Western Basin
Walleye fishing was good in the western basin during the week of May 18.  The best fishing continues to be around the island complex including N of North Bass Island, between South Bass Island and Kelleys Island, and N of Kelleys Island Shoal.  Farther west the fishing has been good between Green Island and the Camp Perry firing range, N of West Sister Island, and around the gravel pit.  Drifters are using bottom bouncers with worm harnesses or are casting mayfly rigs.  Trollers were catching fish on crankbaits, worm harnesses fished with inline weights or bottom bouncers, and also on spoons fished with dipsy divers or jet divers.
 
Yellow perch fishing has been best off of Cedar Point and around Kelleys Island.  Perch spreaders or crappie rigs with shiners fished near the bottom produce the most fish. 

Central Basin
Walleye have been caught trolling between Cranberry Creek and Vermilion in 30’ of water, near shore in 12-20’ off Rocky River, 40’ off Edgewater Park, 16-18’ off Chagrin River, 15-40’ off Fairport to Perry and 25’ off Conneaut.  Trollers are using crankbaits, stick baits, spoons and worm harnesses off dipsy divers, planer boards and also flatline trolling.  The best times are in the evening and early morning.
 
Yellow perch fishing has good off of the condos E of Vermilion, off the Lorain break wall, 35-41’ off Edgewater Park in Cleveland, 30-40’ off Fairport, 40-43’ off Geneva, and 35-55’ off Conneaut.  Shore anglers have been catching fish off the Headlands Beach and Fairport piers on the Grand River and in Cleveland off the E 55th and E 72 St. piers in Cleveland.  Perch spreaders with shiners fished near the bottom produce the most fish.
 
Smallmouth bass fishing has been very good in 10 to 25’ around harbor areas in Fairport Harbor, Geneva, Ashtabula and Conneaut.  Fish are being caught on green or brown tube jigs, jigs tipped with minnows, leeches, and by trolling crankbaits. 

Based on the nearshore marine forecast the water temperature is 62 off of Toledo and 55 off of Cleveland.
 
Anglers are encouraged to always wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal flotation device while boating.

The last weekend of May offers some great fishing opportunities. Before heading to your fishing destination, visit www.AAATraffic.com for the latest traffic, construction, weather and road conditions that may affect your route.

Upper Peninsula:

Lake Gogebic near the Bergland area is giving up good numbers of walleye on night crawlers in 4-8 feet of water. Bass are biting great close to shore on the east side with a variety of baits working well.

Little Bay De Noc and Big Bay De Noc near the upper end near Gladstone are producing fair amounts of walleye. Good bass action on a variety of baits for anglers fishing the Ford and Escanaba rivers.

Marquette anglers are doing ok on smaller lakes in the area where the water is a bit warmer and the bit overall is fair. Slow activity for salmon on Lake Superior due to adverse weather and cold water.

Indian Lake in the Manistique area is giving up good action for walleye on minnows this week.

Anglers around Sault Ste. Marie are finding good walleye fishing on Brimley Bay when using minnows. Atlantic salmon are hitting in good numbers around the De Tour passage area.

Overall fishing is good around the Munuscong Bay area. Munuscong Lake is rated fair for walleye action when using crawler Harnesses and jig heads.

Angling action around Drummond Island is ranging from fair to good for pike and walleye on Scott and Maxton Bays. Good bass fishing is available on Whitney Bay. Poor weather has limited fishing opportunities for anglers around the St. Ignace area this week. Brevort Lake is giving up fair amounts of walleye and the bass action is rated fair to good.

Information Providers: Johnson’s Sports-Drummond Island; Bay View Bait & Tackle-Escanaba; Top O’ Lake Sport-Manistique; Gander Mountain-Marquette; Hank’s Sporting-Sault Ste. Marie; ACE Hardware-St. Ignace and Gogebic Grocery-Bergland.

Windy conditions prevail around the Alanson area and fair catches of bass are hitting on sucker minnows on the north arm of Lake Charlevoix.

Boyne City anglers are finding good conditions on Walloon Lake and Lake Charlevoix for bass hitting on leeches. Lake Charlevoix is giving up good walleye numbers when anglers use ¾ ounce jig heads. The smaller rivers and streams are producing nice fair to good catches of Brook and Brown Trout on spinners and leaf worms.

Frankfort area anglers are finding that overall all lakes are producing bass in fair to good numbers with a variety of baits working well. Crystal Lake has good action for perch and whitefish on worms. Off of the piers and out on Lake Michigan spoons and spawn are working on fair amounts of salmon. Brook and Brown Trout are biting in decent quantities on spinners, worms and flies in most of the local rivers and streams.

All lakes in the Kalkaska area are giving up fait to good numbers of bass. Manistee and Guernsey lakes are producing good action for blue gill when worms are used. Elk Rapids Dam is still producing fair catches of steelhead on spinners and spawn.

Good action around Gaylord for bass, walleye and steelhead. Otsego Lake is giving up nice walleye and bass on crank and rubber baits and walleye are preferring minnows. Steelhead activity is good on both the Manistee and Au Sable rivers and anglers are getting results with flies.

