Fishing Report

MORNING BRIEFING — 10-15-2025

Bait Man: Yesterday’s breeze had more folks chasing walleye and bass while perch action stayed steady—some days small, some days better depending on the school you land on. Big-lake trolling is winding down (cleaning stations start closing this weekend). River salmon are past peak in color but still getting caught; steelhead should begin sliding in behind them as temps fall. Many anglers are winterizing boats and toggling to hunting, but the bite windows are still very much worth it early/late.Traverse City (today): upper-50s °F this afternoon, light N/NE winds 5–10 mph, partly sunny. Barometer near high pressure; plan low-light windows for the best action.Lake Michigan nearshore (Manistee–Holland today): N–NE 10–15 kt, waves 1–2 ft—generally manageable, but check the latest before launching. (No Small Craft Advisory posted in the GRR nearshore text at issue time.)Moon & Solunar (Traverse City): Waning crescent; Major 9:16–11:16 AM & 9:45–11:45 PM; Minor 1:34–2:34 AM & 4:44–5:44 PM. Sunrise 7:59 AM, Sunset 6:58 PM.Quick tip: With cooling nights, keep spawn sacks / beads ready in river mouths at daybreak; on lakes, large minnows for perch and walleye are coming on strong.⸻RIVER FLOWS SNAPSHOT (low/clear overall)Note: gauge temps often unreported; all values watched this morning and read low/steady for the season.• Manistee (Tippy/Wellston): low-clear; best at first light in tailrace seams.• White (below Hesperia): good salmon numbers holding in deeper holes and tailrace slots; beads/skein under floats.• Betsie (lower river): fair for kings with a few steelhead; look to run-to-pool transitions.• Boardman (tailrace/pools): cautious fish in low, clear water—subtle floats and short leaders.• Pere Marquette (lower river): staging fish; upper remains slower; beads/skein early/late.• Manistique River: low/clear; harbor/tailrace edges early can pop.⸻PIERS (transition mode)FRANKFORT, MANISTEE, LUDINGTON, WHITEHALL, MUSKEGON, GRAND HAVEN. Salmon mostly moved upriver; pier bite is now “steelhead and a few immature salmon.” Best at dawn/dusk on glow spoons and spawn bags; watch winds and water color day-to-day.⸻PERCH REPORT — FULL MINNOWS FIRSTBring minnows & wigglers; add raw shrimp as a “tough-bite” option.• Torch Lake. Steady; bigger fish possible on deeper weed edges and breaks.• Lake Charlevoix. Good size reports this week; work rock-to-weed edges and flats.• Big Glen. Biting with less sorting lately; minnows/wigglers best.• Little Glen. Perch are biting; cover water to find pods.• Portage Lake (Onekama). On/off schools; white-bellies moving in size-wise.• Elk Lake. Edges and points producing.• Lake Skegemog. Weed beds adjacent to Elk producing.• Grand Lake (Alpena/ROGERS CITY). Weed edges and points; minnows first.• White Lake. Yellow bellies in weeds; white bellies pushed out; bluegill strong by the marina.• Pentwater Lake. Fair; many smaller fish—stay mobile.• PM Lake (Ludington). Perch action picking up.• Muskegon Lake. Mixed; keep moving to find size.• East & West Grand Traverse Bay: West Bay still slow (Northport/Suttons Bay/Bowers Harbor). East Bay hot for cisco with an occasional salmon; perch generally slower.⸻WALLEYE & SMALLMOUTH UPDATEWalleye activity is ticking up on: Lower Herring (Frankfort), Long Lake (TC), Lake Mitchell, Manistee Lake (Kalkaska), Lake Marguerite (Grayling), Burt, Mullett, Black, and Grand—prime at dawn/evening on cranks, big minnows, jigs.Smallmouth are moving into classic fall spots on East GT Bay, Elk, Torch, Skegemog, Walloon—tubes/jerkbaits/plastics in 5–30 ft.⸻NORTHERN MI INLAND LAKES (PANFISH/PIKE/BASS)• Houghton Lake. North weed bed: perch; shoreline weeds: strong bluegill bite.