Buc’s Fishing Report – Sunday, October 19, 2025

Presented by Buc’s Aqua Farms Inc.🌧️ MORNING BRIEFINGBait Man here — a nice buck was shot in Roscommon County and entered in the Minnow Bucket Saint Helens buck pole. It’s their new leader Yesterday it rained most of the day, and only a few folks slid out in the afternoon; most of you hit the rivers after the Friday-night/Saturday-morning soaker and there are still plenty of salmon in the systems.Today: gale-force winds on the Big Lake with rain most of the day — a good one to catch up on chores and rig gear. This rain will re-charge the lakes, cool the shallows, and turn the bite on this coming week; expect steelhead to follow the salmon as levels rise and color pushes in. • Inland Weather (Traverse City area): steady rain, upper-50s to near 60°F, NW winds 10–20 mph with higher gusts. • Big Lake (Lake Michigan nearshore): Gale conditions — NNW 25–30 kt with higher gusts and large, building waves; stay in port. • Barometer: unsettled today, rising late; best windows typically first light & last light during fronts.⸻🌊 RIVER FLOWS & WATER COLOR – QUICK READ(Rising & staining after the weekend rain — plan heavier leads, brighter beads/spawn, shorter leaders.)Manistee @ Tippy: climbing; fresh color pushing through tailrace slots.White (Hesperia): bumping fast; gravel stretches filling, first steelhead sliding in.Betsie: solid rise; deep holes fishing well on color.Pere Marquette (Scottville/Baldwin): rising; kings scattered, steelhead starting.Boardman (Beitner): up and off-color; concentrate on pools and transitions.Manistique: slow, steady rise; harbor color improving.⸻🐟 PERCH REPORTTorch Lake: Stable schools in 30–35 ft; minnows & wigglers steady with shrimp as an ace when they get picky.Lake Charlevoix: Ironton/Oyster Bay edges good; shrimp and wigglers for larger fish.Big Glen Lake: Better today than Little Glen; 35–40 ft edges producing on minnows.Little Glen Lake: Cooling pushed fish deeper; hunt breaks and inside turns.Portage Lake: White-bellies mixing in 18–22 ft on minnows.Crystal Lake: South-end drops giving mixed sizes; keep moving to stay on schools.White Lake: Channel and weed edges consistent; shrimp and minnows best.P.M. Lake (Ludington): Slow overall; a few quality fish near dusk.Manistee Lake (Manistee): Fair near channel bends; minnows on short leaders.Muskegon Lake: Strongest when you find them — 40–50 ft, watch the graph.Grand Haven (channel): Fair pods near the mouth on minnows and wigglers.Burt Lake (Maple Bay): Active on humps; minnows best.Mullett Lake (Aloha area): 25–30 ft edges steady with electronics.Grand Lake (Alpena): Weedline hop with minnows; sort for keepers.Drummond Island (Scotts & Potagannissing): Good weekend for nicer fish; wigglers, minnows, shrimp all produced.Lake Skegemog: Torch River drop producing with perch rigs and small jigheads.Black Bass Bay (Alpena): Mixed-size perch; wigglers & shrimp shine after rain.Big Lake (Otsego Co.): Fair on deeper breaks with small minnows.Perch baits to carry every trip: minnows, wigglers, shrimp — shrimp is the closer when schools turn neutral.⸻⚡ WALLEYE REPORTLake Missaukee: Dusk bite steady; jigs with live minnows over deeper holes.Burt Lake: 15–25 ft on saddles/humps; crawler harnesses and minnows.Mullett Lake: Evening drift near Aloha; minnows on ⅛–¼-oz jigs.Lake Margrethe: Harnesses and cranks along breaklines are producing.Manistee Lake (Kalkaska): Channel edges at dusk on jigs/minnows.Otsego Lake: Deep flats with harnesses; slow-troll 0.5–0.8 mph.Lake Mitchell: After-dark passes on the outer flats.Lake Cadillac: Weedline bite turns on at dusk.Hamlin Lake: 18–25 ft on jigging spoons and minnows.Drummond Island: Good walleye runs in Scotts/Potagannissing; cooler nights help.