Curly's Photo and Fishing Blog
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Did a Photo of Curly’s Bait Shop
Weather has been better after the weekend, and fish have been biting with salmon fishing picking up.
Sturgeon Joe at Otsego Lake is saying fishing is good on Otsego Lake with some perch being caught. Also surronding lakes have a good bite. The pan fish action is decent on Bradford and Big lakes jigging with worms.
Dave at Four Season Party Store in Houghton Lake says off of Long Point the walleye bite is still good with leeches and crawlers working best with a bobber. He has four special crawlers harness that he ties that are working great.There is a landing across the street( 16 foot fishing boats or smaller as the lake has dropped a foot)from him but no parking, but if you buy your supplies from him he will let you park in his vacent lot across from the landing and put you on the fish.
Call him at 989-422-5230 his address is 9613 E Houghton Lake Dr, Houghton Lake, MI 48629.
Saginaw Bay - Walleye have been caught in 20 to 25 feet of water around the Spark Plug and near Buoys 1 and 2. Anglers from Quanicassee and Sebewaing were heading out to the shipping channel and the Spark Plug while trolling crawler harnesses. Fish were caught in the Slot off Sunset Bay in 14 feet of water and outside the islands north of Sebewaing.
Mullett Lake -Those trolling Hot-n-Tots, spoons or crawler harnesses have caught some walleye. Perch, bass and pike were caught on both live and artificial baits.
Burt Lake - Burt Lake in Alanson has anglers trolling during the evening hours with great success, mostly using crawlers. Inland lakes are giving up plenty of blue gill.
Lake Margrethe a decent number of walleye are being taken in about 18 feet of water using leeches or crawlers on a jig head. Anglers are also catching a few pike as well.
Higgins Lake -When boats can get out, perch are still being caught along the north end of Treasure Island in 20 to 40 feet of water. Those jigging for lake trout and whitefish are using Swedish Pimples. Those trolling for lake trout are using body baits or rapalas.
Houghton Lake - Anglers are catching walleye, bluegill, bass, and pike in East Bay, North Bay and Long Point on crawlers and leeches. Fishing is great when the wind lays down. Stay on the north end of the lake this weekend as the south end has Bud Bash and is a place to stay away from unless you want to party.
Lake Charlevoix -Great fishing continues to take place near Boyne City on Walloon Lake and Lake Charlevoix. Fishing the south arm of Lake Charlevoix, walleye can be found in 18-22 feet of water using a variety of baits. Salmon activity on Lake Michigan is also picking up out of the Charlevoix area. Salmon are moving into water 50-110 feet deep with blues and greens being the colors of choice.
Lake Bellaire - Walleye anglers are out in full force. Early morning and late evening were best when trolling near the Fisherman’s Paradise Public Access, the South Bay and along the narrows in the Northwest Arm. Most are trolling crawler harnesses, spoons and rapalas while others are jigging spoons or a jig with leeches or crawlers. Bass anglers are casting spinners or crank baits in 4 to 20 feet of water. Fish ranging from 10 to 20 inches were caught. For pike, try casting crank baits in 3 to 5 feet of water near the mouth of the Intermediate River. Small perch were caught when still-fishing in the Northwest Arm or near the Intermediate River.
Lake Skegemog near Kalkaska is producing bass and pan fish on wax worms, night crawlers, sucker and perch minnows. Elk Rapids Dam has some nice blue gill fishing available. Guernsey Lake has decent trout activity.
Elk River - The action has slowed with only a few smallmouth bass caught.
Boardman River - Had slow fishing except for some rock bass, carp and smallmouth bass found just below the Union Street Dam.
Lake Leelanau - Walleye fishing has been good this week with leeches and crawlers working best.
Long Lake by Traverse City has slow a little for walleye this week but still good numbers with leeches working best.
Lake Missaukee - Pan fishing improved and lots of pike have been caught with bass and walleye biting on leeches.
Portage Lake -Bass fishing was good for those using plastics or crank baits in 6 to 8 feet of water. Good spots were near the sailboats and along the south shoreline. Bluegill fishing was slow, try 15 to 20 feet of water toward the middle of the lake. Decent numbers of pike are being caught throughout the day.
Manistee -Catch rates were spotty however fish were caught off the Shelf when trolling spin/fly combinations. Hot colors were blue on blue or white on green.
Ludington -Trout and salmon have been caught in 80 to 160 feet of water between Sable Point and the Bathhouse. The best baits have been glow plugs early in the morning or spin/fly combinations in green or blue. Perch fishing was slow.
Brevort Lake near Allenville and north of St. Ignace is producing walleye and anglers are doing well when they can get out. Wind, rain and chilly temperatures limited angling activity this week but the weekend is looking up.
Manistique anglers are dealing with chilly temperatures and rain this week, but when anglers can get out the fishing is good on Indian Lake for decent counts of walleye. Good fishing off of the Manistique area on Lake Michigan where the salmon and trout are active. Spoons are working in just about every color. Good luck to all anglers fishing in the 24th Annual Manistique Area Salmon and Trout Derby this weekend. Call 1-800-342-4282 or 906-341-5241 for information.
Little Bay De Noc- Lots of walleye were marked in the lower bay however catch rates were slow. Most fish were caught around the mouth of the Escanaba River when trolling or drifting crawlers in 15 to 25 feet of water. Salmon were caught about halfway down in waters 80 feet deep in the channel or waters 100 to 120 feet deep out near the Ford River Buoy. Good smallmouth action around Butler Island, Hunters Point and just south of the Ford River when casting or trolling crank baits or tube baits in 12 to 16 feet of water.
Big Bay De Noc- Walleye anglers were marking good numbers of fish south and east of Round Island in 25 to 30 feet of water however few fish were caught. Good smallmouth catches in Ogontz and Garden Bay when casting along the weeds in 5 to 20 feet of water. Good catches of chinook salmon were taken off Fairport when trolling out in the Gap. Most were trolling anywhere from 30 to 80 feet down in waters 80 to 120 feet deep with artificial cut bait. Good colors were red and silver or blue.
Grand Marais - It seems the whitefish season has come to an end however catch rates for lake trout were still good. Try waters 70 to 290 feet deep for limit catches of lake trout along with the occasional salmon or steelhead.
Cedarville and Hessel -Had very good lake herring fishing with limits taken in McKay Bay and the east end of the Moscoe Channel when using red teardrops with wax worms. Perch have been caught in 8 to 10 feet of water. In Cedarville Bay and Musky Bay, catch rates for perch were improving in 10 to 15 feet of water. Pike were caught by those casting off the Hessel Pier. Those targeting salmon were catching lake trout. Bass are hitting on spinner baits in Snows Channel.