Curly's Photo and Fishing Blog
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Fall Color Fishing Report
The perch fishing is still great with Grand Traverse Bay getting lots of action. Perch have been biting on Big Glen, Lake Leelanau, Lake Margrethe, Fife Lake, Lake Charlevoix and Burt Lake. Anglers are reminded that snagging in not legal in Michigan. All fish, regardless of species must be released immediately if they are not hooked in the mouth. Those looking for the number of fish passed at the weirs can call the Little Manistee Weir at 231-775-9727 (ext) 6072 and the Platte River Weirs at (ext) 6073. Anglers should note that the message is changed only when we handle fish.
Saginaw Bay -Had some perch activity behind Spoils Island and near Buoys 16 and 17. From Quanicassee to Fish Point, perch were caught in 5 to 8 feet of water. Baitfish were showing up in the many cuts, canals and marina basins however fishing was still generally slow and the perch were small. At Port Austin, fishing was slow.
Whitehall -a few perch are starting show up
Wixom Lake has been super for gills being caught on waxworms
Mullett Lake Surface temperatures were 55 to 58 degrees. Most anglers are still targeting perch near the points, in the bays and near the mouth of the Indian River. Try 15 to 40 feet of water with crawlers, minnows or shrimp. The fish measured 4 to 12 inches. Bass anglers were still targeting waters 8 to 24 feet deep around Needle Point, Dodge Point, Round Point and the southern Sunken Islands. Try tube baits, stick baits, spinners or crank baits.
Oscoda -Catch rates were slow even when boats can get out. Anglers fishing off the pier are having the most success with blue and silver or green and silver little Cleo’s. Boats are mainly using chrome and green J-plugs.
Higgins Lake -Some nice 10 and 11 inch perch were caught in 30 to 40 feet of water near Big Creek. Minnows and wigglers worked best. A few boats are still targeting whitefish and lake trout in deeper waters.
Houghton Lake - A few walleye were being caught in the early morning when fishing in shallow waters near shore. Some nice bluegills were caught along with a couple walleye or crappie.
Lake Margreathe by Grayling A perch bite is on with minnows in about 9 feet of water is still going strong also walleye are biting on golden shiners
Charlevoix -Perch fishing is picking up with wigglers, and perch minnows working best.
Traverse City -Calm weather made for good fishing in both bays. In the East Bay, whitefish were caught off Deepwater Point in 100 feet of water. Mornings were best. Anglers are targeting perch in 30 feet of water in front of the marina and smallmouth bass along the weeds in 25 to 40 feet of water. In the West Bay, whitefish were caught in 80 to 110 feet of water along the west side of Marion Island. Good perch action in the weeds off Hilltop Road.
Lake Leelanau - Had steady walleye action. Perch are biting on the North lake just past the narrows.
Portage Lake -Cooler weather was good for bluegill fishing as some limit catches were reported near Little Eden. THe fishing has been great with Perch were also caught in the same area and around the buoy. Be ready to sort out the small ones.
Lake Missaukee -Was good for panfish and bass.
Lake Cadillac -A few are still chasing the crappie bite and report neat limits. Bluegills and sunfish are back in the green weeds. Perch are in the shallows with some descent size, but the schools move and are here today and gone tomorrow.
Lake Mitchell -Is producing some panfish. Bass are hitting on spinner baits and pike favored large crank baits.
Little Bay De Noc -Has mostly perch anglers during the day and walleye anglers at night. Fair to good catches of perch east and northeast of Butler Island when using minnows and crawlers in 10 to 25 feet of water. Walleye anglers did best at night when trolling crawler harnesses in 10 to 20 feet of water over the Second and Third Reefs or from the Terrace Bay Inn over to the Black Bottom in 8 to 23 feet of water. Those walleye fishing during the day caught a few fish just off the Black Bottom in waters 40 feet or deeper.
