Curly's Photo and Fishing Blog
Thursday, July 31, 2008
FIshing Report for Northern Michigan 7/31/08
Higgins Lake is reporting a good perch bite the last couple weeks with minnows and waxworms working best. Surprise is there are many perch over 9 inches up to 11 which is not the norm for this lake
Walleye have been biting good on Long Lake by TC and Hodenpyle by Mesick, with leeches working best
Lake St. Helen has been good this week with bass and bluegill biting.
Lake Missaukee - Is producing some nice panfish also walleye and bass.
Little Bay De Noc - Walleye action was slow and those that caught fish seem to do best in the southern parts of the Bay. Fish late evenings off Breezy Point while trolling stick baits or crawlers in 10 to 14 feet of water or about 20 feet down just off the break. Those fishing off the mouth of the Escanaba River in the early morning are jigging or drifting crawlers in waters up to 20 feet deep. Walleye and perch were caught in 20 to 25 feet of water off Gladstone. A few salmon were caught on spoons 80 feet down in 100 feet of water out near the Ford River Can.
Big Bay De Noc - Has good walleye action but few anglers taking advantage of it. Most are trolling crawlers and stick baits in 20 to 33 feet of water from Ansell’s Point to the “Boot” and from Garden Bluff out to the Shoals. A few perch were caught off Ogontz when jigging crawlers off the weeds just south of the launch. Good salmon action off Fairport for those trolling 80 to 90 feet down in 105 to 120 feet of water and steelhead were caught 60 to 70 feet down. Try spoons or artificial cut bait that glows.
Brevoort Lake - Anglers are still catching walleye. Walleye are hitting on crawlers.
Manistique has been good for fishing. Walleye and bass are decent.
Skegemog Lake - The public access site on Baggs Road is open. Walleye anglers were drifting crawler harnesses between the Torch River and Baggs Road but no fish were caught. A few nice pike were caught in the flats in 10 to 12 feet of water. Smallmouth bass action has been good especially between the mouth of the Torch River and the shallow weedy area or from the access site to the Narrows. Anglers are casting top water baits, artificial frogs, swim baits, power baits, tube baits, crank baits, jigs or spinners. Small bluegills are hitting in crawlers or red worms.
Big Glen Lake - Lake trout are hitting good on spoons in 70 to 100 feet of water and a few fish over 20 pounds have been caught on the west side of the lake. Bass are hard to find but a few were caught on jigs. Perch are hitting on minnows but the fish were small. Bluegills are hitting on worms.
Little Glen Lake - Perch anglers are doing well on the west end of the lake.
Around Grayling, The walleye are biting on Lake Margrethe with Pike fishing sporadic on inland lakes and river fishing is fair to good with live bait, Hendrickson??s, and flies.
Hamlin Lake - Panfish and bass are being caught in moderate numbers..
Wixom Lake - In Gladwin County is producing some nice rock bass.
Lake Charlevoix - Perch anglers are finding fish at 30 feet but they are small. The bass are off the beds and along the drop offs. Those fishing the channel of the Pine River have caught smallmouth using live bait and artificial worms. Freshwater drum and catfish are also starting to show up.
Saginaw Bay - Has excellent walleye fishing even though heavy rain and wind will slow the action somewhat. Muddy runoff is still entering the bay so anglers will want to head out far enough to find clean water for better fishing. Good walleye fishing continues from Au Gres to Sebewaing however catch rates slowed around Bay Port and Caseville.
Upper Herring Lake - Walleye and largemouth bass have been caught during the day when trolling the weeds with either a crawler harness or a plastic worm.
Long Lake - The walleye are hitting on crawler harnesses after dark. Also Lake Leelanau has reported in with a good walleye bite. Warmer weather walleye are hittiing leeches real good
Portage Lake - Dredging is still taking place in the channel however walleye fishing in and around the channel has been decent at night. Good numbers of largemouth bass have been caught around the docks and the weed beds. The bigger bluegills along with rock bass and perch have been caught in the northwest corner of the lake and in front of the marina in 15 to 25 feet of water. The mayfly hatch is underway so catch rates are a bit slower, but fish are being caught.
Hamlin Lake - Fishing was a bit on the slow side however some limits were taken using wax worms or leaf worms in shallow waters in the South, Middle and North Bayou’s. Bass were caught on live bait or green and purple artificial crawlers.
Muskegon Lake - Walleye are being caught along the weed edges but many are running small. A few perch have been caught on minnows. Bluegill fishing was slow as the fish may be suspended in deeper water. Bass are still being caught in shallow waters along the weedbeds and around structure.
Whitehall - Fishing has picked up with a few more chinook and lake trout coming in, but they have been small. The fish were caught in 80 to 120 feet of water and the lake trout were coming off the bottom.
White Lake - Walleye have been caught early or late when trolling or drifting. Look for both large and smallmouth bass around the points and along the weedbeds. For northern pike, try trolling with large spoons or plugs, casting into the weeds or bobber fishing with large sucker minnows..
East & West Twin Lakes - has picked up for walleye and bass with leeches and crawlers working best..
Houghton Lake - Houghton Lake - Walleye are still being caught on a crawler harness with a leech or crank baits. Some jumbo perch measuring 12 inches plus have been caught on worms around the Middle Ground and south shore weedbeds. Good bluegill action on the calm days. Crappies were spotty..
Tittabawassee River - Catfish has been good.
Cedarville and Hessel - At Cedarville, the herring bite is winding down in McKay Bay. Good perch fishing was reported in the Moscow Channel in 4 to 6 feet of water or in Musky Bay and Cedarville Bay in 8 to 12 feet of water. Northern pike fishing has been excellent around the Les Cheneaux Islands when trolling, still-fishing or casting with chub spawn. Smallmouth bass action has been good and should only get better. Perch have been caught off the pier at Hessel. Try minnows in 8 to 10 feet of water. Salmon were caught off Goose Island.
Upper Peninsula:
Lake Medora near Copper Harbor is producing some very good bass fishing. Anglers on Lake Fanny Hooe are catching good numbers of bass and perch. The splake action on Copper Harbor is fair.
On Lake Gogebic, the perch fishing ranges from fair to good. Crawlers are working well as bait, and the best spots to fish are in water eight to 12 feet deep near weed beds. The walleye fishing on the lake is fair. Anglers are using leeches as bait or trolling with crank baits.
Out of the Marquette area, the lake trout fishing on Lake Superior is fair in water 125 to 150 feet deep. The smallmouth bass and walleye fishing ranges from fair to good on Lake Independence. Anglers on the Greenwood Reservoir are catching a few panfish.
By Escanaba, the salmon fishing is good on Little Bay de Noc. The salmon are hitting on spoons, with the south end of the bay producing the best fishing.
In the Manistique area, the salmon and steelhead fishing is good on Lake Michigan. The best fishing is found about five miles off shore. The bluegill and perch fishing is fair on Indian Lake. Anglers along the Manistique River are starting to catch an occasional walleye.
Around Sault Ste. Marie, the Atlantic salmon fishing ranges from being good to very good on the St. Marys River. The best fishing is found behind the ??powerhouse.? On the river south of the Soo, the walleye fishing is fair to good from 9 Mile Road to Raber Bay. The marble eyes are mainly hitting on crawler harnesses with bottom bouncers.
The smallmouth bass fishing is very good on Maxton, Scott and Whitney bays near Drummond Island. Crawlers are the preferred bait. The perch and walleye fishing on the bays is fair, at best. Anglers on Scott Bay are reeling in a few northerns. The pike are found in water 12 to 14 feet.
And at St. Ignace, the smallmouth bass fishing is fair on Brevort Lake.
Information Providers: ACE Hardware-St. Ignace; Bayview Bait & Tackle-Escanaba; Gander Mountain-Marquette; Gaslight-Copper Harbor; Hank??s Sporting-Sault Ste. Marie; Johnson??s Sports-Drummond Island, Nine Pines-Bergland; Tip of the Lake-Manistique, and Wilderness Treasures-Munuscong Bay.
Northwest:
Typical summer fishing patterns are developing on Burt and Crooked lakes near Alanson. Anglers are catching a few perch and walleye on the lakes.