Bass season is in full swing in the Cadillac area and hitting in good numbers. Mitchell and Cadillac lakes are producing good amounts of pike, Rock bass and blue gill, with crappie action rated fair.

Information providers: Backcast-Frankfort; Alphorn-Gaylord; Boyne River Bait Shop-Boyne City; Jack’s Sports-Kalkaska; Pilgrim’s Village-Cadillac; Young’s Bait Shop-Alanson and Gander Mountain-Traverse City.

Good to excellent fishing taking place within the Ludington area. Lake Michigan is giving up nice King Salmon on Blue Dolphin Spoons in 100-feet of water and fishing between 50 and 60 feet down. Hamlin Lake has nice bass action going on and a variety of baits are working well. All inland lakes are giving up good amounts of pan fish and crappie on various baits.

Wolf Lake in Baldwin is very good for blue gill and bass on a variety of baits. Big Bass Lake is also producing nice numbers of blue gill and perch on worms and minnows. Trout action is good during the evening hours on Pine River and most small streams with just about any bait working. Overall anglers will find great fishing for bass walleye and pan fish on the majority of inland lakes.

Muskegon Lake has good fishing this week. Salmon action is good in the morning and evening hours in 90 to 140 feet of water and fishing 30 to 60 feet down. Blue gill can be found in three to seven feet of water and pike are hitting on bombers while trolling. Nice numbers of bass are also biting.

Great fishing is taking place on Chippewa Lake for bass, walleye and pan fish. Try using rubber or crank baits, minnows and worms.

Very good bass action available for anglers in Grand Rapids fishing the Grand and Thornapple rivers and Big Pine Island near Belding. The Grand River is also giving up nice numbers of walleye on leeches and minnows. Cranberry Lake is producing good counts of pan fish on wax worms and headed over to Lake Michigan perch activity is good in 60 to 70 feet of water.

Information providers: Wolf Lake Resort & ATV Rental-Baldwin; King Sports-Baldwin; East Bay General Store-Chippewa Lake; Shoreline Bait & Tackle-Muskegon and Gander Mountain-Grand Rapids.

Off of the Benton Harbor area Lake Michigan is producing plenty of salmon. Anglers are fishing in waters 110 to 140 feet and finding success in the top 45 feet. Baits working well include Blue Dolphins, dodgers, flies and Spin-N-Glows. And Lake Michigan is producing nice numbers of King and Coho salmon off of the New Buffalo area as well.

Good fishing throughout the Kalamazoo area. Gunn Lake has some very good large mouth bass hitting. Maple Lake is good for walleye on Rapalas, and Long Lake is producing plenty of pike. Sugarloaf Lake and Long Lake are giving up good numbers of pike and the Kalamazoo River is great for catfish on crank bait and suckers. Leeches are working well on good quantities of walleye on Fine Lake and Lake Michigan is producing fair to good numbers of King Salmon in 120 to 160 feet of water. Crappie action is good on Pine Lake using slider grubs and minnows. Try tubes, spinners or minnows for good action on small mouth bass on Gull Lake. Don’t forget to get your fish weighed now through August 31 during the fish contest, call 269-372-2277 for details.

Information providers: D.& R. Sports-Kalamazoo; Tackle Haven-Benton Harbor and Captain Cook’s-New Buffalo.

Alpena anglers are finding good bass fishing on Squaw Bay and Long Lake using a variety of baits. Steelhead action is fair on Thunder Bay River near the Ninth Street Dam with anglers finding results using flies and spawn. Thunder Bay is producing fair catches of walleye with minnows.

Cooke Dam and Foote Dam ponds in Oscoda both have good fishing taking place for bass, pike and perch on a variety of baits. The Au Sable River is rated fair for steelhead on flies, fair for walleye on minnows and the action improves from fair to good for suckers on crawlers.

Good small mouth bass hitting on Lake Margrethe near the Grayling area. Live leeches and tube baits are working well. All inland lakes are doing well in the area for blue gill. Fish are on their beds and worms seem to do the trick. The Manistee, Au Sable and North Branch rivers are fair to good for trout this week thanks to a fly hatch. Spinners with a live worm work well.

Good fishing for anglers on Houghton Lake. Trolling and drifting and using bobbers with leeches are working well on nice numbers of walleye. Crappie activity is good in the canals and the pike are hitting in good numbers with lots of bass everywhere as well.

Good fishing for anglers in the Au Gres area. Out on Saginaw Bay the walleye action is good using minnows. Bass are active in the rivers and shallow waters of the Saginaw Bay. The east branch of the Au Gres River and around the Singing Bridge is terrific for trout fishing. Anglers are getting good results using spinners, small Cleo’s and crawlers.

Information providers: Clem’s-Alpena; Skips-Grayling; Lyman’s-Houghton Lake; Sports Barn-Higgins Lake; Wright’s Sport Shop-Au Gres and The Dam Store-Oscoda.

