Fishing Michigan

For some reason, I had some tech problems with this post, so will give it one more try.  fingers crossed.

Southeast Lower PeninsulaLake Erie - Perch have been caught out near the E-Buoy in 22 feet of water. Walleye were caught in the area of West Sister Island. Try bottom bouncers with purple or pink crawler harnesses in about 27 feet of water. Perch were caught in 8 to 14 feet of water out near Rat Island which is off Pte. Mouillee.

Huron River - Anglers are still catching bass. Carp and catfish are hitting on crawlers, crayfish or cut baits.

Detroit River - Has decent walleye action along the edge of the weeds in the lower river. Anglers are handlining with rapalas or drifting crawler harnesses with bottom bouncers in 8 to 14 feet of water. Hot colors were pink, gold or brass. Perch fishing improved with fish caught between Celeron Island and Grosse Ile in 6 to 9 feet of water. Shore anglers are catching bass.

Lake St. Clair - Some nice musky have been caught.

Port Sanilac - Perch fishing was good around the various weedbeds in 18 to 20 feet of water. Lake trout, salmon and some steelhead were hitting about halfway down in 90 to 100 feet of water.

Grindstone City - Anglers trolling for walleye have caught a few large whitefish on crawler harnesses. The fish were averaging five to eight pounds

Port Austin - Continues to offer excellent walleye fishing west of the port on the reefs and around the lighthouse. Crawler harnesses work best. For trout and salmon, head north and northeast of the port to waters 100 to 130 feet deep.

Saginaw Bay - Walleye fishing throughout the entire bay area continues to be nothing short of fantastic. When anglers can get out, they are taking limit catches at all ports from Au Gres to Port Austin. Crawler harnesses continue to produce a lot of fish, but Hot-n-Tots were also working.

Southwest Lower Peninsula

St. Joe River - Walleye, bluegill and crappie have been caught.

Kalamazoo River - Has remained consistent for catfish and walleye from the Allegan Dam to the mouth.

Grand Haven - Fish 110 to 170 feet of water with downriggers set at 60 to 120 feet. Good baits have been green spoons and flies. Pier anglers were catching catfish, carp and freshwater drum.

Grand River at Grand Rapids - Pike have been caught in front of the feeder creeks when using a sucker minnow under a bobber. A couple walleye were caught when jigging crawlers right off the bottom. Bluegills are hitting on leaf worms and wax worms and crappie are hitting on minnows. Catfish have been caught off the bridges.

Grand River at Lansing - Some nice bluegills were caught in shallow waters when using red worms under a bobber. Those fishing downtown along the river trail have caught lots of carp when using corn. Some nice channel cats were also caught when using corn, shrimp, crawlers, minnows or small bluegills.

Lake Delta - Located on Canal Road has good pike fishing.

Morrison Lake - Has fair to good bluegill and crappie fishing.

Lime Lake - Near Sparta has rainbow trout hitting wax worms in 15 to 20 feet of water. Anglers are fishing at night with a light.

Reeds Lake - Pike have been caught around the Sunken Island on the northeast end of the lake when using large sucker minnows. Perch and bluegills were caught in 25 to 30 feet of water.

Muskegon - Boat anglers are fishing 100 to 130 feet of water with downriggers set 40 to 100 feet down. They are using 12 color lead core, Double Orange Crush, Blue Sparkle, green and white spin/fly combos or anything green.

Muskegon Lake - Some nice perch were caught on minnows. Those casting tube baits, crank baits, spinners or crawlers around the marinas have caught some bass.

Northeast Lower Peninsula

Rogers City - Fishing was decent with a good mix of fish being caught. Chinook, coho, steelhead, lake trout, brown trout, atlantic salmon and even some walleye were caught out from Swan Bay, Adams Point or west towards the Forty Mile Point lighthouse. Try the top half of waters 40 to 90 feet deep with downriggers, lead core with planer boards and dipsey divers. Good colors were blue, green, white, purple, black and white or very bright colors. Orange and silver in the top 25 feet of water has also caught fish. Catch rates for steelhead, coho and pink salmon were good. Head out to 200 feet and fish the top 45 feet.

Rockport - Salmon and lake trout have been caught but no limits were reported. Anglers are fishing straight out of the port, around the Wreck and Middle Island.

