Bait-shops in Roscommon, Alger, and Ogemaw County

Roscommon County has the Largest inland lake in Michigan Houghton Lake. This lake is one of the best producers of panfish in the state of Michigan. It also has a good population of walleye and pike. Higgins Lake is the King for ice fishing when it freezes in the middle of January. The target fish are perch and smelt which they catch by the bucket on Hali’s. This lake has a huge population of lake, brown, and rainbow trout, it is the place to be in the late winter when the shallow lakes are not producing. Ogemaw County Main lakes are Peach, Sage, Clear, Lake George, Rifle, and Hardwood lake. Lots of fisherman head to Lake St. Helen which is just across the line in Roscommon as it produces lots of fish in the winter.

6560 W Houghton Lake Dr. Houghton Lake Mi 48629
989-422-3231

Full line of live bait and tackle

H&H Fireworks 

  7511 West Houghton Lake Drive, Houghton Lake, MI 48629 

(989) 366-0126

Full line of live bait and tackle

Sports Barn
East Higgins Lake Dr. Roscommon, Mi 48653
989-821-9511

Full line of bait and tackle

Angelo’s Party Store
2506 N. Old 27 N. Houghton Lake Mi 48629
989-202-4422

Full line of bait and tackle

PaPa’s Bait

127 Windemere, Houghton Lake, MI

(989) 429-5780 

full line of bait some tackle

Higgins Lake Hardware
 
 4521 West Higgins Lake
Dr.Roscommon, MI 48653
989-821-6677

Full line of bait and tackle

Evergreen Party Store

9961 N Higgins Lake Dr, Roscommon, MI 48653

(989) 821-5425

 

Full line of bait and tackle

Saint Helen Bait and Tackle

1727 North St. Helen Road

989-808-1814

Full line of bait and tackle

Dean’s Bait & Tackle
2260 M-33 Alger, Mi 48610
989-836-2460

Full line of bait and tackle

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Buc’s Fishing Report — 09-18-2025

ON SITE UPDATE. Light winds and calm seas early this morning. A midday shift to northwest 5 to 15 knots with 1 to 2 foot waves is expected from Pentwater to Manistee.MOON AND SOLUNAR BITES. Major bite window this morning roughly 09:50 to 11:50 AM Eastern.WEATHER BRIEF. Partly sunny with a chance of a stray shower as winds turn northwest this afternoon.RIVER FLOWS AND WATER TEMPERATURES.Manistee River near Wellston Tippy Dam 1,740 cfs, gage 8.75 ft, water temp 63.9 F.White River near Whitehall 204 cfs, gage 0.63 ft, temperature not reported.Boardman River at Beitner Road Traverse City 178 cfs, gage 4.58 ft, temperature not reported.Pere Marquette River at Scottville 368 cfs, gage 0.52 ft, temperature not reported.Manistique River near Manistique 790 cfs, gage 3.30 ft, temperature not reported.HOT SEVEN PIERS AND JIGGING FOCUS.Frankfort. Salmon staging tight to the pier mouths at first light with spoons and short vertical jig hops.Manistee. Harbor mouth and tailrace seams producing early on vertical jigs.Ludington. Pier casting at dawn and deeper vertical marks off Big Sable points.Whitehall. Salmon and steelhead 40 to 60 feet on glow spoons and tipped jigs.Grand Haven. Pier action light with most fish marking 70 to 140 feet.Muskegon. Scattered marks 80 to 120 feet with occasional pier bites on glow jigs.Burt Lake Maple Bay. Fair for perch and occasional walleye on weed edges and points.SALMON RIVER PRIORITY.Manistee River near Wellston. Salmon staging at the mouth and lower tailrace pools, fish first light with beads or spawn sacks on short leaders.White River below Hesperia Dam. Salmon holding in deep pools and tailrace holes, float drifts with beads or spawn sacks are producing.Betsie River. Low flows with heavy staging in the lower river, fish will move after rain.Boardman River. Salmon staging in deep pools and run to pool transitions, beads and floats effective.Pere Marquette. Flows low for fall, watch gauges for upriver pushes after rain.Manistique area. Salmon present in the harbor and river mouth, with good flows setting up for a push; include Newberry and Paradise waters in your plans.SALMON TACTICS QUICK. Cast glow spoons into seams and retrieve with short ripping strips. Use slip bobber skein in calm or sliding pyramid rigs in current. Vertical jigging with slow 6 to 24 inch hops tipped with skein. River rigs at first light with 18 to 30 inch leaders, beads, and spawn sacks.PERCH REPORT FULL MINNOWS FIRST.White Lake. Yellow belly perch on the west end by the channel.Pentwater Lake. Perch around docks and weedlines six to fifteen feet.PM Lake. Perch in coves and docklines six to fourteen feet.Manistee Lake. Perch and bluegill on small minnows and perch rigs.Portage Lake Onekama. Perch on weedbeds near thirty eight feet mid morning.Big Glen. Perch on the first break around forty feet on wigglers and minnows with sorting.Northport. A few perch in thirty eight feet on weedbeds.Bowers Harbor. Perch near the launch and breakwall six to twelve feet.Skegemog Torch Channel. Perch on weed edges six to fifteen feet on minnows.Torch Lake. Perch on structure and ledges ten to twenty five feet.Burt Lake Maple Bay. Perch and walleye on humps and weed edges eight to eighteen feet.Black Lake. Perch on flats and weed cuts six to twelve feet.Otsego Lake. Perch in shallow bays eight to fifteen feet.Mullett Lake. Perch on weed edges eight to eighteen feet.Lake Charlevoix. Perch along rockpiles and docklines six to fourteen feet.Lake Leelanau south end. Small perch near the Cedar River.Long Lake Traverse City. Perch on small rigs with minnows.Green Lake Traverse City. Perch on minnows and crawler chunks under slip bobbers.Muskegon Lake. Perch at Sand Docks, Bear Lake Channel, and Snug Harbor on minnows or Perch Pounder rigs.Houghton Lake. North weed bed producing perch on minnows.TOP 15 INLAND LAKES.Lake Cadillac. Smallmouth and largemouth on humps and weed edges, panfish on minnows.Lake Mitchell. Largemouth and panfish near lily pads and stumps.Lake St Helen. Pike and largemouth in weedy bays, panfish on small jigs.Higgins Lake. Deep smallmouth structure and lake trout on vertical jigs.Fremont Lake. Bass and pike on weedlines and points.Elk Lake. Deep smallmouth and lake trout.Walloon Lake. Smallmouth and largemouth on points and rocks.Lake Missaukee. Bluegill and largemouth in shallow bays.Holton Lake. Bass and panfish around docks and weed edges.Crystal Lake Greenville. Largemouth and panfish with small jigs.Wabasis Lake. Bass and panfish near public access.Long Lake Greenville. Bass and panfish on drop shot rigs.Sunrise Lake LeRoy. Bass and panfish with topwater early.Penasa Lake LeRoy. Panfish and bass on minnows.Tamarack Lake Lakeview. Largemouth and pike on spinnerbaits and minnows.TOP 10 UP HOTSPOTS.Little Bay De Noc. Walleye and perch.Munising Grand Island. Lake trout reefs and ledges.Marquette. Lake trout on drop offs.Keweenaw Copper Harbor. Trout and salmon on rocky points.Escanaba Big Bay De Noc. Walleye and smallmouth.St Marys River Sault Ste Marie. Salmon and steelhead in seams.Portage Entry Grand Marais. Lake trout and salmon.Tahquamenon Bay river mouths. Walleye and panfish on weedlines.Drummond Island and Les Cheneux. Smallmouth and walleye.Au Train Ford River area. Trout walleye and perch on points and narrows.LIVE BAIT PRO TIP. Cast glow spoons into seams at dawn and retrieve with short ripping strips. Vertical jig with slow hops and tip jigs with a pea size skein piece for scent.TIGHT LINES BAIT MAN OUT See MoreSee Less

