Fishing Report

BUC’S FISHING REPORT – OCTOBER 9, 2025

MORNING BRIEFINGA crisp fall morning across Northern Michigan with air temps in the low 40s and calm northwest winds. The cold snap has not only cooled the lakes but also triggered strong deer movement across the region — several deer were seen moving at daybreak as bowhunters get their first big push of the season. Rivers continue to cool, and the salmon bite has picked up below Tippy Dam and Hesperia Dam, where heavy concentrations of fish are holding in deeper runs. Jigging in harbors has wound down, but pier anglers are connecting with steelhead and a few late salmon on spawn bags and glow spoons during early and late hours.Drummond Island remains one of the top fall perch destinations in Michigan, with excellent catches coming from Scotts Bay and Potagannissing Bay on wigglers, shrimp, and minnows. Inland lakes are producing steady action for perch, bluegill, and walleye, while West Grand Traverse Bay, Northport, Suttons Bay, and Bowers Harbor remain slow for perch. Cooler days ahead should push fish activity shallower and improve inland bites through the weekend.⸻MOON & SOLUNAR ACTIVITYWaning crescent – 35% illuminationMajor Bite: 7:20 – 9:30 AMMinor Bites: 1:45 – 2:50 PM and 6:55 – 7:55 PM⸻RIVER FLOWS & TEMPERATURESManistee (Tippy Dam): 1,482 cfs | 8.68 ft | 58°FWhite River (Hesperia): 221 cfs | 0.65 ft | 56°FBoardman (Beitner Rd): 183 cfs | 4.57 ft | 55°FPere Marquette (Scottville): 377 cfs | 0.56 ft | 57°F⸻PIER REPORTPier fishing at Frankfort, Manistee, Ludington, Whitehall, Muskegon, and Grand Haven remains light. A few steelhead and immature salmon are showing up at dawn and dusk on spawn bags and glow spoons. Perch are beginning to move in around Whitehall and Muskegon piers.⸻SALMON RIVERSTippy Dam: Heavy concentrations of kings and coho; best bite early and late on beads and skein.White River – Hesperia: Full of salmon below the dam; skein under floats producing best.Betsie River: Fair for salmon with a few steelhead showing in the lower stretches. Cooler weather could bring another push upriver.Platte River: A few coho below the weir and at the mouth, with steelhead and browns caught on skein and casting spoons at daybreak and sunset.Boardman River: Salmon holding below the weir; best action on beads and spawn sacks.Pere Marquette: Good number of kings and coho in lower river; brighter beads and natural skein presentations working well.⸻PERCH & PANFISH REPORTTorch Lake: Strong perch action 25–35 ft; minnows and wigglers top baits.Elk Lake: Perch fair near Whitewater Landing.Lake Charlevoix: Good perch off Elm Point and Cedar Rest; walleye mixed in.Lake Leelanau: South end near Cedar River and Pines Campground sandbar active in 8–20 ft.Big Glen: Larger perch biting; wigglers and minnows very effective.Little Glen: Perch consistent along weed edges.Crystal Lake: Perch off Railroad Point; fish weedlines 10–25 ft.Portage Lake: Fair bite with smaller perch mid-morning.PM Lake: Perch schooling near docks; minnows working.Pentwater Lake: Fair bite; smaller perch.White Lake: Yellow bellies in weeds; bluegill strong near marina.Skegemog: Perch 6–15 ft on weed edges.Burt Lake: Steady perch and walleye bite along points and humps.Mullett Lake: Perch fair in deep weeds.Black Lake: Perch 6–12 ft flats; minnows best.Lake Margrethe: Solid perch action on minnows and wigglers.Drummond Island: Excellent perch bite in Scotts Bay and Potagannissing Bay on wigglers, shrimp, and minnows.