I KNOW WHERE THE FISH ARE BITING IN MICHIGAN
The reports I’m getting the salmon hit the rivers this weekend with lots of fish and many people fishing. There are reports of 20,000 coho below the weir at Platte River. All the rivers north of Muskegon have fish in them , Ludington reporting a big run with lots of fish being caught.
Northwest Lower Peninsula Fishing Report
Salmon fishing on the big lake is winding down, at least for the big adult kings. Some are still being caught around the piers as well as Betsie Bay, Manistee Lake and Pere Marquette Lake. The salmon have started up the rivers and they are busting tackle this year because they are hawgs!!!!!
Hearing of a great smallmouth bite on East Grand Traverse Bay, Skegemog, Elk and Torch with 5+ pounders common this week. Cold front today might effect the bite.
Harbor Springs: Anglers are focusing on the waters near Harbor Point and straight out from the marina. Not a lot of fish however boats are usually bringing in one trout or salmon.
Petoskey: A few salmon were caught by those fishing the breakwall and the pier east of the boat launch. They are casting spoons and crank baits. Early morning and late night were best when using anything that glows. Boat anglers caught a few salmon, lake trout or whitefish in the early morning when using glow spoons, plugs or flies. Those trolling between the breakwall and Bay Harbor caught salmon 75 to 80 feet down or lake trout 80 to 100 feet down.
Bear River: Salmon are moving up into the river. Anglers caught fish at the dam and between the two bridges downstream. Most are using spawn bags. Green and yellow were good colors for beads, felt and flies.
Charlevoix: Boat anglers are fishing between the Can and North Point. Lake trout were in 80 to 120 feet just past North Point. Chinook were caught 70 to 75 feet down in 80 to 100 feet with spoons, plugs and flies. A few coho were also caught. Pier anglers caught smallmouth bass on leeches and crawlers. Fish have moved into Medusa Creek. A good number of fish were in the boat slip at the cement plant. Those wading and the shore anglers are casting spoons and crank baits.
Lake Charlevoix: Anglers are still fishing the area near the Coast Guard Station as well as into the lake. Catch rates for salmon were hit-or-miss. A couple salmon were caught in Round Lake.
Traverse City: Chinook along with the occasional coho and lake trout were caught on spoons, plugs and meat rigs 80 to 110 feet down. Smallmouth bass were in 20 to 40 feet. In the West Bay, chinook are staging in front of the Boardman River but the bite was slow. Those caught were about 80 feet down. Big Smallmouth bass are hitting in 20 to 40 feet.Guys are trying for perch but no bite the last few days.
Elk River: A few salmon are beginning to arrive and the number of fish should pick up by the weekend. Steelhead were hitting on spawn or crank baits.
Boardman River: Chinook salmon are in the river, but it is still a bit early for the run. Try drifting spawn or skein near the bottom.
Glen Arbor: Catch rates have slowed significantly. Those surfcasting did manage to catch a few chinook and coho on artic spinners and homemade hooks.
Platte River: Is producing a good number of fish down near the mouth. Anglers are using spawn and yarn in the fast water. Use light tackle and bright colors.
Frankfort: Water temperatures have been up and down over the last week. Boats heading out to deeper water caught steelhead along the “Shelf.” Pier and shore anglers reported slow catch rates.
Betsie River: The salmon run has been fast and heavy. The fish are not holding in the holes for long.
Onekama: Anglers are heading out to waters 220 to 300 feet deep and fishing the top 80 feet with spoons or plugs. They are catching chinook, coho and steelhead.
Portage Lake: Bass anglers are doing very well for large and smallmouth bass in 20 to 25 feet of water. One angler landed a nice 7 pound smallmouth. Bluegill, perch and rock bass were caught on crawlers.
Manistee: Boat anglers were still taking a few salmon around the piers. Early morning is best with white and glow plugs. Pier anglers caught a few fish when casting green, glow or white spoons.
