Curly's Photo and Fishing Blog
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Perch fishing is Good
The perch fishing has been good with Grand Traverse Bay getting lots of action. Perch have been biting on Big Glen, Lake Leelanau, Lake Margreathe, Fife Lake, Lake Charlevoix and Burt Lake.
Saginaw Bay -Perch are still being taken along the shipping channel from Au Gres south to the mouth of the Saginaw River, when boats can get out. Beyond that, shore anglers in various marinas around the east side of the bay were getting some bluegills, crappie and rock bass on leaf worms and wax worms under a bobber.
Tittabawasse River -Has been slow with a few pike and catfish.
Saginaw River-Slow but things should pick up with cooler weather.
Whitehall -a few perch are starting show up
Wixom Lake has been super for gills being caught on waxworms
Mullett Lake -Perch fishing continues to dominate. Try fishing the points, the bays and near the mouth of the Indian River with crawlers or minnows in 15 to 30 feet of water. Walleye fishing slowed with no fish recorded. Perch anglers have also caught a few pike in 20 to 25 feet of water on minnows. Fish were 18 to 25 inches. Bass anglers can be found at Needle Point, Dodge Point, Round Point and near Aloha with crawlers, artificial worms, tube baits, crank baits and spinners.
Oscoda -Catch rates were slow even when boats can get out. Anglers fishing off the pier are having the most success with blue and silver or green and silver little Cleo’s. Boats are mainly using chrome and green J-plugs.
Higgins Lake -Perch fishing is good with fish up to 10 inches
Houghton Lake - Walleye and gills are being caught but very few fishing
Lake Margreathe by Grayling A perch bite is on with minnows in about 9 feet of water is still going strong.
Charlevoix -Perch fishing is picking up with wigglers working best.
Traverse City -Strong winds have scattered the salmon in both bays. In the East Bay, schools of whitefish are still present just south of the Center Road launch in 85 to 100 feet of water. Most anglers are jigging sand kickers. For salmon, fish were being marked from Lee Point Road down to the Center Road launch in 100 feet of water and along the east side of the bay from Dock Road north to Yuba. In the West Bay, anglers were marking fish outside the Boardman however more fish were caught north along the peninsula when starting just south of Marion Island. Try waters up to 120 feet deep with flies and plugs.
Lake Leelanau - Had steady walleye action. Perch are biting on the North lake just past the narrows.
Portage Lake -Cooler weather was good for bluegill fishing as some limit catches were reported near Little Eden. THe fishing has been great with Perch were also caught in the same area and around the buoy. Be ready to sort out the small ones.
Lake Missaukee -Was good for panfish and bass.
Lake Cadillac -Crappie fishing has been good after dark and in the early morning. Cooler weather will bring the bluegills back into shallower waters. Try wax worms, leaf worms or crickets under a bobber. Bass and pike are hitting again.
Lake Mitchell -Is producing some panfish. Bass are hitting on spinner baits and pike favored large crank baits.
Little Bay De Noc - Heavy rainfall of 4 inches caused rivers in the area to rise fast. Rivers like the Sturgeon, Ogontz and Day’s had high water and strong currents which put salmon fishing on hold until water levels recede. Walleye anglers reported mixed results with most wanting to go further south. Gladstone was good for those drifting or jigging crawlers in 25 to 35 feet of water. Several perch were also caught. The North Shore and the Ford River launch were difficult to use due to the fast water.
Big Bay De Noc -Still had primarily smallmouth anglers that were trying to make it out to the Garden Bluff area where good catches were reported 15 to 30 feet down along the break when using minnows. Walleye anglers marked fish between Garden Bluff and the Shoals in 20 feet of water however few were caught.
Indian Lake - Walleye anglers did best when drifting or trolling along the weeds around the shoreline. More fish were caught along the west shore but the fish were small. Try crawler harnesses or surface raps. A few keeper size perch were also caught this way however most of the perch anglers were fishing the north or south shore while drifting or still-fishing with crawlers.
St. Mary’s River -The pink salmon run has slowed however a few are still being caught off the Pier Power Plant when casting pink Little Cleo’s. Walleye and yellow perch fishing slowed with the recent storms. Smallmouth bass action is still good on the rock piles along the south end of Neebish Island. Crank baits worked best in the stained water.
Cedarville and Hessel -Few anglers were out except for those targeting perch in the east end of Hessel Bay, the west end of Snows Channel, Musky Bay and the Middle Entrance. Fish were caught on minnows in 12 feet of water. Both pink salmon and chinook salmon can be found in Bush and Beavertail Creeks.
Northwest:
Petoskey - Has been hit-or-miss with good numbers of salmon one day and light numbers the next. Shore anglers fishing off the breakwall, piers, and docks have taken fish on glow spoons, reef runners and rapalas.
Bear River - The fish were not holding in the river very long. They are either dropping back to the lake or pushing past the falls. Try spawn, yarn or flies.
Charlevoix - Boats were long-lining with plugs in 10 to 40 feet of water. Those casting have caught fish on glow spoons, rapalas, thundersticks and rattle traps. Medusa is producing the best salmon action for those using skein under a slip bobber. The first harvest at the Medusa weir produced 684 chinook and 6 coho.
Traverse City - The East Bay shows good numbers of fish in 120 feet of water but the bite was slow. Those boats finding the baitfish also found active whitefish. Those jigging caught good numbers of cisco and lake trout. Whitefish were active in 100 feet of water south of Yuba Creek. In the West Bay, good numbers of fish were marked at various depths in front of the Boardman. Strong winds have slowed the bite but try trolling thundersticks or plugs in the early morning or late evening in shallow waters.
Elk River - Salmon and lake trout are slowly moving up near the dam. Mid-day seems to be best bite. For lake trout, try using live or artificial minnows due to the number of baitfish at the dam.
Boardman River - Has seen a very good run of fish and many have moved up river to the weir. The next good rain should push another round of fresh fish into the river. Try drifting skein under a bobber in the deeper holes.
Platte Bay - Salmon were caught in shallow waters in the early morning when using small spoons.
Frankfort - Boat anglers heading out did mange to mark fish however could not get them to bite. A nice steelhead was caught in 75 feet of water on an orange crush spoon. Pier anglers caught fish as well.
Betsie River - Fishing is still good around the Homestead Dam with chinook caught on the gravel, in the holes and near the log jams. A fresh run of fish just moved into the river. Most anglers are drifting artificial bait.
Portage Lake - Cooler weather pushed the perch into shallow waters.
Manistee - Weather permitting, boats are finding good numbers of steelhead and immature chinook salmon 8 to 16 miles offshore. Try running small spoons in orange or green. Those trolling around the piers caught few fish.
Manistee River - Is still producing salmon. Those fishing up near Tippy Dam are drifting spawn and flies or casting spinners and crank baits.
Big Sable River - Salmon have been in and out of the river mouth depending on the day. Only a few fish were up near the Hamlin Lake Dam.
