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FISHING CONDITIONS ON LAKES CADILLAC AND MITCHELL
FROM PILGRIM VILLAGE FISHING SHOP
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2013

Traditionally Summer ends with Labor Day Weekend. The warm days and cool nights continue. Pontoon boats and docks will start to disappear because of the calendar. The lakes become peaceful with the absence of jet skis, skiers and power boats. Some of the best fishing of the year is ahead of us. Septembers’ the month for Master Angler and record breaking fish.
A short period of time is left for the Pilgrim Village 2013 Free Summer Fishing Contest. It began May 27 and runs thru September 9, 2013. Prizes will be awarded by length.

Put away your ultra light tackle. Grab your 9′ Ugly stick rod and head for your favorite river. Salmon are reported in the Pier Marquette, Betsie, Boardman and Big and Little Manistee Rivers. They are BIG – often well over 20 pounds. They are breaking tackle and bending hooks. Storm Thundersticks and spawn are still the Guides choice.

Upper Peninsula Fishing Report

Keweenaw Bay: Those heading out for trout and salmon had to work hard to get them. They caught a mix of chinook, coho and lake trout 40 to 90 feet down in 50 to 100 feet of water from Carla’s Restaurant north past the red rocks and off Pequaming Point. Those jigging for lake trout had little success. Near the South Portage Entry, a fair number of lake trout, chinook and coho were taken near the lighthouse, the reefs and the Mud Banks. They are using a mix of spoons in a variety of colors. For Traverse Bay, lake trout action picked up some for those jigging in 170 to 220 feet off Gay Point and Big Louie’s Point. Those trolling 60 to 145 feet down in 80 to 150 feet also caught fish.

Marquette: Most anglers are targeting lake trout but those using high lines for salmon and trout had mixed results. Lake trout were caught near the Clay Banks, Granite Island, and Shot Point in 120 to 130 feet. A couple small coho were caught. Surface water temperatures were in the low 60’s. Those fishing near the mouth of the Chocolay River had poor results. Anglers are being asked to participate with the creel census surveys that are being conducted in the area. The information you share plays a vital role in fisheries management on the Great Lakes.

Menominee: Bay anglers were trolling for walleye near Green Island. Catch rates were fair to good. No trout or salmon were caught. Those targeting walleye did best in the evening when trolling rapalas in 20 to 30 feet of water. Salmon anglers tried closer to shore because of the high winds but no fish were caught.

Menominee River: Is producing a fair number of walleye for those trolling rapalas and crawler harnesses. Many were on the small side. Shore and boat anglers caught smallmouth bass when floating crawlers or casting crank baits.

Cedar River: Those floating crawlers caught smallmouth bass.

Little Bay De Noc: Walleye anglers had fair catch rates near Kipling. They are trolling or drifting crawlers and stick baits in 15 to 25 feet between the Second and the Center Reef and along the drop near Gladstone in 25 feet. Fair to good perch action was reported off the mouth of the Escanaba River when using minnows and crawlers in 20 to 25 feet or the Second Reef in 8 to 17 feet. Smallmouth bass were caught on crawlers and crank baits near the mouth of the Ford River. A couple salmon were caught out near the Ford River Can when trolling spoons 60 to 70 feet down in 100 to 130 feet.

Big Bay De Noc: Had good smallmouth bass fishing for those using minnows or crank baits in 10 to 28 feet off Ansell’s Point and the many shoals. Those trolling spoons or cut bait off Fairport did well 60 to 75 feet down in 120 to 130 feet of water.

Au Train: Lake trout anglers have had mixed results depending on wind direction. The hot spots were the edge of the flats and the humps near the shipping lanes east of AuTrain Island in 140 to 200 feet. Offshore surface water temperatures have risen to the low 60’s. No salmon to report.

Munising: Catch rates for chinook and coho were fair in Trout Bay and Munising Bay. Lake trout fishing continues north of Wood Island. A couple pier anglers were targeting splake but catch rates were slow.

