Fishing Report

Buc’s Fishing Report — 10-02-2025

ON-SITE UPDATE. Windy this morning with chop on open water. Salmon runs are picking up across Northern Michigan and the U.P. Strong numbers of fish are stacked below the Hesperia Dam, the Betsie River is fishing well, and the lower Pere Marquette is loaded though the upper river remains slow. At Tippy Dam, salmon are steadily pushing upriver and the spawning migration has begun.MOON & SOLUNAR BITES. Waning crescent (22% illumination). • Major: 8:44–10:44 AM, 9:10–11:10 PM • Minor: 12:57–1:57 AM, 5:13–6:13 PMRIVER FLOWS & TEMPS. • Manistee (Tippy Dam, Wellston): 1,320 cfs, 8.50 ft, ~63°F. • White (Whitehall): 212 cfs, 0.80 ft. • Boardman (Traverse City): 185 cfs, 4.60 ft. • Pere Marquette (Scottville): 400 cfs, 0.80 ft. • Manistique (U.P.): 945 cfs, 3.41 ft.⸻HOT SEVEN PIERS & JIGGINGFrankfort. Glow spoons and jigs producing at first light.Manistee. Pier and harbor marks holding kings.Ludington. Pier casting spoons early with nearshore marks producing.Whitehall. First steelhead showing on skein and spoons.Muskegon. Basin and piers producing kings and first steelhead.Grand Haven. Coho on spoons with scattered deeper marks.Burt Lake Maple Bay. Good perch and a few walleye on weed edges.⸻RIVER SNAPSHOTTippy (Manistee). Run building as salmon push upriver to spawn.White (Hesperia). Heavy numbers of salmon below the dam.Pere Marquette. Lower river loaded with fish, upper river low and clear.Betsie. Strong salmon activity in lower stretches.Boardman (Traverse City). Weir in at Union St. and reach closed, fish stacking below.Platte. Salmon in the river mouth and below the weir, bobber rigs with skein producing.⸻PERCH REPORTBig Glen. Bigger perch showing with less sorting, wigglers and minnows best.Lake Leelanau. South end producing near Cedar River and Pines Campground sandbar.Crystal. Perch off Railroad Point weedbeds.Portage (Onekama). Fair bite with many small fish.Manistee Lake. Few perch with salmon staging.PM Lake (Ludington). Perch schools starting to build.Pentwater. Fair bite, mostly small perch.White. Bluegill strong by the marina and weed edges, yellow-belly perch in weeds.Muskegon. Perch action poor.Green (Interlochen). Perch steady on 8–12 ft weed edges.Long (Traverse City). Fair perch and a few walleye on south end and peninsula edges.Burt. Good perch bite with bonus walleye.Mullett. Bigger perch showing with less sorting.Lake Charlevoix. Perch at Ironton, Horton Bay, Elm Point, and Cedar Rest with bonus walleye.Torch. Perch on south-end weedbeds and some on north weedbeds.Elk. Perch off Whitewater Township landing.Otsego. Fair perch and a few walleye.Drummond Island. Strong perch bite in Scotts Bay and Maxton Bay on minnows and wigglers, bring wigglers with you.East Grand Traverse Bay. Cisco and lake trout bite strong with occasional salmon.Little Bay De Noc. Perch steady near Kipling, Narrows, and Aronson Island.⸻INLAND LAKESLake Cadillac. Smallmouth and largemouth on humps and edges with panfish on minnows and waxworms.Lake Mitchell. Largemouth and panfish near lily pads and stumps.Lake St. Helen. Pike and largemouth in weedy bays with panfish on jigs.Higgins Lake. Smallmouth on drop-offs and lake trout on vertical jigs.Walloon Lake. Smallmouth on rocky points and panfish on small baits.Lake Missaukee. Bluegill and largemouth in shallow weeds.Holton Lake. Bass and panfish around docks and weed edges.Crystal Lake (Greenville). Town lake panfish and largemouth on small jigs.Wabasis Lake. Bass and panfish near public access on minnows and spinners.Long Lake (Greenville). Bass and panfish on drop-shot and slip bobbers.Tamarack Lake (Lakeview). Largemouth and pike active in coves.McLaren Lake (Hesperia). Multi-species with steady panfish.Hamlin Lake (Ludington). Walleye at dusk and panfish on weeds.Silver Lake (Mears). Pike and largemouth on wind-blown weedlines.Bear Lake (Manistee). Panfish on weed edges with evening bass bite.Big Platte Lake. Smallmouth on points and perch on first breaks.Black Lake. Perch on flats and cuts 6–12 ft.Crooked Lake (Emmet). Smallmouth and panfish on rocks and weeds.Pickerel Lake (Emmet). Panfish steady on finesse jigs.Houghton Lake. North weedbed perch and bluegill steady on worms.⸻TOP 10 U.P. HOTSPOTSLittle Bay De Noc. Walleye and perch on weeds and humps.Munising / Grand Island. Lake trout on reefs and ledges.Marquette. Trout on steep drops with spoons and jigs.Keweenaw / Copper Harbor. Trout and salmon on rocky points.Escanaba / Big Bay De Noc. Walleye and smallmouth on breaks and weeds.St. Marys River (Sault Ste. Marie). Salmon and steelhead in current seams.Portage Entry / Grand Marais. Mixed trout and salmon along structure.Tahquamenon Bay. Walleye and panfish at river mouths.Drummond / Les Cheneaux. Perch hot in Scotts and Maxton Bays.Au Train / Ford River. Trout, walleye, and perch on points and narrows.⸻SAGINAW BAY & RIVERSaginaw Bay. Walleye scattered with perch in cuts and channels.Saginaw River. Walleye staging in channel holes on jigs, perch and catfish mixed.⸻LIVE BAIT PRO TIPOn Big Glen, Burt, and Drummond Island, perch are hitting best on wigglers and minnows. Use slip-bobbers or Perch Pounders on weed edges and humps, and bring wigglers before heading to Drummond.⸻TIGHT LINES, BAITMAN OUT#LiveBait #bucsbait #perch #salmon #walleye #steelhead #tightlines ... See MoreSee Less

