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9/2/10
Michigan Fishing Report
The Last Fling of the Summer
We have had another hot, humid week but rain and cooler weather is predicted to make fishing better. Wigglers are legal to sell again as this is a big tool to catch person. Perch are starting to show up with good catches in Lake Margreathe, East Grand Traverse Bay, North Lake Leelanau, Higgins Lake, Otsego Lake, Van Etten Lake and Long Lake by Traverse City. As we approach the so-called dog days of summer, walleye fishing in waters of the Great Lakes including Saginaw Bay has begun to taper off, as it usually does around Labor Day. Catch rates have been slow however rain, wind and much cooler temperatures by the weekend could be the jump start needed to get the salmon runs underway.
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 -Had no walleye action to report. Perch are being caught at the Black Hole, the Spark Plug, two miles east of the Spark Plug, Buoy 18, and all along the shipping channel. Anglers will have to do a lot of sorting to find some keepers. Try pieces of crawler. Catfish were still biting near the Hot Pond.
Tittabawasse River -Catfish are biting below Sanford and Dow Dam as water is flowing as they lower Sanford Lake 5 feet to repair the dam.
Saginaw River- Shore anglers in the lower river are catching some freshwater drum, catfish and the occasional bass.
Whitehall -Pier anglers have caught some salmon in the evening when casting Cleo's, mega baits or anything that glows.
Wixom Lake has been super for gills being caught on waxworms
Mullett Lake -Lots of walleye anglers fishing 17 to 28 feet of water between Red Pine Point and Round Point or Dodge Point and Needle Point. Most are trolling in 20 to 30 feet of water but a few were trolling 40 to 50 feet down in 60 to 100 feet of water. Trout were caught 20 to 50 feet down in 75 to 100 feet of water. Pike anglers were still trolling crawlers, crank baits or minnows in 10 to 20 feet of water. Popular spots for yellow perch were Topinabee, Scott Bay, Pigeon Bay, Long Point, Dodge Point and near the sunken islands in 10 to 40 feet of water. For smallmouth bass, try Round Point and Pigeon Bay in 25 to 35 feet of water.
Oscoda - Salmon and steelhead were caught closer to shore in 30 to 60 feet of water in the early morning. Pier anglers might also catch a few fish early or late.
Higgins Lake -Had good lake trout action with fish ranging from 18 to 22 inches. Most are trolling cowbells and bombers 5 feet off the bottom in waters 80 to 100 feet deep. Lots of rock bass in the 9 to 12 inch range have been caught on minnows and worms. Perch are biting on wigglers.
Houghton Lake - Is producing panfish and bass. Early morning or late afternoon is best for bass up in the shallows. Walleye have been fair with crawlers working best.
Tawas -Walleye fishing has really slowed down with just a few fish reported. Anglers trolling crawler harnesses in 40 to 65 feet of water have also caught the occasional steelhead. A few bass were caught by pier and boat anglers when casting various artificial baits.
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 A perch bite is on with minnows in about 9 feet of water is still going strong.
Charlevoix -Fishing remains slower than it should be for this late in the summer, with anglers only bringing in light numbers of fish. Salmon have been found 60 to 120 feet down in waters 100 to 170 feet deep.
Traverse City -Those fishing the East Bay were bringing in a salmon or two when trolling in 80 to 100 feet of water between Bluff Road and Mountain Jacks Marina. Whitefish anglers did well just south of the Center Road launch in 95 feet of water with sand kickers and Elk Rapids jigs, Near the bypass, smallmouth anglers were catching a few panfish only. In the West Bay, salmon and trout were caught between Lee Point Road and the Boardman River. The fish were scattered in 70 to 140 feet of water and hitting about 65 feet down.
Lake Leelanau - Had steady walleye action. I have been fishing there but have not found the fish yet but many are in 50 feet of water. 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. 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 -Crappie fishing has been good after dark and in the early morning. Cooler weather will bring the bluegills back into shallower waters. Try wax worms, leaf worms or crickets under a bobber. Bass and pike are hitting again.
Lake Mitchell -Is producing some panfish. Bass are hitting on spinner baits and pike favored large crank baits.
