Bait-shops in Grand Traverse and Leelanau Counties
Grand Traverse main fishing lakes are Long Lake for walleyes and smallmouth bass. Duck and Green Lake for bass and pike., with lots of smelt being caught on Green Lake in the winter. Leelanau County main lakes are Lake Leelanau for walleye and smallmouth bass, Big Glen and Small Glen for perch and trout. One of the Greatest king salmon fisheries is off the North Manitou “crib” in July and August. Leelanau County also has the Sleeping Bear National Park which is a must see if you are in the area. Grand Traverse County has the two bays East and West which are boaters paradise, with the meeting place at Power Island on West Bay. Also a Great lake trout fishery in May and June, with the salmon showing up in late July and August.
Has a full line of Bait and tackle
Has a full line of minnows and tackle
Has a full line of bait and tackle
They have crawlers and worms in the summer, they will handle minnows in the winter
Handles crawlers and worms, has full line of tackle
Roadside Minnows
8041 S. Good harbor Trl. Cedar, Mi 49621
231-954-5229
minnow and tackle
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🎣 Buc’s Fishing Report — Sunday, October 26, 2025Presented by Buc’s Aqua Farms Inc.⸻🌅 BAIT MAN’S MORNING BRIEFBait Man here — yesterday was a beautiful fall day with hardly any wind and lots of folks back out on the water. Most were chasing perch and walleye.I was at Lake Leelanau at the Bingham Landing and saw three or four boats out — one walleye fishing and the others working minnows and wigglers for perch on the south end. Big Glen had quite a few boats out too, with perch fishing steady in 35 to 40 feet. Long Lake by Traverse City had a few guys going with crawlers and minnows. The recent rain has helped the rivers, and a few steelhead are starting to show up.John Ratcliff had a great day on East Grand Traverse Bay catching cisco and even a bonus salmon and lake trout (which had to be released since the season is closed). It was simply a perfect Saturday to be on the water.⸻🌦️ INLAND WEATHER — NORTHERN MICHIGAN (TRAVERSE CITY AREA)Today: Clouds with scattered showers this morning then partly sunny this afternoon. High 50 °F. Winds NW 10–20 mph with gusts to 25.Tonight: Mostly cloudy, low 39 °F.Tomorrow (Mon): Cooler with a mix of sun and clouds. High 47 °F.Barometer: 29.59 inHg and steady.Water Temps: Inland mid-40s °F; rivers 43–46 °F.Moon Phase: Waning Crescent (10 % illum.)Bite Windows (EST): Major 10:40 AM–12:40 PM · Minor 5:10–6:10 AM and 5:20–6:20 PM.⸻🌊 RIVER FLOWS & CONDITIONSManistee River (Tippy Dam): 1 610 cfs · Steelhead moving in behind dark kings on beads and spawn.Pere Marquette River (Baldwin): 515 cfs · Few bright steelhead in gravel seams.Betsie River: Good color with leaves; kings thinning but steelhead holding in deeper holes.Boardman River: Pools fishing best with light stain.White River (Hesperia): Steelhead below the dam on skein and wax worms.Bear Creek: Steelhead bite improving as water clears.Elk River: Fresh steelhead near the dam.Platte River: Few coho remain; steelhead just starting to nose in.Manistique River (U.P.): 780 cfs; mix of coho and early steelhead below the dam.⸻🐟 PERCH REPORTBig Glen Lake: Good bite in 35–40 ft on minnows and wigglers.Little Glen Lake: Deeper schools off breaks.Lake Leelanau: South end steady on minnows and wigglers.Torch Lake: Fair on drops near Deepwater Point.Lake Charlevoix: Nice fish near Ironton and Oyster Bay.Crystal Lake: Fair south end drops 25–30 ft.Portage Lake: Consistent 18–22 ft on minnows and wigglers.White Lake: Perch active in weeds and channel edges.P.M. Lake (Ludington): Evening bite for quality fish.Manistee Lake: Light bite on small minnows.Muskegon Lake: Perch roaming 45–50 ft mud flats.Burt & Mullett Lakes: Good off Maple Bay and Aloha.Grand Lake (Alpena): Weed points producing.Drummond Island Bays: Steady perch and walleye on minnows, worms, and wigglers.⸻⚡ WALLEYE REPORTLong Lake (Traverse City): Evening bite on minnows and crawlers.Burt & Mullett: Slow drift 15–25 ft producing.Lake Margrethe: Good along breaks and shallows.Manistee Lake (Kalkaska): Evening jig bite steady.Lake Mitchell & Cadillac: Sunset weedlines holding fish.Hamlin Lake: 20 ft bite on jigs and minnows.Drummond Island: Walleye steady in Scotts Bay.⸻🪣 SMALLMOUTH BASS REPORTTorch Lake: Up to 6 lb fish on live suckers.East Grand Traverse Bay: Consistent 3–5 lb bass on dropshots.Elk Lake: Swimbaits and jerkbaits working.Walloon Lake: Craw tubes on ledges.Green & Duck Lakes: Steady on swimbaits and plastics.Skegemog Lake: Early and late minnow bite holding strong.