Manistee River: Salmon fishing improves as more fish have entered the river. Chinook and coho have been caught up near Tippy Dam.
Ludington: Boat anglers caught salmon and steelhead 40 to 80 feet down in 300 to 400 feet of water. Orange and green spoons were the ticket. Pier anglers casting glow plugs caught a few fish.
Pere Marquette River: Continues to produce salmon.
Pentwater: Salmon were caught 50 to 70 feet down in 120 to 150 feet of water near Silver Lake. Pearl colored J-plugs worked best but fish were also taken on cut bait. Those casting body baits off the pier caught bass. Perch have been hit and miss
Thursday, September 12, 2013
SPRINGDALE TWP. The Manistee County Sheriff’s Office reported that George Cheylava was a passenger in a Ford Windstar minivan driven by his wife, Laneah Cheylava, 81, when the van was struck at the passenger door by a Ford truck at the intersection of Springdale Road and Tomasek Road.
Laneah Cheylava was transported to Munson Medical Center after the accident and was listed in critical condition Thursday morning and passed away in the afternoon.
Bob Brott caught lake trout and salmon out of Elk Rapids last week
FISHING CONDITIONS ON LAKES CADILLAC AND MITCHELL
FROM PILGRIM VILLAGE FISHING SHOP
Several say they caught larger fish that could beat those entered, but didn’t bring them in. Fish stories!
The days are shorter with the smell of Fall in the air. Warm days, longer cool nights. The lake water temperatures are falling. Soon the fish start returning to shallower depths.
Bass fishing has been good. Both large and small mouths are cooperating. Some are fishing for fun but there are several boats practicing for the last tournament or coming Classic. The crayfish are molting (soft shells) and many of the small mouths caught are missing scales on the noses from rubbing on the rocks and gravel for them. There’s plenty in the 2-3 pound range, but several reported over 4.
Panfish activity has picked up. Reports of near limits come from both Cadillac and Lake Mitchell. Crappies predominate the catches. Bluegills and perch come close. This is catch and eat.
Now that the lakes are cooling we’ll see larger pike. They get hungry in the Fall. Bass anglers seem to automaticaly catch several.
Searching for walleyes? Find another lake. They’re some where out there. Those specifically targeting them are catching everything else. Those few reported were accidentally caught fishing for other species, usually on leeches.
Salmon fever has infected the majority of anglers. The local rivers are filling with large, fresh salmon. The near by Big Manistee has good numbers of chinook, but lately schools of Coho have made their way to Tippy Dam. Happy, Happy, Happy! Boat anglers and shore fishermen are filling their coolers.
They are larger this Fall. Many of the Kings are over the 20 pound range. Coho may range 10 pounds plus.
Take your pick, the Big lake, Piers or Rivers – the salmon are there.
Upper Peninsula Fishing Report
Marquette: Lake trout action was fair with some limit catches reported from Shot Point, the Clay Banks, Little Presque Isle and east of the White Rocks in 100 to 140 feet. The occasional chinook or coho were caught near the mouth of the Carp River and the Chocolay River.
Little Bay De Noc: Catch rates for walleye were fair. Many were trolling or drifting crawlers in 18 to 27 feet near Kipling and the Second Reef. Try stick baits or crawlers in 25 feet off the east bank in Gladstone. Pike were hitting spinners and crank baits in the Yacht Harbor. Perch fishing was fair at Kipling in 8 to 19 feet or Gladstone in 14 to 25 feet with crawlers.
Big Bay De Noc: Perch were caught in 10 to 14 feet in Fayette Harbor and a few were starting to show up in Garden Bay. Smallmouth bass are hitting on minnows or spinners in 12 to 16 feet near the Big Bay Shoals. Good numbers of salmon were caught 50 to 70 feet down in 120 to 140 feet off Fairport. The fish were hitting on spoons or artificial cut bait.
Au Train: Catch rates for lake trout slowed considerably with only a few fish taken off the flats in Shelter Bay and east of Au Train Island. Try 120 to 150 feet with assorted spoons. Only a few chinook salmon were caught. Surface water temperatures were in the 50’s.
