Curly's Photo and Fishing Blog
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Northern Michigan Fishing Report 7/29/10
Fish have been biting with leeches working the best for walleye and lots of suspended fish. Catch rates for panfish were good. Trout and salmon anglers were doing well and the walleye bite has improved. Anglers are still catching trout and salmon in the Great Lakes as well as walleye, bass, pike and panfish in the rivers and inland lakes.
Warm water seems to be slowing the bite in many shallow lakes. Fish the deeper holes to catch fish in this sunny summer weather
Crickets have been selling good this week so gills are in deep water and crickets are the ticket.
Saginaw Bay -Walleye fishing was generally slow around the inner bay as water temperatures reached the low 80’s. Saginaw Bay does not temperature stratify, which means water temperatures are the same from top to bottom. Walleyes prefer temperatures in the low 70’s, which may explain why fishing is slow. A few fish were caught along the weedbeds in the early morning and near the mouth of the Saginaw River in the evening. Those trolling did catch lots of white bass, freshwater drum, catfish and white perch, as these species love the warm water. Fair to good perch fishing was reported around the Spark Plug and Buoys 11 & 12 when using minnows in the early morning. Good walleye fishing was reported north of Big Charity Island at the Steeples and along the reefs between Caseville and Port Austin. Most are trolling harnesses or spoons off planer boards in 30 to 70 feet of water.
Tittabawasse River -Catfish are biting below Sanford and Dow Dam
Saginaw River- Limits of panfish have been caught in the impoundments.
Whitehall -Salmon are hitting in 80 to 140 feet of water.
Wixom Lake has been good for bass with gills being caught
Mullett Lake -Walleye and perch are the targets followed by pike and trout. Walleye action was fair in 13 to 25 feet of water between the points, Pigeon Bay and near the sunken islands. Most are trolling crawler harnesses, stick baits or crank baits. Perch were caught in the same area in 5 to 10 feet of water. Pike anglers are fishing 10 to 15 feet of water with live minnows or crank baits. A few bass were caught on leeches or crawlers in 5 to 10 feet of water at Needle Point.
Oscoda - Lake trout, steelhead and a few salmon have been caught in 70 to 90 feet of water. Most of the fish are suspended and hitting on lead core, dipsey divers and sliders. Steelhead were up high in 60 to 80 feet of water. Walleye were caught out deep in 60 to 80 feet of water on trout and salmon baits.
Higgins Lake - Has good lake trout fishing in 80 to 90 feet of water when jigging or casting swedish pimples, sand kickers or cast masters. Bigger pike should be found in 20 to 40 feet of water. Perch have been caught but the fish are small. Good numbers of rock bass and smallmouth bass have been caught.
Houghton Lake - Had fair to good walleye fishing however not all the fish caught were keepers. Anglers are trolling crank baits or jigging with leeches. Those drifting along the weeds in 10 to 12 feet of water caught walleye, bass and bluegills. Pike were hitting on large sucker minnows.
Tawas -Walleye anglers are trolling in 30 to 70 feet of water with a crawler harness near Buoys 4 & 6 or the weedbeds in deeper water by Buoy 2. Some are trolling down toward Alabaster. The fish are scattered so anglers will need to move around and run baits at different depths until you find an active school of fish. Pier fishing was slow except for a few bass and panfish.
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.
Foote Dam Pond - Walleye have been caught off the points in the early morning and late evening. Smallmouth bass, crappie and bluegills were also caught.
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 -Is producing good numbers of lake trout when fishing spoons and flasher/fly combos just off the bottom in 120 to 150 feet of water. The salmon are scattered. Try 90 to 110 feet down in waters 120 to 200 feet deep.
Traverse City -The East Bay is still producing good catches of smallmouth bass. Those fishing the Elk River bypass caught the occasional smallmouth bass on natural baits. Good numbers of lake trout and whitefish were marked north of the launch at Center Road. The West Bay saw slower catch rates due to warm water conditions. Lake trout were marked in 100 feet of water where anglers are jigging or trolling around the island. Green was the hot color.
Lake Leelanau - Had steady walleye action.
Portage Lake - The walleye and perch fishing has started to pick up the last few days.
Lake Missaukee - Is producing fair to good numbers of bass and panfish.