Buc’s Fishing Report — 10-01-25

BEST BITE RECAP • Perch: Portage Lake fair on minnows & wigglers; Big Glen good with lots of smalls; White & Crystal steady on weed edges. • Bluegill: Smaller inland lakes are producing in good numbers on worms along marina edges and inside weedlines. • Walleye: Otsego Lake fair with a few mixed in; action improving with cool nights.MOON & SOLUNAR (Traverse City area)Moon: Waning crescentMajor Activity: 7:58–9:58 AM • 8:24–10:24 PMMinor Activity: 12:13–1:13 AM • 4:28–5:28 PM⸻MORNING UPDATELight east winds, calm–slight nearshore, waves ≤2 ft and partly sunny; pier casting at first light remains the easiest win while rivers stay low, clear, and warm with spooky fish.⸻RIVER FLOWS & TEMPS (latest snapshot) • Manistee (Tippy Dam, Wellston). ~1,360 cfs, 8.57 ft, ~63°F; fish trickling, many holding in deeper holes. • White (Whitehall). ~218 cfs, 0.81 ft; temp not reported. • Boardman (Traverse City). ~184 cfs, 4.60 ft; temp not reported. • Pere Marquette (Scottville). ~401 cfs; temp not reported. • Manistique (U.P.). ~965 cfs; temp not reported.⸻PIERS & HARBORSFRANKFORT. Kings still stage at pier mouths; glow spoons best at dawn.MANISTEE. Harbor seams give early shots on spoons and jigs; slows after sun-up.LUDINGTON. Pier spoons first light; deeper Big Sable marks late morning.WHITEHALL. Scattered kings with steelhead starting on skein and casting spoons.GRAND HAVEN. Light pier bite; most marks deeper 70–140 ft.MUSKEGON. Jigging slowing as kings push upriver; pier steelhead now a legit option on skein/spoons.Best bet— Frankfort at first light with glow spoons.⸻RIVER SNAPSHOTTIPPY (Manistee). Slow; salmon migrating slowly and holding in deep clear holes—go light with beads or spawn at dawn/dusk.PERE MARQUETTE. Low/clear; fish pooled in deep slots; midday bite is tough.BETSIE. Lower-river staging continues; bigger push still waiting on rain.BOARDMAN. Kings stacking in pool transitions; subtle float-and-bead rigs early.WHITE (Hesperia). Tailrace holes and plunge pools producing on short-leader floats with beads/skein.⸻PERCH & PANFISH — MINNOWS & WIGGLERSWHITE LAKE. Yellow bellies in weeds; bluegill hot near the marina and weed edges.CRYSTAL LAKE. Good off Railroad Point weedline; move to stay with roaming schools.PORTAGE LAKE. Fair bite with many small perch.BIG GLEN. Good action with lots of sorting required.PM LAKE (Ludington). Schools forming in coves and along docklines.PENTWATER LAKE. Fair bite, mostly smaller fish.EAST GRAND TRAVERSE BAY. Cisco strong with lake trout on deeper structure.ELK LAKE. Perch near the