⸻💪 SMALLMOUTH BASS REPORTTorch Lake: Big fish on live suckers/minnows along steep drops.East Grand Traverse Bay: Excellent — 4–5 lb fish on tubes, jerkbaits, and dropshots.Elk Lake: Deep edge bite; jerkbaits and plastics.Lake Charlevoix: Rock points/saddles; live minnows effective.Walloon Lake: 20–25 ft rocks; tubes and live bait.Green Lake (Interlochen): Plastics and deep cranks on hard bottom.Duck Lake (Interlochen): Submerged timber patterns with jigs/plastics.⸻🐠 SALMON & LOWER-PENINSULA RIVERSBetsie River: Late push showed; bright fish still in holes after rain.Tippy Dam (Manistee): Darker kings present; evening bite 8 p.m.–midnight has been best, first steelhead in the mix.Pere Marquette (Baldwin & lower): Kings scattered in runs; first steelhead arriving — beads, skein, spawn early/late.White River (Hesperia): Salmon on gravel; steelhead nosing in with rising flow.Platte River: A few coho below the weir; steelhead at the mouth on spawn.Bear Creek: Mix of dark kings and new steelhead.Elk River: A few steelhead; salmon fading.Boardman River: Early steelhead sliding into pools with color.⸻🐟 UPPER PENINSULA RIVERS – TOP 10St. Mary’s (Sault Ste. Marie): Coho/steelhead/walleye near the plant; spawn and crankbaits.Manistique: Good coho near the dam; first steelhead on color.Two Hearted: Steelhead trickling in; beads and spawn in deeper runs.Tahquamenon: Coho below the falls; steelhead beginning.Carp (St. Ignace): Light coho; drift spawn.Chocolay: Coho active near the mouth.Escanaba: Bright coho early/late.Ford: Coho with some steelhead below the dam.Au Train: Early steelhead holding in holes.Black (Gogebic): First steelhead reported.⸻🌊 SAGINAW BAY & SAGINAW RIVERSaginaw Bay: Fair perch from Linwood to Sebewaing in 15–18 ft on minnows; move to stay on pods.Saginaw River: Walleye migration starting; vertical jigs with minnows near bridges and channel turns.⸻🪣 INLAND LAKES – NORTHERN MICHIGAN (Panfish • Pike • Bass)Houghton Lake: Bluegill strong on inside weeds; perch good north end.Lake St. Helen: Pike and bluegill steady on weed edges.Lake Cadillac: Bluegill and evening crappie are reliable.Lake Mitchell: Bluegill/perch solid on outer flats.Missaukee Lake: Crappie suspended 3–5 ft off bottom early/late on minnows.Otsego Lake: Pike and walleye steady on breaks.Fremont Lake: Pike good; panfish moderate.Big Star Lake (Baldwin): Largemouth and bluegill biting along cabbage.Bear Lake (Kalkaska): Panfish fair; pike active on points.Hamlin Lake: Pike excellent in 15–20 ft.Harper Lake (Irons): Bluegill/bass fair on small jigs.Long Lake (Traverse City): Bluegill strong; evening walleye possible.Penasa Lake (LeRoy): Crappie good on small minnows.Sunrise Lake (LeRoy): Bluegill mid-morning on waxies.Tamarack Lake (Lakeview): Consistent bluegill along edges.Wabasis Lake (Greenville): Largemouth active on spinnerbaits.Big Bass Lake (Lake County): Bluegill steady on slips.Crystal Lake (Greenville): Largemouth fair around docks.Long Lake (Greenville): Panfish improving on tiny jigs.Higgins Lake: Deep edges giving mixed panfish; finesse plastics help.Croton Pond: Mixed panfish near wood; light jigs.Hardy Pond: Pike on points; crappie around timber.Silver Lake (TC): Panfish fair in pockets out of wind.Arbutus Lake Chain (TC): Bluegill steady in protected bays.Bass Lake (Kaleva): Panfish & pike along remaining green weeds.⸻🧭 HARRISON • CLARE • GLADWIN • MIDLAND COUNTY LAKESBud Lake (Harrison): Bluegill strong; bass fair.Arnold Lake: Crappie steady; pike on points.Cranberry Lake: Bluegill good; perch slow.Sutherland Lake: Pike along drops; panfish steady.Lake Thirteen (Farwell): Bluegill excellent; bass active.Lancer Lake (Gladwin): Crappie fair; panfish moderate.Sugar Springs (Gladwin): Water low; shore bluegill action decent.Pratt Lake: Pike and bass fair on windward edges.Ross Lake (Beaverton): Walleye/crappie near the dam pools.Secord Lake: Bluegill strong; pike scattered.Pleasant Lake (Midland): Bluegill steady on small minnows.Beaverton Lake: Crappie and bass decent around wood.