⸻🧭 UPPER PENINSULA RIVERSSt. Mary’s River: Steelhead and coho near the locks.Manistique River: Coho strong; steelhead building.Two Hearted River: Chrome fish in deep holes.Tahquamenon River: Coho below falls; few steelhead.Carp River (St. Ignace): Coho fading; steelhead arriving.Escanaba River: Coho steady early and late.Ford River: Steelhead below dam.Au Train River: Steelhead in deep runs.Black River (Gogebic): First chrome caught this week.⸻🧭 UPPER PENINSULA LAKESLittle Bay de Noc: Walleye strong on reefs at dusk.Big Bay de Noc: Smallmouth excellent; perch fair.Indian Lake: Good perch in 12–15 ft on wigglers.North & South Manistique: Mixed panfish and walleye.Au Train Lake: Perch and pike along weed edges.Milakokia Lake: Pike steady.Muskallonge Lake: Pike and perch both biting.Deer Lake: Evening walleye bite strong.Baraga Lake: Good post-rain walleye action.Gogebic Lake: Perch hitting mud flats 20–25 ft.Michigamme Res.: Walleye on main points.Peavy Pond: Walleye and pike on jigs.Bewabic Lake: Good panfish bite.Camp 7 Lake: Clear-water bite steady.Thunder Lake: Pike and perch consistent.⸻🌅 SAGINAW BAYPerch action is improving steadily in the 15–20 ft zone from Linwood to Sebewaing, with anglers getting 10–13 inch fish on minnows and perch rigs. The Slot Zone and East Side Reefs have also produced occasional walleye when winds allow, crawler harnesses and slow crankbaits working best. Look for the bite to build as the week cools and pressures steady.⸻🎯 HARRISON • CLARE • GLADWIN • MIDLAND COUNTY LAKESBud Lake: Bluegill steady.Arnold Lake: Crappie light bite in brush.Cranberry Lake: Bluegill strong near shore.Sutherland Lake: Pike and panfish active.Lake Thirteen: Excellent bluegill action.Lancer Lake (Gladwin): Crappie light bite.Pratt Lake: Bass and pike on edges.Ross Lake: Walleye and crappie below dam.Secord Lake: Bluegill good.Beaverton Lake: Consistent crappie bite around structure.⸻🧠 LIVE BAIT PRO TIPCooler water means go-to baits: minnows for walleye, wigglers for perch, and nightcrawlers for panfish. Fish slow and close to bottom for steady action through late fall.⸻Fish smart, fish hard, and tight lines — Bait Man out.
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🎣 Buc’s Fishing Report — Saturday, October 25, 2025Presented by Buc’s Aqua Farms Inc.⸻🌅 BAIT MAN’S MORNING BRIEFBait Man here — I saw more duck hunters than fishermen at the landings this morning, but it’s a crisp, calm start and a great day to get out. Fish were surfacing at Lake Ann, and steelhead continue trickling into area rivers with improving conditions after all this rain. The South Pier in Manistee has been fair for steelhead on skein, wax worms, and spawn bags. Perch fishing remains solid on Big Glen, Lake Leelanau, Lake Charlevoix, Torch, Crystal, and Portage Lakes, while reports out of Northport remain slow. Walleye and smallmouth anglers are still doing well on Torch, Walloon, and Skegemog using live suckers and golden shiners. The steelhead run is gaining momentum as rivers settle and water temperatures drop across Northern Michigan.⸻🌦️ INLAND WEATHER — NORTHERN MICHIGAN (TRAVERSE CITY)Today: Partly sunny, high near 54°F, light and variable winds shifting south around 5 mph by afternoon.Tonight: Mostly clear, low near 34°F.Tomorrow: Sunny and cool, high near 57°F, southeast wind around 5 mph.Barometer: 30.27 inHg and steady.Water Temperatures: Inland lakes mid 40s °F; rivers 44–46 °F.Bite Windows (EST): Major 10:55 AM – 12:55 PM. Minor 5:15–6:15 AM and 5:35–6:35 PM.⸻🌊 RIVER FLOWS & CONDITIONSManistee River (Tippy Dam): Flow 1,620 cfs with steelhead behind dark kings; best on beads and spawn bags.Pere Marquette River (Baldwin): Flow 510 cfs; steelhead holding in deep gravel runs, pink beads producing.Betsie River: Light flow near 114 cfs; a few salmon left, steelhead taking beads below Homestead.Boardman River: Chrome steelhead showing in deeper pools under cloudy cover.White River (Hesperia): Steelhead below dam on skein and wax worms in leafy current.Bear Creek: Solid steelhead bite where flow clears; work logjams.Elk River: Fresh steelhead near dam; kings nearly finished.Platte River: Few late coho remain; early steelhead moving in.Manistique River: Flow 780 cfs; strong coho with steelhead below dam.Two Hearted River: Rain boosted flow; first chrome steelhead in deep runs.⸻🐟 PERCH REPORTTorch Lake: Steady schools mid-lake on minnows and shrimp near drops.Lake Charlevoix: Larger perch off Ironton and Oyster Bay on wigglers and minnows.Big Glen Lake: Perch biting 35–40 ft on Perch Pounders tipped with minnows.Little Glen Lake: Fish pushed deeper to 35 ft.Lake Leelanau: Fair action near south end on minnows.Crystal Lake: Best bite off south end in 25–30 ft.Portage Lake: Consistent 18–22 ft bite on minnows and wigglers.White Lake: Active perch in weedbeds and channel mouth.P.M. Lake (Ludington): Few quality fish at dusk.Manistee Lake: Light bite on small minnows under floats.Muskegon Lake: Schools in 45–50 ft; use electronics.Burt Lake: Big perch off Maple Bay.Mullett Lake: Fair off Aloha State Park in 18 ft.Grand Lake (Alpena): Weed edges giving up keepers.Drummond Island Bays: Steady perch and walleye bite in Scotts and Potagannissing Bays as fish settle into their late fall pattern; minnows, worms, and wigglers all producing.