⸻INLAND LAKESHoughton Lake: Walleye and panfish active along weed edges.Lake St. Helen: Pike and bluegill in weedy bays.Higgins Lake: Smallmouth on deep structure; panfish fair.Cadillac and Mitchell: Bass and bluegill near humps and docks.Missaukee: Bluegill and perch good in shallow weeds.Long Lake (TC): South-end perch and walleye bite fair.Green Lake (Interlochen): Perch 8–12 ft weed edges.Fremont Lake: Pike and bass near points.Big Star Lake (Baldwin): Bass and perch fair; crappie mixed in.Walloon Lake: Smallmouth and panfish active.Otsego Lake: Evening walleye and perch on minnows.Crystal Lake (Greenville): Panfish along weedlines.Wabasis Lake: Bass and panfish steady.Long Lake (Greenville): Morning topwater bass bite.Sunrise & Penasa Lakes (LeRoy): Bluegill and crappie near docks.Tamarack Lake (Lakeview): Pike and largemouth active.Bear Lake (Manistee): Evening walleye on crankbaits.⸻HARRISON – CLARE – GLADWIN COUNTY LAKESBud Lake (Harrison): Bluegill and crappie steady on worms and small jigs.Sutherland Lake (Harrison): Bass and perch in 10–15 ft weed beds.Arnold Lake (Harrison): Panfish fair along docks.Little Long Lake (Harrison): Pike and bass near drop-offs.Lake Thirteen (Clare): Perch and bluegill active in 8–12 ft; minnows and waxworms best.Crooked Lake (Clare): Steady bluegill and perch action on crawler chunks.Shingle Lake (Clare): Bass and pike around reeds and points.George Lake (Clare): Good crappie and bluegill catches near timber.Five Lakes (Lake Station): Perch and sunfish steady near weed edges.Lancer Lake (Gladwin): Bluegill and perch along weedlines; slip bobbers working.Sugar Springs (Gladwin): Walleye and perch fair on minnows; crappie on small jigs.Pratt Lake (Gladwin): Panfish near docks; worms producing.Wiggins Lake (Gladwin): Bass and bluegill consistent in shallows.Elk Lake (Gladwin): Perch and panfish improving in 10–15 ft weed beds.⸻U.P. LAKESIndian Lake: Perch and walleye along weed edges.Big Manistique Lake: Perch and eater walleye near islands.South Manistique: Bluegill and perch in 8–12 ft.Round Lake (North Manistique): Clear water; small jigs productive.Muskallonge Lake: Pike and perch fair on shiners.Tahquamenon River: Walleye in current seams; spinner/minnow combos best.Brevoort Lake: Pike and perch in cabbage.Milakokia Lake: Perch 14–18 ft deep weeds.Millecoquins Lake: Perch and pike on minnows under slips.Fox Lake: Bluegill and perch steady.McKeever Lake: Pike and crappie scattered.Bass Lake: Pike and perch on minnows.Deer Lake: Bluegill and perch improving.Pike Lake: Walleye and pike on crawler harnesses.Manistique River Mouth: Coho, browns, and steelhead mix.Munising Bay: Coho and trout near harbor.Little Bay de Noc: Night walleye improving.Big Bay de Noc: Smallmouth and perch around points.St. Marys River: Coho and steelhead in current seams.Au Train Lake: Trout and perch mixed; walleye at outlet.⸻LIVE BAIT PRO TIPAs water temps drop, minnows become the top bait for walleye, bass, and perch. Use smaller baits on light fluorocarbon leaders under slip bobbers or behind bottom bouncers to trigger fall strikes.⸻TIGHT LINES — BAIT MAN OUT#BucsBait #FishingReport #Perch #Steelhead #SalmonRun #UPFishing #TightLines ... See MoreSee Less

We're almost ready to cast our lines! 🎣

This Saturday, October 11th from 10am-1pm, kids can try fishing in our indoor pond stocked with rainbow trout-right inside the Fox Motors of Cadillac showroom. 🐟Plus, enjoy free food and kids' prizes while supplies last. Don't miss it! ... See MoreSee Less

Buc’s Fishing Report — October 8, 2025

MORNING BRIEFINGA cold start to the day with 42-degree temps at sunrise and light northwest winds. Clouds linger with gradual clearing into Wednesday. Rivers are low and clear, making the best fishing times early morning and late afternoon.Drummond Island continues to deliver one of the strongest perch bites in the state with excellent fishing in Scotts Bay and Potagannissing Bay. Wigglers, minnows, and shrimp are producing consistent limits, and bigger fish are holding slightly deeper. The De Tour Village ferry runs every 15 to 30 minutes with $20 round-trip fares for vehicles, $10 for seniors, and $2 for walk-on passengers.Torch Lake, Lake Charlevoix, and Big Glen are also producing solid perch catches, while bluegill and crappie are biting well across Clare, Gladwin, and Roscommon County lakes. Salmon runs are ongoing but slower in clear, cold water. Most rivers still hold plenty of fish, especially early in the morning.