Curly's Photo and Fishing Blog
Thursday, July 01, 2010
Have a Great Fourth of July
It has been a slow week with rain and wind keeping angles off the lakes, so have not heard of any great bites this week.It seems the weather is suppressing fishing effort this year. Heavy rains have rivers running high and muddy. Great Lakes anglers may have to go out further to find clear water. Given the unseasonably cooler weather this week, the prognosis for fishing mid-week is not real good, but warmer weather for the upcoming holiday weekend may help get the bite going again. Remember, if you catch a tagged fish, please report it. Marking programs are implemented for a variety of reasons, including estimating fish growth, mortality, exploitation, and movement. Angler cooperation is an essential component of these programs. To report a tagged fish, http://www.michigan.gov/dnr, or call your local Fisheries Management Office.
Saginaw Bay -Walleye are hitting at all the usual spots when the weather cooperates. Some are trolling all the way out to Buoys 1 & 2 in search of fish and clean water. Others are fishing closer to shore near Jones Road and the Callahan Reef in the early morning and moving out to the Spark Plug and the Slot later in the day. Silver, blue and purple are good colors for crank baits or crawler harnesses with spinner blades. A few 8 to 10 inch perch were caught out near the Spark Plug. A good number of channel cats were caught in the Hot Pond. Pier anglers at Caseville are still catching walleye at night and smallmouth bass during the day.
Tittabawasse River -Catfish are biting below Sanford and Dow Dam
Saginaw River- hannel catfish have been caught in good numbers in the lower river near Essexville. Catch rates for catfish usually improve with high water levels.
Whitehall - The better salmon fishing was south of the pier. Bass fishing has been good for pier anglers.
Wixom Lake has a great crappie and gill bite. A few pike and walleye also.
Mullett Lake -More anglers are walleye fishing between Dodge Point and Needle Point or between Round Point and Red Pine Point. Try crawler harnesses, stick baits or crank baits in 10 to 40 feet of water. Some were even fishing as deep as 70 feet of water. Northern pike were caught in 20 feet of water near Long Point and Dodge Point when trolling or casting minnows and crank baits. Bass anglers are fishing off the points and the sunken island with tube baits, spinners and artificial crawlers. Perch anglers are fishing off the points and in the bays in 15 to 25 feet of water.
Oscoda - Both salmon and lake trout were suspended 10 to 20 feet off the bottom in waters 60 to 85 feet deep. They are hitting on spoons, cut bait, and body baits in a variety of colors. Walleye and catfish are still being caught off the pier. Try crawlers with a slip bobber.
Higgins Lake - Lake trout were still in deep waters and hitting on cowbells with live baits, bombers or rapalas. Perch fishing continues with a few bigger fish caught.
Houghton Lake - Walleye fishing has slowed.
Tawas -Walleye anglers had fair to good success when trolling off Tawas Point, Buoy #2, and down towards Alabaster in 35 to 40 feet of water. Pier fishing was slow with a few panfish and the occasional pike taken. Smallmouth caught near shore.
Oscoda- Lake trout are in 60 to 150 feet of water and suspended in 10 to 20 feet of water. Fish have been caught on dodgers with spoons. At the end of the pier, walleye have been caught on body baits. Fire-tiger and clown did well.
Lake Margreathe by Grayling has been real good for gills with crickets and waxworms working best. Also walleye are being caught on leeches and crawlers.
Charlevoix -Lake trout and salmon are scattered but were caught 60 to 80 feet down in 100 to 150 feet of water with spoons and flasher/fly combos in a variety of colors. Smallmouth bass are starting to show up in the Pine River Channel. Try crawlers near the bottom.
Traverse City - Had good bass fishing in the East Bay. Some did well in the shallow waters of the flats while others were fishing along the rocks and the drop-offs on the west side of the bay. Lake whitefish have moved into shallow waters. In the West Bay, lake trout anglers are doing very well, and some have started catching a few salmon as well. Long Lake has been fair for walleye
Lake Leelanau - Had steady walleye action.
Portage Lake - Mayflies are still in the area so catch rates were slow.
Lake Missaukee - Was producing some nice bluegill along the west side of the lake.
Lake Cadillac - Has given up a few nice walleye, especially along the east side of the lake. Good largemouth bass action for those using minnows, leeches and both live and artificial crawlers.
Lake Mitchell - Is also giving up fair to good numbers of panfish in the coves and along the weedbeds. Those trolling or drifting crawler harnesses along the east side of the lake have caught some walleye.
