The salmon are at or near peak along the northwest side of the state. Those fish will turn dark quickly as they finish out their spawning runs. As these runs finish up, look for more steelhead to start entering the rivers. On the inland waters, anglers are still catching some bluegill, bass, pike and walleye.
Southeast Lower Peninsula
Lake Erie - Perch were caught in 12 to 14 feet of water straight off Erie Metro Park when using minnows. Perch were found near Turtle Island. A few bonus walleye were caught by those targeting perch. Bass fishing was rated as good in the Monroe Hot Pond and the action should continue to get better as water temperatures drop.
Huron River - Steelhead are being caught but no big numbers yet. A few anglers have been seen between the mouth and the dam. Try spawn, spinners, jig and wax worm, or small spoons. Catch rates should only get better in the next couple weeks. Those looking for panfish will want to check out Huroc Park for bluegills.
Detroit River - A few perch were caught off Stony Point however anglers will need to sort out the small ones. Some nice smallmouth bass have been caught by those using crayfish, minnows, tube baits and rubber worms. Fish the mouth for walleye.
Lexington - Salmon are moving into the harbor but few anglers were out. Try early morning or late evening with small spoons, body baits, or spawn under a bobber.
Port Sanilac - Try close to shore and off the piers for salmon and steelhead.
Port Austin - A few salmon were seen in the harbor but not much angler activity.
Saginaw Bay - A few perch and walleye were caught along the shipping channel and near Spoils Island. Anglers were only bringing in about 5 fish per trip so the action is still far from red hot. A few perch were being taken out of the Garner Road Drain near Oakhurst. At Sebewaing, bluegill and sunfish were caught in the marina by those using regular worms or wax worms.
Tittabawassee River - Is still producing some walleye.
Saginaw River - Is also producing fair numbers of walleye. There are fish in the river for those willing to spend a little time to find them.
Quanicassee River - Small perch were still being caught but the action was slow.
Southwest Lower Peninsula
Galien River - Anglers have caught salmon and steelhead in the South Branch however the season to take brown trout is closed. Use anything chartreuse.
St. Joe - Not much happening off the pier except for a few whitefish caught.
St. Joe River - The run is down somewhat this year however there is still a good number of fish in the river. There were more coho than chinook this year. Anglers are looking on the gravel but the fish are not there yet. Fish the deep holes.
Grand Haven - Those fishing off both piers have caught a couple steelhead on spawn. The occasional menominee was caught off the south pier. No perch.
Kalamazoo River - Fish moved in the beginning of October however not many are on the gravel yet. Fish the deeper holes until the fish move closer to spawning.
Grand River at Grand Rapids - Salmon action was fair so a few fish were still being caught. The coho moved through pretty fast and the steelhead action has yet to gain momentum. Walleye are still hitting near the bridges. Pike have started to feed.
Grand River at Lansing - Anglers have caught coho, a few chinook and the occasional steelhead when using spawn sacks and egg imitations. Salmon were reported on the gravel in the Red Cedar River. Walleye were caught at both dams. Pike are feeding and hitting on spoons, crank baits and sucker minnows. Some large channel cats have also been caught.
Muskegon - Boat anglers were still catching a few young chinook and some steelhead when trolling about 50 feet down in waters 140 feet deep. Orange and gold were good colors. Anglers caught a couple steelhead off the south pier.
Muskegon River - Salmon can still be found and some are turning quite dark. Not many steelhead have entered the river yet.
Northeast Lower Peninsula
Mullett Lake - A few perch were still being caught near Dodge Point and Round Point when using minnows. Trollers caught smallmouth bass and pike.
Ocqueoc River - Still has fair to good salmon action.
Rogers City - Most of the adult salmon have entered the weir however a few fish remain in the bay. Over 1100 fish have been harvested for eggs and the fish look very healthy. Try west of the harbor for younger chinook along with coho, atlantic salmon, steelhead and brown trout. Fish the top half of waters 30 to 65 feet deep. Good colors were blue, green and purple.