⸻MOON & SOLUNAR ACTIVITYWaning crescent moon at 44 percent illumination.Major Bite: 7:05 to 9:15 AMMinor Bites: 1:25 to 2:35 PM and 6:40 to 7:50 PM⸻RIVER FLOWS AND TEMPERATURESManistee River (Tippy Dam): 1,360 cfs, 8.61 ft, 59°F.White River (Hesperia): 208 cfs, 0.63 ft, 56°F.Boardman River (Beitner Rd): 179 cfs, 4.58 ft, 57°F.Pere Marquette (Scottville): 371 cfs, 0.54 ft, 58°F.Manistique River: 734 cfs, 3.16 ft, coho staging below the dam.⸻PIER REPORTFrankfort: Coho and steelhead at first light on spawn bags and glow spoons.Manistee: Early steelhead and coho before sunrise; spawn bags producing best.Ludington: Scattered salmon with new steelhead near Big Sable.Whitehall: Steelhead and walleye off the north pier; whitefish expected by November.Muskegon: Few salmon remain, early steelhead showing.Grand Haven: Light coho and steelhead activity under low light.⸻SALMON RIVERSTippy Dam: Salmon holding in deep holes; steady bite on beads and skein.White River below Hesperia: Full of salmon; beads and spawn sacks under floats.Betsie River: Strong coho run in lower river; kings staging below the weir.Platte River: Surf anglers taking coho, browns, and steelhead on skein and spoons at dawn and dusk.Boardman River: Salmon in downtown pools; beads and spawn sacks effective.Pere Marquette: Lower stretches fair; upper river low and clear.Manistique River: Coho staging in lower stretches.Marquette Area: Salmon remain in lower rivers; upper river low and clear.⸻PERCH REPORTBig Glen: Bigger perch, less sorting; wigglers, minnows, and shrimp productive.Little Glen: Consistent action on weed edges and first breaks.Lake Leelanau (South End): Active near Cedar River and Pines Campground sandbar, 8–20 feet.Crystal Lake: Perch near weeds off Railroad Point, 10–25 feet.Portage Lake: Fair bite, mostly small perch mid-morning.PM Lake: Schools around docks; minnows best.Pentwater Lake: Fair bite on small perch.White Lake: Yellow bellies in weeds; bluegill strong by marina.Torch Lake: Excellent bite in 25–35 feet on minnows and wigglers.Elk Lake: Perch active off Whitewater Landing.Skegemog: Steady bite on weed edges, 6–15 feet.Lake Charlevoix: Elm Point and Cedar Rest producing perch and walleye.Burt Lake: Strong perch and walleye mix on points.Mullett Lake: Fair bite in deeper weeds.Black Lake: Minnows under slip floats, 6–12 feet.Lake Margrethe: Perch on minnows and wigglers.Drummond Island: Excellent perch fishing in Scotts Bay and Potagannissing Bay on wigglers, minnows, and shrimp.⸻INLAND LAKESHoughton Lake: Walleye and perch steady on north weed edge.St. Helen: Pike and bluegill active in bays.Higgins Lake: Smallmouth off structure, panfish near drop-offs.Cadillac: Bass and bluegill near docks.Mitchell: Largemouth and crappie steady.Missaukee: Bluegill active in shallow weeds.Long Lake (Traverse City): Walleye and perch on south-end weeds.Green Lake (Interlochen): Perch 8–12 feet on weed edges.Fremont Lake: Pike and bass around points.Big Star Lake (Baldwin): Bass and pike near drop-offs.Walloon Lake: Smallmouth steady on rocky points.Otsego Lake: Evening walleye and perch.Crystal Lake (Greenville): Panfish near access.Wabasis Lake: Bass and panfish along edges.Long Lake (Greenville): Topwater bass early.Sunrise and Penasa Lakes (LeRoy): Bluegill and crappie by docks.Tamarack Lake (Lakeview): Pike and bass shallow.Bear Lake (Manistee Co.): Evening walleye bite.