Curly's Photo and Fishing Blog
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Summer Is Still Here
Here is a photo of the world record brown trout.
Our summer finally arrived and will be here though the weekend, and most will have the lakes to yourself as most are thinking football and hunting. While most Michiganders are enjoying the nice weather, those expecting to catch fish during the annual fall salmon run are not. The dry warm weather has somewhat stalled the runs however rain in the forecast for next week should be the boost that is needed to get the runs going again. Houghton Lake fishing is still good with limit catches over the weekend. Fish are already starting a fall pattern
Sturgeon Joe at Otsego Lake is saying fishing is real slow this week with some pike being caught on suckerss. A sad note in the Gaylord area Don’s Sport Shop is closed and have been in business since the 50’s. How times are changing and your small businesses will no longer be serving the sportsman.
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. Lots of people on the lake this week and catching fish. Limit walleye catches this week and the big bluegill are biting along with big bass. 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 action has slowed with only a couple fish taken in 14 feet of water off the Pinconning Bar. A few perch were caught on minnows near buoys 8, 15, 16 and 18 or in 15 feet of water off Linwood and near the Spark Plug. Most were 8 to 10 inches but some were closer to the 12 inch range. Catfish are still hitting near the Hot Ponds. A few walleye were caught near Quanicassee when slow trolling crawler harnesses north of the channel. Hot-n-Tots were also taking fish. A few perch were also caught along the weeds in 8 feet of water. Anglers are working hard to keep a dozen but the fish caught were in the 8 to 11 inch range.
Mullett Lake -Water temperatures have warmed 10 degrees since last week, and this has slowed fishing. A few trout have been caught in 90 feet of water and walleye in 10 to 30 feet. Bass and perch could be found in 12 to 35 feet of water.
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. Also some perch are showing up
Lake Margrethe a decent number of walleye are being taken in about 18 feet of water using leeches or crawlers on a jig head. Perch are biting great also on minnows. Anglers are also catching a few pike as well. Also the gills have started to bite on waxworms and worms.
Higgins Lake -Perch are being caught on fathead minnows and wigglers.
Houghton Lake -Walleye, bass and bluegills can be found along the weedbeds in 6 to 10 feet of water.
Lake Charlevoix - Perch and smallmouth anglers are taking some fish. For anglers in the smaller boats, salmon are staging in the lake.
Lake Bellaire -Pressure for walleye has declined even though fish are still being caught. Most are trolling a crawler harness or jigging leeches and crawlers in 15 to 40 feet of water. A few bass were caught by those casting artificial worms, tube baits, spinners and crank baits along the east and west drop-offs and in the South Arm. Pike were taken near the mouth of the Intermediate River when casting spinners or jerk baits. A few perch were also caught but the fish were small.
Glen Lake - Is again producing some nice catches of perch around the point off the marina and along the beds at the north end of Big Glen. Try shrimp or wigglers.
Elk River - Very slow this week
Boardman River - Salmon are in the river with early morning the best using spawn
Lake Leelanau - The perch have started to move and limit catches were reported in the bays when using minnows or wigglers.
Long Lake by Traverse City has picked up on both perch and walleye
Lake Missaukee - Is hot for all fish and lots of action this week with panfish really on the bite and waxworms are the ticket.
Portage Lake -as slow catch rates except some nice bluegills were taken in 25 to 30 feet of water on minnows, wigglers, crawlers or crickets. Lots of perch were caught however many are small. Casting for bass in the morning has produced some decent catches on the west end of the lake. Try spinners or plastic worm rigs.
Manistee -Boat anglers are still heading out deep and catching salmon and trout in 300 to 400 feet of water. Try the top 45 feet of water with orange spoons. A few boats fishing in front of the piers had limited success. Pier fishing was slow.
Manistee River - Salmon fishing has been slow especially at Tippy Dam. Good numbers of fish came in Labor Day Weekend, but the dry warm weather has the run at a stand still. Salmon remain concentrated in the lower stretches of the river.
Ludington -Salmon have been caught early in the morning in 40 to 80 feet of water when using glow plugs. Boats fishing 150 to 300 feet of water between the Point and the Bathhouse were also catching fish on 3, 5 or 8 colors of lead with orange spoons.
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-Finally has some of the best walleye fishing reported this season. Fait to good catches in the southern bay when trolling crank baits or crawlers in 16 to 30 feet of water between the “Fingers” and the Minneapolis Shoals. The best fishing was in the Black Bottom area when drifting or trolling crawlers in 20 to 25 feet of water. A few perch were taken in the Narrows off Saunders Point. Smallmouth bass were caught throughout the bay although the better fishing was in 10 to 20 feet of water off Hunters Point. A few salmon have started to show up at the mouth of the Ford River.
Big Bay De Noc-Has good walleye fishing all the way out to Round Island. Most are trolling stick baits in 20 to 30 feet of water. Good smallmouth action off Ansell’s Point and south to Garden Bluff when casting tube baits or crank baits along the weeds in 20 feet of water. Nahma has fair to good perch action for those jigging minnows in 10 to 18 feet just off the mouth of the Sturgeon River. At Fairport, anglers are still salmon fishing 80 to 125 feet down in deeper waters.
Grand Marais - Light numbers of salmon, lake trout and steelhead have been caught. Catch rates should improve this week.
Perch Lake - Which is 25 miles north of Newberry in Luce County will temporarily close the Boating Access Site beginning August 31st through September 17th due to reconstruction of the boat ramp and parking lot. The site will be open for public use during the Labor Day weekend.
Cedarville and Hessel -A few small pike were caught in the Hessel Marina. Musky Bay and the Middle Entrance are producing pike, perch and smallmouth. Try 10 to 12 feet of water while casting or drifting minnows. In Cedarville Bay and Government Bay, a few perch were caught on minnows in 12 to 15 feet of water.