⸻🧭 UPPER PENINSULA LAKES (20+ QUICK HITS)Little Bay de Noc: Walleye dusk bite building on reefs.Big Bay de Noc: Smallmouth hot on tubes; perch fair.Indian Lake: Perch in 12–15 ft on minnows.North Manistique (Round): Walleye/panfish mixed on breaks.South Manistique: Perch steady on weed edges.Au Train Lake: Perch good near grass; minnows best.Milakokia Lake: Perch on minnows along edges.Muskallonge Lake: Pike steady on spoons.Deer Lake: Walleye fair near rock bars.Baraga Lake: Walleye picking up evenings.Skeels Lake: Pike steady; panfish in coves.Bass Lake (Delta/Schoolcraft): Panfish decent in pockets.Portage Lake (Houghton/Keweenaw): Mixed trout/salmon near rocky points; use caution in wind.Gogebic (near Bergland): Perch roaming mud flats; sort for keepers.Teal Lake (Marquette): Panfish fair, best in lee shores.Gene’s Pond (Menominee): Pike and panfish scattered.Michigamme Reservoir: Walleye on points with jigs.Peavy Pond: Pike/walleye mixed on current seams.Bewabic Lake: Panfish consistent on tiny plastics.Camp 7 Lake: Clear water — finesse for panfish.Gratiot Lake (Keweenaw): Trout/walleye mixed, weather dependent.Drummond Island (inland bays): Perch/walleye good when wind allows.⸻🎯 LIVE BAIT PRO TIPPerch: Minnows & wigglers are the staples — but bring raw shrimp to flip neutral schools.Walleye: Late-fall minnow masterclass — Lindy/slip rigs at 0.3–0.8 mph with golden shiners or suckers, long fluorocarbon leaders, and let them eat for a second before the hookset.⸻Tight lines — fish smart, fish hard. Bait Man out. … See MoreSee Less

Buc’s Fishing Report – Saturday, October 18, 2025

Presented by Buc’s Aqua Farms In🌧️ MORNING BRIEFINGBait Man here — we finally got some much-needed rain last night across Northern Michigan. The lakes have been extremely low, and this rainfall should help raise levels and get the fish feeding again instead of staying spooky in the shallows. While I don’t like to see rain on a weekend, we really did need it — and it’s going to help the bite going into next week.There was a late run of kings on the Betsie River, and quite a few salmon are holding in the deeper holes. Houghton Lake Anglers have been catching some nice perch, with a few using medium golden shiners to tempt the bigger fish.On Lake Missaukee, bluegill are biting during the low-light hours, and crappie are being caught in the deeper holes — most suspended just three to five feet off bottom early and late on minnows.East Grand Traverse Bay, Torch Lake, and Walloon Lake have been steady for smallmouth bass. The perch bite has shifted a bit — fish pulled out of Little Glen after the temperature change and moved back out to big glen, but anglers did well in Big Glen yesterday.Good reports also continue from Portage Lake, Torch Lake, and Lake Charlevoix on perch, while East Bay remains solid for cisco. Up north, Drummond Island continues to produce excellent perch and walleye action in Scotts and Potagannissing Bays.With cooler temps, and thunderstorms this weekend Saturday morning looks a little doubtful, but it looks like we got a window Saturday afternoon after a storm fish usually bite as I see we got rain coming in again Sunday🐟 PERCH REPORTTorch Lake: Steady bite in 30–35 ft; minnows and wigglers working well.Lake Charlevoix: Consistent action near Ironton; wigglers and minnows best.Big Glen Lake: Good numbers in 35–40 ft; larger perch holding deeper.White-belly perch mixed in with smaller fish; minnows steady.Crystal Lake: Decent catches on