⸻⚡ WALLEYE REPORTBurt Lake: Harnesses and minnows 15–25 ft along drops.Mullett Lake: Evening jig bite near Aloha.Lake Margrethe: Good numbers along breaks on drifted minnows.Manistee Lake (Kalkaska): Dusk bite steady on jigs and minnows.Lake Mitchell: 10–12 ft weedline bite at sunset.Lake Cadillac: Fish off shallow weedlines after dark.Hamlin Lake: Best in 20 ft on spoons and minnows.Drummond Island: Walleye steady in Scotts Bay and surrounding flats; minnows best.Houghton Lake: Sporadic bite; try north-end flats after dusk.Long Lake (Traverse City): Active on drops; minnows best.⸻🪣 SMALLMOUTH BASS REPORTTorch Lake: Fish up to 6 lbs on live suckers.East Grand Traverse Bay: Consistent 3–5 lb bass on tubes and dropshots.Elk Lake: Deep rocks and swimbaits producing.Walloon Lake: Fish tight to ledges on craw tubes.Green Lake (Interlochen): Swimbaits in 20 ft finding biters.Duck Lake (Interlochen): Steady on plastics near weed edges.Skegemog Lake: Excellent early and late on minnows and tubes.⸻🧭 UPPER PENINSULA RIVERSSt. Mary’s River: Coho thick near locks; steelhead appearing.Manistique River: Coho strong; steelhead building.Two Hearted River: Steelhead common post-rain.Tahquamenon River: Coho below falls; few bright steelhead.Carp River (St. Ignace): Coho fading; chrome steelhead arriving.Chocolay River: Good coho near mouth.Escanaba River: Strong coho run.Ford River: Coho and steelhead below dam.Au Train River: Steelhead active in deep holes.Black River (Gogebic): First wave of chrome steelhead.⸻🧭 UPPER PENINSULA LAKESLittle Bay de Noc: Walleye action strong on reefs near Gladstone and Escanaba at dusk.Big Bay de Noc: Smallmouth fishing excellent near Garden; perch fair on minnows.Indian Lake: Good perch bite in 12 to 15 feet on wigglers and small minnows.North Manistique Lake: Walleye and panfish both active on the drop-offs.South Manistique Lake: Perch holding along deeper weed lines; minnows best.Au Train Lake: Steady perch bite on minnows and wigglers near the public access.Milakokia Lake: Pike and perch mixed bag for anglers fishing along the weeds.Muskallonge Lake: Northern pike and a few perch caught on spoons and minnows.Deer Lake: Walleye good on jigs near rock bars during the evening.Baraga Lake: Excellent walleye bite after the rain; minnows working best.Skeels Lake: Pike steady on silver spoons along the edges.Bass Lake (Schoolcraft County): Panfish holding tight to cover and biting on small plastics.Portage Lake (Keweenaw): Trout and salmon mix still biting; caution on high winds.Gogebic Lake: Big perch hitting on mud flats in 20 to 25 feet of water.Teal Lake: Crappie fair near drop-offs on minnows.Michigamme Reservoir: Walleye solid on main lake points using minnows.Peavy Pond: Pike and walleye active in 10 to 15 feet on jig and minnow rigs.Bewabic Lake: Bluegill and perch both good on small plastics and wax worms.Camp 7 Lake: Clear-water panfish bite consistent on live bait.Thunder Lake: Pike and perch both producing steady catches.Drummond Island Bays: Steady perch and walleye bite in Scotts and Potagannissing Bays as fish settle into their late fall pattern; minnows, worms, and wigglers all producing.🌅 SAGINAW BAY & SAGINAW RIVERSaginaw Bay: Perch fair from Linwood to Sebewaing in 15–18 ft on minnows; water stained after wind.Saginaw River: Walleye improving around bridges; vertical jigs with minnows mid-morning.⸻🎯 HARRISON • CLARE • GLADWIN • MIDLAND COUNTY LAKESBud Lake (Harrison): Bluegill solid, bass slow.Arnold Lake: Crappie decent in deeper brush.Cranberry Lake: Bluegill strong near shore.Sutherland Lake: Pike and panfish active.Lake Thirteen: Excellent bluegill action.Lancer Lake (Gladwin): Crappie light, bluegill fair.Sugar Springs: Low water; shore anglers still catching bluegill.Pratt Lake: Pike and bass on windy edges.Ross Lake: Walleye and crappie below dam.Secord Lake: Bluegill good; perch slow.Pleasant Lake (Midland): Bluegill and perch both fair.Beaverton Lake: Crappie consistent around structure.⸻🧠 LIVE BAIT PRO TIPAs water temps fall below 50°F, focus on minnows, wigglers, and raw shrimp. Shrimp adds scent and toughness, staying on hooks longer when perch or bluegill nip lightly. Slow presentations and bright beads help in the slightly stained post-rain water.⸻Fish smart, fish hard, and tight lines — Bait Man out.