Ludington - Boats are doing well for salmon and steelhead in 200 to 400 feet of water when trolling small spoons. Both pier anglers and those surfcasting at the State Park reported slow action.
Pentwater - Big water fishing has shifted to steelhead and two year old salmon. The fish are out deep about 100 feet down in 250 feet of water.
Pentwater Lake - Is producing some salmon. Good bluegill and perch action in 15 feet of water.
Pentwater River - Salmon have been caught in the flats off Monroe Road.
Northeastern Lower Peninsula
Mullett Lake - Perch fishing continues to dominate. Try fishing the points, the bays and near the mouth of the Indian River with crawlers or minnows in 15 to 30 feet of water. Walleye fishing slowed with no fish recorded. Perch anglers have also caught a few pike in 20 to 25 feet of water on minnows. Fish were 18 to 25 inches. Bass anglers can be found at Needle Point, Dodge Point, Round Point and near Aloha with crawlers, artificial worms, tube baits, crank baits and spinners.
Rogers City - Reported slow going for salmon. Anglers in the shallow waters of Swan Bay are trolling, anchoring and casting. Those trolling are using bombers off planer boards while those casting are using Cleo’s or body baits. Pier anglers have caught a few brown trout, but no salmon.
Thunder Bay River - Is producing some chinook, steelhead and pink salmon.
Harrisville - Salmon are starting to come into the harbor and the fish look healthy. Try spawn in the harbor and J-plugs outside the walls. If you plan to fish spawn, anglers will want to purchase their bait before they get to Harrisville as there are no bait shops in town.
Oscoda - Catch rates were slow even when boats can get out. Anglers fishing off the pier are having the most success with blue and silver or green and silver little Cleo’s. Boats are mainly using chrome and green J-plugs.
Au Sable River - There are no fish in the river and only a few caught off the piers.
Tawas - Pier anglers caught walleye at night behind the State Police Post.
Au Gres - Perch are still being caught along the shipping channel when boats can get out. Fish were also caught out near Buoy 18 as well as 30 to 40 feet of water straight out from the mouth of the Au Gres River.
Upper Peninsula
Black River Harbor - Lake trout have been caught in 80 to 120 feet of water when trolling spoons about halfway down.
Black River - Water levels were high and fast. Anglers are now catching chinook in the 10 to 12 pound range. Coho and brown trout are also starting to run.
Ontonagon - Fishing was slow and the mud line was out in 100 feet of water. A few lake trout were taken 60 to 70 feet down in 100 to 115 feet of water when trolling spoons or spin and glows.
Firesteel River - Has good pink salmon fishing but the chinook action was only fair.
Keweenaw Bay - The bite was good with most anglers catching coho along with a couple steelhead. Boats are trolling from Sand Point northward to the first set of red rocks. Try 30 to 70 feet down in waters up to 150 feet deep with spoons, body baits or dodger and flies. Fair to good action for lake trout in Traverse Bay for those trolling spoons or dodgers with peanuts in 130 to 150 feet of water.
Marquette - Angler reports say salmon are moving up into the rivers however high water levels made fishing difficult. Pink salmon along with a few chinook salmon were caught on small Mepps spinners in the Dead and Carp Rivers. Fish were marked inside the Lower Harbor breakwall.
Little Bay De Noc - Heavy rainfall of 4 inches caused rivers in the area to rise fast. Rivers like the Sturgeon, Ogontz and Day’s had high water and strong currents which put salmon fishing on hold until water levels recede. Walleye anglers reported mixed results with most wanting to go further south. Gladstone was good for those drifting or jigging crawlers in 25 to 35 feet of water. Several perch were also caught. The North Shore and the Ford River launch were difficult to use due to the fast water.
Big Bay De Noc - Still had primarily smallmouth anglers that were trying to make it out to the Garden Bluff area where good catches were reported 15 to 30 feet down along the break when using minnows. Walleye anglers marked fish between Garden Bluff and the Shoals in 20 feet of water however few were caught.
Au Train - Heavy rain did push some fish into local rivers. Anglers did catch a few coho, chinook and steelhead in the Rock River when using spawn sacks.
Munising - Anglers had mild success when trolling the bay for coho however they had to work hard for the fish they caught. Coho fishing has increased, with a successful trip yielding 1 or 2 salmon for the most part as limit catches were few and far between. Coho were caught by those using spawn bags or casting spinners and spoons. Steelhead were also caught but the fish were running small. Shore anglers were taking splake on spawn bags and the time of day did not seem to matter.
Grand Marais - Fishing was slow as boats had found it difficult to troll near the mouth of the Sucker River due to strong winds. Those able to get out into the bay caught the occasional coho and steelhead. Pier and shore anglers had limited success.
Indian Lake - Some walleye were caught along the west shore in front of the park when trolling crawler harnesses and small rapalas. Smallmouth bass and pike were caught near the weeds on the north end when casting crank baits or crawlers. Fair to good numbers of perch were caught when drifting or jigging crawlers in the deeper holes on the south, west, and north shore.
St. Mary’s River - The pink salmon run has slowed however a few are still being caught off the Pier Power Plant when casting pink Little Cleo’s. Walleye and yellow perch fishing slowed with the recent storms. Smallmouth bass action is still good on the rock piles along the south end of Neebish Island. Crank baits worked best in the stained water.
De Tour - Chinook salmon have been caught just off the bottom in 40 to 50 feet of water with spoons. Best colors were chartreuse and silver or purple and cream glow. Same areas, Drummond Island side of the red can and near the lighthouse. Albany Creek is full of pink and chinook salmon. Try orange or pink spawn bags.
Cedarville and Hessel - Few anglers were out except for those targeting perch in the east end of Hessel Bay, the west end of Snows Channel, Musky Bay and the Middle Entrance. Fish were caught on minnows in 12 feet of water. Both pink salmon and chinook salmon can be found in Bush and Beavertail Creeks.
Carp River - Salmon are on the beds near the Mackinaw Trail Bridge and the McDonald Rapids. Use caution by the rapids as this area flooded after recent rainfall.
Southeast Lower Peninsula
ake Erie - Fishing was good when anglers could get out. Good perch fishing in recent days in 18 feet of water off Bolles Harbor. A few walleye were caught in 15 feet of water near the Fermi Plant and Stony Point when using crawlers or crank baits. A good number of white bass were also caught in the same area.
Huron River - A couple steelhead along with a few walleye were caught on rooster tails near the dam at Flat Rock. Steelhead are just starting to move into the river.
Detroit River - Perch fishing has been good around the islands especially north of Sugar Island. Some limit catches were reported and the fish were 8 to 12 inches. Most anglers were hand-lining with flat fish or rapalas.
Lexington - Some 18 to 20 inch brown trout have been caught by pier anglers casting spoons or plugs.
Harbor Beach - Also has pier anglers catching small brown trout.