• Lake St. Helen. Pike/largemouth in weedy bays; worms for ‘gills.• Lake Cadillac. Bluegill/perch strong; a few evening walleye.• Lake Mitchell. Bluegill/perch with walleye at dusk.• Missaukee. Bluegill and bass on shallow weeds.• Otsego Lake. Perch fair with a few walleye.• Fremont Lake. Bass/pike around points/weedlines.• Crystal Lake (Benzie). Spotty; roam until you mark fish.• Green Lake (Interlochen). Perch on weed edges 8–12 ft.• Long Lake (Traverse City). Perch on weed edges; walleye evening.• Big Star Lake (Baldwin). Mixed panfish and bass on breaks.• Walloon. Smallmouth on points/rocks.• Higgins Lake. Quality perch off Gerrish Twp Marina—SW corner drop.• Sugar Springs (Gladwin). Water down ~5 ft; launching is tough.• Burt Lake. Perch + a few walleye on humps/edges.• Mullett Lake. Similar pattern—perch/walleye on edges.• Black Lake. Perch/pike on flats and weed cuts.• Grand Lake. Perch along points and weeds.• Manistee Lake (Manistee Co.). Salmon staging has eased; mixed panfish.• Bear Lake (Kalkaska Co.). Panfish steady on weeds.⸻U.P. — RIVERS (TOP 10 TARGETS)1) St. Marys (Sault Ste. Marie). Current seams: salmon/steelhead mix; spinners/skein.2) Manistique. Lower river edges at first light; float beads/skein.3) Two-Hearted. Cooler nights help; cover deep glides.4) Au Train. Mouth and lower holes early/late.5) Carp & Chocolay. Low/clear—go stealth with small beads.6) Tahquamenon. Stained water—float skein through seams.7) Ford. Deeper runs near bends.😎 Whitefish/Betsy (UP). Mouths first, then pockets upriver.9) Escanaba. Lower river lanes with floats.10) Ontonagon. Mixed trout/salmon in softer edges.⸻U.P. — INLAND & BAYS (20+ SPOTS)Little Bay de Noc. Walleye & perch on reefs and breaks.Big Bay de Noc. Walleye/smallmouth on points.Drummond Island (Scotts & Potagannissing). Perch slowed with warm-up; cool nights should pull bigs back; use wigglers/minnows/shrimp.Munising/Grand Island. Trout on ledges.Marquette. Trout on steep drops; lower river holds salmon.Keweenaw/Copper Harbor. Trout/salmon off rocky points.Tahquamenon Bay. Walleye/panfish on weedlines.St. Ignace area bays. Mixed panfish/walleye.Manistique Lakes Complex. Panfish/walleye early/late.Indian Lake (Schoolcraft). Walleye edges at dusk.Milakokia & Gulliver. Perch/walleye on weeds.DeTour/Drummond channels. Smallmouth on breaks.Portage Entry/Grand Marais. Trout/salmon mix.Au Train Lake. Walleye/pike on weeds.Basswood/Big Manistique (Curtis). Panfish steady.Chicagon & Peavy (west UP). Deep smallmouth and walleye edges.Bond Falls Flowage. Walleye/pike on winded shores.Otter/Teal (Houghton). Panfish schools on cabbage.Gogebic. Walleye along weedlines at dusk.Black River Harbor (Superior). Trout/salmon in river mouth.⸻SAGINAW BAY & SAGINAW RIVERInner Bay. Perch on weed/sandgrass edges; minnows first, shrimp as a change-up.Saginaw River. Early walleye trickle on jigs and big minnows near current breaks; activity should build with colder nights and flow bumps.⸻SALMON — PRIORITY RIVERSTippy (Manistee) & Hesperia (White). Still productive with beads, skein, spawn sacks in tailraces and deeper holes; fish are darker but present.Betsie. Fair for salmon with a few steelhead; fish run-to-pool transitions at first light.Boardman. Low/clear; subtle floats and short leaders in deeper pools.Pere Marquette. Lower-river staging; upper slower—hit dawn/dusk seams.⸻LIVE BAIT PRO TIP (Today):For fall perch/walleye, large minnows shine. Keep raw shrimp as a “pressure switch”—tip a Perch Pounder/drop-shot with a pea-size shrimp piece when minnows get short-hit; it often flips neutral schools. ... See MoreSee Less

Buc’s Fishing Report — Tuesday, October 14, 2025