Out of the Boyne City area, the bass and walleye fishing is very good on Lake Charlevoix. The bass are hitting on live baits, such as leeches and crawlers, the walleye seem to prefer body baits.
Around Traverse City, the walleye action is good on Lake Leelanau. The fish are found in water 40 to 50 feet deep.
By Frankfort, the king salmon fishing is very good on Lake Michigan and off the pier on the big lake. Along the Betsie and Platte rivers the brown and rainbow trout fishing is very good during the evening hours. Anglers on Crystal Lake are reeling in some very good numbers of perch, rock bass and smallmouth bass. The panfish fishing is also very good on Turtle Lake.
In the Manistee area, the king salmon fishing is very good on Lake Michigan. The kings are hitting on J-plugs and spin doctors. The walleye action off the pierheads is good. Good numbers of panfish are being caught on many of the local inland lakes.
Lake Skegemog near Kalkaska is producing some very good bluegill and smallmouth bass fishing. The best area to cast a line in the water seems to be on the east side of the lake near the mouth to the Torch River. Anglers on Twin Lake are catching good numbers of bass and walleye using leeches and crawlers as bait.
Anglers on Otsego and Bradford lakes near Gaylord are catching good numbers of bass and walleye. The fly-fishing is good in most of the local streams.
And at Cadillac, the bass and pike fishing is good on both lakes Cadillac and Mitchell. Lake Cadillac is also producing some good panfish and crappie fishing.
Information providers: Alphorn-Gaylord; Back cast Fly Shop-Frankfort; Boyne River Bait Shop-Boyne City; Gander Mountain-Traverse City; Jack??s Sports-Kalkaska; Riley??s-Manistee, Pilgrim??s Village-Cadillac, and Young??s Bait Shop-Alanson.
West:
By Ludington, the bass, bluegill and walleye fishing is very good on Hamlin Lake. Anglers along the Pere Marquette River are catching quite a few salmon. On Lake Michigan the perch and salmon fishing is very good. The perch are hitting on minnows, the salmon on small spoons and little cleos.
Out of the Pentwater area, the king salmon fishing is very good on Lake Michigan. The fish are found in the top 60 feet of water that is 80 to 120 feet deep.
Around Muskegon, the perch, salmon and steelhead fishing on Lake Michigan is good. The perch are hitting on worms and minnows. The salmon and steelhead are found in the top half of water up to 100 feet deep. On Muskegon Lake, good numbers of walleye are being reeled in at night. Anglers are trolling with crank baits in water about 15 feet deep.
Chippewa Lake is producing some very good bass, crappie and walleye fishing. Crawlers are the preferred bait.
And out of the Baldwin area, the bass and bluegill fishing is good on most of the small inland lakes. The gills are hitting on crickets and leaf worms. The trout fishing for fly-fishermen ranges from fair to good on the local rivers.
Information providers: East Bay General Store-Chippewa Lake; King Sports-Baldwin; P.M. Sports-Ludington; Charlie??s Marina-Pentwater, and Shoreline Bait & Tackle-Muskegon.
Southwest:
In the Holland area, the perch and salmon fishing is good on Lake Michigan. The perch are hitting on minnows in water 30 to 35 feet of water. The salmon are found about 30 feet below the surface, in water that is up to 120 deep. Lake Macatawa is a good spot to go to catch a few walleye.
Lake Michigan out of Benton Harbor is producing some very good coho and king salmon fishing. The fish are hitting on dodgers and spoons.
By New Buffalo, the perch and salmon fishing is good on Lake Michigan. The best area to find the salmon is straight out from the harbor in water 85 to 100 feet deep. The perch are hitting on minnows in water 35 to 40 feet deep near the ??pumping station.?
Out of the Kalamazoo area, the smallmouth bass fishing is good along the Kalamazoo River. Anglers are reeling in good numbers of catfish along the St. Joseph River. Anglers will find some very good panfish fishing on Gunn Lake. The fish have moved into the shallows around the lake. The pike fishing is good on Gull Lake. Eagle Lake is producing good bluegill fishing. The gills are hitting on leaf worms. Anglers on Austin and Scott lakes are reeling in good numbers of largemouth bass.
And at Three Rivers, the bluegill, crappie and perch fishing is good on most of the local lakes. The gills are hitting on leaf worms and waxworms. The crappie and perch prefer minnows as bait. On the St. Joseph River, the catfish and walleye fishing is good.
Information providers: American Tackle-Holland; Captain Cook??s-New Buffalo; D.& R. Sports-Kalamazoo, Fisherman??s Luck-Three Rivers and Tackle Haven-Benton Harbor.
Northeast:
Around Alpena, the bass and walleye fishing is good on Long Lake. Walleye anglers are mainly using crawler harnesses. At the mouth of Thunder Bay, the lake trout and walleye fishing is decent. The walleye are hitting on Rapalas, the lakers on spoons.
In the Oscoda area, Foote Dam Pond is producing some very good bass and bluegill fishing, the walleye action is fair. Anglers on Van Etten Lake are catching good numbers of perch, along with a few crappie, pike and walleye. Along the Au Sable River, the catfish and walleye fishing is good.
By Grayling, fly-fishermen are catching a few trout in area streams. The walleye fishing on Lake Margrethe is slow. The walleye that are being caught are hitting on minnows.
Higgins Lake is producing some very good rock bass fishing. Both leeches and waxworms are being used as bait. The perch and lake trout fishing is slow on the lake.
Out on Houghton Lake, the bass, bluegill, crappie and walleye fishing ranges from fair to good. The gills are hitting on waxworms and leeches; the crappie prefer minnows as bait; the bass are hitting on a variety of baits and walleye anglers are using crawlers and leeches as bait.
And at Au Gres, the walleye fishing is fair on Saginaw Bay. The best fishing is found south of the Au Gres River, in water about 30 feet deep. Crawlers are the preferred bait.
Information providers: Lyman??s-Houghton Lake; Rivers Edge Bait Shop-AuGres; Sports Barn-Higgins Lake, and The Dam Store-Oscoda; Clems- Alpena; Skip??s-Grayling.
East:
The perch action is improving on Saginaw Bay near Linwood. The best fishing is found along the edge of the shipping channel in water 20-23 feet deep. The walleye fishing is steady on the bay in water approximately 20 feet deep.
Out of the Bay City area, the walleye fishing is very good on Saginaw Bay. Early mornings are the best time to be out, with crawlers being the preferred bait. Anglers on the bay are also catching a few perch. The catfish and bass fishing on the Saginaw River is good.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
HIggins Lake Perch
The perch fishing on Higgins Lake has been great this summer with big perch being caught. The six inch perch are now eight to eleven inches and limit catches so we hope that it will be a great winter on the lake. Waxworms and minnows are working best right now, but fish during the week as on the weekend there is too much traffic. Not much traffic during the week as gas prices are keeping most home during the week.
FISHING CONDITIONS ON LAKES CADILLAC AND MITCHELL
FROM PILGRIM VILLAGE FISHING SHOP
This past week most have been fishing Lake Cadillac. Is the fishing better on it than Lake Mitchell? Cadillac does have public access around it for shore fishermen, as well as a public fishing dock located on one of the better areas of the lake. It has three well maintained boat launches that almost divide the lake in thirds, with plenty of trailer parking. The lake itself is basically bowl shaped, shallow to deep, and is easy for casual anglers to figure out.
Lake Mitchell although twice the size of Cadillac is much shallower then Cadillac, with only a couple of areas in the 20 foot range. Few know where these areas are located. This year milfoil beds are covering some of the better fishing areas. Although the Lake Association is trying to control the weeds, they are there. Weeds even milfoil are magnets for the fish. Fish the edges and you??ll be surprised. Panfish and predators love the heavy cover. Bass fishermen are using frog baits in areas where the milfoil is flowering. Tournament fishermen use the weeds to their advantage.
Lake Mitchell has one excellent launch located in the State Park, but also has other County ramps suitable for smaller boats.
Wind is a major factor for the lack of pressure on Mitchell. Lately 20 mph west winds have been common. White caps are not fun.