Buc’s Fishing Report — 09-18-2025
ON SITE UPDATE. Light winds and calm seas early this morning. A midday shift to northwest 5 to 15 knots with 1 to 2 foot waves is expected from Pentwater to Manistee.
MOON AND SOLUNAR BITES. Major bite window this morning roughly 09:50 to 11:50 AM Eastern.
WEATHER BRIEF. Partly sunny with a chance of a stray shower as winds turn northwest this afternoon.
RIVER FLOWS AND WATER TEMPERATURES.
Manistee River near Wellston Tippy Dam 1,740 cfs, gage 8.75 ft, water temp 63.9 F.
White River near Whitehall 204 cfs, gage 0.63 ft, temperature not reported.
Boardman River at Beitner Road Traverse City 178 cfs, gage 4.58 ft, temperature not reported.
Pere Marquette River at Scottville 368 cfs, gage 0.52 ft, temperature not reported.
Manistique River near Manistique 790 cfs, gage 3.30 ft, temperature not reported.
HOT SEVEN PIERS AND JIGGING FOCUS.
Frankfort. Salmon staging tight to the pier mouths at first light with spoons and short vertical jig hops.
Manistee. Harbor mouth and tailrace seams producing early on vertical jigs.
Ludington. Pier casting at dawn and deeper vertical marks off Big Sable points.
Whitehall. Salmon and steelhead 40 to 60 feet on glow spoons and tipped jigs.
Grand Haven. Pier action light with most fish marking 70 to 140 feet.
Muskegon. Scattered marks 80 to 120 feet with occasional pier bites on glow jigs.
Burt Lake Maple Bay. Fair for perch and occasional walleye on weed edges and points.
SALMON RIVER PRIORITY.
Manistee River near Wellston. Salmon staging at the mouth and lower tailrace pools, fish first light with beads or spawn sacks on short leaders.
White River below Hesperia Dam. Salmon holding in deep pools and tailrace holes, float drifts with beads or spawn sacks are producing.
Betsie River. Low flows with heavy staging in the lower river, fish will move after rain.
Boardman River. Salmon staging in deep pools and run to pool transitions, beads and floats effective.
Pere Marquette. Flows low for fall, watch gauges for upriver pushes after rain.
Manistique area. Salmon present in the harbor and river mouth, with good flows setting up for a push; include Newberry and Paradise waters in your plans.
SALMON TACTICS QUICK. Cast glow spoons into seams and retrieve with short ripping strips. Use slip bobber skein in calm or sliding pyramid rigs in current. Vertical jigging with slow 6 to 24 inch hops tipped with skein. River rigs at first light with 18 to 30 inch leaders, beads, and spawn sacks.
PERCH REPORT FULL MINNOWS FIRST.
White Lake. Yellow belly perch on the west end by the channel.
Pentwater Lake. Perch around docks and weedlines six to fifteen feet.
PM Lake. Perch in coves and docklines six to fourteen feet.
Manistee Lake. Perch and bluegill on small minnows and perch rigs.
Portage Lake Onekama. Perch on weedbeds near thirty eight feet mid morning.
Big Glen. Perch on the first break around forty feet on wigglers and minnows with sorting.
Northport. A few perch in thirty eight feet on weedbeds.
Bowers Harbor. Perch near the launch and breakwall six to twelve feet.
Skegemog Torch Channel. Perch on weed edges six to fifteen feet on minnows.
Torch Lake. Perch on structure and ledges ten to twenty five feet.
Burt Lake Maple Bay. Perch and walleye on humps and weed edges eight to eighteen feet.
Black Lake. Perch on flats and weed cuts six to twelve feet.
Otsego Lake. Perch in shallow bays eight to fifteen feet.
Mullett Lake. Perch on weed edges eight to eighteen feet.
Lake Charlevoix. Perch along rockpiles and docklines six to fourteen feet.
Lake Leelanau south end. Small perch near the Cedar River.
Long Lake Traverse City. Perch on small rigs with minnows.
Green Lake Traverse City. Perch on minnows and crawler chunks under slip bobbers.
Muskegon Lake. Perch at Sand Docks, Bear Lake Channel, and Snug Harbor on minnows or Perch Pounder rigs.
Houghton Lake. North weed bed producing perch on minnows.
TOP 15 INLAND LAKES.
Lake Cadillac. Smallmouth and largemouth on humps and weed edges, panfish on minnows.
Lake Mitchell. Largemouth and panfish near lily pads and stumps.
Lake St Helen. Pike and largemouth in weedy bays, panfish on small jigs.
Higgins Lake. Deep smallmouth structure and lake trout on vertical jigs.
Fremont Lake. Bass and pike on weedlines and points.
Elk Lake. Deep smallmouth and lake trout.
Walloon Lake. Smallmouth and largemouth on points and rocks.
Lake Missaukee. Bluegill and largemouth in shallow bays.
Holton Lake. Bass and panfish around docks and weed edges.
Crystal Lake Greenville. Largemouth and panfish with small jigs.
Wabasis Lake. Bass and panfish near public access.
Long Lake Greenville. Bass and panfish on drop shot rigs.
Sunrise Lake LeRoy. Bass and panfish with topwater early.
Penasa Lake LeRoy. Panfish and bass on minnows.
Tamarack Lake Lakeview. Largemouth and pike on spinnerbaits and minnows.
TOP 10 UP HOTSPOTS.
Little Bay De Noc. Walleye and perch.
Munising Grand Island. Lake trout reefs and ledges.
Marquette. Lake trout on drop offs.
Keweenaw Copper Harbor. Trout and salmon on rocky points.
Escanaba Big Bay De Noc. Walleye and smallmouth.
St Marys River Sault Ste Marie. Salmon and steelhead in seams.
Portage Entry Grand Marais. Lake trout and salmon.
Tahquamenon Bay river mouths. Walleye and panfish on weedlines.
Drummond Island and Les Cheneux. Smallmouth and walleye.
Au Train Ford River area. Trout walleye and perch on points and narrows.
LIVE BAIT PRO TIP. Cast glow spoons into seams at dawn and retrieve with short ripping strips. Vertical jig with slow hops and tip jigs with a pea size skein piece for scent.
TIGHT LINES BAIT MAN OUT

