2008

August 28, 2008

As we approach the end of August, we begin to move into the fall fishing patterns. Cooler weather will bring the salmon in close to shore but warmer weather will push them out deep. Salmon action will only intensify as we move into September.

Southeast Lower Peninsula

Lake Erie - Fishing has been slow as strong wind and wave action has left the Michigan waters weedy and muddy. Walleye fishing was slow with a few fish caught near the Fermi Plant. Perch fishing was also slow but slowly improving with fish caught near the E Buoy, Stony Point and by the Toledo Harbor Lighthouse. Minnows were the choice bait. A few largemouth bass were hitting near Bolles Harbor.

Huron River - Smallmouth action continues on crayfish and leeches. Largemouth bass are still hitting on crawlers. Freshwater drum and carp can still be taken.

Detroit River - Anglers are jigging for walleye in the Trenton Channel in front of Humbug Marina and down to Celeron Island. Perch are being taken between Round Island, Celeron Island and Sugar Island.

Lake St. Clair - Has good muskie action off Stony Point.

Lexington - Perch fishing is slow. Anglers are marking lots of fish but can’t get them to bite. For salmon and lake trout, try fishing 130 to 150 feet deep in order to find the thermocline. Smallmouth bass fishing remains good in the harbor.

Saginaw Bay - Perch are being caught in small to moderate numbers a mile east and a mile north of the Spark Plug, near Buoy #18 along the shipping channel, just south of the Black Hole, and 2 miles north off the mouth of the Quanicassee River. The action is not fast and furious but the fish being caught are running 8 to 11 inches. Walleye action continues fair at most locations, with angler effort concentrated around the Spark Plug, off Spoils Island, and in the Slot northeast of Quanicassee up to the outside of the islands off Bay Port. Bass are still hitting in Wildfowl Bay.

Southwest Lower Peninsula

St. Joe - Good numbers of chinook are being caught when trolling in waters 90 to 120 feet deep. Steelhead and lake trout are also being caught.

Kalamazoo River - Look for steelhead between the mouth and the Allegan Dam. Try fishing near the mouth of the feeder creeks and rivers. A few walleye were still being caught on crawlers and the catfish are hitting on live bait.

South Haven - Look for chinook northwest of the piers in 90 to 100 feet of water.

Grand Haven - Pier anglers were starting to catch salmon when using large alewife hooked just once behind the dorsal fin. Skamania were hitting at night off the south pier when fishing 3 to 4 feet off the bottom. Perch were hitting on small alewife, but the bite was slow.

Grand River at Grand Rapids - A few salmon have been caught up near the dam and a couple of those fish were dark in color. Anglers are using crawlers or yarn flies. Steelhead were hitting on spawn and crawlers. Lots of pike have been caught on large pike minnows and the catfish are hitting on cut up suckers, crawlers or live suckers. A few walleye were taken on small jigs with red heads.

Grand River at Lansing - About the only thing to report is the good catfish action. Try floating live or cut bait along the bottom. Try crawlers or corn for carp.

Red Cedar River - Has some large carp for the taking. Those fishing from the park in Williamston have hooked some nice carp however none have been landed.

Northeast Lower Peninsula

Rogers City - Good fishing continues straight out of the port and north towards Forty Mile Point however most are heading towards Swan Bay and Adams Point. Fishing is best in the top 40 feet, but as the water warms fish deeper. Good colors have been orange and silver, orange glow, blue and silver, green and silver, white, pearl or anything that glows early and late. Smaller spoons have been working best.

Presque Isle - The cold water has made the fish more willing to bite. Try trolling downriggers in 45 to 80 feet of water straight out in front of the Red Can, between the lighthouses, and past the big lighthouse going into North Bay and Black Point. Dipsey divers in multiple colors and small spoons about three or four inches long are taking fish. J-plugs along with flashers or attractors are working well with the better colors being white on white, pearl, blue or green glow.

Rockport - Walleye and steelhead were being caught in 35 feet of water while salmon and lake trout were taken about halfway down in 120 to 160 feet of water.

