Month: August 2013

Lake Leelanau Narrows Resort now open! The Fish Hook family Amber, Randy, and Greg purchased it 1/8/2013. 4 housekeeping cabins and a 3BR home all available for rent. Boat slips included. Fish On! Still working on a new home for the Fish Hooked tackle business. Please call 231-920-3546 for reservations or questions
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Greg Aslip fishes everyday and will give you great hints on where the fish are. A couple of Greg’s photos from Lake Leelanau last week

Upper Peninsula Fishing Report

Keweenaw Bay: Those trolling have done well for chinook, coho, lake trout and steelhead when trolling between Sand Point and the red rocks. They are using spoons in black, white, raspberry, chartreuse, gold, blue or anything that glows. Go 25 to 75 feet down in 30 to 80 feet. Near the South Portage Entry, a good number of lake trout, coho and steelhead were taken by those trolling near the lighthouse, Mud Banks, Farmers Reef, Newton’s Reef or Big Reef. Those jigging in Traverse Bay caught lake trout in 170 to 220 feet off Gay Point and Big Louie’s Point. Those trolling took lake trout between Gay Point, Big Louie’s Point and Hermits Cove. Go 60 to 145 feet down in 80 to 150 feet. Salmon were caught 25 to 50 feet down in 30 to 60 feet.

Marquette: Surface water temperatures were in the upper 50’s. Lake trout and coho were caught on high-lines in 200 to 230 feet north of the white rocks and north of Granite Island. Some came in with limit catches of lake trout. Those fishing near Shot Point caught fish in 120 to 180 feet when using spoons and assorted flies with cut bait. Some went out to Stannard Rock and caught fish. In general, the fish averaged 4 to 5 pounds however a few were 20 pounds. The coho were 2.5 pounds and 18 to 20 inches long.

Menominee: Those trolling for salmon north and south of Green Island were not having any luck. A few salmon were caught 60 to 80 feet down in 120 to 150 feet east of Sturgeon Bay. Anglers are picking up some salmon out near Washington Island and Rock Island. Try different colored spoons with flashers 50 to 60 feet down in 120 feet of water. A few boats launching from Stoney Point were fishing near Chambers Island but catch rates were very slow.

Menominee River: Was producing walleye, smallmouth bass and a good number of freshwater drum.

Cedar River: Is producing smallmouth bass, northern pike and freshwater drum. Anglers are drifting crawlers or casting crank baits.

Little Bay De Noc: Walleye fishing was still on the slow side. Those fishing the southern waters had fair catches when trolling crawler harnesses in 8 to 14 feet between Round Island and the “Fingers”. Perch fishing was fair to good near Kipling and Butler Island when still-fishing with crawlers in 6 to 23 feet. Smallmouth bass action was fair off the mouth of the Ford River in 6 to 14 feet. Try plastics, crank baits or spinners along the weeds. A few salmon were caught out by the Ford River Can when trolling spoons or cut bait 50 to 65 feet down in 135 feet.

Escanaba River: Walleye anglers trolling or drifting crawlers in 18 to 25 feet caught fish but many were sub-legal.

Big Bay De Noc: Had no walleye catches to report. Perch fishing was fair when using crawlers in 8 to 24 feet in Fayette Harbor. Smallmouth bass were caught in 8 to 14 feet off Ogontz and in Kate’s Bay when using crank baits or plastics. Salmon fishing off Fairport was fair. Some fished 40 to 60 feet down in 150 feet south of Poverty Island while others fished 50 to 60 feet down in 110 to 300 feet. They are using a variety spoons or cut bait.

Au Train: Surface water temperatures remain cool in the upper 50’s. Northwest winds have made fishing difficult and catch rates were slow. Those able to get out were lucky to get two to five lake trout in five hours of fishing. Try just off the bottom in 150 to 200 feet of water.

Munising: Lake trout were slow and the salmon action was fair to poor. Most are fishing Munising Bay, Trout Bay and Murray’s Bay in waters less than 100 feet deep. A couple coho were caught in Trout Bay. Pier anglers have taken some limit catches of splake when still-fishing with spawn.

Grand Marais: Pier anglers targeting whitefish are still-fishing with a single egg in the early morning. When boats can get out, lake trout were caught five to seven miles north along the shipping channel in 150 to 250 feet. The fish averaged 2 to 5 pounds.

St. Mary’s River: Walleye were caught in Raber Bay near Carlton Creek. Anglers are trolling crawler harnesses with blue blades. Those trolling in 28 to 30 feet along the shipping channel caught walleye when using bottom bouncers and crawler harnesses. Most of the fish were caught between Buoy 25 and the old bell buoy.

DeTour: Chinook, lake trout and steelhead were caught between Frying Pan Island, the #3 green can, the lighthouse and the #2 red can. Anglers are using silver and green flashers with small flies or spoons in black and chartreuse, purple and yellow, white with a red nose, or green with black dots.

Drummond Island: Had good catches of walleye and smallmouth bass in Scott Bay when fishing on the northwest side of Peck Island. A few walleye were caught around Bay Island in Maxton Bay when drifting or jigging crawler harnesses just off the weed beds in 8 to 12 feet. For pike, anglers are trolling or casting chrome spoons in the weed beds around Grape Island. Moving west of Maxton Bay to Sims Point, a few yellow perch were caught in 8 to 14 feet around Arrow Island.

