Fishing Michigan

Salmon are still being found in some locations however it is getting harder to find fresh fish. The rivers have started to fill up with steelhead and whitefish are being caught in the waters of Lake Michigan.

Southeast Lower Peninsula

Lake Erie - Fishing was good when the weather was good, but poor when strong winds were present. Perch fishing was good near Stoney Point, Bolles Harbor, out near the shipping channel and the Sputnik buoy in 11 to 15 feet of water. Perch were still being caught in 8 feet of water along the edge of the channel near Metro Park Marina. The marina will open up on Sunday. Anglers are advised to come up Lee Road. Walleye fishing continues to improve with fish caught from Sterling State Park to Stoney Point and in Brest Bay when trolling crank baits. Good bass fishing in the Hot Pond near the Monroe Power Plant.

Huron River - Has more steelhead and fish have been caught up near the coffer dam and the Flat Rock Dam. Try a jig and minnow or spawn. Bluegills were hitting on wax worms in the backwaters.

Detroit River - Walleye have been caught off Gibraltar when using a jig and minnow or trolling with floating rapalas. Some perch were caught along the shoreline and the canals around Grosse Ile.

Lexington - Steelhead were hitting on a variety of artificial lures or crawlers floated under a bobber near the bottom. Perch were hitting on minnows but anglers will need to sort out the small ones.

Port Austin - Shore anglers are catching a few perch in Bird Creek.

Saginaw Bay - Reported some decent catches of perch along the shipping channel, near buoys 17 and 18 and out by the Spark Plug. Some were 9 to 10 inches but a few were closer to 12 inches. Shore anglers caught perch in the Linwood Marina and the Eagle Bay Marina. Though sorting is necessary, anglers were taking enough fish to keep it interesting. Activity on the east side of the Bay was slow except for a few perch caught in the marina and the river at Sebewaing.

Southwest Lower Peninsula

New Buffalo - Is producing whitefish off the piers. Limit catches were reported.

St. Joe - Reported limits of whitefish caught off the pier when using a small hook with a single egg.

St. Joe River - Steelhead and lake trout were caught up at the Berrien Springs Dam.

Paw Paw River - Steelhead have been caught below the Watervliet Dam.

Grand Haven - Pier anglers are catching steelhead on spawn. Fair to good numbers of whitefish were also caught.

Grand River at Grand Rapids - Anglers are catching good numbers of steelhead along with an occasional chinook on spawn bags and choker bags. Some are back bouncing spawn off the Pearl Street walk bridge while others are floating spawn under a bobber off the Fulton Street Bridge. Water flow is good so jet boats should be able to go over the coffer dams. Good walleye action off the Fulton Street Bridge. Try Twister Tails or bouncing small jigs with shiners off the bottom. Riverside Park has been a good spot for bluegills and crappie.

Grand River at Lansing - A few leftover coho have been caught over at the Moore’s Park Dam and the North Lansing Dam but the action is winding down. Try spoons or spinners. A few pike were caught on spinners.

Muskegon - Pier fishing has been slow. Look for steelhead and whitefish movement in the next week or so.

Muskegon Lake - Anglers are going out and trolling for walleye however few fish were caught. Fall perch fishing has not started yet. Those fishing in the channel have caught the occasional steelhead.

Whitehall - Pier anglers caught a few steelhead but the fish were small.

Northeast Lower Peninsula

Cheboygan River - The Forks DNR dock has been removed.

Mullett Lake - A few anglers were still catching perch on minnows when fishing around Dodge Point or between Parrott Point and the Indian River. All public docks including the Mullett Lake DNR dock, Aloha State Park dock, and the Jewell Road DNR dock have been pulled for the season.

Rogers City - Brown trout should start showing up around the breakwall soon. Anglers will want to try casting minnow type baits, Cleo’s or Crocodiles in chartreuse, blue and silver or green and silver. Try body baits that look like smelt and emerald shiners. Boat anglers are pretty much done.

Harrisville - Salmon continue to move in. Some of the fish have turned dark however there is still a lot of silver fish making their way into the harbor. Floating spawn and body baits worked best however blue and silver spoons also caught a few fish. Steelhead and brown trout were caught outside the harbor. Those fishing off the breakwall in the early morning and late evening caught walleye on jointed body baits. Blue and silver, fire-tiger and clown were good colors.

Oscoda - Steelhead, brown trout and walleye are being caught off the pier.

Au Sable River - Fish are slowly moving into the river. Some are dark but fresh fish are still being caught up near the dam when casting spoons. Brown trout and walleye have also been caught.