MORNING BRIEFINGWalleye are turning on at Lower Herring, Long Lake (Traverse City), Lake Mitchell, Manistee Lake (Kalkaska), Lake Margrethe, Burt, Mullett, Black, and Grand.Smallmouth are in a strong fall feed on East Grand Traverse Bay, Elk, Torch, Skegemog, and Walloon.Tippy Dam and Hesperia remain productive for salmon, but we’re past peak and most kings are dark; cleaning stations are still busy.Pier fishing has shifted to steelhead and walleye with a few immature coho; whitefish typically arrive next month.BIG LAKE & INLAND WEATHER (Traverse City)Today 61°F high / 42°F low, mostly sunny to partly cloudy, light N–NE breeze.Lake Michigan nearshore ~54°F; inland lakes upper-50s°F.Small Craft Advisory early with 2–4 ft waves easing later.Barometer ~30.2 in steady.Solunar: Major 7:45–9:45 AM & 8:15–10:00 PM; Minor 3:40–4:40 PM.⸻RIVER FLOWS & CONDITIONS (Key)Manistee (Tippy): Good volume; kings stacked below dam; first chrome showing.White (Hesperia): Many kings below dam; best at first/last light on beads and skein.Betsie: Low/clear; fair kings; a few steelhead in tailouts.Platte: Coho below the weir and at the mouth at dawn/dusk on spoons and skein.Boardman & Elk: Dark kings holding below dams; light steelhead trickle.Bear (Petoskey): Mixed kings; early steelhead nosing in.⸻SALMON RIVERS (LOWER PENINSULA)Tippy Dam (Manistee). Deep slots hold kings; beads, skein, and small spawn sacks early and late.Hesperia Dam (White). Heavy salmon below the dam; short-leader floats with beads or skein.Betsie. Fair for kings with a few steelhead; fish dawn tailouts with subtle colors.Platte (weir/mouth). A few coho and early steelhead at low light on glow spoons and skein.Elk / Boardman / Bear. Late kings with first chrome; float single eggs along seams.⸻SAGINAW BAY & RIVER (WALLEYE + PERCH)Bay — Walleye. Linwood, Callahan Reef, and inner humps producing on jig-and-minnow in 12–20 ft.Bay — Perch. Quanicassee and Pinconning 10–15 ft with minnows; keep moving to stay on pods.Saginaw River. Early walleye near Zilwaukee and Bay City bridges on vertical jigging with orange/chartreuse tipped with minnows.⸻🎣 PERCH REPORT — FULL MINNOWS FIRSTPortage Lake (Onekama). 18–22 ft; mixed sizes; minnows best before 10 AM.Big Glen Lake. 35–40 ft first break; bigger fish, less sorting on wigglers/minnows.Little Glen Lake. 8–12 ft weed edges on small minnows.Lake Leelanau (South/Pines sandbar). 8–20 ft; slip-bobber minnows.Northport Bay. 35–40 ft; scattered; minnows or shrimp when you find them.Bowers Harbor. 10–15 ft by the breakwall on minnows.West Grand Traverse Bay. Slow for perch.East Grand Traverse Bay. Cisco excellent; perch along deep weeds.Torch Lake. 25–35 ft; wigglers, shrimp, and minnows.Elk Lake. 18–24 ft off Whitewater Landing on live minnows.Lake Skegemog. 10–15 ft weed flats; early minnow bite.Lake Charlevoix (Elm Point/Ironton). Rock/weed transitions; perch with bonus walleye on minnows.Burt Lake. Maple Bay humps 15–18 ft; minnows.Mullett Lake. 18–20 ft weed lines; better size this week.Black Lake. 10–12 ft cuts and flats; slip-bobber minnows.Grand Lake (Alpena). 10–14 ft rock/sand; minnows or crawler bits.Drummond Island (Scotts & Potagannissing). Smaller fish after warm spell; cooler nights should bring size back.Manistee Lake. Harbor and channels 12–20 ft on minnows.Ludington / PM Lake. Coves and marinas 6–14 ft on minnows or small rigs.White Lake (Whitehall). Yellow bellies in weeds; white bellies by the channel; bluegill strong at the marina.Muskegon Lake. 16–24 ft flats; locate with electronics; Perch Pounders + minnows/wigglers.Grand Haven (Harbor). Scattered 10–18 ft; minnows/wigglers at dawn.Bait tip: Perch key on live minnows and wigglers—carry raw shrimp as a backup scent when the bite is tough.