Michigan Recreational Fishing Report - 8/28/2008
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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 Weekly Regional Fishing Reports - 7/17/2008
July 17, 2008
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The season to take both softshell turtles and snapping turtles statewide will open on July 15th and will close on September 15th, 2008. Be sure to check the Michigan Fishing Guide for new minimum size limits and possession limits.
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Southeast Lower Peninsula
Lake Erie - Water levels were up and muddy so fishing on the big lake has been tough. A few walleye were caught in 27 to 29 feet of water near Stony Point and the Fermi Plant. Boat anglers reported one or two fish per trip. Catch rates were better near the Banana Dike when using Hot-n-Tots. Freshwater drum have been caught.
Huron River - Is fishable and anglers are catching bass and catfish in the pond between the two dams.
Detroit River - Some walleye are still being caught in the lower river. Those fishing the Trenton Channel are taking perch and bass.
Lexington - Some nice perch have been caught in 10 to 15 feet of water.
Port Sanilac - Perch fishing around the weedbeds has been fair with most reporting about a dozen fish per boat. The fish are in 20 feet of water and are good-sized.
Harbor Beach - Not a lot of fishing pressure here, but trout and salmon have been caught in 80 to 100 feet of water. Smallmouth bass are still hitting in the harbor.
Port Austin - Has excellent walleye fishing west of the port on the reefs and around the lighthouse. Crawler harnesses work best. Boats trolling for trout and salmon can be found north and northeast of the port in 100 to 130 feet of water.
Saginaw Bay - Walleye fishing in the bay has been incredible with lots of limit catches taken. Crawler harnesses and Hot-n-Tots were taking most of the fish, but some anglers were also using small spoons. Anglers from Standish, Pinconning, Linwood, and Bay City were fishing 20 to 24 feet of water near the Black Hole or the shipping channel between Buoys 1 and 12. For the east side of the bay, the Slot and 10 to 12 feet of water out on the Bar (the area between the Slot and the middle of the bay) were producing well for anglers coming out of Quanicassee, Sebewaing, Bay Port, and Caseville. As far as walleye fishing goes, it just doesn’t get any better than this!
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Southwest Lower Peninsula
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The bluegills are pretty much done spawning in southwest Michigan. The bigger bluegills have moved to 8 to 12 feet of water or deeper. Try fishing off the bottom with worms or crickets or slow trolling in deeper waters.
South Haven - Anglers are catching summer run steelhead off the piers in the early morning. Perch fishing remains strong with good catches taken in 18 to 30 feet of water. Most boats are going a couple miles south of the piers. Chinook and lake trout were caught when trolling in 85 feet of water.
Kalamazoo River - Water levels were still running high and fast after all the rain.
Rabbit River - Has high water levels.
Grand Haven - Boat anglers are fishing in 50 to 65 feet of water with downriggers set for the bottom 25 feet, and those out further in 80 to 120 feet of water have their downriggers set for the bottom 40 feet. Good colors have been green, blue, orange and chartreuse. Pier anglers have caught steelhead on shrimp off the south pier. Very few perch have been caught.
Grand River at Grand Rapids - Water levels are still a bit high however walleye have been caught when bouncing crawlers off the bottom. Pike fishing has been good with fish 30+ inches caught. Channel cats are being caught however the flathead bite was slow. Smallmouth bass were caught up near Riverside Park. Bluegills can be found in deeper waters.
Thornapple River - Water levels were up.
Grand River at Lansing - Has good catfish action throughout the river. Try both live and dead baits, corn, or shrimp. Walleye have been caught below the dams, like the Lyons Dam and the dam below Fitzgerald Park in Grand Ledge. Smallmouth bass have been caught near the Smithville Dam when casting tube baits.
Lake Lansing - Bluegills, pumpkinseed and crappie have been caught. Look for largemouth bass along the weeds in the early morning or late evening.
Muskrat Lake - Anglers are catching bluegill, crappie and a couple pike. Look for largemouth bass and brown bullhead in this lake.
Reeds Lake - Crappie fishing has been very good in 25 feet of water along the north shore when using a crappie rig with minnows.
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Northeast Lower Peninsula
Rogers City - The fish are still scattered. Boats are fishing about halfway down off the points with downriggers, planer boards and lead core.
