Weekly Fishing Reports from Michigan DNR Thursday, July 30, 2015

State of Michigan DNR Fishing ReportSoutheast Lower Peninsula Fishing Report; Lake Erie: Is producing some walleye for those trolling in 18 to 25 feet with crawler harnesses, spoons and crank baits although crawler harnesses worked best. Fish were caught near the E-Buoy, Banana Dike, Fermi and Stony Point. Perch fishing actually picked up and those using minnows with purple or pink beads while anchored in 15 to 20 feet off Brest Bay, Bolles Harbor and Stony Point caught fish.

Lenawee County: Devils Lake had good fishing. Bluegill anglers did best fishing deep in 15 to 25 feet with crickets and wax worms. Bass anglers did well at various depths and locations. Pike were caught by those trolling along the weeds. Surface water temperatures were near 80 degrees. Lake Hudson was slow. Bass anglers caught a few with top water and weedless baits along the shorelines and lily pads. A couple walleye were caught by those casting for bass. Few musky were caught. Shore anglers caught small bluegills and the occasional bass or catfish near the boat ramp.

Detroit River: Fishing pressure was very light with the hot weather. Those heading out usually did so in the early morning. A few walleye were caught on the northern half of the Canadian side with the better fishing near the whiskey plant, casino, salt mines and up near the mouth toward Lake St. Clair. Walleye fishing on the Michigan side was slow with the exception of a few caught around Grosse Ile and down near Lake Erie. Some caught up to 5 fish but most were lucky to get 2 in waters 15 to 40 feet deep. They are bottom bouncing crawler harnesses or hand-lining with spoons and stick baits. Some fishing the Canadian side were jigging. A few boats targeting muskie had fair results with fish ranging 40 to 50 inches. Bass fishing is fair with a mix of both large and smallmouth around the islands, cuts and canals. The bigger fish were 3 to 4 pounds but many were sub-legal.

Lexington & Port Sanilac: Good numbers of lake trout were caught near the bottom in 100 to 130 feet. Steelhead and the odd chinook were also caught about halfway down. A scum line was starting to form and that may bring the steelhead up closer to the surface. Anglers were starting to catch some perch off Port Sanilac. Try minnows or wax worms in 20 to 30 feet around the weed beds. Pier fishing was slow but anglers were catching some 10 and 12 inch white bass.

Harbor Beach: Is producing a good number of lake trout just off the bottom in waters up to 130 feet deep. Some caught the odd chinook or steelhead as well.

Grindstone City: Had excellent walleye fishing with limit catches reported. Walleye were taken in good numbers in 20 to 45 feet or 20 feet in the evening with crawler harnesses, crank baits and spoons. Those trolling off Burnt Cabin Point reported very good catches of lake trout in 100 to 155 feet.

Port Austin: Had excellent walleye fishing. Anglers are heading west to Hat Point and Flat Rock Reefs or east and fishing Eagle Bay. Some walleye and a good number of smallmouth bass were caught around the Port Austin Light. Try 20 to 45 feet or 20 feet in the evening with spoons, crank baits or crawler harnesses. Pier anglers fishing along the rocks at night caught walleye on fire-tiger rapalas.

Saginaw Bay: Hot weather is driving the walleyes to deep water and toward the tip of the Thumb but anglers are still getting a few. Limit catches are no longer common and those trolling are working hard for their fish. They are fishing in 20 feet off Linwood, early morning off the Kawkawlin River, the Dumping Grounds and off Finn Road and the Callahan Reef in 6 to 8 feet. Most are using crawler harnesses but a few are running crank baits or spoons. Catfish anglers are doing well in the Hot Pond with crawlers and shrimp. On the east side, fishing was spotty and ranged from poor to good. The better action out of Caseville was northeast of Big Charity Island, around the Steeples, off Oak Point and further to the northeast to the Hat Point Reef. Harnesses are still the predominant bait, with chartreuse, pink, purple, brass and orange spinners. Fishing in the Slot was hit-or-miss. Lake trout fishing is very good in deep water.

Saginaw River: Shore anglers fishing the lower river at Smith Park are catching catfish, freshwater drum and the occasional smallmouth bass.

Sanford Lake: Fishing slowed but crappie anglers were still taking fish on pinkie jigs with a white twin twister-tail, minnows and wax worms. Bluegills were also caught. Some walleye were taken on a variety of artificial baits and a couple muskie were also taken. Bass anglers have done well.

 

Southwest Lower Peninsula Fishing Report

St. Joseph: Salmon fishing was slow as the fish appear to be scattered. Pier fishing for steelhead has slowed as most only caught freshwater drum and catfish when using crawlers or shrimp on the bottom. Perch fishing was good with a fair number of nice fish caught in 30 feet.