Buc’s Fishing Report — 09-17-2025

ON SITE UPDATE. Light nearshore winds this morning and calm seas in most harbors. Recent wind driven mixing has pushed most salmon tight to pier mouths and harbor entrances so trolling is parked and pier casting and short vertical jigging are the best bets today.MOON AND SOLUNAR BITES. Major bite window this morning roughly 09:29 to 11:29 AM Eastern.WEATHER BRIEF. Mostly sunny with a possible afternoon sea breeze shift, check wind direction before you launch.RIVER FLOWS AND WATER TEMPERATURES.Manistee River near Wellston Tippy Dam 1,730 cfs, gage 8.82 ft, water temp 63.1 F.White River near Whitehall 207 cfs, gage 0.63 ft, temperature not reported at this station.Boardman River at Beitner Road Traverse City 181 cfs, gage 4.59 ft, temperature not reported at this station.Pere Marquette at Scottville 373 cfs, gage 0.54 ft, temperature not reported at this station.Manistique River near Manistique 803 cfs, gage 3.35 ft, temperature not reported at this station.HOT SEVEN PIERS AND JIGGING FOCUS.Frankfort. Pier mouths are staging fish and pier casting glow spoons and short vertical jigs are producing best at first light.Manistee. Pier and river mouth seams are producing with vertical jigging showing Chinook and coho.Ludington. Pier casting spoons early and deeper vertical marks near Big Sable points are producing fish.Whitehall. Pier and nearshore jigging producing salmon and steelhead 40 to 60 feet on glow spoons and tipped jigs.Grand Haven. Pier action is light for salmon while most fish mark 70 to 140 feet with a few coho coming to spoons.Muskegon. Pier and basin marks are scattered and boats are finding fish 80 to 120 feet and jigging glow plugs.Burt Lake Maple Bay. Fair for perch and occasional walleye, fish weed edges and points and expect sorting.SALMON RIVER PRIORITY.Manistee River near Wellston. Many salmon are staging at the mouth and lower tailrace pools, fish first light with beads spawn sacks and short leader drift presentations.White River below Hesperia Dam. Salmon are staging in deep pools and tailrace holes, float drifts with beads and spawn sacks on short leaders are producing.Betsie River. Low flows with heavy staging reported in lower reaches and upriver pushes likely after rain.Boardman River. Fish are staging in deeper holding pools and tailrace sections, work run to pool transitions with subtle float and bead presentations.Pere Marquette. Flows are low near early fall levels, watch gauge readings for upriver pushes after rain.Manistique area. Include Manistique Newberry and Paradise area lakes and harbors in your plans as flows are healthy this morning.SALMON TACTICS QUICK. Cast glow spoons into the seam and retrieve with short ripping strips, use a slip bobber skein in calm and a sliding pyramid or mesh bag skein in current, and vertical jig with slow 6 to 24 inch hops tipping jigs with a pea size skein piece. River fish first light with 18 to 30 inch leaders using beads or spawn sacks.PERCH REPORT FULL MINNOWS FIRST. Perch are slow but improving and minnows on slip bobbers or perch rigs remain the top presentation.White Lake. Yellow belly perch on the west end by the channel and bluegill on Eagles flats are taking minnows on slip bobbers.Pentwater Lake. Perch around docks and weedlines six to fifteen feet are taking minnows on perch rigs.PM Lake. Perch in coves and docklines six to fourteen feet are taking minnows on perch rigs.Manistee Lake. Perch and bluegill are taking minnows and small perch rigs.Portage Lake Onekama. A few perch on weedbeds around thirty eight feet are showing mid morning on minnows.Big Glen. Perch on the first break around forty feet are coming on wigglers and minnows on Perch Pounder rigs with lots of small fish and sorting required.Northport. A few perch are being taken around thirty eight feet on weedbeds with no large schools yet.Bowers Harbor. Perch around the launch and breakwall six to twelve feet are taking minnows on short leaders.Skegemog Torch Channel. Perch on weed edges and narrows six to fifteen feet are taking slip bobber minnows.Torch Lake. Perch on structure and ledges ten to twenty five feet are taking minnows or short drop shot.Burt Lake Maple Bay. Perch and occasional walleye on weed edges and humps eight to eighteen feet are taking minnows on slip floats.Black Lake. Perch on flats and weed cuts six to twelve feet are taking slip bobber minnows.Otsego Lake. Perch near shallow bays eight to fifteen feet are taking perch rigs with minnows.Mullett Lake. Perch on weed edges eight to eighteen feet are taking slip bobber minnows.Lake Charlevoix. Perch along rockpiles and docklines six to fourteen feet are taking short leaders with minnows.Lake Leelanau south end. Small perch by the Cedar River are taking minnows.Long Lake Traverse City. Perch on small rigs are taking minnows.Green Lake Traverse City. Perch are taking minnows small worms or crawler chunks on small slip bobbers.Muskegon Lake. Perch on small minnows wigglers or Perch Pounder rigs on the bottom around Sand Docks Bear Lake Channel and Snug Harbor are producing.Houghton Lake. North weed bed producing perch on minnows and small perch rigs.TOP 15 INLAND LAKES.Lake Cadillac. Smallmouth and largemouth around humps and weed edges, panfish on minnows and waxworms.Lake Mitchell. Largemouth and panfish near lily pads and stumps.Lake St Helen. Pike and largemouth in weedy bays and panfish on small jigs.Higgins Lake. Deep smallmouth structure and lake trout opportunities on vertical jigs.Fremont Lake. Bass and pike around weedlines and points.Elk Lake. Deep smallmouth and lake trout water.Walloon Lake. Smallmouth and largemouth on points and rocks.Lake Missaukee. Bluegill and largemouth in shallow weedy bays.Holton Lake. Bass and panfish around docks and weed edges.Crystal Lake Greenville. Town lake panfish and largemouth opportunities.Wabasis Lake. Bass and panfish near public access.Long Lake Greenville. Bass and panfish with drop shot and slip bobbers.Sunrise Lake LeRoy. Park lake with topwater early and small jigs.Penasa Lake LeRoy. Quiet panfish and bass action.Tamarack Lake Lakeview. All sports lake producing largemouth and pike.TOP 10 UP HOTSPOTS.Little Bay De Noc. Walleye and perch.Munising Grand Island. Lake trout reefs and ledges.Marquette. Lake trout on steep drop offs.Keweenaw Copper Harbor. Trout and salmon on rocky points.Escanaba Big Bay De Noc. Walleye and smallmouth.St Marys River Sault Ste Marie. Salmon and steelhead in current seams.Portage Entry Grand Marais. Lake trout and salmon.Tahquamenon Bay river mouths. Walleye and panfish on weedlines.Drummond Island and Les Cheneux. Smallmouth and walleye.Au Train Ford River area. Trout walleye and perch on points and narrows.LIVE BAIT PRO TIP. For pier anglers cast a glow spoon and use a short ripping retrieve into the seam, and for vertical jigging let the jig fall to the mark then use slow hops and tip the jig with a pea size skein piece for extra scent.TIGHT LINES BAIT MAN OUT See MoreSee Less

Buc’s Fishing Report — 09-17-2025