Whitewater Township landing.TORCH LAKE. South-end weed beds producing; a few on north weeds.OTSEGO LAKE. Fair perch with a few walleye mixed in.GREEN LAKE (Interlochen). Perch steady on 8–12 ft weed edges.LONG LAKE (Traverse City). Fair on south weed edges and peninsula points.UP BAYS. Kipling, The Narrows, and Aronson Island steady.DRUMMOND / LES CHENEAUX. Perch starting in Cedarville & Hessel Bays.⸻TOP INLAND LAKESLAKE CADILLAC. Smallmouth/largemouth on humps and edges; panfish on minnows and waxworms.LAKE MITCHELL. Largemouth and panfish near pads and stumps; plastics and small jigs.LAKE ST. HELEN. Pike and largemouth in weedy bays; panfish on small jigs.HIGGINS LAKE. Deep smallmouth on drop-offs; lake trout on vertical jigs.WALLOON LAKE. Smallmouth on rocky points; panfish on small baits.LAKE MISSAUKEE. Bluegill and largemouth in shallow bays; minnows and waxworms.HOLTON LAKE. Bass and panfish around docks and weed edges; slip bobbers effective.CRYSTAL LAKE (Greenville). Town lake producing panfish and largemouth on small jigs.WABASIS LAKE. Bass and panfish near access points; spinners and minnows.LONG LAKE (Greenville). Bass and panfish fair; drop-shot and bobbers best.TAMARACK LAKE (Lakeview). Largemouth and pike in coves; live minnows producing.McLAREN LAKE (Hesperia). Multi-species bite steady; panfish reliable.⸻TOP 10 U.P. HOTSPOTS 1. Little Bay De Noc — Walleye & perch. 2. Munising / Grand Island — Lakers on reefs & ledges. 3. Marquette — Lake trout on steep drops. 4. Keweenaw / Copper Harbor — Trout & salmon on rocky points. 5. Escanaba / Big Bay De Noc — Walleye & smallmouth. 6. St. Marys River (Soo) — Salmon & steelhead in current seams. 7. Portage Entry / Grand Marais — Trout & salmon. 8. Tahquamenon Bay mouths — Walleye & panfish on weedlines. 9. Drummond / Les Cheneaux — Perch starting; smallmouth & walleye. 10. Au Train / Ford River — Trout, walleye, perch on points/narrows.⸻LIVE BAIT PRO TIPPerch: Full minnows & wigglers on slip bobbers or Perch Pounder rigs over weeds.Bluegill: Worms on inside weed edges and marina corners.Rivers: Stealth wins—light leaders, short drifts with beads or skein at first/last light.⸻SAGINAW BAY & RIVERSaginaw Bay. Walleye steady on crawler harnesses/minnows along weed edges and river mouths; perch showing near Quanicassee and Sebewaing.Saginaw River. Early-fall walleye staging in deeper channel holes on jigging minnows; perch and catfish also reported.⸻TIGHT LINES, BAIT MAN OUT#LiveBait #bucsbait #salmon #steelhead #perch #bluegill #walleye #cisco #laketrout #saginawbay #tightlines ... See MoreSee Less