⸻HARRISON – CLARE – GLADWIN COUNTY LAKESArnold Lake: Bluegill and crappie early and late.Bud Lake: Bluegill near drop-offs.Sutherland Lake: Bass steady in 8–12 feet.Lake Thirteen: Crappie and bluegill on waxworms.Lake George: Pike and bass on spinnerbaits.Shingle Lake: Good panfish bite.Pratt Lake: Bluegill and perch steady.Wiggins Lake: Crappie and bass fair.Secord Lake: Pike active in channels.Lancer Lake (Sugar Springs): Mixed perch, crappie, and bluegill.Sugar Springs (Lake Lancelot): Panfish near docks and coves; bass late.⸻U.P. LAKESIndian Lake – Manistique: Perch and walleye along west weeds; minnows best at dusk.Big Manistique Lake – Curtis: Perch and walleye near islands; good evening bite.South Manistique Lake: Bluegill and perch steady 8–12 feet.North Manistique (Round Lake): Clear water; light line required.Muskallonge Lake: Pike and perch fair on shiners.Tahquamenon River: Walleye on current seams and drop-offs.Brevoort Lake: Pike and perch fair near cabbage beds.Milakokia Lake: Deep-weed perch good 14–18 feet.Millecoquins Lake: Perch and pike on minnows under slip bobbers.Fox Lake – near Seney: Steady bluegill and perch on small jigs.McKeever Lake – east of Seney: Pike and crappie scattered.Bass Lake – near Newberry: Pike and perch strong on minnows.Deer Lake – near Paradise: Bluegill and perch bite improving.Pike Lake – west of Hulbert: Walleye and pike fair on harnesses.Manistique River Mouth: Coho and brown trout mix.Munising Bay: Coho and lake trout near harbor.Little Bay de Noc: Walleye bite improving after dark.Big Bay de Noc: Smallmouth and perch mix on points.Drummond Island: Hot perch bite in Scotts and Potagannissing Bays.St. Marys River – Sault Ste Marie: Steelhead and coho active in current seams.⸻LIVE BAIT PRO TIPWillow-leaf blade minnow harnesses create flash without heavy vibration, ideal for clear water and active fish. Troll 1.2 to 1.6 mph for suspended walleye or perch over structure.⸻TIGHT LINES — BAIT MAN OUT#BucsBait #FishingReport #Perch #UPFishing #SalmonRun #TightLines ... See MoreSee Less

🎣 Buc’s Fishing Report — October 7, 2025

MORNING BRIEFINGToday: Unseasonably warm with highs in the upper 60s °F. Light southwest winds 5–10 mph, high clouds, and sun breaks.Tomorrow: Cooler with northwest winds 10–15 mph and a chance of light showers.Water Conditions: Rivers are low and clear; inland lakes 59–62 °F. The best bites are before 9 AM and after 6 PM as fish shy from the midday sun.Hot Bite: • Perch: Torch Lake, Lake Charlevoix, and Big Glen Lake — 25–35 ft; large minnows outfishing wigglers. Chartreuse bead above the hook has been hot. • Bluegill: Clare and Gladwin ponds — worms or waxworms early along weed edges.⸻Tiffany’s Techniques — East Bay Report10 for 12 Monday with 2 kings (~15 lbs), 2 coho, and 6 cisco (up to 4 lbs). Beaver’s Lures Wonderbread spoon led the way, followed by Bloody Nose and Silver Streak Orange Crush.Deeper water (150–180 ft) held the hungrier fish; 200 copper and deep-rigger sliders took most hits. Keep baits 30 ft down to stay above the closed lake trout zone.Action steady off Center Rd. to Acme and back.Local quote: “Even Johnny Cash on the Bluetooth couldn’t scare ’em off—East Bay is still rockin’.”Quick Tip: Next cold front will push steelhead into river mouths—single eggs and small spawn bags will be the ticket.Reg Reminder: Lake trout season remains closed on Lake Michigan.What’s Next: Cooling weekend ahead—expect perch to slide shallower and whitefish to appear off piers.⸻MOON & SOLUNAR ACTIVITYWaning crescent — 52% illuminationMajor Bite: 6:00–8:00 AM Minor Bites: 1:00–2:00 PM | 7:00–8:00 PM⸻RIVER FLOWS & TEMPERATURESManistee (Tippy Dam): 1,310 cfs | 8.52 ft | 61 °FWhite (Whitehall): 207 cfs | 0.63 ftBoardman (Beitner Rd): 181 cfs | 4.59 ftPere Marquette (Scottville): 373 cfs | 0.54 ftManistique: 803 cfs | 3.35 ftAll systems low and clear — stealth, early, and deep.⸻PIER REPORT — TRANSITION PHASEFrankfort, Manistee, Ludington, Whitehall, Muskegon, Grand Haven.Pier salmon have slowed as most fish move upriver. A few steelhead and immature kings showing at dawn and dusk on spawn bags, skein, and glow spoons. Whitefish expected soon with cooling water.