The two lakes counter balance themselves. Strong west winds, Mitchell is rough and Cadillac is calm. The reverse, strong east winds Cadillac will be uncomfortable and Mitchell calmer.
Because of the storms and consistent wind, Mitchell has had little pressure most of the season.
While vacationing from Zeeland, Lane, Andrew and Emily Brands caught bass, pike and panfish.
Tim Umbreit is back. This time with a 21 inch large mouth.
Rebecca Houveners thinks her 16 ½ inch small mouth gave her a fight!
Manistee River, good reports of skimania are coming from Tippy Dam. Fish early, fish late. Forget the afternoons unless you??re after browns.
Detailed maps of current fish conditions are available at the Pilgrim Village Fishing Shop. Stop in.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Fishing is Still Good
Higgins Lake is reporting a good perch bite the last couple weeks with minnows and waxworms working best. Surprise is there are many perch over 9 inches up to 11 which is not the norm for this lake
Walleye have en biting good on Long Lake by TC and Hodenpyle by Mesick, with leeches working best
Lake St. Helen has been good this week with bass and bluegill biting.
Lake Missaukee - Is producing some nice panfish also walleye and bass.
Little Bay De Noc - Not many anglers have been out because of the mayfly hatch. Most boats have been targeting the southern parts of the Bay between Breezy Point and south to the “Fingers” while trolling crawlers in 18 to 30 feet of water. Some nice pike were caught off Kipling when trolling crank baits in the evening..
Big Bay De Noc - Continues to host walleye action with fair to good reports around the “Boot”, west of Big Bay Shoals and the in the deep water off Garden Bluff. Most anglers are trolling crawlers or stick baits in 20 to 35 feet of water. Several perch were caught near Ogontz when jigging crawlers in 8 to 10 feet of water along the weeds. Off Fairport, salmon catches were up this week but lots of fish were able to get off. Try 40 to 80 feet down in 80 to 105 feet of water.
Brevoort Lake - Anglers are still catching walleye. Walleye are hitting on crawlers.
Manistique has been good for fishing. Walleye and bass are decent.
Skegemog Lake - The public access site on Baggs Road is still closed. Construction is scheduled to be completed on Friday, July 25th. Smallmouth bass have been caught along the east side near the mouth of the Torch River and the shallow weedy areas. Anglers are casting crank baits, power baits, swim baits, tube baits, crawlers or artificial frogs. Bass anglers have caught a few pike on the south end near the exposed weeds when using spinners, artificial crayfish and lizards. Bluegills and rock bass were caught near the mouth of the Torch River and the access sites.
Big Glen Lake - Trout fishing has picked up with rainbows hitting glow on green and black glow in the dark spoons when trolling in 70 to 100 feet of water. Lake trout are also hitting on spoons bounced off the bottom. Limits of walleye have been caught on minnows. Try fishing the drop-offs for bass.
Little Glen Lake - Perch anglers are doing well on the west end of the lake.
Around Grayling, The walleye are biting on Lake Margrethe with Pike fishing sporadic on inland lakes and river fishing is fair to good with live bait, Hendrickson??s, and flies.
Hamlin Lake - Panfish and bass are being caught in moderate numbers..
Wixom Lake - In Gladwin County is producing some nice rock bass.
Lake Charlevoix - Perch anglers are finding fish at 30 feet but they are small. The bass are off the beds and along the drop offs. Those fishing the channel of the Pine River have caught smallmouth using live bait and artificial worms. Freshwater drum and catfish are also starting to show up.
Saginaw Bay - Continues to have phenomenal walleye fishing at virtually all possible locations from Au Gres around to Port Austin. Crawler harnesses on bottom bouncers trolled off planer boards are a sure thing, but Hot-n-Tots in various colors are also taking fish. Limit catches are the rule. Anytime the weather is stable and the wind isn’t blowing too hard, expect excellent fishing. Some nice perch were caught in 20 to 23 feet of water north of the Spark Plug which is near Buoys 11 & 12. At Caseville, good walleye catches were reported up by Oak Point.
Upper Herring Lake - Walleye and largemouth bass have been caught during the day when trolling the weeds with either a crawler harness or a plastic worm.
Long Lake - The walleye are hitting on crawler harnesses after dark. Also Lake Leelanau has reported in with a good walleye bite. Warmer weather walleye are hittiing leeches real good
Portage Lake - Dredging is still taking place in the channel however walleye fishing in and around the channel has been decent at night. Good numbers of largemouth bass have been caught around the docks and the weed beds. The bigger bluegills along with rock bass and perch have been caught in the northwest corner of the lake and in front of the marina in 15 to 25 feet of water. The mayfly hatch is underway so catch rates are a bit slower, but fish are being caught.
Hamlin Lake - Fishing was a bit on the slow side however some limits were taken using wax worms or leaf worms in shallow waters in the South, Middle and North Bayou’s. Bass were caught on live bait or green and purple artificial crawlers.
Muskegon Lake - Walleye are being caught along the weed edges but many are running small. A few perch have been caught on minnows. Bluegill fishing was slow as the fish may be suspended in deeper water. Bass are still being caught in shallow waters along the weedbeds and around structure.
Whitehall - Fishing has picked up with a few more chinook and lake trout coming in, but they have been small. The fish were caught in 80 to 120 feet of water and the lake trout were coming off the bottom.
White Lake - Walleye have been caught early or late when trolling or drifting. Look for both large and smallmouth bass around the points and along the weedbeds. For northern pike, try trolling with large spoons or plugs, casting into the weeds or bobber fishing with large sucker minnows..
East & West Twin Lakes - has picked up for walleye and bass with leeches and crawlers working best..
Houghton Lake - Houghton Lake - Walleye are still being caught on a crawler harness with a leech or crank baits. Some jumbo perch measuring 12 inches plus have been caught on worms around the Middle Ground and south shore weedbeds. Good bluegill action on the calm days. Crappies were spotty..
Tittabawassee River - Catfish has been good.
Cedarville and Hessel - Perch have been caught off the pier in Hessel and around Haven Island in 15 feet of water. Good pike action however few are targeting them. Try casting from the pier or trolling chubs around the islands. At Cedarville, most are targeting the herring because the bite has been excellent in McKay Bay and Prentice Bay. Use a wax worm or mayfly on a red teardrop.
Upper Peninsula:
In the Bergland area, Lake Gogebic has good walleye action in 20-25 feet of water. Anglers trolling the deeper basin are using fire tiger, blue and silver crank baits.Leeches and crawler harnesses are also working well.Small mouth bass are doing great on gold and brown crayfish in 8-10 feet of water. Jumbo perch are plentiful in the muddy areas and weed beds using a piece of crawler on a number six hook.
Marquette anglers will find some good activity on Lake Superior for lake trout. King salmon have moved to deeper waters and are not biting. The Dead River Basin is giving up decent walleye, however small in size. The Greenwood Reservoir is good for a few crappie and walleye. Anglers are using gulp, live baits, leeches and night crawlers.
Around Escanaba,walleye activity is decent on crawlers and crawler harnesses in the shallow waters of Little Bay DeNoc.A few perch are biting on the Escanaba and Rapid rivers. Bass are decent all over in the weed beds and from the shoreline. Salmon are biting on moonshine baits and picking up on Fairport, Escanaba, and Cedar rivers.
In the Manistique area,Lake Michigan is giving up good catches of salmon on silver spoons.Get in on the 23rd Annual Salmon and Trout Derby this Saturday and Sunday, call Dave to register at 341-8264 or get your tickets at Tip of the Lake.
In the Sault Ste. Marie area, Raber Bay is producing very good amounts of King salmon and white fish, while the walleye have slowed.
Munuscong Bay has good walleye activity taking place on the St. Mary??s River. Anglers are using crawler harnesses with bottom bouncers with good results. A few walleye are being taken from Raber Bay and the herring are scattered but doing well between Drummond Island and Sault Ste. Marie when using teardrops with a wax worm.
Drummond Island anglers are catching a few pike on Scott, Maxton and Whitney bays using chubs with a bobber. Small perch are being reeled in out of all the bays on minnows or crawlers. Walleye activity is best in the evening on Scott Bay and bass action is decent on crawlers or bobber fishing with a chub.