Saginaw Bay - Perch are still being taken along the shipping channel from Au Gres south to the mouth of the Saginaw River, when boats can get out. Beyond that, shore anglers in various marinas around the east side of the bay were getting some bluegills, crappie and rock bass on leaf worms and wax worms under a bobber.
Southwest Lower Peninsula
St. Joseph River - Water levels are VERY LOW due to work being done on a dam in Indiana. Some anglers are struggling just to launch a boat. Be sure to go slow and use caution. Fish are running up the river however catch rates were slow. Try early morning and night fishing. Anglers casting spinners have caught fish however most are drifting spawn. Catch rates should pick up once more fish arrive. Smallmouth bass fishing was decent for those using small crank baits or jigs.
Grand Haven - Salmon fishing was slow. Boat anglers are using downriggers 100 to 160 feet deep in 200 to 240 feet of water. Try spoons in green and yellow or your best spinner baits. Pier anglers did fair in the early morning when casting spoons.
Grand River at Lansing - Small coho are being caught on spinners at Moore’s Park and the point where the Grand meets the Red Cedar. Catfish are hitting on crawlers while pike and smallmouth bass were hitting on crawlers and minnows at Moore’s Park. Look for smallmouth bass at the North Lansing Dam.
Sessions Lake - Is still good for panfish in deep water.
Muskegon Lake - Has a few boats out perch fishing.
White River - Salmon fishing was great in the lower river with most drifting spawn.
FISHING CONDITIONS ON LAKES CADILLAC AND MITCHELL FROM PILGRIM VILLAGE FISHING SHOP 231-775-5412
FISHING CONDITIONS ON LAKES CADILLAC AND MITCHELL
FROM PILGRIM VILLAGE FISHING SHOP
Don’t winterize your boat if you enjoy catching bass and pike. Both lakes, Cadillac and Mitchell are producing. With temperatures dropping, the cabbage beds are health; lush green and become magnets for fish. The other weeds are deteriorating. Cast the living beds and you’ll have success.
Only a few die hards are fishing panfish. No bluegill stories. However, the crappie have been active, especially just before dark. A few are taking advantage of them from the City Dock on the east side of Cadillac.
Young Bryson Roller knows the Fall is
a good time to catch pike
Perch fishing has been spotty. Catch them here today and they’re gone tomorrow. Mostly 8 to 10’s when you find them.
Manistee River
Salmon season may be close to peaking out. The Manistee has not been itself so far this year. Optimistically we’ll have a substantial late run of fish and everyone will be happy. Reports from the Betsey and Boardman Rivers indicate fair numbers of salmon.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Perch Fishing
Hearing of a good Perch run on Grand Traverse Bay, Big Glen Lake, Lake Leelanau, Lake Margreathe, and Fife Lake.
Waterfalls in Fall Colors
Monday, September 27, 2010
Blue heron in the pond
Thursday, September 09, 2010
Labor Day Holiday was Horrible
It has been so bad this week with rain and wind no fishing reports on lakes, but salmon are running the rivers. We had the hurricane over the weekend as the holiday was a disaster.
Cooler weather should get the fish back on the bite, and we hope to get fisherman out again.
Saginaw Bay -No one has been able to get out on the bay. With the gales of September, it has just been too windy. Before the wind, perch anglers were doing well around the Spark Plug, Buoys 11 and 12 and along the shipping channel. Anglers will need to do lots of sorting but some nice fish could be found.
Tittabawasse River -Has been slow with a few pike and catfish.
Saginaw River-Slow but things should pick up with cooler weather.
Whitehall -Pier anglers have caught some salmon in the evening when casting Cleo’s, mega baits or anything that glows.
Wixom Lake has been super for gills being caught on waxworms
Mullett Lake -Surface temperatures were 65 to 70 degrees. Walleye fishing was fair with fish ranging from 14 to 24 inches caught between Red Pine Point and Round Point or Dodge Point and Needle Point. Pike were found in 14 to 20 feet of water between the Sunken Island and Parrot Point. Try minnows, spinners or stick baits. Bass are still hitting near the islands and the points. Try crawlers in 20 feet of water. Perch hot spots were Scott Bay, Pigeon Bay, Long Point, Dodge Point and the sunken islands in 10 to 40 feet of water. Try crawler harnesses with minnows.
Oscoda - The dredging is done and the river is clear. Salmon are coming into shallow water just outside the pier. J-plugs and spoons are working well in a variety of colors, including blues and silvers. Steelhead were caught on anything orange in 40 to 60 feet of water. Lake trout are coming back into shallow water as well and hitting on lures that resemble smelt.
Higgins Lake -Very few fishing as weather been terrible. Lots of rock bass in the 9 to 12 inch range have been caught on minnows and worms. Perch are biting on wigglers.
Houghton Lake - Is producing panfish and bass. Early morning or late afternoon is best for bass up in the shallows. Walleye have been fair with crawlers working best.
Tawas -Walleye were caught before the state was hit with strong winds. Try trolling in 50 to 70 feet of water between Au Sable Point and Tawas City.
Foote Dam Pond - Walleye have been caught off the points in the early morning and late evening. Smallmouth bass, crappie and bluegills were also caught.
Lake Margreathe by Grayling A perch bite is on with minnows in about 9 feet of water is still going strong.
Charlevoix -Boat anglers caught fish near the cement plant when casting or trolling rapalas or thundersticks. Black and silver or fire-tiger were good colors. Lake Charlevoix - A few salmon were caught near the Coast Guard Station.
Traverse City -Strong winds have scattered the salmon in both bays. In the East Bay, schools of whitefish are still present just south of the Center Road launch in 85 to 100 feet of water. Most anglers are jigging sand kickers. For salmon, fish were being marked from Lee Point Road down to the Center Road launch in 100 feet of water and along the east side of the bay from Dock Road north to Yuba. In the West Bay, anglers were marking fish outside the Boardman however more fish were caught north along the peninsula when starting just south of Marion Island. Try waters up to 120 feet deep with flies and plugs.
Lake Leelanau - Had steady walleye action. Perch are biting on the North lake just past the narrows.
Portage Lake -Cooler weather was good for bluegill fishing as some limit catches were reported near Little Eden. THe fishing has been great with Perch were also caught in the same area and around the buoy. Be ready to sort out the small ones.
Lake Missaukee -Was good for panfish and bass.
Lake Cadillac -Crappie fishing has been good after dark and in the early morning. Cooler weather will bring the bluegills back into shallower waters. Try wax worms, leaf worms or crickets under a bobber. Bass and pike are hitting again.
Lake Mitchell -Is producing some panfish. Bass are hitting on spinner baits and pike favored large crank baits.
Little Bay De Noc - Catch rates for walleye were fair when trolling crawler harnesses off the break and out from the Terrace Bay Inn in 25 to 40 feet of water. Fish were caught shallow before daylight. Those fishing from the southern Black Bottom to the lighthouse were drifting and trolling crawlers in 20 to 40 feet of water. The north end of the bay was also producing fish however many were sub-legal. Jumbo perch were reported north of the Ore Docks in Escanaba. Try still-fishing with crawlers in 25 to 35 feet of water. No salmon in the rivers yet.