Lake Cadillac - Anglers are starting to catch more walleye. Boats are trolling crawler harnesses or drifting with leeches. Bass anglers are doing well for both large and smallmouth. Try crawlers, leeches or spinners. Pike have been caught in the shallows however the bigger fish are in deeper water. Fair to good numbers of panfish have also been caught.
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 - Fishing was slow however some walleye were caught near the Escanaba River when trolling or drifting crawlers in 18 to 24 feet of water or south from Portage Point to the Ford River in 10 to 38 feet of water. A few perch were caught off the beach at Gladstone when jigging worms in 14 to 25 feet of water or south of the shipping docks in 20 to 30 feet of water. Salmon were recorded 60 to 75 feet down in 80 to 90 feet of water.
Big Bay De Noc - Most of the anglers here are bass anglers. A good number of smallmouth bass are still being caught in Kates Bay and near Ansell’s Point. Most are casting or drifting tube baits, crank baits or minnows in 14 to 28 feet of water. Few are targeting walleye so no report for this week. Off Fairport, water temperatures are extremely warm so anglers will need to fish deeper. Try 75 to 90 feet down in waters over 100 feet deep.
Indian Lake - A good number of yellow perch were caught by those floating a worm under a slip bobber along the drop-off on the west shore and the weedbeds along the north shore. Walleye anglers were starting to catch a few keepers when trolling a crawler harness along the rock pile in the middle of the lake and along the drop-off on the east side. A few pike and smallmouth bass were also caught.
St. Mary’s River -Near Munuscong Lake, walleye have been caught when trolling the bell area and south. Some boats are going out of the channel into the shallows with bottom bouncers and crawler harnesses in gold, black and orange.
Cedarville and Hessel - Pier anglers in Hessel are fishing for perch, pike, and bass with minnows or crawlers. Perch averaged 9 inches. Boat anglers are fishing the south shore of Haven Island, the east end of Hessel Bay and just into Snows Channel. Musky Bay had fair catch rates for pike and bass. Perch were caught around Little Joe Island, Government Bay, the Moscoe Channel and the south shore of Cedarville Bay. Dredging operations at the Cedarville launch have begun. Anglers can use the launch off Four Mile Block or the Tribal launch in McKay Bay.
Northwest:
Petoskey - Little Traverse Bay still has warm water with temperature breaks down 120 to 140 feet. Lake trout have been caught in 120 to 150 feet of water when trolling spoons near the bottom. Anglers looking for salmon might want to try the waters between Seven Mile Point and Five Mile Point.
Charlevoix - Is producing good numbers of lake trout when fishing spoons and flasher/fly combos just off the bottom in 120 to 150 feet of water. The salmon are scattered. Try 90 to 110 feet down in waters 120 to 200 feet deep.
Traverse City - The East Bay is still producing good catches of smallmouth bass. Those fishing the Elk River bypass caught the occasional smallmouth bass on natural baits. Good numbers of lake trout and whitefish were marked north of the launch at Center Road. The West Bay saw slower catch rates due to warm water conditions. Lake trout were marked in 100 feet of water where anglers are jigging or trolling around the island. Green was the hot color.
Boardman River - Is producing a variety of fish from rock bass to summer run steelhead. Though most days have been slow on the river, overcast days seem to produce to the most fish.
Manistee - Salmon were caught 60 to 100 feet down in waters 120 to 180 feet deep when using meat rigs or spinnies and flies.
Ludington - Salmon here were caught in waters 100 to 200 feet deep. Try running glow plugs early in the morning and then switching to spinnies and flies.
Northeastern Lower Peninsula
Mullett Lake - Walleye and perch are the targets followed by pike and trout. Walleye action was fair in 13 to 25 feet of water between the points, Pigeon Bay and near the sunken islands. Most are trolling crawler harnesses, stick baits or crank baits. Perch were caught in the same area in 5 to 10 feet of water. Pike anglers are fishing 10 to 15 feet of water with live minnows or crank baits. A few bass were caught on leeches or crawlers in 5 to 10 feet of water at Needle Point.