the south end; minnows and wigglers producing.White Lake: Improved bite this week near the channel on wigglers and minnows.P.M. Lake (Ludington): A few nice perch late in the day; slow overall.Manistee Lake: Fair perch near the channel; mixed sizes.Muskegon Lake: Stronger bite in 40–50 ft; electronics key to locating schools.Grand Haven: Fair catches near the channel mouth; minnows and wigglers best.Burt Lake: Active perch around Maple Bay; minnows steady.Mullett Lake: Productive around Aloha State Park in 25–30 ft.Grand Lake: Fair numbers of perch along weedlines; minnows best.Drummond Island: Custeyes Charters reporting strong perch limits in Scotts and Potagannissing Bays.Lake Skegemog: Consistent perch bite off the Torch River drop.Black Bass Bay: Mixed perch and walleye; wigglers and shrimp best.Big Lake (Otsego County): Fair catches near drop-offs on minnows.Top baits: minnows, wigglers, and shrimp. Adding shrimp gives you an extra edge when the bite turns tough.⸻⚡ WALLEYE REPORTLake Missaukee: Steady walleye bite early and late; jigging minnows best.Burt Lake: Walleye active in 15–25 ft; crawler harnesses and live minnows working.Mullett Lake: Evening drift bite continues; live minnows near Aloha State Park.Lake Margrethe: Productive trolling harnesses and crankbaits along drop-offs.Manistee Lake (Kalkaska): Dusk bite steady; jigs and minnows near the channel.Otsego Lake: Walleye holding near deep flats; crawler harnesses best and minnows on a slip bobberLake Mitchell: Decent bite after dark near deeper structure.Lake Cadillac: Walleye showing up at dusk near weedlines.Hamlin Lake: Strong action in 18–25 ft on jigging spoons.Drummond Island: Excellent walleye bite in Scotts and Potagannissing Bays; cooler nights helping.⸻💪 SMALLMOUTH BASS REPORTTorch Lake: Trophy fish landed this week; two over 6 lbs on live suckers.East Grand Traverse Bay: Strong bite; 4–5 lb fish on tubes and jerkbaits.Elk Lake: Bass holding deep on drop-offs; jerkbaits and soft plastics best.Lake Charlevoix: Fish near rocky points and saddles; live minnows producing.Walloon Lake: Active smallmouth in 20–25 ft on live bait and tubes.Green Lake (Interlochen): Consistent bite on plastics and deep cranks.Duck Lake (Interlochen): Bass near submerged timber; moderate activity.⸻🐠 SALMON & RIVERS REPORTBetsie River: Late run of kings showing; several bright fish holding in deep holes.Tippy Dam (Manistee): Slower action but some salmon being caught from 8 p.m. to midnight; a few steelhead mixed in.Hesperia (White River): Salmon still on gravel below the dam; early steelhead showing.Platte River: A few coho below the weir; some steelhead near the mouth.Bear Creek: Good mix of darker kings and steelhead.Elk River: Occasional steelhead; salmon fading out.Boardman River: Early steelhead reported; fish holding nearPere Marquette River Report – October 18, 2025Water is low and clear, requiring light leaders and small presentations. King salmon remain scattered from Custer up through Baldwin, with late fish spawning on gravel and in deep runs. Fresh runs have mostly ended, though the occasional coho is showing up.The first steelhead are entering the system, particularly in the lower and mid stretches. Best action is early and late using beads, spawn, or skein under floats. These fish are holding behind spawning kings and taking advantage of drifting eggs.Resident brown trout are active behind salmon redds, feeding on egg patterns, beads, and nymphs. Stealth and soft presentations are critical in the clear water.Summary:• Kings: Scattered, mostly on gravel• Steelhead: Early arrivals, increasing weekly⸻🐟 UPPER PENINSULA RIVERS REPORTSt. Mary’s River (Sault Ste. Marie): Coho, steelhead, and walleye near Cloverland Plant.Manistique River: Good coho numbers; a few steelhead beginning to show.Two Hearted River: Steelhead trickling in; spawn and beads productive.Tahquamenon River: Coho holding below the falls; a few steelhead mixed in.Carp River (St. Ignace): Light coho run; drifting spawn working.Chocolay River: Coho still active near the mouth.Escanaba River: Bright coho entering; morning bite best.Ford River: Coho and steelhead mix below the dam.Au Train River: Steelhead beginning to show in deeper holes.Black River (Gogebic County): Early steelhead catches reported.