By The Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Southeast Lower Peninsula
Lake Erie: Mayflies began their hatch, along with biting flies that were also out in large numbers. With water temperatures rising, walleye moved to deeper water. However, the catch remained good out from the DTE power plant in 20 feet of water, with anglers catching walleye on crawler harnesses behind bottom bouncers. Yellow perch remained dispersed. The most productive harness color continued to be silver, along with orange, yellow, and green. Catfish were also being caught in large numbers in the hot-water discharge ponds of the DTE plant on natural baits.
Eastern Saginaw Bay: Fishing along the east side was spotty, with many windy days keeping anglers off the bay. When anglers were able to get out, they found walleye off Quanicassee in 12 to 14 feet of water, along the edge of Callahan Reef, in the slot, and out toward the shipping channel in 24 to 26 feet of water.
Walleye were caught on both body baits and crawler harnesses.
Anglers trolling walleye on eastern Saginaw Bay out of Sunset Marina caught some limits of walleye trolling night crawler harnesses and flicker shads at the top of the bar in 12 feet of water.
Sebewaing: Out from Sebewaing, anglers caught walleye in the slot in 15 to 17 feet of water and along the edge of the bar in 11 to 13 feet of water. Most boats had to work hard to catch fish, sorting through many undersized walleye. A few boats were able to achieve limits during the past week.
Anglers fishing north of the channel on the bar in 9 to 10 feet of water caught good numbers of walleye trolling with night crawler harnesses.
Lower Saginaw Bay: Walleye fishing was productive in several areas. Anglers trolled in front of Linwood in 18 to 22 feet of water using crawlers. The old dumping grounds produced fish in 20 to 22 feet of water while trolling with both crawlers and Flicker Shads. About three miles east of the spark plug, anglers found success in 23 feet of water using flicker shads. Fishing in the slot was also productive in 18 to 22 feet of water while trolling with crawlers.
Harbor Beach: Good numbers of lake trout were caught by anglers trolling north of Filion Road in 60 to 80 feet of water on the bottom with a dodger and fly.
Lake Huron: A few smallmouth bass were caught from shore, piers and a few boats that have been inside the harbors. All cast a wide variety of lures.
Oakland County: Anglers reported success catching trout stocked in the Huron River. Panfish and bass were caught in lakes around the county.
Wayne County: The white bass bite slowed down in the Detroit River.
Southwest Lower Peninsula
South Haven: Boat anglers struggled this past week. The best fishing occurred after dark. The most productive water was around 75 feet of water. Spoons caught most of the fish reported. Pier fishing for steelhead was on the slow side. A decent number of freshwater drum were caught, and a few walleye were caught at night. Perch fishing remained slow, with only a few fish caught in 70 feet of water.
The piers were dredged, but access to the lake was not an issue. The dredging did not appear to affect fishing from the piers.
St. Joseph: Boat anglers caught a few salmon and trout. The most consistent fishing occurred in 80 to 100 feet of water. Pier fishing for freshwater drum was excellent, with lots of fish being caught. Steelhead fishing was slow, but some fish were caught on shrimp. Perch fishing improved, with the best fishing taking place in 40 to 50 feet of water.
Grand, Kalamazoo, St. Joseph rivers: With the lower flows and warm weather, smallmouth bass action increased in these rivers. Fish were near riffle areas, around logs, and below dams. Spinners, flies that resemble bugs or minnows, night crawlers, and live minnows all worked well.
Muskegon: Boat anglers were catching a few Chinook salmon 30 to 90 feet down in 60 to 140 feet of water. Green, blue, and orange spoons worked the best. Freshwater drum were being caught off the piers by anglers casting spoons. The Cottage Grove boat launch was closed due to ramp repairs. The fish cleaning station was open at the Snug Harbor boat launch.
Grand Haven: Salmon action had slowed down over the past week, but a few were still being caught. The best action occurred 30 to 90 feet down in 60 to 140 feet of water. Spoons worked best in green and blue colors. Pier anglers found steelhead action to be slow, with a few being caught on shrimp and alewives. Anglers casting spoons or body baits in the channel did well on freshwater drum.