Big Bay De Noc -Had good smallmouth fishing from Snake Island to Garden Bluff while drifting minnows 15 to 30 feet down just off the break. No perch or walleye reports this week.
Indian Lake - Walleye anglers did best when drifting or trolling along the weeds around the shoreline. More fish were caught along the west shore but the fish were small. Try crawler harnesses or surface raps. A few keeper size perch were also caught this way however most of the perch anglers were fishing the north or south shore while drifting or still-fishing with crawlers.
St. Mary’s River -Near Sault Ste. Marie, a few pink salmon were caught when casting pink spoons at the fishing pier on the east end of Cloverland Power Plant. Chinook and Atlantic salmon are just beginning to make their run up to the rapids however water temperatures are still warm and the fishing was slow. The walleye bite was good in Raber Bay. Those fishing in the evening were trolling crawler harnesses and smiley blades in 8 to 12 feet of water near Antelope Point. Bass were caught on the east side of Lime Island and around Hart Island. Try jigging tube baits.
Cedarville and Hessel -Anglers continue to target perch off the Hessel Marina pier, in the east end of Hessel Bay, along the south shoreline, and the north side of Haven Island and Snows Channel. Use crawlers in 6 to 12 feet of water. Those fishing out of Cedarville are harvesting perch and some pike in Musky Bay. The Middle Entrance has been continuously producing in 8 to 10 feet of water. Boat anglers caught pink salmon out of Hessel, 15 to 35 feet down in 60 to 80 feet of water. Atlantic, chinook, steelhead and lake trout were also caught. Dredging continues at the Cedarville launch.
Northwest:
Petoskey - Windy conditions have kept anglers off the big water.
Bear River - Rain and the northwest wind pushed a decent number of salmon up into the river. Those fishing from the falls down to the mouth have caught fish on wooly buggers, yarn flies and spawn. At the mouth, fish were hitting on orange and silver or blue and silver spoons or fire-tiger body baits.
Charlevoix - Boat anglers caught fish near the cement plant when casting or trolling rapalas or thundersticks. Black and silver or fire-tiger were good colors.
Lake Charlevoix - A few salmon were caught near the Coast Guard Station.
Traverse City - Strong winds have scattered the salmon in both bays. In the East Bay, schools of whitefish are still present just south of the Center Road launch in 85 to 100 feet of water. Most anglers are jigging sand kickers. For salmon, fish were being marked from Lee Point Road down to the Center Road launch in 100 feet of water and along the east side of the bay from Dock Road north to Yuba. In the West Bay, anglers were marking fish outside the Boardman however more fish were caught north along the peninsula when starting just south of Marion Island. Try waters up to 120 feet deep with flies and plugs.
Boardman River - A few fish have moved into the river but most anglers are still out fishing the big water. Try thundersticks or skein at the mouth.
Platte River - Some coho started to run last weekend. With the change in weather, some fish were passed at the weir.
Frankfort - A few anglers were able to fish the harbor and Betsie Bay. Those trolling mid-morning caught the most fish. Pier anglers casting spawn caught a few fish but those jigging the holes near the old car ferry caught the most fish.
Betsie River - Salmon action is starting to pick up with chinook caught up at the Homestead Dam. Small runs of fish are at the dam but they are not holding there. More runs were reported in the lower stretch. Up near the dam try yarn flies or streamers. In the lower river, try spawn under a bobber.
Portage Lake - Wind kept most anglers off the lake however a few did manage to lay some ground work for future trips as a few nice largemouth and smallmouth bass were caught near Little Eden.
Manistee - Boats had a hard time getting out on the big lake but those able to make it have caught salmon out on the Shelf. Most are trolling in the harbor and channel while catching a few chinook. Pier anglers caught a few fish when casting spoons.
Manistee Lake - Has been good for salmon on certain days.
Manistee River - Salmon have started moving into the lower river.
Ludington - Those able to get out on the Lake Michigan caught salmon in 60 to 120 feet of water between the Bath House and Big Sable Point when trolling green fly combos. Pier anglers fishing in the early morning caught a few salmon.
Northeastern Lower Peninsula
Mullett Lake - Surface temperatures were 65 to 70 degrees. Walleye fishing was fair with fish ranging from 14 to 24 inches caught between Red Pine Point and Round Point or Dodge Point and Needle Point. Pike were found in 14 to 20 feet of water between the Sunken Island and Parrot Point. Try minnows, spinners or stick baits. Bass are still hitting near the islands and the points. Try crawlers in 20 feet of water. Perch hot spots were Scott Bay, Pigeon Bay, Long Point, Dodge Point and the sunken islands in 10 to 40 feet of water. Try crawler harnesses with minnows.
Rogers City - Fishing was good in waters 45 to 80 feet deep. Look for structure and baitfish while fishing higher in the water column and keep the bait out and away from the boat. Most are fishing straight out, north towards Forty Mile Point or south towards Swan Bay and catching chinook, lake trout, steelhead, pink salmon, the occasional walleye or brown trout. Try downriggers with lead core of 3 to 7 colors off boards and dipsey divers about 135 feet back. Small spoons in bright colors.
Presque Isle - Use the same techniques here as Rogers City. Hot spots were straight out from the red can, north between the lighthouses, and near Stoneport.
Rockport - Pink salmon and lake trout were caught in 60 feet of water.
Thunder Bay River - Only a couple salmon have been caught. Most anglers are coming up empty handed. Cooler weather should open the possibilities to those looking to fish the river.
Harrisville - Salmon are making their way into the harbor. Anglers are catching chinook when long-lining with spoons, body baits or J-plugs and floating spawn. Boat anglers are still catching steelhead in 40 to 60 feet of water. Lake trout are coming back into the shallow waters and hitting on anything black and chrome. Walleye were caught between the harbor and the Sturgeon Point Lighthouse in 12 to 20 feet of water. The walleye were hugging the bottom so anglers might want to use bottom bouncers.
Oscoda - The dredging is done and the river is clear. Salmon are coming into shallow water just outside the pier. J-plugs and spoons are working well in a variety of colors, including blues and silvers. Steelhead were caught on anything orange in 40 to 60 feet of water. Lake trout are coming back into shallow water as well and hitting on lures that resemble smelt.
Au Sable River - A couple walleye were caught but overall fishing was slow.
Tawas - Walleye were caught before the state was hit with strong winds. Try trolling in 50 to 70 feet of water between Au Sable Point and Tawas City.
Upper Peninsula
Ontonagon - Strong winds have pushed cooler water into the river. Look for fishing to improve in 40 to 70 feet of water.
Keweenaw Bay - Those trolling in the bay have picked up some nice coho along with a few walleye. No salmon to report in the Falls River yet. A few lake trout were caught in Traverse Bay between Gay Point and Hermits Cove. Those running from Traverse Bay to the Huron Islands have caught limits of lake trout.