Rogers City - Was producing limit catches of salmon and trout. Good spots to fish are straight out, north towards Forty Mile Point and south towards Adams Point or Swan Bay. Best depths have been from 45 to 120 feet down depending on the time of day. Cloudy days were better. Fish are easily spooked in shallow waters so get the lines and lures out away from the boat. Look for baitfish, not temperature. Good colors are blue, green, orange, or black and white glow.
Rockport - Walleye were caught 20 feet down in 40 to 50 feet of water in Bell Bay. Crawler harnesses worked best. No limits but usually 2 or 3 fish. For lake trout and salmon, anglers are fishing 120 feet of water near the Nordmeer Wreck or between Stoneport and False Presque Isle. Lake trout are close to the bottom and salmon are about halfway down.
Alpena - Was producing good numbers of lake trout, walleye and pink salmon, but a limited number of chinook. Walleye were hitting near North Point and Sulfur Island in 30 to 35 feet of water on harnesses and body baits, reef runners or crank baits. For trout and salmon, head straight out from the launch to the second and third set of Humps, which is about 25 to 30 miles out.
Thunder Bay River - A good number of catfish have been caught at night. Decent size smallmouth bass were caught along with a few small walleye. Hot spots were near the Foot Bridge behind the Boys and Girls Club and the Ninth Street Bridge.
Harrisville - Has fair catches of lake trout, steelhead and walleye with the occasional salmon reported. Lake trout are 70 to 90 feet of water in the early morning and 150 to 200 feet later in the day. Green, black, silver, and white in almost any combination seem to work well. Steelhead are in 60 to 90 feet of water and hitting on anything orange. Walleye are still being caught north of the harbor towards Sturgeon Point on crawler harnesses and body baits.
Oscoda - Lake trout, steelhead and a few salmon have been caught in 70 to 90 feet of water. Most of the fish are suspended and hitting on lead core, dipsey divers and sliders. Steelhead were up high in 60 to 80 feet of water. Walleye were caught out deep in 60 to 80 feet of water on trout and salmon baits.
Au Sable River - Walleye fishing in the river has slowed.
Tawas - Walleye anglers are trolling in 30 to 70 feet of water with a crawler harness near Buoys 4 & 6 or the weedbeds in deeper water by Buoy 2. Some are trolling down toward Alabaster. The fish are scattered so anglers will need to move around and run baits at different depths until you find an active school of fish. Pier fishing was slow except for a few bass and panfish.
Au Gres - Most of those trolling are still heading north of Big Charity Island or to deeper water off the Gravelly Shoals. Fish were caught in 15 to 50 feet of water. Some stayed north of Buoys 1 & 2. A few perch were caught in 40 feet of water south of Pointe Au Gres.
Au Gres River - Is giving up good numbers of channel cats.
Upper Peninsula
Black River Harbor - The salmon and trout bite were slow. Anglers had to make long runs to the south in order to find the chinook and coho.
Ontonagon - Fishing was good with lake trout in the 3 to 8 pound range caught straight out or a couple miles north. The fish were in 60 to 80 feet of water in the early morning and late evening however mid-day the fish were in 110 feet of water. More coho salmon have been caught south of the harbor and down near Silver City. Lake trout were close to the bottom and salmon in the upper half of the water column.
Lake Gogebic - Has been good for walleye, bass and perch.
Little Bay De Noc - Fishing was slow however some walleye were caught near the Escanaba River when trolling or drifting crawlers in 18 to 24 feet of water or south from Portage Point to the Ford River in 10 to 38 feet of water. A few perch were caught off the beach at Gladstone when jigging worms in 14 to 25 feet of water or south of the shipping docks in 20 to 30 feet of water. Salmon were recorded 60 to 75 feet down in 80 to 90 feet of water.
Big Bay De Noc - Most of the anglers here are bass anglers. A good number of smallmouth bass are still being caught in Kates Bay and near Ansell’s Point. Most are casting or drifting tube baits, crank baits or minnows in 14 to 28 feet of water. Few are targeting walleye so no report for this week. Off Fairport, water temperatures are extremely warm so anglers will need to fish deeper. Try 75 to 90 feet down in waters over 100 feet deep.
Marquette - Was producing a good mix of coho, lake trout and steelhead when trolling outside the Lower Harbor and towards the Chocolay River in 50 to 70 feet of water. Good lake trout action near the Sand Hole and the White Rocks north of Granite Island. Gold and silver spoons were the ticket.