ON SITE UPDATE. Light nearshore winds this morning and calm seas in most harbors. Recent wind driven mixing has pushed most salmon tight to pier mouths and harbor entrances so trolling is parked and pier casting and short vertical jigging are the best bets today.
MOON AND SOLUNAR BITES. Major bite window this morning roughly 09:29 to 11:29 AM Eastern.
WEATHER BRIEF. Mostly sunny with a possible afternoon sea breeze shift, check wind direction before you launch.
RIVER FLOWS AND WATER TEMPERATURES.
Manistee River near Wellston Tippy Dam 1,730 cfs, gage 8.82 ft, water temp 63.1 F.
White River near Whitehall 207 cfs, gage 0.63 ft, temperature not reported at this station.
Boardman River at Beitner Road Traverse City 181 cfs, gage 4.59 ft, temperature not reported at this station.
Pere Marquette at Scottville 373 cfs, gage 0.54 ft, temperature not reported at this station.
Manistique River near Manistique 803 cfs, gage 3.35 ft, temperature not reported at this station.
HOT SEVEN PIERS AND JIGGING FOCUS.
Frankfort. Pier mouths are staging fish and pier casting glow spoons and short vertical jigs are producing best at first light.
Manistee. Pier and river mouth seams are producing with vertical jigging showing Chinook and coho.
Ludington. Pier casting spoons early and deeper vertical marks near Big Sable points are producing fish.
Whitehall. Pier and nearshore jigging producing salmon and steelhead 40 to 60 feet on glow spoons and tipped jigs.
Grand Haven. Pier action is light for salmon while most fish mark 70 to 140 feet with a few coho coming to spoons.
Muskegon. Pier and basin marks are scattered and boats are finding fish 80 to 120 feet and jigging glow plugs.
Burt Lake Maple Bay. Fair for perch and occasional walleye, fish weed edges and points and expect sorting.
SALMON RIVER PRIORITY.
Manistee River near Wellston. Many salmon are staging at the mouth and lower tailrace pools, fish first light with beads spawn sacks and short leader drift presentations.
White River below Hesperia Dam. Salmon are staging in deep pools and tailrace holes, float drifts with beads and spawn sacks on short leaders are producing.
Betsie River. Low flows with heavy staging reported in lower reaches and upriver pushes likely after rain.
Boardman River. Fish are staging in deeper holding pools and tailrace sections, work run to pool transitions with subtle float and bead presentations.
Pere Marquette. Flows are low near early fall levels, watch gauge readings for upriver pushes after rain.
Manistique area. Include Manistique Newberry and Paradise area lakes and harbors in your plans as flows are healthy this morning.
SALMON TACTICS QUICK. Cast glow spoons into the seam and retrieve with short ripping strips, use a slip bobber skein in calm and a sliding pyramid or mesh bag skein in current, and vertical jig with slow 6 to 24 inch hops tipping jigs with a pea size skein piece. River fish first light with 18 to 30 inch leaders using beads or spawn sacks.
PERCH REPORT FULL MINNOWS FIRST. Perch are slow but improving and minnows on slip bobbers or perch rigs remain the top presentation.
White Lake. Yellow belly perch on the west end by the channel and bluegill on Eagles flats are taking minnows on slip bobbers.
Pentwater Lake. Perch around docks and weedlines six to fifteen feet are taking minnows on perch rigs.
PM Lake. Perch in coves and docklines six to fourteen feet are taking minnows on perch rigs.
Manistee Lake. Perch and bluegill are taking minnows and small perch rigs.
Portage Lake Onekama. A few perch on weedbeds around thirty eight feet are showing mid morning on minnows.
Big Glen. Perch on the first break around forty feet are coming on wigglers and minnows on Perch Pounder rigs with lots of small fish and sorting required.
Northport. A few perch are being taken around thirty eight feet on weedbeds with no large schools yet.
Bowers Harbor. Perch around the launch and breakwall six to twelve feet are taking minnows on short leaders.
Skegemog Torch Channel. Perch on weed edges and narrows six to fifteen feet are taking slip bobber minnows.
Torch Lake. Perch on structure and ledges ten to twenty five feet are taking minnows or short drop shot.
Burt Lake Maple Bay. Perch and occasional walleye on weed edges and humps eight to eighteen feet are taking minnows on slip floats.
Black Lake. Perch on flats and weed cuts six to twelve feet are taking slip bobber minnows.
Otsego Lake. Perch near shallow bays eight to fifteen feet are taking perch rigs with minnows.
Mullett Lake. Perch on weed edges eight to eighteen feet are taking slip bobber minnows.
Lake Charlevoix. Perch along rockpiles and docklines six to fourteen feet are taking short leaders with minnows.
Lake Leelanau south end. Small perch by the Cedar River are taking minnows.
Long Lake Traverse City. Perch on small rigs are taking minnows.
Green Lake Traverse City. Perch are taking minnows small worms or crawler chunks on small slip bobbers.
Muskegon Lake. Perch on small minnows wigglers or Perch Pounder rigs on the bottom around Sand Docks Bear Lake Channel and Snug Harbor are producing.
Houghton Lake. North weed bed producing perch on minnows and small perch rigs.
TOP 15 INLAND LAKES.
Lake Cadillac. Smallmouth and largemouth around humps and weed edges, panfish on minnows and waxworms.
Lake Mitchell. Largemouth and panfish near lily pads and stumps.
Lake St Helen. Pike and largemouth in weedy bays and panfish on small jigs.
Higgins Lake. Deep smallmouth structure and lake trout opportunities on vertical jigs.
Fremont Lake. Bass and pike around weedlines and points.
Elk Lake. Deep smallmouth and lake trout water.
Walloon Lake. Smallmouth and largemouth on points and rocks.
Lake Missaukee. Bluegill and largemouth in shallow weedy bays.
Holton Lake. Bass and panfish around docks and weed edges.
Crystal Lake Greenville. Town lake panfish and largemouth opportunities.
Wabasis Lake. Bass and panfish near public access.
Long Lake Greenville. Bass and panfish with drop shot and slip bobbers.
Sunrise Lake LeRoy. Park lake with topwater early and small jigs.
Penasa Lake LeRoy. Quiet panfish and bass action.
Tamarack Lake Lakeview. All sports lake producing largemouth and pike.
TOP 10 UP HOTSPOTS.
Little Bay De Noc. Walleye and perch.
Munising Grand Island. Lake trout reefs and ledges.
Marquette. Lake trout on steep drop offs.
Keweenaw Copper Harbor. Trout and salmon on rocky points.
Escanaba Big Bay De Noc. Walleye and smallmouth.
St Marys River Sault Ste Marie. Salmon and steelhead in current seams.
Portage Entry Grand Marais. Lake trout and salmon.
Tahquamenon Bay river mouths. Walleye and panfish on weedlines.
Drummond Island and Les Cheneux. Smallmouth and walleye.
Au Train Ford River area. Trout walleye and perch on points and narrows.
LIVE BAIT PRO TIP. For pier anglers cast a glow spoon and use a short ripping retrieve into the seam, and for vertical jigging let the jig fall to the mark then use slow hops and tip the jig with a pea size skein piece for extra scent.
TIGHT LINES BAIT MAN OUT