Alpena - Fishing has slowed a bit. Walleye action has also slowed on the bay, but anglers are still catching some by trolling with rapalas in 40-50 feet of water.

Thunder Bay River - Walleye action seemed to shut down but bass anglers are catching some nice smallmouth when using crawlers.

Hubbard Lake - Walleye and bass are biting well but the walleye are running small.

Harrisville - Is starting to come to life with steelhead, salmon and lake trout. More and more catches are coming straight out of the harbor in waters 65 to 100 feet deep. Downriggers with spoons and dipsey’s were producing the most fish.

Au Sable River - A good number of walleye are still in the river. Anglers are using crawler harnesses, slip bobbers and body baits. Fire-tiger has been producing limit catches of walleye and some smallmouth bass. Channel cats are hitting on crawlers.

Higgins Lake - The mayfly hatch has been light so anglers are still catching fish. Some nice 12 to 14 inch perch have been caught. Anglers are catching rock bass on crawlers and smallmouth bass on leeches.

Houghton Lake - Word has it the mayfly hatch is done. Anglers are catching walleye on Hot-n-Tots or crawler harnesses with a crawler or leech. Pike are hitting on spinners and the bluegills are hitting on worms or leeches.

Northwest Lower Peninsula

Harbor Springs - Salmon and lake trout fishing continue to improve with fish caught on spoons 90 feet down in waters 200 feet deep or more. Check water temperatures because near shore waters are warmer so you may need to fish deeper. Some fish are starting to hit on flies and squid. Look for lake trout in 110 to 130 feet of water along the north shore of Little Traverse Bay.

Petoskey - Lake trout were caught on spoons in front of Bay Harbor. Anglers reported that the fish are eating alewife. Pier and shore anglers are catching smallmouth bass, rock bass and freshwater drum when using worms or leeches.

Elk Lake - For lake trout, anglers are trolling outside of Spencer Bay and south to the Whitewater Park. Try spoons and rapalas in 60 to 160 feet of water. For walleye try the backwaters near Spencer Bay and Kewadin. Bass were caught south of the park, north of the Narrows and in Spencer Bay. Those trolling for muskie are using large crank baits in 30 feet of water from the Narrows to the park. Perch can be found in 8 to 15 feet of water along the drop-off south of the park and near Kewadin, but the fish are small. Rock bass have also been caught.

Skegemog Lake - The public access site on Baggs Road will be closed July 14th through July 25th due to the construction of a new launch pad. Boat anglers can use the Whitewater Park site which requires a fee or the Torch River access site. Surface water temperatures have been about 75 degrees and the bass fishing has been good. Fish the east side near the mouth of the Torch River or the Narrows.

Big Glen Lake - Rainbows are hitting on rapalas in 45 to 65 feet the water. Put out plenty of line as the waters are very clear. Lake trout are out there but you have to look around to find them. Perch were caught on small shrimp.

Fisher Lake - Bluegill are still the favorite target when using worms.

Manistee - Some boats are reporting decent catches of chinook and lake trout when fishing off the Shelf in 100 to 180 feet of water. Try blue and green flies.

Ludington - Catch rates were average and most anglers are fishing in 100 to 200 feet of water between the Bath House and Big Sable Point.

Upper Peninsula

Keweenaw Bay - Anglers have caught a few chinook between the head of the bay and Sand Point. The occasional lake trout was caught. Off Witz Marina, a couple chinook and some lake trout were caught near the Mud Flats and beyond. In Traverse Bay, lake trout were caught when jigging in 200 feet of water off Big Louie’s Point. Near the South Portage Entry, chinook salmon were caught up near the lighthouse and lake trout were caught in 30 to 60 feet of water near the Mud Flats.

Menominee River - Boat anglers are still catching walleye when jigging or drifting with minnows. Shore anglers are targeting walleye but few fish were caught. Boat and shore anglers are catching smallmouth bass, rock bass and channel cats. There are lots of freshwater drum between the Hattie Street Bridge and the mouth.

Cedar River - Smallmouth bass have been caught when drifting crawlers. Lot’s of freshwater drum in the river.