⸻INLAND LAKES (NORTHERN MICHIGAN — 20+ LAKES)Houghton. Bluegill on shore weeds; north-end perch; dusk walleye.St. Helen. Pike/bass on spinnerbaits; panfish on worms 8–12 ft.Cadillac. Bluegill/perch steady; evening walleye building.Mitchell. Strong panfish east side; a few dusk walleye.Missaukee. Panfish around docks/stumps on minnows.Fremont. Pike/bass on points; panfish near docks.Big Star (Baldwin). Early topwater bass; panfish off breaks.Margrethe. Walleye improving; perch consistent.Long (Traverse City). Walleye and perch on drop-offs.Green (Interlochen). Perch 8–12 ft weed edge; active bluegill.Walloon. Smallmouth on points; perch on gravel breaks.Elk (inland). Smallmouth and perch mid-depth.Torch (inland). Smallmouth strong; perch steady.Bear (Manistee Co.). Pike and bluegill first light along weeds.Lower Herring. Evening walleye on cranks.Otsego. Dusk walleye; daytime perch on minnows.Higgins. Quality perch on SW/Gerrish drop 40–50 ft.Lake George (Clare). Panfish at pads; bass on points.Bud (Clare). Mid-morning bluegill on waxworms.Lake Thirteen (Clare). Crappie and pike around timber.Cranberry (Clare). Bluegill on slip bobbers near stumps.Lancer (Gladwin). Bluegill/crappie along channel edges.Sugar Springs (Gladwin). Water down ~5 ft; shore bite fair.⸻HARRISON – CLARE – GLADWIN COUNTY LAKESLake George. Panfish near pads and wood; bass on points.Bud. Bluegill mid-morning on waxworms.Lake Thirteen. Crappie and pike around timber.Cranberry. Bluegill on slip bobbers near stumps.Lancer. Bluegill and crappie on channel edges.Sugar Springs. Water low; limited launching; shore bluegill fair.⸻U.P. RIVERS — TOP 10St. Marys River (Sault Ste. Marie). Coho and early steelhead in seams; drift spawn or beads at daybreak and dusk.Manistique River. Kings stacked in lower river with a few coho; beads and skein under floats in deeper holes.Tahquamenon River. Kings steady in tannic cuts; float natural-tone beads and small sacks through soft seams.Two Hearted River. Mixed kings/coho in tailouts; single eggs and small beads at first light.Carp River (St. Ignace). Coho and a few steelhead on cold nights; short drifts with spawn near bends.Chocolay River. Kings/coho holding in deeper bends; low-light passes with beads or skein.Escanaba River. Kings staging near mouth; first steelhead after fronts; drift spawn slowly through pockets.Ontonagon River. Kings in lower river when stained; spinners and skein in current breaks.Black River (Gogebic). Mixed kings/coho in clear water—downsized beads and stealthy floats.Sturgeon River (Baraga/Houghton). Kings push on rain pulses; subtle natural beads and short leaders in runs.⸻U.P. LAKES (20–30)Indian (Schoolcraft). Perch and walleye on minnows along 10–14 ft weeds at dawn/dusk.Big Manistique. Pike over cabbage on spoons; evening walleye on jig-and-minnow.South Manistique. Perch fair on slip-bobber minnows near points; bluegill in protected bays.Round (North Manistique). Perch on sandgrass 9–12 ft; walleye rise after sunset.Milakokia. Perch 12–15 ft with slip bobbers and small minnows.Muskallonge. Windblown shores give pike and perch on jig-minnow combos.Brevort. Walleye on live minnows along drop-offs; smallmouth on tubes midday.McKeever. Mid-morning bluegill on waxies 7–10 ft; slow in clear water.Kingston. Pike on spoons near shallow weeds; a few perch on small jigs.Gogebic. Walleye improving on jig-and-minnow in 12–18 ft; perch scattered on soft flats.Gratiot (Keweenaw). Perch/walleye on rock-to-weed transitions; drag 1/8-oz jigs slowly.Big Shag (Marquette Co.). Bluegill and perch steady on slip bobbers 6–10 ft; pike on jerkbaits.Emily (Houghton Co.). Pike on outer weeds; perch on small minnows near pads.Brown (Gogebic Co.). Perch on wigglers over sandgrass in 9–11 ft.Perch Lake (Gogebic Co.). Excellent first-light bite on