Buc’s Fishing Report — 09-16-2025

ON SITE UPDATE. Light nearshore winds this morning. Recent wind driven mixing pushed salmon tight to pier mouths and harbor entrances. Trolling is largely parked and anglers are switching to pier casting and vertical jigging in harbor mouths and tailrace seams.MOON AND SOLUNAR BITES. Moon waning crescent about 26 percent illumination. Major bite window ET 08:35 to 10:35 AM and 09:02 to 11:02 PM. Minor bite windows ET 12:44 to 01:44 AM and 05:12 to 06:12 PM. Check local solunar charts for minute by minute windows.WEATHER BRIEF. Mostly sunny today with morning mist and light variable nearshore winds. Watch for an afternoon sea breeze shift with slightly stronger onshore winds late day.BAROMETER. Traverse City about 30.24 inHg. Manistee about 30.24 inHg. Ludington about 30.11 inHg.RIVER FLOWS AND WATER TEMPS, instantaneous readingsManistee River near Wellston Tippy Dam, discharge 1,550 cubic feet per second, gage 8.71 feet, water temperature 64.2 degrees Fahrenheit, reading timestamp 09-16-2025 04:30 Eastern.White River near Whitehall, discharge 215 cubic feet per second, gage 0.64 feet, no continuous water temperature reported at this station, reading timestamp 09-16-2025 04:15 Eastern.Boardman River at Beitner Road Traverse City, discharge 181 cubic feet per second, gage 4.59 feet, no continuous water temperature reported on this station page, reading timestamp 09-16-2025 04:00 Eastern.Betsie River USGS station Benzonia US 31 online for current instantaneous values. Check station page for the latest discharge and temperature read.Pere Marquette River near Baldwin station page online for current flow and temperature. Check station page for latest instantaneous read.HOT SEVEN PIERS AND JIGGING FOCUSFRANKFORT. Pier mouths staging fish. Pier casting glow spoons and short vertical jig hops producing best at first light.MANISTEE. Pier and river mouth action headline. Vertical jigging and pier casting into seams producing Chinook and coho in morning marks. Guides report fish holding in lower harbor and tailrace areas.LUDINGTON. Pier casting spoons early and small boat vertical jigging near Big Sable points producing fish on deeper marks.WHITEHALL. Pier and nearshore jigging producing salmon and steelhead 40 to 60 feet on glow spoons and tipped jigs.GRAND HAVEN. Light pier action for salmon today. Most fish marking deeper 70 to 140 feet though a few coho are still showing to spoons.MUSKEGON PIER. Piers and basin producing scattered fish. Boats finding marks 80 to 120 feet and jigging glow plugs where fish hold.BURT LAKE MAPLE BAY. Fair for perch and occasional walleye. Fish weed edges and points and expect sorting.SALMON RIVER DETAILED PRIORITYMANISTEE RIVER near Wellston. Many salmon staging at the mouth and in lower tailrace pools. Fish first light with beads spawn sacks and short leader drift presentations. Target deeper seams and tailrace slots. Discharge 1,550 cfs, gage 8.71 feet, water temp 64.2 F at 04:30 Eastern.WHITE RIVER below HESPERIA DAM. Salmon staging in deep pools and tailrace holes below the dam. Float drifts bead and spawn sack rigs and short leaders through tailrace seams are producing. Station shows 215 cfs discharge and gage 0.64 feet at 04:15 Eastern. Temperature not reported on this station page.BETSIE RIVER. Low flows but heavy staging reported in lower reaches. Fish concentrated near the mouth and moving upriver after rain pulses. Check USGS station page for latest instantaneous read.BOARDMAN RIVER. Fish staging in deeper holding pools and tailrace sections. Work run to pool transitions with subtle float and bead presentations. Station near Traverse City shows 181 cfs discharge and gage 4.59 feet at 04:00 Eastern.PERE MARQUETTE BALDWIN. Flows low near typical early fall levels. Watch gauge readings for upriver pushes after rain. See station page for current flow and temperature.TIPPY DAM WELLSTON TAILRACE. Tailrace and downstream pools holding salmon. Drift spawn and bead rigs along seams and target deeper tailrace slots at first light.SALMON TACTICS QUICK. Pier cast spoons or small plugs into the seam and retrieve with short ripping strips. Use a slip bobber skein in calm and a sliding pyramid or mesh bag skein in current. Vertical jigging tip let the jig fall to the mark then use slow 6 to 24 inch hops with pauses and tip Mission Luna or P Line glow jigs with a pea size skein piece. River fish first light use 18 to 30 inch leaders with beads or spawn sacks and try a small skein under a slip bobber for a scent forward presentation.PERCH REPORT FULL MINNOWS FIRSTPerch summary Slow but improving. Primary presentation minnows on perch rigs or slip bobbers with wigglers or Perch Pounder bottom rigs for deep schools and drop shot with a crawler chunk as a follow up. Local reports show perch on first breaks and weed edges in multiple inland lakes.WHITE LAKE. Yellow belly perch on the west end by the channel and bluegill on Eagles flats. Minnows on slip bobbers.PENTWATER LAKE. Perch around docks and weedlines six to fifteen feet. Minnows on perch rigs.PM LAKE. Perch in coves and docklines six to fourteen feet. Minnows on perch rigs.MANISTEE LAKE. Perch and bluegill taking minnows and small perch rigs.PORTAGE LAKE ONEKAMA. A few perch in thirty eight feet on weedbeds with best window about nine to ten thirty in the morning. Minnows working best.BIG GLEN. Perch on the first break around forty feet on wigglers and minnows on Perch Pounders. Lots of small fish and sorting required.NORTHPORT. A few perch being taken in approximately thirty eight feet on weedbeds. No large schools found in the usual hotspots.BOWERS HARBOR. Perch around the launch and breakwall six to twelve feet. Minnows on short leaders.SKEGEMOG TORCH CHANNEL. Perch on weed edges and narrows six to fifteen feet. Slip bobber minnows.TORCH LAKE. Perch on structure and ledges ten to twenty five feet. Minnows or short drop shot.BURT LAKE MAPLE BAY. Perch and occasional walleye on weed edges and humps eight to eighteen feet. Minnows on slip floats.BLACK LAKE. Perch on flats and weed cuts six to twelve feet. Slip bobber minnows.OTSEGO LAKE. Perch near shallow bays eight to fifteen feet. Perch rigs with minnows.MULLETT LAKE. Perch on weed edges eight to eighteen feet. Slip bobber minnows.LAKE CHARLEVOIX. Perch along rockpiles and docklines six to fourteen feet. Short leaders with minnows.LAKE LEELANAU south end by the Cedar River. Small perch on the south end by the Cedar River. Minnows best.LONG LAKE TRAVERSE CITY. Perch on small rigs and minnows.GREEN LAKE TRAVERSE CITY. Perch on minnows small worms or crawler chunks with small slip bobbers.MUSKEGON LAKE. Perch on small minnows wigglers or Perch Pounder rigs on the bottom. Sand Docks Bear Lake Channel and Snug Harbor are top spots and electronics help locate schools.HOUGHTON LAKE. North weed bed producing perch. Minnows and small perch rigs on slip bobbers.TOP 15 INLAND LAKESLAKE CADILLAC. Smallmouth and largemouth around humps and weed edges. Drop shot crawlers shaky head plastics and weedless frogs with bluegill on minnows and waxworms.LAKE MITCHELL. Largemouth and panfish near lily pads and stumps. Weedless soft plastics and small jigs.LAKE ST HELEN. Pike and largemouth in weedy bays. Spinnerbaits bucktails and topwater frogs early with panfish on small jigs.HIGGINS LAKE. Deep smallmouth and lake trout structure. Vertical jigs and drop shot minnows for smallmouth with panfish on small jigs and minnows.FREMONT LAKE. Bass and pike around weedlines and points. Spinnerbaits and crankbaits with panfish on minnows.ELK LAKE. Deep smallmouth and lake trout water. Vertical jigs and drop shot minnows.WALLOON LAKE. Smallmouth and largemouth on points and rocks. Drop shot jerkbaits and medium swimbaits with panfish on small baits.LAKE MISSAUKEE. Bluegill and largemouth in shallow weedy bays. Minnows and waxworms under bobbers.HOLTON LAKE. Bass and panfish around docks and weed edges. Small jigs and slip bobbers with minnows.CRYSTAL LAKE GREENVILLE. Town lake for panfish and largemouth. Small jigs and slip bobbers.WABASIS LAKE. Public access lake near Greenville producing bass and panfish. Spinnerbaits and minnows.LONG LAKE GREENVILLE. Local favorite with boat access and bass and panfish opportunities. Drop shot and slip bobbers.SUNRISE LAKE LEROY. Park lake near LeRoy with bass and panfish. Topwater early and small jigs.PENASA LAKE LEROY. Quiet local lake producing panfish and bass. Minnows and small plastics.TAMARACK LAKE LAKEVIEW. All sports Tamarack Lake producing largemouth and pike. Spinnerbaits and live minnows.TOP 10 UP HOTSPOTS 1. Little Bay De Noc walleye and perch. 2. Munising Grand Island lake trout reefs and ledges. 3. Marquette lake trout steep drop offs. 4. Keweenaw Copper Harbor trout and salmon on rocky points. 5. Escanaba Big Bay De Noc walleye and smallmouth. 6. St Marys River Sault Ste Marie salmon and steelhead in current seams. 7. Portage Entry Grand Marais lake trout and salmon. 8. Tahquamenon Bay river mouths walleye and panfish on weedlines. 9. Drummond Island Les Cheneux smallmouth and walleye. 10. Au Train Ford River area trout walleye and perch on points and narrows.LIVE BAIT PRO TIP. For pier anglers cast a glow spoon and use a short ripping retrieve into the seam. For vertical jigging let the jig fall to the mark and use slow 6 to 24 inch hops with a pause and tip jigs with a pea size skein piece for extra scent.TIGHT LINES BAIT MAN OUT#LiveBait #bucsbait #pierfishing #jigging #perch #tightlines See MoreSee Less