Rockport - Boat anglers are limiting out on lake trout when trolling around the wreck. Chinook are hitting 20 to 40 feet down in 110 to 140 feet of water around the Middle Island. Green and metallic silver spoons have worked the best.
Alpena - Walleye action has slowed on the bay, but anglers are still catching some fish when trolling rapalas in 40 to 50 feet of water.
Thunder Bay River - Walleye and catfish action has shut down however some nice smallmouth bass have been caught on crawlers.
Harrisville - Lake trout and salmon catches are increasing in 80 to 100 feet of water. Try orange and silver spoons. The fish have been on the move from north to south and not holding in one spot. A few walleye were caught in 45 to 55 feet of water.
Oscoda - Rough waters have lead to slow catch rates. Those able to get out were trolling with spoons in 80 to 120 feet of water. Good colors have been silver and orange or anything with white.
Au Sable River - Walleye are still in the river and anglers have been limiting out in the early morning. Crawler harnesses or drifting with a slip bobber seem to be producing the most fish.
Tawas - Walleye are hitting near Buoy #2 however most anglers are heading to Au Gres. A few bass and catfish were taken near the mouth of the Tawas River and the odd walleye, pike and panfish were caught off the pier.
Au Gres - Continues to provide excellent walleye fishing in 20 to 24 feet of water. Crawler harnesses and Hot-n-Tots were taking most of the fish, but some anglers were also using small spoons.
Higgins Lake - Lake trout are hitting on spoons, body baits or live bait in 85 to 100 feet of water. Perch were biting but if the mayfly hatch starts, it will no doubt shut the perch fishing down.
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Northwest Lower Peninsula
Elk Lake - Boat anglers are trolling for trout from the Narrows to north of the Whitewater Park and over to Spencer Bay. Try 60 to 140 feet of water while using spoons or rapalas. For bass, try the backwaters near Kewadin where all the stumps are and the shoreline between Kewadin and Spencer Bay. Try tube baits, crank baits or spinners in 5 to 25 feet of water. A few perch were taken in 8 to 12 feet of water south of the Whitewater County Park.
Skegemog Lake - The bass are still hitting on the east side of the lake near the mouth of the Torch River and on the west side between the public access site and the Narrows. A few pike were also caught. Rock bass have been caught all over the lake when using spinners or crawlers in 5 to 20 feet of water and bluegills are hitting on crawlers.
Big Glen Lake - Perch are still the favorite and can be found on the east end of the lake near the ski area. The mayflies are finally gone and the trout are hungry. Anglers have once again caught several lake trout and rainbow trout when trolling in 50 to 100 feet of water. The lake trout are hitting on green and black spoons and the rainbow trout on silver rapalas.
Little Glen Lake - Perch anglers are doing well on the west end of the lake.
Fisher Lake - Has good bluegill fishing.
Frankfort - Fish have been caught from the pier heads to Point Betsie and down near the Herring Hole. Some nice chinook salmon have come from waters 30 feet deep to waters over 200 feet deep. Those trolling 12 to 17 miles out have caught steelhead. A couple small salmon were caught off the pier. Blue and orange have been good colors.
Onekama - Fishing was decent off the Shelf and up near the Barrel. Chinook, lake trout, brown trout and steelhead have been caught in 130 to 200 feet of water. Look for the temperature breaks. Good colors have been blue and orange spoons and a white on white flasher/fly combination.
Portage Lake - Bass anglers are catching good numbers of fish along the south shore. Big bluegills can be found in waters 15 to 20 feet deep. Boat anglers trolling in the afternoon have caught small walleye and those trolling after dark are catching a mix of walleye and pike. Lots of small perch and rock bass have also been caught.
Manistee - Anglers are catching chinook and lake trout off the Shelf in 100 to 175 feet of water. Good colors are green and blue.
Hamlin Lake - Fishing has slowed due to the mayfly hatch. Anglers targeting bluegills are having a tough time finding fish willing to bite. Those fishing the North, Middle and South Bayou’s have caught some fish using wax worms or a piece of crawler but the better action seems to be up around Wilson Hill Park and the Boy Scout Camp in 8 to 12 feet of water. Smallmouth bass were caught in 10 to 15 feet of water on Lower Hamlin’s east side when using tube baits near the bottom.