Grand Marais: Lake trout anglers were fishing in 100 to 200 feet of water along the shipping channel, five to seven miles north of the bay. The fish have been feeding on insects and sculpin. Whitefish are feeding in the shallows. Coho anglers were fishing east or west of the bay in 50 to 60 feet. Shore anglers casting for pike had poor results.

St. Mary’s River: Walleye fishing in Raber Bay has slowed in the shipping channel from Point Aux Frenes to the old bell buoy. A few pike were caught on the southwest end of Neebish Island, at the mouth of the Munuscong River or the southwest end of Kemps Point when trolling chrome spoons or black bucktail spinners. Anglers need to watch for low water levels when boating on the St. Mary’s River and around Drummond Island.

DeTour: Anglers are still taking chinook and lake trout between Frying Pan Island, the #3 green can and the #2 red can out near Drummond Island. Chinook salmon are ranging 7 to 15 pounds. Hot colors are watermelon, green, purple and white.

Drummond Island: Wind direction did have an effect of walleye fishing. Fish were caught by those trolling crawler harnesses with bottom bouncers in 12 to 14 feet around Peck Island. Anglers had fair to good perch fishing in Maxton Bay. Most are drifting or still-fishing with medium size minnows near the red buoy located on the south end of Grape Island. A few nice pike were taken on the northwest side of the island when casting or trolling chrome spoons with a red eye in 8 feet of water. Smallmouth bass are hitting tube jigs near Harbor Island or a crawler with a slip bobber on the west side of Peck Island. Brown and green tube jigs worked well.

Cedarville and Hessel: Perch anglers have done well off the east end of the marina pier in Hessel Bay and off the public dock. They are using minnows or crawlers in 8 to 12 feet. The south end of Hessel Bay had excellent pike fishing for those using chubs. Salmon were caught in 50 to 70 feet in Hessel Bay and the Yacht Entrance.

St. Ignace: Had no change. Lake trout and salmon are still being caught around Mackinac Island, Round Island, Bois Blanc Island, the flats and the Coast Guard Station.

Northeast Lower Peninsula Fishing Report

The inland lakes such as Grand, Long and Hubbard are producing some very nice smallmouth bass. This is grasshopper and cricket season on the smaller trout streams and those using imitations are doing well.

Rogers City: Adult chinook are beginning to show up and they are good size. The better fishing was very early and after sunset when heading south towards Swan Bay and Adams Point but the fish are moving. Head to deeper water as the sun comes up while using downriggers, short segments of lead core, dipseys and copper with spoons, J-plugs, bombers and flashers with either squid or flies. Hot colors were green, blue, pearl, red, purple, orange with green or silver as well as black and white. Those fishing north and straight out of the harbor caught a mix of salmon, steelhead and walleye.

Presque Isle: Catch rates were slow but picking up. Anglers were hanging out in shallow waters 35 to 60 feet deep as they wait for the fish to come in and feed on the abundant baitfish. Try straight out or north between the two lighthouses and fish the top half of the water column.

Rockport: Is producing a few chinook, lake trout and walleye. Walleye were also caught in to 20 to 40 feet.

Alpena: Few anglers were out but they did manage to catch a couple smallmouth bass and the occasional walleye in Thunder Bay. The trick is to move around until you find fish.

Thunder Bay River: Catch rates have improved for smallmouth bass that average 12 to 14 inches but some were as big as 17 inches. Freshwater drum, channel catfish, and rock bass were caught. Most are using crawlers but a few did well with crank baits. A few salmon are in the river but catch rates were poor. Cooler weather is needed.

Harrisville: The fish are scattered so anglers will have to work for them. The walleye are deep, 100 to 140 feet and most were caught by those targeting trout and salmon with spoons and body baits. A few salmon were caught in the harbor but these fish seem to be early runners.

Oscoda: Fish are on the move so finding them can be difficult. Walleye are deep and were caught with the trout and salmon. Pier anglers caught a few salmon with glow spoons in the early morning or evening.

Au Sable River: Fishing below Mio has been very good and the white fly hatch should continue through the Labor Day weekend. Water temperatures have been fairly cool below Mio which means the fish have been active and healthy. Catfish are moving in and out of the river.