Buc’s Fishing Report — 09-30-25

BEST BITE RECAP • Perch: Portage Lake fair on minnows and wigglers; Big Glen producing with many small fish. • Bluegill: Smaller inland lakes are starting to produce in good numbers, worms working best. • Walleye: Otsego Lake fair with a few mixed in; action improving on cool nights.HOT WINDOW CLOCK. AM: ~09:00–10:00 • PM: ~03:40–05:40 ET⸻MORNING UPDATELight east winds and calm seas across most harbors. Salmon remain staged in harbors and lower rivers; runs upriver continue to be slow with clear, warm flows. Pier casting glow spoons and skein under floats still producing at dawn and dusk.⸻RIVER FLOWS & TEMPS • Manistee (Tippy Dam, Wellston). ~1,360 cfs, 8.57 ft, 63°F; salmon holding in deep holes, slow trickle of movement. • White (Whitehall). ~226 cfs, 0.83 ft; temp not reported. • Boardman (Traverse City). ~188 cfs, 4.62 ft; temp not reported. • Pere Marquette (Scottville). ~422 cfs, 0.79 ft; temp not reported. • Manistique (U.P.). ~846 cfs, 3.45 ft; temp not reported.⸻PIERS & HARBORSFRANKFORT. Kings tight at pier mouths, glow spoons best at dawn.MANISTEE. Harbor seams producing early, quiet by midday.LUDINGTON. Pier spoons early, deeper Big Sable marks later.WHITEHALL. Kings thinning, first steelhead showing on skein and spoons.GRAND HAVEN. Light pier bite, deeper marks 70–140 ft.MUSKEGON. Jigging slowing as kings move upriver; steelhead starting on skein/spoons.⸻RIVER SNAPSHOTTIPPY (Manistee). Slow; salmon in deep clear holes, best dawn/dusk with beads or spawn.PERE MARQUETTE. Low and clear; fish pooled in slots, tough midday.BETSIE. Staging in lower river; next push needs rain.BOARDMAN. Kings stacked in pool transitions, float and bead rigs best.WHITE (Hesperia). Tailrace pools producing on float drifts with beads or skein.⸻PERCH & PANFISH — MINNOWS & WIGGLERSWHITE LAKE. Yellow bellies in weeds, bluegill hot by marina.CRYSTAL LAKE. Good bite off Railroad Pt weedline.PORTAGE LAKE. Fair bite, mostly small perch.BIG GLEN. Good action with many small fish.PM LAKE (Ludington). Schools forming in coves and near docks.PENTWATER LAKE. Fair bite with mostly small perch.EAST GRAND TRAVERSE BAY. Cisco strong with lake trout on deeper structure.ELK LAKE. Perch near Whitewater Township landing.TORCH LAKE. South-end weed beds giving up perch.OTSEGO LAKE. Fair perch bite, few walleye mixed in.GREEN LAKE (Interlochen). Perch steady on weed edges in 8–12 ft.LONG LAKE (Traverse City). Fair perch on south weed edges and peninsula.UP BAYS. Kipling, Narrows, Aronson steady.DRUMMOND / LES CHENEAUX. Perch starting in Cedarville and Hessel Bays.⸻TOP INLAND LAKESLAKE CADILLAC. Bass and panfish on humps and edges, minnows and waxworms best.LAKE MITCHELL. Largemouth and panfish near pads and stumps, plastics producing.LAKE ST. HELEN. Pike and largemouth in bays, panfish on small jigs.HIGGINS LAKE. Smallmouth on drops, lake trout on vertical jigs.WALLOON LAKE. Smallmouth on rocky points, panfish on small baits.LAKE MISSAUKEE. Bluegill and largemouth in shallows, minnows working.HOLTON LAKE. Bass and panfish around docks, slip bobbers effective.CRYSTAL LAKE (Greenville). Panfish and largemouth steady on jigs.WABASIS LAKE. Bass and panfish near access points, spinners and minnows good.LONG LAKE (Greenville). Bass and panfish fair, drop-shot and bobbers best.TAMARACK LAKE (Lakeview). Largemouth and pike, minnows producing.McLAREN LAKE (Hesperia). Multi-species bite steady, panfish reliable.⸻TOP 10 UP HOTSPOTS 1. Little Bay De Noc — Walleye and perch. 2. Munising/Grand Island — Lake trout reefs and ledges. 3. Marquette — Trout on steep drops. 4. Keweenaw Copper Harbor — Trout and salmon. 5. Escanaba Big Bay De Noc — Walleye and smallmouth. 6. St. Marys River (Soo) — Salmon and steelhead in currents. 7. Portage Entry/Grand Marais — Trout and salmon. 8. Tahquamenon Bay mouths — Walleye and panfish. 9. Drummond/Les Cheneaux — Smallmouth, walleye, perch starting. 10. Au Train/Ford River — Trout, walleye, perch.⸻LIVE BAIT PRO TIPPerch: Minnows and wigglers remain the ticket.Bluegill: Worms on weed edges producing.Rivers: Light leaders and short drifts at dawn/dusk key for spooky salmon.⸻SAGINAW BAY & RIVERSaginaw Bay. Walleye steady on crawler harnesses and minnows along weeds and river mouths, perch showing near Quanicassee and Sebewaing.Saginaw River. Early fall walleye staging, jigging minnows in deeper channel holes; perch and catfish also reported.⸻TIGHT LINES, BAIT MAN OUT#LiveBait #bucsbait #salmon #steelhead #perch #cisco #laketrout #bluegill #walleye #saginawbay #tightlines ... See MoreSee Less