Harrisville - Salmon fishing has picked up as boats report taking fish in shallow waters around the harbor and out to waters 80 feet deep. Try yellow tails and similar colored flies. Lake trout are still out deep and will probably stay out there. They are aggressive and hitting on anything silver.

Oscoda - Lake trout are still being caught in 120 to 150 feet of water. The fish are suspended off the bottom and are hitting on yellow tails and silver.

Au Sable River - A few salmon have been reported at the mouth. It won’t be long before they start heading into the river. Smallmouth bass and catfish are still being caught but the walleye have moved out to deeper waters.

Tawas - Walleye action improved slightly with best action in 15 to 20 feet of water.

Au Gres - Walleye fishing has slowed just as it always does in late August. A few catches were reported in 15 to 30 feet of water southeast of Point Au Gres.

Higgins Lake - Lake trout fishing remains good for those trolling cowbells and live bait just off the bottom in waters 80 to 100 feet deep. For perch, try 40 to 50 feet of water on the north end of the lake around the Sunken Island and along the drop-offs. A few smallmouth bass were taken by those trolling along the drop-offs.

Houghton Lake - Walleye and bluegill are still being caught along the weedbeds in 7 to 10 feet of water. Early morning or late evening is best due to heavy boat traffic.

Northwest Lower Peninsula

Petoskey - Salmon are starting to stage and there is a fair number of steelhead in the area. Plenty of fish in the 15 to 18 pound range have been caught anywhere from the surface to 70 feet down in almost any depth. A few are casting from the piers at night. Some 9 to 12 inch perch were caught off the pier.

Charlevoix - Salmon are staging here as well so boat and shore anglers are catching fish. Some are fishing off the piers at night while others are fishing the waters near the Cement Plant. Those trolling in 70 to 90 feet of water are also taking some lake trout.

Elk Lake - Smallmouth bass fishing has been excellent for those fishing in 5 to 30 feet of water with crawlers, leeches, tube baits, crank baits and rapalas. No report on muskie and the perch anglers were not having much luck. Look for rock bass in 10 to 15 feet of water.

Skegemog Lake - Effort for smallmouth bass is still high in the flats between the Torch River and Baggs Road and the Narrows. Those targeting muskie are trolling large rapalas in 8 to 20 feet of water in the same area. Pike fishing has increased in the southern part of the lake where anglers are trolling or casting crank baits, rattle traps, stick baits and bombers in 3 to 20 feet of water. Bluegills are hitting on crawlers and red worms in 10 to 12 feet of water.

Glen Lake - Perch are still the favorite. The bigger fish are in 30 to 40 feet of water and the bait varies. Try worms, shrimp, minnows and wigglers.

Manistee - Some are reporting limit catches of salmon in the harbor and around the piers when using glow or chrome J-plugs. Those fishing in 80 to 120 feet of water are catching both young and adult salmon. Pier anglers are using small glow spoons.

Hamlin Lake - Fishing activity is slowly picking up as the waters cool. Anglers targeting panfish are having success using worms in 8 to 12 feet on water. Good bass fishing can be found around any kind of structure.

Ludington - Boat anglers had success between the Bath House and the Point in 80 to 120 feet of water when using green or white flies. Pier fishing slowed with the warmer water but anglers are catching salmon on glow spoons early in the morning.

Upper Peninsula

Keweenaw Bay - Fishing in the bay has slowed but those trolling for lake trout in 130 to 170 feet of water off Point Abbay reported good action. In Traverse Bay, target 140 to 180 feet of water off Big Louie’s Point and the gray smoke stack. Some are jigging in 220 to 240 feet of water.

Marquette - Lake trout activity was slow due to windy conditions. The salmon are starting to come in now, with some nice size chinook and coho being caught when trolling in the upper harbor. A nice steelhead was also caught.

Green Bay - Trolling 60 to 70 feet down in waters 90 to 100 feet deep around the Whalesback produced some fish when using multiple colored spoons.