Little Bay De Noc - Had fair to good walleye catches out from the Terrace Bay Inn in Gladstone Bay when trolling crawlers and harnesses in 25 to 35 feet of water. The southern end of the Black Bottom was fair in 10 to 40 feet of water but several nice perch and crappie were caught when jigging crawlers. Salmon fishing was fair in the southern waters when trolling spoons 65 to 95 feet down in 110 to 125 feet of water.
Big Bay De Noc -No walleye or perch to report but smallmouth bass catches were good for those using tube or crank baits in 15 to 30 feet of water from Ansell's Point south to Snake Island. Fairport had good catches when weather permitted. Boat anglers after salmon were heading south to Poverty Island and trolling spoons 80 to 140 feet down in 120 to 160 feet of water.
Indian Lake - Most fishing effort was on the north end of the lake. Perch are starting to bite again. Walleye were caught by those trolling or drifting near the weed beds with crawler harnesses or surface rapalas. Perch anglers were fishing close to shore with crawlers. A lot of fish were caught however anglers put in a lot of time to catch fish big enough to eat.
St. Mary's River -Walleye fishing is still good by the powerhouse to Raber Bay using crawler harnesses and jigs.
Cedarville and Hessel - At Sault Ste. Marie, chinook were caught in front of the power plant when trolling J-plugs near the drop off along the shipping channel. Pink salmon have been caught off the pier when casting small pink Cleo's. Good action in Lake George between the rapids and Timber Ridge Resort when trolling crawler harnesses with purple blades in 12 to 18 feet of water. For Little Lake George on the Canadian side, yellow perch were caught in 30 feet of water between the Garden River and the Sugar Island Township Park.
Northwest:
Petoskey - Good numbers of salmon were found straight out from the harbor entrance. Try 70 to 110 feet down in 130 to 160 feet of water. Salmon were scattered between East Park and the pier. Hot baits were white with a green or blue fly or J-plugs in ghost white, fire tiger, chrome with a red nose, and meat rigs. Early morning and last light produced the most fish.
Charlevoix - Fishing remains slower than it should be for this late in the summer, with anglers only bringing in light numbers of fish. Salmon have been found 60 to 120 feet down in waters 100 to 170 feet deep.
Traverse City - Those fishing the East Bay were bringing in a salmon or two when trolling in 80 to 100 feet of water between Bluff Road and Mountain Jacks Marina. Whitefish anglers did well just south of the Center Road launch in 95 feet of water with sand kickers and Elk Rapids jigs, Near the bypass, smallmouth anglers were catching a few panfish only. In the West Bay, salmon and trout were caught between Lee Point Road and the Boardman River. The fish were scattered in 70 to 140 feet of water and hitting about 65 feet down.
Boardman River - Anglers are checking for salmon however few have been seen.
Platte Bay - Coho were caught in the East Bay when trolling spoons or J-plugs 40 to 80 feet down in 50 to 100 feet of water. Green was the hot color. The coho are still nice and silver however the chinook salmon are starting to turn dark.
Frankfort - Chinook were starting to stage and could be found in the holes near the old ferry docks where shore and boat anglers did well with Swedish Pimples in the early morning. Boats are also heading north to the point and trolling 80 to 100 feet down in 120 to 150 feet of water. Try flashers and flies during the day and glows at dusk and pre-dawn.
Onekama - Boat anglers heading straight out are fishing in 120 to 140 feet of water while those heading north did better in 80 to 120 feet. Early morning was best when using J-plugs or spoons that glow. Pier fishing was slow.
Portage Lake - Cooler weather was good for bluegill fishing as some limit catches were reported near Little Eden. Perch were also caught in the same area and around the buoy. Be ready to sort out the small ones.
Lake Cadillac - Crappie fishing has been good after dark and in the early morning. Cooler weather will bring the bluegills back into shallower waters. Try wax worms, leaf worms or crickets under a bobber. Bass and pike are hitting again.
Lake Mitchell - Is producing some panfish. Bass are hitting on spinner baits and pike favored large crank baits.
