Northwest Lower Peninsula Fishing Report
With Labor Day behind us, the majority of anglers will now turn to salmon and trout fishing. The fish are starting to move in closer to shore as well as into some of the river systems. The inland lakes have been good for both large and smallmouth bass and panfish activity has picked up. Perch fishing has started to pick up with wigglers and minnows your best bet. Smallmouth fishing on East Grand Traverse has been awesome with bigger fish from 30 to 40 feet
Harbor Springs: Salmon and lake trout were caught on the harbor side. Most anglers are fishing between Harbor Point and Forest Beach. Chinook were caught 70 to 90 feet down but the lake trout were a little deeper in 100 to 130 feet. Try spoons, flies and squid.
Petoskey: Catch rates did improve slightly as anglers caught chinook, coho and lake trout. The salmon were hitting on spoons, plugs and meat rigs 75 to 90 feet down in 120 to 160 feet. Lake trout were more abundant and were caught 120 feet down. Boats were fishing from the buoy near the breakwall to Bay Harbor. A couple anglers caught fish with long lines and plugs in shallower waters. Pier anglers caught smallmouth bass on crawlers.
Bear River: Water levels were still very low but that has not stopped a few salmon from coming in. Try spawn bags, rubber eggs and small flies at the dam.
Charlevoix: Salmon fishing is still pretty slow. The fish were scattered but some were starting to stage near the mouth of the rivers. Many were fishing between North and South Point or near the Cement Plant but some were heading further south to Fisherman’s Island. Try anywhere from 65 to 115 feet down in 70 to 150 feet of water. A white dodger and flies with red or blue beads worked best but fish were also caught on spoons. Lake trout were caught on spoons and meat rigs 130 feet down.
Lake Charlevoix: Salmon were starting to head to the Boyne River and the Jordan River. Anglers did well where Round Lake meets Lake Charlevoix. Most were using flies in 40 feet.
Traverse City: In the East Bay, chinook were caught on plugs 90 to 100 feet down in 100 to 150 feet of water. Smallmouth bass fishing was steady in 20 to 50 feet. In the West Bay, the number of salmon caught was not high but the fish are good size. Try 80 to 90 feet down in waters up to 150 feet deep with spoons, flies or plugs.
Elk River: Is producing the occasional steelhead or smallmouth bass. Try fresh spawn bags for the salmon.
Boardman River: A few salmon are in but the numbers are still low and few have been caught. Try drifting skein under a bobber. The weir grates are now in place.
Glen Arbor: Fishing has slowed as most of the fish have moved to the rivers. Anglers are finding both juvenile and mature kings in the harbor and off South Manitou Island.
Platte Bay: Is producing fish about 40 feet down in 50 to 70 feet of water in the East Bay. Anglers are using J-plugs. Those surfcasting caught fish on spinners or spawn. A dredge is now opening up the mouth of the river.
Frankfort: The Herring Hole has been doing very well for chinook salmon. Anglers are trolling 55 to 90 feet down in 100 to 120 feet with spoons and plugs. Hot colors were orange and blue. Several large chinook weighing over 27 pounds were caught off the piers by those using spawn or Cleo’s that glow.
Betsie River: Was full of fast moving chinook salmon. Not many were seen on the beds or in the holes but fishing at the dam was good.
Onekama: Those heading out to the “Barrel” had good action throughout the day for chinook and coho. The chinook were deep in 120 to 150 feet but the coho were found in shallow waters. Both are hitting on spoons or plugs.
Portage Lake: Anglers are starting to see increasing numbers of bluegill, perch and bass now that cooler temperatures have arrived. Working 12 to 18 feet of water with worms around the weed beds has produced good catches.
Manistee: Boat anglers are catching salmon between the piers and 60 feet of water. Chrome, green and glow J-plugs worked well. Glow spoons were best in the early morning. Pier anglers casting spoons also caught fish.
Manistee River: Has a fair to good number of salmon.
Ludington: Salmon were caught inside the piers and out to 50 feet of water in the early morning. Chrome plugs worked best. Pier anglers caught a few chinook when casting spoons.
Pere Marquette River: Water levels were good. Salmon were caught on flat fish. Those fly fishing reported slow catch rates.
Pentwater: Had good fishing. Anglers are running lines 50 to 70 feet down in 120 to 150 feet near Silver Lake. Try pearl, green and silver J-plugs. Some large chinook and coho have been caught.
Muskegon River: Is producing some nice smallmouth bass. No word on salmon yet but it should not be long.
Whitehall: Salmon fishing picked up for those trolling 50 feet down in 100 to 120 feet. The bite was best in the early morning hours. Most are using spoons and J-plugs that glow.