Houghton Lake - A few walleye and pike were still being caught in the shallows for those fishing late evening and into the night. Most are using stick baits.

Tawas - Has mostly pier or shore fishing. Perch fishing picked up some inside the harbor but anglers will need to sort out the small ones. Walleye were caught by those casting lures or still-fishing with large minnows. Try behind the State Police.

Au Gres - Had rumors of perch out near the shipping channel in 40 feet of water but the reports say perch fishing was slow.

Au Gres River - Those fishing the East Branch near the Singing Bridge have caught a fair number of steelhead when drifting spawn bags.

Northwest Lower Peninsula

Burt Lake - Is providing some perch action but no big numbers.

Bear River - Recent rain did bring in additional salmon.

Charlevoix - Small steelhead were caught off the docks and piers when using spawn.

Lake Charlevoix - Perch anglers are finding fish but catch rates were hit-and-miss.

Lake Bellaire - Surface water temperatures are now between the mid and high 40’s, so few anglers were out. No walleye were caught but boats were trolling crawler harnesses and stick baits near Fisherman’s Paradise and the Northwest Arm. For bass, they are trolling in 10 to 50 feet of water with crawler harnesses or casting tube baits and spinners in the same locations. A few perch were taken near the mouth of the Intermediate River and along the western shoreline when using crawlers in 3 to 25 feet of water. Sizes ranged from 5 to 10 inches.

Elk River - The chinook run is over but the coho salmon are just starting to show up. Try using spawn, spoons or spinners.

Boardman River - The salmon run is winding down though there are still a few decent fish below the Union Street Dam. Steelhead and lake trout are starting to show up in the river. Spawn bags have been the most effective.

Platte River - Those using spawn are catching steelhead at the mouth.

Frankfort - Pier fishing and surfcasting have been pretty good for the last week. Good numbers of steelhead in various sizes along with a few whitefish have been caught on spawn. Boats trolling from the piers to Pt. Betsie have also caught decent numbers of chinook, brown trout and steelhead. Try orange or blue spoons or a white flasher/fly combination 45 to 50 feet down in waters 80 to 160 feet deep.

Betsie River - The salmon run is pretty much done however anglers were still taking a few fish up near the dam. Light numbers of steelhead were caught from Betsie Bay to the US-31 Bridge.

Arcadia - Had good steelhead fishing for those trolling orange or white spoons in the top 20 feet of waters 30 to 100 feet deep. Surf and pier anglers are also doing well when using spawn about 100 feet from shore.

Onekama - Chinook and steelhead were caught in 100 to 150 feet of water when trolling south to the Bar Lake outlet or north to the Barrel. Small spoons or flasher/fly combinations in orange, blue, or green worked the best. Pier action was slow.

Manistee - Steelhead and salmon have been caught in 100 to 200 feet of water. Try fishing the top 30 feet with orange and red spoons. Pier and surf anglers are catching steelhead on spawn.

Manistee River - Salmon are fewer but steelhead numbers are improving, especially in the lower stretches.

Ludington - Boats are doing well on steelhead when the weather allows. Try 75 to 150 feet of water between the Point and the Bath House with orange spoons. Steelhead can be found off the piers and in the surf.

Pere Marquette River - Steelhead numbers are improving but most fish were still being caught in the lower river.

Pentwater - Pier anglers were taking good numbers of steelhead.

Pentwater Lake - Those out trolling have caught steelhead.

Pentwater River - Steelhead have been caught by those drifting spawn.

UPPER PENINSULA

Keweenaw Bay - Pier anglers in L’Anse have caught light numbers of coho and steelhead when casting Cleo’s or spinners. Gold, orange and green were good colors. Some lake trout were caught near the mouth of the Falls River, the pier in Traverse Bay and also by those trolling in 15 to 30 feet of water on Buffalo Reef.

Fall’s River - Anglers have caught a few coho and steelhead.

Marquette - Anglers have caught lake trout, splake and whitefish off the lower breakwall when using spoons or spinners. Those targeting whitefish caught a few small splake. Boats trolling off the breakwall in 40 to 50 feet of water caught a few lake trout in the 3 to 5 pound range.

Dead River - Anglers were catching a few coho and chinook.

Chocolay River - Anglers were catching a few coho and chinook.

Menominee - A couple walleye were caught south of the Cedar River in 20 feet of water. Try rapalas and different colored stick baits.