Munising: Boat anglers targeting lake trout reported fair results while those fishing for chinook or coho had fair to good results. Most are fishing in Trout Bay. Smaller splake were caught in Munising Bay. Lake trout anglers are fishing north of Wood Island.
Grand Marais: A few boats were lake trout fishing 5 to 7 miles north of the bay. The fish were 2 to 5 pounds and were caught in 100 to 200 feet. Coho were caught about halfway down in 50 to 60 feet. Shore anglers had no luck.
St. Mary’s River: Walleye fishing in the shipping channel has slowed. Carlton Creek is still producing lots of walleye for those trolling crawlers over the weed beds in the early morning. Musky were caught around Tea Cup Island. Use large body baits.
DeTour: Anglers are still fishing between Frying Pan Island, the #3 Green can and the #2 Red Can near Drummond Island. They are catching chinook between 7 and 15 pounds and some lake trout. Spoons worked best in white, green, orange, red silver or the hammered orange.
Drummond Island: Walleye were caught around Peck Island when trolling crawler harnesses and bottom bouncers in 12 to 14 feet. Gold and purple blades worked best. For yellow perch, try Maxton Bay when drifting or still-fishing minnows, the south end of Grape Island or Arrow Island in Sturgeon Bay. Pike were on the northwest side of Grape Island in 8 feet. Good smallmouth bass action for those using tube jigs in 6 to 8 feet. Fish were also taken on crawlers along the west side of Peck Island.
Cedarville and Hessel: There was good perch fishing off the end of the marina pier and the public dock at Hessel. Use minnows or crawlers in 8 to 12 feet. The south end of Hessel Bay had excellent pike fishing for those using chubs. Both the Yacht Entrance and Hessel Bay were producing salmon.
St. Ignace: Trout and salmon are being caught around the islands.
Northwest Lower Peninsula Fishing Report
With Labor Day behind us, the majority of anglers will now turn to salmon and trout fishing. The fish are starting to move in closer to shore as well as into some of the river systems. The inland lakes have been good for both large and smallmouth bass and panfish activity has picked up. Perch fishing has started to pick up with wigglers and minnows your best bet. Smallmouth fishing on East Grand Traverse has been awesome with bigger fish from 30 to 40 feet
Harbor Springs: Salmon and lake trout were caught on the harbor side. Most anglers are fishing between Harbor Point and Forest Beach. Chinook were caught 70 to 90 feet down but the lake trout were a little deeper in 100 to 130 feet. Try spoons, flies and squid.
Petoskey: Catch rates did improve slightly as anglers caught chinook, coho and lake trout. The salmon were hitting on spoons, plugs and meat rigs 75 to 90 feet down in 120 to 160 feet. Lake trout were more abundant and were caught 120 feet down. Boats were fishing from the buoy near the breakwall to Bay Harbor. A couple anglers caught fish with long lines and plugs in shallower waters. Pier anglers caught smallmouth bass on crawlers.
Bear River: Water levels were still very low but that has not stopped a few salmon from coming in. Try spawn bags, rubber eggs and small flies at the dam.
Charlevoix: Salmon fishing is still pretty slow. The fish were scattered but some were starting to stage near the mouth of the rivers. Many were fishing between North and South Point or near the Cement Plant but some were heading further south to Fisherman’s Island. Try anywhere from 65 to 115 feet down in 70 to 150 feet of water. A white dodger and flies with red or blue beads worked best but fish were also caught on spoons. Lake trout were caught on spoons and meat rigs 130 feet down.
Lake Charlevoix: Salmon were starting to head to the Boyne River and the Jordan River. Anglers did well where Round Lake meets Lake Charlevoix. Most were using flies in 40 feet.
Traverse City: In the East Bay, chinook were caught on plugs 90 to 100 feet down in 100 to 150 feet of water. Smallmouth bass fishing was steady in 20 to 50 feet. In the West Bay, the number of salmon caught was not high but the fish are good size. Try 80 to 90 feet down in waters up to 150 feet deep with spoons, flies or plugs.