Again this week, windy conditions prevail in the Standish area creating choppy water. Bass are in the weed beds and near the base of the channels. Saginaw Bay is giving up plenty of walleye in 12 to 16 feet of water on crawler harnesses. The Saginaw River is giving up White Bass and some walleye. Saginaw area anglers are doing well on Sanford Lake and Wixom Lake for crappie. Several different baits are working that overall that include flathead minnows, walleye shiners and wax worms. Windy conditions are also curtailing angling activity around Bay City, but anglers getting out are finding decent walleye action on Saginaw Bay in 12-20 feet of water on worms and night crawlers.

Bay Port anglers are finding killer catches of bass on Saginaw Bay typically obtaining limits in one to two hours. Night crawlers are working very well and the best timeframe is before 8 a.m. or around 5 p.m. Sand Point continues to be the hot spot this week.

Port Sanilac anglers are heading toward the north and fishing in 30 to 60 feet of water for King, Coho and some steelhead. Body baits, spoons and cut bait seem to work well.South of Lexington anglers are reeling in some perch and off of the Port Huron area the fishing seems to have slowed down a bit with some bait fish coming in. The best timeframe is fishing after dark and casting with Twisters, also try glow tails, pearl bodies and chartreuse baits. Silver Bass are just starting to run in the Black River and at the mouth of the river perch are biting and a few pike. Anglers are whipping for walleye more than vertical jigging at this point. After dark seems to be the best time of day and expect to move a lot.

Information providers: 1st & Main-Bay Port; Michigan Sportsman-Bay City; Eagle Bay Marina-Standish and Gander Mountain-Saginaw.

Mount Pleasant anglers are doing well for carp on Little Field Lake and Lake Isabella with crawlers working well. Coldwater Lake is giving up some bass with leeches.

Fantastic carp fishing is taking place in the Lansing area. Carp are spawning and can be found on the Grand River and Narrow Lake. Fish are ranging 14-28 pounds. All of the local rivers are giving up pan fish and Pumpkinseed fish mostly in the shallow waters on wax or red worms. Blue gill are hitting on spiders. Walleye action is hit-or-miss between the two dams on the Grand River. Lake Odessa anglers are doing well for blue gill on Jordan Lake where fish are on their beds. Surface fishing using small poppers, plastic spiders and live bait is working. Lake Ovid in the Sleepy Hollow State Park near De Witt is giving up plenty of catfish and crappie but anglers will need to work at getting the crappie.

Hot blue gill action on all of the inland lakes surrounding Brooklyn, Grass Lake, Irish Hills and Coldwater. Anglers are getting excellent results using wax worms and jumbo pan fish worms. The walleye, pike and bass fishing is good as well, but just about everyone is fishing for blue gill.

Information providers: Jake’s Outdoors-Mount Pleasant; Knutson’s Live Bait-Brooklyn and Grand River Bait and Tackle-Lansing.

Good fishing for anglers out of Harrison Township and the Metro Beach area. Excellent catches of small mouth bass hitting out in front of the yacht club all the way to Metro Beach in 10 to 12 feet of water. Tubes and crank baits are working very well, but fish seem to be biting on just about anything. Between Metro Beach and the 400 Club walleye activity is good in 12 to 14 feet of water drifting rigs and bottom bouncers.

St. Clair Shores anglers are doing well on the Detroit River getting limits of fish near the Canadian side. Shoreline fishing is good just about everywhere along the Detroit River for Silver Bass on the American side from Joe Lewis to Belle Isle. Anglers fishing the St. Clair River between Marine City and Algonac are finding good walleye action hand lining, drifting and whipping is picking up.

Huge numbers of anglers are fishing near Belanger Park near River Rouge for Silver Bass using mainly minnows with a few trying pearly whites, white Twister Tails and Rooster Tails. Walleye activity is good for hand lining at night with Pencil Plugs during the day anglers are just fighting off the Silver Bass. Small mouth bass activity is minimal with some anglers using tube jigs and spinners.

When the wind dies down and anglers can get out the perch action is decent off of Gibraltar, Grosse Ile and Celeron Island, throughout the canals and near the marinas. Perch can be found in shallow waters, however fish are not found in big numbers but definitely quality fish. Plentiful sun fish can be caught near Banana Island and off the tip of Ford Yacht Club. There is still a lot of walleye in the Detroit River on the lower Trenton channel but anglers will work hard to get past the heavy amount of Silver Bass that seem to be taking over. Walleye activity is starting to pick up in Lake Erie. Pike action is decent around the cross-dyke using six-inch jigs.

The reef in front of the Erie Metro Park in Rock Wood is giving up a few walleye on crank bait and crawler harnesses. The Huron River is producing nice numbers of large mouth and Silver bass in good numbers. Take part in the Carp Shoot on Saturday beginning at 7 a.m., call 734-379-9762 for details.

Straight out from Monroe, fish are starting to move to deeper waters. Walleye activity is good off the south end of Bolles Harbor, in front of the Fermi Plant, in the shipping channels, near the Sputnik and Turn-Around Buoys and off of the Island’s using mostly minnows. Walleye action is spotty near Turtle Island and the Detroit Light. Perch action is good near the E-Buoy, Dumping Grounds, Sputnik Buoy, and the Banana Dyke. Minnows and worms remain popular baits. Walleye are hitting near Holiday Beach and closer to the Canadian side. Popular baits include bottom bouncers, Michigan Stingers, Jet Divers and crawler harnesses. Catfish are abundant in most canals and near bridges.