Little Bay De Noc - Mayfly hatches did slow the bite however walleye were caught off the Day’s River when drifting or jigging crawlers in 14 feet of water. Some yellow perch were caught off Butler Island when still-fishing worms in 10 to 20 feet of water. Good pike action near Kipling when trolling crank baits in 10 to 16 feet of water over the coal piles. Catch rates for salmon were slow
Big Bay De Noc - Had some good walleye reports from Ansell’s Point when trolling or drifting crawler harnesses in 16 to 22 feet of water. Smallmouth bass were hitting on tube baits or crank baits in 12 feet of water off Porcupine Point and Ogontz. Perch anglers reported fair catches in Snail Shell Harbor when jigging or still-fishing worms in 10 to 20 feet of water. Fairport had good salmon action with limit catches reported by those trolling spoons or meat rigs 60 feet down in 100 feet of water. Steelhead were caught along the bug line.
Indian Lake - Had slow catch rates combined with undersize fish in regards to walleye and northern pike. Anglers were trolling the west shore, south shore and the rock pike. Yellow perch were also small. Anglers were jigging crawlers and minnows along the north and south end of the lake.
St. Mary’s River - A few walleye were caught at 4 Mile Road and in Bay Dewausi off Lake Nicolet. Best time to fish is when the water is stained when trolling a crawler harness with purple beads. A few small walleye are being caught in Raber Bay when trolling bottom bouncers and crawler harnesses in 22 feet of water between buoys 20 and 24. Try Antelope Point, with a crawler harness and purple beads or crank baits.
Cedarville and Hessel - The Cedarville launch will close on July 1st for dredging which will take place in the bay, Middle Entrance and Snow Channel. It is anticipated that the launch will be closed for about three months. A handful of legal size pike were caught in the early morning off the marina pier in Hessel. Those trolling stick baits in 10 to 12 feet of water along the south shore and Musky Bay had fair results for pike, but many were small. McKay Bay is the place for lake herring with limit catches taken in 8 to 12 feet of water when casting small Swedish Pimples or using wax worms. Perch fishing was slow however sunfish and rock bass were caught in Cedarville Bay.
Northwest:
Petoskey - Lake trout were caught between the pier and Bay Harbor when trolling spoons in 100 to 150 feet of water. Hot colors were blue, green, and purple. Salmon are scattered but some fish were caught between Harbor Point and Seven Mile Point.
Charlevoix - Lake trout and salmon are scattered but were caught 60 to 80 feet down in 100 to 150 feet of water with spoons and flasher/fly combos in a variety of colors. Smallmouth bass are starting to show up in the Pine River Channel. Try crawlers near the bottom.
Long Lake - In Kalkaska County was producing some perch.
Lake Skegemog - Has good bass fishing.
Traverse City - Had good bass fishing in the East Bay. Some did well in the shallow waters of the flats while others were fishing along the rocks and the drop-offs on the west side of the bay. Lake whitefish have moved into shallow waters. In the West Bay, lake trout anglers are doing very well, and some have started catching a few salmon as well.
Elk River - Anglers found good numbers of smallmouth bass near the bypass at the mouth. Crawlers and leeches caught the most fish.
Boardman River - Did not have much going on except for smallmouth bass and catfish being caught at the mouth.
Lake Leelanau - Had steady walleye action.
Frankfort - Warm water temperatures forced anglers to fish in deeper waters. With north winds in the forecast, look for fishing to improve. Now that the alewives are done spawning, anglers will want to find the thermocline.
Onekama - Only those fishing straight out from the breakwall have caught fish in 160 to 220 feet of water with orange and green spoons.
Portage Lake - Mayflies are still in the area so catch rates were slow.
Lake Cadillac - Has given up a few nice walleye, especially along the east side of the lake. Good largemouth bass action for those using minnows, leeches and both live and artificial crawlers.
Manistee - Those trolling along the “Shelf” have caught salmon and trout 80 to 160 feet down. Green or blue spinnies and flies worked well.
Manistee River - Anglers are catching summer steelhead.
Ludington - Fishing was difficult however those able to get out have caught fish when trolling 80 to 140 feet down in waters 120 to 240 feet deep.
Pentwater - Salmon fishing was slow with mainly small chinook taken. Lake trout fishing was good right off the bottom in 90 feet of water. Mears State Park has pier fishing for children on Sunday afternoons. Poles and bait are provided. Call the park for more information.