Elk River: Is producing the occasional steelhead or smallmouth bass. Try fresh spawn bags for the salmon.
Boardman River: A few salmon are in but the numbers are still low and few have been caught. Try drifting skein under a bobber. The weir grates are now in place.
Glen Arbor: Fishing has slowed as most of the fish have moved to the rivers. Anglers are finding both juvenile and mature kings in the harbor and off South Manitou Island.
Platte Bay: Is producing fish about 40 feet down in 50 to 70 feet of water in the East Bay. Anglers are using J-plugs. Those surfcasting caught fish on spinners or spawn. A dredge is now opening up the mouth of the river.
Frankfort: The Herring Hole has been doing very well for chinook salmon. Anglers are trolling 55 to 90 feet down in 100 to 120 feet with spoons and plugs. Hot colors were orange and blue. Several large chinook weighing over 27 pounds were caught off the piers by those using spawn or Cleo’s that glow.
Betsie River: Was full of fast moving chinook salmon. Not many were seen on the beds or in the holes but fishing at the dam was good.
Onekama: Those heading out to the “Barrel” had good action throughout the day for chinook and coho. The chinook were deep in 120 to 150 feet but the coho were found in shallow waters. Both are hitting on spoons or plugs.
Portage Lake: Anglers are starting to see increasing numbers of bluegill, perch and bass now that cooler temperatures have arrived. Working 12 to 18 feet of water with worms around the weed beds has produced good catches.
Manistee: Boat anglers are catching salmon between the piers and 60 feet of water. Chrome, green and glow J-plugs worked well. Glow spoons were best in the early morning. Pier anglers casting spoons also caught fish.
Manistee River: Has a fair to good number of salmon.
Ludington: Salmon were caught inside the piers and out to 50 feet of water in the early morning. Chrome plugs worked best. Pier anglers caught a few chinook when casting spoons.
Pere Marquette River: Water levels were good. Salmon were caught on flat fish. Those fly fishing reported slow catch rates.
Pentwater: Had good fishing. Anglers are running lines 50 to 70 feet down in 120 to 150 feet near Silver Lake. Try pearl, green and silver J-plugs. Some large chinook and coho have been caught.
Muskegon River: Is producing some nice smallmouth bass. No word on salmon yet but it should not be long.
Whitehall: Salmon fishing picked up for those trolling 50 feet down in 100 to 120 feet. The bite was best in the early morning hours. Most are using spoons and J-plugs that glow.
FISHING CONDITIONS ON LAKES CADILLAC AND MITCHELL
FROM PILGRIM VILLAGE FISHING SHOP
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2013
Traditionally Summer ends with Labor Day Weekend. The warm days and cool nights continue. Pontoon boats and docks will start to disappear because of the calendar. The lakes become peaceful with the absence of jet skis, skiers and power boats. Some of the best fishing of the year is ahead of us. Septembers’ the month for Master Angler and record breaking fish.
A short period of time is left for the Pilgrim Village 2013 Free Summer Fishing Contest. It began May 27 and runs thru September 9, 2013. Prizes will be awarded by length.
Put away your ultra light tackle. Grab your 9′ Ugly stick rod and head for your favorite river. Salmon are reported in the Pier Marquette, Betsie, Boardman and Big and Little Manistee Rivers. They are BIG – often well over 20 pounds. They are breaking tackle and bending hooks. Storm Thundersticks and spawn are still the Guides choice.
Upper Peninsula Fishing Report
Keweenaw Bay: Those heading out for trout and salmon had to work hard to get them. They caught a mix of chinook, coho and lake trout 40 to 90 feet down in 50 to 100 feet of water from Carla’s Restaurant north past the red rocks and off Pequaming Point. Those jigging for lake trout had little success. Near the South Portage Entry, a fair number of lake trout, chinook and coho were taken near the lighthouse, the reefs and the Mud Banks. They are using a mix of spoons in a variety of colors. For Traverse Bay, lake trout action picked up some for those jigging in 170 to 220 feet off Gay Point and Big Louie’s Point. Those trolling 60 to 145 feet down in 80 to 150 feet also caught fish.