Little Bay De Noc - Walleye action was best trolling in front of the mouth of the Escanaba River and close to shore at Kipling. Use crawler harnesses or top water lures in 13 to 15 feet of water. Perch were caught in front of the launch at Kipling and along the drop-off while smallmouth bass were taken in the weeds off the launch. Channel cats and freshwater drum have been caught off the docks.

Big Bay De Noc - Off Fairport, chinook salmon were caught about seven miles out. The better fishing was in the early morning. Fish were caught 70 feet down in waters 100 feet deep.

Au Train - Limits of lake trout are still being caught when boats can get out.

Munising - Has good lake trout action east of Trout Bay when using meat hooks and jigging with cut bait. Salmon activity should begin soon.

Grand Marais - Has good lake trout action along the drop-off which is three to five miles out in 130 to 240 feet of water. Dark colored spoons seem to be working best.

St. Mary’s River - Perch were caught off Four Mile Road near Lake Nicolet and the Township Park in Sault Ste. Marie. Best times for fishing are between 5 and 8 pm. Limits of walleye are being taken at Nine Mile Road and on the Michigan side of Little Lake George when trolling a crawler harness. In Raber Bay, anglers are taking walleye and yellow perch when trolling near the rock piles. A few walleye were taken at the mouth of Carlton Creek on a purple or blue crawler harness. Maud Bay has been good for pike, smallmouth bass, walleye and yellow perch.

De Tour - Spawning chinook are coming in and a few were in the 19 to 20 pound range. Spoons such as white and black with a black eye, watermelon, gold and green were good choices along with squid and flies on dipsies. The lake trout are close to the bottom but no word on the atlantic salmon. A few pinks were caught.

Cedarville and Hessel - Still have good pike fishing. Those fishing off the pier at the Hessel Marina are taking pike, smallmouth bass and perch on crawlers or minnows. Yellow perch action picked up in Hessel Bay in 9 to10 feet of water. Musky Bay has slow yellow perch fishing and the fish are small. Moscow Channel is good, and Cedarville Bay is fair. Smallmouth bass fishing is fair but should be picking up soon. Salmon are reported in 60 to 70 feet of water or less but fishing is slow.

St. Ignace - Large chinook salmon have been caught by those using white and black spoons with a white eye. Squid and flies with flashers as well as yellow spoons with black dots are also working well. Lake trout were caught on the backside of Bois Blanc Island. Chinook salmon were spotted near the mouth of the Carp River.

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Michigan Regional Fishing Reports - 6/26/2008

June 26, 2008

Great Lakes temperature map

Perch are being caught in the Great Lakes. Inland, anglers are catching bass, pike, walleye and catfish. Lots of rock bass are also being caught.

Southeast Lower Peninsula
Lake Erie - Walleye fishing has improved to fair. Fish have been found in 25 to 27 feet of water near the Fermi Plant and Stony Point. Pink, gold and purple baits were the ticket. A few yellow perch and freshwater drum were also caught. Smallmouth bass were caught near Bolles Harbor.

Huron River - Good numbers of catfish have been caught on crawlers, shrimp and even chicken liver. Smallmouth bass are hitting on spinners, crank baits or crawlers.

Detroit River - Jigging or handlining is producing fair to good numbers of walleye. Try rapalas, worms or leeches.

Lake St. Clair - Yellow perch have been caught by those willing to put in the time. Locate a school of perch and fish until the bite stops. Try perch rigs with shiners.

Lexington - Trout and salmon are being caught in 45 to 65 feet of water. Those fishing inside the harbor have caught walleye, pike and a variety of panfish.

Port Sanilac - Anglers here are catching trout and salmon when trolling in shallow waters 45 to 65 feet deep. Rumor has it perch were caught around the weedbeds.

Harbor Beach - Boat anglers have caught lake trout, chinook, coho and steelhead in 80 to 100 feet of water. A good number of pink salmon are starting to show up.

Grindstone City - Quite a few pink salmon are starting to show up here as well. Chinook, coho, and steelhead have also been caught.