Lake Margrethe- There is an awesome perch and gill bite this week with limit catches being reported

Higgins Lake: Was producing perch near the Sunken Island and along the drop offs. No big numbers but the fish were nice size. Those trolling just off the bottom in 80 to 120 feet caught lake trout on the north end including the north side of Treasure Island. Those jigging found lake trout and whitefish in 80 to 100 feet. Anglers are still catching lots of rock bass. This is a great fishery for kids.

Houghton Lake: Fishing has been great with lots of gills and some walleye on leeches

Otsego Lake has a great pike bite off the state park with suckers and rapalas working best

Tawas: Boat and pier fishing in the bay are slow. A few walleye were taken off Alabaster, Au Sable Point and Jerry’s Marina but anglers need to fish deeper water. One angler targeting walleye actually caught a 15 pound chinook in 80 feet of water when trolling a crawler harness.

Au Gres: A few walleye are still being caught straight out from the mouth of the river or six to eight miles south in 26 to 30 feet of water. Those targeting perch found a few in 30 to 40 feet four to eight miles to the south.

Au Gres River: Is producing a few catfish and freshwater drum.

Northwest Lower Peninsula Fishing Report

Salmon fishing is going strong. At this point, offshore is the place to be, in depths deeper than 100 feet. Heavy south winds pushed the fish deep so the piers and drowned river mouth lakes have not been as productive.

Harbor Springs: Had a small number of salmon and lake trout in and around the harbor. Boat anglers were fishing around Harbor Point. Chinook were caught 70 to 90 feet down and lake trout 100 to 130 feet down. Try spoons, flies and squid. Green and white was the hot color.

Petoskey: Some boat anglers did catch the odd salmon or lake trout. Most were fishing from the water treatment plant and east to the buoy just past the pier. Salmon were caught 100 to 115 feet down on glow spoons, meat rigs and flies. A few lake trout were also caught.

Bear River: Had a few salmon moving in even with the low water levels. Those fishing up near the dam caught the occasional fish on spawn or yellow flies.

Charlevoix: Salmon fishing was still a bit slow as anglers were averaging maybe one fish per trip. Boats are trolling 60 to 85 feet down in 120 feet of water between North Point and South Point. Try plugs, spoons, meat rigs and dodgers with flies or squid. Lake trout were 80 to 125 feet down in 120 to 250 feet. Pier anglers are still taking sub-legal bass but a good number were also keepers. Try just off the bottom with crawlers, leeches or minnows. Some nice rock bass were caught near the end of the piers.

Lake Charlevoix: Anglers are marking some large fish where Round Lake comes into Lake Charlevoix.

Traverse City: Those trolling in the East Bay caught chinook 60 to 110 feet down in 80 to 200 feet. Try blue and green spoons with flies or glow spoons early and late. A few lake trout were caught. Those looking for smallmouth bass were fishing 20 to 50 feet or deeper. In the West Bay, salmon were found 40 to 100 feet down. Try spoons, plugs and meat rigs or flies with flashers. Those jigging in 110 feet caught the occasional whitefish or lake trout.

Grand Traverse Bay has been good for perch off of M-72 with jumbo perch being caught.

Long Lake has been great for perch and walleye with leeches for walleye and preserved wigglers and minnows for perch.

Elk River: Fishing was relatively slow with only smaller bass and panfish caught on crawlers or leeches. No large number of salmon yet.

Boardman River: Had a few salmon. Anglers were targeting chinook with spawn, flies and stick baits.

Frankfort: Good numbers of large chinook salmon have been caught between the piers, straight out and near the Herring Hole. The fish were starting to stage. Many are trolling 30 to 90 feet down in 200 to 225 feet. Platte Bay has coho running in 40 to 80 feet. Spoons work best. Pier fishing was good between 2:00am and daybreak for those casting wobblers. Green, orange and blue were good colors.

Betsie River: The chinook are in and all the way up to the Homestead Dam.

Onekama: Had good fishing just outside the “Barrel” when trolling 40 to 80 feet down with J-plugs in chrome, splatter back and perch or meat rigs. Lake trout are hitting on cowbells and spin-glows throughout the day.