Marquette: Most anglers are targeting lake trout but those using high lines for salmon and trout had mixed results. Lake trout were caught near the Clay Banks, Granite Island, and Shot Point in 120 to 130 feet. A couple small coho were caught. Surface water temperatures were in the low 60’s. Those fishing near the mouth of the Chocolay River had poor results. Anglers are being asked to participate with the creel census surveys that are being conducted in the area. The information you share plays a vital role in fisheries management on the Great Lakes.
Menominee: Bay anglers were trolling for walleye near Green Island. Catch rates were fair to good. No trout or salmon were caught. Those targeting walleye did best in the evening when trolling rapalas in 20 to 30 feet of water. Salmon anglers tried closer to shore because of the high winds but no fish were caught.
Menominee River: Is producing a fair number of walleye for those trolling rapalas and crawler harnesses. Many were on the small side. Shore and boat anglers caught smallmouth bass when floating crawlers or casting crank baits.
Cedar River: Those floating crawlers caught smallmouth bass.
Little Bay De Noc: Walleye anglers had fair catch rates near Kipling. They are trolling or drifting crawlers and stick baits in 15 to 25 feet between the Second and the Center Reef and along the drop near Gladstone in 25 feet. Fair to good perch action was reported off the mouth of the Escanaba River when using minnows and crawlers in 20 to 25 feet or the Second Reef in 8 to 17 feet. Smallmouth bass were caught on crawlers and crank baits near the mouth of the Ford River. A couple salmon were caught out near the Ford River Can when trolling spoons 60 to 70 feet down in 100 to 130 feet.
Big Bay De Noc: Had good smallmouth bass fishing for those using minnows or crank baits in 10 to 28 feet off Ansell’s Point and the many shoals. Those trolling spoons or cut bait off Fairport did well 60 to 75 feet down in 120 to 130 feet of water.
Au Train: Lake trout anglers have had mixed results depending on wind direction. The hot spots were the edge of the flats and the humps near the shipping lanes east of AuTrain Island in 140 to 200 feet. Offshore surface water temperatures have risen to the low 60’s. No salmon to report.
Munising: Catch rates for chinook and coho were fair in Trout Bay and Munising Bay. Lake trout fishing continues north of Wood Island. A couple pier anglers were targeting splake but catch rates were slow.
Grand Marais: Lake trout anglers were fishing in 100 to 200 feet of water along the shipping channel, five to seven miles north of the bay. The fish have been feeding on insects and sculpin. Whitefish are feeding in the shallows. Coho anglers were fishing east or west of the bay in 50 to 60 feet. Shore anglers casting for pike had poor results.
St. Mary’s River: Walleye fishing in Raber Bay has slowed in the shipping channel from Point Aux Frenes to the old bell buoy. A few pike were caught on the southwest end of Neebish Island, at the mouth of the Munuscong River or the southwest end of Kemps Point when trolling chrome spoons or black bucktail spinners. Anglers need to watch for low water levels when boating on the St. Mary’s River and around Drummond Island.
DeTour: Anglers are still taking chinook and lake trout between Frying Pan Island, the #3 green can and the #2 red can out near Drummond Island. Chinook salmon are ranging 7 to 15 pounds. Hot colors are watermelon, green, purple and white.
Drummond Island: Wind direction did have an effect of walleye fishing. Fish were caught by those trolling crawler harnesses with bottom bouncers in 12 to 14 feet around Peck Island. Anglers had fair to good perch fishing in Maxton Bay. Most are drifting or still-fishing with medium size minnows near the red buoy located on the south end of Grape Island. A few nice pike were taken on the northwest side of the island when casting or trolling chrome spoons with a red eye in 8 feet of water. Smallmouth bass are hitting tube jigs near Harbor Island or a crawler with a slip bobber on the west side of Peck Island. Brown and green tube jigs worked well.