tiny minnows with Perch Pounders.Au Train (Alger). Walleye at dusk near river mouths; daytime perch on crawler bits.Deer (Marquette). Smallmouth on rock humps; pike along cabbage edges.Independence (Big Bay). Walleye trolling shad-style cranks at sunset; perch near the creek mouth.Michigamme. Mixed pike/walleye on points and saddles; slow-roll jigs with live bait.Chicagon (Dickinson). Clear-water finesse—drop-shot minnows on 15–25 ft breaks; pike deeper on swimbaits.Peavy Pond (Michigamme River). Current seams holding walleye on jigs; back bays steady panfish.Portage Lake System (Houghton). Smallmouth on blade baits over breaks; roaming perch—use electronics.Twin Lakes (Houghton). Perch on first break 10–14 ft; slip-bobber minnows.Lake Antoine (Dickinson). Panfish steady in 8–12 ft; evening pike on outer weeds.Greenwood Reservoir (Marquette). Crappie at dusk on small plastics; walleye on jigs after dark.Teal (Negaunee). Shoreline bluegill on waxies; a few evening walleye on small cranks.Thunder (Schoolcraft). Perch over chara patches 8–10 ft; minnows and small spoons.Perrault (Baraga). Walleye on live minnows along breaks; perch light mid-day, better at first light.⸻Tight lines — Bait Man out. ... See MoreSee Less

Buc’s Fishing Report — Monday, October 13, 2025

MORNING BRIEFINGBait Man here — Saturday blew cold early, then flipped by early afternoon and the bite rallied on Torch, Elk, Big Glen, Little Glen, and Portage; Drummond Island perch were solid; Green Lake (Interlochen) produced on 8–12 ft weed edges while Crystal stayed quiet. Sunday started calm, then ramped to afternoon blows that kept most off the big lake. On the Platte below M-22, kings were dark on gravel with few fresh fish under the weir—king run is peaked and we’re set up for steelhead with the next cool pushes. East Grand Traverse Bay is still hot for cisco and phenomenal smallmouth to ~5 lb, with an occasional bonus salmon.BIG LAKE CONDITIONSLake Michigan (Pt. Betsie → Manistee): Residual swell early (2–3 ft) easing late (≤2 ft). Piers at Frankfort, Manistee, Ludington, Whitehall, Muskegon, Grand Haven: best shot is dawn/dusk on glow spoons and spawn bags under floats; watch slick surfaces.INLAND WEATHER & BITE WINDOWSAir: ~53°F high, partly sunny; NW 10–15 mph diminishing toward evening. Barometer: ~30.18 in steady.Water: many inland lakes upper-50s°F.Moon: Third Quarter. Solunar: Major 7:30–9:30 AM & 8:00–10:00 PM; Minor 3:45–4:45 PM.Plan: fish slow and tight to first breaks and weed edges; biggest windows are early and late.⸻RIVER FLOWS & CONDITIONSManistee (Wellston/Tippy): Normal fall flow, clear; kings heavy below Tippy; first steelhead trickling in.Betsie: Low/clear; fair kings; a few steelhead in tailouts at daybreak.White (Hesperia): Many kings below dam; beads, skein, spawn early/late.Pere Marquette: Mixed kings/early steelhead; subtle beads/skein under floats.Platte: Coho + a few steelhead below the weir and at the mouth; glow spoons & skein.Boardman & Elk: Fish stacked below dams; floats with beads or small spawn sacks.Bear (Petoskey): Fair kings; first chrome nosing in.⸻SALMON RIVERS (LOWER PENINSULA)Tippy & Hesperia: Focus water—deep slots hold kings; steelhead just starting; run natural beads (10–12 mm), small sacks, and skein at first/last light.Pere Marquette & Betsie: Steady but pressured; downsize leaders, drift tailouts and soft seams.Platte (weir/mouth): Coho and early steelhead to casters on glow spoons; skein under slips in the wash.Boardman/Elk/Bear: Late kings with the first steelhead; fish seams below dams with floats and single eggs.