Ludington - Good catches of chinook and lake trout have come in 80 to 160 feet of water off the Point. Some bigger salmon in the 15 to 20 pound class have also been caught. An 18 pound steelhead also came in.
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Upper Peninsula
Lake Gogebic - Fishing has been sporadic however trolling with a crawler harness has been a good way to locate a school of fish. Use a slip bobber and a small minnow. The mayfly hatch is just getting started.
Otter Lake - In Houghton County will be closing the access site on July 14th due to construction on the ramp. The ramp will remain closed until July 18th. Boaters can access the lake from the north end near the Otter Dam.
Ottawa Lake - In Iron County has good smallmouth bass fishing.
Hagerman Lake - West of Iron River is producing very good smallmouth bass action. Anglers are also catching largemouth bass and bluegills.
Paint Pond - Located south of Crystal Falls is producing muskie and northern pike on bucktails and jerk baits.
Menominee River - Walleye are still being caught including one fish that was 30 inches long however, most of the fish have been much smaller. Try crawlers or Mr. Twisters. For smallmouth bass, rock bass, freshwater drum or channel cats, try fishing between the mouth and the Hattie Street Bridge.
Cedar River - Has lots of smallmouth bass but the fish are small. Try trolling or drifting with a crawler harness or casting crank baits. Freshwater drum and northern pike have been caught near the mouth.
Green Bay - Boat anglers are trolling one to eight miles offshore. Close to the Cedar River, boats are trolling 60 to 70 feet down around the Whaleback Shoal for chinook, steelhead and brown trout. Try spoons or dipsey divers in a variety of colors.
Little Bay De Noc - Walleye have been caught off Breezy Point when trolling or drifting crawlers just off the break in 10 to 14 feet of water. Best fishing was in the early morning or late evening. Gladstone has produced several nice catches of walleye and perch for those jigging or trolling with crawlers in 20 to 30 feet of water. Good smallmouth action near the mouth of the Ford River when casting spinners or crank baits. Good perch fishing was reported around Garth Point when jigging in 10 to 20 feet of water.
Escanaba River - Channel cats have been caught along the old bridge area when drifting crawlers. Catch rates have been good as there appears to be good numbers of fish in the river.
Big Bay De Noc - Walleye anglers reported the best catches off Garden Bluff in 20 to 30 feet of water when trolling or drifting crawlers. Good fishing from Ansell’s Point out to the “Boot” and south to Big Bay Reef when trolling crawlers in 20 to 25 feet of water. Good smallmouth action in Garden Bay when casting crank baits or spinners along the weeds. From Fairport, salmon action is starting to pick up. Those trolling 80 to 90 feet down in waters up to 105 feet deep have done well with cut bait. Steelhead could be found about 30 feet down.
Au Train - Boat anglers able to get out have been fishing the backside of Au Train Island. Try about 100 feet down in 140 to 160 feet of water.
Munising - Those able to get out are taking limits of lake trout out on the big reef. Rumor has it one 22 pound fish was caught. A few splake have been caught off the mouth of the Anna River when using spawn and artificial lures.
St. Mary’s River - Lake herring have started to bite around Harbor Island, Boulanger Island and Wreck Island. Although the hatches are behind schedule, the herring are biting on red teardrops with a wax worm.
De Tour - Catch rates have dropped but anglers are still fishing the channel to the #3 green can and the lighthouse. Try 25 to 55 feet down when using small spoons or body baits in a variety of colors.
Cedarville and Hessel - There has been very light fishing pressure in Hessel with those casting from the pier catching a few northern pike and yellow perch. Boat anglers fishing the Snows Channel have caught pike, smallmouth bass and yellow perch. Musky Bay and Middle Entrance are also producing some perch in 10 to 12 feet of water when using minnows. Those fishing Cedarville Bay and the Moscoe Channel have caught good numbers of pike. For herring, target Government Bay, Musky Bay, Prentice Bay or the east end of the Moscoe Channel while using a tear drop with a wax worm in 15 to 20 feet of water.
Pine River - Has slow action with only white suckers caught on leeches or crawlers.
St. Ignace - The primitive launch on the northwest side of the bridge is producing smallmouth bass. Anglers are wading into the bull rushes while casting floater baits or small spinners.
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