Menominee River - Most anglers are wading or shore fishing near Stephenson and Boom Island, the Cat Walk or the platform near the Hattie Street Dam. Fishing did pick up for those targeting trout and salmon near the rocks on the Michigan side near the dam and under the bridge on the Wisconsin side. Chinook, steelhead and brown trout were caught on spawn, yarn and spoons. Walleye action was fair off the Cat Walk when jigging zip lures or casting rapalas at night or in the early morning.

Little Bay De Noc - Good numbers of fish were marked in the northern Bay however catch rates were slow. The better action remained off the Center Reef when trolling rapalas in 8 to 23 feet of water. Night anglers were fishing the same area including the Second Reef. Fair to good pike action off the coal piles in Kipling when trolling bucktails and large crank baits in 10 to 20 feet of water. Smallmouth bass were caught off Hunter’s Point on tube baits or minnows in 15 to 20 feet of water.

Day’s River - Some steelhead have been caught by those using spawn and yarn.

Big Bay De Noc - Fall bass anglers are doing well when drifting or casting sucker minnows along the break. Several limit catches were taken in 10 to 25 feet of water. Salmon season off Fairport is pretty much done.

Munising - Salmon were caught near the mouth of the Anna River when boats could get out. Pier anglers also caught fish when casting Cleo’s or floating spawn.

Grand Marais - A few salmon and some steelhead have been caught near the mouth of the Sucker River. Shore anglers caught steelhead when floating spawn near the mouth of the Sucker River or the creeks in and around the harbor.

De Tour - Did not have much activity. Anglers targeting smallmouth bass and pike should try the coal docks north of the city launch. Perch anglers might want to try fishing around James and Ashman Island.

Cedarville and Hessel - Anglers were catching a fair number of perch in Musky Bay when casting or drifting with minnows. The West Bay and the east shore near Middle Entrance were producing some fish in 6 to 14 feet of water.

Carp River - Anglers are targeting steelhead at the mouth. They are still-fishing with spawn or fly fishing with a single artificial egg drifting in the current. Water levels were elevated and muddy.

St. Ignace - Pier anglers are casting for chinook as fish are still inside the rocks.

As the salmon runs wind down the steelhead action will increase. Pier anglers have started to catch steelhead however more rain is needed to bring the fish in. Walleye fishing is very good on inland lakes this time of year, although few anglers participate. This is also a good time of year to catch pike and muskie.

Southeast Lower Peninsula

Lake Erie - Yellow perch were caught along the edge of the channel at the Metro Park Marina when using shiner minnows on perch rigs. A few perch were caught near the mouth of the Huron River in 6 to 12 feet of water and off Stony Point in 20 feet of water. Those shore fishing caught a few perch at the Erie Metro Park launch.

Huron River - Steelhead have been caught however rain would help to push more fish into the river. Some 5 to 10 pound fish were caught on spawn, jigs and wax worms, spinners, and spoons. Check the backwaters for bluegill and crappie.

Detroit River - Walleye were caught in 8 to 16 feet of water in the lower Trenton Channel between the bridges. Try jigs with minnows or worms or handlining with rapalas. Some perch were caught off the seawall near Gibraltar. Shore anglers have caught bluegills, perch and crappie.

Lake St. Clair - Some yellow perch have been caught however many of the fish are small. Boat anglers are fishing off the 400 Club and Gino’s. Bluegill and crappie were caught in the canals off Metro Beach.

Lexington - A few perch and pike were caught in the harbor. Decent numbers of steelhead have been caught on the right day, as the fish seem to come and go. Pier anglers might catch 5 or 6 fish one day and none the next.

Harbor Beach - A few salmon were caught inside the harbor when trolling body baits or casting from shore. Lake trout are in close to shore for spawning however the season to take them is closed. Any fish caught must be released immediately,

Port Austin - A few perch were taken at the mouth of Bird Creek.

Saginaw Bay - A few perch were caught along the shipping channel and up the old shipping channel. Boats were lucky to get 5 to 8 keepers. Boat anglers vertical jigging with jigs or spoons baited with minnows are taking a few walleye at the mouth of the Saginaw River. One nice perch was caught off Quanicassee when fishing in 30 feet of water out near the end of the shipping channel, which is a long ways out from Quanicassee. Huge clouds of emerald shiners are starting to show up near shore and in the mouth of some rivers, so maybe the perch will follow.

Saginaw River - Shore anglers caught perch at Smith Park in Essexville.

Quanicassee River - Perch fishing was hit-or-miss. Try no more than half an hour at any one spot, then move on to someplace else and try to locate a school of fish.