⸻SAGINAW BAY & RIVER (WALLEYE + PERCH)Bay — Walleye: Active around Linwood, Callahan Reef, and inner-bay humps; 12–20 ft jigging purple, pink, fire-tiger jigheads tipped with minnows; short hops close to bottom.Bay — Perch: Fair pods near Quanicassee and Pinconning; minnows on perch rigs, keep moving to stay on schools.Saginaw River: Early walleye sliding in at Zilwaukee and Bay City bridges; vertical jig orange/chartreuse with live minnows in deeper holes/eddies.⸻PERCH & PANFISH REPORTPortage Lake (Onekama): Bigger white-bellies 16–22 ft; minnows/wigglers early.Big Glen: Better size, less sorting; minnows or shrimp 35–45 ft.Little Glen: Biting along the sand bar on minnows.Lake Leelanau (Cedar River/Pines Campground): 8–20 ft; steady on minnows.Lake Charlevoix (Ironton/Elm Point): Strong perch; bonus walleye on jigs.Torch Lake: 25–35 ft; wigglers and shrimp.Elk & Skegemog: Weed-edge pods; minnows best.Grand Lake (Rogers City): Sand-grass 10–14 ft; crawler/minnow bits.Drummond Island (Scotts & Potagannissing): Good-size perch on wigglers, shrimp, minnows.White Lake (Whitehall): Yellow bellies in weeds; white bellies by channel; bluegill hot near marina.Houghton Lake: North-end weeds for perch; shoreline weeds for bluegill.Green Lake (Interlochen): 8–12 ft weed edge on minnows.Long Lake (Traverse City): Weedline pods; minnows/crawler bits.Burt & Mullett: Consistent schools; minnows/wigglers.⸻INLAND LAKES (NORTHERN MICHIGAN)Houghton: Bluegill strong along weeds; walleye fair at dusk.St. Helen: Pike/bass on spinnerbaits; panfish midday on waxies.Cadillac: Excellent bluegill; shallow perch midday.Mitchell: Steady panfish; bass on outside weed edge.Missaukee: Largemouth on plastics; panfish in bays.Fremont: Bluegill on worms/leeches; pike on spinners.Big Star (Baldwin): Early topwater bass; bluegill in mid-coves.Bear (Kalkaska): Bluegill/pike on cabbage edges.Manistee (Kalkaska): Crappie dusk bite on small plastics.Otsego: Walleye at dusk; daytime perch.Higgins: Quality perch on the SW/Gerrish drop 40–50 ft.Arnold: Bluegill 8–12 ft on waxworms.Shingle: Pike/bass outer weeds.Lake George: Panfish around pads/wood.Bud: Bluegill mid-morning on worms.Lake Thirteen: Crappie/pike around timber.Cranberry: Bluegill on slip bobbers at stumps.Five Lakes (Lakeview): Bluegill on worms; small jigs.Cowden (Greenville): Bass and bluegill steady.Crooked (Leroy): Good bass/bluegill early.Bear (Manistee Co.): Pike/bluegill first light.LeRoy Ponds: Mixed panfish in shallow coves.⸻HARRISON – CLARE – GLADWIN COUNTY LAKESArnold: Bluegill 8–12 ft on worms.Shingle: Pike and bass outer weed edges.Lake George: Panfish near pads and timber.Bud: Bluegill mid-morning on waxworms.Lake Thirteen: Crappie/pike near timber.Cranberry: Bluegill on slip bobbers near stumps.Lancer: Bluegill/crappie on channel edges.Sugar Springs: Water down ~5 ft; shore bite fair.⸻U.P. RIVERS — TOP 10St. Marys River (Sault Ste. Marie): Chinook/coho scattered; steelhead starting in current seams; swing spinners or float spawn along eddies.Manistique: Heavy kings in lower river; best drifting small sacks/eggs.Tahquamenon: Kings steady; first chrome nosing in below falls; use beads in slower cuts.Two Hearted: Kings with coho mixed; single eggs through tailouts.Carp (St. Ignace): Mixed kings/coho; dawn bite on skein and small spoons.Chocolay (Marquette): Kings/coho in deeper bends; fish low-light windows.Ontonagon: Kings in lower river when stained; spinners and skein.Black (Gogebic): Coho/kings on cooler nights; small sacks.Sturgeon (Baraga/Houghton): Kings pushing on rain; beads/natural presentations.Escanaba: Kings staging near mouth; drift spawn in holes; watch for first steelhead after fronts.U.P. LAKESIndian Lake (Schoolcraft): Perch and walleye steady on minnows along 10–14 ft weed edges; best early and last light.Big Manistique Lake: Pike on spoons over cabbage; perch on wigglers