South Haven: Perch fishing improved quite a bit with a good number of fish caught south of the pier in 30 to 40 feet. Salmon fishing is slow with only a few caught in 100 feet. Pier fishing slowed but the occasional steelhead was taken. Shrimp under a bobber worked best.

Kalamazoo River: Steelhead fishing was slow during the warm spell however those targeting channel and flathead catfish continue to take good numbers when using crawlers, cut bait, shrimp and chicken liver.

Grand Haven: Boat anglers found a few trout and salmon 30 to 90 feet down in 70 to 180 feet. They are using green or orange spoons and green or yellow meat rigs. Pier fishing for steelhead was slow with the increase in water temperature but anglers still caught freshwater drum and catfish in the channel with worms and cut bait.

Grand River at Grand Rapids: Very few summer steelhead were caught over the last week and none were reported above the 6th Street Dam. Channel and flathead catfish are still being caught on worms and small bluegills. A few crappie were taken on minnows. Walleye, smallmouth bass and bluegills were caught off the wall. Walleye and smallmouth were caught below the dam when using live or artificial bait.

Grand River at Lansing: Was producing some crappie above the Moore’s Park Dam. They were hard to find but when anglers did they caught some nice fish. Those targeting channel cats have done well with crawlers, small bluegills, cut bait and even shrimp when fishing the holes.

Red Cedar River: Is producing smallmouth bass but anglers will have to sort out the small ones.

Looking Glass River: Has very good pike fishing especially around the DeWitt area. Anglers can also be found near Babcock’s Landing.

Muskegon: Boat anglers are catching trout and salmon 35 to 80 feet down in 70 to 150 feet with green, orange and yellow spoons or green meat rigs.

Whitehall: Fishing has picked up. Boats have moved 3 to 7 miles north and were fishing in 85 to 150 feet. The early morning catch came primarily in the 85 foot range. Others fished deeper in the 250 foot range and brought in a few more fish with lines running 55 feet down with lead core and copper. A lot of fish were taken on meat rigs and artificial baits. Hot colors were green, blue and orange.

Northeast Lower Peninsula Fishing Report

Rogers City: The thermocline has been up high some days and deeper on other days. When cold water is present and up higher a good mix of chinook, coho, steelhead, lake trout and walleye were caught. The fish are scattered throughout in 170 to 220 feet but the steelhead were in the top 40 feet. They are fishing them with 1, 2, 3, and 5 colors of lead with orange the hot color. Those fishing closer to shore also caught fish including a few walleye on a regular basis. Spoons worked best in the colors green, blue, orange, yellow, black and white or anything that glows early and late.

Alpena: Is producing mostly lake trout but some have caught salmon and steelhead in the top 50 feet with orange and blue spoons. Lake trout are near the bottom. Most are fishing around Thunder Bay Island or the “Humps”. Walleye fishing continues to be very good with most boats catching fish near the North Shore, Red Can, the backside of Grass Island or between Sulphur Island, Grass Island and Thunder Bay Island. Most are using crank baits, body baits and crawler harnesses about halfway down in 20 to 40 feet.

Thunder Bay River: Had warm water temperatures and slow catch rates.

Harrisville: The lake trout are moving in and out. Start shallow in the morning, fishing 60 to 70 feet, follow the fish to deeper water then reverse in the evening. Steelhead and a few chinook seem to be in the same area as the lake trout. Spoons are working best behind flashers. Use dark colors for the lake trout and orange or blue for steelhead, chinook and Atlantic salmon. Walleye are north of the harbor between Sturgeon Point and the Black River in 12 to 35 feet. Anglers are trolling body baits and crawler harnesses.

Oscoda: Pier fishing has finally picked up with anglers catching mainly channel cats, smallmouth bass and few walleye. Late evening, throughout the night and early morning were best. The bass and catfish were hitting on crawlers and minnows. Walleye were hitting on body baits off the end of the pier. Boat anglers caught lake trout in 150 to 200 feet with spoons, wobble glows, and body baits.

Higgins Lake: Has lots of rock bass throughout the lake. This is an excellent fishery especially for kids. A few perch were caught off Big Creek and the Sunken Island. Anglers are using minnows out of the lake or wax worms in 30 to 40 feet or deeper. Lake trout were caught by those trolling just off the bottom in 100 to 120 feet with spoons or body baits. Gold was the hot color.

Houghton Lake: Is producing some bigger bluegills and some walleye. Anglers are using a jig with a leech or trolling along the weeds in 11 feet. A good number of pike have also been caught.