Portage Lake: Continues to have good bass fishing for those working the weed beds and along the drop offs. A nice largemouth bass was caught off the wall in the channel. Panfish are hitting on worms along the weed beds in the morning and moving to deeper water by afternoon.

Lake Cadillac: Catch rates were very good for panfish and bass.

Lake Mitchell: Has also been good for bass and panfish.

Manistee: Salmon have been caught 40 to 80 feet down in 80 to 200 feet of water off the Shelf. Glow spoons and plugs worked well in low light, standard size spoons and meat rigs have produced during mid-day. Pier and harbor fishing was slow.

Manistee River: Anglers have caught a few salmon in the lower river. Try fishing the deeper holes as the fish will seek out colder water. Bass fishing slowed a bit but those fishing near the brush piles in the early morning or late evening should find some fish.

Ludington: Salmon are 40 to 90 feet down in 80 to 160 feet of water. Spoons, plugs and meat rigs are all taking fish. Pier and harbor fishing was slow.

Pentwater: Fishing was fair. Salmon were caught 50 to 70 feet down in 80 to 90 feet or as deep as 150 to 180 feet. Meat rigs were the ticket this week however fish were also taken on pearl colored J-plugs or spoons. Bass were caught by those using live bait in the channel.

Awesome perch bite at Grand Haven and Holland on Lake Michigan

FISHING CONDITIONS ON LAKES CADILLAC AND MITCHELL
FROM PILGRIM VILLAGE FISHING SHOP
SUNDAY, AUGUST 25, 2013

This time of year fishing isn’t supposed to be good – August funk, doldrums. The fish don’t know it! Fishing and catching are going together.
Panfishing has been good for bluegills and crappie. The heat hasn’t bothered them.
Good catches of bluegill and sunfish are reported from the west side of Lake Mitchell. Forget the shallows where you caught them in the Spring. Try the drop offs in the 8 to 12′ range. Currently, time of day doesn’t seem important. Once you find them they seem to be hungry all day.
The heat hasn’t bothered the crappie on Lake Cadillac. Good numbers and sizes are reported from the East side, Rotarary Pavillion Area. Leafworms and minnows are good but small tube jigs have been hot. On some days pink and white tubes out fish live bait.
There’s plenty of Bass. Both lakes have been good for Large Mouths. The bite for Small Mouths seems best on Cadillac.
Big Pike and Walleye have been AWOL. They must be hiding in deep holes preparing for back to school.

MANISTEE RIVER:

Regardless of the water temperature, salmon are reported all the way to Tippy Dam. The piers at Manistee, Ludigton and Frankfort are stating to fill up.
At Manistee Lake all sizes of boats are verticle jiging with P-Line Lazer Spoons or Swedish Pimples. Salmon numbers are predicted down, but they are BIGGER- much BIGGER. There’s already reports of several in the 30 pound class.

Northeast Lower Peninsula Fishing Report

Houghton Lake: The gill bite has been great this week with small leeches working best with many master angler gills have been caught. Walleye fishing has bee fair.

Higgins Lake: Perch and rockbass have been good this week with some lake trout being caught.

Lake Margrethe: Fishing is finally picking up with perch, gills, walleye have been good.

Rockport: Has no set pattern for catching fish at this time. The thermocline is very deep or is not found at all in depths less than 100 feet. Fish are scattered and are difficult to target. Lake trout can still be found near bottom when fishing spoons. Some caught the occasional chinook or Atlantic salmon. A few walleye were found and actually caught out in waters 120 feet or deeper.

Long Lake: In Alpena County was producing good numbers of bass and pike.

Alpena: Had few anglers fishing Thunder Bay because the walleye have moved out to deeper water. Some may still find the occasional walleye, bass or catfish.

Thunder Bay River: Is producing the occasional rock bass, under-sized smallmouth bass, freshwater drum or channel catfish.