Green Bay - Trout and salmon have been caught near Green Island. Try 50 to 70 feet down in 100 to 130 feet deep. Anglers are heading out early and averaging two to four fish per trip. Brown trout and steelhead have also been caught when using spoons in a variety of colors.

Little Bay De Noc - Walleye were spotty when trolling or drifting crawlers in 10 to 25 feet of water in the evening. Lots of fish were marked in the south end of the bay but few fish were caught. A couple salmon were caught out near the Ford River Can when trolling 50 to 60 feet down in 80 feet of water.

Big Bay De Noc - Had pretty good walleye action with fair catches off Ansell’s Point and Garden Bluff. Try trolling with crawlers or stick baits in 20 to 32 feet of water. Good smallmouth action along the northern bank when casting spinners. Nice perch were caught off Garden Bluff when jigging crawlers in 25 feet of water. Off Fairport, salmon action is getting better by the week. Anglers are taking a mix of chinook, steelhead, brown trout and lake trout. Try spoons or artificial cut baits 60 to 80 feet down in 100 feet of water. The steelhead are closer to the surface.

Marquette - Most anglers are catching lake trout which have been scattered in waters anywhere from 40 to 300 feet deep. The best area to fish seems to be around Granite Island and east of the White Rocks. A few coho were caught near the lower harbor lighthouse in 50 feet of water.

Au Train - Lake trout were caught around the back side of Au Train Island.

Munising - Lake trout were caught around the Wood Island Reef when trolling with artificial baits. Some boats are making the long trip out to the big reef for lake trout. Splake fishing at the mouth of the Anna River has slowed.

Fox River - Has good brook trout fishing in all branches of the river. Cast crawlers into the deeper holes.

Grand Marais - Word has it boat anglers caught lake trout in waters 140 to 270 feet deep. Boats are fishing over the shipping channel and over the Big Reef near Munising. The occasional chinook, coho, atlantic or steelhead were caught when running a high line 30 to 50 feet down. A few whitefish were caught off the pier.

Nawakwa Lake - Walleye and pike have been caught though it seems the walleye have moved to the deeper holes. Try a jig tipped with a leech, crawler or a deep running rapala. Pike are hitting on spinner baits and crank baits along the weeds.

Sucker River - Brook trout are being caught in certain sections of the river

St. Mary’s River - For herring, fish Lake Nicolet and Bay Dewasi while using wax worms in 16 feet of water. Herring have also been caught on the northeast corner of Lime Island. Walleye have been caught when trolling a crawler harness with a bottom bouncer in the early morning just off the Shipping Channel, the southwest corner of Sugar Island and the northwest corner of Neebish Island.

De Tour - Lake trout, chinook and atlantic salmon have been caught near the #3 Green Can and the lighthouse. A few boats headed south two miles and trolled the hump. They were using spoons and medium body baits in firetiger, orange, green and gold or black and silver.

Cedarville and Hessel - Yellow perch have been caught off the pier in the marina at Hessel and around Haven Island in 15 feet of water. Northern pike action has been good but few are targeting them. Try casting from the pier or trolling around the islands with chubs. Herring are the target in Cedarville when fishing McKay Bay or the east end of Government Bay with wax worms or mayflies. Perch can be found in Moscoe Channel, Government Bay and Cedarville Bay.

St. Ignace - Anglers launching from St. Ignace are trolling from the city launch to the Coast Guard Station and the southwest side of Mackinac Island. Chinook salmon have been caught in 55 feet of water using spoons or flashers with a green fly.

Southeast Lower PeninsulaLake Erie - Fishing success has been limited by the inability to get out on the water. Walleye action was fair off Stony Point and the Fermi Plant in 27 feet of water but poor off Bolles Harbor. Perch are slowly starting to bite as walleye anglers are starting to catch them. Freshwater drum and channel cats continue to provide a good alternative chance to catch a fish when the walleye bite is slow.

Huron River - Bass fishing continues with a good number of largemouth bass caught this year. The river still holds good numbers of carp and catfish. Panfish can be found in the backwaters.

Detroit River - Jigging or handlining is producing fair to good numbers of walleye. Carp and catfish are hitting on corn, crawlers or shrimp.

Lexington - Perch are starting to hit around the weeds in 16 to 20 feet of water. Trout and salmon can be found in at 100 feet.