Manistee - A few salmon have been caught around the piers in the early morning. Boat anglers did well in 80 to 160 feet of water when using cut bait or glow plugs. Strong winds have made fishing difficult. Anglers fishing Manistee Lake have started to catch a few salmon.
Manistee River - Salmon fishing could pick up by the weekend but for now, few fish have been caught.
Ludington - On the good days, boat anglers continue to catch chinook and coho in 50 to 150 feet of water between the Bath House and Big Sable Point. Try running glow plugs in the early morning. Pier anglers took a few salmon in the early morning.
Pentwater - Had fair to good chinook salmon fishing from Juniper Beach down to Silver Lake when trolling spoons or J-plugs in 80 to 100 feet of water. Only a handful of salmon have been caught off the pier.
Northeastern Lower Peninsula
Mullett Lake - Lots of walleye anglers fishing 17 to 28 feet of water between Red Pine Point and Round Point or Dodge Point and Needle Point. Most are trolling in 20 to 30 feet of water but a few were trolling 40 to 50 feet down in 60 to 100 feet of water. Trout were caught 20 to 50 feet down in 75 to 100 feet of water. Pike anglers were still trolling crawlers, crank baits or minnows in 10 to 20 feet of water. Popular spots for yellow perch were Topinabee, Scott Bay, Pigeon Bay, Long Point, Dodge Point and near the sunken islands in 10 to 40 feet of water. For smallmouth bass, try Round Point and Pigeon Bay in 25 to 35 feet of water.
Rogers City - Boats were pounding the area around Swan Bay however the fish were not staging yet. It appears the salmon are still in their late summer feeding patterns so try straight out from the harbor or Adams Point in waters 40 to 120 feet deep. Every day seems to be a little different. Look for structure and baitfish. Use glows in the early morning and late evening, but try green and silver, blue and silver, orange and white, black and white, yellow, orange, green or purple otherwise. J-plug action was slow. Anglers continue to take a mixed bag of chinook, lake trout, steelhead, pink salmon, brown trout and walleye.
Presque Isle - Is producing mainly chinook, lake trout, pink salmon, steelhead and the occasional walleye. Try straight out from the red can or north between the two lights. Stoneport had pressure also. Commercial nets may be in the area so anglers need to use caution.
Alpena - Surveys and creel census both indicate that most fish in Lake Huron, walleyes and lake trout in particular, are focusing on a large crop of rainbow smelt which are now suspended in cool, offshore waters. Try fishing where the thermocline intersects the bottom about 70 feet deep or with suspended lures in deeper water. Walleyes are still abundant in the Thunder Bay area, but not in the bay itself as they have moved slightly offshore to deeper water where the smelt are. While the smaller immature chinook salmon remain focused on the smelt in deeper waters, the adult fish were just starting to stage off the rivers.
Thunder Bay River - A few salmon were caught up near the 9th Street Dam however it is still too warm and the fish were most likely heading back to deep water.
Oscoda - Salmon and steelhead were caught closer to shore in 30 to 60 feet of water in the early morning. Pier anglers might also catch a few fish early or late.
Au Sable River - Adult salmon were just starting to gather off the mouth.
Higgins Lake - Had good lake trout action with fish ranging from 18 to 22 inches. Most are trolling cowbells and bombers 5 feet off the bottom in waters 80 to 100 feet deep.
Tawas - Walleye fishing has really slowed down with just a few fish reported. Anglers trolling crawler harnesses in 40 to 65 feet of water have also caught the occasional steelhead. A few bass were caught by pier and boat anglers when casting various artificial baits.
Au Gres - Walleye fishing is slow here as well so anglers are going out for perch. They are heading in multiple directions such as off the mouth of the river, the hotel, along the shipping channel and off the gravelly shoals and fishing in 30 to 40 feet of water. There is a lot of sorting to be done but a few keepers are showing up.
Upper Peninsula
Black River Harbor - Strong winds have kept anglers off the lake.
Marquette - Catch rates for lake trout were fair however some limit catches were reported near the white rocks and towards Granite Island. Most fish were caught near the bottom but a few were suspended in 150 feet of water. Spoons and flies work best. No reports on salmon or steelhead.
