Rain is needed to push more fish into the major river systems. The drowned river mouth lakes are holding fish but it has been tough to get them to bite. Anglers are reminded that lake trout season on Lake Michigan and Lake Huron will close on September 30th. On the inland waters, all Type 1 and Type 2 rivers and streams along with Type A and Type D trout lakes will also close to fishing on September 30th.
Southeast Lower Peninsula
Lake Erie - Strong winds have hampered fishing. Perch were caught on minnows in 20 feet of water off Bolles Harbor. Boats were averaging about 20 fish per trip. A few walleye were taken near the shipping channel while trolling spoons and crank baits.
Huron River - Bass are hitting on spinners and catfish on shrimp. A couple steelhead were caught near the coldwater discharge.
Detroit River - Perch are moving up into the mouth of the river. Anglers were doing well using perch rigs with shiners in 6 to 11 feet of water around the islands. Walleye are in the river and hitting on jigs with worms near Sugar Island and in the Trenton Channel near Gibraltar. Smallmouth bass are hitting on crayfish and imitation goby.
Lexington - Those heading out deep have caught some salmon and steelhead. Lake trout are still hitting in 90 to 150 feet of water. Perch can be found in 40 to 45 feet of water all the way up to Port Sanilac, but the action was spotty. Keep moving until you locate a school of fish.
Harbor Beach - Salmon are being taken out in the 90 to 140 foot of water. Try Spin Doctors, action flies and magnum spoons 125 to 225 feet back. Good colors were black with glow, gold, green or blue. In the early morning, try trolling body baits or J-Plugs in the channel. Steelhead action continues to get better. Use bright pink, yellow and orange lures 150 feet behind the offshore boards, downriggers or dipsey’s. Target the top 35 to 50 feet and try trolling faster than usual. Lake trout action is still good straight out and north in waters 80 to 130 feet deep. For walleye, head straight out and north of the harbor with crawler harnesses, Hot-n-Tots or medium spoons. Best colors were copper, orange, green, and yellow, straight or with small blades in front. Perch fishing is slow but do try 30 to 60 feet of water down near the cemetery, Wagner Park, and near the lighthouse.
Port Austin - Boat anglers are catching lake trout in waters up to 150 feet deep. Those heading out further have caught a couple steelhead and walleye. Smallmouth bass were taken in 40 feet of water.
Saginaw Bay - A few perch have been caught around various buoys along the shipping channel. The best thing to do is to keep moving until you find an active school of fish. Walleye were caught near Buoy G which is the sailing buoy off the mouth of the Saginaw River. Good numbers of smallmouth bass have been caught around Spoils Island and catfish are still hitting in the Hot Pond. At Sebewaing, just a few perch were caught in the boat channel. Walleye fishing was slow.
Saginaw River - Shore anglers in the lower river have caught a mix of bass, walleye, carp, catfish and freshwater drum when using crawlers.
Quanicassee River - A few perch and occasional walleye have been caught. Some perch were caught in shallow waters just off the mouth of the river. Sorting will be necessary as there are still lots of small ones for every keeper.
Southwest Lower Peninsula
St. Joe River - Salmon and trout have been caught by those trolling in the mud lines, between the piers and out in waters 30 to 40 feet deep. Pier anglers are also taking some fish. Early morning is best.
South Haven - Those trolling in 40 to 60 feet of water have caught trout and salmon. Perch were caught in 35 to 40 feet of water.
Grand Haven - Boats were still heading out and fishing in 180 to 245 feet of water. Most were fishing the top 55 feet with spoons. Spring colors seem to work best. A few chinook and coho were caught in the channel and around the piers when casting spoons. No perch to report.
Grand River at Grand Rapids - Catch rates were still slow except for some coho being caught in the early morning. They were hitting on flies and spawn. No word on catfish, bass, walleye or panfish.
Grand River at Lansing - A few coho have been caught over at the dam at Moore’s Park and at the point where the Grand meets the Red Cedar. No good numbers yet however rain in the forecast should push more fish up this way.
Lake Lansing - A few largemouth bass and some pike have been caught.
Muskegon - Few fish were in the channel and around the piers. No perch to report.
Muskegon Lake - Anglers jigging around the Sand Docks had some success.
Northeast Lower Peninsula
Mullett Lake - A few pike were caught on the southeast end of the lake while bass were hitting on natural and artificial bait along the breaks and at the mouth of the Cheboygan River. Some nice perch have been caught south of Dodge Point and on both the east and the west side of the lake.
Rogers City - Adult salmon have been caught in the outer part of Swan Bay. Until we get a good rain, fish the shallow waters early or late between Calcite Harbor, Swan Bay and Adams Point. Try J-plugs or bombers off planer boards 100 to 150 feet back or spoons off downriggers 4 to 12 feet down. There appears to be a lot of salmon in 45 to 70 feet of water as well. Good colors have been blue and silver, green and yellow, watermelon, pearl pink or black and white.