Healthy steelhead showing up ! ... See MoreSee Less

NEW STATE RECORD YELLOW PERCH RECORD ON LAKE ERIE.

The scale weight of the Yellow Perch was 2.98lbs. In accordance with PFBC State Record Fish Application Rules, the weight is rounded up to the nearest ounce, making the weight 3 pounds., 0 ounces, exceeding the current state record by two ounces. The length of the fish was 16 7/8 inches, with a girth of 14 inches. State record fish are judged only by weight and must exceed the previous state record by at least two ounces. ... See MoreSee Less

Here we go! The much anticipated yearly Fox Ford of Cadillac kids fishing event, mark your calendars, we'll be ready to assist the youngsters in catching a rainbow trout! See YOU on October 11th. ... See MoreSee Less

Buc’s Fishing Report — 09-29-2025

NORTHWEST MICHIGAN FISHING CLUB SPOTLIGHTYesterday at New Hope Community Church, the Northwest Michigan Fishing Club reminded us what community is all about. The trout pond was busy from the first cast — kids hooked rainbow trout in a frenzy early on, and though the bite slowed as the day warmed, the laughter and smiles never stopped. The young anglers gave it their best and walked away with memories that will last. The club knows there’s work ahead — more fish in the pond and a few more volunteers for next year — but this season showed the impact they’ve made. From supporting youth days to organizing veterans’ events with 78 veterans, captains, and shore helpers this fall, the club continues to give back to northern Michigan. We salute them.⸻ON-SITE UPDATECalm nearshore this morning with light W–NW winds 5–10 knots, waves under 1 foot. Rivers remain low, clear, and warm, keeping salmon spooky and holding them in deep holes. Best bite windows remain dawn and dusk.MOON & SOLUNAR BITESWaning crescent, ~2% illumination. • Major Bite Window: 3:40–5:40 PM ET • Minor Bites: 9:35–10:35 AM ET, 11:20 PM–12:20 AM ETWEATHER BRIEFSunny and mild, highs in the upper 60s, afternoon winds shifting northwest.BAROMETERTraverse City 30.07 inHg, Manistee 30.09 inHg, Ludington 30.06 inHg.⸻RIVER FLOWS & TEMPS • Manistee River (Wellston, Tippy Dam): ~1,350 cfs, 8.57 ft, 63°F. Slow; salmon trickling in but holding in deeper holes until flows rise and temps drop. • White River (Whitehall): ~228 cfs, 0.83 ft, clear, temps not reported. • Boardman River (Traverse City): ~188 cfs, 4.62 ft, temps not reported. • Pere Marquette River (Scottville): ~422 cfs, 0.79 ft, temps not reported. • Manistique River (Manistique): ~846 cfs, 3.45 ft, temps not reported.⸻HOT SEVEN PIERS & HARBORSFRANKFORT. Glow spoons and jigs producing at dawn near pier mouths.MANISTEE. Harbor mouth and tailrace seams giving up kings early.LUDINGTON. Pier casters scoring with spoons at first light; deeper marks near Big Sable later.WHITEHALL. Salmon thinning, but a few steelhead hitting spoons and skein.GRAND HAVEN. Light pier bite, fish marking deeper at 70–140 feet.MUSKEGON. Pier anglers picking up steelhead on skein and casting spoons; jigging for kings slowing as fish push upriver.GENERAL NOTE. Many anglers have pulled downriggers and are now rigging up perch equipment for the fall run — the tastiest fish of the season.