Port Sanilac - Not many are targeting trout and salmon, but the fish are there in 100 feet of water. Perch fishing has picked up with fish caught in waters up to 20 feet deep. Inside the harbor, anglers have caught pike, walleye, bass and panfish.

Harbor Beach - Salmon and trout are hitting in 80 to 100 feet of water and smallmouth bass are in the harbor. Walleye were caught off the north wall at night.

Grindstone City - Has good lake trout and smallmouth action.

Port Austin - Reported excellent catches of walleye from 25 to 35 feet of water off the Flat Rock Reef and the lighthouse. Lake trout are hitting in 100+ feet of water.

Saginaw Bay - Pick any port around the bay for excellent walleye fishing! Fish the vicinity of the Black Hole, the Spark Plug, Callahan Reef, off Jones Road, and the Slot from about 4 miles north of Quanicassee all the way up to the tip of Sand Point. They’re also taking fish off the Bar on the west side of the Slot. Fish a variety of depths but in some area anglers need to fish in a minimum depth of 10 feet. From Bay Port and Caseville, fish the Slot outside Heisterman and North Islands northeast to the tip of Sand Point.

Southwest Lower Peninsula

St. Joseph - Perch fishing is fair in 40 feet of water both north and south of the piers.

St. Joseph River - Anglers are catching walleye, smallmouth bass and catfish.

Van Auken Lake - In Van Buren County, look for largemouth bass in the shallows. Try casting spinners in the weeds and along structure. The bigger bluegills can be found when trolling in 15 to 20 feet of water.

South Haven - Perch fishing is getting hot with nice catches taken in waters 35 to 40 feet deep, south of the piers. The big boats are catching good numbers of chinook and lake trout while trolling in 80 to 140 feet of water.

Grand Haven - Fishing has started to slow as we move into the “Dog Days” of summer. Boat anglers are spending more time on the water and searching for fish. Some were fishing in 90 to 180 feet of water with downriggers set at various depths and using spoons, flies and flashers in a variety of color. Pier anglers have managed to catch freshwater drum and catfish. No perch to report.

Grand River at Grand Rapids - A couple skamania were caught up near the Sixth Street Dam when fishing near the bubblers and the center run. Spawn, streamer patterns and shrimp have caught fish. Smallmouth bass are hitting on green tube baits or small spoons. Big cats have been caught off the upper bridges when using sucker minnows, creek chubs or cut bait. Some big pike have been caught on large artificial baits. Crappie and bluegills can be found along the entire river.

Grand River at Lansing - Big carp are hitting on bread and corn along Riverfront Park. Anglers near Lyons have caught walleye on leeches.

Looking Glass River - Some big pike have been caught off Babcock’s Landing.

Lake Lansing - Lots of bluegills are being caught. Not real big, but keeper size.

Morrison Lake - Has good bluegill and crappie fishing.

Reeds Lake - Some nice crappie have been caught on the north end of the lake in 25 feet of water when using a perch rig with two minnows and a small split shot. Switch over to wax worms for big bluegills.

Muskegon - Slower fishing here is causing boat anglers to spend more time out on the water looking for fish. No set patterns right now so fish at various depths and try using a variety of baits in different colors. Freshwater drum, catfish and a few bass have been caught off the pier.

Muskegon River - Has good smallmouth bass fishing. Try casting tube baits, crank baits, spinners, live bait and artificial worms. Those fishing up near the Croton Dam have caught a few trout.

Whitehall - Fishing has picked up with a few more chinook and lake trout coming in, but they have been small. The fish were caught in 80 to 120 feet of water and the lake trout were coming off the bottom.

White Lake - Walleye have been caught early or late when trolling or drifting. Look for both large and smallmouth bass around the points and along the weedbeds. For northern pike, try trolling with large spoons or plugs, casting into the weeds or bobber fishing with large sucker minnows.

Northeast Lower Peninsula

Rogers City - The fish are scattered, but still being caught off the points when fishing the top 45 to 50 feet in waters up to 90 feet deep. Downriggers, planer boards and lead core have been productive. Good colors have been orange, yellow, chartreuse, green, blue, purple and white. Go with the ones that glow in the early morning or late evening. Chinook salmon are starting to show up along with lake trout, steelhead, coho, atlantic, brown trout and walleye.