Big Bay De Noc -Reported very good smallmouth bass fishing between Snail Shell Harbor and Snake Island. Try drifting minnows in 15 to 30 feet of water.
Indian Lake - Some nice perch were caught by those drifting crawlers in 8 to 10 feet of water along the south end of the lake. Catch rates for walleye were slow with only a couple fish taken on crawler harnesses near the rock pile, and they were too small. For northern pike, anglers were fishing the north end of the lake with crawlers on large spinner baits or casting crank baits. Smallmouth bass and bullhead were caught on the bottom with crawlers.
St. Mary’s River -he chinook and pink salmon appear to done spawning near the rapids and the Electric Plant. Good yellow perch in the late morning in Bay Dewausi when using minnows in 6 feet of water near the weed line and in the afternoon across from the Neebish Island Ferry Boat in 8 to 10 feet of water. Good smallmouth action on the south end of Neebish Island. Try tube baits, jigs, and crawlers in 8 to 10 feet of water near the rock piles. Muskie and pike were caught in Raber Bay when trolling large crank baits and bucktail spinners. Catch rates for walleye were slow.
Cedarville and Hessel -Pier anglers are seeing a good number of splake and taking limit catches of chinook. Remember, splake season is closed! For perch, try the Middle Entrance, Musky Bay, Cedarville Bay, Moscoe Channel, and the west end of Snows Channel with minnows in 6 to 12 feet of water. This is a good time for pike and smallmouth bass.
Northwest:
Petoskey - Salmon fishing slowed with only a light number of fish inside the breakwall.
Bear River - Is low and clear but fresh fish are coming in daily. Rain is needed to increase the flow and push any remaining fish up into the river.
Charlevoix - Salmon fishing is starting to wind down while steelhead, perch and menominee action should be starting to pick up. Fish could still be seen around the cement plant however the quality was deteriorating.
Traverse City - Calm weather made for good fishing in both bays. In the East Bay, whitefish were caught off Deepwater Point in 100 feet of water. Mornings were best. Anglers are targeting perch in 30 feet of water in front of the marina and smallmouth bass along the weeds in 25 to 40 feet of water. In the West Bay, whitefish were caught in 80 to 110 feet of water along the west side of Marion Island. Good perch action in the weeds off Hilltop Road.
Elk River - Anglers are doing well for salmon and lake trout using skein in the current near the dam. Good perch action in the early morning when using wigglers.
Boardman River - Salmon are present and can be found in the deeper holes. Lake trout could be seen and were caught under the bridge and at the mouth by those using shallow running baits.
Platte River - A few fish were passed at the Lower Weir and crews will be taking eggs at the Upper Weir through next week if all goes as planned.
Frankfort - Fishing picked up slightly when the east wind blew the warm water out. Lots of baitfish in the harbor, so pier anglers started to catch some steelhead in the early morning with spawn. Boat anglers heading out deep have caught young chinook, coho, and steelhead in 450 to 600 feet of water. Hot baits were yellow, orange, chartreuse and gold spoons. Steelhead were 35 feet down in 135 feet of water just north of the lighthouse.
Betsie River - A fresh run of fish showed up at the Homestead Dam. Chinook have been caught on the gravel and in the holes when using orange and pink yarn or spawn bags. A good number of fish were heading over the dam to the closed section above Kurick Road.
Onekama - Limits of chinook and steelhead were caught straight out from the pier in 350 to 500 feet of water. Those in smaller boats did mange to catch some fish closer to shore. Gold and orange or yellow and green were good colors to start with.
Portage Lake - Those fishing along the drop-offs are still catching bluegills on worms. Perch were starting to show up however most were small.
Manistee - Salmon and steelhead fishing is good in 300 to 500 feet of water. Try orange and green spoons. Pier anglers and those surfcasting have caught some steelhead on spawn.
Manistee River - Is still producing some salmon and steelhead. Fresh fish are moving into the river daily. Some were caught on the gravel.