Indian Lake - A good number of yellow perch were caught by those floating a worm under a slip bobber along the drop-off on the west shore and the weedbeds along the north shore. Walleye anglers were starting to catch a few keepers when trolling a crawler harness along the rock pile in the middle of the lake and along the drop-off on the east side. A few pike and smallmouth bass were also caught.
Manistique Lake - Is producing some nice catches of bluegill in the south lake.
Au Train - Lake trout fishing was slow however a few fish have been caught in 150 to 200 feet of water around Wood Island and the shipping channel. There were rumors of coho near the Shelter Bay area.
Munising - Lake trout fishing was fair. The most productive spot was near Wood Island with fish averaging 5 to 10 pounds. Success in the Big Reef appears to be past its peak however a fair number of fish were still caught. Anglers are trolling lures or floating cut bait. A few salmon were caught in Trout Bay and along the Pictured Rocks. Shore fishing for splake was slow with only a few fish taken by those casting body baits or still-fishing with spawn.
Grand Marais - Boat anglers reported fair to good results when fishing the deeper waters in the shipping channel, which is 5 to 7 miles north of the bay. A good number of fish were running on the small side.
St. Mary’s River - Near Munuscong Lake, walleye have been caught when trolling the bell area and south. Some boats are going out of the channel into the shallows with bottom bouncers and crawler harnesses in gold, black and orange.
De Tour - Anglers report the herring have moved on. Trout and salmon are being targeted in the channel on the Drummond Island side. Those trolling have also caught the occasional steelhead, pink or Atlantic salmon.
Cedarville and Hessel - Pier anglers in Hessel are fishing for perch, pike, and bass with minnows or crawlers. Perch averaged 9 inches. Boat anglers are fishing the south shore of Haven Island, the east end of Hessel Bay and just into Snows Channel. Musky Bay had fair catch rates for pike and bass. Perch were caught around Little Joe Island, Government Bay, the Moscoe Channel and the south shore of Cedarville Bay. Dredging operations at the Cedarville launch have begun. Anglers can use the launch off Four Mile Block or the Tribal launch in McKay Bay.
St. Ignace - Anglers are still tolling for trout and salmon between the power plant and the Coast Guard Station or near the old fuel tanks and flats. Try 30 to 40 feet down in 60 feet of water with green spoons that have a large white dot.
Southeast Lower Peninsula
Lake Erie - Walleye fishing was poor as water temperatures pushed up towards the mid 80’s. Bass fishing was fair. Perch fishing has been the only bright spot with some good catches coming from the E buoy near Bolles Harbor and the area around Turtle Island. Small minnows worked best.
Detroit River - A few walleye were still being caught in the lower Trenton Channel near the power plant and Calf Island. Perch were caught around Celeron Island, the shipping channel, the Cross Dike and Sugar Island.
Lake St. Clair - Has good smallmouth bass fishing. Most of the fish have moved to waters 15 feet or deeper. Expect bass fishing to pick up in the Delta Channels as the fish look for cooler water. This is normal activity for a warm summer. Perch fishing was spotty but fish were caught along the shipping channel and near the Dumping Grounds. Walleye were also caught in the shipping channel when using crawler harnesses. Muskie fishing continues to be red hot! Anglers are casting near the weedbeds in clear water or trolling the shipping channel and the Ontario side of the lake. Buck tails have been the ticket.
St. Clair River - Walleye fishing has been extremely slow.
Lexington - A few perch were caught down toward Lakeport when fishing the weedbeds. Pier fishing is slow, and not many boats have been out.
Port Sanilac - Perch anglers did well on the right day. Fish in the 8 to 14 inch range were caught in 15 feet of water just south of the harbor.
Harbor Beach - Lake trout are being taken in 70 to 100 feet of water north and straight out from the harbor. Try using plain spoons off downriggers and boards. Best colors have been green and red, chartreuse and white, silver or black. Steelhead are hitting on bright colors in 70 to 120 feet of water. Salmon fishing was slow but a few coho and pink salmon were caught in the mix. Walleye were caught north of the harbor with some limit catches reported on crawler harnesses, small spoons or small body baits. Try gold, perch, or green and red. Perch fishing remains slow but bass and pike were caught inside the harbor.