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Paddle & Splash – October 25, 2025 | Fall Kayak Fishing in Northern MichiganFall has arrived across Northern Michigan, and the kayak bite is on fire. In this week’s Paddle & Splash report, we head to Lake Cadillac and Lake Mitchell — twin lakes loaded with perch, pike, walleye, and panfish — and break down how to find fish as the water cools into the mid-40s.You’ll learn:• How to locate perch and walleye using remaining green weeds and mud transitions.• Why cold-water vegetation and oxygen levels determine late-fall fish movement.• Pro rigging tips from Dwayne & Tiffany — including the Perch Pounder and drop-shot wiggler setup that’s producing on East Bay right now.• The best cold-weather kayak gear, featuring the Wilderness Systems Recon 120 HD and NRS Boundary Boots for staying warm and dry.• Safety tips for paddling and fishing safely as temperatures drop across Michigan’s inland lakes.Bait and access from:Pilgrim’s Village Resort & Fishing Shop – Cadillac, MILive minnows, crawlers, and the latest local fishing reports.🎧 Quote of the week:“Our elders say, let the water guide your paddle — the fish will follow.”Join the Hook & Paddle community for kayak-friendly fishing reports, pro rigging tips, and on-the-water storytelling that celebrates Michigan’s lakes, rivers, and paddling traditions.📍 Follow @UncleBuckTheBaitMan on Facebook for daily updates and photos.💬 Tag your catches with #HookAndPaddle and #PaddleAndSplash to be featured next week!#HookAndPaddle #PaddleAndSplash #KayakFishing #MichiganFishing #FallFishing #LakeCadillac #LakeMitchell #NorthernMichigan #PerchFishing #WalleyeFishing #PikeFishing #KayakAngler #KayakLife #KayakFishingMichigan #ColdWaterFishing #KayakTips #FishingReport #BaitMan #UncleBuckTheBaitMan #BucsAquaFarms #KayakGear #FishingRig #DropShotRig #PerchPounder #WildernessSystems #NRSBoundaryBoots #KayakAdventure #OutdoorLife #FishMichigan #KayakFishingNation #GreatLakesFishing #MidwestFishing
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🚣♂️ Hook & Paddle Weekly Kayak Fishing ReportPresented by Buc’s Aqua Farms Inc.October 25, 2025🌬 On the Water This WeekNorthwest winds and frost have dropped surface temps into the mid-40s across Northern Michigan. Weed beds are thinning, perch schools are tightening, and most fish are holding deeper near mud or remaining green cabbage. Calm mornings and low-light periods remain the best windows for kayak anglers.🔥 Hot Yak Bite AlertPerch are stacked deep in East Bay, Burt Lake, and Lake Charlevoix — 35 to 45 feet on small minnows or wigglers. Walleye action stays strong at dusk on Cadillac, Mitchell, and Otsego Lakes with jig-and-minnow presentations. Pike remain aggressive in shallow cabbage on Hamlin, Portage, and Platte Lakes. The deep bite is consistent if you stay vertical and slow.🌊 Lake of the Week – Lake Cadillac & Lake Mitchell (Cadillac, Michigan)Few places capture the essence of fall kayak fishing like Lake Cadillac and Lake Mitchell, twin waters linked by the narrow Clam Lake Canal. Together, they cover roughly 2,300 acres, surrounded by public land, easy launches, and a full-service bait shop right on the water. They sit at the heart of Cadillac yet still feel like classic Up North water — calm, productive, and rich in structure.Lake Cadillac OverviewAt 1,150 acres with a max depth near 28 feet, Lake Cadillac offers walleye, pike, smallmouth, perch, and panfish. The State Park and Laura Lee’s Landing area on the north shoreline produce walleye and pike, while the south end holds deeper contours perfect for trolling or vertical jigging. Weed beds and rock points bordering 10–15 feet of water consistently hold fish.Lake Mitchell OverviewJust across the canal, Lake Mitchell mirrors Cadillac’s size but runs slightly shallower and weedier — a kayak angler’s dream. The Camp Torenta Point area, Rotary Pavilion, and canal mouth are fall walleye and pike hotspots. Late October brings prime pike fishing, with many in the 22–26 inch range and occasional trophies pushing 15 pounds. Bluegill and crappie suspend in 8–12 feet along outer weed edges, ideal for slip-bobber rigs.Kayak Launch & Access PointsWilliam Mitchell State Park: Central access between both lakes with paved parking and restrooms.Kenwood Park (Lake Cadillac – North Shore): Easy solo carry-down launch.Little & Big Cove (Lake Mitchell – South Shore): Direct access to productive weed lines.Downtown Canal Launch: Short gravel pull-off for quick transitions between lakes.Seasonal Bite & StrategyWalleye: Jig-and-minnow or blade baits near canal drop-offs and State Park points at dusk.Pike: Cast silver spoons or troll shallow cranks along cabbage in 8–12 feet.Crappie & Bluegill: Hold near dying weeds and coves — wax worms or plastics under floats.Perch: Small minnows and wigglers along sandy bottom weed edges.Local Bait & SupportPilgrim’s Village Resort & Fishing Shop📍 181 S Lake Mitchell Dr, Cadillac, MI📞 (231) 775-9727Carries live minnows, crawlers, and seasonal tackle. Owner Steve and his crew share updated fishing conditions daily and cater to kayak anglers with gear, maps, and lodging.These twin lakes deliver the perfect late-season experience: diverse fish, clean access, and calm northern water tailor-made for kayak fishing.