Ludington - Boat anglers caught salmon and steelhead when trolling the top 70 feet of waters 200 to 400 feet deep with standard size spoons. Pier fishing was slow.
Pentwater - The majority of the salmon run has already come through. No steelhead to report off the piers however boat anglers heading out waters 160 to 190 feet deep have caught some.
Northeastern Lower Peninsula
Mullett Lake - Surface temperatures were 55 to 58 degrees. Most anglers are still targeting perch near the points, in the bays and near the mouth of the Indian River. Try 15 to 40 feet of water with crawlers, minnows or shrimp. The fish measured 4 to 12 inches. Bass anglers were still targeting waters 8 to 24 feet deep around Needle Point, Dodge Point, Round Point and the southern Sunken Islands. Try tube baits, stick baits, spinners or crank baits.
Rogers City - A good number of brown trout have been showing up in the marina. They are not biting right now due to spawning activity, but will begin to hit on small spoons and body baits soon. A few adult salmon are present as well but they are starting to turn dark. Boats are still heading out and fishing the top 45 feet in waters 100 feet deep and taking small salmon on spoons. Good colors were silver, green and silver or blue and silver.
Rockport - Pier anglers did find a couple chinook salmon in the early morning. Try casting yellow and green body baits or stick baits off the end of the pier.
Alpena - Walleye are beginning to bite around Sulfur Island. Fish were caught right off the bottom when using crawler harnesses in 12 feet of water.
Thunder Bay River - Chinook salmon were hitting on spawn, skein and artificial flies up near the Ninth Street Dam. Yellow and green were the hot colors this week. Salmon were thick at the dam and stacked up at the mouth. Steelhead and brown trout were also hitting on spawn or flies. There are silver salmon mixed in with the dark fish at the dam currently, and so it appears that the run will be staggered like the steelhead run this spring. Small perch were caught off the docks in the marina.
Black River - Chinook, coho, steelhead and walleye are making there way into the river. Cooler weather will bring more action.
Harrisville - Salmon are making their way into the harbor even with the warm weather. It seems early for the run and there should be more fish coming later in the month. The fish are healthy and good size, with the largest fish caught at 25 pounds. Little Cleo’s, wobblers and spawn all seem to be working well day and night.
Van Etten Lake - Is producing some perch.
Oscoda - Catch rates appear to be slow with few anglers on the pier.
Au Sable River - Has a few fish from the mouth up to Foote Dam. Fish were at the Whirlpool and High Banks however it may still be early. Try spawn or spoons.
Higgins Lake - Some nice 10 and 11 inch perch were caught in 30 to 40 feet of water near Big Creek. Minnows and wigglers worked best. A few boats are still targeting whitefish and lake trout in deeper waters.
Houghton Lake - A few walleye were being caught in the early morning when fishing in shallow waters near shore. Some nice bluegills were caught along with a couple walleye or crappie.
Tawas - A lot of minnows were moving in. Those fishing both inside and outside the pier caught lots of perch. Most of the fish were 4 to 6 inches but they are getting a few larger ones in the mix. A few salmon were caught by those casting spoons, rapalas, J-plugs or spawn.
Tawas River - Had a few salmon running and the fish were bigger.
Au Gres - Perch anglers fishing inside and outside the breakwall are doing well in 35 to 45 feet of water however they are sorting out the small ones. Pier anglers were starting to catch some whitefish and brown trout. A few salmon and steelhead were caught at the Singing Bridge.
Upper Peninsula
Silver City - Had exceptional lake trout fishing in 60 to 120 feet of water. The key, trolling spoons or spin glows just off the bottom where there is structure. Salmon fishing was slow.
Ontonagon - A couple steelhead were caught near the mouth of the river.