St. Ignace, fishing has slowed a bit on Brevort Lake due to several Blackstone Fly hatches. Salmon are doing well in the Bay.
Information Providers: ACE Hardware-St. Ignace; Bayview Bait & Tackle-Escanaba; Gander Mountain-Marquette; Gaslight-Copper Harbor; Hank??s Sporting-Sault Ste. Marie; Johnson??s Sports-Drummond Island, Nine Pines-Bergland; Tip of the Lake-Manistique, and Wilderness Treasures-Munuscong Bay.
Northwest:
Alanson area anglers are doing well on rock bass and blue gill using crawlers and leaf worms on small inland lakes.Fair activity is taking place for walleye and pike on Burt and Crooked lakes. Anglers are doing the best in the evening hours when trolling with body baits and crawlers.
Around Boyne City, the salmon are starting on the Bear River, and anglers are using a variety of flies with good results.Good bass and walleye action on crank and body baits fishing Lake Charlevoix.Walloon Lake is also great for bass, walleye and pike on body and crank baits.
In the Traverse City area, very good lake trout action taking place on both bays and the salmon are starting to pick up. Fair walleye activity is taking place on Lake Leelanau and Long Lake. Crawler harnesses are working well.
Around Frankfort,lake trout are plentiful out of Lake Michigan. Perch action is good on Crystal Lake in 60-feet of water using minnows, and the rock bass are very good. Trout activity is good on all of the rivers and fair perch and walleye action on the upper and lower Herring lakes.
Anglers headed to the Manistee area can expect some good salmon action when using spin doctors and flies on Lake Michigan. Best results are in 150-200 feet of water and fishing down around 100 feet. Portage Lake is giving up a few blue gill.
In the Kalkaska area, Lake Skegemog is very good for bass on tube baits while walleye activity is improving on Manistee Lake.
Gaylord area anglers will find very good trout fishing on Black, Sturgeon and Manistee rivers. Fly-fishing with grasshoppers and cricket patterns seems to be doing the trick. Bass, pike and walleye activity is fair to good on Otsego and Bradford lakes.
Around the Cadillac area, good action for crappie, blue gill, bass and small sized pike on Mitchell and Cadillac lakes. Minnows, wax and leaf worms, spinner baits, and leeches are all working nicely.
Information providers: Alphorn-Gaylord; Back cast Fly Shop-Frankfort; Boyne River Bait Shop-Boyne City; Gander Mountain-Traverse City; Jack??s Sports-Kalkaska; Riley??s-Manistee, Pilgrim??s Village-Cadillac, and Young??s Bait Shop-Alanson.
West:
Ludington anglers can expect good salmon action on Lake Michigan with a variety of lures working. Out on Hamlin Lake, the blue gill activity is improving and worms seem to work best.
Off of Pentwater, salmon and lake trout are doing well on Lake Michigan in 80-160 feet of water and anglers are fishing down 60 feet to the bottom with dodgers and flies. Early morning hours are best.
In the Muskegon area, very good bass action is taking place on Muskegon Lake in 10-13 feet of water. Anglers are using spinner baits in the morning hours and rubber baits in the evening hours. On Lake Michigan in 90-150 feet of water and fishing down 50 feet to the bottom the salmon activity is good using spoons and flasher fly combos. Walleye activity is starting to pick up on Muskegon Lake at the northwest corner.
In the Chippewa Lake area, fishing for bass is rated fair.
Around the Baldwin area, most inland lakes are doing well for blue gill on crickets.
Information providers: East Bay General Store-Chippewa Lake; King Sports-Baldwin; P.M. Sports-Ludington; Charlie??s Marina-Pentwater, and Shoreline Bait & Tackle-Muskegon.
Southwest:
Around the Holland area, perch action is slow on Lake Michigan with a few being caught in waters 50-80 feet. Salmon activity is decent when anglers use blue or green flashers in 100 feet of water and fishing down about 50 feet. Only a few blue gill are being pulled from Lake Macatawa on wax worms.
Benton Harbor anglers are pulling in good catches of salmon, steelhead and lake trout on Lake Michigan when trolling with spoons or dodgers and flies in 100 feet of water and fishing between 50-80 feet down. The perch action is also good on the Big Lake in 30-35 feet of water and using minnows.
Off of the New Buffalo area, salmon action is fair on Lake Michigan on orange spoons and fishing down 85 feet. Perch angling is minimal at best.
In the Kalamazoo area, jigging seems to be working best for some good bass action on Gunn and Gull lakes in 20-30 feet of water. Overall most inland lakes are spotty for pan fish.
Around the Three Rivers area, good activity for blue gill on crickets and wax worms for anglers fishing Long, Harwood and Corey lakes. Clear Lake is giving up a few perch, and most inland lakes are providing good counts of bass. Fair crappie action on Long, Corey and Bear lakes, anglers are using minnows or red wigglers for best results.
Information providers: American Tackle-Holland; Captain Cook??s-New Buffalo; D.& R. Sports-Kalamazoo, Fisherman??s Luck-Three Rivers and Tackle Haven-Benton Harbor.
Northeast:
In the Oscoda area, crawlers, minnows and leeches are working well for inland lake anglers. Blue gill and perch are active on Cooke Dam Pond, while good size crappie hitting on Foote Dam Pond. Perch, walleye, pike and catfish are doing well on Van Etten Lake. The AuSable River is giving up plenty of sheepshead, catfish and walleye.
Houghton Lake is providing big blue gill on leeches and leaf worms. Walleye are hitting on night crawlers and Hot-N-Tots as well as crank baits. Good action for jumbo perch in 8-feet of water and around the weed beds. Anglers are using night crawlers and minnows with good results.
Higgins Lake anglers are doing well for rock bass using night crawlers and minnows, and perch are biting on wax worms and minnows. Lakers are active and grabbing at spoons and Rapalas.
Around AuGres, some good fishing taking place for walleye 8-10 miles south of AuGres Ponte and anglers are finding good results using crawler harnesses and Hot-N-Tots.
Information providers: Lyman??s-Houghton Lake; Rivers Edge Bait Shop-AuGres; Sports Barn-Higgins Lake, and The Dam Store-Oscoda.
East:
Around Linwood, perch are active in 20-23 feet of water near the edge of the shipping channels, and walleye are found in 20-22 using plastic baits on Saginaw Bay. Salmon activity is really picking up in Rockport, Rogers City and around the wreck in Alpena on Lake Huron.
Bay City anglers are catching limits of walleye in 4-26 feet of water near Oakhurst and Charity Island. Anglers will only need 45-60 minutes to catch a whopping amount of fish. Best results are found using crawler harnesses, Hot N Tots, and mini disks with a spoon.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Fishing Between Storms
It Seem this week we have been fishing between storms as more are coming in tonight. Overall angling action across the state is good for a variety of species.
Walleye have en biting good on Long Lake by TC and Hodenpyle by Mesick.
Lake St. Helen has been good this week with bass and bluegill biting.
Lake Missaukee - Is producing some nice panfish also walleye and bass.
Little Bay De Noc - Walleye were spotty when trolling or drifting crawlers in 10 to 25 feet of water in the evening. Lots of fish were marked in the south end of the bay but few fish were caught. A couple salmon were caught out near the Ford River Can when trolling 50 to 60 feet down in 80 feet of water.
Big Bay De Noc - Had pretty good walleye action with fair catches off Ansell’s Point and Garden Bluff. Try trolling with crawlers or stick baits in 20 to 32 feet of water. Good smallmouth action along the northern bank when casting spinners. Nice perch were caught off Garden Bluff when jigging crawlers in 25 feet of water. Off Fairport, salmon action is getting better by the week. Anglers are taking a mix of chinook, steelhead, brown trout and lake trout. Try spoons or artificial cut baits 60 to 80 feet down in 100 feet of water. The steelhead are closer to the surface.
Brevoort Lake - Anglers are still catching walleye. Walleye are hitting on crawlers.
Manistique has been good for fishing. Walleye and bass are decent.