Sebewaing River - Perch were caught by those willing to move around.

Southwest Lower Peninsula

St. Joe River - Fish will still be found in the deeper holes until we get some rain and the temperatures drop. Shore anglers have caught bluegills in the backwaters.

Grand Haven - Boat anglers were taking steelhead and small salmon in 80 to 120 feet of water. The fish were in the top 50 feet and hitting on orange and gold spoons. Pier anglers are catching light numbers of steelhead when using spawn. Menominee were still being caught off the south pier.

Grand River at Grand Rapids - Coho are done but some nice chinook along with steelhead and lake trout have been caught off the wall and by those wading. Not many brown trout have been caught.

Grand River at Lansing - The salmon run has slowed and although the fish are turning dark, some fresh fish are still being caught. Anglers will want to get out and fish the Moore’s Park Dam or the South Lansing Dam. Walleye and smallmouth bass were caught at Moore’s Park, North Lansing, and at Lyons. Good pike action at the Webber Dam and Lyons.

Looking Glass River - Has good pike fishing off Babcock’s Landing.

Lake Ovid - A few muskie have been caught on pike minnows.

Muskegon - Rumor has it boat anglers are catching trout and salmon about halfway down in waters up to 120 feet deep. Pier fishing was slow however the occasional steelhead was caught.

Whitehall - Steelhead action has started with pier anglers catching fish on spawn.

Northeast Lower Peninsula

Cheboygan River - Salmon runs are on the downhill side but a few fresh fish were still being caught.

Mullett Lake - A few perch have been caught just south of Dodge Point, Long Point, and down near the Indian River. Try minnows in 20 to 30 feet of water.

Ocqueoc River - A few more salmon have appeared in the river even though the run seems to be somewhat smaller than recent years.

Rogers City - Anglers still should be able to find some fish especially younger salmon, steelhead, and brown trout. Finding baitfish has been the key. Try shallow waters 45 to 70 feet deep between Calcite Harbor, Swan Bay and Adams Point with orange, green, blue, silver or purple spoons.

Presque Isle - Fishing has slowed but a few fish are still there for the taking. Try straight out from the harbor and fish where there is structure.

Thunder Bay River - Chinook and lake trout have been caught at the Ninth Street Dam. The salmon are turning dark and are mostly spawned out. Anglers have done best drifting single eggs, artificial or natural. Artificial green eggs have worked very well. Lake trout have been taken on green and orange body baits. Angler pressure has been high with boat and shore anglers.

Harrisville - Salmon are slowly making their way into the harbor and some have been caught on spawn or body baits. Early morning and late afternoon have been the most productive.

Oscoda - Pier and shore anglers have caught salmon. Fish early or late with spawn or body baits.

Au Sable River - Salmon are still being caught between the mouth and the dam. There have been reports of some steelhead following salmon into the river.

Higgins Lake - Boats trolling are still taking a few lake trout.

Tawas - The few boat anglers still out are getting a few walleye and the odd brown trout off Jerry’s Marina and Buoy #6. A few walleye were caught off the pier when still-fishing with live minnows or spoons. Anglers also caught a couple smallmouth bass, a steelhead and burbot. Perch fishing was slow and required sorting out the small ones.

Au Gres - A couple boats trolling off the mouth of the river got a few walleye.

Northwest Lower Peninsula

Bear River - A few late running salmon are turning up but for the most part the salmon are done for this year.

Charlevoix - A couple anglers were still targeting salmon near the Cement Plant.

Lake Bellaire - Some were targeting walleye off Fisherman’s Paradise when trolling crawler harnesses. A few bass were still being caught on tube baits, crank baits and rubber worms. Pike anglers are trolling stick baits in 15 to 30 feet of water in the Northwest Arm. A few perch were caught near the mouth of the Intermediate River when using minnows and crawlers.

Elk River - The salmon run is pretty much done.

Boardman River - The peak of the salmon run is over however fish are still in the river including a few fresh ones. Try spawn under a bobber in the deeper holes.

Leland - Those still heading out and fishing the north end of North Manitou Island have caught a few fish when trolling in 60 to 80 feet of water with green flies.

Glen Arbor - Docks at the boat launch have been removed for the season.

Glen Lake - Perch fishing was steady with fish 5 to 7 inches hitting on wigglers.

Platte River - Those drifting spawn or yarn have caught a few. Most of the coho have moved up to the lower weir.