Harrisville: Catch rates were slow as the fish are scattered and out deep. Steelhead should start to show up closer to shore. Try up near the surface in 50 to 70 feet. For trout and salmon, lead core and planer boards have worked best this year. Spoons with dodgers, wobble glows and body baits have caught fish but don’t be afraid to experiment with other bait combinations.

Oscoda: A few salmon were showing up around the pier. Those fishing late night with glow spoons did catch a couple fish.

Au Sable River: A few walleye were caught but no big numbers. The water is too warm for trout and salmon.

Gladwin County: The inland lakes were producing limit catches of bass and panfish but anglers are working hard to get them.

Clare County: The inland lakes are producing some nice bass.

Tawas: Walleye anglers trolling out around Tawas Point and north to Au Sable Point found success in 50 to 80 feet. Fish were also caught in 20 to 50 feet off Alabaster and in 20 to 25 feet along the weed beds off Jerry’s Marina. Pier anglers caught walleye, large and smallmouth bass, rock bass and small perch.

Au Gres: Walleye fishing slowed a great deal but those trolling did pick up the occasional 10 or 11 inch perch.

Upper Peninsula Fishing Report

Keweenaw Bay: The bite was hit-or-miss but trout and salmon were caught by those trolling from Sand Point to the red rocks and off Pequaming Point. Try spoons 25 to 75 feet down in 30 to 80 feet. Those jigging caught lake trout in 230 feet off Pequaming Point. From the South Portage Entry, anglers caught chinook, coho and lake trout when trolling near the Lighthouse, the reefs, the red rocks and the Mud Banks. Fewer fish were caught from Traverse Bay.

Marquette: Produced a few limit catches of lake trout. Average size was 6 pounds but some were 12 to 15 pounds. They are fishing at various depths in 110 to 220 feet of water between the white rocks and Granite Island. Try spoons and cut bait. A few coho were caught but no chinook. Shore anglers fishing near the mouth of the Chocolay River had poor results. Stannard Rock had good lake trout action for those jigging or casting spoons.

Menominee: Catch rates for salmon were very slow around Washington Island, Rock Island and Chambers Island. Walleye anglers are picking up a few fish especially at night. Try 20 to 30 feet when trolling north or south of the river. Fishing in Green Bay was slow.

Menominee River: Is producing walleye in the evening for those trolling crawler harnesses or stick baits. Smallmouth bass, bluegill, crappie and perch were caught.

Cedar River: Is still producing smallmouth bass for those drifting crawlers or casting stick baits.

Little Bay De Noc: Walleye anglers were targeting the Second Reef off Kipling, and the “Black Bottom” in 14 to 23 feet of water. They are using crawlers or minnows. Perch fishing was fair to good off the mouth of the Escanaba River and near Kipling in 22 to 29 feet.

Big Bay De Noc: A couple anglers were targeting walleye down near Round Island. Perch fishing was fair in 18 feet off Ansell’s Point. In Fayette Harbor, perch were taken on minnows and crawlers in 8 to 14 feet. Smallmouth bass fishing was fair in Kate’s Bay, off Ansell’s Point and near the Bluff in 8 to 21 feet. Try minnows, crank baits or plastics. Catch rates for salmon improved off Fairport. Try spoons 35 to 65 feet down in 80 to 130 feet.

Au Train: Catch rates were slow but those willing to put in the time did catch a few east of Au Train Island and near Shelter Bay when fishing in 100 to 150 feet. Those fishing in deeper water out near the shipping channel and Wood Island had poor results. Surface water temperatures were in the low 60’s near shore and upper 50’s out deeper.

Munising: Boats targeting lake trout and salmon had fair results in Trout Bay and Murray’s Bay in 100 feet of water or less. Those fishing the Big Reef reported good catches including several large fish coming in at 20 pounds. Pier fishing was light as catch rates were poor.

Grand Marais: The majority of lake trout anglers are fishing in 100 to 250 feet of water in the shipping channel. Fish between 3 and 10 pounds were caught off the Southwest Bank. Those targeting coho did well east and west of the bay. Try halfway down in 50 to 60 feet. Shore anglers caught pike near the boat launch.