in 8–12 ft; walleye dusk bite on jigs.South Manistique Lake: Perch fair on minnows near points; bluegill picking up in protected bays.Milakokia Lake: Good perch in 12–15 ft—hover with slip bobbers; bonus pike on spinnerbaits.Muskallonge Lake: Mixed pike/perch; work windblown shorelines with jig-minnow combos.Brevort Lake: Walleye on minnows and crankbaits at dusk along drop-offs; smallmouth on tubes mid-day.McKeever Lake: Mid-morning bluegill on waxies 7–10 ft; subtle presentations help in clear water.Kingston Lake: Pike active on spoons near shallow weeds; a few perch on small jigs.Lake Gogebic: Walleye improving on jig-and-minnow in 12–18 ft; perch scattered on soft bottom flats.Lake Huron (Baraga Co. inland lake): Evening walleye along breaks with live minnows; perch light during day.Gratiot Lake (Keweenaw): Perch/walleye along rock-to-weed transitions; drag jigs slowly.Big Shag Lake (Marquette Co.): Bluegill and perch steady on slip bobbers 6–10 ft; pike on jerkbaits.Emily Lake (Houghton Co.): Pike cruising outer weeds; perch nibbling minnows near pads.Brown Lake (Gogebic Co.): Consistent perch on wigglers over sandgrass in 9–11 ft.Perch Lake (Gogebic Co.): Excellent first-light bite—tiny minnows on Perch Pounders tight to bottom.Au Train Lake (Alger): Walleye at dusk on jig/minnow near river mouths; daytime perch on crawlers.Deer Lake (Marquette Co.): Smallmouth on tubes over rock humps; pike along cabbage edges.Lake Independence (Big Bay): Walleye trolling shad-style cranks at sunset; perch near the creek mouth.Lake Michigamme: Mixed pike/walleye on points and saddles; slow-roll jigs with live bait.Chicagon Lake (Iron Co.): Clear-water finesse—drop-shot minnows for perch on 15–25 ft edges; pike deeper with swimbaits.Peavy Pond (Michigamme River): Current seams holding walleye on jigs; back bays give steady panfish.Portage Lake system (Houghton): Smallmouth on blade baits over breaks; perch scattered—use electronics to stay on schools. ... 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🎣 Buc’s Fishing Report — Sunday, October 12, 2025

⸻MORNING BRIEFINGBait Man here — crisp fall morning across Northern Michigan. Yesterday’s blow helped shove more salmon upriver, inland lakes cooled, and deer were moving hard at daybreak. Best action is early and late; fish slow and tight to structure.⸻BIG LAKE CONDITIONSLake Michigan nearshore (Point Betsie–Manistee): SE winds 10–15 kt, waves ~1–2 ft; no Small Craft Advisory in this stretch. Grand Traverse Bay: light SE winds, waves ≤2 ft. Always re-check NWS marine before launching.⸻INLAND WEATHERTraverse City today: mostly sunny, high near 68–70°F; light SE wind becoming 5–10 mph; tonight ~51°F. Barometer: steady. Water temps: upper-50s on many inland lakes. Solunar: Major 7:10–9:10 AM; Minor 2:00–3:00 PM.⸻FEATURED BAIT TIP — Frozen Shrimp for Perch (today only)Buc’s Aqua Farms 8-oz frozen shrimp is producing across Portage, Big Glen, and Lake Leelanau. Cut raw shrimp into 5–6 pieces; fish on Perch Pounders, slip bobbers, or drop-shot tight to bottom.⸻RIVER FLOWS & CONDITIONSManistee River (Wellston): ~1,380–1,420 cfs, gage ~8.6 ft; clear; kings stacked below Tippy with early steelhead.Betsie River: Low/clear; fair kings; a few steelhead nosing in.White River (Hesperia): Good flow; heavy kings below the dam; spawn/beads early.Pere Marquette River: Mixed kings/early steelhead; natural beads and skein.Platte River: Coho and some steelhead below the weir and at the mouth (spoons/skein).Boardman & Elk Rivers: Fish holding below dams; floats with beads/spawn.U.P. Rivers (Manistique, Tahquamenon, Two Hearted, Carp): Kings steady; coho/pinks scattered; slow drifts in tailouts.