Marquette - There are reports of a few coho and steelhead near the Chocolay River and coho were scattered near the Dead River.
Little Bay De Noc - Catch rates for walleye were fair when trolling crawler harnesses off the break and out from the Terrace Bay Inn in 25 to 40 feet of water. Fish were caught shallow before daylight. Those fishing from the southern Black Bottom to the lighthouse were drifting and trolling crawlers in 20 to 40 feet of water. The north end of the bay was also producing fish however many were sub-legal. Jumbo perch were reported north of the Ore Docks in Escanaba. Try still-fishing with crawlers in 25 to 35 feet of water. No salmon in the rivers yet.
Big Bay De Noc - Had good smallmouth fishing from Snake Island to Garden Bluff while drifting minnows 15 to 30 feet down just off the break. No perch or walleye reports this week.
Au Train - Few anglers were able to get out. Surface water temperatures have cooled and are averaging 58 to 60 degrees.
Munising - Few boats were out but those able to reach the Big Reef caught lake trout on jigs and cut bait. Shore anglers had some success for splake when using natural baits such as spawn bags. Menominee whitefish were caught on crawlers.
Indian Lake - Walleye anglers did best when drifting or trolling along the weeds around the shoreline. More fish were caught along the west shore but the fish were small. Try crawler harnesses or surface raps. A few keeper size perch were also caught this way however most of the perch anglers were fishing the north or south shore while drifting or still-fishing with crawlers.
St. Mary’s River - Near Sault Ste. Marie, a few pink salmon were caught when casting pink spoons at the fishing pier on the east end of Cloverland Power Plant. Chinook and Atlantic salmon are just beginning to make their run up to the rapids however water temperatures are still warm and the fishing was slow. The walleye bite was good in Raber Bay. Those fishing in the evening were trolling crawler harnesses and smiley blades in 8 to 12 feet of water near Antelope Point. Bass were caught on the east side of Lime Island and around Hart Island. Try jigging tube baits.
De Tour - Is a great spot for pink salmon with Atlantic, chinook, coho and steelhead mixed in. Anglers are trolling from Frying Pan Island to the number 3 green can with small pink or lime colored spoons with dots. Try fishing 3 to 35 feet down. Some boats are fishing near the lighthouse and three miles south.
Cedarville and Hessel - Anglers continue to target perch off the Hessel Marina pier, in the east end of Hessel Bay, along the south shoreline, and the north side of Haven Island and Snows Channel. Use crawlers in 6 to 12 feet of water. Those fishing out of Cedarville are harvesting perch and some pike in Musky Bay. The Middle Entrance has been continuously producing in 8 to 10 feet of water. Boat anglers caught pink salmon out of Hessel, 15 to 35 feet down in 60 to 80 feet of water. Atlantic, chinook, steelhead and lake trout were also caught. Dredging continues at the Cedarville launch.
Carp River - Those fishing the mouth are taking some chinook and pink salmon. Anglers are reminded that the Mackinaw Trail Bridge is closed.
St. Ignace - Fishing remains steady with anglers trolling the Flats to the Coast Guard Station and the fuel tanks and to the Edison Plant. Anglers are mainly harvesting pink salmon but chinook and steelhead could also be found. Try silver or green flashers and flies or green spoons.
Southeast Lower Peninsula
Lake Erie - Yellow perch were caught in 15 to 18 feet of water when anglers can get out. Try Luna Pier, the E Buoy near Bolles Harbor and Stony Point. Walleye were scattered however a few fish were caught near the Ohio state line. Cooler temperatures are needed before good numbers of walleye will return.
Huron River - No steelhead to report yet. Carp and catfish were still biting and a few crappie were caught on minnows in the backwaters.
Detroit River - Had good perch fishing near the mouth including the area from the Toll Bridge on down and near Celeron Island and Sugar Island when using a jig and worm in 9 to 12 feet of water.
Harbor Beach - The last report was those out trolling caught good numbers of lake trout and steelhead in 100 to 150 feet of water, weather permitting.
Saginaw Bay - No one has been able to get out on the bay. With the gales of September, it has just been too windy. Before the wind, perch anglers were doing well around the Spark Plug, Buoys 11 and 12 and along the shipping channel. Anglers will need to do lots of sorting but some nice fish could be found.
Southwest Lower Peninsula
St. Joseph - Few reports have come in due to weather conditions. Anglers are just waiting for the lake to settle down.
St. Joseph River - Fishing slowed even with the cooler weather. Only a few smallmouth bass were taken. Some are starting to look for salmon and steelhead however there is not much to report yet as there are very few fish in the river.
Kalamazoo River - Is closed from Marshall to Morrow Dam until further notice.
Grand Haven - Boats anglers might do well just outside the piers when trolling in the early morning and pier anglers should start picking up a few fish.
Grand River at Grand Rapids - Chinook, coho, and steelhead are in the river. They are hitting on flies, spawn, skein, wobble glows, spinners, rapalas and thundersticks. Pike were hitting on spinners, suckers or bluegills. Those trolling upstream have caught walleye on Hot-n-Tots. Brown trout were caught using half a crawler with a two foot leader. Bluegills and crappie were caught at Riverside Park.
Grand River at Lansing - Moore’s Park has been good for walleye along the wall. Some nice catfish have also been caught. The North Lansing Dam has been good for smallmouth bass.
Sessions Lake - In Ionia County is producing crappie and other panfish in waters 30 to 40 feet deep.
FISHING CONDITIONS ON LAKES CADILLAC AND MITCHELL FROM PILGRIM VILLAGE FISHING SHOP 231-775-5412
FISHING CONDITIONS ON LAKES CADILLAC AND MITCHELL
FROM PILGRIM VILLAGE FISHING SHOP
The holiday’s cold wind and rain did not keep anglers away. It did however keep most from launching their boats. Many shore fishermen found leeward areas to fish.
One bright spot was the canal between Lakes Cadillac and Mitchell. Have no explainatioin why bass would be there but several in the 15-17 inch range were caught.
Lake Mitchell was rough because of the west/northwest winds. White caps continue to pound the shoreline. The majority of fishing was done on Lake Cadillac. At lease between the two lakes there’s always a place for anglers.
For an honest, accurate fish report the lakes will have to calm down.
MANISTEE RIVER
Salmon fishing and salmon catching has begun. A few are alreadey at Tippy Dam. Better numbers are at the Pine and Bear Creek areas.
Pier fishing at Manistee or Frankfort is worth while. Start before day break.
Thursday, September 02, 2010
Last Fling of the Summer
We have had another hot, humid week but rain and cooler weather is predicted to make fishing better. Wigglers are legal to sell again as this is a big tool to catch person. Perch are starting to show up with good catches in Lake Margreathe, East Grand Traverse Bay, North Lake Leelanau, Higgins Lake, Otsego Lake, Van Etten Lake and Long Lake by Traverse City. As we approach the so-called dog days of summer, walleye fishing in waters of the Great Lakes including Saginaw Bay has begun to taper off, as it usually does around Labor Day. Catch rates have been slow however rain, wind and much cooler temperatures by the weekend could be the jump start needed to get the salmon runs underway.