Frankfort - Boat anglers were still catching chinook and steelhead when fishing in 100 to 140 feet of water as far north as Pt. Betsie. Try blue and orange spoons and flies in the top 25 to 40 feet. Steelhead fishing has been good for pier anglers and those surfcasting with spawn or small spoons. Menominee were caught off the pier when using a single egg.

Betsie River - Steelhead are just getting started in the lower river.

Arcadia - Catch rates were good for salmon and steelhead when trolling in 60 to 100 feet of water with lead and multi-colored spoons. Those surfcasting In Platte Bay have taken a couple steelhead in the evening.

Lake Missaukee - Some walleye and pike have been caught.

Manistee - Steelhead along with a few leftover salmon are being caught in 150 to 300 feet of water. Red and orange were still good colors. Pier and shore anglers are catching steelhead on fresh salmon spawn.

Manistee River - There are still a few salmon on the gravel, although the run has begun to wind down. Steelhead were caught in the lower river.

Ludington - Steelhead and salmon are being caught in waters 40 to 150 feet deep. Pier anglers were taking steelhead when casting red and orange spoons.

Pere Marquette River - Some steelhead were caught in the lower river.

Pentwater - Steelhead action has started with pier anglers catching fish on spawn.

UPPER PENINSULA

Keweenaw Bay - A few coho were caught off the pier near L’Anse, the head of the Bay and off Sand Point when casting spinners or Cleo’s. Good colors were gold, orange and green. A few fish were caught on spawn bags and crawlers. Those trolling in the bay have caught a few lake trout. In Traverse Bay, pier anglers caught coho and lake trout when casting spinners. Boats trolling in 20 to 30 feet of water near Buffalo Reef took some nice trout but the bite was slow.

Marquette - Catch rates for salmon were spotty however lake trout action was good for those trolling in 40 to 50 feet of water outside the breakwalls. Lake trout and splake were caught off the Lower Harbor breakwall.

Carp River - Is still reporting a few salmon in the upper river.

Chocolay River - Had a few reports of coho being caught.

Menominee - Walleye were reported by those trolling stick baits or rapalas near Chambers Island and Green Island. Up near the Cedar River, walleye fishing was good at night when trolling in 18 to 25 feet of water north to Deadman’s Point and beyond. Walleye and bass were caught down near Hayward Bay.

Menominee River - Anglers were fishing from the mouth to the Hattie Street Dam. A few boats trolling for walleye did fair to good. Most were wading from Stephenson and Boom Island or shore fishing from the Cat Walk or the platform near the dam. Fish can be seen however catch rates were slow. Brown trout were jumping and a few were caught. Salmon and steelhead action was slow.

Little Bay De Noc - Walleye have migrated up into the northern parts of the Bay and catch rates were fair. Anglers that fished before dawn or at dusk did best between the First Reef and the Black Bottom when trolling stick baits in 8 to 30 feet of water along the reefs and the east bank. Northern pike were very active as several large fish were caught by those trolling crank baits or stick baits straight out from the coal piles near Gladstone. Try 12 to 23 feet of water. Good smallmouth catches reported throughout the Bay especially off Hunter’s Point and Squaw Point.

Day’s River - The salmon runs are just about done but several nice catches of steelhead were reported when casting spawn or yarn.

Big Bay De Noc - Continues to provide excellent smallmouth bass fishing from Fayette south to Snake Island. Most are drifting minnows 15 to 35 feet down.

Big Manistique Lake - Had fair to good perch fishing.

Tahquamenon River - Walleye, musky and perch are starting to pickup.

St. Mary’s River - A few walleye were caught north of Sault Ste. Marie off Birch Point and Roach Point. Anglers were trolling chartreuse crawler harnesses with blades in 12 feet of water. Smallmouth bass were hitting on Twister Tails.

Drummond Island - Perch fishing was still slow. The waters had cleared up some and a few fish were taken in 12 feet of water between Rutland Island and James Island. Early morning was best.

Cedarville and Hessel - A few perch have been caught in Musky Bay and the Middle Entrance when using a red teardrop with a minnow in 6 to 12 feet of water. A few fish were also caught off Little Joe Island. Near Cedarville, Bush Creek still has a few salmon coming in. Anglers are casting an artificial orange egg on a single hook with a couple of split shots.

Carp River - Anglers are catching the occasional coho and steelhead when casting spawn at the mouth.

Nunn’s Creek - Those fishing down near the mouth in the waters of Lake Huron are still taking some nice silver chinook salmon when using spawn.

St. Ignace - Anglers are targeting salmon while fishing off the docks in the early morning before daylight and after dark.