⸻SALMON & RIVER REPORTTippy and Hesperia lead with concentrated kings in deeper slots; first light and last light best on beads, skein, and spawn sacks. PM and Betsie are steady with the first wave of fall steelhead. Platte has coho/steelhead below the weir and at the mouth for casters with glow spoons or skein. In the U.P., the Manistique, Tahquamenon, and Two Hearted continue to run strong; fish single eggs or small sacks through slower seams.⸻PERCH & PANFISH REPORTPortage Lake (Onekama): Bigger white-bellies moving in 16–22 ft; minnows/wigglers early.Big Glen Lake: Good size, less sorting; minnows or shrimp 35–45 ft.Little Glen Lake: Perch biting near the sand bar on minnows.Lake Leelanau (South end/Cedar River & Pines Campground): 8–20 ft on minnows.Lake Charlevoix (Ironton/Elm Point): Perch strong; bonus walleye on jigs.Torch Lake: Steady 25–35 ft; wigglers and shrimp.Elk & Skegemog: Weed-edge schools; minnows best.Grand Lake (Rogers City): Along sandy flats; crawler/minnow bits.Drummond Island (Scotts & Potagannissing Bays): Weekend rebound with good-size fish on wigglers, shrimp, minnows.White Lake (Whitehall): Yellow bellies in weeds; white bellies by the channel; bluegill hot near marina.Crystal Lake (Railroad Point weeds): Fair; search edges.Houghton Lake: North-end weeds for perch; bluegill tight to shore.Green Lake (Interlochen): 8–12 ft weed edges; minnows.Long Lake (Traverse City): Weedline pods; minnows/crawlers.Burt & Mullett: Consistent schools; minnows, wigglers.⸻INLAND LAKESHoughton Lake: Bluegill strong along weeds; walleye fair at dusk.Lake St. Helen: Pike/bass on spinnerbaits; panfish on waxies.Lake Cadillac: Excellent bluegill; shallow perch mid-day.Lake Mitchell: Steady panfish; bass on outside weed edge.Lake Missaukee: Largemouth on plastics; panfish in bays.Fremont Lake: Bluegill on worms/leeches; pike on spinners.Big Star Lake (Baldwin): Early topwater bass; bluegill mid-coves.Bear Lake (Kalkaska): Bluegill and pike along cabbage.Manistee Lake (Kalkaska): Crappie dusk bite on small plastics.Otsego Lake: Dawn/dusk walleye; daytime perch.Higgins Lake (SW/Gerrish drop-off): Quality perch 40–50 ft.Arnold Lake: Bluegill on waxworms 8–12 ft.Shingle Lake: Pike and bass outer weeds.Lake George: Panfish around pads/wood.Bud Lake: Bluegill mid-morning on worms.Lake Thirteen: Crappie/pike around timber.Cranberry Lake: Bluegill near stumps; slip bobbers.Lancer Lake (Gladwin): Bluegill/crappie off the channel edge.Sugar Springs (Gladwin): Drawn down ~5 ft; shore bite decent.Five Lakes (Lakeview): Bluegill on worms; small jigs.Cowden Lake (Greenville): Bass and bluegill steady.Crooked Lake (Leroy): Good bass/bluegill early.Bear Lake (Manistee Co.): Pike/bluegill first light.LeRoy Ponds: Mixed panfish in shallow coves.⸻SAGINAW BAY & RIVERBay: Walleye jigging good near Linwood, Callahan Reef, and inner-bay structure; purple/fire-tiger jigs with minnows. Perch fair around Quanicassee/Pinconning.River: Early walleye showing at Zilwaukee and Bay City bridges; vertical jig orange/chartreuse with live minnows.⸻U.P. LAKES & U.P. RIVERSIndian Lake: Walleye/perch steady on minnows.Big Manistique: Perch/pike near weeds; jig minnows.South Manistique: Fair perch on wigglers.Milakokia: Perch 12–15 ft on minnows.Muskallonge: Mixed perch/pike.Brevort Lake: Walleye/smallmouth steady.McKeever: Bluegill mid-morning.Kingston: Pike on spoons near shore.Gogebic & Huron: Walleye improving on minnows.Gratiot: Perch/walleye near breaks.Big Shag: Bluegill/perch steady.Emily: Pike active in weeds.Brown: Good perch on wigglers.Perch Lake (Gogebic Co.): Excellent early window.Manistique, Tahquamenon, Two Hearted: Kings strong; coho/pinks scattered; small sacks/eggs in tailouts.⸻Fish smart, fish hard, tight lines — Bait Man out. ... See MoreSee Less