Warm water seems to be slowing the bite in many shallow lakes. Fish the deeper holes to catch fish in this sunny summer weather
Crickets have been selling good this week so gills are in deep water and crickets are the ticket.
Saginaw Bay -Had no walleye action to report. Perch are being caught at the Black Hole, the Spark Plug, two miles east of the Spark Plug, Buoy 18, and all along the shipping channel. Anglers will have to do a lot of sorting to find some keepers. Try pieces of crawler. Catfish were still biting near the Hot Pond.
Tittabawasse River -Catfish are biting below Sanford and Dow Dam as water is flowing as they lower Sanford Lake 5 feet to repair the dam.
Saginaw River- Shore anglers in the lower river are catching some freshwater drum, catfish and the occasional bass.
Whitehall -Pier anglers have caught some salmon in the evening when casting Cleo’s, mega baits or anything that glows.
Wixom Lake has been super for gills being caught on waxworms
Mullett Lake -Lots of walleye anglers fishing 17 to 28 feet of water between Red Pine Point and Round Point or Dodge Point and Needle Point. Most are trolling in 20 to 30 feet of water but a few were trolling 40 to 50 feet down in 60 to 100 feet of water. Trout were caught 20 to 50 feet down in 75 to 100 feet of water. Pike anglers were still trolling crawlers, crank baits or minnows in 10 to 20 feet of water. Popular spots for yellow perch were Topinabee, Scott Bay, Pigeon Bay, Long Point, Dodge Point and near the sunken islands in 10 to 40 feet of water. For smallmouth bass, try Round Point and Pigeon Bay in 25 to 35 feet of water.
Oscoda - Salmon and steelhead were caught closer to shore in 30 to 60 feet of water in the early morning. Pier anglers might also catch a few fish early or late.
Higgins Lake -Had good lake trout action with fish ranging from 18 to 22 inches. Most are trolling cowbells and bombers 5 feet off the bottom in waters 80 to 100 feet deep. Lots of rock bass in the 9 to 12 inch range have been caught on minnows and worms. Perch are biting on wigglers.
Houghton Lake - Is producing panfish and bass. Early morning or late afternoon is best for bass up in the shallows. Walleye have been fair with crawlers working best.
Tawas -Walleye fishing has really slowed down with just a few fish reported. Anglers trolling crawler harnesses in 40 to 65 feet of water have also caught the occasional steelhead. A few bass were caught by pier and boat anglers when casting various artificial baits.
Foote Dam Pond - Walleye have been caught off the points in the early morning and late evening. Smallmouth bass, crappie and bluegills were also caught.
Lake Margreathe by Grayling A perch bite is on with minnows in about 9 feet of water is still going strong.
Charlevoix -Fishing remains slower than it should be for this late in the summer, with anglers only bringing in light numbers of fish. Salmon have been found 60 to 120 feet down in waters 100 to 170 feet deep.
Traverse City -Those fishing the East Bay were bringing in a salmon or two when trolling in 80 to 100 feet of water between Bluff Road and Mountain Jacks Marina. Whitefish anglers did well just south of the Center Road launch in 95 feet of water with sand kickers and Elk Rapids jigs, Near the bypass, smallmouth anglers were catching a few panfish only. In the West Bay, salmon and trout were caught between Lee Point Road and the Boardman River. The fish were scattered in 70 to 140 feet of water and hitting about 65 feet down.
Lake Leelanau - Had steady walleye action. I have been fishing there but have not found the fish yet but many are in 50 feet of water. Perch are biting on the North lake just past the narrows.
Portage Lake -Cooler weather was good for bluegill fishing as some limit catches were reported near Little Eden. Perch were also caught in the same area and around the buoy. Be ready to sort out the small ones.
Lake Missaukee -Was good for panfish and bass.
Lake Cadillac -Crappie fishing has been good after dark and in the early morning. Cooler weather will bring the bluegills back into shallower waters. Try wax worms, leaf worms or crickets under a bobber. Bass and pike are hitting again.
Lake Mitchell -Is producing some panfish. Bass are hitting on spinner baits and pike favored large crank baits.
Little Bay De Noc - Had fair to good walleye catches out from the Terrace Bay Inn in Gladstone Bay when trolling crawlers and harnesses in 25 to 35 feet of water. The southern end of the Black Bottom was fair in 10 to 40 feet of water but several nice perch and crappie were caught when jigging crawlers. Salmon fishing was fair in the southern waters when trolling spoons 65 to 95 feet down in 110 to 125 feet of water.
Big Bay De Noc -No walleye or perch to report but smallmouth bass catches were good for those using tube or crank baits in 15 to 30 feet of water from Ansell’s Point south to Snake Island. Fairport had good catches when weather permitted. Boat anglers after salmon were heading south to Poverty Island and trolling spoons 80 to 140 feet down in 120 to 160 feet of water.
Indian Lake - Most fishing effort was on the north end of the lake. Perch are starting to bite again. Walleye were caught by those trolling or drifting near the weed beds with crawler harnesses or surface rapalas. Perch anglers were fishing close to shore with crawlers. A lot of fish were caught however anglers put in a lot of time to catch fish big enough to eat.
St. Mary’s River -Walleye fishing is still good by the powerhouse to Raber Bay using crawler harnesses and jigs.
Cedarville and Hessel - At Sault Ste. Marie, chinook were caught in front of the power plant when trolling J-plugs near the drop off along the shipping channel. Pink salmon have been caught off the pier when casting small pink Cleo’s. Good action in Lake George between the rapids and Timber Ridge Resort when trolling crawler harnesses with purple blades in 12 to 18 feet of water. For Little Lake George on the Canadian side, yellow perch were caught in 30 feet of water between the Garden River and the Sugar Island Township Park.
Northwest:
Petoskey - Good numbers of salmon were found straight out from the harbor entrance. Try 70 to 110 feet down in 130 to 160 feet of water. Salmon were scattered between East Park and the pier. Hot baits were white with a green or blue fly or J-plugs in ghost white, fire tiger, chrome with a red nose, and meat rigs. Early morning and last light produced the most fish.
Charlevoix - Fishing remains slower than it should be for this late in the summer, with anglers only bringing in light numbers of fish. Salmon have been found 60 to 120 feet down in waters 100 to 170 feet deep.
Traverse City - Those fishing the East Bay were bringing in a salmon or two when trolling in 80 to 100 feet of water between Bluff Road and Mountain Jacks Marina. Whitefish anglers did well just south of the Center Road launch in 95 feet of water with sand kickers and Elk Rapids jigs, Near the bypass, smallmouth anglers were catching a few panfish only. In the West Bay, salmon and trout were caught between Lee Point Road and the Boardman River. The fish were scattered in 70 to 140 feet of water and hitting about 65 feet down.