🧊 Technique Spotlight – Cold-Water Vegetation DynamicsAs water temps fall below 55 °F, shallow lilies and reeds collapse, but deep-rooted weeds like coontail, pondweed, and cabbage remain oxygen-rich and full of forage.Smallmouth: Work 15–25 ft edges where coontail meets sand.Walleye: Cruise cabbage lines along drop-offs.Perch: Stay tight to remaining green patches holding larvae and invertebrates.If you find live weeds, you’ll find feeding fish.🚣♀️ Kayak Spotlight – Wilderness Systems Recon 120 HDBuilt for balance and cold-weather conditions, the Recon 120 HD offers a wide, stable hull and elevated seating for comfort in rough water.Length: 12’2” Width: 38” Weight: 95 lb Retail: $2,999Why it matters: High, dry ride with ample storage for layered gear — perfect for late-fall sessions.🥾 Cold-Weather Gear Spotlight – NRS Boundary BootsMaterial: 5 mm neoprene Height: Knee-high Retail: $149.95Why it matters: Fully waterproof warmth for cold launches, slick ramps, and shallow wades; essential for late-season kayak anglers.🎣 Pro Tip – Dwayne & Tiffany: “Our Elders Say”Our elders say, let the water guide your paddle — the fish will follow.This week that wisdom leads straight to the deep mud lines off Deepwater Point in East Bay, where perch hold in 38–45 ft of water. Use a Perch Pounder or drop-shot rig tipped with live wigglers.Drop until the sinker just taps bottom, lift six to ten inches, then pause — that subtle movement mimics gobies feeding and draws perch all day.Hook wigglers lightly behind the head to keep them lively, and keep your line vertical; dragging spooks fish in clear water. The best bite runs late morning through early afternoon as light reaches the bottom. Add a glow or chartreuse bead — or a sliver of shrimp — to trigger neutral fish.Out here, patience pays. The lake teaches when to move and when to stay still. The water knows the way — you just have to follow.🧭 Northern Michigan Lakes (15)Torch Lake: Perch deep on minnows; smallmouth on gravel shelves.Burt Lake: Walleye off points; perch mid-depth.Mullett Lake: Perch on mud flats; walleye trolling near Cheboygan.Elk Lake: Smallmouth around rock breaks.Long Lake (GT): Evening walleye near islands.Lake Charlevoix: Perch near Elm Point.Big Glen Lake: Deep perch 35–40 ft.Little Glen Lake: Perch on sand-grass beds.Crystal Lake: Perch on inside turns.Platte Lake: Weedline perch 10–12 ft.Portage Lake: Mid-lake perch and pike.Hamlin Lake: Crappie suspended over timber.Otsego Lake: Walleye after dark on jigs.Black Lake: Perch and pike in cabbage.Crooked Lake: Minnows and small jigs steady.🌲 Upper Peninsula Lakes (15)Lake Gogebic: Walleye and perch active on first breaks.Indian Lake: Slip-bobber perch bite evenings.Big Manistique: Walleye trolling islands.Little Bay de Noc: Perch shallow; walleye after dark.Au Train Lake: Perch and crappie at dusk.Lake Antoine: Panfish near docks.Brevoort Lake: Walleye in cabbage.Bond Falls Flowage: Panfish around timber.Michigamme Reservoir: Walleye near flats.Peavy Pond: Perch on stump flats.Portage Lake (Keweenaw): Perch and smallmouth.Lake Independence: Walleye dusk bite.Chicagon Lake: Smallmouth deep.Fortune Chain: Crappie and perch near saddles.Grand Sable Lake: Perch deep; finesse needed.🌾 Southern Michigan Lakes (15)Gull Lake: Deep perch; smallmouth on rock piles.Gun Lake: Bass and crappie in wood cover.Kent Lake: Largemouth early near timber.Union Lake: Walleye on channel edges.Wampler’s Lake: Bass and perch on weeds.Lake Hudson: Crappie on brush.Coldwater Chain: Bluegill and perch deep.Crooked Lake (Delton): Bluegill near pads.Paw Paw Lake: Bass shallow; perch 12 ft.Holloway Reservoir: Walleye along channel.Lake Chemung: Crappie midday.Silver Lake (Waterford): Panfish near docks.Portage Lake (Jackson): Bluegill under pads.Cass Lake: Smallmouth deep.Big Wolf Lake: Bass and panfish tight to cover.🌊 Top 5 Kayak-Friendly Rivers (Week of Oct 25)Manistee River: Steelhead starting to run; spawn and beads effective.Au Sable River: Browns and smallmouth in slow seams.Huron River: Steady smallmouth on jerkbaits.Betsie River: Fresh salmon entering deeper slots.Muskegon River: Walleye and smallmouth on jig-and-minnow combos.🧥 Safety & Clothing ReminderDress for immersion, not comfort. Layer synthetics or wool, wear a PFD at all times, and keep dry clothes sealed in a bag. Cold water is unforgiving — plan ahead and stay safe.🌅 Community ShoutoutTag @UncleBuckTheBaitMan with #HookAndPaddle for a chance to be featured in next week’s report.
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🎣 Buc’s Fishing Report — Friday, October 24, 2025Presented by Buc’s Aqua Farms Inc.⸻🌅 BAIT MAN’S MORNING BRIEFBait Man here — it’s been another damp, blustery week across Northern Michigan. The steady rain is finally helping water levels rebound after a long dry stretch, and that’ll kick-start the bite as soon as the wind settles.When anglers have found a break in the weather, walleye and perch have been the main focus. Salmon season is nearly wrapped up, with darker fish on the gravel and a few bright stragglers left in deeper runs. Steelhead are now starting to move in behind them, and that run will grow quickly with these cooler temps and higher flows.Across the inland lakes, perch fishing has been fair to good with the best catches on minnows, wigglers, and shrimp. Walleye are hitting best at dusk, and many anglers are quietly putting together limits. With hunting season here, fewer folks are fishing, but those who do are finding excellent late-fall action.