water. A few bonus catches of walleye and pink salmon were reported from lines run at 20 to 35 feet down in 50 to 70 feet of water. 

Rogers City: Anglers who targeted the 40-Mile Point area reported catching a mixed bag. Good numbers of lake trout were caught, along with an occasional steelhead, Atlantic salmon, coho salmon, pink salmon and Chinook salmon. The steelhead, coho salmon and Atlantic salmon were most commonly found in the top 25 feet of water. Regular-size spoons in bright and flashy colors worked well. Lake trout were caught all throughout the water column. Flashers with Spin-n-Glos did better near the bottom. Chinook salmon catches came early and late, with a few midday as well. Anglers fishing early and late were using spoons that glow for best results and were catching them around the middle part of the water column. Good colors were reported to be greens, blues, white and black, and oranges. Anglers fishing south between Swan Bay and Adams Point were fishing similar stuff. 

Tawas: Shore anglers at Gateway Park were able to catch a few largemouth bass, bluegill, rock bass and some throwback perch. 

Au Gres: Some boats came back with their limit of walleye, along with a perch here and there, while others only managed to get a couple fish. Limits were caught going south past the nets in about 30 feet of water on crawler harnesses. Fishing out from the Pine River was reported to have been spotty. Walleye were caught on both crawler harnesses and body baits, along with a handful of freshwater drum, white bass and the occasional perch. Largemouth bass were also being caught. 

Oscoda: Walleye fishing in the lower Au Sable River seemed to slow down. A few were still being caught drifting a crawler on a single hook under split shot or trolling crawler harnesses and crank baits. Lake trout were still being caught offshore out of Oscoda on spoons. Pink salmon were reported to have been picking up, with good reports coming from 80 to 100 feet of water, targeting the upper 20 to 25 feet of the water column on spoons or Spin-n-Glos.

Au Sable River: The hex were reported to have started emerging throughout the Au Sable River.

Harrisville: Lake trout fishing remained decent, with anglers beginning to target deeper water. A few Atlantic salmon and steelhead were reportedly caught offshore trolling spoons on lead core and downriggers. Walleye fishing remained slow.

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Northwest Lower Peninsula

Manistee: Mostly small Chinook salmon and lake trout were reported from the shelf in 150 to 200 feet of water. Fishing was generally slow; however, in the mix came a couple large Chinook salmon. Early morning and late-night bites were reported to be best.

Ludington: A mix of small Chinook salmon, lake trout and a couple steelhead were caught straight out and toward Big Sable Point. Fishing was hit or miss. The piers were slow; however, some smallmouth bass were reported from the harbor. Early morning and late-night bites were reported to be best.

Frankfort: Anglers were reporting catches of Chinook salmon (mostly small ones) and lake trout in 130 to 150 feet of water when trolling the top 40 to 80 feet. Both blue and green spoons seemed to be the best colors, and the morning bite was reported to be a bit better than the rest of the day. Anglers who headed north to the 6 Mile hole reported good numbers of lake trout throughout the day.

Onekama: Anglers were heading out deep to 140 to 200 feet of water. Reports show that working the top 80 feet did best with spoons. To finish the trips, anglers were bottom-bouncing through the “Barrel” with cow bells.

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Upper Peninsula

Little Bay de Noc: Smallmouth bass anglers were catching quality fish. They also noted that most of the fish had moved off beds. Anglers reported catching fish both in the shallows and deeper near bait, although fish were harder to entice due to the mayfly hatch earlier in the week. Additionally, some anglers had success targeting bass in open water, where they were feeding on alewives. Walleye anglers reported a tough bite, as walleye are also feeding on the plentiful supply of alewives. Minneapolis Shoals and “black bottom” offered some action, although overall anglers were struggling.

Manistique: Anglers reported some bait showing up. However, the bite was tough, and there were only a few reports of Chinook salmon being caught. Flasher/fly combinations or spoons were the preferred lures anglers used when trolling.

Keweenaw Bay/Huron Bay: Anglers who were able to get out in the last week found plenty of lake trout while jigging and trolling, but the catch on salmon slowed down from previous weeks. Reports indicated that the fish were holding near bait balls, and fish were biting soft while trolling and jigging. Lake trout were found throughout the water column and during all times of the day, but a majority of the fish were caught during the mornings. Most large salmon were reported to have been caught during slightly windy days before noon.

Traverse Bay/South Portage Entry Canal: Anglers were having successful fishing trips while both trolling and jigging, with the focus being on salmon. Jigging produced more fish when anglers were using cut bait of either smelt or sucker; however, lake trout were biting on both natural and artificial presentations. Trolling trips produced lake trout mainly, with plenty of good-sized fish being caught. Some anglers also targeted northern pike in the nearshore water in former weed beds with some luck. 

Ontonagon River: Fishing was tough over the past week, as recent storms caused high turbidity in river waters. Some walleye were still being caught, most successfully in the early morning hours. Trolling artificial lures has recently been the best reported method used.

Ontonagon/Silver City/Union Bay: These ports saw somewhat low fishing efforts over the past week, with inclement weather being a primary cause. Reports show that anglers were catching lake trout in average numbers. These fish were found at varying depths while trolling.

Black River Harbor: Angling efforts at the harbor were limited by weather conditions over the past week. Those who got out on the lake reported catching lake trout in average numbers. Angler reports show that the fish being caught while trolling are in varying water depths.

Le Cheneaux/De Tour: Anglers in Detour had luck catching plenty of lake trout when trolling with spoons in the flats. Lake trout were also reported to have been caught when jigging in 80 to 100 feet of water. There were a few Atlantic salmon caught when trolling around both the lighthouse and the green can area in approximately 45 feet of water. In Hessel, high numbers of perch were reported to be present; however, anglers were unable to get them to bite. Leaches, minnows, wax worms, leaf worms and wigglers were all reported to have been used to try and catch the perch. There were a few splake hanging around the area. A few anglers were lucky enough to pick some of them off using single eggs or casting stick baits. There were also some nice smallmouth bass spotted swimming along the concrete wall. Boat anglers caught a few pike and smallmouth bass within Mismer, Hessel and Musky bays. There were also perch reports in Moscow Channel. 

St. Ignace: Lake trout anglers caught fish trolling spoons in 40 feet of water between Bois Blanc and Mackinac islands. Good spoon colors to use were reported to be pinks, whites and chartreuse. At the Carp River, a pike was caught near the boat launch using baitfish. At the Pine River, there were smaller walleye caught using night crawler harnesses with orange, red and white, and gold colors on the blades.

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Fishing tip: Using a float while fishing

Floats can be a useful tool for anglers looking to find bigger fish while also enjoying a relaxing fishing opportunity, sitting back and letting the gear work its magic.

Using a float, such as a traditional bobber, classic teardrop or oval-shaped option, will allow fish to have time to check out your bait up close and decide if they want to take a bite.

Anglers will also need to decide between using a spring-type fixed bobber or a slip bobber. A slip bobber offers you more flexibility because it can move up and down the line – depending on where you put a stopper.

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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.