Boardman River - Anglers are checking for salmon however few have been seen.
Platte Bay - Coho were caught in the East Bay when trolling spoons or J-plugs 40 to 80 feet down in 50 to 100 feet of water. Green was the hot color. The coho are still nice and silver however the chinook salmon are starting to turn dark.
Frankfort - Chinook were starting to stage and could be found in the holes near the old ferry docks where shore and boat anglers did well with Swedish Pimples in the early morning. Boats are also heading north to the point and trolling 80 to 100 feet down in 120 to 150 feet of water. Try flashers and flies during the day and glows at dusk and pre-dawn.
Onekama - Boat anglers heading straight out are fishing in 120 to 140 feet of water while those heading north did better in 80 to 120 feet. Early morning was best when using J-plugs or spoons that glow. Pier fishing was slow.
Portage Lake - Cooler weather was good for bluegill fishing as some limit catches were reported near Little Eden. Perch were also caught in the same area and around the buoy. Be ready to sort out the small ones.
Lake Cadillac - Crappie fishing has been good after dark and in the early morning. Cooler weather will bring the bluegills back into shallower waters. Try wax worms, leaf worms or crickets under a bobber. Bass and pike are hitting again.
Lake Mitchell - Is producing some panfish. Bass are hitting on spinner baits and pike favored large crank baits.
Manistee - A few salmon have been caught around the piers in the early morning. Boat anglers did well in 80 to 160 feet of water when using cut bait or glow plugs. Strong winds have made fishing difficult. Anglers fishing Manistee Lake have started to catch a few salmon.
Manistee River - Salmon fishing could pick up by the weekend but for now, few fish have been caught.
Ludington - On the good days, boat anglers continue to catch chinook and coho in 50 to 150 feet of water between the Bath House and Big Sable Point. Try running glow plugs in the early morning. Pier anglers took a few salmon in the early morning.
Pentwater - Had fair to good chinook salmon fishing from Juniper Beach down to Silver Lake when trolling spoons or J-plugs in 80 to 100 feet of water. Only a handful of salmon have been caught off the pier.
Northeastern Lower Peninsula
Mullett Lake - Lots of walleye anglers fishing 17 to 28 feet of water between Red Pine Point and Round Point or Dodge Point and Needle Point. Most are trolling in 20 to 30 feet of water but a few were trolling 40 to 50 feet down in 60 to 100 feet of water. Trout were caught 20 to 50 feet down in 75 to 100 feet of water. Pike anglers were still trolling crawlers, crank baits or minnows in 10 to 20 feet of water. Popular spots for yellow perch were Topinabee, Scott Bay, Pigeon Bay, Long Point, Dodge Point and near the sunken islands in 10 to 40 feet of water. For smallmouth bass, try Round Point and Pigeon Bay in 25 to 35 feet of water.
Rogers City - Boats were pounding the area around Swan Bay however the fish were not staging yet. It appears the salmon are still in their late summer feeding patterns so try straight out from the harbor or Adams Point in waters 40 to 120 feet deep. Every day seems to be a little different. Look for structure and baitfish. Use glows in the early morning and late evening, but try green and silver, blue and silver, orange and white, black and white, yellow, orange, green or purple otherwise. J-plug action was slow. Anglers continue to take a mixed bag of chinook, lake trout, steelhead, pink salmon, brown trout and walleye.
Presque Isle - Is producing mainly chinook, lake trout, pink salmon, steelhead and the occasional walleye. Try straight out from the red can or north between the two lights. Stoneport had pressure also. Commercial nets may be in the area so anglers need to use caution.
Alpena - Surveys and creel census both indicate that most fish in Lake Huron, walleyes and lake trout in particular, are focusing on a large crop of rainbow smelt which are now suspended in cool, offshore waters. Try fishing where the thermocline intersects the bottom about 70 feet deep or with suspended lures in deeper water. Walleyes are still abundant in the Thunder Bay area, but not in the bay itself as they have moved slightly offshore to deeper water where the smelt are. While the smaller immature chinook salmon remain focused on the smelt in deeper waters, the adult fish were just starting to stage off the rivers.
Thunder Bay River - A few salmon were caught up near the 9th Street Dam however it is still too warm and the fish were most likely heading back to deep water.
Oscoda - Salmon and steelhead were caught closer to shore in 30 to 60 feet of water in the early morning. Pier anglers might also catch a few fish early or late.
Au Sable River - Adult salmon were just starting to gather off the mouth.
Higgins Lake - Had good lake trout action with fish ranging from 18 to 22 inches. Most are trolling cowbells and bombers 5 feet off the bottom in waters 80 to 100 feet deep.
Tawas - Walleye fishing has really slowed down with just a few fish reported. Anglers trolling crawler harnesses in 40 to 65 feet of water have also caught the occasional steelhead. A few bass were caught by pier and boat anglers when casting various artificial baits.
Au Gres - Walleye fishing is slow here as well so anglers are going out for perch. They are heading in multiple directions such as off the mouth of the river, the hotel, along the shipping channel and off the gravelly shoals and fishing in 30 to 40 feet of water. There is a lot of sorting to be done but a few keepers are showing up.
Upper Peninsula
Black River Harbor - Strong winds have kept anglers off the lake.
Marquette - Catch rates for lake trout were fair however some limit catches were reported near the white rocks and towards Granite Island. Most fish were caught near the bottom but a few were suspended in 150 feet of water. Spoons and flies work best. No reports on salmon or steelhead.
Little Bay De Noc - Had fair to good walleye catches out from the Terrace Bay Inn in Gladstone Bay when trolling crawlers and harnesses in 25 to 35 feet of water. The southern end of the Black Bottom was fair in 10 to 40 feet of water but several nice perch and crappie were caught when jigging crawlers. Salmon fishing was fair in the southern waters when trolling spoons 65 to 95 feet down in 110 to 125 feet of water.
Big Bay De Noc - No walleye or perch to report but smallmouth bass catches were good for those using tube or crank baits in 15 to 30 feet of water from Ansell’s Point south to Snake Island. Fairport had good catches when weather permitted. Boat anglers after salmon were heading south to Poverty Island and trolling spoons 80 to 140 feet down in 120 to 160 feet of water.
Au Train - A few limits of lake trout were caught north of Shelter Bay and near Grand Island. Fish averaging 3 to 5 pounds were caught on spoons and flies.
Munising - Catch rates were slow due to weather conditions. Reports from the Big Reef area indicate there are still good numbers of nice lake trout in the 20 pound range to be caught. Some perch were caught off Grand Island in Murray Bay. Pier and shore anglers caught a few splake. Try spawn bags or spoons.
Grand Marais - Those able to get out caught lake trout along the drop offs in 150 feet of water about five miles north of the bay.