Buc’s Fishing Report — 09-16-2025
ON SITE UPDATE. Light nearshore winds this morning. Recent wind driven mixing pushed salmon tight to pier mouths and harbor entrances. Trolling is largely parked and anglers are switching to pier casting and vertical jigging in harbor mouths and tailrace seams.
MOON AND SOLUNAR BITES. Moon waning crescent about 26 percent illumination. Major bite window ET 08:35 to 10:35 AM and 09:02 to 11:02 PM. Minor bite windows ET 12:44 to 01:44 AM and 05:12 to 06:12 PM. Check local solunar charts for minute by minute windows.
WEATHER BRIEF. Mostly sunny today with morning mist and light variable nearshore winds. Watch for an afternoon sea breeze shift with slightly stronger onshore winds late day.
BAROMETER. Traverse City about 30.24 inHg. Manistee about 30.24 inHg. Ludington about 30.11 inHg.
RIVER FLOWS AND WATER TEMPS, instantaneous readings
Manistee River near Wellston Tippy Dam, discharge 1,550 cubic feet per second, gage 8.71 feet, water temperature 64.2 degrees Fahrenheit, reading timestamp 09-16-2025 04:30 Eastern.
White River near Whitehall, discharge 215 cubic feet per second, gage 0.64 feet, no continuous water temperature reported at this station, reading timestamp 09-16-2025 04:15 Eastern.
Boardman River at Beitner Road Traverse City, discharge 181 cubic feet per second, gage 4.59 feet, no continuous water temperature reported on this station page, reading timestamp 09-16-2025 04:00 Eastern.
Betsie River USGS station Benzonia US 31 online for current instantaneous values. Check station page for the latest discharge and temperature read.
Pere Marquette River near Baldwin station page online for current flow and temperature. Check station page for latest instantaneous read.
HOT SEVEN PIERS AND JIGGING FOCUS
FRANKFORT. Pier mouths staging fish. Pier casting glow spoons and short vertical jig hops producing best at first light.
MANISTEE. Pier and river mouth action headline. Vertical jigging and pier casting into seams producing Chinook and coho in morning marks. Guides report fish holding in lower harbor and tailrace areas.
LUDINGTON. Pier casting spoons early and small boat vertical jigging near Big Sable points producing fish on deeper marks.
WHITEHALL. Pier and nearshore jigging producing salmon and steelhead 40 to 60 feet on glow spoons and tipped jigs.
GRAND HAVEN. Light pier action for salmon today. Most fish marking deeper 70 to 140 feet though a few coho are still showing to spoons.
MUSKEGON PIER. Piers and basin producing scattered fish. Boats finding marks 80 to 120 feet and jigging glow plugs where fish hold.
BURT LAKE MAPLE BAY. Fair for perch and occasional walleye. Fish weed edges and points and expect sorting.
SALMON RIVER DETAILED PRIORITY
MANISTEE RIVER near Wellston. Many salmon staging at the mouth and in lower tailrace pools. Fish first light with beads spawn sacks and short leader drift presentations. Target deeper seams and tailrace slots. Discharge 1,550 cfs, gage 8.71 feet, water temp 64.2 F at 04:30 Eastern.
WHITE RIVER below HESPERIA DAM. Salmon staging in deep pools and tailrace holes below the dam. Float drifts bead and spawn sack rigs and short leaders through tailrace seams are producing. Station shows 215 cfs discharge and gage 0.64 feet at 04:15 Eastern. Temperature not reported on this station page.
BETSIE RIVER. Low flows but heavy staging reported in lower reaches. Fish concentrated near the mouth and moving upriver after rain pulses. Check USGS station page for latest instantaneous read.
BOARDMAN RIVER. Fish staging in deeper holding pools and tailrace sections. Work run to pool transitions with subtle float and bead presentations. Station near Traverse City shows 181 cfs discharge and gage 4.59 feet at 04:00 Eastern.
PERE MARQUETTE BALDWIN. Flows low near typical early fall levels. Watch gauge readings for upriver pushes after rain. See station page for current flow and temperature.
TIPPY DAM WELLSTON TAILRACE. Tailrace and downstream pools holding salmon. Drift spawn and bead rigs along seams and target deeper tailrace slots at first light.
SALMON TACTICS QUICK. Pier cast spoons or small plugs into the seam and retrieve with short ripping strips. Use a slip bobber skein in calm and a sliding pyramid or mesh bag skein in current. Vertical jigging tip let the jig fall to the mark then use slow 6 to 24 inch hops with pauses and tip Mission Luna or P Line glow jigs with a pea size skein piece. River fish first light use 18 to 30 inch leaders with beads or spawn sacks and try a small skein under a slip bobber for a scent forward presentation.
PERCH REPORT FULL MINNOWS FIRST
Perch summary Slow but improving. Primary presentation minnows on perch rigs or slip bobbers with wigglers or Perch Pounder bottom rigs for deep schools and drop shot with a crawler chunk as a follow up. Local reports show perch on first breaks and weed edges in multiple inland lakes.
WHITE LAKE. Yellow belly perch on the west end by the channel and bluegill on Eagles flats. Minnows on slip bobbers.
PENTWATER LAKE. Perch around docks and weedlines six to fifteen feet. Minnows on perch rigs.
PM LAKE. Perch in coves and docklines six to fourteen feet. Minnows on perch rigs.
MANISTEE LAKE. Perch and bluegill taking minnows and small perch rigs.
PORTAGE LAKE ONEKAMA. A few perch in thirty eight feet on weedbeds with best window about nine to ten thirty in the morning. Minnows working best.
BIG GLEN. Perch on the first break around forty feet on wigglers and minnows on Perch Pounders. Lots of small fish and sorting required.
NORTHPORT. A few perch being taken in approximately thirty eight feet on weedbeds. No large schools found in the usual hotspots.
BOWERS HARBOR. Perch around the launch and breakwall six to twelve feet. Minnows on short leaders.
SKEGEMOG TORCH CHANNEL. Perch on weed edges and narrows six to fifteen feet. Slip bobber minnows.
TORCH LAKE. Perch on structure and ledges ten to twenty five feet. Minnows or short drop shot.
BURT LAKE MAPLE BAY. Perch and occasional walleye on weed edges and humps eight to eighteen feet. Minnows on slip floats.
BLACK LAKE. Perch on flats and weed cuts six to twelve feet. Slip bobber minnows.
OTSEGO LAKE. Perch near shallow bays eight to fifteen feet. Perch rigs with minnows.
MULLETT LAKE. Perch on weed edges eight to eighteen feet. Slip bobber minnows.
LAKE CHARLEVOIX. Perch along rockpiles and docklines six to fourteen feet. Short leaders with minnows.
LAKE LEELANAU south end by the Cedar River. Small perch on the south end by the Cedar River. Minnows best.
LONG LAKE TRAVERSE CITY. Perch on small rigs and minnows.
GREEN LAKE TRAVERSE CITY. Perch on minnows small worms or crawler chunks with small slip bobbers.
MUSKEGON LAKE. Perch on small minnows wigglers or Perch Pounder rigs on the bottom. Sand Docks Bear Lake Channel and Snug Harbor are top spots and electronics help locate schools.
HOUGHTON LAKE. North weed bed producing perch. Minnows and small perch rigs on slip bobbers.
TOP 15 INLAND LAKES
LAKE CADILLAC. Smallmouth and largemouth around humps and weed edges. Drop shot crawlers shaky head plastics and weedless frogs with bluegill on minnows and waxworms.
LAKE MITCHELL. Largemouth and panfish near lily pads and stumps. Weedless soft plastics and small jigs.
LAKE ST HELEN. Pike and largemouth in weedy bays. Spinnerbaits bucktails and topwater frogs early with panfish on small jigs.
HIGGINS LAKE. Deep smallmouth and lake trout structure. Vertical jigs and drop shot minnows for smallmouth with panfish on small jigs and minnows.
FREMONT LAKE. Bass and pike around weedlines and points. Spinnerbaits and crankbaits with panfish on minnows.
ELK LAKE. Deep smallmouth and lake trout water. Vertical jigs and drop shot minnows.
WALLOON LAKE. Smallmouth and largemouth on points and rocks. Drop shot jerkbaits and medium swimbaits with panfish on small baits.
LAKE MISSAUKEE. Bluegill and largemouth in shallow weedy bays. Minnows and waxworms under bobbers.
HOLTON LAKE. Bass and panfish around docks and weed edges. Small jigs and slip bobbers with minnows.
CRYSTAL LAKE GREENVILLE. Town lake for panfish and largemouth. Small jigs and slip bobbers.
WABASIS LAKE. Public access lake near Greenville producing bass and panfish. Spinnerbaits and minnows.
LONG LAKE GREENVILLE. Local favorite with boat access and bass and panfish opportunities. Drop shot and slip bobbers.
SUNRISE LAKE LEROY. Park lake near LeRoy with bass and panfish. Topwater early and small jigs.
PENASA LAKE LEROY. Quiet local lake producing panfish and bass. Minnows and small plastics.
TAMARACK LAKE LAKEVIEW. All sports Tamarack Lake producing largemouth and pike. Spinnerbaits and live minnows.
TOP 10 UP HOTSPOTS
1. Little Bay De Noc walleye and perch.
2. Munising Grand Island lake trout reefs and ledges.
3. Marquette lake trout steep drop offs.
4. Keweenaw Copper Harbor trout and salmon on rocky points.
5. Escanaba Big Bay De Noc walleye and smallmouth.
6. St Marys River Sault Ste Marie salmon and steelhead in current seams.
7. Portage Entry Grand Marais lake trout and salmon.
8. Tahquamenon Bay river mouths walleye and panfish on weedlines.
9. Drummond Island Les Cheneux smallmouth and walleye.
10. Au Train Ford River area trout walleye and perch on points and narrows.
LIVE BAIT PRO TIP. For pier anglers cast a glow spoon and use a short ripping retrieve into the seam. For vertical jigging let the jig fall to the mark and use slow 6 to 24 inch hops with a pause and tip jigs with a pea size skein piece for extra scent.
TIGHT LINES BAIT MAN OUT
#LiveBait #bucsbait #pierfishing #jigging #perch #tightlines

Photos from DC Bronzies’s post See MoreSee Less

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Buc’s Fishing Report — 09-15-2025