Blue gill activity is really good on Ford and Belleville lakes as well as many inland lakes surrounding the Belleville area. Wax worms, worms, crawlers and rubber baits are popular. Belleville Lake is producing fair amounts of small mouth bass in the two and a half pound range and 16 to 17 inches. Crappie, blue gill and catfish are abundant on the Huron River around the paper mill and Argo Park. Belleville and Ford lakes are both better than usual for this time of year for bass and walleye on leeches.

Information providers: Gander Mountain-Taylor; Chuck Shivel; Lakeside Fishing Shop-St. Clair Shores; Pro-Fishing & Archery-Harrison Township; South Street Tackle-Belleville; Bottom Line Bait & Tackle-Rock Wood; Erie Party Shop-Monroe and Andy’s Tackle Box-Melvindale.

AAA.com

This coming Saturday May 23rd is the opening day of bass season on the Great Lakes and all the inland waters except Lake St. Clair, St. Clair River and the Detroit River which do not open until the 3rd Saturday in June. The early catch and release season has been very good so the opener this weekend should also be good. Muskie fishing has started to heat up and the warmer weather should produce some good bluegill action.

Southeast Lower Peninsula

Lake Erie - Walleye were caught in 20 to 24 feet of water off Stoney Point and straight out from the launch at Bolles Harbor when using bottom bouncers and crawler harnesses. Largemouth bass fishing was good in the marinas between Bolles Harbor and Toledo Beach.

Huron River - Trout fishing has slowed however walleye are still being caught.

Detroit River - Walleye fishing is winding down. Hand-lining seems to be taking the most fish right now. Shore anglers are catching white bass.

Lake St. Clair - Rock bass are being caught in good numbers from shore. Walleye were starting to show up off Metro Beach.

Lexington - Some nice perch mixed in with some smaller ones were caught off the pier. Bullheads are also biting.

Harbor Beach - A few chinook were caught between the north gap and the Cemetery when fishing close to shore in 25 to 60 feet of water with spoons. Good colors were blue, silver or green glow. Chinook were caught off the north wall near the marina when casting body baits. Lake trout were caught about 25 feet down in 30 to 80 feet of water north and south of the port. Steelhead were hitting bright colored lures. Be sure to get the lines out away from the boat. Catch rates for brown trout were slow. Try long lines with body baits in the shallows. Walleye could be found close to shore in 20 to 60 feet of water. Try offshore boards with a crawler harness and the release set light. For perch, try inside the channel or out by the lighthouse with minnows.

Grindstone City - The bass opener this weekend looks to be good with so many fish being caught and released.

Port Austin - Boats were taking walleye in 20 to 40 feet of water while pier anglers found fish off the wall when fishing at night. Smallmouth bass were hitting on tube baits and artificials.

Saginaw Bay - Walleye fishing was good in 20 feet of water around the Spark Plug. Finn Road, Jones Road and Knight Road were also good spots when using a crawler harness in 4 to 6 feet of water. Good walleye action off Quanicassee when using a crawler harness or Hot-n-Tots in 10 to 14 feet of water. Boat anglers off Sebewaing have caught some limits straight out, off Lone Tree Island or Thomas Reef. Anglers saw fish off Bayport however weeds and debris made fishing a challenge. Try trolling between North Island and Sand Point.

Saginaw River - Some walleye were caught near the Independence Bridge when using minnows or twisters. Channel catfish were caught off the stone docks near Essexville.

Tittabawassee River - Walleye were caught near Gordonville Road. Smallmouth bass were also caught and released.

Sebewaing River - Has lots of largemouth bass and crappie activity.

Southwest Lower Peninsula

Dowagiac River - Trout fishing has picked up as water levels come down.

St. Joe - Boat anglers are catching chinook, coho and lake trout when they can get out. Pier anglers found a few walleye when fishing at night.

St. Joe River - Walleye were hitting on crawlers near the mouth.

Paw Paw - Trout fishing has started to pick up.

Kalamazoo River - Water levels are coming down and anglers are picking up smallmouth bass and channel catfish. Brown trout fishing on smaller streams has been good.

Lake Macatawa - White bass are still hitting. The walleye and crappie fishing should be good by the weekend. Target the lily pads in shallow waters for bass.

Grand Haven - A good number of salmon have been caught in 90 to 115 feet of water. The fish are aggressive and hitting on flies or spoons. If alewife are in, look for salmon around the piers. A few perch were caught on wigglers in 60 feet of water.

Grand River at Grand Rapids - Fishing continues to improve as water levels recede. Look for catfish near the dam. Pike action has been good and the bass opener this weekend should be good. Look for bluegills and crappie in the backwaters as warmer weather sets in.

Grand River at Lansing - Water levels are down and anglers are catching walleye, northern pike and channel cats.

Lake Ovid - Crappie fishing was good for boat anglers.

Muskegon -Boat anglers were still catching salmon in waters 90 to 115 feet deep with spoons or flies. The city closed fishing access on the south pier until the railing is installed. No perch reports.