Northeastern Lower Peninsula
Mullett Lake - More anglers are walleye fishing between Dodge Point and Needle Point or between Round Point and Red Pine Point. Try crawler harnesses, stick baits or crank baits in 10 to 40 feet of water. Some were even fishing as deep as 70 feet of water. Northern pike were caught in 20 feet of water near Long Point and Dodge Point when trolling or casting minnows and crank baits. Bass anglers are fishing off the points and the sunken island with tube baits, spinners and artificial crawlers. Perch anglers are fishing off the points and in the bays in 15 to 25 feet of water.
Rogers City - Hot spots were straight out and south or west towards Forty Mile Point. Try 35 to 65 feet down in waters 55 to 120 feet deep with green, blue and silver, orange and silver or green and silver spoons. Anglers have caught chinook, coho, steelhead, lake trout, pink salmon and Atlantic salmon.
Presque Isle - Boats here were fishing the top 65 feet of waters 60 to 120 feet deep with spoons, just like Rogers City. Chinook salmon should start showing up in numbers in the next couple of weeks.
Rockport - Windy weather has kept many onshore, but those able to go out caught chinook in 60 to 65 feet of water and lake trout were right on the bottom in 100 to 120 feet of water.
Alpena - Had very good fishing on Thunder Bay with many getting their limits. Night fishing for walleye was good however daytime hours were also producing fish. Harnesses are still the best however some also did well when trolling rapalas. A few catfish were also caught.
Thunder Bay River - For some reason, fishing in the river is slow. Essentially no fish are coming from the river right now, which is a real disappointment for shore anglers that typically find fair fishing this time of year.
Harrisville - Still had good catches of lake trout, steelhead and walleye. Lake trout were suspended 10 to 20 feet from the bottom in waters 60 to 85 feet deep. Any silver combination with cut bait worked best. Steelhead are in 50 to 60 feet of water withy dipsey’s and lead core. Walleye were caught north of the harbor in 15 to 20 feet of water with crawler harnesses or body baits. Early morning was more productive than evening.
Oscoda - Both salmon and lake trout were suspended 10 to 20 feet off the bottom in waters 60 to 85 feet deep. They are hitting on spoons, cut bait, and body baits in a variety of colors. Walleye and catfish are still being caught off the pier. Try crawlers with a slip bobber.
Higgins Lake - Lake trout were still in deep waters and hitting on cowbells with live baits, bombers or rapalas. Perch fishing continues with a few bigger fish caught.
Houghton Lake - Walleye fishing has slowed.
Tawas - Walleye anglers had fair to good success when trolling off Tawas Point, Buoy #2, and down towards Alabaster in 35 to 40 feet of water. Pier fishing was slow with a few panfish and the occasional pike taken. Smallmouth caught near shore.
Tawas River - Shore anglers fishing in the evening caught channel catfish and freshwater drum.
Au Gres - Walleye fishing remained good in 32 to 40 feet of water. Smallmouth bass fishing in the shallows near shore was steady.
Au Gres River - Higher water levels increased catch rates for channel catfish.
Upper Peninsula
Black River Harbor - Salmon are being caught in 75 to 120 feet of water trolling with dodgers and flies. No reports on lake trout.
Lake Gogebic - Is producing some 12 and 13 inch perch. Walleye have been caught by those trolling along the west shore. Weeds are on the surface now and some areas are almost too thick to fish.
Ontonagon - Lake trout are just off the bottom in 35 to 65 feet of water.
Ontonagon River - Walleye fishing was slow because the river was muddy.
Keweenaw Bay - The salmon and lake trout bite were slow. A few perch were caught in the Baraga Marina when using crawlers or minnows and a few pike were caught on minnows. In Traverse Bay, the bite was hit-or-miss however a few lake trout were caught in 140 to 150 feet of water. At the South Portage Entry, good fishing continues on the Farmers Reef, Newton Reef, Big Reef and the Mud Banks.
Marquette - Had a few reports of coho and lake trout caught by those trolling between the Lower Harbor and the Chocolay River.
Little Bay De Noc - Mayfly hatches did slow the bite however walleye were caught off the Day’s River when drifting or jigging crawlers in 14 feet of water. Some yellow perch were caught off Butler Island when still-fishing worms in 10 to 20 feet of water. Good pike action near Kipling when trolling crank baits in 10 to 16 feet of water over the coal piles. Catch rates for salmon were slow.
Escanaba River - Walleye were caught when drifting crawler harnesses in 10 to 25 feet of water up to the first bridge.