ON-SITE UPDATE. Recent wind-driven mixing cooled surface water and pushed most salmon tight to pier mouths and harbor entrances; trolling is largely parked and anglers are switching to pier-casting and vertical jigging.MOON & SOLUNAR BITES. Waxing crescent about 43 percent illumination. Major Bite Window ET 04:30 to 06:30 AM. Minor Bite Windows ET 12:00 to 01:00 PM and 10:15 to 11:15 PM.WEATHER BRIEF. Mostly sunny today with morning mist and light variable nearshore winds.BAROMETER. Traverse City about 30.15 inHg. Manistee about 30.22 inHg. Ludington about 30.10 inHg.HOT SEVEN PIERS AND JIGGING FOCUSFRANKFORT. Pier mouths staging fish; pier-casting spoons and short vertical jig hops producing best at first light.MANISTEE. Vertical jigging and pier action headline; target lake-tailrace seams and deep pools with 2 ounce P-Line and 1 ounce Luna Mission glow jigs.LUDINGTON. Pier-casting spoons and small-boat vertical jigging producing near harbor marks and Big Sable points.WHITEHALL. Pier and nearshore jigging producing salmon and steelhead 40 to 60 feet on glow spoons and tipped jigs.GRAND HAVEN. Pier action light for salmon; most fish marking deeper 70 to 140 feet though a few coho are coming to spoons.MUSKEGON PIER. Piers and the basin producing scattered fish; boats finding fish 80 to 120 feet and jigging glow plugs where fish are marked.BURT LAKE MAPLE BAY. Fair for perch and occasional walleye; fish weed edges and points and expect sorting.SALMON RIVER DETAILED PRIORITYMANISTEE RIVER near Wellston Tippy. Flow about 1,640 cubic feet per second and gauge near typical early fall levels; many salmon are staging at the mouth so fish first light and target tailraces deep pools and main seams with beads spawn sacks or float rigs on short leaders.WHITE RIVER below HESPERIA DAM. Salmon staging in deep pools and tailrace holes below the dam; float-drifts bead and spawn-sack rigs and short leaders through tailrace seams and plunge pools are producing.BETSIE RIVER. Low flows but heavy staging reported in lower reaches; lots of salmon holding and moving in spurts after rain.BOARDMAN RIVER. Fish staging in deeper holding pools and tailrace sections; work run to pool transitions with subtle float and bead presentations.PERE MARQUETTE BALDWIN. Baldwin flow low near 430 cubic feet per second and Scottville near 380 cubic feet per second; recent rain bumped gauges slightly and may trigger upriver pushes so watch readings.TIPPY DAM WELLSTON TAILRACE. Tailrace and downstream pools holding salmon; drift spawn and bead rigs along seams and target deeper tailrace slots at first light.SALMON TACTICS QUICKPier cast spoons and small plugs into the seam and retrieve with short ripping strips. Use a slip-bobber skein in calm and a sliding-pyramid or mesh-bag skein in wind or current.Vertical jigging let the jig fall to the mark then use slow 6 to 24 inch hops with pauses and tip Mission Luna or P-Line glow jigs with a pea-size skein piece.River and tailrace fish first light use 18 to 30 inch leaders with beads or spawn sacks float-drift tailraces and try a small skein under a slip-bobber for a scent-forward presentation.PERCH REPORT FULL MINNOWS FIRSTPerch summary Slow but improving. Primary presentation is minnows on perch rigs or slip-bobbers with wigglers or Perch Pounder bottom rigs for deep schools and drop-shot with a crawler chunk as a follow-up.WHITE LAKE. Yellow-belly perch on the west end by the channel and bluegill on the Eagles flats; minnows on slip-bobbers.PENTWATER LAKE. Perch around docks and weedlines six to fifteen feet; minnows on perch rigs.PM LAKE. Perch in coves and docklines six to fourteen feet; minnows on perch rigs.MANISTEE LAKE. Perch and bluegill taking minnows and small perch rigs.PORTAGE LAKE ONEKAMA. A few perch in thirty eight feet on weedbeds with best window about nine to ten thirty in the morning; minnows working best.BIG GLEN. Perch on the first break around forty feet on wigglers and minnows on Perch Pounders with lots of small fish and sorting required.NORTHPORT. A few perch being taken in approximately thirty eight feet on weedbeds; no large schools found in the usual hotspots.BOWERS HARBOR. Perch around the launch and breakwall six to twelve feet; minnows on short leaders.SKEGEMOG TORCH CHANNEL. Perch on weed edges and narrows six to fifteen feet; slip-bobber minnows.TORCH LAKE. Perch on structure and ledges ten to twenty five feet; minnows or short drop-shot.BURT LAKE MAPLE BAY. Perch and occasional walleye on weed edges and humps eight to eighteen feet; minnows on slip floats.BLACK LAKE. Perch on flats and weed cuts six to twelve feet; slip-bobber minnows.OTSEGO LAKE. Perch near shallow bays eight to fifteen feet; perch rigs with minnows.MULLETT LAKE. Perch on weed edges eight to eighteen feet; slip-bobber minnows.LAKE CHARLEVOIX. Perch along rockpiles and docklines six to fourteen feet; short leaders with minnows.LAKE LEELANAU south end by the Cedar River. Small perch on the south end by the Cedar River; minnows best.LONG LAKE TRAVERSE CITY. Perch on small rigs and minnows.GREEN LAKE TRAVERSE CITY. Perch on minnows small worms or crawler chunks with small slip bobbers.MUSKEGON LAKE. Perch on small minnows wigglers or Perch Pounder rigs on the bottom; Sand Docks Bear Lake Channel and Snug Harbor are top spots and electronics help locate schools.HOUGHTON LAKE. North weed bed producing perch; minnows and small perch rigs on slip-bobbers.TOP 15 INLAND LAKESLAKE CADILLAC. Smallmouth and largemouth around humps and weed edges; drop-shot crawlers shaky-head plastics and weedless frogs with bluegill on minnows and waxworms.LAKE MITCHELL. Largemouth and panfish near lily pads and stumps; weedless soft plastics and small jigs.LAKE ST HELEN. Pike and largemouth in weedy bays; spinnerbaits bucktails and topwater frogs early with panfish on small jigs.HIGGINS LAKE. Deep smallmouth and lake trout structure; vertical jigs and drop-shot minnows for smallmouth with panfish on small jigs and minnows.FREMONT LAKE. Bass and pike around weedlines and points; spinnerbaits and crankbaits with panfish on minnows.ELK LAKE. Deep smallmouth and lake trout water; vertical jigs and drop-shot minnows.WALLOON LAKE. Smallmouth and largemouth on points and rocks; drop-shot jerkbaits and medium swimbaits with panfish on small baits.LAKE MISSAUKEE. Bluegill and largemouth in shallow weedy bays; minnows and waxworms under bobbers.HOLTON LAKE. Bass and panfish around docks and weed edges; small jigs and slip-bobbers with minnows.CRYSTAL LAKE GREENVILLE. Town lake for panfish and largemouth; small jigs and slip-bobbers.WABASIS LAKE. Public access lake near Greenville producing bass and panfish; spinnerbaits and minnows.LONG LAKE GREENVILLE. Local favorite with boat access and bass and panfish opportunities; drop-shot and slip-bobbers.SUNRISE LAKE LEROY. Park lake near LeRoy with bass and panfish; topwater early and small jigs.PENASA LAKE LEROY. Quiet local lake producing panfish and bass; minnows and small plastics.TAMARACK LAKE LAKEVIEW. All-sports Tamarack Lake producing largemouth and pike; spinnerbaits and live minnows.TOP 10 UP HOTSPOTS 1. LITTLE BAY DE NOC Walleye and perch. 2. MUNISING GRAND ISLAND Lake trout reefs and ledges. 3. MARQUETTE Lake trout steep drop-offs. 4. KEWEENAW COPPER HARBOR Trout and salmon on rocky points. 5. ESCANABA BIG BAY DE NOC Walleye and smallmouth. 6. ST MARYS RIVER SAULT STE MARIE Salmon and steelhead in current seams. 7. PORTAGE ENTRY GRAND MARAIS Lake trout and salmon. 8. TAHQUAMENON BAY RIVER MOUTHS Walleye and panfish on weedlines. 9. DRUMMOND ISLAND LES CHENEUX Smallmouth and walleye. 10. AU TRAIN FORD RIVER AREA Trout walleye and perch on points and narrows.LIVE BAIT PRO TIP. For pier anglers cast a glow spoon and use a short ripping retrieve into the seam. For vertical jigging let the jig fall to the mark and use slow 6 to 24 inch hops with a pause and tip jigs with a pea-size skein piece for extra scent.TIGHT LINES BAITMAN OUT#LiveBait #bucsbait #pierfishing #jigging #perch #tightlines See MoreSee Less