Whitehall - Those trolling continue to catch chinook, coho and lake trout. Start shallow and head out deeper as it warms up.

White Lake - Panfish action should be good this weekend.

Northeast Lower Peninsula

Mullett Lake - Anglers are still targeting northern pike, walleye and smallmouth bass in the north end of the lake.

Rogers City - Lake trout are there if anglers can get out. Start in shallow waters 15 to 30 feet deep and be ready to head out deeper as the fish have been moving in and out. Try long lines in the shallows or downriggers 5 to 10 feet off the bottom out deeper. Cowbells and spin glo’s caught fish. In shallow waters, try mixing spoons and body baits for brown trout, lake trout or atlantic salmon.

Presque Isle - Lake trout and brown trout should be in the North Bay.

Rockport - Those trolling close to shore and around the harbor have caught some trout in about 25 feet of water with orange and green body baits.

Alpena - Walleye anglers continue to catch fish night and day when using body baits that resemble perch or smelt. Target waters 14 to 25 feet deep.

Thunder Bay River - Walleye have been caught at night when drifting flies. Steelhead are hitting on flies or spawn. A few atlantic salmon were also caught.

Harrisville - When boats can get out, lake trout were caught in 50 to 65 feet of water north and south of the harbor. Try anything that resembles smelt.

Higgins Lake - Once boats are able to get out, look for the big perch because not many have been out fishing for them. Look for smallmouth bass activity.

Houghton Lake - A few walleye were still being caught when boats could get out. The bass opener should be good in the shallows along the weed beds. The crappie and bluegill bite should also pick up by the weekend.

Au Sable River - Walleye are in the river and good catches are being reported. Anglers are using natural bait with crawlers working anytime day or night. After dark, body baits with a rattle seem to work best.

Tawas - Pier anglers are catching a few walleye in the evening and northern pike through the afternoon. Smallmouth bass were caught and released. Boat anglers trolling a crawler harness found walleye near Buoy #2 and Alabaster.

Au Gres - Limits of walleye were taken by those trolling bottom bouncers with crawlers in waters about 35 feet deep.

Northwest Lower Peninsula

Lake Charlevoix - The perch should be spawning in the next few weeks.

Bear River - Is still producing the occasional steelhead.

Lake Bellaire - Water temperatures are in the 52 to 54 degree range. Walleye were caught at night when trolling near the mouth of the Intermediate River and the Grass River outlet. Try a crawler harness, jigs or rapalas in 5 to 20 feet of water. Those targeting bass have done well along the east side of the lake when casting spinners, tube baits, stick baits and grubs in 6 to 20 feet of water.

Traverse City - Whitefish have been caught in both bays when boats can get out. In the East Bay, whitefish and lake trout were caught when jigging in 100 to 160 feet of water with a pearl Swedish Pimples. In the West Bay, lake trout were caught when trolling or jigging in 70 to 150 feet of water between the Boardman River and Marion Island. Jigging was best in the early morning.

Elk River - Steelhead were caught on spawn or wax worms. Walleye are hitting on body baits after dark.

Boardman River - Anglers can find a variety of fish such as suckers, carp, pike, smallmouth bass and steelhead below the Union Street Dam.

Leland - Lake trout were reported in 60 to 80 feet of water. The boat ramp will be open for the holiday weekend however parking may be an issue due to construction at the marina.

Platte Bay - Catch rates have started to improve with trout and salmon caught near the mouth of the river when trolling or casting plugs that imitate minnows. The brown trout are 3 to 5 pounds, lake trout up to 10 pounds and chinook up to 20 pounds.

Frankfort - Had good lake trout action all the way up to Pt. Betsie in 35 to 110 feet of water. Brown trout are still being caught by anglers trolling inside the harbor and just outside the piers. Try trolling with gold/orange and silver/black spoons or small body baits. Pike were caught off the pier in Betsie Bay when fishing just before dark.

Arcadia - Small brown trout have been caught off the mouth of the river and along the shoreline between the Golf Course and the Herring Hole when using planer boards and plugs. Limits of lake trout were taken just off the bottom in 20 to 40 feet of water when using green spoons. Big chinook salmon were caught off the shelf.

Onekama - Boat anglers fishing north and south or up near the Barrel have caught chinook, lake trout and brown trout. A few walleye were caught off the piers at night.

Portage Lake - Those trolling or casting for pike have caught good numbers of fish along the weed beds and the drop-offs. Both largemouth and smallmouth bass along with a few rock bass have been caught in the shallows. Bluegills and crappie were still deep but should start to move into the shallows as it warms up.

Manistee - The fish cleaning station is open at the city launch. Salmon and trout are being caught out near the Ledge. Most are using green or blue spoons in 40 to 80 feet of water. A few brown trout were caught around the harbor and the shoreline.

Ludington - Boat anglers are catching chinook salmon and trout when trolling in 50 to 100 feet of water.

UPPER PENINSULA

Keweenaw Bay - Those able to get out have caught chinook, coho and lake trout 50 to 80 feet down in waters 60 to 100 feet deep. Try green, gold and orange spoons or herring dodgers with flies. Up in Traverse Bay, lake trout were caught in 220 to 240 feet of water when using white jigs with cut bait.

