Curly's Photo and Fishing Blog
Fat Lady is Singing
The fat lady is singing as summer is over thanks god summer weather is finally here. Had a fantastic labor day holiday as everybody was busy with lots of customers buying bait.
Finally had a great holiday weekend in Northern Michigan. Salmon fishing is the big thing as most are heading out for the big fish as most inland lakes are starting to get a perch bite. Some salmon are up the rivers also with pier fishing picking up. Inland lakes had lots of pressure this week-end with good reports. 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 - Limits of walleye have been caught off Pinconning and Linwood when trolling crawler harnesses or Hot-n-Tots in 12 to 15 feet of water. The action was slower a few miles east of the Spark Plug and the Black Hole. Yellow perch were caught in the shipping channel, around the Spark Plug and near Buoys 9 and 10. Catfish are hitting on shrimp in the Hot Ponds. Near Quanicassee, walleye fishing was slow with boats only taking 1 or 2 fish off the Callahan Reef. Those heading out for perch were taking 12 to 15 fish on average per boat near the Spark Plug. The better walleye fishing was off Sebewaing, but anglers are still working hard to get them. Target 15 feet of water in the Slot off Fish Point and out near the Spark Plug in 32 feet of water. Most are using crawler harnesses but fish were also caught on Hot-n-Tots in the deeper water. A few perch were caught northeast of the Spark Plug. Caseville is quiet except for a few smallmouth bass caught off the breakwall.
Mullett Lake -Anglers have caught pike and perch when still-fishing with crawlers or minnows. Walleye, bass and even a few trout were also caught. Good perch fishing on the west side with some in the 9 and 10 inch range.
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 are being caught on crawlers or leeches. Some big bluegills have been caught and a few nice crappie were taken on spinner baits. Those out pike fishing have also caught some nice fish.
Lake Charlevoix -Good pike fishing was reported at the north end of lake when using live minnows. Expect perch to bite soon and the walleye have started to bite again with some bass on the bite.
Lake Bellaire -Surface temperatures increased to the high 60’s and low 70’s. Walleye anglers are still fishing near the Fisherman’s Paradise Public Access, Northwest Arm and the Narrows. Try trolling crawler harnesses, spoons, and stick baits or jigging with leeches and crawlers in 10 to 35 feet of water. Fish range from 14 to 16 inches. Bass anglers have been casting artificial worms, tube baits or crank baits in 3 to 25 feet of water. Target the drop-offs in the South Arm. Pike are hitting on crawler harnesses or spoons near the mouth of the Intermediate River and the Grass River. Yellow perch ranging from 4 to 13 inches have been caught by those still-fishing in 2 to 16 feet of water in the Northwest Arm and in front of the Intermediate River. Try crawlers or minnows.
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 - Very slow this week
Boardman River - Salmon are in the river with early morning the best using spawn
Lake Leelanau - Perch fishing has been good this week when they can get out with minnows working best. Some walleye are being caught on crawlers
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 -Those trolling for walleye and pike had a hard time locating fish. Good numbers of largemouth bass are once again being caught on the east side.
Manistee -Boats have found the salmon and trout to be scattered anywhere from the front of the piers to 400 feet of water. Early in the morning, salmon can be caught using glow plugs in front of the piers. Those fishing the Shelf found fish in the top 60 feet of water. Best colors continue to be green or blue.
Manistee River - Salmon are in the river however cooler weather will bring more fish in. The better fishing has been in the early morning or at night with spoons, crank baits, body baits, yarn or spawn. Fish the deeper holes or up near Tippy Dam.
Ludington -Salmon are being caught when trolling plugs in front of the pier and out to 60 feet of water. Pier anglers have caught salmon when casting 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-Most of the walleye are still in the southern bay however fish have been caught throughout. Some are trolling stick baits from the mouth of the Escanaba River south to Portage Point and fishing 25 to 30 feet down just off the break. Walleye and perch were caught by those drifting or stillfishing with crawlers off the beach at Gladstone. Northern pike were caught on spinners and spoons fished in 10 to 12 feet of water at the mouth of the Escanaba Yacht Harbor.
Big Bay De Noc-Had fair walleye catches near Ogontz in 14 to 16 feet of water and Garden Bay in 8 to 12 feet of water. Good smallmouth action for those casting crank baits and tube baits in 18 to 25 feet of water. Salmon action off Fairport was down.
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 -Pier fishing at the Hessel Marina was slow with only small pike or perch caught. Splake have started coming into the harbor and were hitting on spawn bags. Fish were also caught in Snows Channel and Musky Bay however many were sub-legal. In Cedarville Bay, the best perch action was in 6 to 8 inches of waters when using minnows, leaf worms or crayfish tails.
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