Skegemog Lake - he public access site on Baggs Road will be closed July 14th through July 25th due to the construction of a new launch pad. Boat anglers can use the Whitewater Park site which requires a fee or the Torch River access site. Surface water temperatures have been about 75 degrees and the bass fishing has been good. Fish the east side near the mouth of the Torch River or the Narrows.
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.
Around Grayling, The walleye are biting on Lake Margrethe with Pike fishing sporadic on inland lakes and river fishing is fair to good with live bait, Hendrickson??s, and flies.
Hamlin Lake - Panfish and bass are being caught in moderate numbers..
Wixom Lake - In Gladwin County is producing some nice rock bass.
Lake Charlevoix - Perch anglers are finding fish at 30 feet but they are small. The bass are off the beds and along the drop offs. Those fishing the channel of the Pine River have caught smallmouth using live bait and artificial worms. Freshwater drum and catfish are also starting to show up.
Saginaw Bay - Walleye fishing throughout the entire bay area continues to be nothing short of fantastic. When anglers can get out, they are taking limit catches at all ports from Au Gres to Port Austin. Crawler harnesses continue to produce a lot of fish, but Hot-n-Tots were also working.
Upper Herring Lake - Walleye and largemouth bass have been caught during the day when trolling the weeds with either a crawler harness or a plastic worm.
Long Lake - The walleye are hitting on crawler harnesses after dark. Also Lake Leelanau has reported in with a good walleye bite. Warmer weather walleye are hittiing leeches real good
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.
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.
Muskegon Lake - Muskegon Lake - Some nice perch were caught on minnows. Those casting tube
Whitehall - Fishing has picked up with a few more chinook and lake trout coming in, but they have been small. The fish were caught in 80 to 120 feet of water and the lake trout were coming off the bottom.
White Lake - Walleye have been caught early or late when trolling or drifting. Look for both large and smallmouth bass around the points and along the weedbeds. For northern pike, try trolling with large spoons or plugs, casting into the weeds or bobber fishing with large sucker minnows..
East & West Twin Lakes - has picked up for walleye and bass with leeches and crwlers working best..
Houghton Lake - Word has it the mayfly hatch is done. Anglers are catching walleye on Hot-n-Tots or crawler harnesses with a crawler or leech. Pike are hitting on spinners and the bluegills are hitting on worms or leeches.
Tittabawassee River - Catfish has been good.
Cedarville and Hessel - Yellow perch have been caught off the pier in the marina at Hessel and around Haven Island in 15 feet of water. Northern pike action has been good but few are targeting them. Try casting from the pier or trolling around the islands with chubs. Herring are the target in Cedarville when fishing McKay Bay or the east end of Government Bay with wax worms or mayflies. Perch can be found in Moscoe Channel, Government Bay and Cedarville Bay.
Upper Peninsula:
In the Bergland area, another mayfly hatch has caused some slow action for anglers. Crank bait seems to be working well on walleye and perch. Escanaba anglers are catching some salmon near Fairport and the south end of Escanaba as well as Cedar River. Flashers and anything that glows in the dark is working well.
Good activity around Manistique on Lake Michigan for salmon fishing 5-miles out and using spoons. The Manistique River is giving up good numbers of walleye on leeches.
Around Sault Ste. Marie and Munuscong Bay, Lima Island is hit or miss for herring. The hot spot is Raber Bay and the St. Mary??s River for walleye. Atlantic salmon, perch and pike are decent out of Cedarville.
Near St. Ignace, Brevort Lake has some good fishing for brook trout and a few salmon.
Around Drummond Island, anglers are doing well for trout in the channels of the St. Mary??s River and around Harbor Island. Salmon are active on the St. Mary??s River when anglers use spoons. Scott??s Bay is giving up a few herring on tear drops and wax worms.
Information Providers: Nine Pines-Bergland; Bayview Bait & Tackle-Escanaba; Tip of the Lake-Manistique; Hank??s Sporting-Sault Ste. Marie; Wilderness Treasures-Munuscong Bay; Johnson??s Sports-Drummond Island, and ACE Hardware-St. Ignace.
Northwest:
In the Boyne City area, anglers are doing well on Lake Charlevoix for walleye, bass and a few rainbow trout. Red and orange spoons seem to be working well. Salmon are being caught in the deeper waters, 200 feet or more and fishing down 140 feet. Anglers are using spoons, plugs, and flies.
In the Frankfort area, Lake Michigan is providing good catches of lake trout on flies and night crawlers. The lower Herring River is giving up walleye when anglers troll. Turtle Lake is good for blue gill on night crawlers and crickets. Big Platt is offering up plenty of perch on minnows. The Betsie River is decent for browns and Crystal Lake has good action for perch, rock bass and small mouth bass.
In the Manistee area, Lake Michigan anglers are catching plenty of King salmon on spin doctors and hoochie baits, and most any lure that glows. Portage Lake is good for walleye but so far, no perch.
Plenty of action in the Cadillac area, on the west side of Mitchell Lake, and the north shore and east end of Cadillac Lake are the best locations. Minnows, crawlers and beetle spins are working well for rock bass, crappie, blue gill, sunfish, bass and pike.
In the Gaylord area, the weather is great, the water levels have returned to normal and the fishing is good. The Boyne River is giving up good counts of brook and rainbow trout and anglers are finding that overall the fishing is best in the afternoon hours.
Information providers: Alphorn-Gaylord; Backcast Fly Shop-Frankfort; Boyne River Bait Shop-Boyne City; Riley??s-Manistee, and Pilgrim??s Village-Cadillac.
West:
Excellent angling action for anglers headed to the Baldwin area. Walleye are hitting on minnows, wax worms, regular worms and the most popular green crawlers.
Chippewa Lake has some great fishing taking place particularly for walleye. To give you an idea on the size a 28-inch, 12.5 pound walleye was reeled in this week.
In the Muskegon area, bass are plentiful along the weed beds on leeches, with blue gill active and hitting on wax worms and regular worms. Perch are doing well but small in size. Lake Michigan is hit or miss on perch, but the persistent angler will find a few in 20-35 feet of water near the north and off of the pier heads. Salmon anglers are doing well in 90-130 feet of water, fishing down 50-90 feet and using lemon ice and caramel dolphins, atomic watermelons, and any lures that are yellow or green and glow. Blue gill are active in 15-20 feet of water and off of the weed beds.
Information providers: East Bay General Store-Chippewa Lake; King Sports-Baldwin, and Shoreline Bait & Tackle-Muskegon.
Southwest:
Holland anglers fishing Lake Michigan are finding a few salmon in 100 feet of water when using flashers with a fly. Perch activity is decent in 30-feet of water with fish biting on minnows. Lake Macatawa is giving up decent counts of blue gill on wax worms.
In the Benton Harbor area, good fishing is taking place for salmon and steelhead in 100-feet of water when trolling with spoons or flashers and a fly. Perch action is also good in 30-feet of water on minnows.
Around the New Buffalo area, salmon are biting in 90-feet of water on a variety of baits that include spoons, bait rigs, artificial baits, preserved smelt, dodgers and flies. Perch action is currently slow.
Good angling action around Kalamazoo. Austin Lake is giving up good counts of bass on pan fish worms. A four and a half pound bass was caught this morning. Sinko baits are working well especially when fishing near the weed beds. Pan fish are doing well when trolling with blue gill busters, the fish are starting to move to deeper waters. Cedar Lake is giving up plenty of pan fish. Lake Michigan is a bit stirred up due to recent wind and storms, but Berrien Springs Dam is decent for steelhead action.
Information providers: American Tackle-Holland; Captain Cook??s-New Buffalo; D.R. Sports-Kalamazoo, and Tackle Haven-Benton Harbor.
Northeast:
Oscoda anglers are pulling in great numbers of fish from the area. Cooke Dam Pond is giving up blue gill, walleye and perch. Anglers are doing well on Foote Dam Pond for perch, bass and walleye, and Van Etten Lake has tons of perch, and decent numbers of pike and walleye as well. The AuSable River is active with catfish, perch and a few walleye. Night crawlers, minnows and wax worms are working well on perch, and leeches are good for walleye and bass.
Higgins Lake has had plenty of windy conditions this week, but the bass are doing well on night crawlers and leeches.