Inland lakes: Bluegill spawning slowed down, but there were still some in shallow waters. Leaf worms under a bobber worked well. Anglers should try fishing a little deeper along weed beds and drop offs as water temperatures continue to increase.
Northeast Lower Peninsula
Tawas/Au Gres: There was not a ton of fishing by boat anglers. A couple of boats targeted smallmouth bass and had some success. Those fishing from the pier reported seeing smallmouth bass, northern pike, carp, and freshwater drum. Smallmouth and largemouth bass were also caught in the Tawas River.
In Au Gres, boat anglers going out from Au Gres reported the walleye fishing to be hit or miss. Freshwater drum, white bass, channel catfish, occasional northern pike, and quite a few short walleye were caught. Both body baits and crawler harnesses caught fish. Those going out from the Pine River in Standish also reported the fishing to inconsistent.
Alpena: Lake trout, Atlantic salmon, and coho salmon were found in depths of 50 to 70 feet near Thunder Bay Island. Spoons trolled in the upper part of the water column, as well as flashers and Spin-N-Glos, were productive, with green, watermelon, and orange being the most effective colors.
Walleye were found throughout the bay in 15 to 25 feet of water. Black/silver, purple, and chartreuse were productive colors.
A few northern pike and smallmouth bass were caught in Squaw Bay while casting spinnerbaits and tube jigs in 10 to 12 feet of water. Power anglers reported a few bass along with the occasional northern pike and freshwater drum.
Thunder Bay River: A few walleye were caught while drifting leeches in the river as well as smallmouth bass, pike, and catfish. Those targeting catfish did well using crawlers near the holiday inn and Lamar park.
Rockport: Anglers reported very good lake trout action from Middle Island north to Stoneport in depths of 30 to 70 feet. Spoons and Spin-N-Glos worked well throughout the water column. Those targeting the top 30 feet of the water column caught occasional Chinook salmon, Atlantic salmon, and steelhead.
Heavy bug hatches caused fish to feed near the surface on calmer days. Standard and medium-sized spoons in green, chartreuse, and white were productive throughout the day.
Cheboygan: The Cheboygan Lock and Dam Complex remains closed to the public. Lake Huron anglers were easily obtaining lake trout limits in 40 to 70 feet of water at Poe Reef. Spoons were preferred, but fish occasionally hit Spin-N-Glos and flashers.
In the Cheboygan River, walleye, rock bass, suckers, and the occasional steelhead were reported. Walleye anglers caught between 1 and 5 fish per trip, and it was rare for anyone to go home without at least one walleye. Anglers drifted various combinations of jigs and live bait, while boat anglers drifted nightcrawlers. Boats traditionally targeting walleye occasionally picked up steelhead as well. These species were caught between the State Street draw bridge and the pedestrian walkway bridge.
Rogers City: Lake trout were plentiful, and many anglers limited out. The best fishing occurred in 30 to 70 feet of water. Running lines throughout the water column produced the best results. Attractors with Spin-N-Glos worked well in the bottom 10 feet of the water column. Spoons in green, blue, orange, and yellow also produced good catches.
Lead-core lines, downriggers, and dipsy divers were all effective. Some Atlantic salmon were also caught in the top 30 feet of the water column. Brightly colored smaller spoons proved successful. Atlantic salmon still held around the marina. Anglers found success casting small spoons or body baits.
The cleaning station was opened for the season.
Presque Isle: Lake trout fishing was very good, with most anglers limiting out. The best fishing occurred in 40 to 90 feet of water. Anglers found the most success by running lines throughout the water column. Both spoons and attractors paired with Spin-N-Glos or Spin-N-Glo flies produced good results.
Effective colors included green, blue, white, yellow, orange, gold, and copper. The silver fish bite also picked up, especially for Atlantic salmon, though anglers occasionally caught steelhead, coho salmon, and Chinook salmon as well. Atlantic salmon were primarily found in the top 20 feet of the water column. The other silver species were caught by running lines throughout the water column.