Port Austin - Has really good walleye fishing early in the morning or late in the evening when using a crawler harness in 20 to 30 feet of water.

Saginaw Bay - Walleye fishing seems to be good, with the better fishing in the middle of the bay off Linwood, Pinconning, and around the Spark Plug. Catch rates slowed in the Slot, but fish are still being caught.
Southwest Lower Peninsula
St. Joseph - Has excellent perch fishing just off the bottom in 30 to 35 feet of water. Chinook and lake trout have been caught in 80 to 120 feet of water.

St. Joseph River - Smallmouth bass have been caught on leeches. Those seeking catfish have caught some nice flatheads.

South Haven - Boat anglers caught chinook and lake trout in 70 to 110 feet of water. Perch are biting in 40 to 60 feet of water south of the pier around the Rock Pile.

Holland - Trout and salmon have been caught in 120 to 180 feet of water when trolling spoons or body baits. Good colors have been green, orange and blue. Perch fishing has been good in 30 feet of water both north and south of the piers.

Grand River at Grand Rapids - Walleye have been caught when drifting a crawler harness downstream or when trolling upstream with a small shad or crank bait. Those drifting between the Sixth Street Dam and Fulton Street have also caught walleye in the early morning or late evening when drifting a crawler with a glow in the dark bead. Pike are hitting on big spinners or rapalas near the log jams. Good catfish action near the Post Office, east wall and off the bridges. Bluegills can be found in the pocket waters.

Reeds Lake - Some nice bluegills have been caught 5 to 6 feet down in waters 7 to 10 feet deep. Perch were caught in 15 to 25 feet of water.

Grand River at Lansing - A couple nice walleye have been caught over at Moore’s Park, but the really big ones are few and far between. Carp are hitting on bread and corn and catfish are hitting on crawlers, leeches or shrimp.

Hawk Island Park - Catfish were caught on corn, crawlers, leeches and shrimp. Lots of bluegills but many are small. This is a good fishery for kids.

Muskegon - Boat anglers are taking decent numbers of fish however size has been a struggle. Try green, blue and carmel spoons 60 feet down in 90 feet of water.

Muskegon Lake - Bluegills and bass have been caught in the shallows.

Mona Lake - Walleye were caught along the south shore in 12 to 15 feet of water.
Northeast Lower Peninsula
Rogers City - Lots of small lake trout have been caught in waters less than 50 feet deep when fishing close to the bottom with cowbells or dodgers with spin glo’s. Try slow trolling off Adams Point, Sea Gull Point or past the trap nets off Forty Mile Point with green or chartreuse spoons. Boat anglers need to navigate carefully and watch for the commercial fishing nets located between the State Park and Forty Mile Point.

Presque Isle - Has good numbers of lake trout and the bigger fish seem to be holding in the shallow waters. Try 30 to 45 feet between the lighthouses, North Bay or in front of the Red Can. The bottom 10 feet has been the best but if you fish deeper, use spoons on downriggers with dipseys and lead core.

Rockport - Pier anglers have caught atlantic salmon on minnows. Pink salmon have also moved in and can be seen swimming around the pier.

Alpena - Walleye have been caught just outside the harbor when trolling with an artificial perch lure. A few lake trout were caught in 75 feet of water.

Thunder Bay River - Catfish are still being caught on worms. Walleye have been taken by shore anglers and those in boats when still-fishing with real or artificial worms and leeches.

East & West Twin Lakes - A few walleye have been caught and some nice perch were taken on both lakes. For walleye, they are trolling a crawler harness or artificial baits and the perch were caught either while trolling for walleye or when drifting or still-fishing with minnows or worms.

Harrisville - Anglers have caught mainly lake trout and salmon when fishing north between the harbor and the Sturgeon Point lighthouse. Trolling with spoons or body baits just off the bottom in 60 to 120 feet of water seemed to catch fish.

Oscoda - Slow lake trout and salmon action but fish were caught when bouncing spoons or body baits off the bottom in 80 to 100 feet of water.

