Curly's Photo and Fishing Blog
Weather Still Good in Northern Michigan
Great week again but it looks like the weather will change for the worst this weekend, and most will have the lakes to themself 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 forthis weekend 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. Also Lake Margreathe is hot for perch and bluegill with limit catches. Fish are already starting a fall pattern. Anglers are reminded that lake trout season on Lake Michigan and Lake Huron will close on September 30th. On the inland waters, all Type 1 and Type 2 rivers and streams along with Type A and Type D trout lakes will also close to fishing on September 30th.
Sturgeon Joe at Otsego Lake is saying fishing is real slow this week with some pike being caught on suckers also one of his customers brought in a 43 inch pike caught in front of the state park.also it looks like his store will be closing soon also. 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 - A few perch have been caught around various buoys along the shipping channel. The best thing to do is to keep moving until you find an active school of fish. Walleye were caught near Buoy G which is the sailing buoy off the mouth of the Saginaw River. Good numbers of smallmouth bass have been caught around Spoils Island and catfish are still hitting in the Hot Pond. At Sebewaing, just a few perch were caught in the boat channel. Walleye fishing was slow.
Mullett Lake -A few pike were caught on the southeast end of the lake while bass were hitting on natural and artificial bait along the breaks and at the mouth of the Cheboygan River. Some nice perch have been caught south of Dodge Point and on both the east and the west side of the lake.
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 and the bite has got better this week with nice perch being caught..
Houghton Lake -Walleye are being caught along the weedbeds when drifting crawler harnesses or leeches.
Lake Charlevoix - Perch and smallmouth anglers are taking fish with crawlers and minnows working best.
Lake Bellaire -Good numbers of walleye have been caught by those trolling or jigging in the south and northwest arms, the Narrows and near Fisherman’s Paradise. They are trolling crawler harnesses and stick baits or jigging with leeches and crawlers in 8 to 40 feet of water. The fish range from 14 to 30 inches. Bass were caught in 8 to 25 feet of water near the northern flats and along the drop-off near the access site. Try artificial worms, tube baits, spinners or crank baits. Pike were hitting on spoons or stick baits in 15 to 30 feet of water in the northwest arm. Several perch between 4 and 9 inches have been caught on minnows and crawlers in 5 to 20 feet of water near the mouth of the Intermediate River. Some bluegills were caught.
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 minnows or wigglers.
Elk River - Salmon and steelhead are slowly moving into the river. Try drifting spawn or casting body baits.
Boardman River - Salmon and steelhead are starting to come into the river. Those using spawn have caught a few fish.
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 -Is producing a good mix of largemouth bass and smallmouth bass on the west end of the lake. Panfish are deep and scattered.
Manistee -Boats are still heading out and catching salmon and steelhead in 150 to 300 feet of water. Most fish were caught on orange spoons in the top 60 feet. Pier anglers caught a few fish on glow spoons.
Manistee River - Salmon fishing was a bit slow. There are some fish in the river however warm temperatures and low clear waters are keeping them off the gravel. Rain by the weekend should help but until then, concentrate on the deeper holes in the lower stretches.
Ludington -Boats are catching some salmon and steelhead in 100 to 200 feet of water. For steelhead, try 3, 5 or 8 colors of lead with orange spoons. Pier anglers and those surfcasting near the State Park reported slow catch rates.
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 - A few salmon were caught in 40 to 80 feet of water. Lake trout fishing is very good for those trolling in waters 170 feet deep. Pier fishing was slow.
Cedarville and Hessel -Those fishing minnows off the pier at the Hessel Marina have caught smallmouth bass, perch and pike. The pike are small. Smallmouth were hitting on spinner baits near the rocks and points of Snows Channel, the east end of Musky Bay, Connors Point and the Middle Entrance. For perch, check out Musky Bay and the Middle Entrance while drifting or trolling small crawler harnesses.
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