Anglers on Houghton Lake are catching good numbers of blue gill in 8-10 feet of water or shallow depths with leeches and wax worms. Walleye are doing great on crawler harnesses with a bobber, and bass are everywhere and biting on everything.
Information providers: Lyman??s-Houghton Lake; Sports Barn-Higgins Lake, and The Dam Store-Oscoda.
East:
In the Bay City area, anglers are doing great on walleye, and perch are active between Oakhurst and AuGres in 5-25 feet of water. Best baits include crawler harnesses, small spoons with a mini disk and Hot-N-Tots.
In the Linwood area, Saginaw Bay is giving up consistent walleye in 20-22 feet of water. King salmon are just starting on Lake Huron and are active around Rogers City
Monday, July 14, 2008
Strong Winds Hurt Weekend
Hurricane winds this weekend along with a cold front sunday but a damper on fishing this weekend. I have not heard any good reports this week so far as most say fishing was very sparse this weekend. Bluegill are moving into deeper water with crickets and waxworms working best. Walleye have been hitting crawlers and leeches good when fisherman can get out.
FISHING CONDITIONS ON LAKES CADILLAC AND MITCHELL
FROM PILGRIM VILLAGE FISHING SHOP
It??s time to change. Although many of the gills still have eggs in them, larger ones are being caught in deeper water. Lots of numbers in the shallows, but you have to sort. Best chances for slabs are the drop offs near the sand bars where we did so well earlier. The deep water roaches (big, almost black gills) have started spawning. Some have found them fishing with jigs tipped with leeches. Cody Zammit nailed a Master Angler size one while on his vacation.
Got Swimbaits? Bass fishermen are catching swimbait fever. Presentations vary. Some are nosing them along the bottom. Others swim them slowly, searching for suspending bass. Swim baits originated in California and are catching on in our lakes. Many bass are feeding on bluegills so match the color of your baits to their colors. Match the hatch. Using artificials or live bait, bass fishing has been good on both lakes. Tom Ihlenfeldt from Livonia is pictured with a pair caught on Lake Mitchell. He practices catch and release while on vacation and caught big numbers. Cadillac resident Jim Scott preferred fishing Lake Cadillac and is seen with a great large mouth.
Walleyes are being caught on both lakes. However, no numbers. Usually it??s one here, one there. They??re always good size, just no limits. Lately Mitchell has been the better lake. Robby Bell from Jenison was happy with his Lake Mitchell catch, an 18 incher. Look at the smile on Kyle Todd??s face. He caught an 18 ½ inch walleye, also on Lake Mitchell.
Jeff Leatherman and John Petrovich worked over the crappies on Lake Cadillac. They know where they suspend and catch them any time of the day. For the rest of us, mornings and evenings have been the best. The east side of Cadillac has been the most consistent area for them. This has been the best spot all summer.
Pike are eating almost anything thrown in front of them. No tricks here. Live bait, plugs, spinner baits and grubs are all working. Most have been in the 26 - 28 inch range with lots of numbers. Tom Ihlenfeldt is pictured again with two that he was about to release.
Detailed maps of current fish conditions are available at the Pilgrim Village Fishing Shop. Stop in.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Fishing Report for Northern Michigan 7/10/08
We had a great holiday with lots of people and boat traffic, so the fishing was slow but will pick up as the holiday rush is over. The thermometer is rising, warming the waters and creating for improved angling action in many locations.
Grand Traverse Bay has been good for lake trout with the whitefish moving into deeper water
Lake St. Helen has been good this week with bass and bluegill biting.
Lake Missaukee - Is producing some nice panfish also walleye and bass.
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.
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.
Brevoort Lake - Anglers are still catching walleye. Walleye are hitting on crawlers.
Manistique has been good for fishing. Walleye and bass are decent.
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.
Around Grayling, The walleye are biting on Lake Margrethe with Pike fishing sporadic on inland lakes and river fishing is fair to good with live bait, Hendrickson??s, and flies.
Hamlin Lake - Panfish and bass are being caught in moderate numbers..
Wixom Lake - In Gladwin County is producing some nice rock bass.
Lake Charlevoix - Perch anglers are finding fish at 30 feet but they are small. The bass are off the beds and along the drop offs. Those fishing the channel of the Pine River have caught smallmouth using live bait and artificial worms. Freshwater drum and catfish are also starting to show up.
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!
Upper Herring Lake - Walleye and largemouth bass have been caught during the day when trolling the weeds with either a crawler harness or a plastic worm.
Long Lake - The walleye are hitting on crawler harnesses after dark. Also Lake Leelanau has reported in with a good walleye bite. Warmer weather walleye are hittiing leeches real good
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.
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.
Muskegon Lake - Boat anglers are catching walleye at night. Both boat and shore anglers are catching bass and bluegills.
Whitehall - Fishing has picked up with a few more chinook and lake trout coming in, but they have been small. The fish were caught in 80 to 120 feet of water and the lake trout were coming off the bottom.
White Lake - Walleye have been caught early or late when trolling or drifting. Look for both large and smallmouth bass around the points and along the weedbeds. For northern pike, try trolling with large spoons or plugs, casting into the weeds or bobber fishing with large sucker minnows..
East & West Twin Lakes - has picked up for walleye and bass with leeches and crwlers working best..
Houghton Lake - Fishing has been great with lots of walleye being caught but many are small
Tittabawassee River - The lower river continues to produce very good walleye fishing around the Center Road access site. A lot of smallmouth bass have been caught and released and a lot of white bass have been caught.
Upper Peninsula:
Around the Bergland area trolling seems to be working well for anglers fishing for walleye with crank baits, some perch are also hitting which is unusual. Lake Gogebic has a mayfly hatch taking place currently.
Around Escanaba, Little Bay DeNoc is really good for walleye just about everywhere on the Bay, including the north end and the reefs. Ford River is also giving up plenty of walleye. Anglers are floating with jigs. The salmon action is very good all over Fairport and the south end of Escanaba and Cedar River.
Manistique anglers are hitting Lake Michigan for most fishing action about 5-7 miles out in 80-feet of water for salmon. Big spoons are working well and silver particularly. Indian lake is giving up decent catches of blue gill still on beds.
Sault Ste. Marie anglers are catching a few herring out of Raber Bay and Cedarville. Tear drops and wax worms seem to be working well.
Around St. Ignace, Brevort Lake activity has slowed due to a mayfly hatch and a few salmon are hitting in Moran Bay.
Munuscong Bay has a variety of fish being reeled in that includes walleye, pike and perch on wax worms, night crawlers and orange, chartreuse and purple leeches. Herring are active around Lima Island.
Scott??s Bay near Drummond Island is good for decent herring activity, while the walleye fishing is a bit slow. Pike are active just about everywhere on Pontaganissing Bay on chubs and lures. Only a few salmon are being caught.
Northwest:
Around the Frankfort area, anglers are going out fairly far in Lake Michigan for decent catches of salmon and steelhead using imitation baits. The Platt River is providing good catches of blue gill, brook trout, small mouth bass and a few walleye. Live baits, crawlers, worms and wax worms are working well. The Betsie River is giving up decent numbers of brown trout.
In the Alanson area, Crooked Lake has warmed up bringing fish to the surface. Perch, walleye and a few bass are hitting on crawlers.
Manistee anglers are doing well in Lake Michigan for salmon in 80 feet of water and fishing in the top 50 for best results. Fish catchers, spin doctors, flies and spoons seem to work best. The Big Manistee River has blue gill setting up in 12-feet of water.
In the Kalkaska area, Manistee Lake and Lake Margrethe anglers are doing well for walleye, and perch are decent on leeches and baby crawlers. Kettle Lake is providing decent numbers of blue gill and Lake Skegemog is giving up plenty of bass on spinner baits and Rapalas.
Around the Cadillac area good fishing is taking place on both Cadillac and Mitchell lakes. Bass are active, and crappie are hitting on minnows and beetle spinners in the early morning hours. Pike are just about everywhere on both lakes and in the 26-30 inch range.
Around the Gaylord area, the Manistee and Black rivers are great for walleye and bass. Otsego Lake is good for bass and walleye when anglers troll and use jigs tipped with night crawlers. Lake Margrethe is giving up nice counts of walleye and bass on Rapalas.