Presque Isle - Steelhead fishing has been great. Look for the scum line in 180 to 200 feet of water and fish the top 35 feet with anything orange and silver.

Rockport - Atlantic salmon are in shallow waters 15 to 20 feet deep. Pier anglers still-fishing with minnows have caught atlantic salmon. Those fishing out near the wreck have caught limits of lake trout. Green was the hot color.

Alpena - Walleye anglers had some luck when trolling around the Cement Plant with short billed reef runners.

Thunder Bay River - Anglers are catching walleye, catfish, and rock bass. Walleye were hitting on leeches and green and gold crawler harnesses.

Hubbard Lake - Has fair to good walleye fishing. Most of the fish were 13 to 18 inches long.

Harrisville - Lake trout and salmon catches have picked up. Most of the lake trout are in 90 to 100 feet of water and spread out over a large area. Spoons, dodgers and wobble glo’s seem to be the biggest attractant. Silver and white are good colors. Salmon are in 70 to 80 feet of water straight out of the harbor and close to the nets.

Van Etten Lake - Anglers are catching both largemouth bass and rock bass. Those trolling in the early morning or evenings have caught walleye and pike.

Oscoda - Lake trout catches were slow due to the weather. The fish caught were taken on spoons in 80 to 100 feet of water.

Au Sable River - Limits of walleye are being taken in the morning and afternoon when drifting crawlers and a slip bobber. Most fish are 3 to 5 pounds and healthy.

Tawas - Those trolling for walleye are doing well in 35 to 50 feet of water near Buoy #2 and up towards Au Sable Point. Pier anglers are taking walleye, rock bass, pike, crappie, catfish, and drum.

Au Gres - Has excellent walleye fishing in 16 to 35 feet of water off Point AuGres and straight off the Au Gres River. Lots of limit catches were reported. Crawler harnesses are still producing best, but some fish are being caught on crank baits.

Smallwood Lake - In Gladwin County is producing smallmouth bass. Try fishing near the bridges.

Higgins Lake - Lake trout can be found in 85 to 100 feet of water. Perch are still hitting on minnows just off the bottom in 30 to 50 feet of water between Treasure Island and Sunken Island.

Northwest Lower Peninsula

Petoskey - Shore and pier anglers are catching a mixed bag of smallmouth, rock bass, bluegill, and catfish at the mouth of the Bear River.

Charlevoix - A few lake trout and some steelhead were caught off Mt. McSauba and the cement plant.

Lake Charlevoix - Perch anglers are finding fish at 30 feet but they are small. The bass are off the beds and along the drop offs. Those fishing the channel of the Pine River have caught smallmouth using live bait and artificial worms. Freshwater drum and catfish are also starting to show up.

Elk Lake - Lake trout anglers were trolling in the south end of the lake from the Narrows to just north of the Whitewater County Park in 60 to 75 feet of water. Bass anglers are casting in the backwaters near Kewadin, north of the Narrows on the east shoreline, and in Spencer Bay. Most are using tube baits, crank baits or spinners in 5 to 25 feet of water and the fish are ranging from 6 to 15 inches.

Skegemog Lake - Bass fishing has been fair for those targeting 5 to 15 feet of water near the mouth of the Torch River and between the public access site and the Narrows. Fish up to 18 inches were caught on tube baits, crank baits, power baits, spinners or jigs. Good numbers of rock bass have been caught.

Big Glen Lake - Fishing has been difficult due to the abundance of minnows and other natural food. Perch are still biting and shrimp seems to be the favored bait. Lake trout are starting to hit in 100 feet of water. Try spoons or rapalas. The bass are off the beds and the rock bass are hitting along the weeds.

Frankfort - Good fishing for chinook and lake trout from the Bank all the way up to Point Betsie when trolling spoons 60 to 80 feet down in 120 to 220 feet of water. Good colors are green, blue, white, and orange. Good numbers of steelhead have been caught along the scum line which was 6 to 13 miles out.

Onekama - Good catch rates in the Barrel and out on the Shelf. Anglers are taking a mix of chinook, steelhead, lake trout and brown trout. Try 90 to 180 feet of water with a green and white fly and flasher combination and orange or blue spoons.