Little Bay De Noc - Had fair to good walleye catches out from the Terrace Bay Inn in Gladstone Bay when trolling crawlers and harnesses in 25 to 35 feet of water. The southern end of the Black Bottom was fair in 10 to 40 feet of water but several nice perch and crappie were caught when jigging crawlers. Salmon fishing was fair in the southern waters when trolling spoons 65 to 95 feet down in 110 to 125 feet of water.
Big Bay De Noc - No walleye or perch to report but smallmouth bass catches were good for those using tube or crank baits in 15 to 30 feet of water from Ansell's Point south to Snake Island. Fairport had good catches when weather permitted. Boat anglers after salmon were heading south to Poverty Island and trolling spoons 80 to 140 feet down in 120 to 160 feet of water.
Au Train - A few limits of lake trout were caught north of Shelter Bay and near Grand Island. Fish averaging 3 to 5 pounds were caught on spoons and flies.
Munising - Catch rates were slow due to weather conditions. Reports from the Big Reef area indicate there are still good numbers of nice lake trout in the 20 pound range to be caught. Some perch were caught off Grand Island in Murray Bay. Pier and shore anglers caught a few splake. Try spawn bags or spoons.
Grand Marais - Those able to get out caught lake trout along the drop offs in 150 feet of water about five miles north of the bay.
Indian Lake - Walleye were caught by those trolling or drifting near the weed beds with crawler harnesses or surface rapalas. Perch anglers were fishing close to shore with crawlers. A lot of fish were caught however anglers put in a lot of time to catch fish big enough to eat.
St. Mary's River - At Sault Ste. Marie, chinook were caught in front of the power plant when trolling J-plugs near the drop off along the shipping channel. Pink salmon have been caught off the pier when casting small pink Cleo's. Good action in Lake George between the rapids and Timber Ridge Resort when trolling crawler harnesses with purple blades in 12 to 18 feet of water. For Little Lake George on the Canadian side, yellow perch were caught in 30 feet of water between the Garden River and the Sugar Island Township Park.
Cedarville and Hessel - For perch, fish near the Hessel pier, the east end of Hessel Bay, the south shoreline, the north side of Haven Island and Snows Channel. Crawlers worked best in 8 to 12 feet of water however Snows Channel did better in 6 to 10 feet of water. Perch were caught in Musky Bay and the Middle Entrance but the Moscoe Channel was the hot spot when using crawlers in 4 to 6 feet of water. Pink salmon, Atlantic salmon, chinook, steelhead and lake trout were caught 30 feet down in 50 to 60 feet of water around Goose Island. Dredging continues at the Cedarville launch, resulting in only minor pressure around Little Joe Island. Anglers can launch off Four Mile Block on Musky Bay or the Tribal launch on McKay Bay.
St. Ignace - Fishing activity remains steady. Anglers are trolling the flats near the Coast Guard Station and the Edison Plant. Fish were 45 to 55 feet deep.
Southeast Lower Peninsula
Lake Erie - Perch fishing slowed this week. Good places to try are near the mouth of the River Raisin near Buoys 1 and 2, Luna Pier in 18 feet of water or Stony Point in 22 feet of water. Cooler water temperatures ushered in a few walleye near the River Raisin however the extreme warm up most likely sent the fish back to deeper water. When the next cold front hits, try trolling crawler harnesses.
Huron River - Good numbers of carp were caught up near Flat Rock. Nice bluegills were taken on wax worms or leaf worms at the Telegraph Bridge and the backwaters.
Detroit River - Some walleye were caught in the lower Trenton Channel by those jigging or hand-lining. A few perch were caught in the deep holes and around the northeast corner of Celeron Island.
Lake St. Clair - Is producing some nice smallmouth bass.
Lexington - Those trolling caught a mix of coho, steelhead, lake trout and walleye. Perch fishing was spotty in 35 to 40 feet of water.
Port Sanilac - The fish are out deep so head out to waters 100 to 180 feet deep for trout, salmon and walleye. Perch could be found in waters 30 to 50 feet deep however catch rates were slow.