⸻🌦️ NORTHERN MICHIGAN WEATHER — TRAVERSE CITY AREA• Today: Cloudy and cool, scattered rain showers. High 48°F, NW 10–20 mph, gusts to 25.• Tonight: Cloudy, low around 38°F.• Tomorrow (Sat): Partly sunny and calm, high 50°F, light NW winds.• Outlook: Drying out through the weekend with improving fishing conditions.Barometer: 29.92 inHg and steady.Water Temps: Inland 46–49°F • Lake Michigan nearshore 50–52°F💡 Solunar Bite Windows (EST)• Major: 10:55 AM – 12:55 PM• Minor: 5:25 – 6:25 PMBest bite times today: late morning and again before dusk.⸻🌊 RIVER FLOWS & CONDITIONSManistee River (Tippy Dam): 1,640 cfs, 8.8 ft — Kings thinning, steelhead steady on spawn and beads.Pere Marquette River: 498 cfs — Good color; early chrome behind the gravel beds.Betsie River: 242 cfs — Steelhead pushing in; late kings holding deep near Homestead.Boardman River (Traverse City): 85 cfs — First chrome below Union Street Dam.White River (Hesperia): 125 cfs — Solid steelhead numbers below the dam.Platte River: 162 cfs — Coho nearly done; fresh steelhead trickling in at the mouth.Manistique River (U.P.): 720 cfs — Bright coho and early steelhead mix.Au Train River (U.P.): Steelhead active in deeper pools.Tahquamenon River: Coho scattered below the falls.⸻🐟 PERCH REPORTTorch Lake: Strong midweek bite on minnows and shrimp.Lake Charlevoix: Bigger perch off Ironton and Oyster Bay.Big Glen Lake: Good fish in 35–40 ft on perch pounders with wigglers.Little Glen Lake: Bite fair, fish scattered deeper.Portage Lake: Consistent 18–22 ft bite on minnows.Crystal Lake: Fair bite off Railroad Point and south end.White Lake: West end good in weeds and near channel.P.M. Lake (Ludington): Light action but some larger fish at dusk.Manistee Lake (Manistee): Perch slow.Muskegon Lake: Fish holding in 45–55 ft; electronics help.Burt & Mullett Lakes: Larger fish off Maple Bay and Aloha.Grand Lake: Good bite off weed edges and points.Lake Skegemog: Productive off Torch River drop.Drummond Island: Steady walleye and perch limits with wigglers and shrimp.Big Star Lake (Baldwin): Good perch bite near deep weeds.🎣 Tip: Minnows and wigglers are top choices — add raw shrimp when the bite slows.⸻⚡ WALLEYE REPORTBurt Lake: Minnows and crawler harnesses near points.Mullett Lake: Evening jig bite near Aloha.Lake Margrethe: Steady along deep edges.Manistee Lake (Kalkaska): Dusk bite improving.Lake Mitchell & Cadillac: Late evening jigging bite.Hamlin Lake: Jigging spoons in 20 ft.Long Lake (Traverse City): Fish active near points and drop-offs.Drummond Island: Limits in Scotts Bay.⸻🪣 SMALLMOUTH BASS REPORTTorch Lake: Big fish to 6 lbs on live suckers.East Grand Traverse Bay: 3–5 lb smallmouth steady on tubes and drop-shots.Elk Lake: Jerkbaits and plastics around deep breaks.Walloon Lake: Rocks and ledges producing fish.Green & Duck Lakes (Interlochen): Bass steady on swimbaits and jerkbaits.⸻🐠 UPPER PENINSULA RIVERS — TOP 10St. Mary’s River — Coho, steelhead, and walleye near the locks.Manistique River — Coho thick, first steelhead moving.Two Hearted River — Steelhead showing in deep runs.Tahquamenon River — Coho below the falls.Carp River — Coho and early chrome.Chocolay River — Coho near the mouth.Escanaba River — Bright coho early and late.Ford River — Steelhead and coho below the dam.Au Train River — Steelhead in pools.Black River (Gogebic Co.) — First fresh chrome of the season.⸻🧭 UPPER PENINSULA LAKES (20+ REPORTS)Little Bay de Noc — Walleye hot at dusk on reefs.Big Bay de Noc — Smallmouth and perch active.Indian Lake — Strong perch bite in 15 ft.North Manistique — Walleye and panfish mix.South Manistique — Perch along weeds.Milakokia Lake — Steady perch bite.Muskallonge Lake — Pike and perch good.Deer Lake — Walleye on rocky bars.Baraga Lake — Walleye up after rain.Gogebic Lake — Big perch on mud flats.Teal Lake — Panfish fair.Michigamme Reservoir — Walleye off points.Peavy Pond — Pike and walleye steady.Bewabic Lake — Panfish strong.Camp 7 Lake — Clear water, panfish fair.Thunder Lake — Pike and perch consistent.Skeels Lake — Pike steady.Bass Lake (Schoolcraft) — Panfish steady.Au Train Lake — Minnows for perch.Drummond Island Bays — Walleye and perch limits.⸻🌅 SAGINAW BAY & SAGINAW RIVERSaginaw Bay: Perch improving from Linwood to Sebewaing, 15–18 ft; minnows best.Saginaw River: Walleye bite strong near bridges and channel edges; vertical jigs with minnows working best.⸻🎯 HARRISON • CLARE • GLADWIN • MIDLAND COUNTY LAKESBud Lake (Harrison): Bluegill good in shallows.Arnold Lake: Crappie fair in brush.Cranberry Lake: Bluegill steady.Sutherland Lake: Pike and panfish active.Lake Thirteen: Excellent bluegill action.Lancer Lake (Gladwin): Crappie light, bluegill fair.Sugar Springs: Low water but shore bluegill fair.Pratt Lake: Pike and bass biting.Ross Lake: Walleye below dam.Secord Lake: Bluegill strong.Pleasant Lake (Midland): Bluegill and perch decent.Beaverton Lake: Crappie consistent.⸻🧠 LIVE BAIT PRO TIPWhen water temps fall below 50°F, minnows are prime for perch and walleye. Use golden shiners or suckers on Lindy rigs or slip bobbers. Add a bright bead or small shrimp chunk for extra flash and scent.⸻Fish smart, fish hard, and tight lines — Bait Man out.