Portage Lake - Bass fishing continues to be good along weeds and drop offs throwing crank baits or plastic worms. Walleye are hitting on body baits or a crawler harness in the early afternoon and evening. Some nice bluegills were caught in 17 to 20 feet of water in front of the marina.

Manistee - Boat anglers have caught chinook and lake trout on spoons in 150 to 250 feet of water. Good colors are orange, green, and blue.

Manistee River - Trout fishing is again viable, as the rivers have cleared out since the floods. Smallmouth bass were caught downstream of Tippy Dam. The hex hatch has been fair on both the upper Manistee and Little Manistee Rivers.

Hamlin Lake - Panfish and bass are being caught in moderate numbers.

Ludington - Chinook and lake trout were caught in 150 to 300 feet of water. Try in front of the Project.

Pere Marquette River - Brown trout were caught after dark on the lower stretches.

Pentwater - More fish are coming in but they are small averaging 5 to 6 pounds. A few lake trout are still being caught off the bottom in 80 to 120 feet of water.

Upper Peninsula

Black River Harbor - Fish have been caught on spoons in 100 to 150 feet of water.

Ontonagon - Boats are heading out early in the morning before the wind picks up. Some nice lake trout were caught 25 to 30 feet down in 40 to 50 feet of water.

Ontonagon River - Fishing continues to be steady. Boats are trolling with harnesses for walleye.

Lake Gogebic - With the water warming the walleye are less active during the day so try fishing in the early morning or evening with leeches or crawlers under a slip bobber. Smallmouth bass fishing has been exceptional for those casting along the rocky shoreline or the weeds.

Marquette - Good numbers of lake trout have been caught when anglers can get out. Most fish were taken in 140 to 180 feet around Granite Island and east of the white rocks.

Menominee River - A few walleye have been caught between Hattie Street and the mouth in the evening. Good smallmouth action at the lighthouse when using a white or bumble bee colored Mr. Twister or crawlers. Freshwater drum, smallmouth bass, channel cats and rock bass have all been caught near the Hattie Street Bridge.

Cedar River - Walleye fishing has slowed but fish are still being caught in the shallows during the evening hours when trolling or drifting a crawler harness. Smallmouth bass are still hitting on spinners and crank baits and a good number of freshwater drum have been caught. No word on salmon.

Little Bay De Noc - Mayfly hatches did cause fishing to slow however walleye are still being caught off Breezy Point when trolling or drifting crawlers in 8 to 14 feet of water. Fair walleye action was noted from the mouth of the Escanaba River to the Black Bottom. Several nice catches of perch were taken in 15 to 20 feet of water when jigging worms. Smallmouth bass were caught near the mouth of the Ford River when casting crank baits and spinners along the rocks.

Escanaba River - Northern pike fishing has been fair to good from the mouth up to the dam. Try casting crank baits or spinners.

Big Bay De Noc - Walleye anglers marked good numbers of fish in 20 feet of water off Ansell’s Point but catch rates were slow. Bass fishing slowed however some nice fish have still been caught outside South River Bay or the weed beds off Ogontz when casting crank baits and spinners in 8 to 14 feet of water. Action off Fairport is a bit slow this year as water temperatures are still on the cool side in the low 40’s. Light numbers of salmon have been caught 40 to 50 feet down in 100 to 105 feet of water when using various colored spoons.

Munising - Those able to head out to the big reef have caught lake trout and some reported limit catches. Chinook fishing is pretty much done. A few yellow perch were caught off Murray’s Bay.

Grand Marais - Limits of lake trout are still being caught in 120 to 300 feet of water in the shipping channel and over off Sable Point. Whitefish action seemed to slow with the warm up.

Nawakwa Lake - Jigs tipped with leeches under a bobber or when casting a Mr. Twister with a leech has produced a fair number of walleye. Target the drop offs and weeds. A few big perch and a pike were also caught.

St. Mary’s River - Good numbers of atlantic salmon are showing up at the Edison Power Plant. They are hitting on gray crank baits trolled 3 to 6 feet down and about 40 feet behind the boat. Walleye fishing is still slow. A few fish were taken off the steel breakwall near the Sugar Island Ferry. Northern pike action was excellent near Gem Island, Sugar Island and Lake George. Weed growth has been slow so anglers can troll or cast in close to the weedbeds.

