Salmon runs on the west side of the state are at or near peak conditions. Anglers looking for the number of fish passed at the weirs can call the Little Manistee Weir at 231-775-9727 (ext) 6072 and the Platte River Weirs at 231-775-9727 (ext) 6073. Anglers should note that the message is changed only when we handle fish.
Southeast Lower Peninsula
Lake Erie - A few perch were caught off the Fermi Power Plant and Stony Point.
Huron River - Steelhead are slowly coming into the river. Fish were caught up at the dam and near the bridge on Telegraph Road. Right now they are hitting on Mepps and Rooster Tail spinners, flies or a jig and wax worm. Those fishing the backwaters of Huroc Park found some nice bluegills.
Detroit River - Has had low angler participation because of the weather. There was a report of a few walleye caught in the Trenton Channel near Harrison Park. No word on perch this week.
Lake St. Clair - Perch were caught but not n big numbers. Those fishing in Anchor Bay caught some muskie.
Lexington - Boat anglers trolling spoons in waters 30 to 70 feet deep have caught a limited number of salmon and steelhead. Salmon were starting to come into the harbor where pier anglers are targeting them with body baits or spoons. They have also caught the occasional steelhead or northern pike. Perch fishing was slow.
Port Sanilac - Boats trolling closer to shore have picked up a few salmon or steelhead. Shore anglers have caught an occasional steelhead. No perch fishing.
Harbor Beach - Did not have much in the way of boating activity. Salmon and steelhead fishing were slow. A few walleye were caught however overall activity has been slow since lake trout season closed.
Port Austin - Salmon and steelhead fishing were slow.
Saginaw Bay - Anglers managed to pick up a few walleye when trolling crawler harnesses in front of the Hot Ponds. The remaining ports had little effort for walleye. A few perch are being taken in or near the shipping channel. Bay Port and Caseville were quiet.
Quanicassee River - Small perch were caught but overall the action was slow.
Sebewaing River - Anglers caught some perch however they were working hard to get a dozen keepers.
Southwest Lower Peninsula
St. Joe River - Fish are in the river however catch rates were slow. Anglers are using a variety of lures and natural baits but few fish were caught. Try the deeper holes up near Berrien Springs Dam or down near the mouth.
Paw Paw River - Is producing a few salmon.
Grand Haven - Rumor has it some steelhead were taken off both the north and south piers.
Grand River at Grand Rapids - Salmon action has slowed but a few fresh fish were still being caught up near the dam and off the east wall when drifting small spawn bags. Fish were also caught off the Fulton Street Bridge when back bouncing spawn bags. The occasional walleye was caught by those back trolling Hot-n-Tots or rapalas off the Fulton, Blue, Walk and Pearl Street bridges. Pike were hitting on spoons and crappie were caught near the bridge at Riverside Park and Bridge Street.
Grand River at Lansing - The salmon are here and anglers are catching some fish. The hot spot was the point where the Grand meets the Red Cedar followed by the North Lansing Dam and Portland. Anglers are reminded that snagging in not a legal method of take for any species including trout and salmon. Check out the North Lansing Dam for channel cats.
Looking Glass River - Look for hungry pike along the weed beds as this is the time of year these fish go on a feeding frenzy.
Muskegon River - Salmon are in the river and hitting on flies, spawn, or spoons. Some fish were spotted on the beds up near Newaygo. Not many steelhead yet.
White River - Salmon can still be found between Hesperia and Pine Point. Catch rates should only get better in the next week or two.
Northeast Lower Peninsula
Cheboygan River - Fish have been caught from the mouth all the way up to the Cheboygan Dam.
Mullett Lake - Anglers this past week were getting a few perch on the north end of the lake when using minnows.
Ocqueoc River - Salmon can be found throughout the river system. Try spawn, flies, spoons, body baits or plugs.
Rogers City - A few boats anchored in the bay had limited success when casting Cleo’s and fire-tiger body baits. There should be some silver fish in 40 to 70 feet of water. Pier and shore fishing was slow. Anglers are reminded of the spawning closure on the Swan River.
Grand Lake - Is producing some perch. For bass, try crawlers or spinners around the islands.
Alpena - Boating traffic has ceased for the most part. Shore anglers might still find a few walleye near the launch or the marina.