West:
In the Baldwin area anglers are busy catching just about everything on the river. Pan fish are active in the shallow waters and worms, crawlers and flies are working well.
Chippewa Lake has had too much boat traffic causing for fishing activity to slow a bit. Blue gill and some pike are active.
In the Muskegon area, despite rainy weather anglers are doing well on Lake Michigan in 80-130 feet of water for salmon. Anglers are fishing 60-90 feet down and doing the best in the early morning hours or later in the evening. The best baits include glow in the dark, watermelon spoons and caramel, green and blue dolphins. Muskegon Lake is giving up plenty of yellow belly perch on minnows and bass mostly around the marinas.
Southwest:
Angling activity has been slow this week in the Holland area, but anglers getting out on Lake Michigan are finding that some perch are biting in 30-40 feet of water on minnows or cut bait. Salmon are decent in the evening hours between 9-10 p.m. fishing in 70-120 feet of water
Weather slowed activity in the Benton Harbor area this week, but aggressive anglers that did get out caught decent numbers of Coho salmon on varied colors of green lures.
Some large sized salmon are being caught around the New Buffalo area off of the Harbor in 100-150 feet of water when using orange spoons. Minnows are doing the job on perch in 27-28 feet of water.
Around the Three Rivers area bass, crappie and a few perch are hitting on red wiggles and wax worms.
Northeast:
Around Alpena, bass and walleye action is good when anglers use crawler harnesses. Lakers and salmon are hitting near the 9 Mile can on a variety of spoons. Walleye are on the move in Thunder Bay and hitting on night crawlers and leeches.
Higgins Lake is much improved this week with rock and small mouth bass hitting near Sunken Island. Lakers are active near the North State Park on Rapalas and spoons, and plenty of perch are hitting, however they are very small in size.
Excellent angling action in the Oscoda area, walleye, blue gill and crappie are abundant on Cooke Dam Pond. Foote Dam Pond is giving up good numbers of pike, perch, bass and a few walleye. Van Etten Lake is providing decent catches of pike, perch and walleye and the AuSable River has some great fishing taking place for catfish, walleye and a few perch. A variety of baits are working well that include Cray fish, minnows, night crawlers and leeches.
Good action on Houghton Lake especially around the weed beds where most fish are being caught. Walleye, bass and blue gill are hitting on wax worms, Hot N Tots and crawlers.
East:
Bay City and Linwood anglers are doing very well on walleye and reeling in limits in very short timeframe. Trolling works well when using crawler harnesses, some anglers are getting decent results with spoons. The average walleye ranges between 17-22 inches. Catfish are active around Quanicassee.
Wednesday, July 09, 2008
KIrtland Warbler
Here is a photo I took this spring of a Kirtland Warbler.
Lots of people in Traverse City enjoying the Cherry Festival.
Not as many people staying up during the week as usual as the economy has taken it’s toll on everybody.
Sunday, July 06, 2008
Great Fourth Of July
Just a beautiful fourth of July with wall to wall people, thanks for coming north. The fishing has been good in most lakes with gills biting along with bass.
The fireworks were great this weekend and the air-show at the Cherry Festival was awesome.
FISHING CONDITIONS ON LAKES CADILLAC AND MITCHELL
FROM PILGRIM VILLAGE FISHING SHOP
If you didn??t fish over the holiday weekend you missed one of the best of the year.
Large bluegills are starting to get harder to find. Most of the males have vanished. Gills are still bedding in some areas but sorting has become the rule. Sunfish are usually larger than the gills and mixed in the same areas. Live baskets with near limits are common.
The penetrating sun (finally) has changes the tactics for crappie fishermen. Early mornings and just before dark they??ve been near the surface. Regardless of the depth, often you can see schools splashing as they feed on bugs or minnows. These conditions make limits possible. Normally during the day they go deep. Use your electronics or try vertical jigging while drifting. Catch a couple and they??ve given their depth and location away. Usually there??s a school.
Tim Littlefield from Cadillac knows how to find crappie. He??s pictured with a good one caught on Lake Cadillac.
The deeper depths also offer opportunities for descent size perch. When your fish finder marks schools just above the bottom, they??re likely perch. You still have a sort but 8??s and 10??s are there.
Bass fishing for this time of year has been good. Those using live bait are catching them by intent and often accidentally while fishing for panfish. Artificials are also working well. Senkos and other worm style plastics have been effective, especially the watermelon or pumpkin colors. Large mouths in the 14 to 16 inch range are the norm. Most small mouths running over 16 inches. These are money fish for the tournament fishermen who practice catch and release.
Most pike fishermen are happy. Mornings provide best action. Lots of numbers, but lots of throw backs. Catching pike of any size is fun. Most keepers have been in the 26 inch class, with a few over 30 inches reported.
Other species are showing up. Numbers of large rock bass, bullheads and Master Angler size bowfins are being caught.
The lake levels are still high, but are slowly getting back to normal.
The weathers good! Fishing is good! Take advantage of it.
Thursday, July 03, 2008
Fourth of July Fishing Report
More severe weather accompanied by cold fronts slowed fishing however a warm up by the weekend should once again improve conditions. Fishing on the inland lakes has been good for walleye, pike, bass, and panfish. The rivers are producing pike, catfish and carp. This week the fishing activity has really started to ignite now that the weather is cooperating. Angling activity is booming on a majority of inland lakes and rivers, as well as the Great Lakes for a variety of fish. The long holiday weekend should provide some great fishing opportunities.
Grand Traverse Bay has been good for lake trout with the whitefish moving into deeper water
Lake St. Helen has been good this week with bass and bluegill biting.
Lake Missaukee - Is producing some nice panfish.
Little Bay De Noc - Mayfly hatches did cause fishing to slow however walleye are still being caught off Breezy Point when trolling or drifting crawlers in 8 to 14 feet of water. Fair walleye action was noted from the mouth of the Escanaba River to the Black Bottom. Several nice catches of perch were taken in 15 to 20 feet of water when jigging worms. Smallmouth bass were caught near the mouth of the Ford River when casting crank baits and spinners along the rocks.
Big Bay De Noc - Walleye anglers marked good numbers of fish in 20 feet of water off Ansell’s Point but catch rates were slow. Bass fishing slowed however some nice fish have still been caught outside South River Bay or the weed beds off Ogontz when casting crank baits and spinners in 8 to 14 feet of water. Action off Fairport is a bit slow this year as water temperatures are still on the cool side in the low 40’s. Light numbers of salmon have been caught 40 to 50 feet down in 100 to 105 feet of water when using various colored spoons.
Brevoort Lake - Anglers are still catching walleye. Walleye are hitting on crawlers.
Manistique has been good for fishing. Walleye and bass are decent.
Skegemog Lake - Bass fishing has been fair for those targeting 5 to 15 feet of water near the mouth of the Torch River and between the public access site and the Narrows. Fish up to 18 inches were caught on tube baits, crank baits, power baits, spinners or jigs. Good numbers of rock bass have been caught.
Big Glen Lake - Fishing has been difficult due to the abundance of minnows and other natural food. Perch are still biting and shrimp seems to be the favored bait. Lake trout are starting to hit in 100 feet of water. Try spoons or rapalas. The bass are off the beds and the rock bass are hitting along the weeds.
Around Grayling, The walleye are biting on Lake Margrethe with Pike fishing sporadic on inland lakes and river fishing is fair to good with live bait, Hendrickson??s, and flies.
Hamlin Lake - Panfish and bass are being caught in moderate numbers..
Wixom Lake - In Gladwin County is producing some nice rock bass.
Lake Charlevoix - Perch anglers are finding fish at 30 feet but they are small. The bass are off the beds and along the drop offs. Those fishing the channel of the Pine River have caught smallmouth using live bait and artificial worms. Freshwater drum and catfish are also starting to show up.
