Southeast Lower Peninsula
Lake Erie: Walleye continued to move deeper as water temperatures warmed. The bite slowed slightly this week compared to the previous couple of weeks. However, anglers found success east of Bolles Harbor in about 20 feet of water near the Michigan-Ohio line. Crawler harnesses remained the most effective presentation, trolled at 1.3 mph on bottom bouncers. No single harness color consistently outperformed others. Various colors of spoons were also successful. Yellow perch remained dispersed.
Sebewaing: Walleye anglers were doing well trolling in the slot in 14 to 16 feet of water and over the bar in 13 feet. Most anglers were trolling with nightcrawler harnesses, and some limit catches were taken.
Southwest Lower Peninsula
South Haven: Boat anglers continued to do well, with the best fishing occurring during the early morning and late evening hours. Spoons accounted for most of the catches, with the most productive depths ranging from 70 to 80 feet of water. Pier fishing slowed somewhat, although a few steelhead were still being caught. As the lake warmed, steelhead fishing continued to decline. Fishing for freshwater drum and perch also slowed. The best water depth for perch was reported to be around 50 feet.
St. Joseph: Salmon anglers had good fishing during the week. Boats caught a lot of coho salmon, with a few Chinook salmon and steelhead mixed in. The fish were moving frequently, but the most consistent water was between 65 and 75 feet of water. Dodgers and flies, along with spoons, accounted for most of the catches.
Pier fishing was excellent for freshwater drum, and steelhead fishing was decent. While fishing was not great overall, anglers still caught fair numbers daily. Shrimp produced most of the steelhead catches, although some were also caught while casting.
Perch fishing continued to improve, with fish moving slightly in to around 35 to 40 feet of water.
St. Joseph River: Anglers continued to catch decent numbers of walleye. Drifting crawlers was catching most of the fish.
Muskegon: Weather conditions during the past week made it difficult for boat anglers to get out on the water. When conditions allowed, anglers reported slower salmon fishing, with the best action occurring 60 to 120 feet down in 100 to 200 feet of water. Green and blue spoons produced the best results. Pier anglers reported catching a few freshwater drum while casting spoons.
Grand Haven: Salmon fishing was on the slower side during the past week. Anglers caught a few Chinook salmon 60 to 120 feet down in 100 to 220 feet of water. Green and blue spoons produced the best results. Some lake trout were also caught near the bottom while using yellow Spin-N-Glos. Pier anglers reported slow steelhead fishing, although a few were caught on shrimp. Freshwater drum action slowed slightly compared to the previous week. However, anglers continued to catch freshwater drum while casting spoons and crankbaits or while fishing with Ned rigs.
Northeast Lower Peninsula
Alpena: Walleye fishing had picked up, with fair catches reported near Sulphur Island and North Point. Pink, purple, and natural-colored body baits were productive in 16 to 20 feet of water. Lake trout, Atlantic salmon, and a few chinook salmon were caught near Thunder Bay Island in 50 to 80 feet of water. Orange, green, and white spoons produced decent catches when fished 15 to 40 feet down. Pier anglers reported catching smallmouth bass and catfish throughout the day on minnows and nightcrawlers.
Thunder Bay River: Fair numbers of catfish were caught during the day while fishing nightcrawlers on the bottom. Fair numbers of walleye were caught throughout the river using crawlers, leeches, and natural-colored body baits. Smallmouth bass continued to be caught on plastic swimbaits and spinnerbaits.
Rockport: Lake trout fishing was very good in depths of 20 to 60 feet. With colder water moving back in, anglers reported fish from top to bottom in the water column. Chartreuse, orange-gold, green, and white spoons worked well. A few anglers reported Chinook and Atlantic salmon near Stoneport and False Presque Isle. Early and late in the day were most productive, with orange, green, and watermelon patterns producing the best results. Those targeting smallmouth bass reported decent catches near Bell Bay on the rock piles. Plastic swimbaits in goby patterns produced the best results.
Cheboygan: There was a lot of action at Poe Reef, with anglers catching lake trout limits in 40 to 70 feet of water using spoons before the weather took a turn for the worse.
The Cheboygan Lock and Dam Complex remains closed to the public. Downstream of the Cheboygan Dam, walleye, smallmouth bass, and rock bass were reported. Walleye anglers produced steady catches between the pedestrian walkway bridge and the State Street drawbridge. Early morning boat anglers drifted simple hook-and-worm rigs, while night anglers trolled nightcrawler harnesses. Shore anglers drifted nightcrawlers under slip bobbers.
Bass anglers caught both keeper and undersized fish in Duncan Bay and the Cheboygan River. They were successful using a wide variety of baits, including crankbaits, spinnerbaits, soft plastic swimbaits, and soft plastic stickbaits.