Presque Isle - Was the bright spot with limit catches of chinook along with a mix of coho, atlantic salmon, steelhead and brown trout taken straight out of the harbor, up towards the big lighthouse and south towards Stoneport. Try downriggers set in the top 25 to 35 feet of water and 3 or 5 color lead core off boards.
Alpena - There were reports of fish stacked up in the channel outside the mouth. Additional salmon could move in with the whitefish. Try Hot-n-Tots or rattle traps.
Thunder Bay River - Anglers are catching chinook and pink salmon as well as steelhead at the Ninth Street Dam. Rattletraps and pink flies are working best but some have also been taken on artificial and natural spawn. There are dark fish and silver fish pooled up in a section across from the access site near the dam. Some are wading on that side of the river however caution needs to be used because of the sheer drop-offs or fast water from the dam which could sweep anglers off their feet.
Harrisville - Salmon are slowly coming into the harbor. Best time to fish was between 5:00 and 8:00am or 7:00 and 9:00pm with spawn, spoons or body baits. Hot colors were silver, red or blue.
Oscoda - A few salmon are being caught off the pier.
Au Sable River - Has quite a few salmon up towards the dam. Try spawn or flies. More walleye were being caught up river than down near the mouth.
Lake Margrethe - Had fair to good perch fishing. Anglers were taking fish in 15 feet of water straight out from the boat launch.
Houghton Lake - Boat anglers continue to catch fish, mostly walleye. During the day, they are using jigs with leeches, crawlers or trolling Hot-n-Tots but at night fish the shallow waters along the shoreline because that is where the minnows are.
Tawas - The pier is producing a few small perch. A few walleye are being caught off the mouth of the river, behind the State Police Post, and outside the harbor when casting jigs or crank baits. A few salmon have also been caught at the mouth when floating spawn under a bobber.
Au Gres River - Salmon and walleye have been caught in the surf near the Singing Bridge and in the lower river. For salmon, try floating spawn under a bobber and for walleye, try casting jigs or crank baits.
Northwest Lower Peninsula
Charlevoix - Salmon fishing near the Cement Plant has been hit-or-miss. Steelhead were starting to show up around the piers and docks. Some turned their attention to other species like menominee and perch for the last stretch of open water fishing.
Lake Bellaire - Surface water temperatures have dropped to the mid 50’s. Only a few walleye anglers have been out trolling crawler harnesses or jigging crawlers. Bass pressure was steady with anglers casting artificial worms, tube baits and crank baits in 5 to 30 feet of water off Fisherman’s Paradise and along the drop-off in the South Arm. Pike action picked up in the northwest arm when trolling stick baits in 12 to 25 feet of water. Perch were caught near the mouth of the Intermediate River.
Traverse City - The East Bay has good whitefish action in the southern sections. Try jigging Swedish Pimples or Sand Kickers.
Elk River - The salmon run has peaked and there is still a good number of fish in the river. Anglers will find coho, steelhead, lake trout and brown trout in the hole below the power dam. Spawn was best but a few fish were taken on spoons or body baits.
Boardman River - There is still a good number of fish in the river however the overall run is starting to slow down. Anglers are using spawn bags.
Glen Arbor - The boat launch has been removed for the season.
Crystal River - Has lots of angler activity at the mouth. Shore anglers reported large schools of fish. Chinook and steelhead can be seen in the river.
Frankfort - As the salmon action winds down, steelhead activity has started to pick up. When boats can get out, they were still finding a mix of chinook and steelhead when trolling in 100 to 120 feet of water off the Shelf. Pier anglers and those surfcasting have caught some steelhead along with a few brown trout.
Betsie River - The salmon run should be at peak by now. Watch for steelhead action to increase in the next week or two.
Onekama - Those able to get out were still finding a few chinook along with some steelhead when trolling. Pier fishing was slow.
Manistee - Boats were still finding a few salmon and steelhead in 50 to 150 feet of water. Try orange or red spoons in the top 30 feet. Pier and shore anglers have caught steelhead on spawn.
Manistee River - Should be seeing the peak of the salmon run. From here on, most of the chinook salmon will be very dark and actively spawning and less apt to bite. A few steelhead are starting to show up in the lower stretches. Pier anglers and those surfcasting are catching light numbers of steelhead.