Cedarville and Hessel: Perch anglers have done well off the east end of the marina pier in Hessel Bay and off the public dock. They are using minnows or crawlers in 8 to 12 feet. The south end of Hessel Bay had excellent pike fishing for those using chubs. Salmon were caught in 50 to 70 feet in Hessel Bay and the Yacht Entrance.
St. Ignace: Had no change. Lake trout and salmon are still being caught around Mackinac Island, Round Island, Bois Blanc Island, the flats and the Coast Guard Station.
Northeast Lower Peninsula Fishing Report
The inland lakes such as Grand, Long and Hubbard are producing some very nice smallmouth bass. This is grasshopper and cricket season on the smaller trout streams and those using imitations are doing well.
Rogers City: Adult chinook are beginning to show up and they are good size. The better fishing was very early and after sunset when heading south towards Swan Bay and Adams Point but the fish are moving. Head to deeper water as the sun comes up while using downriggers, short segments of lead core, dipseys and copper with spoons, J-plugs, bombers and flashers with either squid or flies. Hot colors were green, blue, pearl, red, purple, orange with green or silver as well as black and white. Those fishing north and straight out of the harbor caught a mix of salmon, steelhead and walleye.
Presque Isle: Catch rates were slow but picking up. Anglers were hanging out in shallow waters 35 to 60 feet deep as they wait for the fish to come in and feed on the abundant baitfish. Try straight out or north between the two lighthouses and fish the top half of the water column.
Rockport: Is producing a few chinook, lake trout and walleye. Walleye were also caught in to 20 to 40 feet.
Alpena: Few anglers were out but they did manage to catch a couple smallmouth bass and the occasional walleye in Thunder Bay. The trick is to move around until you find fish.
Thunder Bay River: Catch rates have improved for smallmouth bass that average 12 to 14 inches but some were as big as 17 inches. Freshwater drum, channel catfish, and rock bass were caught. Most are using crawlers but a few did well with crank baits. A few salmon are in the river but catch rates were poor. Cooler weather is needed.
Harrisville: The fish are scattered so anglers will have to work for them. The walleye are deep, 100 to 140 feet and most were caught by those targeting trout and salmon with spoons and body baits. A few salmon were caught in the harbor but these fish seem to be early runners.
Oscoda: Fish are on the move so finding them can be difficult. Walleye are deep and were caught with the trout and salmon. Pier anglers caught a few salmon with glow spoons in the early morning or evening.
Au Sable River: Fishing below Mio has been very good and the white fly hatch should continue through the Labor Day weekend. Water temperatures have been fairly cool below Mio which means the fish have been active and healthy. Catfish are moving in and out of the river.
Lake Margrethe- There is an awesome perch and gill bite this week with limit catches being reported
Higgins Lake: Was producing perch near the Sunken Island and along the drop offs. No big numbers but the fish were nice size. Those trolling just off the bottom in 80 to 120 feet caught lake trout on the north end including the north side of Treasure Island. Those jigging found lake trout and whitefish in 80 to 100 feet. Anglers are still catching lots of rock bass. This is a great fishery for kids.
Houghton Lake: Fishing has been great with lots of gills and some walleye on leeches
Otsego Lake has a great pike bite off the state park with suckers and rapalas working best
Tawas: Boat and pier fishing in the bay are slow. A few walleye were taken off Alabaster, Au Sable Point and Jerry’s Marina but anglers need to fish deeper water. One angler targeting walleye actually caught a 15 pound chinook in 80 feet of water when trolling a crawler harness.
Au Gres: A few walleye are still being caught straight out from the mouth of the river or six to eight miles south in 26 to 30 feet of water. Those targeting perch found a few in 30 to 40 feet four to eight miles to the south.
Au Gres River: Is producing a few catfish and freshwater drum.