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Bait Man here with your weekend fishing update. The photo today is Todd from Buc’s with a beautiful steelhead out of the Betsie River, caught yesterday on a Hot n Tot. That fish is proof that the fall steelhead run is just beginning across Northern Michigan. A few anglers made it out between the rain showers yesterday and did well on perch in Charlevoix, catching fish from nine to twelve inches. Torch Lake continues to produce steady perch and even a few Atlantic salmon. Big Glen, Lake Leelanau, Portage, and White Lake are all giving up perch, with the best action on White along the west weed lines. This latest rain helped push the last of the salmon up on the gravel to spawn. Most are dark now, but the steelhead are following close behind. A few nice river browns are being caught below Tippy Dam on nightcrawlers, and salmon are still holding in the middle Pere Marquette River near Baldwin. There are still a few silver fish mixed in, and anglers are waiting on the next wave of steelhead with this cooler weather. Many anglers have turned their focus to deer season, but for those still fishing, the bites have been solid. East Grand Traverse Bay remains good for cisco and smallmouth, while Torch, Skegemog, and Walloon are all producing bass on live suckers, minnows, and jerkbaits. Perch fishing will rebound quickly once the water clears. Torch, Lake Charlevoix, Big and Little Glen, Portage, Crystal, and Muskegon Lakes are all producing on minnows and wigglers, with shrimp a great backup when the bite slows. Drummond Island continues strong perch and walleye action in Scotts Bay using wigglers, minnows, and shrimp. Walleye are hitting near dusk on Burt and Mullett using harnesses and minnows around drops and humps. Manistee, Mitchell, Cadillac, and Hamlin Lakes are steady with jigging spoons in twenty feet, and Drummond Island anglers continue to see solid limits when weather allows. In the Upper Peninsula, coho runs are winding down while steelhead are starting to show in good numbers on the St Marys, Manistique, Tahquamenon, Escanaba, and Ford Rivers. Lakes like Little Bay de Noc, Big Bay de Noc, Muskallonge, and Deer are giving up walleye, perch, and pike on minnows and wigglers. As water levels rise and the air cools, look for the best bites late morning and just before dusk. Fish slow, use bright beads behind the leaf drift, and keep shrimp and minnows handy for those neutral fish. Fish smart, fish slow, and tight lines. Bait Man out.Bait Man here with your weekend fishing update. The photo today is Todd from Buc’s with a beautiful steelhead out of the Betsie River, caught yesterday on a Hot n Tot. That fish is proof that the fall steelhead run is just beginning across Northern Michigan. A few anglers made it out between the rain showers yesterday and did well on perch in Charlevoix, catching fish from nine to twelve inches. Torch Lake continues to produce steady perch and even a few Atlantic salmon. Big Glen, Lake Leelanau, Portage, and White Lake are all giving up perch, with the best action on White along the west weed lines. This latest rain helped push the last of the salmon up on the gravel to spawn. Most are dark now, but the steelhead are following close behind. A few nice river browns are being caught below Tippy Dam on nightcrawlers, and salmon are still holding in the middle Pere Marquette River near Baldwin. There are still a few silver fish mixed in, and anglers are waiting on the next wave of steelhead with this cooler weather. Many anglers have turned their focus to deer season, but for those still fishing, the bites have been solid. East Grand Traverse Bay remains good for cisco and smallmouth, while Torch, Skegemog, and Walloon are all producing bass on live suckers, minnows, and jerkbaits. Perch fishing will rebound quickly once the water clears. Torch, Lake Charlevoix, Big and Little Glen, Portage, Crystal, and Muskegon Lakes are all producing on minnows and wigglers, with shrimp a great backup when the bite slows. Drummond Island continues strong perch and walleye action in Scotts Bay using wigglers, minnows, and shrimp. Walleye are hitting near dusk on Burt and Mullett using harnesses and minnows around drops and humps. Manistee, Mitchell, Cadillac, and Hamlin Lakes are steady with jigging spoons in twenty feet, and Drummond Island anglers continue to see solid limits when weather allows. In the Upper Peninsula, coho runs are winding down while steelhead are starting to show in good numbers on the St Marys, Manistique, Tahquamenon, Escanaba, and Ford Rivers. Lakes like Little Bay de Noc, Big Bay de Noc, Muskallonge, and Deer are giving up walleye, perch, and pike on minnows and wigglers. As water levels rise and the air cools, look for the best bites late morning and just before dusk. Fish slow, use bright beads behind the leaf drift, and keep shrimp and minnows handy for those neutral fish. Fish smart, fish slow, and tight lines. Bait Man out.#BucsFishingReport #NorthernMichiganFishing #SteelheadRun
