NWMI Kids Fishing Day 2025 – Full Recap

“The purpose of life is a life of purpose.” Today, that purpose was loud and clear.I had the honor of donating the bait for the NWMI Kids Fishing Tournament this morning—and let me tell you, it was powerful. Not just because of the fish caught, but because of the meaning behind each cast. a gathering of young hearts, curious minds, and wide-eyed joy. We weren’t just teaching fishing. We were planting seeds.We weren’t just teaching kids how to fish. We were teaching them how to be patient. How to stay focused. How to believe in themselves.Some caught their very first fish. Others reeled in their personal best. A few walked away with prizes. But every single one of them left with something they’ll carry for life.This wasn’t just an event. It was a ripple of something much bigger.From the moment the rods hit the water, you could feel it—kids learning not only how to cast a line, but how to slow down, stay patient, and connect with the world around them. Some made their first catch ever. Others walked away with full baskets and great memories. But every child left with something far more important: belief in themselves.🏆 Highlights That Hit Home:📍 A girl holding a bluegill on a pink Zebco, beaming like she just won the Bassmaster Classic.📍 A girl holding a new fishing rod with her dad and was all smiles📍 One young angler with a full lineup of panfish, proudly taking home 1st place.📍 Big bass, caught from the dock by a quiet kid who lit up when the fight hit.📍 Families gathered around the station, having a great time bonding with nature and with the kids.📍 Tackle boxes handed out. Rods awarded. Respect earned.🙏 Thank you to…– The NWMI Fishing Club for organizing a day that truly mattered.– The volunteers who showed up early, stayed late, and coached every step.– The parents who made the time to get their kids outside and engaged.– And most of all—the kids. Y’all showed up ready, eager, and focused. You’re the reason I do this.Every kid walked away with a prize… and a new passion.This is what #bucsbait stands for.Real bait. Real purpose. Real change.This is how we pass down the right things—one rod at a time.📸 Photos from Today:– Group shot with all the young anglers and their gear– Kids on the boat mid-fight– Prize table with Zebco rods and plaques– Proud catches—bass, panfish, pike– Dockside learning and family coaching– Volunteers and the NWMI crew doing what they do bestHashtags:#bucsbait #NWMI #NWMIKidsFishing #FishingWithPurpose #livebait #takeakidfishing #CatchMemories #PassTheRod #YouthFishingMatters … See MoreSee Less

Michigan Fishing Report – July 5–11, 2025

Presented by Buc’s Aqua Farms Inc. • www.bucsfishingreport.com🌿 OverviewHot days and cool nights pushed thermoclines deeper across the state. Great Lakes trolling remained productive, with early-morning flashers still dominating. Inland waters produced solid panfish and bass action around vegetation. Look for fish to hold tight to structure with water temps warming into the 70s.🔥 Top 5 Bites – July 5–111. Saginaw Bay – Walleye limits trolling 16–22 ft east of Sparkplug2. Fletcher Pond – Crappie and bass aggressive in shallow brush3. Higgins Lake – Lakers deep at 90–100 ft on flashers4. Glen Lake – Trout holding deep; surface bass bite at dusk5. Otsego Lake – Walleye early, pike chasing spinners near weed edgesNorthern Mid Michigan🎯 Tactics & ConditionsSturgeon River: Brown trout on spinners; dry fly action near coverOtsego Lake: Walleye on bottom bouncers early; pike active near drop-offsFletcher Pond: Crappie in 4–8 ft near brush; topwater bass at duskTraverse City → Mackinaw City🎯 Tactics & ConditionsLake Charlevoix: Smallmouth on jerkbaits; early walleye bite in 18–22 ftGlen Lake: Trout deeper than 100 ft; dusk bass on topwaterDuck Lake: Bluegill shallow under docks; bass cruising shallowsMid Michigan🎯 Tactics & ConditionsHoughton Lake: Walleye in 10–14 ft on spinner harnesses; pike chasing cranksHiggins Lake: Lake trout deep at 90 ft; perch on wigglersLake Missaukee: Bass tight to docks; bluegill on worms near weedlinesNortheast Michigan🎯 Tactics & ConditionsBlack Lake: Pike on spinnerbaits in cabbage; walleye at dawnGrand Lake: Smallmouth active on rocky points; jigs producingLong Lake: Topwater action for smallmouth; trolled cranks for walleyeSaginaw Bay🎯 Tactics & ConditionsBay Area: Walleye steady in 16–22 ft; crawler harnesses hotEvenings: Drum and catfish near the river mouths after dark🌊 Lake Michigan Shoreline – Port-by-Port ReportLelandSpecies: Chinook, lake troutDepths: 70–100 ft for salmon, 140–160 ft for lakersTactics: Early morning bite on flasher/fly combos; mag spoons laterHot Zone: Whaleback and NW trollFrankfortSpecies: Coho, steelheadDepths: 60–100 ftTactics: Orange spoons and dipsey divers producing; 4-color leadcore for steelheadHot Zone: Betsie drop, shelf edgesOnekamaSpecies: ChinookDepths: 100–120 ftTactics: Troll meat rigs low and fast; glow paddles best before sunriseHot Zone: Outside the BarrelManisteeSpecies: Lake troutDepths: 150–170 ft on bottomTactics: Spin-n-Glos behind paddles near thermoclineHot Zone: Straight out from harborLudingtonSpecies: Chinook, cohoDepths: 80–110 ftTactics: Meat rigs early, spoons later; dipsy setups at 60 ftHot Zone: The Trench firing again this weekWhitehallSpecies: SteelheadDepths: 40–70 ftTactics: Bright spoons in top 30 ft; 3-color leadcore bestHot Zone: Pier headlines and southern trollMuskegonSpecies: Chinook, lake troutDepths: 80–130 ftTactics: Glow paddles and meat combos; flasher/fly mid-depthHot Zone: North shelf line edgesGrand HavenSpecies: Lake troutDepths: Bottom at 160 ftTactics: Spin Doctors and cut bait; chrome paddles running hotHot Zone: Sandbar contour west of pier 📍 Complete List of Lakes & Rivers Covered – July 5–11, 2025• Black Lake• Duck Lake• Fletcher Pond• Frankfort• Glen Lake• Grand Haven• Grand Lake• Higgins Lake• Houghton Lake• Lake Charlevoix• Lake Missaukee• Leland• Long Lake• Ludington• Manistee• Muskegon• Onekama• Otsego Lake• Saginaw Bay• Sturgeon River• Whitehall 📸 Photos of the WeekSaginaw Bay Walleye SuccessProud anglers holding up their catch after a morning limit—perfect display of the Bay’s hot walleye bite. Another Saginaw Bay TrophySharp-eyed angler lands a hefty walleye, showcasing the classic “trophy shot” local fishers Duck Lake Bluegill SlabYoung angler nets a beautiful bluegill from Duck Lake—a great example of the ultralight action we reported. Saginaw Bay Spring Limit OutAnother shot of a full limit haul, reinforcing Saginaw Bay’s exceptional walleye bite this week. … See MoreSee Less

Photos from NWMI Fishing Club’s post … See MoreSee Less