Grindstone City - Had warm water temperatures. The thermocline was at 122 feet of water. Walleye anglers did well in 30 to 70 feet of water when trolling crawler harnesses and small spoons off planer boards. A few whitefish along with a good number of freshwater drum were also caught. The tip of the Thumb has produced the best and most consistent walleye fishing. Smallmouth bass were caught in 30 to 40 feet of water. Boats trolling for salmon are going out to 150 to 160 feet of water or find the scum line and you will find fish.
Saginaw Bay - Walleye fishing was generally slow around the inner bay as water temperatures reached the low 80’s. Saginaw Bay does not temperature stratify, which means water temperatures are the same from top to bottom. Walleyes prefer temperatures in the low 70’s, which may explain why fishing is slow. A few fish were caught along the weedbeds in the early morning and near the mouth of the Saginaw River in the evening. Those trolling did catch lots of white bass, freshwater drum, catfish and white perch, as these species love the warm water. Fair to good perch fishing was reported around the Spark Plug and Buoys 11 & 12 when using minnows in the early morning. Good walleye fishing was reported north of Big Charity Island at the Steeples and along the reefs between Caseville and Port Austin. Most are trolling harnesses or spoons off planer boards in 30 to 70 feet of water.
Saginaw River - Limits of panfish have been caught in the impoundments.
Southwest Lower Peninsula
St. Joseph River - Overall fishing was slow. Walleye were caught by those drifting crawlers however many were small. Bass anglers fared well with a couple really nice smallmouth caught by those casting crank baits from shore.
South Haven - Continues to produce some yellow perch.
Holland - Boat anglers caught chinook, lake trout and steelhead in the late evening.
Grand Haven - Anglers are having a hard time catching trout and salmon as the fish are scattered. Some are fishing 75 to 110 feet down in waters 95 to 130 feet deep. Try white paddles with blue and green flies. Pier fishing is for catfish, bass and freshwater drum. No perch to report.
Paw Paw Lake - Is producing bass and walleye.
Grand River at Lansing - Moore’s Park is still producing catfish and walleye in the early morning. The North Lansing Dam was good for largemouth bass. Try crawlers, spinners or crank baits.
Park Lake - Near Bath was producing bluegill and pike.
Lake Ovid - The boating access site at Sleepy Hollow State Park has reopened for public use. Site improvements included a new road to the boat launch off Price Road and improved parking. The new road to the boat launch will shorten the drive by three and half miles.
Clear Lake - In Jackson County has good bluegill fishing in deeper waters. A few pike have also been caught along the weedbeds.
Muskegon - Boat anglers heading north towards Whitehall have caught more fish in the bottom 60 feet of waters 80 to 140 feet deep. Try paddle/fly combos or spinnies and flies in white, blue or green in the morning. Change to yellow as the sun gets brighter. The fish cleaning station is shut down for maintenance for an unknown period of time. No perch to report.
Muskegon River - Trout fishing has been good near Croton Dam. Walleye have been caught in the Hardy Dam Pond.
Whitehall - Salmon are hitting in 80 to 140 feet of water.
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 on Lakes Cadillac and Mitchell has been good as the weather.
The sun is hot, the lakes are warm. Still this has been one of the better summers for catching fish.
Bass fishing has been better then normal. Small mouths are even being caught in the same areas as the large mouths. Spinner baits are still catching good numbers. Expect the pike to try to steal your lures as well.
The fishing report hasn’t changed. Reports from both lakes of nice catches of bass, pike and crappie. Scattered catches of walleyes and some catches of keeper bluegills and perch.
If the toothy critters interest you, pike fishing has also been good. Expect lots of undersized in the shallow weed beds. The 30 inch and over have gone deep. Spinner baits are hot and expect mixed catches of bass and pike on them.
Descent catches of gills and crappie are being reported. The numbers are dominated by black crappie. Lake Cadillac, fish the deeper east and southeast side. Lake Mitchell, try the mouths of the Big and Small Coves. Although not as deep as Cadillac, healthy cabbage beds are holding the panfish.
Pictures tell the story better then words!