Fall’s River - Some steelhead were still being caught on spawn bags or yarn flies.

Menominee - A few walleye were caught by those trolling the shoreline in both Michigan and Wisconsin waters.

Menominee River - Walleye were caught on the Wisconsin side hear the Hattie Street Dam which provides shelter from the wind. Boats were jigging in 7 to 10 feet of water and catching fish. Suckers are still in the river but not in big numbers. No trout or perch were reported.

Cedar River - Look for walleye at the mouth. There was some effort for steelhead near the first rapids, but no fish were caught.

Little Bay De Noc - The walleye opener was slower than usual because of the weather. Fish were caught along the entire stretch between the Escanaba River and Whitefish Point however the best reports came from the First and Second Reefs. Most are trolling stick baits in 20 to 40 feet of water or jigging crawlers in 16 to 23 feet of water along the edge of the reef. Perch and many sub-legal walleye were caught in the Narrows.

Day’s River - Was producing good catches of steelhead east of the highway to just south of the Golf Course.

Au Train - Lake trout and coho were hitting in 55 to 75 feet of water.

Munising - Water temperatures are still cool so anglers are working the shoreline near the hospital for chinook salmon.

Grand Marais - The pier is still producing some whitefish when winds blow out of the west/northwest. Boat anglers have also caught fish when trolling in front of the subdivision that is east of Lonesome Point.

Drummond Island - The walleye and pike opener was slow with only a few pike taken in Paradise Point Bay when drifting frozen smelt in 4 to 8 feet of water. Smallmouth bass were caught near the mouth of the harbor when fishing in 6 feet of water around the rock piles. Though water levels are higher this year, caution still needs to be used around the rock piles and reefs.

Cedarville and Hessel - Those casting off the pier or trolling in the bay with minnows and smelt are targeting splake but also bringing in the occasional atlantic salmon and yellow perch. The northern pike opener was fantastic for those fishing off the piers, the bays and the channels.

Carp River - Some are fishing the mouth for steelhead and white suckers but the bite was slow

Bass season opens just in time for the extended Memorial Day holiday weekend. The weather forecast is good for anglers and conditions should be outstanding. Before heading to your fishing destination, visit www.AAATraffic.com for the latest traffic, construction, weather and road conditions that may affect your route.

Upper Peninsula:

Bergland anglers are getting out and fishing for walleye despite windy conditions this week. Minnows seem to be working fairly well on Lake Gogebic.

Wind and rain has limited some of the fishing around Escanaba but when anglers are getting out the walleye action is good on Little Bay De Noc, Big Bay De Noc and the mouth of the Ford River. Crawler harnesses and trolling with crank bait seems to do the trick. Silver bass are in good numbers and crank bait and tube baits are working well.

Weather has been an issue for anglers in Manistique. A few walleye and pike have been caught near the mouth of the Manistique River. Weekend weather and fishing are both expected to improve.

Sault St. Marie anglers have headed to Brimley for walleye since adverse weather in their own area has created minimal opportunities and the water has cooled 10-degrees.

Munuscong Bay area anglers are getting good numbers of pike and large sized splake on Cedarville. Brimley Bay is giving up excellent catches of walleye. Caribou Lake is a great location for walleye fishing and good results can be found using crawler harnesses.

Weather hasn’t been so great around Drummond Island but a good forecast is in the works for the holiday weekend. Wind and rain has limited activity, but anglers that are getting out are finding a few walleye, perch and pike on Maxton and Scott bays.

Good walleye action taking place out on Brevort Lake despite the weather this week in the St. Ignace area.

Information Providers: Johnson’s Sports-Drummond Island; Bay View Bait & Tackle-Escanaba; Top O’ Lake Sport-Manistique; Gander Mountain-Marquette; Hank’s Sporting-Sault Ste. Marie; ACE Hardware-St. Ignace and Gogebic Grocery-Bergland.

Burt Lake in Alanson is giving up very nice numbers of walleye near the north arm on minnows. The weather has improved and activity is on the rise.

Anglers fishing around the Boyne City area are doing well for walleye and pike on Lake Charlevoix near the south arm in 10-20 feet of water using crawler harnesses and body baits. Walloon Lake has decent fishing taking place for walleye, pike and perch. Trout can also be caught in 10-15 feet of water using red, orange and yellow spoons while trolling. The Boyne and Jordan rivers are decent for trout and plenty of suckers still in good numbers. Fly fishing is popular on the Jordan River for Brook and Brown trout using small spinners. Bass are heading towards the beds.

Windy conditions this week in Frankfort created for some spotty fishing, but nice weather is in the forecast for the weekend. Perch action is spotty on Arcadia and Portage lakes. Most rivers the trout fishing seems to have ended. Lake Michigan is good for salmon and browns when trolling. Crystal Lake is giving up fair counts of white fish on worms.

Otsego Lake near Gaylord is great for walleye fishing and anglers are using Rapalas and crawler harnesses with good results. The Manistee and Au Sable rivers are producing nice numbers of trout on flies and spinners.