⸻SALMON RIVER PRIORITYManistee River (Tippy): Improving; salmon staging deep and spawning underway.White River (Hesperia): Full below dam; beads or skein under floats.Betsie River: Lower river producing strong kings.Platte River: Coho thinning below the weir; surf anglers at the mouth taking steelhead, coho, and browns on skein and spoons.Boardman River: Fish stacked in downtown pools near Union Street Dam.Pere Marquette: Fair in lower river; upper remains clear and low.Manistique River: Salmon staging near mouth in deeper slots.Marquette Rivers: Fish concentrated in lower reaches; upper sections clear and shallow.⸻PERCH REPORT — MINNOWS & WIGGLERS FIRSTBig Glen Lake: Strong bite, larger perch showing, wigglers & minnows best.Little Glen Lake: Steady perch action.Lake Leelanau: South end near Cedar River and Pines Campground sandbar good.Crystal Lake: Fair off Railroad Point in weed cover.Portage Lake (Onekama): Morning bite best; smaller fish common.PM Lake (Ludington): Perch near docks and channel.Pentwater Lake: Fair with mostly small fish.White Lake: Yellow bellies in weeds; bluegill strong near marina.Torch Lake: Excellent — big fish in 25–35 ft on minnows & wigglers.Elk Lake: Steady bite near Whitewater Landing.Lake Charlevoix: Strong perch at Elm Point and Cedar Rest; walleye near Ironton.Burt Lake: Perch and walleye steady along points and weeds.Mullett Lake: Fair perch; larger fish deeper.Black Lake: Fair on minnows 6–12 ft.Lake Margrethe: Good perch on minnows.Drummond Island: Excellent in Scott Bay — bring wigglers with you.⸻INLAND LAKES — MULTI-SPECIES BITEHoughton Lake: Walleye and panfish early & late.Lake St. Helen: Pike and bass steady in bays.Higgins Lake: Deep smallmouth and panfish fair.Lake Cadillac: Bass and bluegill near humps and docks.Lake Mitchell: Largemouth and bluegill steady near pads.Missaukee Lake: Bluegill and bass shallow, perch fair.Long Lake (Traverse City): Perch and walleye south end.Green Lake (Interlochen): Perch along weed edges 8–12 ft.Fremont Lake: Pike and bass on spinnerbaits.Big Star Lake (Baldwin): Bluegill and bass early; pike mid-day.Walloon Lake: Bass and panfish on drop-offs.Otsego Lake: Walleye and perch mix at dusk.Crystal Lake (Greenville): Panfish near town access.Wabasis Lake: Bass and panfish on worms.Long Lake (Greenville): Bass on weedlines; perch light.Sunrise Lake (LeRoy): Bluegill near docks; bass deeper.Penasa Lake (LeRoy): Quiet but improving bite.Tamarack Lake (Lakeview): Pike and bass in shallow weeds.Bear Lake (Manistee Co.): Evening walleye and bass steady.⸻HARRISON – CLARE – GLADWIN COUNTY LAKESArnold Lake: Bluegill and crappie fair on worms and minnows.Bud Lake: Perch light; bluegill steady near drop-offs.Sutherland Lake: Bass and panfish good early and late.Lake Thirteen: Crappie and bluegill biting on waxworms.Lake George: Bass and pike active on spinnerbaits.Shingle Lake: Steady panfish; perch light.Pratt Lake: Bluegill and perch fair on minnows.Wiggins Lake: Crappie and bass on jigs and plastics.Secord Lake: Bluegill and crappie fair; pike active in cuts.Lancer Lake (Sugar Springs): Excellent mixed bite—perch, crappie, and bluegill on minnows and worms.Sugar Springs (Lake Lancelot): Steady panfish near docks and coves; bass active late afternoon.⸻UPPER PENINSULA — TOP 10 HOTSPOTS 1. Little Bay de Noc: Night walleye hot; perch fair. 2. Big Bay de Noc: Smallmouth steady on tubes. 3. Munising / Grand Island: Lake trout reefs productive. 4. Marquette: Salmon in lower rivers. 5. Keweenaw / Copper Harbor: Trout and salmon on rocky points. 6. St. Marys River: Steelhead and salmon in current seams. 7. Portage Entry / Grand Marais: Coho and lake trout mixed. 8. Tahquamenon Bay: Walleye and perch on weedlines. 9. Drummond Island: Hot perch bite in Scott Bay. 10. Au Train / Ford River: Walleye and trout along points.⸻LIVE BAIT PRO TIP — MINNOW HARNESS SERIES (Day 3)Indiana-blade harnesses (size 4–5) behind a 2-oz bottom bouncer are ideal for mixed water clarity. Troll live minnows 1.0–1.4 mph for perfect balance of flash and vibration — a proven fall combo for walleye and smallmouth.⸻TIGHT LINES — BAIT MAN OUT#BucsBait #LiveBait #Perch #SalmonRun #Walleye #Bluegill #TightLines ... See MoreSee Less