Northwest Lower Peninsula
Manistee: Fishing was slower this week. Boat anglers caught a few Chinook salmon, lake trout, and a couple of steelhead in 120 to 220 feet of water while trolling spoons 50 to 70 feet down and near the bottom. Pier anglers targeting Chinook salmon reported a much slower bite this week. Only a couple of Chinook salmon were caught off the pier while casting and jigging spoons.
Ludington: Chinook salmon were caught at Big Sable point in 90 to 120 feet of water while fishing 45 to 70 feet down. Green spoons worked well. The piers slowed down, but bowfin were reported from anglers casting lures, spoons and night crawlers.
Charlevoix: Anglers targeting cisco reported slow fishing, with limited catches during the early morning and late evening hours. Casting and jigging with spoons and flies in the Pine River channel produced some results. The occasional smallmouth bass, walleye, and lake trout were also landed.
Boat anglers targeting lake trout found limited success while jigging in 150 to 200 feet of water.
Little Traverse Bay: Boat anglers reported surface water temperatures in the mid-50s, with temperatures slowly rising. Those fishing along the north edge of the bay reported slow smallmouth bass fishing while casting tubes and body baits. The occasional lake trout was also caught by anglers trolling near Petoskey and Harbor Springs.
West Grand Traverse Bay: Lake trout were caught by anglers jigging around the red 6 buoy in 50 to 80 feet of water. Anglers casting gold jigging spoons for cisco around Power Island had success in 15 to 40 feet of water. Smallmouth bass began to be caught in shallow water by anglers casting swimbaits. Water temperatures hovered between 55 to 58 degrees throughout the bay.
East Grand Traverse Bay: Smallmouth bass fishing picked up over the past week as water temperatures increased to 58 to 62 degrees. Anglers fishing the trench as well as in front of the state park caught good numbers of smallmouth bass on swimbaits and drop-shot rigs.
A few lake trout were caught around Deepwater Point in 80 to 100 feet of water. Anglers heading over to Old Mission also found a few lake trout in 60 to 80 feet of water. Smallmouth bass were caught in the Elk River as more fish entered the system.
Leland: Boat anglers targeting Chinook salmon reported fair catches in 150 to 200 feet of water near the crib and North Manitou Island. Fish were reported to be most active at depths of 80 to 120 feet. A few anglers reported success using meat rigs, while green and blue spoons seemed to produce the most fish. Anglers also reported seeing fewer baitfish in the area.
Lake trout fishing continued to produce high numbers of successful trips in various locations, particularly along the second bank on either a north or south troll. Smallmouth bass remained present in the harbor.
Frankfort/Lake Michigan: Alewife were still present in the area, though their numbers were reported to be declining. Chinook salmon were being landed out front and to the north in 100 to 160 feet of water, primarily 60 to 90 feet down, with spoons producing most of the catches.
Anglers trolling and jigging in Platte Bay reported good numbers of lake trout.
Pier anglers using alewife and casting spoons reported good activity during the very early morning and late evening hours, as Chinook salmon were moving in to feed.
Onekama/Lake Michigan: Chinook salmon and lake trout were reported in the barrel in the early mornings by anglers trolling spoons in 60 to 100 feet of water. Blues, greens were popular colors.
Martiny Chain of Lakes: Panfish fishing was great on all the lakes with multiple anglers catching limits of very large bluegills. Pike fishing continued to be slow.
Tri Lakes: Bass and panfish fishing was reported as good to great. Multiple anglers reported good bass fishing after the sun rose in the morning. Some limits of good bluegill were caught.
Muskegon River: Walleye fishing was good in the late evening. Muskie finished spawning and slowly moved into deeper water. Bluegill and rock bass were caught in good numbers below Rodger’s dam.
Newaygo: Limits of walleye were caught on Hardy Pond. Bluegills were on beds on most lakes.
Oceana: Spring Chinook salmon fishing slowed down on Lake Michigan in front of the Silver Lake Sand Dunes. Panfish began to move onto the beds on all lakes with warmer than average weather.
Upper Peninsula
Little Bay de Noc: Walleye anglers reported good fishing in and around river mouths. Shallow water during dawn, dusk, and nighttime hours was productive. Some anglers found success trolling crawler harnesses along the bottom of drop-offs. Anglers utilizing forward-facing sonar were casting snap-style jigs at marks near the bottom and reported good results.