Cadillac anglers are finding very good pike action on both Cadillac and Mitchell lakes. Crappie action is good as well as blue gill and bass.

Information providers: Backcast-Frankfort; Alphorn-Gaylord; Boyne River Bait Shop-Boyne City; Jack’s Sports-Kalkaska; Pilgrim’s Village-Cadillac; Young’s Bait Shop-Alanson and Gander Mountain-Traverse City.

Around the Baldwin area bass season opens on Saturday and anglers are anxious. Idlewild Lake is a hot spot for blue gill on leaf worms and some spiders. Big Bass Lake is giving up really nice perch catches on wigglers, wax worms, and small perch minnows, while House Lake has some nice sunfish action. The majority of rivers in the area are doing very well for trout since a fly hatch is on. The water is low and small leaf worms are working well. Anglers are pre-fishing bass on Wolf Lake and the fish are biting on a variety of baits.

Salmon fishing is excellent out of the Muskegon area. It has been windy but anglers are getting out in waters up to 100 feet and fishing from the surface to 80 feet with good results. Fish are hitting on flashers but green and blue spoons are very productive. Walleye activity has been spotty with only one to two fish being caught. Bass season opens Saturday, fish are not bedding just yet. Marinas will be a good place to fish for large and small mouth bass over the weekend which is expected to be an outstanding opener. However, it is suggested to catch and release since the fish have not spawned yet. Muskegon Lake has some good walleye action when using Smithwick’s Rattlin’ Rogue and Rapalas.

Chippewa Lake is producing decent walleye counts and pan fish action is ok. Fish seem to bite best on wax worms and minnows.

Around the Grand Rapids area bass season opens Saturday. Morrison and Reed lakes are giving up good crappie fishing. Blue gill are starting to bed in some of the smaller ponds in the area. The Grand River has high water and anglers are pre-fishing for bass.

Information providers: Wolf Lake Resort & ATV Rental-Baldwin; King Sports-Baldwin; East Bay General Store-Chippewa Lake; Shoreline Bait & Tackle-Muskegon and Gander Mountain-Grand Rapids.

Anglers fishing off of the New Buffalo area on Lake Michigan will find good action for steelhead and Coho in around 30 to 60 feet of water. Perch are starting to come in as the water starts to warm up.

In the Kalamazoo area anglers are pre-fishing bass in many locations, cooler weather earlier this week slowed activity, but warmer weather in the forecast should create an outstanding bass opener on Saturday. Good crappie action taking place on Portage, Pine and Sugarloaf lakes. As the warm weather rolls back in for the holiday weekend, Lake Michigan should once again be on fire for Kings in 100-feet of water. Anglers have been catching some really large size fish on spoons and flies. Fishing contest now through August 31, get your fish weighed, call 269-372-2277 for details.

It is a gorgeous day for all of the anglers fishing in the Three Rivers area. All of the lakes are giving up nice numbers of crappie and blue gill. Red wigglers and wax worms remain popular. Bass season opens Saturday.

Information providers: D.& R. Sports-Kalamazoo; Captain Cook’s-New Buffalo and Fisherman’s Luck-Three Rivers.

Lake Huron off of the Alpena area is giving up nice numbers of walleye on body baits and Rapalas. The Thunder Bay River near the Ninth Street Dam is producing decent catches of steelhead on flies and spawn.

Oscoda anglers are doing well with live baits fishing for pike and blue gill on Foote Dam Pond. The Au Sable River is producing good quantities of steelhead on spawn and flies and a few anglers are pre-fishing for bass.

Lake Margrethe near Grayling is fair for perch action in 14-20 feet of water when using minnows. Walleye activity has been slow but when anglers are catching them they are hitting on minnows and leeches. Many small lakes in the area are rated fair to good for blue gill and bass on live baits.

Houghton Lake is giving up nice numbers of crappie and blue gill in the canals on minnows and worms. Walleye activity is good when trolling or drifting and bobber fishing.

The perch action is rated fair on Higgins Lake this week with perch minnows working well in 30 to 40 feet of water. Trout activity is also rated fair.

The Au Gres River is producing fair amounts of steelhead on spawn. A few anglers are catching and releasing bass. The official bass season opens on Saturday.

Information providers: Clem’s-Alpena; Skips-Grayling; Lyman’s-Houghton Lake; Sports Barn-Higgins Lake; Wright’s Sport Shop-Au Gres and The Dam Store-Oscoda.

Despite the windy conditions this week, Standish area anglers are doing well for walleye on Saginaw Bay in 12 to 14 feet of water and using crawler harnesses. The weather has greatly improved today and a great holiday weekend is anticipated for fishing. Walleye action is strong around Bay City and near Finn Road in Quanicassee with fish ranging in size from 17 to 22 inches. Anglers are typically getting limits two to three miles out and in about 8 to 10 feet of water. Anglers are finding success with spinners and gold blades. A few catfish are hitting around Quanicassee as well. Saginaw Bay has steady walleye action straight out from Linwood in 12-20 feet of water and anglers are finding success with crawler harnesses. Good walleye fishing around Bay Port where anglers are obtaining limits near the buoy at Sandpoint.