⸻🌊 SAGINAW BAY & SAGINAW RIVER REPORTSaginaw Bay: Fair perch bite from Linwood to Sebewaing; minnows working in 15–18 ft.Saginaw River: Walleye action improving near bridges; vertical jigs and minnows best.Steelhead and smallmouth occasionally caught near the mouth.⸻🪣 INLAND LAKES (NORTHERN MICHIGAN)(Panfish, Pike & Bass)Houghton Lake: Bluegill strong near weeds; perch good on the north end.Lake St. Helen: Pike and bluegill steady.Lake Cadillac: Great bluegill and evening crappie.Lake Mitchell: Bluegill and perch solid.Missaukee Lake: Walleye and crappie early and late.Otsego Lake: Walleye and pike steady.Fremont Lake: Pike good; panfish moderate.Big Star Lake (Baldwin): Bass and bluegill strong.Bear Lake (Kalkaska): Panfish and pike active.Hamlin Lake: Pike excellent in 15–20 ft.Harper Lake (Irons): Bluegill and bass fair.Green Lake (Interlochen): Bass and pike good.Duck Lake (Interlochen): Panfish steady.Long Lake (Traverse City): Walleye and bluegill strong.Penasa Lake (LeRoy): Crappie good.Sunrise Lake (LeRoy): Bluegill fair.Tamarack Lake: Steady bluegill bite.Wabasis Lake (Greenville): Bass excellent.Big Bass Lake: Bluegill solid.Crystal Lake (Greenville): Largemouth fair.Long Lake (Greenville): Panfish improving.⸻🧭 HARRISON • CLARE • GLADWIN • MIDLAND COUNTY LAKESBud Lake (Harrison): Bluegill strong; bass fair.Arnold Lake: Crappie steady; pike on points.Cranberry Lake: Bluegill decent; perch slow.Sutherland Lake: Pike good near drop-offs.Lake Thirteen: Bluegill excellent; bass steady.Lancer Lake: Crappie fair; bluegill moderate.Sugar Springs: Water still low; shore anglers catching bluegill.Pratt Lake: Pike and bass fair.Ross Lake: Walleye and crappie near the dam.Secord Lake: Bluegill strong; pike scattered.Pleasant Lake (Midland): Bluegill steady.Beaverton Lake: Crappie and bass decent.⸻🎯 LIVE BAIT PRO TIPFor perch, minnows and wigglers remain top producers, but adding shrimp can save a slow day.For smallmouth, use large minnows or suckers on Lindy or three-way rigs, fished slow along rock piles or drop-offs.⸻Fish smart, fish hard, tight lines — Bait Man out. … See MoreSee Less

🎣 Buc’s Fishing Report — October 16, 2025

🌅 MORNING BRIEFINGBait Man here — it’s a chilly 36° this morning across Northern Michigan under clear skies. Yesterday’s northwest wind cooled the surface temps quickly, setting the stage for bigger perch to move shallower. Anglers on Big Glen, Little Glen, Lake Charlevoix, Burt Lake, Mullett Lake, Grand Lake, and Black Bass Bay are seeing steady perch action, while Portage Lake is still producing nice white-bellies.White Lake perch action picked up this week, while P.M. Lake (Ludington) and Manistee Lake (Manistee) remain slower.At Tippy Dam, salmon numbers are down from peak but some are still being caught between 8 p.m. and midnight. Hesperia reports many kings holding on the gravel beds.Jigging and trolling on Lake Michigan are winding down as most anglers turn to inland perch and walleye or begin hunting season.East Grand Traverse Bay continues to shine for cisco and smallmouth bass.Frozen shrimp from Buc’s Aqua Farms remains a sleeper bait — anglers using it on Portage, Big Glen, and Lake Leelanau report steady perch catches. Shrimp is now available at Osborne’s Sport Shop (Bear Lake), Captain Chucks (Ludington), Johnson’s Great Outdoors (Montague), Armstrong’s on the Lake (Whitehall), Hesperia Sport Shop, Wolfie’s (Wellston), and Roy’s General Store (Traverse City).