Au Sable River - Anglers targeting walleye while still-fishing are limiting out daily. Mornings are producing the most catches, but fish are being caught throughout the day and into the evening. Drift crawlers under a bobber.

Tawas - Fair walleye action in 35 feet of water off Buoy #2 and near the artificial reef. Bass fishing is really good right now in Tawas Bay. Pier anglers have caught a few bass, walleye, rock bass and small perch.

Au Gres - Walleye fishing has been excellent and anglers are taking their limits. Smallmouth bass fishing has also been very good out near the Charity Islands.

Au Gres River - Shore anglers are catching lots of channel cats. A few bass and some freshwater drum have also been caught.

Higgins Lake - Lake trout have been caught when trolling in 100 to 120 feet of water. Perch have been caught just off the bottom in deep waters when trolling perch rigs with shiners between Treasure Island and Sunken Island. Smallmouth bass can usually be found north of Treasure Island in 35 to 40 feet of water.

Houghton Lake - Walleye and pike are hitting on Hot-n-Tots or rapalas. Anglers have caught some nice pumpkinseed sunfish and rock bass.

Northwest Lower Peninsula
Elk Lake - Water temperatures are still in the low 60’s. No lake trout have been caught. Smallmouth bass anglers are targeting 5 to 10 feet of water from Kewadin to Spencer Bay and from the Whitewater Park access site to the Narrows. Try tube baits, swim baits, spinners, jerk baits or crawlers. A few small muskie were caught at the Narrows on large rapalas. Some are targeting perch near Kewadin and outside Spencer Bay, but catch rates were slow.

Skegemog Lake - Water temperatures have been around the 70 degree mark. May flies (Drakes and Hex’s) have been hatching in large numbers over the last week. For bass, target 5 to 15 feet of water on the east side near the Torch River or the west side near the public access site. Lots of rock bass were caught.

Big Glen Lake - The weather is warm, the may fly’s are out and minnows are in abundance. That means the fish are not biting like they have been the last few weeks. Smallmouth bass were hitting in the shallows on rubber worms and crank baits. Anglers are marking lake trout in 80 feet of water, but the bite was slow.

Frankfort - Fishing has been hit or miss, as the weather and water temperatures continue to be inconsistent. Some reported good catches of chinook and lake trout when fishing off the Bank and from the piers up to the Flats. Others have caught steelhead along with a few chinook salmon 6 to 20 miles offshore. Good spoon colors are still green, blue, orange and black.

Onekama - Chinook and lake trout have been caught out in the Barrel, off the Bank and 5 to 10 miles offshore. Most are fishing in 80 to 160 feet of water however some good catches were reported at 220 to 300 feet of water. Try orange and blue spoons along with purple and white flies.

Portage Lake - The mayfly hatch appears to be over for now, and more panfish have been caught. Bluegills were caught in 17 to 25 feet of water. Good numbers of largemouth, smallmouth, and rock bass were taken by those casting spinners and crank baits. Trolling for pike and walleye was best in the early afternoon or evenings. Try a crawler harness along the weed edges, or body baits up on the flats.

Manistee - Anglers are finding a fair number of trout and salmon in waters 150 to 250 feet deep. A few boats have ventured out looking for a scum line but have not found any temperature breaks. Good colors are still green and blue.

Lake Missaukee - Is producing some nice panfish.

Lakes Cadillac & Mitchell - Report good panfish and bass action.

Ludington - The boat launch was closed but has since reopened.
Upper Peninsula
Black River Harbor - Fishing here has not been affected by the wind. Boat anglers have caught lake trout when trolling spoons 45 to 80 feet down in 150 feet of water.

Ontonagon - Good fishing for lake trout in the mornings in 20 to 50 feet of water. Some coho were also caught.

Ontonagon River - Fishing has been steady with good numbers of walleye showing up. Some 15 to 19 inch fish have been caught when trolling or jigging with crawlers

Lake Gogebic - Trolling a harness or stick baits is the key right now as the walleye are scattered. Slip bobber fishing over structure has also been productive.

Lake Antoine - In Iron County has excellent smallmouth bass action.