Cedarville and Hessel: Anglers are targeting perch in 8 to 12 feet of water around Haven Island. Some nice catches were reported in front of the marina dock and from the east end of Hessel Bay. Fair catches were taken in Musky Bay, Middle Entrance and the Moscoe Channel. Pike fishing was very good in Hessel Bay, Snows Channel, the west end of Musky Bay, and Government Bay. Most are still-fishing chubs. Bass fishing is good all over. Salmon were fair in the Yacht Entrance in 40 to 70 feet.

St. Ignace: When they can get out, boat anglers are fishing from the old fuel tanks, the flats and the Coast Guard Station. Fish have been caught around the islands. Try green flashers with flies or spoons in purple and pink, white and gold, green, white, and yellow.

Northwest Lower Peninsula Fishing Report

Some good catches of bluegill and sunfish have come from inland lakes in the area. Bass and pike catches were decent.

Harbor Springs: Is producing lake trout 100 to 110 feet down around Harbor Point. The occasional salmon was caught up near Five Mile Point. Try blue and chartreuse spoons and blue meat rigs. Those targeting smallmouth bass caught a mix of legal and sub-legal fish when using crawlers, crank baits or tube baits.

Petoskey: Lake trout were the most abundant fish caught however a couple large salmon were also taken. The salmon were 80 to 100 feet down in 120 to 130 feet of water and hitting on spoons in fire-tiger or glow. Baitfish were marked in 70 to 130 feet. Lake trout were caught on spoons 95 to 110 feet down between Bay Harbor and the pier. Those fishing off the pier caught rock bass, a couple bluegill and sub-legal smallmouth bass.

Bear River: It is true; there are some salmon and steelhead jumping at the dam. Fish have been caught by those drifting flies or spawn bags. A couple brown trout were caught but the fish were small. Those fishing down near the mouth caught steelhead on spawn.

Charlevoix: Pier anglers are still catching bass but many are sub-legal. They are fishing near the bottom with crawlers, leeches and minnows. A couple rock bass were also caught. Salmon were caught on spoons 70 feet down near the Cement Plant and North Point. Some heading down to Cathead Bay caught a few fish. Lake trout were caught 100 to 110 feet down in 120 to 140 feet or suspended about 60 feet down in 125 feet of water.

Traverse City: Lake trout were caught in the East Bay by those trolling in 90 to 130 feet of water. Salmon anglers were not taking a lot of fish however the chinook were over 20 pounds. Try spoons, plugs or flies 70 to 90 feet down in 150 feet of water. Those trolling in the West Bay caught lake trout and the occasional chinook salmon in 100 to 130 feet. Depths were variable but most were fishing 50 to 90 feet down. Smallmouth bass were caught near the drop-offs.

Elk River: Anglers have caught some nice smallmouth bass and rock bass on plastics, crawlers, or leeches.

Boardman River: Had a few reports of smallmouth bass and rock bass hitting on crawlers.

Lake Cadillac: Anglers are catching bass, pike and even the occasional walleye. Try spinners, plastics or live bait along the weed beds. Those seeking panfish caught crappie, bluegill, rock bass and a few perch.

Lake Mitchell: Has been good for pike as they are in the beginning of the cold weather feeding frenzy. Those fishing the coves caught pike and bass along the weed beds. Panfish numbers were fair to good.

Manistee: Catch rates for salmon were slow but still improving. Try 25 to 60 feet down in 50 to 120 feet with glow spoons and plugs or green and orange spoons.

Manistee River: Even though it is a bit early, a light number of salmon have started to move up into the river. The Little Manistee is getting an early run of salmon.

Ludington: Catch rates were hit-or-miss. Salmon were found 20 to 70 feet down in 50 to 120 feet. Try running glow plugs and spoons in the early morning. As the sun comes up, switch to orange or green spoons with green flies. Pier anglers caught freshwater drum.

Pere Marquette River: Is getting an early run of salmon. Brown trout are still being caught. Most are fly fishing but a few were casting small spoons.

Pentwater: Had good fishing but the fish have been scattered. Trout and salmon moved closer to shore because of the cooler weather. Some are fishing in 60 to 80 feet while others are heading out to waters 200 feet or deeper. Sliders, copper and dipseys worked well. Hot colors were orange and red.

FISHING CONDITIONS ON LAKES CADILLAC AND MITCHELL
FROM PILGRIM VILLAGE FISHING SHOP
SUNDAY, AUGUST 11, 2013

Summer has past its peak. Shorter days and cooler nights help to cool the water temperatures on Lakes Cadillac and Mitchell. Some of the best fishing of the year is coming.
Schools of crappie can be found on the East side of Lake Cadillac. Reports of limits say they’re scattered from outside the City Dock to the library. Boat anglers catch them throughout the day, while those fishing from the City Dock say fishing the evenings is the best.
Bluegills have made the weed beds streaching from the boat launch to the Clam River, their home. This area, across from Cadillac High School, has been good for bass and pike also.
Manistee River:
Reports of Salmon catches are coming from the Big and Little Manistee; the early kings are angry and strong. Those catching them say they’re larger than last year. Expect frequent breakoffs.