⸻🌤 WEATHER & CONDITIONSTraverse City: 37°F early, highs near 49°F. Clear with light northwest winds 5–10 mph. Barometer steady near 30.21 and slowly falling through midday.Lake Michigan Nearshore: West-northwest winds 10–15 knots, waves 1–3 feet. Small craft should use caution.Inland Waters: Calm early with light chop after noon. Water temps range 53–57°F.Solunar Bite Windows:Major — 7:45 a.m. to 9:45 a.m.Minor — 1:15 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. to 9:15 p.m.⸻🐟 SALMON & STEELHEAD REPORTTippy Dam (Wellston): Salmon bite slowing but fish still being caught after dark on skein and spawn sacks.Hesperia (White River): Kings stacked on gravel beds; early morning best.Betsie River: Fair for salmon with a few steelhead mixed in; colder weather should bring a final push.Platte River: A few coho below the weir and at the mouth; fish skein or cast glow spoons at daybreak.Elk River (Elk Rapids): Light activity but a few salmon and early steelhead near the dam.Bear Creek (Petoskey): Scattered salmon with a few fresh fish entering; bead drifts effective.Manistee River (Lower): Slow but steady salmon catches with a few steelhead reported.St. Marys River (Sault Ste. Marie): Anglers finding steelhead and late coho near current seams.Au Train River (UP): Kings tapering off, steelhead trickling in.Two Hearted River: Some coho still present but run winding down.Whitefish River: Early steelhead showing in deeper runs.Carp River (St. Ignace): Few fish caught on spawn; more movement expected with next cold front.⸻🎣 PERCH REPORTBig Glen Lake: Good numbers of perch on first break in 35–40 ft; minnows and wigglers best, shrimp effective when bite slows.Little Glen Lake: Fair perch bite in 20 ft weed beds.Lake Leelanau: Perch improving at the south end near the Cedar River and off the Pines Campground sandbar.Crystal Lake: Decent perch off Railroad Point; target weed edges.Portage Lake (Onekama): Steady bite, mix of small and keeper fish.Manistee Lake (Manistee): Slow on perch; salmon activity tapering.P.M. Lake (Ludington): Fair perch near docks, smaller fish.Pentwater Lake: Fair bite; mostly small fish.White Lake: Good yellow-belly action in the weeds, bluegill near the marina, shrimp effective when minnows fail.Muskegon Lake: Improving; perch on minnows and wigglers near Snug Harbor and Sand Docks.Grand Lake (Alpena): Good perch near weed cuts and drop-offs.Black Lake: Perch fair near the weed edges in 10–15 ft.Torch Lake: Solid perch bite on the south end.Elk Lake: Good numbers in 25–35 ft off Whitewater Township Landing.Burt Lake: Maple Bay productive for perch and occasional walleye.Mullett Lake: Fair perch bite; minnows preferred.Lake Margrethe: Decent perch near drop-offs; minnows best.Green Lake (Interlochen): Perch in 8–12 ft weed lines.Long Lake (Traverse City): Perch and walleye both improving.💡 Tip: Always bring shrimp along — it’s proving to be a great fallback bait when perch turn finicky.⸻⚙️ WALLEYE REPORTLong Lake (Traverse City): Evening crankbait bite steady.Lower Herring Lake: Harnesses working well in 18–22 ft.Lake Mitchell: Dusk bite on jigs and minnows.Lake Margrethe: Strong bite near drop-offs.Burt Lake: Good trolling bite in 15–25 ft.Mullett Lake: Active at dawn and dusk on minnows.Otsego Lake: Jig bite fair near deeper holes.Houghton Lake: Flicker shads producing after dark.Manistee Lake (Kalkaska): Walleye mixed with perch catches.Lake Charlevoix: Walleye fair near Ironton and drop-offs.