St. Mary’s River: Out from Raber Bay, walleye have been caught at the Canadian Rock Pile when jigging orange and brown twister tails in 6 to 10 feet. Early morning was best.

DeTour: Anglers continue to fish from Frying Pan Island to the #3 Green Can and to the #2 Red can near Drummond Island. They caught chinook, lake trout and steelhead. Hot colors were watermelon, purple, green or any color with white on it.

Drummond Island: Had a few reports of yellow perch were coming from the red buoy on the south end of Grape Island. They are drifting minnows in 8 to 12 feet in the early morning. Walleye fishing slowed however a few fish were taken on crawler harnesses and bottom bouncers in 12 to 14 feet on the northwest side of Peck Island.

Cedarville and Hessel: Perch anglers did well off the Hessel Pier and the north end of the Snows Channel when using minnows or crawlers in 8 to 10 feet. Musky Bay, Middle Entrance and the Moscoe Channel are also producing good numbers of perch. Pike are there too for those still-fishing with chubs. Government Bay had excellent pike fishing in 10 to 16 feet. Good salmon fishing off Hessel in 70 feet or more.

St. Ignace: Boats are still heading from the city launch to the flats and over to the Coast Guard Station and water treatment plant. Trout and salmon were caught around Bois Blanc Island, Round Island and the backside of Mackinac Island.

Northwest Lower Peninsula Fishing Report

Harbor Springs: Boat anglers were focusing their effort between Harbor Point and Five Mile Point. Try 65 to 70 feet down in 180 to 190 feet for salmon or 100 feet down for lake trout.

Petoskey: Is producing a light number of salmon for those trolling between the Hospital and the Water Treatment Plant. Anglers are using spoons and flies. Green was the hot color. Meat rigs with cut bait caught fish. The occasional lake trout was also caught. Pier anglers caught smallmouth bass and rock bass.

Bear River: Water levels were low. Very few fish were seen jumping at the dam but some anglers were still trying for a steelhead or coho when still-fishing with spawn, flies, or rubber eggs. Those using crawlers at the dam caught a couple small brown trout and one nice brook trout.

Charlevoix: Salmon are starting to show up in greater numbers but some boat anglers are still getting skunked. Many of the chinook were over 20 pounds. Try 50 to 80 feet down in 100 to 230 feet with spoons, dipseys, flies, squid and dodgers or meat rigs. Pier anglers are still catching smaller bass on leeches, crawlers or minnows.

Traverse City: The East Bay is producing chinook about 80 to 100 feet down. The bite was slow but those using meat rigs and flies seem to do best. Don’t rule out the occasional lake trout or whitefish. Smallmouth bass were deep in 20 to 50 feet. In the West Bay, salmon were caught 80 feet down in waters 100 to 150 feet deep. Most are running spoons, flies, and meat rigs. Those jigging in 100 to 150 feet caught whitefish and lake trout.

Elk River: Anglers caught panfish and sub-legal smallmouth bass on live baits.

Boardman River: A couple salmon and steelhead were spotted near the Union Street Dam however they will not be there long with the warmer temperatures.

Frankfort: Anglers caught a good number of salmon between the Herring Hole and Platte Bay. Several large chinook were caught right along with coho ranging 10 pounds or more. They are trolling plugs 40 to 80 feet down in 100 to 180 feet. Fish were caught on magnum spoons 30 to 100 feet down in 200 to 240 feet. Steelhead were up near the surface. West Platte Bay has been very good for coho. Anglers are using high lines or boards. Fish were caught just in front of the piers when using blue, pearl or chartreuse plugs or spoons that glow. Pier anglers casting blue and glow wobblers or Cleo’s caught a mix of chinook, coho and brown trout.

Betsie River: Has a few salmon and steelhead but no big numbers, it is too warm.

Onekama: Those fishing the “Barrel” have done well for lake trout and the occasional chinook or coho salmon. Those heading north to waters between 150 and 200 feet and trolling 40 to 80 feet down had some luck when they found bait fish. Early morning was best.

Portage Lake: Had good bluegill fishing along the weed beds in 12 to 18 feet. A few nice perch were also caught. Water temperatures were a bit cool in the early morning but anglers will want to head out to deeper water as the sun comes up.