Yellow perch anglers reported fair fishing, with schools remaining sparse and widely dispersed.
Munising: Boat anglers found good numbers of chinook salmon along with a few coho salmon while trolling in the bay and around Grand Island. Anglers also picked up some lake trout while trolling and jigging around Grand Island and Wood Island. It was a slow bite for splake off the Anna River mouth.
Keweenaw Bay: Anglers reported good numbers of coho salmon being caught while trolling stickbaits, spoons, and flasher-fly setups in the upper 50 feet of the water column. Chinook salmon and rainbow trout were also caught while trolling, although in smaller numbers.
Anglers jigging for whitefish reported fair fishing, with the bite changing from day to day.
Traverse Bay/Portage Entry: Anglers trolling near structure reported fair numbers of lake trout and a few coho salmon while using spoons and flasher-fly setups. Anglers also reported the occasional rainbow trout being caught.
Anglers targeting lake trout reported a fair bite while jigging with natural and artificial baits in over 100 feet of water, with the most success occurring around 120 feet.
Ontonagon River: Fishing efforts on the river were fair over the past week. The week started off slow, but reports showed that walleye were caught in fair numbers. Catches of rock bass and yellow perch also occurred in lower numbers. Anglers had success with both trolling and jigging; however, trolling was the preferred method for most boat anglers. Reports from shore anglers indicated less frequent catches of walleye.
Ontonagon/Silver City/Union Bay: The Silver City and Union Bay access sites saw low angling effort over the past week. Ontonagon experienced higher effort in comparison. The better part of the week on the lake was slow, with anglers reporting mixed catches of coho salmon, Chinook salmon, lake trout, and steelhead in low to fair numbers. Trolling produced the best results for boat anglers. Shore anglers fishing from these ports reported catches of coho salmon and steelhead in low numbers.
Black River Harbor: Angling efforts from the harbor were somewhat low over the past week. Reports suggest that fishing was slow, with conditions being less than ideal. Boat anglers reported mixed catches consisting of coho salmon, brown trout, chinook salmon, and lake trout in low numbers. Trolling remained the most effective method for finding these fish. Reports of fishing within the harbor and from the break walls were lacking over the past week, with no evidence of successful efforts.
St. Ignace: When trolling spoons off Mackinac Island, lake trout anglers obtained their limits in 40 to 70 feet of water.
At the Pine River, there were reports of walleye, perch, rock bass, and bullhead. Shore anglers drifted jigs and leeches, while boat anglers trolled nightcrawler harnesses in green, orange, red, and white. Anglers were at least catching undersized walleye, with most trips producing between one and five keeper fish.
Grand Marais: The lake trout bite was steady for boat anglers trolling and jigging, with reports of a few coho salmon also being caught. The lake whitefish and round whitefish bite was slow, though some anglers found success on them in the evenings. Spawn and worms were the preferred bait.
Les Cheneaux Islands/DeTour: Anglers in Hessel struggled to find keeper perch but caught some throwbacks at the marina in Hessel as well as in the club cut. Good numbers of lake trout were reported in the Cedarville area for anglers who jigged and trolled. The lake trout were suspended in about 30 to 40 feet of water. Smallmouth bass fishing remained steady, as the fish were still on or near their bed sites. In DeTour, anglers caught a mixed bag of lake trout, Atlantic salmon, Chinook salmon, and steelhead while trolling around the lighthouse. Fishing was inconsistent, depending on bug hatches and weather conditions.
Manistique: Walleye anglers report slow to fair fishing. Steelhead fishing in the river was slow. Anglers report seeing few fish and believe the spring steelhead run is done. Smallmouth bass and northern pike have been caught in the river on crank baits.
Delta County: Salmon were caught in Fairport.
Alger County: Chinook salmon were caught near the Munising Bay and Au Train area. Panfish were on their beds and aggressive. Grand Marais pier was good for lake whitefish and round whitefish, and the coho salmon moved out.
Schoolcraft County: Walleye fishing was good. Chinook salmon were reported in the area. Walleye and pike were caught on inland lakes.