Rockport - Pier anglers have caught a few salmon, including a nice 35 inch chinook which was taken on a double jointed Cleo. Coho were caught in 60 feet of water near Middle Island, and chinook were caught in 90 feet of water between the launch and the island. Good lake trout action out near the wreck and around the island.
Long Lake - Had fair to good perch fishing.
Alpena - No salmon to report. Lake trout action has been good around Thunder Bay Island in 90 to 100 feet of water. Orange and green were good colors. There was talk of walleye caught around North Point on reef runners and perch style body baits.
Thunder Bay River - Fish were caught in the evening when using glow spoons.
Harrisville - Fish have been caught by shore and boat anglers. Some vary in color but most are silver and range from 12 to 15 pounds. Fish the harbor and out to waters 40 feet deep with spoons or body baits in green or pink. Walleye were caught outside the harbor on spoons intended for salmon.
Oscoda - Boats are still heading out to 40 and 60 feet of water. Early morning was best for chinook and steelhead.
Au Sable River - Is now into the final week of trout fishing on the Type 1 and Type 2 waters. The river has had excellent hatches of Blue-winged Olives and White Flies below Mio. Anglers are catching good numbers of both rainbow and brown trout. Flying ants are producing some good trout action on the mainstream below Grayling.
Lake Margrethe - Had good walleye fishing for those trolling body baits or drifting crawler harnesses.
Higgins Lake - Anglers are targeting lake trout when jigging or trolling out from the Conference Center. A few perch and rock bass are still being caught.
Houghton Lake - Walleye are being caught along the weedbeds when drifting crawler harnesses or trolling body baits.
Tawas - A few salmon were seen jumping inside the harbor early in the morning. A couple fish have been caught when casting spoons or floating spawn under a bobber.
Tawas River - Has light numbers of salmon.
Au Gres - Walleye fishing is pretty slow except for a few caught in 10 to 20 feet of water near the mouth of the river.
Au Gres River - Small boats trolling in the lower river have caught a few nice pike and the occasional walleye. Those surfcasting near the Singing Bridge have caught a few salmon and steelhead when casting spoons or floating spawn bags. Perch fishing was spotty.
Northwest Lower Peninsula
Petoskey - Salmon have moved in closer so those fishing off the mouth of the river, off the piers and in smaller boats have caught fish. Boats did well with spoons, plugs and squid and shore anglers are casting glow spoons or minnows. Green has been a good color however pier anglers were also using fire-tiger or pink and white. Lake trout are down 80 to 100 feet and hitting green flies behind dodgers.
Lake Charlevoix - Perch and smallmouth anglers are taking fish.
Lake Bellaire - Good numbers of walleye have been caught by those trolling or jigging in the south and northwest arms, the Narrows and near Fisherman’s Paradise. They are trolling crawler harnesses and stick baits or jigging with leeches and crawlers in 8 to 40 feet of water. The fish range from 14 to 30 inches. Bass were caught in 8 to 25 feet of water near the northern flats and along the drop-off near the access site. Try artificial worms, tube baits, spinners or crank baits. Pike were hitting on spoons or stick baits in 15 to 30 feet of water in the northwest arm. Several perch between 4 and 9 inches have been caught on minnows and crawlers in 5 to 20 feet of water near the mouth of the Intermediate River. Some bluegills were caught.
Traverse City - Salmon action in the East Bay has been slow. Whitefish were caught in the southern portions when jigging in 100 to 200 feet of water. In the West Bay, salmon have started to congregate at the mouth of the Boardman River. Try white and fire-tiger J-Plugs or jointed rapalas with green and white flasher/fly combos.
Elk River - Salmon and steelhead are slowly moving into the river. Try drifting spawn or casting body baits.
Boardman River - Salmon and steelhead are starting to come into the river. Those using spawn have caught a few fish.
Leland - The northwest end of North Manitou Island has produced limits of fish for those able to get out on the water before daylight. Several fish were in the 10 to 13 pound range. Lakers are always in abundance around the First Bank.
Glen Arbor - The west side of South Manitou Island is still producing some nice chinook in 80 to 110 feet of water in the early morning. Green and blue spoons with flies were taking fish. A couple steelhead were caught in waters up to 60 feet deep.
Frankfort - Fish were caught in the Herring Hole and out on the Shelf when trolling 45 to 55 feet down in 80 to 120 feet of water with spoons and flies. Good numbers of chinook and coho have been caught all the way up into Platte Bay. Pier anglers are catching salmon on alewife rigs. They are still dredging between the piers however anglers can still fish off the very ends.
Betsie River - Recent rain has pushed some more fish into the river, especially in the lower sections. Decent numbers of fish have been caught from the M-22 Bridge to the US-31 Bridge. Anglers are casting squid or drifting spawn.
Onekama - The better catches were coming straight out on the Shelf when trolling spoons or plugs in 100 to 140 feet of water. Anglers were taking good catches of fresh chinook, coho, lake trout and steelhead. Pier fishing was slow due to the lack of baitfish. When anglers can get alewife, catch rates were good.