Thunder Bay River - Has been seeing all the action. The bite is slow but the salmon that have been caught are larger than last year measuring 28 to 30 inches. Shore anglers have been taking chinook on rubber eggs, flies, and rattletraps. Blue and silver or black and chrome were good colors. Pink flies have also taken fish. Boat anglers caught fish on Hot-n-Tots. A few pink salmon were also caught.
Fletcher’s Pond - Was yielding some pike and bass.
Harrisville - Salmon are slowly coming into and around the harbor and hitting on spawn or spoons. Blue and silver were the hot colors. A few walleye were caught on crawler harnesses or body baits.
Oscoda - Salmon are slow coming into the river but pier anglers have managed to catch a few fish. Walleye are still being caught but the numbers are down.
Au Sable River - After the rain, salmon were sighted all the way up to Foote Dam.
Higgins Lake - No word on perch however catch rates should start to improve soon. Fishing has taken a back seat to small game and bow hunting however it might be a good idea to bring a fishing pole for when the perch start biting.
Tawas - Pier anglers are catching a few perch from the floating docks. A couple walleye were caught from the outside pier. A few salmon are jumping in the harbor but not biting.
Tawas River - Fish up in the river are turning dark but anglers might be able to find some fresh fish down near the mouth.
Au Gres - Has been very slow with no perch caught and no walleye effort reported.
Au Gres River - Those surfcasting near the Singing Bridge had limited success for salmon, lake trout and steelhead. Any lake trout caught must be released immediately because the season closed on September 30th.
Northwest Lower Peninsula
Petoskey - Anglers are showing up in good numbers however fishing was generally slow. There are fish in the big lake however the number seems to be dwindling. Anglers were trolling J-Plugs, thundersticks, rapalas, rattle traps, spoons or spawn. Good colors were green and white, pearl, silver or fire-tiger. Water temperatures have cooled and the steelhead are beginning to show up around the piers. A few fish were caught on spawn.
Charlevoix - Boat anglers are still taking a few fish but not many. Pier anglers are catching the occasional steelhead on spawn or smallmouth bass on crawlers.
Lake Charlevoix - A few perch were caught on minnows.
Lake Bellaire - Surface temperatures have dropped to the mid 50’s. A few walleye anglers were out but no fish were recorded. Smallmouth bass action was slow except for a couple fish caught in 5 to 15 feet of water near the northern drop-off, the mouth of the Intermediate River and near the Grass River outlet. Try artificial worms, tube baits or spinners. A few pike were caught on stick baits tube baits or artificial worms. A few perch were caught on crawlers near the mouth of the Intermediate River however the fish were small. No muskie to report.
Elk River - Salmon fishing continues to pick up. Try spawn bags, yarn or body baits.
Boardman River - The salmon run here is near peak. Try fresh eggs or yarn under a bobber and fish the deeper holes. Pink or red were good colors. Those willing to put in the time will catch a few fish.
Platte River - Continues to provide some good salmon action.
Frankfort - Windy weather has hampered fishing however those able to get out on the better days have caught young chinook and steelhead in 80 to 150 feet of water when fishing along the Shelf. Pier fishing was slow but the occasional steelhead and brown trout have started to make their way in closer to shore. Try spawn in the early morning.
Betsie River - Rain continues to push fish into the river. Anglers have caught salmon, steelhead, and brown trout. Most are fishing between the US-31 Bridge and the Homestead Dam.
Portage Lake - Catch rates for walleye and panfish were slow. Those seeking largemouth and smallmouth bass did well in 7 to 9 feet of water. Anglers trolling for pike found success in the late afternoon. A few perch were caught in deep water.
Manistee - Light numbers of salmon and steelhead have been caught in waters 50 to 150 feet deep however the better steelhead action was out in waters 300 to 400 feet deep. Try the top 40 feet with orange or red spoons. Pier fishing was slow with only an occasional steelhead taken.
Manistee River - Salmon fishing is in full swing with fish actively spawning on the gravel. Light numbers of steelhead have been caught in the lower stretches. No word on pier fishing or surfcasting although that action should begin soon.
Ludington - Boat anglers were still catching a few salmon and steelhead in waters 100 to 200 feet deep. Green and orange were good colors. Pier and shore fishing continues to be slow.