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🎣 Buc’s Fishing Report — Thursday, October 23, 2025Presented by Buc’s Aqua Farms Inc.⸻🌅 BAIT MAN’S MORNING BRIEFBait Man here — it’s been another chilly, wet week across Northern Michigan. The steady rain has finally helped raise lake and river levels, and even though conditions have been rough, this will pay off big time going into the weekend.Yesterday afternoon a few anglers got out between rain showers and found fish starting to respond. Todd from Buc’s caught a bright steelhead out of the Betsie River on a Hot-N-Tot, showing that chrome season is officially underway. I talked with a few guys up in Charlevoix who caught perch running 9–12 inches, while Torch Lake continues to produce solid numbers of perch and even a few Atlantics.East Grand Traverse Bay remains strong for cisco and smallmouth bass, while West Bay (Northport, Suttons Bay, and Bowers Harbor) stays quiet on perch.The cold nights are pushing smallmouth and walleye into predictable fall patterns, and this weekend looks like one of the best windows we’ve had in weeks as rain moves out and pressure stabilizes.⸻🌦️ INLAND WEATHER — NORTHERN MICHIGAN (TRAVERSE CITY AREA)• Today: Showers early, tapering to clouds and drizzle. High 49°F, NW 10–15 mph.• Tonight: Mostly cloudy, low 39°F.• Tomorrow (Fri): Partly sunny and cool, high 50°F with light winds.• Outlook: Rain clears out; stable weather returning for the weekend.Barometer: 29.82 inHg, steady.Solunar Bite Windows:• Major: 11:10 AM – 1:10 PM• Minor: 5:40 – 6:40 PM⸻🌊 RIVER FLOWS & CONDITIONSManistee River (Tippy Dam): 1,750 cfs; salmon fading, but good steelhead and a few browns on beads and spawn sacks.Pere Marquette River (Baldwin): Chrome showing in the midsection, drift beads and spawn in clear water.Betsie River: Fair numbers of kings remain, plenty of steelhead in deeper holes; light pressure despite the rain.Boardman River: Early steelhead showing near the dam.White River (Hesperia): Chrome trickling in; a few late salmon at night.Bear Creek: Good color and steady flow; steelhead hitting spawn bags.Elk River: Few bright fish holding near the powerhouse.Platte River: Coho nearly done; scattered steelhead below the weir.Manistique River (U.P.): Coho thick, mix of early chrome steelhead.Hesperia-Browns active below the dam after the rain.⸻🐟 PERCH REPORTTorch Lake: Strong bite continues; minnows best, with shrimp as backup.Lake Charlevoix: Good fish near Ironton and Oyster Bay, 9–12 inch average.Big Glen Lake: Decent bite in 35–40 ft; perch pounders with minnows working well.Little Glen Lake: Slowed with cooling temps; try deeper humps.Lake Leelanau (South): Fair bite near the Cedar River mouth.Portage Lake: Steady; larger perch in 20 ft weeds.Crystal Lake: Fair at south end; jigging small minnows.White Lake: Best action near the channel in 18–20 ft.P.M. Lake (Ludington): A few quality fish near dusk.Manistee Lake (Manistee): Scattered bite, minnows best.Muskegon Lake: Bite in 40–50 ft on mud flats, electronics help.Burt & Mullett Lakes: Good perch off Maple Bay and Aloha.Grand Lake: Weed edges producing quality fish.Lake Skegemog: Steady off Torch River drop-offs.Drummond Island: Custeyes Charters reports steady perch and walleye in Scotts and Potagannissing Bays using wigglers, minnows, and shrimp.Tip: Minnows and wigglers remain top baits — pack raw shrimp for tough bites.⸻⚡ WALLEYE REPORTBurt Lake: Good near drop-offs with minnows.Mullett Lake: Evening jig bite steady around Aloha.Lake Margrethe: Active along breaks on minnows.Manistee Lake (Kalkaska): Dusk bite improving.Lake Mitchell & Cadillac: Fish along shallow weeds at sunset.Hamlin Lake: Jigging spoons productive in 18–22 ft.Long Lake (Traverse City): Consistent late bite.Drummond Island: Walleye limits reported in Scotts Bay.⸻🪣 SMALLMOUTH BASS REPORTTorch Lake: Hot bite — fish up to 6 lbs on live suckers.East Grand Traverse Bay: Excellent numbers; fish 15–25 ft on drop shots.Elk Lake: Deep edge bite with tubes and plastics.Walloon Lake: Rocks and ledges best for bass and pike mix.Green & Duck Lakes (Interlochen): Consistent; jerkbaits and swimbaits.⸻🐠 UPPER PENINSULA RIVERS — TOP 10St. Mary’s River: Coho, steelhead, and walleye near the locks.Manistique River: Heavy coho run, first chrome showing.Two Hearted River: Early steelhead moving up.Tahquamenon River: Coho below the falls; light steelhead push.Carp River: Fair coho near the mouth.Chocolay River: Coho near the mouth; water stained.Escanaba River: Mix of coho and steelhead below dam.Ford River: Early chrome steelhead caught this week.Au Train River: Bright steelhead in the deep runs.Black River (Gogebic): Chrome steelhead appearing near the bridge.⸻🏞️ UPPER PENINSULA LAKES (20+)Little Bay de Noc: Walleye bite strong in evenings.Big Bay de Noc: Smallmouth good, perch fair.Indian Lake: Steady perch in 10–14 ft.North & South Manistique: Perch and walleye active.Au Train Lake: Good minnow bite.Milakokia Lake: Decent perch on minnows.Muskallonge Lake: Pike and perch both active.Deer Lake: Walleye near rock bars.Baraga Lake: Good walleye after rain.Gogebic Lake: Big perch showing.Michigamme Reservoir: Walleye along points.Peavy Pond: Pike active in bays.Bewabic Lake: Panfish steady.Thunder Lake: Pike and perch mixed.Camp 7 Lake: Bluegill and crappie moderate.Drummond Bays: Walleye and perch limits on shrimp and minnows.Lake Independence: Perch fair; clear water.Bass Lake (Schoolcraft): Bluegill consistent.Skeels Lake: Pike steady.Au Train Bay: Coho staging near mouth.⸻🌅 SAGINAW BAY & SAGINAW RIVERSaginaw Bay: Perch fair from Linwood to Sebewaing in 15–18 ft; minnows best.Saginaw River: Walleye picking up at bridges and channels; vertical jigging best.⸻🎯 HARRISON • CLARE • GLADWIN • MIDLAND COUNTY LAKESBud Lake (Harrison): Bluegill strong, bass slow.Arnold Lake: Crappie in deeper brush.Cranberry Lake: Bluegill excellent.Sutherland Lake: Pike and panfish active.Lake Thirteen: Consistent bluegill bite.Lancer Lake: Bluegill fair; crappie slow.Sugar Springs: Low water, but bluegill steady.Pratt Lake: Pike and bass active.Ross Lake: Walleye and crappie near dam.Secord Lake: Bluegill good near shore.Pleasant Lake: Bass shallow mid-day.Beaverton Lake: Crappie steady on small minnows.⸻🧠 LIVE BAIT PRO TIPAs water cools, minnows are the go-to bait for perch, walleye, and bass. Wigglers work well on perch, and shrimp are your ace-in-the-hole when fish turn finicky. Slow down your presentation and match bait size to local forage for best results.⸻Fish smart, fish hard, and tight lines — Bait Man out.
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