⸻SALMON RIVER PRIORITY • Tippy Dam / Manistee River. Slow; salmon trickling in but holding in deep clear holes. Light leaders, beads, or spawn sacks at dawn/dusk critical. • White River. Salmon staging in pools below Hesperia Dam, best on beads and skein. • Betsie River. Low water with salmon staging in the lower stretches, pushes expected after rainfall. • Boardman River. Fish stacked in deep pools, subtle float and bead rigs best. • Pere Marquette. Holding near Scottville, movement slow, watch gauges for bumps. • Manistique River. Flows healthy, fish present near harbor and lower stretches.⸻PERCH & PANFISH REPORT — MINNOWS & WIGGLERSBIG GLEN. Good perch action, many small.LAKE LEELANAU (South). Improving by Cedar River and Pines Campground sandbar.CRYSTAL LAKE. Strong off Railroad Point weeds.PORTAGE LAKE. Fair, many small fish.MANISTEE LAKE. Perch slow, salmon staging heavy.PM LAKE (Ludington). Schools beginning to form.PENTWATER LAKE. Fair, mostly small.WHITE LAKE. Yellow bellies in weeds; bluegill bite hot near marina.MUSKEGON LAKE. Poor this week.EAST GRAND TRAVERSE BAY. Strong for cisco, with lake trout also biting off deeper structure.ELK LAKE. Perch producing near Whitewater Township landing.TORCH LAKE. South-end weed beds giving up perch.OTSEGO LAKE. Fair perch and a few walleye.GREEN LAKE. Fair perch south end and outlet.LONG LAKE (Traverse City). Fair on south weed edges and peninsula.UP BAYS. Kipling, Narrows, and Aronson Island steady for perch.DRUMMOND / LES CHENEAUX. Perch starting in Cedarville and Hessel Bays.EXTRA NOTE. Bluegill bite has picked up on inland lakes with worms, and walleye are improving as nights cool.⸻TOP 15 INLAND LAKESLake Cadillac. Bass on humps/edges, panfish on minnows & waxworms.Lake Mitchell. Largemouth and panfish near pads and stumps.Lake St. Helen. Pike, largemouth, and panfish active.Higgins Lake. Deep smallmouth and lake trout.Fremont Lake. Bass and pike on weedlines.Elk Lake. Smallmouth and trout water, deep structure.Walloon Lake. Smallmouth on points and rocks.Lake Missaukee. Bluegill and largemouth in shallows.Holton Lake. Bass and panfish near docks.Crystal Lake (Greenville). Panfish and largemouth.Wabasis Lake. Bass and panfish near public access.Long Lake (Greenville). Bass and panfish.Tamarack Lake (Lakeview). Largemouth and pike.McLaren Lake (Hesperia). Multi-species, easy access.Sunrise/Penasa (Leroy). Dropped per guidance.⸻TOP 10 UP HOTSPOTS 1. Little Bay De Noc. Walleye and perch. 2. Munising / Grand Island. Lake trout reefs and ledges. 3. Marquette. Trout on steep drops. 4. Keweenaw Copper Harbor. Trout and salmon. 5. Escanaba Big Bay De Noc. Walleye and smallmouth. 6. St. Marys River, Sault Ste Marie. Salmon and steelhead. 7. Portage Entry / Grand Marais. Trout and salmon. 8. Tahquamenon Bay river mouths. Walleye and panfish. 9. Drummond / Les Cheneaux. Smallmouth, walleye, perch starting. 10. Au Train / Ford River. Trout, walleye, perch.⸻LIVE BAIT PRO TIPPerch bite has begun — fish full minnows & wigglers on rigs or slip bobbers. For bluegill, worms on weed edges are hot. River anglers: light leaders, beads or spawn sacks at dawn/dusk are the ticket.⸻TIGHT LINES, BAIT MAN OUT#LiveBait #bucsbait #salmon #steelhead #perch #bluegill #walleye #tightlines ... See MoreSee Less