Buc’s Fishing Report — 10-06-2025

ON-SITE UPDATEWarm October air had many anglers trading bows for rods. Mid-day heat slowed bites, but cooler weather and rain moving in will recharge activity across Northern Michigan and the U.P. Salmon runs continue in the rivers, perch are stacking on structure, and bluegill, bass, and walleye remain steady.⸻MOON & SOLUNAR ACTIVITYWaxing crescent • 55 percent illuminationMajor Bite: 7:10 – 9:25 AM Minor Bites: 1:45 – 2:35 PM • 8:25 – 9:20 PM⸻WEATHER & BAROMETERPartly cloudy with light rain at times • High 67 °F • NW winds 10–20 mphBarometer rising — Traverse City 30.10 inHg • Manistee 30.14 inHg • Ludington 30.11 inHg⸻RIVER FLOWS & TEMPERATURESManistee (Tippy Dam) 1,320 cfs • 8.55 ft • ≈ 60 °FWhite River (Whitehall) 210 cfs • 0.72 ft • ≈ 59 °FBetsie River. Low and clear with fish stacked in lower pools.Platte River. Action now at the mouth where anglers surf-fish at daybreak and sunset with skein and casting spoons for coho, steelhead, and browns.Pere Marquette. Better bite in lower river near Scottville.Boardman. Fish holding near Union Street Dam.Manistique. Healthy flow; salmon and steelhead in deeper holes.⸻HOT PIERS — TRANSITION PERIODFrankfort. Coho and steelhead at first light on glow spoons.Manistee. Skein under floats producing salmon and early steelhead.Ludington. Coho and immature kings near Big Sable; steelhead showing.Whitehall. Light bite; occasional steelhead before sunrise.Muskegon. Pier bite fading; steelhead main target.Grand Haven. Few fish left; focus on river mouth.⸻SALMON RIVERSTippy / Manistee. Fish holding in deep holes; spawning slowly increasing.White River (Hesperia). Full of salmon below the dam; beads and skein producing limits.Betsie. Strong lower-river run with fresh fish arriving.Platte. Surf bite for coho, browns, and steelhead on skein and spoons.Boardman. Salmon in downtown pools near Union Street Dam.Pere Marquette. Active lower river; upper sections clear.Manistique. Salmon steady near mouth; steelhead entering current seams.Marquette Area. Fish in lower reaches; upper river quiet and clear.⸻PERCH REPORT — MINNOWS & WIGGLERS FIRSTBig Glen. Strong bite around 40 ft; larger fish, less sorting.Little Glen. Perch on first breaks and weed edges.Lake Leelanau (South End). Good action 8–20 ft near Cedar River and Pines Campground.Crystal Lake. Weedline bite off Railroad Point 10–25 ft.Portage Lake. Fair; keepers mixed mid-morning.PM Lake. Schools active in coves; bite building.Pentwater Lake. Fair; smaller fish on minnows.White Lake. Yellow bellies in weeds; bluegill strong near marina.Torch Lake. Excellent perch south end; occasional Atlantic salmon.Elk Lake. Perch off Whitewater Landing.Skegemog. Fish 6–15 ft on weed edges.Lake Charlevoix. Good bite around Elm Point and Cedar Rest with walleye mixed in.Burt Lake. Steady perch at Maple Bay and deep points.Mullett Lake. Fair to strong on deeper weed breaks.Black Lake. Perch fair on flats 6–12 ft.Lake Margrethe. Good bite with minnows and wigglers.Drummond Island (Scott Bay). Excellent bite on wigglers and shrimp.East & West Grand Traverse Bays. Few perch reports from Northport, Bowers, and Suttons Bay.Little Traverse Bay (Harbor Springs). Light perch reports; some salmon at Bear River mouth.