Pere Marquette River - The salmon run is in full swing with good numbers of fish on the gravel. Look for steelhead in the lower stretches. Pier and shore fishing were slow. Look for steelhead fishing to pick up in the next couple of weeks.
UPPER PENINSULA
Keweenaw Bay - Angler participation was down due to rain and windy conditions. Those able to get out did manage to catch a few coho. In Traverse Bay, pier anglers were starting to pick up a few coho along with the occasional lake trout. Try Cleo’s or big spinners.
Falls River - Anglers are catching coho on spawn, crawlers, spinners and Cleo’s.
Marquette - Lake trout have started to move into shallow waters less than 70 feet deep just outside the lower harbor. There was rumor of a few coho caught outside the lower harbor area.
Carp River - Salmon action has picked up.
Chocolay River - Salmon action here picked up in the upper river.
Dead River - Action is still spotty with a few chinook and pink salmon reported.
Menominee - Those trolling spoons north and south of the river have caught a few chinook, steelhead and brown trout. Blue and silver were good colors. Up near the Cedar River, walleye were caught at night off Deadmans’ Point. Some nice walleye along with a few bass were caught as far south as Hayward Bay by those using rapalas, crawler harnesses or stick baits.
Menominee River - Smaller brown trout and steelhead were caught up near the dam by those wading near the rocks in the middle. Anglers are reminded to use extreme caution when wading that close to the gates as the rocks are slippery. A nice brown trout weighing in at 15.5 pounds was caught on spawn near the rocks on the Michigan side. Walleye are being caught from the Cat Walk after dark when using jigs with crawlers, zip lures, or rapalas.
Little Bay De Noc - Walleye were caught by those trolling stick baits in 9 to 15 feet of water around the island that is south of the Ford River. Lots of small walleye were caught between the Escanaba River and the Black Bottom when trolling or drifting crawlers in 10 to 25 feet of water. A few perch were taken in the Narrows when jigging minnows in 18 to 30 feet of water.
Ford River - Salmon are in however high water levels lowered the catch rates.
Big Bay De Noc - Had fair to good catches of smallmouth bass as the fish are congregating along the break between Fayette and Snake Island. Some nice fish were caught when drifting minnows 15 to 30 feet down. Off Fairport, a couple salmon were caught when trolling spoons 40 to 90 feet down in 110 to 130 feet of water.
Munising - Those out for salmon found the action to be hit-or-miss when trolling out from the Anna River. Pier fishing was also slow.
Grand Marais - When they can get out, boats are still trolling in front of the Sucker River but catch rates were slow. Those fishing off the piers also reported slow action with just a few fish taken each day.
Munuscong Bay - Walleye action was slow however a few fish were caught in 35 feet of water near the north bound channel marker when trolling bottom bouncers with red spinner blades and crawler harnesses. A few muskie were caught around Moon Island when jigging artificial baits or crawlers in 6 to 8 feet of water.
De Tour - Had limited fishing pressure however those going out and targeting salmon are trolling the shipping channel to the #3 Green Can and fishing 60 feet down with yellow flies and silver flashers. De Tour Point is producing a few walleye. Try crawler harnesses or stick baits. Upstream, a few walleye were caught on pink and pearl beads when fishing off Swedes Point and the west side of Pipe Island.
Drummond Island - Small schools of perch were found on the south side of Ashman Island. Strong winds have the waters stained in Scott Bay.
Cedarville and Hessel - Pier anglers off Hessel are catching a few smallmouth bass and some small pike. Splake are also present, but the season is closed. A few chinook were harvested by anglers casting spoons. Hessel Bay is producing light numbers of perch in 14 feet of water. In the Snows Channel, anglers are casting spinner baits in shallow waters for smallmouth bass. Musky Bay and the Middle Entrance are producing a few perch. Early morning is best with minnows in 5 to 12 feet of water.
Carp River - Is providing some action with chinook and pink salmon caught by shore anglers at the mouth when casting spawn or blue, silver and orange stick baits. Beds have been spotted in the deeper holes up near McDonald Rapids.
Nunn’s Creek - Salmon are present however anglers must wade or fish from shore in the waters of Lake Huron. Anglers are casting black stone flies.
St. Ignace - Boat activity was low however shore anglers near the ferry docks have caught a few chinook when casting spoons, small Cleo’s or silver and green J-Plugs.