Oscoda/Au Sable: Anglers fishing from the pier and catwalk did well catching catfish and freshwater drum while using crawlers and cut bait on the bottom. A few walleye were also caught from the pier while casting deep-diving body baits and in the lower river while drifting crawlers. Although the walleye bite slowed, anglers continued to catch a few fish.
Lake trout fishing was productive in 50 to 90 feet of water while trolling spoons, Spin-N-Glos, and flasher-fly combinations 5 to 10 feet off the bottom. A few steelhead, coho salmon, and the occasional Atlantic salmon were also caught on high lines fished 10 to 35 feet down in 80 to 120 feet of water.
Harrisville: Lake trout fishing was excellent in 60 to 90 feet of water, with many anglers reaching their limits. Spoons, Spin-N-Glos, cowbells, and flasher-fly combinations all produced fish. A few anglers also found pods of coho salmon and the occasional steelhead or Atlantic salmon while fishing high lines in more than 80 to 100 feet of water.
Rogers City: Lake trout fishing was excellent during the past week, with many boats reaching their limit. The best fishing occurred in 50 to 80 feet of water. Anglers reported success using downriggers, lead core, Dipsy Divers, and copper lines while spreading baits throughout the water column. Cowbells with Spin-N-Glos, as well as flashers and attractors paired with Spin-N-Glos, were effective when fished in the bottom 10 feet of the water column. Anglers also caught lake trout on spoons, with both magnum and slim spoons producing good results. Productive colors included green, blue, yellow, UV patterns, black, and orange. Anglers reported the best success when targeting areas with structure, where lake trout were commonly found.
Presque Isle: Lake trout fishing was very good during the past week, with many boats reaching their limit. The best fishing occurred in 60 to 100 feet of water. Anglers reported success using downriggers, lead core, Dipsy Divers, and copper lines while spreading lures throughout the water column. Cowbells and Spin-N-Glos, as well as flashers and attractors paired with Spin-N-Glos, produced good results when fished near the bottom. Anglers also caught fish on regular, magnum, and slim spoons. Productive colors included green, orange, yellow, blue, black, and UV patterns.
Gold and orange spoons fished higher in the water column produced Atlantic salmon, with bright colors and smaller spoons proving especially effective. Anglers also reported catching a few coho salmon, steelhead, and the occasional Chinook salmon. Fishing was productive from the harbor south toward Stoneport and False Presque Isle, as well as north of the harbor off North Bay and between the two lighthouses. Structured areas continued to produce fish, and baitfish were frequently observed near these locations.
Northwest Lower Peninsula
Manistee: High winds, large waves, and storms kept fishing activity slow during the past week. There was no boat activity to report. Anglers targeting steelhead from the pier reported slow fishing.
Ludington: High winds, large waves, and storms made it difficult for anglers to get out during the past week. When weather permitted, a few Chinook salmon were caught to the south in 115 feet of water out from the projects and at Big Sable Point in 140 feet of water. The piers were slow.
Charlevoix: Windy weather kept fishing pressure low. Anglers targeting salmon and trout reported slow catches, with lake trout and the occasional small Chinook salmon being caught. Those targeting cisco reported very low numbers while casting spoons in the Pine River channel.
Little Traverse Bay: Boat anglers targeting salmon and trout reported slow numbers in the Little Traverse Bay Area. The occasional lake trout and Chinook salmon were reported. Those traveling west of Harbor Springs found luck trolling in 70 to 120 feet of water. Bass anglers found some success casting tubes and body baits on both sides of the bay. Surface water temperatures were reported in the mid to upper 50s.
West Grand Traverse Bay: Tough weather conditions kept angling activity light during the past week. Windy conditions on several days kept most anglers off the water. Those who were able to get out reported catching lake trout and an occasional cisco while jigging near the Red 6 buoy in 50 to 80 feet of water. Anglers trolling along the west bank in 30 to 80 feet of water also caught a few lake trout. Smallmouth bass were caught throughout the bay along breaks in 5 to 10 feet of water. Swimbaits and drop-shot rigs produced the best results.
East Grand Traverse Bay: Anglers targeting smallmouth bass in the southern section of the bay reported a slower bite during the past week. Several days of strong south winds caused water temperatures to fluctuate significantly as the lake underwent turnover. As water temperatures rebounded into the 60s, anglers expected more smallmouth bass to move back onto the shallow flats. Lake trout were caught by anglers trolling in 30 to 70 feet of water. Smallmouth bass also continued to be caught in the Elk River.
Leland: Weather conditions kept most anglers off the water, as strong winds and waves created unfavorable conditions. Boat anglers who did launch and targeted Chinook salmon reported fair numbers in 150 to 200 feet of water near the crib and North Manitou Island. Fish were most active in the 80- to 120-foot depth range. A few anglers reported success with meat rigs, while green and blue spoons produced the most fish. Anglers noted that fish size was smaller, so baits needed to be checked frequently. Lake trout fishing continued to produce high numbers of successful trips while fishing the playground and second bank. Smallmouth bass fishing was reported as good, although high pressure resulted in reduced activity.