⸻INLAND LAKESHoughton Lake. Walleye fair at dawn and dusk; bluegill steady on weed edges.Lake St. Helen. Pike and bass active in weedy bays; bluegill on waxworms.Lake Missaukee. Bass and crappie steady on jigs and minnows.Lake Cadillac. Smallmouth and largemouth around humps; bluegill steady.Lake Mitchell. Bass and bluegill near pads and stumps.Higgins Lake. Rock bass and smallmouth on drop-shot rigs.Long Lake (TC). Walleye and bluegill along south-end weeds.Green Lake (Interlochen). Perch 8–12 ft on weed edges; bluegill good.Fremont Lake. Bass and pike along points; minnows and spinners.Holton Lake. Bass and panfish around docks.Crystal Lake (Greenville). Panfish good near shoreline weeds.Wabasis Lake. Bass and bluegill active near public access.Long Lake (Greenville). Bass on topwater early; bluegill steady.Sunrise Lake (LeRoy). Bluegill and perch fair on worms.Penasa Lake (LeRoy). Steady panfish bite 8–10 ft.Tamarack Lake (Lakeview). Pike and bass strong; minnows best.Otsego Lake. Fair perch and some walleye at dusk.Walloon Lake. Smallmouth on points; panfish steady in shallows.Bear Lake (Manistee Co.). Bluegill and pike fair; trolling small cranks productive.⸻HARRISON – CLARE – GLADWIN COUNTY LAKESArnold Lake (Harrison). Bluegill and perch 10–12 ft on worms and minnows.Bud Lake (Harrison). Good bluegill bite near the island.Sutherland Lake (Harrison). Crappie and perch on minnows; bass steady near timber.Lake Thirteen (Farwell). Bluegill and perch steady on crawler chunks.Lake George (Clare). Active bluegill and bass bite.Shingle Lake (Lake). Perch fair on minnows; bass good on spinnerbaits.Pratt Lake (Gladwin). Bluegill fair; perch small but improving.Wiggins Lake (Gladwin). Mixed panfish and bass; evening walleye possible.Secord Lake (Gladwin). Bluegill and pike active in weeds.Chappel Dam Pond (Gladwin). Consistent panfish bite in shallows.⸻UPPER PENINSULA — TOP 10 HOTSPOTS 1. Little Bay de Noc. Walleye and perch steady near Gladstone. 2. Big Bay de Noc. Smallmouth strong near Fayette. 3. Munising / Grand Island. Lake trout on reefs; coho near harbor. 4. Marquette. Lake trout off breaks; salmon lower river. 5. Keweenaw Peninsula. Trout and salmon off Copper Harbor points. 6. St. Marys River. Salmon and steelhead in current seams. 7. Portage Entry / Grand Marais. Mixed trout and salmon along breaks. 8. Tahquamenon Bay & River Mouths. Walleye and perch on weedlines. 9. Drummond Island / Scott Bay. Excellent perch bite on wigglers and shrimp. 10. Au Train to Ford River. Trout, walleye, and perch along points.⸻LIVE BAIT PRO TIP — MINNOW HARNESS SERIES (DAY 3)Use Indiana-blade harnesses (size 4–5) for mixed clarity. Hammered silver or nickel finishes trolled 1.0–1.4 mph with live minnows behind a two-hook rig and 2 oz bottom bouncer provide balanced flash and vibration for walleye and bass.⸻WEEKEND REVIEW — BY THE BAIT MANIt was a weekend that felt more like summer than fall. Warm air, flat water, and bright skies made midday fishing tough, but those who worked the edges of dawn and dusk were rewarded. Salmon remain the story of October, with fish stacked in the White, Betsie, and Platte systems and more entering the Manistee each day. The best presentation remains a simple one — skein or beads drifted in the tailraces at first light.Perch fishing was excellent on Torch, Charlevoix, and Big Glen, with bigger fish showing and less sorting. Drummond Island was the surprise of the week, where anglers filled buckets in Scott Bay on wigglers and raw shrimp — just make sure to bring bait with you.Bluegill and bass action was solid on smaller inland lakes until the heat spiked Saturday afternoon, then fell off. Cooler air and rain returning this week should light that bite right back up. The fall feed is building fast, and by next week, expect steady limits of perch and steelhead as the temperatures drop.Tight lines, Bait Man out.#LiveBait #bucsbait #perch #salmonrun #bass #bluegill #tightlines ... See MoreSee Less