Cedarville and Hessel - From Hessel, herring are in the bay, and salmon are present in the outer bay towards Goose Island in 35 to 40 feet of water. Pike are biting but few anglers are targeting them. The bays around Cedarville are producing some nice fish. Limits of herring have been caught in McKay Bay. Use wax worms or mayflies in 6 to 12 feet of water. Moscoe Channel is turning out herring and good numbers of yellow perch in 4 to 6 feet of water. Other hot spots for perch have been Cedarville Bay, the north side of LaSalle Island and the west side of Island Number Eight. Try minnows or worms in 6 to 8 feet of water.

Pine River - Reported slow fishing with only a few white suckers taken on crawlers.

Carp River - Anglers caught a few smallmouth bass when casting body baits. White suckers are hitting on crawlers.

St. Ignace - Boats are still trolling towards Mackinaw Island for chinook and lake trout. Most are using spoons or flies with flashers. The primitive launch on the northwest side of the bridge is producing northern pike and smallmouth bass. Anglers are casting small black and silver body baits or red and gold spinners.

The DNR is starting a trend here,  getting the opinions of those who know the most, the anglers.  They have an online page detailing the proposed changes in salmon bag limits.  You can look up the proposed changes here  Salmon Bag Limits , and see both sides of the discussion in a PDF file.

If you have an opinion,  you can go to your email, and write the department and tell them what you think.  DNR-FISH-Salmon-Limits@michigan.gov

Since the salmon have such a short lifespan, and with rising prices on everything, this might be an incentive for those anglers who seek salmon and trout to contribute to the economy on a greater scale.  I like this approach to increased revenue much better than jacking up license fees.

Once upon a time, these pesky, fish killing birds were kept under control, then the tree huggers got involved.  Like the explosion in rabies cases in New York when they banned trapping,  Michigan had a population explosion of these fish killers.  The perch population around Drummond Island was almost wiped out.

If you see those birds who resemble those cute Loons from “On Golden Pond”, you can report them to the DNR.  They want information for tracking, nesting and numbers to better handle the situation.

Click on ” Cormorants “  if you have info to share.

Just a quick reminder for all those who want to get a line wet without the license,  this Saturday and Sunday (June 7th and 8th)  marks Michigan’s second free fishing weekend of the year.

If venturing out onto Lake Erie,  even though you do not need a Michigan license, you will need an Ohio slip more than likely to be legal.  It all depends on where you are fishing, but a lot of the fish are taken on the Ohio side of the lake.

good luck, enjoy.

I was looking up the dates for the free fishing weekend this summer, and saw this.  It doesn’t happen often, but if you are harrassed while in the lawful act of fishing, you do have rights.  This is from the DNR’s website, read it, check out the links.

Michigan’s second free fishing weekend is just around the corner folks.  Mark June 7th and 8th on your calenders for this summer’s free fishing weekend.  This is a great chance for parents who do not normally fish to go out and take their kids out for a weekend of fun in the sun.

Then fish for a buck all season long.  The cost is $1.00 to those men and women serving in the military in their home state of Michigan.

See page 6 of the Fishing handbook for more details.  Here is the link for the online version.

Fishing Handbook: Rules and Regs

Click on:  PDF page

This has nothing to do with wild cougar sightings down here in the Lower Peninsula, but there be moose roaming the Upper Peninsula.   Originally planted years ago on Isle Royale, located off Michigan’s shore in Lake Superior,  the animals came from Canada in an attempt to repopulate the species.  It is long believed that wolves escaped over the ice from the island years ago, and now it appears that the moose went that route too.

These pictures were sent to me by my aunt and uncle, who live 40 minutes south of Munising.  Roughly located in the middle of the U.P.,  the animals could have been pushed east by this year’s heavy snow fall.  It is the first time they were sighted by any of us (the family) in the area.  The pics were taken on the backside of the cabin facing the lake.  Although the moose might seem brave entering this area,  Bess and John are the only people on the lake all year long.  Most folks are just starting to head up to do their spring cleaning.