Lake Cadillac: Is producing crappie, bluegills and bass. Walleye fishing was hit-or-miss. Some are trolling crawler harnesses or crank baits while others are still-fishing with a leech and slip bobber. Crappie were caught on the east end in the early morning.

Lake Mitchell: Is producing some nice bluegills in 8 to 12 feet of water. Try crickets, leaf worms, wax worms or butter worms.

Manistee: Fishing was slow but some large salmon over 25 pounds have been caught on glow spoons or plugs in the early morning. Salmon and steelhead were also caught 40 to 90 feet down in 80 to 200 feet. Try green flies and meat rigs as well as orange or green spoons. Pier anglers caught a couple salmon on spoons.

Manistee River: Was producing a decent number of summer steelhead up near Tippy Dam but warmer temperatures this week will once again slow catch rates.

Manistee Lake: Those trolling did catch some salmon however south winds this week will slow catch rates.

Ludington: The fish are scattered. Salmon can be found anywhere from 45 to 80 feet down in 50 to 300 feet. Try glow spoons and plugs or red and green meat rigs. Pier anglers caught the occasional salmon or freshwater drum when casting spoons.

Pere Marquette River: Has salmon but no big numbers yet.

Pentwater: Anglers caught salmon close to port. Some were taken 50 to 70 feet down in 80 to 90 feet or deeper in 150 to 180 feet. They are using green flashers and blue flies. Pier anglers were trying but few fish were caught. Smallmouth bass were hitting on live bait in the channel.

Grand River at Lansing: Continues to produce bass and channel cats for those using live bait. A few limits of panfish were reported. Try the backwaters for bluegill. Anglers might find a walleye or two near the Moore’s Park Dam.

Clinton County: The inland lakes had mostly small bluegills.

Muskegon River: Water levels continue to be low and clear. This may be good for bass fishing but not good for salmon and steelhead. Fish the weed beds for bass but try the deeper holes for trout.

Whitehall: Catch rates slowed. Many were fishing around Minor Park but some traveled as far as Stoney Creek. The water near shore is very warm but seemed to be cooler near Stoney Creek. The bite was better in the early morning with fish caught on anything that glows before daylight. Try 50 to 70 feet down in 150 feet of water with green flashers and blue flies. Pearl J-plugs on lead core worked well. Pier anglers caught freshwater drum.

Tyler Sivek caught this big Salmon on West Grand Traverse Bay

FISHING CONDITIONS ON LAKES CADILLAC AND MITCHELL
FROM PILGRIM VILLAGE FISHING SHOP
SUNDAY, AUGUST 18, 2013

Eighty degree days and 50 degree nights are perfect. It can stay this way forever. The fish seem to enjoy it also. For late Summer, the bite has been good.
Bass seem to be hungry on both lakes. Large and small mouths in the 3 to 4 pound range have been common and occassionally larger. Surface baits have been hot early when cast over the weed matts.
Bluegill anglers fishing the south side of Lake Mitchell are happy. Using the Mitchell Condos (Country Club Area) as a reference point, try depths of 9 to 12′ Its a long way from shore but there are scattered patches of cabbage weed. Hand size gills have been biting on leafworms, crickets and waxworms.
Walleye catches have been good and bad. . . . mostly bad. A few have been caught slip bobber fishing baited with leeches. Those trolling with crank baits or crawler harnesses catch plenty of bass and pike. If they’re catching walleyes, they’re not talking. When the lakes cool it will improve.
Good catches of crappie have been reported on Lake Cadillac’s East side. It’s the panfishermens first choice. Good size and even some limits are normal in the mornings and just before dark. A few keeper size perch are showing up in the same area.
Salmon are the talk of the town. Not just in Lake Michigan, they’re in the Big and Little Manistee Rivers. Some have made it as far at Tippy Dam. Schools are reported staging at Manistee Lake before entering the rivers. Clusters of anchored boats are verticle jigging their favorite Megabait or P-Line Lazer Spoons. This has turned into a major sport.