Big Bay De Noc - Had some good walleye reports from Ansell’s Point when trolling or drifting crawler harnesses in 16 to 22 feet of water. Smallmouth bass were hitting on tube baits or crank baits in 12 feet of water off Porcupine Point and Ogontz. Perch anglers reported fair catches in Snail Shell Harbor when jigging or still-fishing worms in 10 to 20 feet of water. Fairport had good salmon action with limit catches reported by those trolling spoons or meat rigs 60 feet down in 100 feet of water. Steelhead were caught along the bug line.
Indian Lake - Had slow catch rates combined with undersize fish in regards to walleye and northern pike. Anglers were trolling the west shore, south shore and the rock pike. Yellow perch were also small. Anglers were jigging crawlers and minnows along the north and south end of the lake.
Au Train - Lake trout were caught near Au Train Island when trolling gold and silver spoons. No chinook or coho to report. Surface water temperatures were averaging the low 50’s.
Munising - Fishing remained slow with only a few small lake trout caught by boat anglers. Shore fishing was also slow.
Manistique - Salmon were caught about a half mile from shore.
Grand Marais - Lake trout fishing was good with limit catches reported north of the port. The average size was 6 to 8 pounds. Anglers were using a combination of lures and cut bait. Pier fishing has tapered off, but a few whitefish were still being caught on a single egg in the early morning or at night.
St. Mary’s River - A few walleye were caught at 4 Mile Road and in Bay Dewausi off Lake Nicolet. Best time to fish is when the water is stained when trolling a crawler harness with purple beads. A few small walleye are being caught in Raber Bay when trolling bottom bouncers and crawler harnesses in 22 feet of water between buoys 20 and 24. Try Antelope Point, with a crawler harness and purple beads or crank baits.
De Tour - Boats are still trolling both sides of the shipping channel to the red cans on the Drummond Island side, near the #3 green can and south of the lighthouse to the “Humps” for lake trout and salmon. Fish were caught 55 feet down on green and silver or black and white spoons. Lake Herring were caught in Canadian waters around Cass Island and Tenby Bay when using teardrops with wax worms.
Cedarville and Hessel - The Cedarville launch will close on July 1st for dredging which will take place in the bay, Middle Entrance and Snow Channel. It is anticipated that the launch will be closed for about three months. A handful of legal size pike were caught in the early morning off the marina pier in Hessel. Those trolling stick baits in 10 to 12 feet of water along the south shore and Musky Bay had fair results for pike, but many were small. McKay Bay is the place for lake herring with limit catches taken in 8 to 12 feet of water when casting small Swedish Pimples or using wax worms. Perch fishing was slow however sunfish and rock bass were caught in Cedarville Bay.
St. Ignace - Anglers are targeting chinook salmon in front of the Coast Guard Station, near the flats and around the old fuel tanks. Shore anglers caught some nice 12 pound fish on green spoons.
Southeast Lower Peninsula
Lake Erie - Walleye fishing was improving with most fish found in deeper waters off Stony Point and near the Fermi Power Plant. Good fishing in Ohio waters near West Sister Island when trolling spoons or crawler harnesses. Perch fishing continues to improve. Those fishing between Sterling State Park and the Hot Ponds have caught good numbers of channel cat.
Detroit River - Walleye have been caught in the lower Trenton Channel including the area near the Edison Plant. Some jumbo perch were caught in the weeds around the Horse Island Flats.
Lake St. Clair - Walleye fishing should pick up with the cooler temperatures. Those out trolling for muskie have done well.
Lexington - Perch fishing was good when boats can get out. They were fishing straight east and all the way down to Lakeport in 15 to 20 feet of water. Try drift fishing with minnows until you find an active school of perch, then anchor. Perch average 8 to 10 inches but a few bigger ones were caught.
Port Sanilac - Had rumors of perch being caught around the weedbeds in 18 to 22 feet of water. Target waters 120 feet deep for salmon and lake trout.
Harbor Beach - Look for lake trout in deeper waters when using dodgers and spin glows on the bottom. Good colors were purple, pink, yellow, green or black. For salmon, use medium or large spoons 40 to 70 feet down in 70 to 150 feet of water. Steelhead were hitting on bright colors in 80 to 150 feet of water. Try 25 to 50 feet of water near the cemetery for perch when using minnows. Walleye fishing will be slow until the water clears up. Try off the north wall in the early morning or late evening when casting small body baits or spoons in green, purple, silver or blue. Inside the harbor is good for bass and pike.
Grindstone City - Those trolling are taking walleye and whitefish on small spoons in 30 to 40 feet of water. Salmon and lake trout were caught in 120 feet of water. Smallmouth bass were caught in the harbor.