Hagerman Lake - Also in Iron County has very good smallmouth bass fishing.

Marquette - Fishing has been up and down as some are getting no fish while others are getting limits of lake trout. Chinook, coho, and steelhead have also been caught. Good spots to fish this week were east of the white rocks, Shot Point, Granite Island, and Stannard Rock.

Menominee - A good number of smallmouth bass have been caught from the Hattie Street Bridge to the mouth, but many were small. Lots of rock bass were also caught. Walleye were caught near the dam in the evening when using crawlers, spinners and a white Mr. Twister. Lots of freshwater drum and a good number of channel cats have also been caught.

Cedar River - Lots of smallmouth have been caught but the fish were smaller. Most are drifting or jigging with crawlers. A few walleye have been caught. Pike were caught down at the mouth.

Little Bay De Noc - Walleye catches were down but anglers marked good numbers of fish off Portage Point. Fish were caught when trolling or drifting crawlers in 8 to 14 feet of water or jigging in 15 to 20 feet of water off the mouth of the river and the Second Reef in 12 to 20 feet of water. Several nice catches of perch were taken by those jigging minnows or worms in 25 feet of water off the beach at Gladstone. Smallmouth were caught near the Ford River, Garth Point and the Day’s River. Try casting crank baits or spinners in the shallows along the shoreline.

Big Bay De Noc - Walleye action has picked up for those trolling in 8 to 10 feet of water in the north part of Ogontz Bay. The better fishing was about an hour before dark when using crawlers or crank baits. Those fishing in the mornings have marked fish from Kates Bay to Ansell’s Point, but few were caught. Good smallmouth action in 6 to 10 feet of water from Kates Bay to Popular Point, and in the South River area.

Au Train - Lake trout have been caught on the north side of Au Train Island.

Munising - Catch rates for chinook have decreased to almost nothing. A couple coho and some nice lake trout were caught off the west side of Grand Island.

Grand Marais - Whitefish action has been spotty. Mornings seem to be producing the bigger fish however more fish were caught at night. Limits of lake trout have been caught in 120 to 300 feet of water.

Nawakwa Lake - Walleye fishing has been best about an hour before sunset until just before daybreak. Those using jigs with artificial baits have been catching more fish than those trolling crawler harnesses or tipping jigs with leeches or crawlers. Good numbers of pike are still being caught.

St. Mary’s River - Atlantic salmon are hitting fly type baits behind the Edison Power Plant in the early mornings. On the lower river, anglers are getting limits of walleye when trolling bottom bouncers around the north end of Round Island. Good walleye action was noted on Lake George and above the rapids when trolling bottom bouncers with a 36 inch leader and crawler harness.

De Tour - The catch rate for trout and salmon has improved even though surface water is still ranging in the mid 50’s. Fish the channel to the #3 Green Can and around the lighthouse with spoons in a variety of colors.

Cedarville and Hessel - Cedarville Bay is producing some nice northern pike however angler pressure on the bay has dropped. Most anglers are heading towards Musky Bay for pike or the Middle Entrance for yellow perch. At Hessel, a couple pike were caught off the pier. Musky Bay is producing herring when using a tear drop with a wax worm. Limit catches ranging from 11 to 13 inches were reported.

Pine River - Bullhead and suckers have been caught on leeches

St. Ignace - Boats are still going out but no reports have come in. Those fishing off the primitive launch on the northwest side of the bridge have caught smallmouth bass and carp. Try casting small stick baits and body baits in green or fire tiger.

Michigan Regional Fishing Reports - 6/26/2008

Perch are being caught in the Great Lakes. Inland, anglers are catching bass, pike, walleye and catfish. Lots of rock bass are also being caught.
Southeast Lower Peninsula
Lake Erie - Walleye fishing has improved to fair. Fish have been found in 25 to 27 feet of water near the Fermi Plant and Stony Point. Pink, gold and purple baits were the ticket. A few yellow perch and freshwater drum were also caught. Smallmouth bass were caught near Bolles Harbor.