Straight out off Harbor Beach anglers are fishing in 40-feet of water for good numbers of Coho, lake trout, steelhead and a few perch on Lake Huron. Small regular spoons are popular. Bass season opens Saturday for the area.

Off of the Port Sanilac area fishing straight out 10 to 12 miles or so anglers can still pick up a few King salmon.

Information providers: Frank’s Great Outdoors-Linwood; 1st & Main-Bay Port; Michigan Sportsman-Bay City; Frank’s Place Bait & Tackle-Harbor Beach; Eagle Bay Marina-Standish and Gander Mountain-Saginaw.

Lansing angling has been unpredictable due to the weather. Blue gill on the Grand River are not quite spawning just yet, but have moved into the shallower waters. Look for blue gill near dead logs and metal structures near town and some blue are bedding near the river trail. Walleye activity has slowed this week. Carp and catfish are persistent in the Grand River as well as many other rivers in the area. Live bait, night crawlers and fresh dead bait seems to work well on the catfish. Carp are hitting on corn, soft bread, and try adding some flavoring like anise or strawberry, any liquid that is sweet. Crappie action is hit or miss on Jordan Lake in Lake Odessa, the fish are good size but you have to work hard to get them.

Inland lakes near Coldwater, Brooklyn and Addison are overall doing well for crappie and blue gill. The fish are not on their beds yet due to the recent cool weather, but thanks to warmer weather today by the weekend fishing conditions are anticipated to be excellent.

Information providers: Knutson’s Live Bait-Brooklyn and Grand River Bait and Tackle-Lansing.

Algonac and Fairhaven anglers are finding that walleye are starting to hit in the North Channel near Decker’s Landing and jigs and crawler harnesses are working well. The murky water from recent rain and wind should be cleared up by the weekend. Overall walleye have migrated from the Algonac area and moved up river towards Marysville.

Near Harrison Township anglers are doing well for small mouth bass and pike on cruncher tubes. The Detroit and the St. Clair rivers are both producing nice numbers of walleye. Lake St. Clair is giving up very good catches of walleye from Metro Beach to Nine Mile Road in 10 to 12 feet of water and out in front of the spillway, anglers are using bottom bouncers and drifting with good success as well as using night crawlers when fishing Lake St. Clair and using jigs in the rivers. St. Clair Shores anglers fishing the Detroit River are doing very well for walleye on both the American and Canadian sides mainly at night hand lining with Rapalas. Good walleye action can be found from St. Clair Shores all the way to the Ambassador Bridge.

Anglers in the Melvindale, River Rouge and Ecorse areas are hand lining for walleye on the Detroit River at night to get past the strong presence of silver bass. The #11 Vampire Rapala seems to be working well. Anglers are also finding decent walleye near the salt mines on the Canadian side across from the steel mill. Fishing for silver bass is outstanding on the Detroit River from Delray to Trenton with anglers finding good results with white pearl jigs.

Walleye action is consistent this week in several areas. Hand liners are doing well on the north side of Fighting Island getting three and four pound fish, jigging also works but not as good as hand lining. The Canadian side seems to be more productive lately and some anglers are trolling with bottom bouncers and crawler harnesses. South of buoy 94 is still the hot spot this week in either U.S. or Canadian waters.

From Wyandotte to Rock Wood the walleye action remains good. On the Detroit River anglers are hand lining and jigging using crawlers and minnows. Anglers fishing the east side of Grosse Ile, in front of Erie Metro Park or out on Lake Erie are tending to use crank bait and crawler harnesses. White bass are abundant in the lower Trenton Channel and large walleye minnows are working well. Perch are being caught near the shipping channels, the Detroit Light and the south side of the cross-dyke. Anglers pre-fishing large mouth bass on the Huron River near Rock Wood are getting good results using #5 shad wraps.

Off of the Monroe area good walleye fishing continues to take place in 22-24 feet of water around Bolles Harbor, River Raisin, Stony Point, Brest Bay and out at the Detroit Light. Walleye action is also good near Turtle Island and the Dumping Grounds near Ohio. Anglers fishing off of the Banana Dyke are finding best results in waters 15-17 feet deep while off of Stony Point 23 feet of water is better. Some perch activity happening around E-Buoy. Anglers are still using minnows overall with a few starting to migrate to worms. The waters are still murky today, but by Friday the clarity should be very good. The winds have died down the weather is beautiful and a great weekend for fishing is in the forecast for the area.

Great angling action is taking place in the Belleville area for walleye on Ford and Belleville lakes. Limits can be had around Rawsonville Road and near the Ford Dam. Road Runners are hot for walleye and crappie. Private ponds in the area are giving up just about everything. Blue gill activity is good along the shorelines and crappie action is good when anglers use small minnows.

Information providers: Mackie’s Bait & Tackle-Algonac, Bluewater Bait-Fairhaven; WalleyeKid.com; Lance Valentine’s Walleye 101; Gander Mountain-Taylor; Pro-Fishing & Archery-Harrison Township; South Street Tackle-Belleville; Bottom Line Bait & Tackle-Rock Wood; Erie Party Shop-Monroe and Andy’s Tackle Box-Melvindale.