Port Austin - Had very few boats getting out due to ongoing construction on the public access site. There is a private launch on Bird Creek that anglers can use. Those going out are catching walleye and whitefish around the lighthouse when using small spoons in 30 to 60 feet of water.
Saginaw Bay - Walleye are hitting at all the usual spots when the weather cooperates. Some are trolling all the way out to Buoys 1 & 2 in search of fish and clean water. Others are fishing closer to shore near Jones Road and the Callahan Reef in the early morning and moving out to the Spark Plug and the Slot later in the day. Silver, blue and purple are good colors for crank baits or crawler harnesses with spinner blades. A few 8 to 10 inch perch were caught out near the Spark Plug. A good number of channel cats were caught in the Hot Pond. Pier anglers at Caseville are still catching walleye at night and smallmouth bass during the day.
Saginaw River - Channel catfish have been caught in good numbers in the lower river near Essexville. Catch rates for catfish usually improve with high water levels.
Southwest Lower Peninsula
St. Joe - Boat anglers are still targeting trout and salmon. Word has it some limit catches of perch were caught recently.
St. Joe River - With all the rain, water levels will be even higher this week. Fishing was very slow except for a few catfish being caught on shrimp and cut bait.
Grand Haven - Salmon were caught in the bottom 60 feet of waters 100 to 140 feet deep. Spinnies and flies in green, silver and green or white and green worked best. Pier fishing was slow with mostly freshwater drum caught. No perch to report.
Grand River at Grand Rapids - Still has higher than normal water levels which lead to good catches of flathead and channel cats. Those fishing Millennium Park were still taking good catches of bluegill and crappie.
Grand River at Lansing - Moore’s Park and the North Lansing Dam were good for catfish, pike and bass. A few walleye were caught over near Lyons. Good numbers of carp have been caught along the entire river.
Lake Ovid - Has good bass fishing and a few muskie have also been caught. Bluegill action slowed with the cold front but should pick back up by the weekend.
Duck Lake - In Calhoun County was good for walleye and bluegills.
Big Portage Lake - A few walleye were caught by those trolling crawler harnesses in 10 to 20 feet of water. Largemouth bass were hitting on artificial worms. Good colors were purple, black, or black with yellow.
Lake Chemung - Located near Howell has good largemouth bass fishing. Bluegill and crappie were slow however pike were hitting along the weedbeds.
Muskegon - Windy conditions have kept boats on shore. Many are saying that salmon fishing has been odd this year and not following the same pattern as neighboring ports.
Whitehall - The better salmon fishing was south of the pier. Bass fishing has been good for pier anglers.
FISHING CONDITIONS ON LAKES CADILLAC AND MITCHELL FROM PILGRIM VILLAGE FISHING SHOP 231-775-5412
FISHING CONDITIONS ON LAKES CADILLAC AND MITCHELL
FROM PILGRIM VILLAGE FISHING SHOP
Fishing was good in between the storms this weekend. Our lakes are not known for walleyes but even they are cooperating. Catching mostly stockers from the DNR plantings in the 14 to 16 inch range. However several of the larger, natural ones have been caught lately. John Collins, fishing on the east side of Cadillac caught one better then the average. His was 28 inches, 8 pounds. His tip for catching walleye in the summer, FISH DEEP.
The pike bite has also been good. You’ll catch all the hammer handles you want in the shallows. Want big pike! Also go deep. Thirteen year old Sean Wojtczak caught a good one while fishing with his Dad on Lake Mitchell. He caught his on a blue and silver Rattle Trap. The best pike have been caught on the outside edges near weed beds. Spinner baits, crank baits and spoons all are effective when they have been hungry.
So far, this has been one of the better bass seasons. Large mouths in the 2 to 3 pound category have been common. Many have been caught while fishing for other species. Many of the hundreds of styles of rubber worms and creatures work. Live bait, whole crawlers, leeches or minnows always work. Michelle Asher caught an 18” smallmouth while fishing on Lake Cadillac. Small mouths have been scarce. While vacationing from Saginaw, Kimberly and Todd Butterfield show off their catch, a large mouth over 17 inches. They enjoyed our lakes and the fishing. Another vacationer, Mark Clark from Grand Rapids smiles as he holds a 16 ½ inch large mouth. Great fishing on Lake Mitchell.
?
Lake Mitchell.
Panfishing is still strong. Good catches of gills and crappie are reported daily. Chris Baker caught a Master Angler rock bass. It was 10 ½ inches and weighed over a pound, eligible for the catch and keep entry.
Summer steelhead fishing has begun at the Manistee River. Brad Long made the short drive from Cadillac and caught a super, silver 28 incher.