Ludington - Boats trolling in 30 to 120 feet of water were still finding a few salmon and some steelhead. Most fish were taken on orange spoons close to the surface. Pier anglers caught steelhead on spawn or spoons.
Pere Marquette River - The spawning run should be at peak. For steelhead, the action will only get better. Fish the lower stretches for now. Pier fishing was slow.
UPPER PENINSULA
Copper Harbor - Fishing pressure was low due to cold temperatures and the arrival of snow. A few small splake were caught on minnows.
Paint Pond - In Iron County is producing some nice muskie.
Emily Lake - Near Crystal Falls is also producing muskie. This is a good time of year to catch them as they go on their fall feeding frenzy.
Marquette - Salmon action was spotty however lake trout action is fair to good for those trolling in 70 to 100 feet of water.
Carp River - Has a few salmon and steelhead in the upper river.
Chocolay River - Had reports of salmon and steelhead in the upper river.
Dead River - A few chinook were caught but the fish have already spawned.
Menominee - Walleye were still being caught up near the Cedar River when fishing at night. Most are trolling north to Deadman’s Point and beyond in 20 to 30 feet of water or south down to Hayward Bay. Anglers are using rapalas, different colored stick baits or crawler harnesses.
Menominee River - Those fishing from shore and wading near Stephenson Island caught chinook at night. Those drfting yarn on #8 and #10 hooks have picked up brown trout on the Michigan side near the Hattie Street Dam. The steelhead were picky about the color of yarn, but gave a nice fight before spitting the hook back out.
Cedar River - Those fishing between the mouth and the first rapids have caught smallmouth bass when casting crank baits in the deep holes.
Little Bay De Noc - Colder weather is lowering water temperatures and bringing walleye into the bay. More fish are starting to show up as far north as the Center Reef but the better catches were coming from the Narrows and south to the Black Bottom. Anglers are trolling stick baits or crawlers in 15 to 35 feet of water where the fish were suspended. Some nice perch were caught off the mouth of the Day’s River when using minnows in 10 to 19 feet of water.
Ford River - Fair salmon action just off the mouth when casting spoons or spawn.
Escanaba River - Had fair walleye fishing at the mouth for those drifting crawlers in 10 to 18 feet of water. Shore anglers casting Cleo’s at the dam have caught salmon.
Big Bay De Noc - Has excellent smallmouth bass fishing between Fayette and Snake Island. Big fish were reported by those trolling or drifting minnows 15 to 35 feet down along the break.
Munising - Those going out reported hit-or-miss salmon fishing. Boat anglers are doing better than the pier anglers as it seems the salmon are still staging in deeper water away from the mouth of the Anna River. Fish were caught by those trolling in 25 to 60 feet of water along the bank between the hospital and Sand Point.
Munuscong Bay - Had good smallmouth bass action around Moon Island. Try still-fishing crawlers over the rock piles.
De Tour - Fish were marked 20 to 45 feet down off the southwest side of Drummond Island. De Tour Point was producing some walleye for those trolling a harness. There were reports of walleye caught upstream near Lime Island when using orange and purple crawler harnesses.
Drummond Island - Yellow perch fishing is very slow as strong winds have the waters churned up. A few walleye were caught near Andrews Reef when trolling bottom bouncers with crawler harnesses in 30 feet of water.
Cedarville and Hessel - Anglers fishing in Cedarville Bay and off Little Joe Island were catching a few perch however most were heading to Musky Bay and Middle Entrance. An occasional pike was also caught by perch anglers. Salmon fishing near Cedarville in Bush Creek is improving as quite a few fish are moving in.
Carp River - Salmon action here slowed but fish are still present. Anglers are fishing the mouth to Towerline Road and upstream to McDonalds Rapids. Most are casting spawn or stick baits from shore.
Nunn’s Creek - Salmon are in but the creek is closed to fishing. Anglers can wade into the waters of Lake Huron or fish from the shore of Lake Huron only. Catch rates were good with some nice silver fish caught.
St. Ignace - Anglers are casting silver and green J-Plugs or small Cleo’s off the piers and breakwater rocks for salmon.