Tawas: Had a lot of fishing activity but many of those trolling are crossing the bay and fishing northeast of Big Charity Island in 25 to 45 feet. Boats fishing deeper waters outside of Tawas Point are picking up a few lake trout and the odd steelhead or chinook. Pier and river fishing continue in the slow summer mode with only the odd bass, freshwater drum or catfish.

Au Gres: Fishing pressure slowed but there are boats fishing north of Big Charity Island and between Point Lookout and Pointe Au Gres in 35 to 45 feet. They’re still getting fish out there, but they are working to get them.

Au Gres River: Remains slow with shore anglers getting a few catfish, freshwater drum, rock bass, smallmouth bass and lots of gobies.

Northwest Lower Peninsula Fishing Report

Harbor Springs: Boat anglers fishing north around 5-Mile Point caught lake trout in 100 to 150 feet Rumor has it a couple salmon were also caught.

Petoskey: Lake trout were hit-or-miss. Some boats caught their limit while others were skunked. Strong winds pushed the warmer water down and many were fishing too shallow. Of the fish caught, most were taken 100 to 110 feet down near the bottom at Bay Harbor and to the west when using spoons. The “Bobber Hole” at the mouth of the Bear River was slow. A few rock bass and sub-legal smallmouth were caught on worms and soft plastics off the D Pier.

Bear River: Is still experiencing low water levels. Fishing is slow except for rock bass and chubs caught near the dam.

Charlevoix: Lake trout fishing was good. Anglers also picked up one or two chinook and steelhead south of the channel and higher in the water column. Lake trout were 60 to 100 feet down in 100 to 300 feet near the can at the cement plant or 70 to 80 feet down in 100 feet at North Point. Spin-glo’s, spoons and flies were working well. Those fishing the channel caught smallmouth bass but few were keepers. Try crawlers, leeches or soft plastics on the bottom. The random walleye was caught in the evening. Freshwater drum are still in the channel.

Elk River: Had only sub-legal smallmouth and a few rock bass hitting on crawlers and leeches.

Traverse City: The East Bay had fair lake trout fishing in waters about 95 feet deep. Anglers are marking and hooking into a few salmon, but not many were landed. In the West Bay, boat anglers were targeting chinook near the white walls but fishing was slow. Lake trout fishing was fair near the bottom in 85 to 115 feet.

Boardman River: Fishing was slow. Catch rates for smallmouth bass were hit-or-miss near the mouth. Some had luck with minnows. Those fishing near the Union Street Dam caught the occasional steelhead on crawlers. Water temperatures were in the mid 70’s. Some brown trout were caught below Sabin Dam when using crawlers or flies. Upstream near Ranch Rudolph, those fly fishing caught brook and brown trout.

Frankfort: Reported very nice catches of chinook salmon 40 to 80 feet down in 160 to 180 feet with meat rigs and flies. Purple and blue spoons or J-plugs also worked well. Lake trout were caught by those bouncing the bottom with cowbells and spin-glo’s in 80 to 120 feet.

Onekama: Had good lake trout action in 80 to 120 feet around the “Barrel” when bouncing the bottom with cowbells and spin-glo’s. Chinook salmon were starting to hit better in the early morning. Anglers are trolling in the top 80 feet of waters 140 to 160 feet deep.

Portage Lake: Panfish including perch were deeper in 18 to 25 feet with the warmer temperatures. Bass anglers were working hard along the drops in deeper water.

Manistee: Salmon fishing remains fair. Anglers are catching a mixed bag of chinook, lake trout and steelhead. No large numbers of fish but enough to produce some decent catches.

Ludington: Catch rates slowed a bit however boat anglers are still taking lake trout, chinook and steelhead. The lake trout are just off the bottom and the chinook and steelhead were hitting on orange and green spoons or meat rigs about halfway down.

Pentwater: Fishing has finally improved with nice catches of chinook, steelhead and lake trout. Most were fishing off the Silver Lake sand dunes or on the south side of Little Sable Point. Salmon tend to start schooling in this area in August. Anglers were staring shallow in the early morning and moving to waters 250 feet or more as the sun comes up. Some reported salmon in the channel late at night and in the early morning hours. Anglers are still-fishing with spawn.

Upper Peninsula Fishing Report

Keweenaw Bay: Had few anglers as most were just out playing during the hot weather. More were fishing in Big Traverse Bay. Anglers were trolling or jigging from Hermits Cove to 7-Mile Reef. Those trolling between 1.8 and 2.5 mph picked up lake trout and coho. Those jigging out from Big Louie’s were in 180 to 260 feet. The action was not fast and furious but it is picking up.