Indian Lake - Walleye were caught by those trolling or drifting near the weed beds with crawler harnesses or surface rapalas. Perch anglers were fishing close to shore with crawlers. A lot of fish were caught however anglers put in a lot of time to catch fish big enough to eat.
St. Mary’s River - At Sault Ste. Marie, chinook were caught in front of the power plant when trolling J-plugs near the drop off along the shipping channel. Pink salmon have been caught off the pier when casting small pink Cleo’s. Good action in Lake George between the rapids and Timber Ridge Resort when trolling crawler harnesses with purple blades in 12 to 18 feet of water. For Little Lake George on the Canadian side, yellow perch were caught in 30 feet of water between the Garden River and the Sugar Island Township Park.
Cedarville and Hessel - For perch, fish near the Hessel pier, the east end of Hessel Bay, the south shoreline, the north side of Haven Island and Snows Channel. Crawlers worked best in 8 to 12 feet of water however Snows Channel did better in 6 to 10 feet of water. Perch were caught in Musky Bay and the Middle Entrance but the Moscoe Channel was the hot spot when using crawlers in 4 to 6 feet of water. Pink salmon, Atlantic salmon, chinook, steelhead and lake trout were caught 30 feet down in 50 to 60 feet of water around Goose Island. Dredging continues at the Cedarville launch, resulting in only minor pressure around Little Joe Island. Anglers can launch off Four Mile Block on Musky Bay or the Tribal launch on McKay Bay.
St. Ignace - Fishing activity remains steady. Anglers are trolling the flats near the Coast Guard Station and the Edison Plant. Fish were 45 to 55 feet deep.
Southeast Lower Peninsula
Lake Erie - Perch fishing slowed this week. Good places to try are near the mouth of the River Raisin near Buoys 1 and 2, Luna Pier in 18 feet of water or Stony Point in 22 feet of water. Cooler water temperatures ushered in a few walleye near the River Raisin however the extreme warm up most likely sent the fish back to deeper water. When the next cold front hits, try trolling crawler harnesses.
Huron River - Good numbers of carp were caught up near Flat Rock. Nice bluegills were taken on wax worms or leaf worms at the Telegraph Bridge and the backwaters.
Detroit River - Some walleye were caught in the lower Trenton Channel by those jigging or hand-lining. A few perch were caught in the deep holes and around the northeast corner of Celeron Island.
Lake St. Clair - Is producing some nice smallmouth bass.
Lexington - Those trolling caught a mix of coho, steelhead, lake trout and walleye. Perch fishing was spotty in 35 to 40 feet of water.
Port Sanilac - The fish are out deep so head out to waters 100 to 180 feet deep for trout, salmon and walleye. Perch could be found in waters 30 to 50 feet deep however catch rates were slow.
Harbor Beach - Salmon fishing was slow however a few chinook and pink salmon were caught along with lake trout and steelhead. Most are fishing in 60 to 140 feet of water with spoons, J-plugs and spin-glows. Hot colors were black, glow, green and white with pink dots. For steelhead, try 50 to 60 feet back off the downriggers and 35 to 60 feet down with small spoons in bright colors such as yellow with silver, orange, pink or red with green. Walleye were caught on crawler harnesses, small spoons and body baits straight out and north of the harbor. Try 30 feet of water and work out to 100 feet until you locate fish. Pier anglers might want to start casting body baits or spoons in the evening.
Port Austin - Renovation on the boat ramp is nearly completed and the ramp is scheduled to re-open this Friday.
Saginaw Bay - Had no walleye action to report. Perch are being caught at the Black Hole, the Spark Plug, two miles east of the Spark Plug, Buoy 18, and all along the shipping channel. Anglers will have to do a lot of sorting to find some keepers. Try pieces of crawler. Catfish were still biting near the Hot Pond.
Saginaw River - Is producing a few bass in the lower river.
Southwest Lower Peninsula
St. Joseph - When the lake turned over and bought cooler water close to shore, pier anglers were catching chinook and steelhead in the early morning but extremely warm temperatures once again were warming the waters of Lake Michigan. Perch fishing remained good in 20 to 50 feet of water.
St. Joseph River - Has no trout or salmon reports however good numbers of smallmouth bass have been caught on crank baits or soft plastics. Flathead and channel cats were hitting on cut bait.
South Haven - Is producing a few chinook salmon when trolling in 60 to 100 feet of water in the early morning. Pier fishing was slow. Fair to good numbers of perch were caught in 25 to 50 feet of water a couple miles north of the pier.
Kalamazoo River - Remains closed from Marshall to Morrow Dam until further notice. Clean-up will continue through the fall and most likely into winter.
Grand Haven - Salmon fishing was slow. Anglers are heading out in the early morning or right at dark and trolling 55 to 90 feet down in 140 to 240 feet of water. Try smaller spoons in blue and yellow or green and yellow. Big white paddles and green flies have also worked. A couple chinook were caught off the south pier when casting spoons.
Grand River at Grand Rapids - Anglers continue to catch both large and smallmouth bass. Boat and shore anglers are catching walleye along with flathead and channel catfish.
Grand River at Lansing - Had good smallmouth bass action between Lansing and Grand Ledge. Moore’s Park Dam is producing some nice catfish and walleye. Try crawlers or cut bait on the bottom.
Muskegon - When boats can get out they are trolling in 120 to 200 feet of water. J-plugs, paddles and flies worked best. Good colors were green, blue, yellow and glow. No salmon were caught off the pier.
Whitehall - Pier anglers have caught some salmon in the evening when casting Cleo’s, mega baits or anything that glows.
FISHING CONDITIONS ON LAKES CADILLAC AND MITCHELL FROM PILGRIM VILLAGE FISHING SHOP 231-775-5412
FISHING CONDITIONS ON LAKES CADILLAC AND MITCHELL
FROM PILGRIM VILLAGE FISHING SHOP
Either the fish have decided to cooperate or our fishermen have improved their skills. Warm days and cool nights has made conditions perfect. Water temperatures are slowly falling. The panfish and predators are back on the bite.
The numbers of anglers on Lakes Mitchell and Cadillac are decreasing. Many are turning their attention to catching salmon on the Manistee River, Pier fishing or Great lakes charters. Another loss comes from the early goose season starting September lst.
Crappies are still hitting off the City Dock on Lake Cadillac. Best catches and best size are being caught after dark, the later the better. Gills and sunfish are returning to shallower 6 - 8 foot depths on both lakes. Bobber fish with cricket, leafworms or waxworms. Smaller baits are working best. Don’t sit, keep moving until you find them.
The pike and bass have returned. No hot spot, neither lake is better then the other. Spinner baits are still the local favorite. However, fatter crank baits are good. Many report small bluegills in the fish they clean. Match the hatch!
MANISTEE RIVER
Salmon fishing and salmon catching has begun. A few are alreadey at Tippy Dam. Better numbers are at the Pine and Bear Creek areas.
Pier fishing at Manistee or Frankfort is worth while. Start before day break.