⸻🎣 SMALLMOUTH BASS REPORTEast Grand Traverse Bay: Excellent bite; fish up to 5 lbs on tubes.Torch Lake: Strong fall bite around rock piles.Elk Lake: Bass near deep breaks; drop-shot plastics best.Lake Skegemog: Fish along weed edges on plastics.Walloon Lake: Rock points and docks producing.Charlevoix Lake: Jerkbaits effective in shallows.Crystal Lake: Bass fair near rock transitions.Burt Lake: Crankbaits producing steady action.Mullett Lake: Bass near timber and humps.Green Lake (Interlochen): Good fish in 15–25 ft.Duck Lake (Interlochen): Solid bite near submerged logs and deep weeds.⸻🎣 INLAND LAKES REPORT (NORTHERN MICHIGAN)Houghton Lake: Perch and bluegill good; walleye after dark.Lake St. Helen: Pike, bass, and panfish active.Lake Cadillac: Bluegill and perch steady; walleye improving.Lake Mitchell: Bluegill near docks; perch mixed size.Lake Missaukee: Bass consistent; panfish strong.Otsego Lake: Perch and walleye fair.Fremont Lake: Pike and bass good near weedlines.Big Star Lake (Baldwin): Bluegill and bass strong near points.Walloon Lake: Largemouth and smallmouth both fair.Bear Lake (Kalkaska): Crappie and bluegill active.Manistee Lake (Kalkaska): Good panfish bite.Green Lake: Steady bluegill bite; perch mixed in.Bud Lake (Harrison): Panfish fair.Lake George: Pike and panfish both fair.Cranberry Lake: Bluegill steady.Sugar Springs (Gladwin): Water low, but fishable; bluegill good.Lancer Lake: Crappie and bluegill fair.Lake Thirteen: Panfish and perch mixed.Arnold Lake: Pike and bass fair.Shingle Lake: Bluegill strong; perch occasional.Lake James: Bass fair near mid-lake humps.McLaren Lake: Multi-species bite steady.⸻🎣 UPPER PENINSULA RIVERSManistique River: Coho and kings tapering; first steelhead entering.Two Hearted River: Coho fading; occasional steelhead.Tahquamenon River: Pike and walleye good below the falls.St. Marys River: Steelhead and coho near current seams.Escanaba River: Walleye active near mouth.Carp River (St. Ignace): Steelhead showing up.Indian River (UP): Early steelhead near deep bends.Ontonagon River: Walleye and lake-run brown trout mixed.Au Train River: Slow but a few late coho.Whitefish River: Steelhead starting to appear.⸻🏞 UPPER PENINSULA LAKESDrummond Island: Perch improving again with cooler nights; best in Scotts Bay and Potagannissing Bay.Manistique Lakes: Pike and walleye active early and late.Big Bay de Noc: Walleye and perch both solid.Little Bay de Noc: Strong bite for walleye in deeper water.Munising Bay: Lake trout season closed, but coho mixed in.Marquette: Browns and steelhead at river mouths.Keweenaw Bay: Salmon winding down, steelhead picking up.Houghton Canal: Pike and walleye both fair.Baraga Lake: Panfish strong in weedlines.Indian Lake: Perch steady near drop-offs.Manitowish Waters: Bass and pike good.Chicagon Lake: Walleye hitting trolled cranks.Bond Falls Flowage: Pike and perch good.Twin Lakes: Panfish strong midday.Perch Lake: Fair perch and bluegill.Paint Lake: Bass and perch mixed.Big Manistique Lake: Good fall walleye.Deer Lake: Pike and bass steady.Sable Lake: Perch improving near reeds.Prickett Dam Backwaters: Multi-species bite holding strong.Swan Lake: Perch and bluegill solid in shallow weedbeds.⸻🎣 SAGINAW BAY & RIVER REPORTSaginaw Bay: Walleye scattered but steady near Linwood and the Slot; perch bite building near Quanicassee and Sebewaing. Minnows top choice.Saginaw River: Early walleye beginning to move upriver; blade baits and jigging raps producing. Water clarity fair with steady current.⸻💡 LIVE BAIT PRO TIPAs water cools, perch, walleye, and bass shift to minnows — always keep a mix of minnows, worms and crawlers When perch turn finicky, tip your rigs with wigglers or shrimp chunks for scent and softness that triggers bites. … See MoreSee Less

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