Harbor Beach - Salmon fishing was slow however a few chinook and pink salmon were caught along with lake trout and steelhead. Most are fishing in 60 to 140 feet of water with spoons, J-plugs and spin-glows. Hot colors were black, glow, green and white with pink dots. For steelhead, try 50 to 60 feet back off the downriggers and 35 to 60 feet down with small spoons in bright colors such as yellow with silver, orange, pink or red with green. Walleye were caught on crawler harnesses, small spoons and body baits straight out and north of the harbor. Try 30 feet of water and work out to 100 feet until you locate fish. Pier anglers might want to start casting body baits or spoons in the evening.
Port Austin - Renovation on the boat ramp is nearly completed and the ramp is scheduled to re-open this Friday.
Saginaw Bay - Had no walleye action to report. Perch are being caught at the Black Hole, the Spark Plug, two miles east of the Spark Plug, Buoy 18, and all along the shipping channel. Anglers will have to do a lot of sorting to find some keepers. Try pieces of crawler. Catfish were still biting near the Hot Pond.
Saginaw River - Is producing a few bass in the lower river.
Southwest Lower Peninsula
St. Joseph - When the lake turned over and bought cooler water close to shore, pier anglers were catching chinook and steelhead in the early morning but extremely warm temperatures once again were warming the waters of Lake Michigan. Perch fishing remained good in 20 to 50 feet of water.
St. Joseph River - Has no trout or salmon reports however good numbers of smallmouth bass have been caught on crank baits or soft plastics. Flathead and channel cats were hitting on cut bait.
South Haven - Is producing a few chinook salmon when trolling in 60 to 100 feet of water in the early morning. Pier fishing was slow. Fair to good numbers of perch were caught in 25 to 50 feet of water a couple miles north of the pier.
Kalamazoo River - Remains closed from Marshall to Morrow Dam until further notice. Clean-up will continue through the fall and most likely into winter.
Grand Haven - Salmon fishing was slow. Anglers are heading out in the early morning or right at dark and trolling 55 to 90 feet down in 140 to 240 feet of water. Try smaller spoons in blue and yellow or green and yellow. Big white paddles and green flies have also worked. A couple chinook were caught off the south pier when casting spoons.
Grand River at Grand Rapids - Anglers continue to catch both large and smallmouth bass. Boat and shore anglers are catching walleye along with flathead and channel catfish.
Grand River at Lansing - Had good smallmouth bass action between Lansing and Grand Ledge. Moore's Park Dam is producing some nice catfish and walleye. Try crawlers or cut bait on the bottom.
Muskegon - When boats can get out they are trolling in 120 to 200 feet of water. J-plugs, paddles and flies worked best. Good colors were green, blue, yellow and glow. No salmon were caught off the pier.
Whitehall - Pier anglers have caught some salmon in the evening when casting Cleo's, mega baits or anything that glows.
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
Either the fish have decided to cooperate or our fishermen have improved their skills. Warm days and cool nights has made conditions perfect. Water temperatures are slowly falling. The panfish and predators are back on the bite.
The numbers of anglers on Lakes Mitchell and Cadillac are decreasing. Many are turning their attention to catching salmon on the Manistee River, Pier fishing or Great lakes charters. Another loss comes from the early goose season starting September lst.
Crappies are still hitting off the City Dock on Lake Cadillac. Best catches and best size are being caught after dark, the later the better. Gills and sunfish are returning to shallower 6 - 8 foot depths on both lakes. Bobber fish with cricket, leafworms or waxworms. Smaller baits are working best. Don't sit, keep moving until you find them.
The pike and bass have returned. No hot spot, neither lake is better then the other. Spinner baits are still the local favorite. However, fatter crank baits are good. Many report small bluegills in the fish they clean. Match the hatch!
MANISTEE RIVER
Salmon fishing and salmon catching has begun. A few are alreadey at Tippy Dam. Better numbers are at the Pine and Bear Creek areas.
Pier fishing at Manistee or Frankfort is worth while. Start before day break.
NORTHERN MICHIGAN WEATHER
Warm and Sunny
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FISHING CONDITIONS ON BUDD LAKE AND LONG LAKE AND SURROUNDING LAKES IN THE HARRISON REGION CALL MIKE AT K. D. QUIK STOP IN HARRISON . 989-539-1269
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