Little Bay De Noc: Walleye anglers reported fair catches at best. Fish were caught in the flats near Kipling when trolling crawler harnesses in 25 to 30 feet, off Gladstone in 30 to 40 feet, off the Escanaba River and near the “Black Bottom” in 14 to 28 feet. Boat anglers had fair to good results when bass fishing near Round Island. Perch fishing was fair in the Escanaba Yacht Harbor when using worms in the channel. Northern pike were very active throughout the bay. Shore anglers along the Ford River reported good smallmouth action when casting crank baits, plastics, spinners or crawlers.

Big Bay De Noc: Walleye fishing slowed however the occasional catch was reported in Kates Bay or between Porcupine Point and Big Bay Shoals when trolling crawler harnesses in 18 to 22 feet. Smallmouth bass were caught in the same areas in 10 to 14 feet but Martins Bay and St. Vitals Island were best in 10 to 12 feet with plastics, crank baits, spinners or crawlers. Good pike action near Ogontz in 10 to 14 feet. At Fairport, catch rates for chinook were down but the lake trout action was good for those trolling 30 to 80 feet down in 110 to 150 feet with spoons or artificial bait. Good catches of steelhead were reported off Point Detour when trolling spoons or flies about 30 feet down.

Marquette: Most are targeting lake trout and the best action was north and east of the port. The common areas where fish were also caught were the “Sand Hole”, north of the white rocks, Little Presque Isle or the humps and drop-offs north of the islands. Most anglers were getting anywhere from one fish to a limit catch when using spoons, flies or cut bait. A few chinook, steelhead and splake were caught. Stannard Rock continues to produce good action for lake trout but most fish averaged 3 to 4 pounds and were caught when jigging twister tails and cut bait.

Au Train Lake: Surface water temperatures warmed into the low 70’s. In general anglers had poor success with a few legal walleye reported and several undersize pike. Anglers targeting perch were using small spinner rigs for panfish with worms but the fish caught were only 6 to 7 inches. Good weed beds with large schools of minnows were observed throughout the lake. Walleye anglers were drifting or trolling crawler harnesses or small crank baits. Those targeting pike and smallmouth were casting or trolling spinners and crank baits.

Munising: Had low catch rates with only a couple splake or a few lake trout taken by those trolling in 100 to 200 feet. Surface water temperature was about 66 degrees. Trout Bay and Sand Point were slow even though anglers were marking a few fish. A select few that made the trip out to Big Reef caught lake trout. Fresh spawn was the bait of choice by those fishing off the dock of the Anna River. They caught splake but many were small.

Grand Marais: Has very few pier anglers however boat anglers were heading out 5 to 10 miles for lake trout. Catch rates picked up with fish taken by those trolling spoons along the bottom in 120 to 200 feet. Coho have started to show up and those casting off the pier have caught a few. Boat anglers trolling suspended lines in deep water have caught a mix of coho, steelhead and lake trout.

South Manistique Lake: Those targeting largemouth bass reported excellent numbers along the southern end of the island. Buzz baits and plastics worked best. Walleye action improved slightly with more hits on crawler harnesses. Try trolling the ridge extending from the west end of the island. The afternoon bite was slow as the fish went deeper with the heat wave.

St. Mary’s River: Those fishing Raber Bay caught a few lake herring and whitefish 100 yards straight out from the Lime Island boat docks in 18 to 25 feet. Anglers are reporting good fly hatches around Lime Island. The walleye in Raber Bay are bigger this year with fish 16 to 19 inches caught by those trolling crawler harnesses and bottom bouncers in 14 feet along the weed beds just south of the boat launch.

DeTour: Target lake trout straight south of the lighthouse and the DeTour Reef. Two miles south, there is an 80 foot flat that always seems to hold lake trout as well. Anglers have done well trolling anywhere between 50 feet down and along the bottom with cowbells and silver or purple hammered spoons. Most of those fishing south of the lighthouse along the flat were taking limit catches. A couple Atlantic salmon were caught near the green buoy west of the DeTour lighthouse with chartreuse and white 3 inch spoons. A few yellow perch were caught in the early morning hours just north of the DNR launch off the old slab piling on the north side of the blue hand rail in 14 to 18 feet when using minnows and worms.

Drummond Island: Fly hatches were still underway at Butterfield Island, Macomb Island, and Maple Island and there are still reports of lake herring being caught at all three islands. Walleye were caught in the early morning along the backside of Rutland Island and towards Peck Island when trolling planer boards. Smallmouth bass and pumpkinseed were caught by those still-fishing or casting off the Monahan dock in Maxton Bay.

Cedarville and Hessel: Continue with good pike fishing for those trolling, casting or still-fishing. Perch fishing was also very good especially in Hessel Bay, Cedarville Bay and Moscoe Channel. Good bass fishing in the shallow bays.

St. Ignace: Fishing was very slow. Try the mouth of the Carp River or look for lake trout on the east side of Mackinac Island.

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