Saginaw Bay - Pick any port around the bay for excellent walleye fishing! Fish the vicinity of the Black Hole, the Spark Plug, Callahan Reef, off Jones Road, and the Slot from about 4 miles north of Quanicassee all the way up to the tip of Sand Point. They’re also taking fish off the Bar on the west side of the Slot. Fish a variety of depths but in some area anglers need to fish in a minimum depth of 10 feet. From Bay Port and Caseville, fish the Slot outside Heisterman and North Islands northeast to the tip of Sand Point.
Upper Herring Lake - Walleye and largemouth bass have been caught during the day when trolling the weeds with either a crawler harness or a plastic worm.
Long Lake - The walleye are hitting on crawler harnesses after dark. Also Lake Leelanau has reported in with a good walleye bite. Warmer weather walleye will hit leeches real good
Portage Lake - Bass fishing continues to be good along weeds and drop offs throwing crank baits or plastic worms. Walleye are hitting on body baits or a crawler harness in the early afternoon and evening. Some nice bluegills were caught in 17 to 20 feet of water in front of the marina..
Muskegon Lake - Boat anglers are catching walleye at night. Both boat and shore anglers are catching bass and bluegills.
Whitehall - Fishing has picked up with a few more chinook and lake trout coming in, but they have been small. The fish were caught in 80 to 120 feet of water and the lake trout were coming off the bottom.
White Lake - Walleye have been caught early or late when trolling or drifting. Look for both large and smallmouth bass around the points and along the weedbeds. For northern pike, try trolling with large spoons or plugs, casting into the weeds or bobber fishing with large sucker minnows..
East & West Twin Lakes - has picked up for walleye and bass with leeches and crwlers working best..
Houghton Lake - Fishing has been great with lots of walleye being caught but many are small
Tittabawassee River - The lower river continues to produce very good walleye fishing around the Center Road access site. A lot of smallmouth bass have been caught and released and a lot of white bass have been caught.
Upper Peninsula:
Copper Harbor anglers are finding good fishing for perch on most inland lakes. Pike, trout and splake are doing well on the Harbor as well as fishing from shore. Crawlers, leaf worms, leeches and artificial baits are working well.
In the Escanaba area, the Escanaba River is providing good numbers of walleye while trolling with thunder sticks or crawler harnesses. King salmon are abundant off of Fairport. Bass are good all over the Escanaba River and Bay DeNoc on spinners and tube jigs.
In the Manistique area, Lake Michigan is giving up good catches of salmon six miles out with spoons working well. A mayfly hatch has slowed activity on Indian Lake.
Off of DeTour, Atlantic salmon and whitefish are doing very good near the back of the powerhouse and in the upper river.
Around St. Ignace, Brevort Lake is providing plenty of walleye and salmon are active in Moran Bay.
In the Munuscong Bay area, the herring are decent on Cedarville Lake and walleye are biting on Raber Bay and Munuscong Lake on crawler harnesses Swedish pimples, and tear drops.
Drummond Island fishing is good on Scott and Maxton bays where walleye activity is good in 15 feet of water using crawlers and crawler harnesses. Pike and bass are also plentiful. Salmon are hitting near the lighthouse in 50-60 feet of water on chartreuse spoons. Herring are biting near Howard Island and Maxton Bay on teardrops and wax worms.
Northwest:
In the Alanson area, the angling activity slowed a bit this week due to windy conditions but when anglers can get out they are doing well on a variety of fish out of Burt, Crooked and Pickeral lakes.
Near the Boyne City area, Lake Charlevoix and Walloon Lake are doing well for walleye and bass. Crawlers, leeches and body baits are working well.
Around the Manistee area, lake trout, kings, browns and steelhead are doing great on Lake Michigan, with a fruit cocktail of colored spoons working well. Portage Lake is giving up plenty of walleye on stick baits when trolling. Most inland lakes are doing well for blue gill and bass with some fish still spawning.
Frankfort area anglers are pulling in decent numbers of bass and pan fish on inland lakes using Hoola poppers. Walleye are active on the upper and lower Platt River. Imitation crawlers, live bait, and minnows are working well.
In Kalkaska, a big Hex hatch is taking place on the Manistee and Boardman lakes. Blue gill are active on most inland lakes and many still spawning. Lake Skegemog is giving up plenty of bass on slip bobbers and leeches or sinko baits.
In the Cadillac area, the water remains high, use caution if fishing from a boat, several docks are submerged creating hazards for anglers. Lakes Cadillac and Mitchell are doing well for pike on spinner bait, and bass hitting on live bait, crawlers and leeches. Blue gill are bedding and crawlers and leaf worms seem to be working well. Crappie are biting on beetle spinners, and sunfish on leaf worms.
Gaylord area, the waters have returned to normal levels and fishing is good. Otsego Lake is providing good catches of small and large mouth bass, and walleye. Rubber baits and Rapalas are working well.
West:
In the Ludington area, the fishing is outstanding for rock bass, pike, perch, and blue gill. Perch action is very good off of the pier. Charter fishing is very good for salmon. Bass are hitting on leeches and pike on green garlic worms. Minnows and crawlers are also working well.
In Baldwin, perfect conditions for some great fishing. Bass and blue gill are very active and the pike are just starting.
Around Chippewa Lake, walleye and pike action is excellent. Walleye are hitting on Dixie Dancers and pike on crawlers.
Southwest:
In the Holland area, Lake Macatawa is giving up plenty of blue gill on wax worms and in 30-feet of water the perch action is good when using minnows.
Around Benton Harbor, anglers are pulling in good catches of salmon on killer dolphin and mongoose in waters 65-120 feet. Perch are doing well in 32-35 feet of water more towards the south.
Around New Buffalo, perch action is decent in 45 feet of water headed towards the Red Roof and when anglers use minnows.
Kalamazoo anglers have a variety of fish to be had. Below the Allegan Dam catfish and walleye are doing well in 19 feet of water. Cut bait using sucker minnows and crawlers seem to work best. Gull Lake is good for small mouth bass and top water baits or white spinners are working well. Crappie are biting on minnows or slider grubs in the evening hours on Pine Lake. Pike action is good on Gunn Lake as well as the north side of Long Lake with anglers using Rapalas. Blue gill activity is good in 15-20 feet of water on Reynolds Lake and Lake Cora with leaf and wax worms doing the trick.
Lake Michigan is giving up decent perch off of South Haven about a half mile off the pier in 35 feet of water. Salmon and lake trout fishing is fair in 100 feet of water north of the pier using Magnum spoons and Gotcha flies.
Three Rivers is a hot spot for fishing this week, plenty of anglers are out and about and the majority of lake accesses are full. A variety of fish are being caught with red wigglers, wax worms, minnows and crickets working well.
Northeast:
Alpena anglers are doing well on Thunder Bay for walleye, sheepshead, and catfish using leeches and crawlers. Around Presque Isle the salmon and lake trout activity is rated fair when using spoons.
Again this week Higgins Lake has been rough due to windy conditions however, the weekend outlook is great. Rock and small mouth bass are biting and are plentiful.
Very good fishing is taking place in the Oscoda area for channel cats just below Cooke Dam. Foote Dam Pond is providing great fishing for pike, bass, and blue gill on a variety of baits, while walleye are biting on count-down Rapalas. Perch are plentiful out of Van Etten Lake where minnows and wax worms are working well.
Grayling anglers can expect good activity for walleye on Lake Margrethe when using leeches and crawlers, bass and blue gill are also biting. Trout are doing well in both the AuSable and Manistee rivers.
Houghton Lake anglers are doing very well for walleye when drifting with leech rigs or crawler harnesses, and fishing in waters 6-8 feet near the weed beds. Blue gill are biting on leaf and wax worms and can be found hiding out in the weed beds. Pike are active, however small in size.
East:
In the Bay City area, walleye action is great just about all over the River and Bay with 75-80% of anglers using harnesses with crawlers, only a few spoons are working. Hot spots include near Finn Road and Callahan Reef. Perch are not very active just yet. Bass are doing well on the Saginaw River and catfish are doing well on night crawlers.
Tuesday, July 01, 2008
Cool Morning
It was quite cool this morning, but warmed up in a big hurry. It looks to be a great holiday weekend with great weather predicted so come on up north and see us. Also the fish are still biting great with the high water. Hope to see you this weekend out on Northern Michigan’s beautiful lakes fishing.