Buc’s Fishing Report — 09-15-2025
ON-SITE UPDATE. Recent wind-driven mixing cooled surface water and pushed most salmon tight to pier mouths and harbor entrances; trolling is largely parked and anglers are switching to pier-casting and vertical jigging.
MOON & SOLUNAR BITES. Waxing crescent about 43 percent illumination. Major Bite Window ET 04:30 to 06:30 AM. Minor Bite Windows ET 12:00 to 01:00 PM and 10:15 to 11:15 PM.
WEATHER BRIEF. Mostly sunny today with morning mist and light variable nearshore winds.
BAROMETER. Traverse City about 30.15 inHg. Manistee about 30.22 inHg. Ludington about 30.10 inHg.
HOT SEVEN PIERS AND JIGGING FOCUS
FRANKFORT. Pier mouths staging fish; pier-casting spoons and short vertical jig hops producing best at first light.
MANISTEE. Vertical jigging and pier action headline; target lake-tailrace seams and deep pools with 2 ounce P-Line and 1 ounce Luna Mission glow jigs.
LUDINGTON. Pier-casting spoons and small-boat vertical jigging producing near harbor marks and Big Sable points.
WHITEHALL. Pier and nearshore jigging producing salmon and steelhead 40 to 60 feet on glow spoons and tipped jigs.
GRAND HAVEN. Pier action light for salmon; most fish marking deeper 70 to 140 feet though a few coho are coming to spoons.
MUSKEGON PIER. Piers and the basin producing scattered fish; boats finding fish 80 to 120 feet and jigging glow plugs where fish are marked.
BURT LAKE MAPLE BAY. Fair for perch and occasional walleye; fish weed edges and points and expect sorting.
SALMON RIVER DETAILED PRIORITY
MANISTEE RIVER near Wellston Tippy. Flow about 1,640 cubic feet per second and gauge near typical early fall levels; many salmon are staging at the mouth so fish first light and target tailraces deep pools and main seams with beads spawn sacks or float rigs on short leaders.
WHITE RIVER below HESPERIA DAM. Salmon staging in deep pools and tailrace holes below the dam; float-drifts bead and spawn-sack rigs and short leaders through tailrace seams and plunge pools are producing.
BETSIE RIVER. Low flows but heavy staging reported in lower reaches; lots of salmon holding and moving in spurts after rain.
BOARDMAN RIVER. Fish staging in deeper holding pools and tailrace sections; work run to pool transitions with subtle float and bead presentations.
PERE MARQUETTE BALDWIN. Baldwin flow low near 430 cubic feet per second and Scottville near 380 cubic feet per second; recent rain bumped gauges slightly and may trigger upriver pushes so watch readings.
TIPPY DAM WELLSTON TAILRACE. Tailrace and downstream pools holding salmon; drift spawn and bead rigs along seams and target deeper tailrace slots at first light.
SALMON TACTICS QUICK
Pier cast spoons and small plugs into the seam and retrieve with short ripping strips. Use a slip-bobber skein in calm and a sliding-pyramid or mesh-bag skein in wind or current.
Vertical jigging let the jig fall to the mark then use slow 6 to 24 inch hops with pauses and tip Mission Luna or P-Line glow jigs with a pea-size skein piece.
River and tailrace fish first light use 18 to 30 inch leaders with beads or spawn sacks float-drift tailraces and try a small skein under a slip-bobber for a scent-forward presentation.
PERCH REPORT FULL MINNOWS FIRST
Perch summary Slow but improving. Primary presentation is minnows on perch rigs or slip-bobbers with wigglers or Perch Pounder bottom rigs for deep schools and drop-shot with a crawler chunk as a follow-up.
WHITE LAKE. Yellow-belly perch on the west end by the channel and bluegill on the Eagles flats; minnows on slip-bobbers.
PENTWATER LAKE. Perch around docks and weedlines six to fifteen feet; minnows on perch rigs.
PM LAKE. Perch in coves and docklines six to fourteen feet; minnows on perch rigs.
MANISTEE LAKE. Perch and bluegill taking minnows and small perch rigs.
PORTAGE LAKE ONEKAMA. A few perch in thirty eight feet on weedbeds with best window about nine to ten thirty in the morning; minnows working best.
BIG GLEN. Perch on the first break around forty feet on wigglers and minnows on Perch Pounders with lots of small fish and sorting required.
NORTHPORT. A few perch being taken in approximately thirty eight feet on weedbeds; no large schools found in the usual hotspots.
BOWERS HARBOR. Perch around the launch and breakwall six to twelve feet; minnows on short leaders.
SKEGEMOG TORCH CHANNEL. Perch on weed edges and narrows six to fifteen feet; slip-bobber minnows.
TORCH LAKE. Perch on structure and ledges ten to twenty five feet; minnows or short drop-shot.
BURT LAKE MAPLE BAY. Perch and occasional walleye on weed edges and humps eight to eighteen feet; minnows on slip floats.
BLACK LAKE. Perch on flats and weed cuts six to twelve feet; slip-bobber minnows.
OTSEGO LAKE. Perch near shallow bays eight to fifteen feet; perch rigs with minnows.
MULLETT LAKE. Perch on weed edges eight to eighteen feet; slip-bobber minnows.
LAKE CHARLEVOIX. Perch along rockpiles and docklines six to fourteen feet; short leaders with minnows.
LAKE LEELANAU south end by the Cedar River. Small perch on the south end by the Cedar River; minnows best.
LONG LAKE TRAVERSE CITY. Perch on small rigs and minnows.
GREEN LAKE TRAVERSE CITY. Perch on minnows small worms or crawler chunks with small slip bobbers.
MUSKEGON LAKE. Perch on small minnows wigglers or Perch Pounder rigs on the bottom; Sand Docks Bear Lake Channel and Snug Harbor are top spots and electronics help locate schools.
HOUGHTON LAKE. North weed bed producing perch; minnows and small perch rigs on slip-bobbers.
TOP 15 INLAND LAKES
LAKE CADILLAC. Smallmouth and largemouth around humps and weed edges; drop-shot crawlers shaky-head plastics and weedless frogs with bluegill on minnows and waxworms.
LAKE MITCHELL. Largemouth and panfish near lily pads and stumps; weedless soft plastics and small jigs.
LAKE ST HELEN. Pike and largemouth in weedy bays; spinnerbaits bucktails and topwater frogs early with panfish on small jigs.
HIGGINS LAKE. Deep smallmouth and lake trout structure; vertical jigs and drop-shot minnows for smallmouth with panfish on small jigs and minnows.
FREMONT LAKE. Bass and pike around weedlines and points; spinnerbaits and crankbaits with panfish on minnows.
ELK LAKE. Deep smallmouth and lake trout water; vertical jigs and drop-shot minnows.
WALLOON LAKE. Smallmouth and largemouth on points and rocks; drop-shot jerkbaits and medium swimbaits with panfish on small baits.
LAKE MISSAUKEE. Bluegill and largemouth in shallow weedy bays; minnows and waxworms under bobbers.
HOLTON LAKE. Bass and panfish around docks and weed edges; small jigs and slip-bobbers with minnows.
CRYSTAL LAKE GREENVILLE. Town lake for panfish and largemouth; small jigs and slip-bobbers.
WABASIS LAKE. Public access lake near Greenville producing bass and panfish; spinnerbaits and minnows.
LONG LAKE GREENVILLE. Local favorite with boat access and bass and panfish opportunities; drop-shot and slip-bobbers.
SUNRISE LAKE LEROY. Park lake near LeRoy with bass and panfish; topwater early and small jigs.
PENASA LAKE LEROY. Quiet local lake producing panfish and bass; minnows and small plastics.
TAMARACK LAKE LAKEVIEW. All-sports Tamarack Lake producing largemouth and pike; spinnerbaits and live minnows.
TOP 10 UP HOTSPOTS
1. LITTLE BAY DE NOC Walleye and perch.
2. MUNISING GRAND ISLAND Lake trout reefs and ledges.
3. MARQUETTE Lake trout steep drop-offs.
4. KEWEENAW COPPER HARBOR Trout and salmon on rocky points.
5. ESCANABA BIG BAY DE NOC Walleye and smallmouth.
6. ST MARYS RIVER SAULT STE MARIE Salmon and steelhead in current seams.
7. PORTAGE ENTRY GRAND MARAIS Lake trout and salmon.
8. TAHQUAMENON BAY RIVER MOUTHS Walleye and panfish on weedlines.
9. DRUMMOND ISLAND LES CHENEUX Smallmouth and walleye.
10. AU TRAIN FORD RIVER AREA Trout walleye and perch on points and narrows.
LIVE BAIT PRO TIP. For pier anglers cast a glow spoon and use a short ripping retrieve into the seam. For vertical jigging let the jig fall to the mark and use slow 6 to 24 inch hops with a pause and tip jigs with a pea-size skein piece for extra scent.
TIGHT LINES BAITMAN OUT
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