Portage Lake - Is producing a good mix of largemouth bass and smallmouth bass on the west end of the lake. Panfish are deep and scattered.
Manistee - Boats are still heading out and catching salmon and steelhead in 150 to 300 feet of water. Most fish were caught on orange spoons in the top 60 feet. Pier anglers caught a few fish on glow spoons.
Manistee River - Salmon fishing was a bit slow. There are some fish in the river however warm temperatures and low clear waters are keeping them off the gravel. Rain by the weekend should help but until then, concentrate on the deeper holes in the lower stretches.
Ludington - Boats are catching some salmon and steelhead in 100 to 200 feet of water. For steelhead, try 3, 5 or 8 colors of lead with orange spoons. Pier anglers and those surfcasting near the State Park reported slow catch rates.
Pere Marquette River - The salmon action is slow and not many fish are on the gravel yet. That could change by the weekend but for now, fish the lower stretches.
UPPER PENINSULA
Copper Harbor - Splake are showing up in the harbor but are not actively feeding at this time.
Lac La Belle - Fishing is slow with only a few smallmouth bass and some smaller pike showing up in the shallows.
Keweenaw Bay - Chinook, coho, lake trout and steelhead were caught between Sand Point and Carla’s Restaurant. Try 50 to 70 feet down in waters 60 to 75 feet deep in the morning. In the head of the bay, try 40 to 55 feet down in 60 feet of water. In Traverse Bay, the lake trout bite is steady when slow trolling in 130 to 150 feet of water. Nice fish are still being caught between Big Louie’s Point and Gay Point. Those jigging in 220 to 240 feet of water picked up some lake trout.
Falls River - A few coho were caught on the southwest side of US-41 when casting lures. No chinook or pink salmon were found.
Marquette - Has good lake trout fishing when trolling in 120 to 150 feet of water towards Granite Island and the white rocks.
Chocolay River - There has been reports of salmon caught in the river and just outside the breakwall. The majority of salmon have not moved into the rivers yet.
Menominee - A lot of salmon are jumping near the mouth of the Menominee River however the bite was slow. Those heading out of Stony Point caught a few walleye in 12 to 20 feet of water. Walleye fishing has started to pick up at night off the Cedar River access site. Boats are trolling both north and south of the river with crawler harnesses and rapalas in a variety of colors.
Menominee River - Shore fishing at night for walleye has picked up from the mouth to the Hattie Street Dam. Walleye are being caught on jigs with crawlers, zip lures, and crawler harnesses when trolling. Salmon are starting to come up the river, but only a few have been caught on spawn bags or blue and silver spoons. Sturgeon fishing is still keeping the area near Hattie Street active with lots of fish in the 30 to 40 inch range taken. Anglers are reminded that the minimum size limit is 60 inches and the season will close on September 30th.
Cedar River - Smallmouth fishing slowed between the mouth and the first rapids however lots of rock bass have been caught so this is a good fishery for the kids. No salmon were seen or reported.
Au Train - Lake trout fishing is still good with limit catches reported. The main action has been around the flats and the islands when using jigs tipped with sucker minnows or trolling spoons.
Munising - Has great lake trout fishing in 90 to 170 feet of water. No reports on salmon or steelhead.
Grand Marais - A few salmon were caught in 40 to 80 feet of water. Lake trout fishing is very good for those trolling in waters 170 feet deep. Pier fishing was slow.
Munuscong - Perch were hitting on minnows and crawlers in 11 feet of water just off the boat launch in Raber Bay. Northern pike are hitting in Maud Bay.
De Tour - Anglers trolling the shipping channel to the lighthouse are fishing 30 to 40 feet down during the day and deeper in the evening. They are trolling orange and black or yellow and silver spoons. Lake trout and coho are being picked up 3 to 4 miles south of the lighthouse, past the “Hump” and to the flats. Lake trout are on the bottom and coho are 80 feet down. Try blue and white combination spoons.
Drummond Island - Anglers are now catching 8 to 11 inch perch on the west side of Harbor Island in 22 feet of water. Northern pike are hitting red and white spoons along weed lines at Grape Island. Smallmouth bass action is very good near Moon Island when using rubber jigs or still-fishing crawlers.
Cedarville and Hessel - Those fishing minnows off the pier at the Hessel Marina have caught smallmouth bass, perch and pike. The pike are small. Smallmouth were hitting on spinner baits near the rocks and points of Snows Channel, the east end of Musky Bay, Connors Point and the Middle Entrance. For perch, check out Musky Bay and the Middle Entrance while drifting or trolling small crawler harnesses.
Carp River - Is starting to see some action with a few chinook and pink salmon caught at the mouth while casting red and silver, green and lime or purple and silver spoons. Beds have been spotted in the deeper pools up near McDonald Rapids.
St. Ignace - Anglers fishing from shore near the freighter docks were catching a few chinook. Some were casting silver J-Plugs or small Cleo’s off the rocks.