Keweenaw Bay - Catch rates were spotty with only a few coho caught by those casting Cleo’s from the rocks in L’Anse. Traverse Bay was slow. A few hardy anglers going across to the Huron Islands caught lake trout in 130 to 150 feet of water. In the South Portage Entry, a few lake trout were caught by those trolling in 100 to 140 feet of water along the Farmers Reef and Newton’s Reef or those jigging in 220 to 240 feet of water near the Big Reef.
Marquette - Had good lake trout fishing with limit catches reported out towards the white rocks and north of Granite Island in 150 to 200 feet of water when trolling silver and melon colored spoons just off the bottom. Chinook and coho were slow with only a few reports of fish caught near the Lower Harbor breakwall and the Chocolay River.
Dead River - Catch rates were slow as water levels have dropped considerably. Fish were visible however they were not hitting. Try casting small spinners.
Carp River - Also had low water levels and slow catch rates.
Little Bay De Noc - Has mostly perch anglers during the day and walleye anglers at night. Fair to good catches of perch east and northeast of Butler Island when using minnows and crawlers in 10 to 25 feet of water. Walleye anglers did best at night when trolling crawler harnesses in 10 to 20 feet of water over the Second and Third Reefs or from the Terrace Bay Inn over to the Black Bottom in 8 to 23 feet of water. Those walleye fishing during the day caught a few fish just off the Black Bottom in waters 40 feet or deeper.
Big Bay De Noc - Reported very good smallmouth bass fishing between Snail Shell Harbor and Snake Island. Try drifting minnows in 15 to 30 feet of water.
Indian Lake - Some nice perch were caught by those drifting crawlers in 8 to 10 feet of water along the south end of the lake. Catch rates for walleye were slow with only a couple fish taken on crawler harnesses near the rock pile, and they were too small. For northern pike, anglers were fishing the north end of the lake with crawlers on large spinner baits or casting crank baits. Smallmouth bass and bullhead were caught on the bottom with crawlers.
Munising - Coho season is winding down however boats trolling in front of the Anna River in the early morning or evening were taking a fish or two. Shore anglers caught more splake early in the morning or just before dark. Shore anglers caught a few coho when casting spawn or small spoons. Boat and shore anglers have started to catch a few whitefish and menominee. No steelhead to report this week.
Grand Marais - Boats trolling just off the mouth of the Sucker River have caught some nice steelhead along with a few coho. Those trolling in the bay caught steelhead in shallow waters 5 to 10 feet deep. Shore anglers saw improved catch rates for steelhead and coho with spawn bags near the mouth of creeks and rivers.
St. Mary’s River - The chinook and pink salmon appear to done spawning near the rapids and the Electric Plant. Good yellow perch in the late morning in Bay Dewausi when using minnows in 6 feet of water near the weed line and in the afternoon across from the Neebish Island Ferry Boat in 8 to 10 feet of water. Good smallmouth action on the south end of Neebish Island. Try tube baits, jigs, and crawlers in 8 to 10 feet of water near the rock piles. Muskie and pike were caught in Raber Bay when trolling large crank baits and bucktail spinners. Catch rates for walleye were slow.
De Tour - Was slow except for a few anglers at Albany Creek catching pink salmon.
Cedarville and Hessel - Pier anglers are seeing a good number of splake and taking limit catches of chinook. Remember, splake season is closed! For perch, try the Middle Entrance, Musky Bay, Cedarville Bay, Moscoe Channel, and the west end of Snows Channel with minnows in 6 to 12 feet of water. This is a good time for pike and smallmouth bass.
Carp River - Is producing steelhead and pink salmon at the mouth. Upstream, a few chinook salmon were hitting on spinners, spawn bags or small Cleo’s.
St. Ignace - Anglers targeting chinook salmon are fishing from the docks near the city launch.
Sunday, October 03, 2010
Last Light at the Lighthouse
Saturday, October 02, 2010
Gale winds make for Great Photo Opt.
Fishing was slowed with high winds so I went to Point Betsie and shot this with water stinging my face.