Frankfort/Lake Michigan: Weather during the week was wet and breezy, so anglers stayed off the big lake. Alewife moved out into deeper waters, so pier anglers reported no catches. Lake trout anglers in Platte Bay and Six Mile Hole reported very good numbers when weather conditions allowed, with cowbells producing the best results.
Onekama/Lake Michigan: Anglers have been heading out to 160 to 180 feet of water in the early morning hours and trolling the top 100 feet to pick up a few Chinook salmon on spoons.
Portage Lake/Onekama: Mayfly hatch was in full swing, so bass and panfish anglers had a rough time getting the bites.
Northport/Suttons Bay: Lake trout fishing for boat anglers was successful, with anglers launching from Sutton Bay and fishing around Stony Point. Locating structure to jig for lake trout produced the most fish.
Upper Peninsula
Little Bay de Noc: Anglers targeting walleye reported fair to good fishing. Windy conditions and strong west winds during the week limited anglers to the upper bay or areas near the west shoreline. On days when conditions were less restrictive, fishing was generally better, and many anglers caught enough to reach their bag limits. Walleye were caught trolling crankbaits, crawler harnesses, and spoons, while some anglers also had success casting and retrieving near the bottom. Some anglers reported marking alewife in the bay. Smallmouth bass anglers reported good fishing, with topwater bites occurring at dawn and dusk when winds subsided.
Munising: Boat anglers trolling reported a slower bite but still picked up a few Chinook salmon and coho salmon in the bay and around Grand Island. Boat anglers targeting lake trout had success both trolling and jigging.
Keweenaw Bay/Huron Bay: These ports experienced a large increase in angling effort over the past week due to recent fishing tournaments. Anglers reported catching good numbers of coho salmon while trolling spoons and flasher-fly combinations in the upper 40 to 60 feet of the water column. Anglers also caught Chinook salmon and rainbow trout while trolling, although in smaller numbers. Anglers also reported catching lake trout while trolling in waters deeper than 150 feet; those jigging were successful using both artificial and natural baits.
Traverse Bay/Portage Entry: Anglers trolling near structure reported catching fair to good numbers of lake trout and a few rainbow trout while using spoons and flasher-fly combinations. Anglers targeting lake trout reported a fair bite while jigging with natural and artificial baits in more than 100 feet of water, with the greatest success occurring in waters deeper than 160 feet.
Ontonagon River: Fishing effort on the river was somewhat low during the past week. Angler reports indicated that walleye were caught in low to fair numbers. Boat anglers experienced most of their success while trolling, although jigging also proved productive for some anglers. Shore anglers reported catching walleye as well, but in relatively low numbers.
Ontonagon/Silver City/Union Bay: Angling effort from the Silver City and Union Bay access sites was low during the past week. Effort from Ontonagon was slightly higher but remained relatively low overall. Anglers reported catching coho salmon, Chinook salmon, and lake trout in low to fair numbers, with lake trout being the most commonly caught species. Trolling continued to produce the best results for boat anglers.
Black River Harbor: Angling effort from the harbor was low during the past week. Anglers reported that fishing was slow overall. Boat anglers caught coho salmon and lake trout in low numbers, with trolling being the most effective method for locating fish. Fishing within the harbor remained slow, although shore anglers occasionally reported catching northern pike.
St. Ignace: When trolling spoons off Mackinac Island, lake trout anglers obtained their limits in 40 to 70 feet of water.
Inconsistent numbers of walleye, perch, rock bass, and bullhead were caught in the Pine River. Shore anglers drifted jigs and leeches, while boat anglers trolled nightcrawler harnesses and body baits.
Grand Marais: Boat anglers trolling and jigging for lake trout reported a good bite. Anglers fishing off the breakwall also caught round whitefish and lake whitefish, with evenings being the most productive time. Spawn and worms produced the best results.
Les Cheneaux Islands/DeTour: Anglers in Hessel caught northern pike off the wall in the marina using chubs. They also caught a few perch within the marina, although many were undersized and released. Anglers were also jigging and trolling for lake trout out of the middle entrance and near Mackinac Island.
In DeTour, anglers also did well trolling for lake trout, which were suspended in the water column at similar depths to Atlantic salmon. A mixed bag of species was reported in DeTour during the past week, with lake trout and Atlantic salmon making up the majority of catches, along with a few steelhead, chinook salmon, and coho salmon.
Manistique: Walleye anglers fishing the river used jigs and trolled crawler harnesses. Some large walleye were harvested, although overall catch numbers remained relatively low. Windy conditions limited salmon fishing on the lake, and anglers only had a small window of opportunity during the week due to the conditions.
