Post by ridge on Jun 16, 2017 16:23:31 GMT -5
MICHIGAN OUTDOORS
, MLive
BY ERIC GAERTNER
The lake trout fishing is going very well for anglers in many parts of Michigan, especially those in northern Lake Huron.
The fishing reports coming out of Cheboygan, Rogers City and Alpena are all positive when it comes to those fishing for lake trout.
According to the Department of Natural Resources weekly fishing report, "lake trout are everywhere" in the Lake Huron water off of Rogers City. Several limit catches of lake trout were reported by those fishermen using spoons, cowbells and other lures.
Girl, 11, catches two 3-foot catfish in 90 minutes
Girl, 11, catches two 3-foot catfish in 90 minutes
Sasha Wheeler reeled in two massive flathead catfish within an hour and a half of each other
The largemouth and smallmouth bass opener is set for Saturday, June 17 on Lake St. Clair, the St. Clair River and the Detroit River. It's expected to be a successful opener for bass fishermen there, because the fishing has been good during the catch-and-release season, according to the DNR report.
12 wild and weird facts about the largest fish you can catch in the Great Lakes
12 wild and weird facts about the largest fish you can catch in the Great Lakes
The fish has been called "a dinosaur" and "river monster."
If you get out fishing this week, send your photos to egaertne@mlive.com to have them included in an upcoming fishing report.
Here's a regional breakdown of fishing reports compiled by the DNR:
Southeast Lower Peninsula
Lake Erie: Those targeting walleye have done well in 26 feet or deeper off Fermi and the River Raisin when trolling crawler harnesses and bottom bouncers. Yellow perch are in and those trolling for walleye are catching them. Those targeting the perch have done well with minnows and have caught some nice fish.
Wamplers Lake: Largemouth bass were caught while casting a wacky worm, plastics and jerk baits in six to 10 feet or while drop-shotting in 18 to 20 feet. Panfish were on the beds near Jerrys, the condos and in the West Bay in six feet. Try crickets and worms under a bobber. Crappie were caught along the drop-off at the sand flats when casting a beetle spin.
Sand Lake: Largemouth and a few smallmouth bass were caught while casting a wacky worm or jerk bait in six feet. Panfish including bluegill and redear sunfish were caught around the orange buoy and on the west end near the beds in six to 10 feet with worms. Panfish were also caught while casting a fly over the beds. A few walleye were caught when casting crank baits.
Detroit River: A few walleye were caught in the lower river when jigging worms. White bass are still being caught but the numbers are dropping. Those looking for yellow perch might want to try up around Sugar Island.
Lake St. Clair: Was still producing some walleye with the better fishing at night. Anglers continue to take carp and catfish at the Clinton River spillway. Bass are being caught so the opener this weekend should be good.
St. Clair River: Those vertical jigging or trolling crawler harnesses with bottom bouncers caught walleye. The bass opener is this coming Saturday.
Lexington to Port Austin: Pier fishing at Lexington was producing rock bass and smallmouth bass. Boat anglers caught lake trout and steelhead when trolling spoons in 60 to 80 feet. Harbor Beach had a few nice perch caught off the breakwall but the bite has now slowed. Those out trolling caught steelhead and lake trout in 30 to 180 feet and walleye in 35 to 40 feet when heading north towards Port Hope. Those trolling out of Port Austin were taking walleye on harnesses and body baits in 40 feet. A few good size whitefish were taken off all ports. Pier and shore anglers caught smallmouth bass.
Saginaw Bay: Walleye were hitting in many places including 17 to 20 feet off Pinconning, 18 feet off Linwood, and five to eight feet off the mouth of the Kawkawlin River however the best reports came from the south end of the Slot from Quanicassee to Sebewaing and up onto the Bar (Coryeon Reef) in 12 to 13 feet. Fish were also caught outside the islands off Bay Port and along the weed beds in Wildfowl Bay. Some of the east side anglers were going out as far as the shipping channel and getting fish in 25 feet and deeper. From Caseville, a couple fish were caught in 15 feet off Oak Point in the early morning. Hot spinner colors were chartreuse, anti-freeze, fire-tiger and purple.
Southwest Lower Peninsula
St. Joseph: Boat anglers targeting trout and salmon reported slower catch rates and the weather has not helped. The boats that have made it out caught a few fish in 120 feet. Pier anglers are taking the occasional steelhead on shrimp or alewife.
St. Joseph River: Had good walleye fishing in the lower river. Some good size fish were caught by those trolling crank baits.
South Haven: Boat anglers reported slower catch rates. Fish were found out in 150 or so but few boats were out that deep because of the rough lake conditions. No perch to report. Pier anglers are still taking the occasional steelhead but the waters are warming and catch rates are slowing down.
Grand Haven: Boat anglers reported slow catch rates for trout and salmon with only a couple fish taken 50 to 150 feet down in 90 to 180 feet on white flashers with green or white flies and orange or green spoons. Pier anglers caught a couple steelhead on shrimp. Freshwater drum were taken on alewife or spoons.
Grand River near Grand Rapids: Catfish anglers were using small bluegills however catch rates have slowed. Walleye anglers are taking a few fish here and there as catch rates were sporadic. Smallmouth bass were found around structure. Bluegills were caught in the backwaters.
Grand River near Lansing: Had good carp fishing below the North Lansing Dam in Old Town. Anglers were using sweet corn.
Morrison Lake: Was producing bluegills and crappie. Anglers were using top-water flies and small poppers.
Muskegon: Had slow trout and salmon action. A couple salmon were caught 40 to 120 feet down in 100 to 200 feet with orange, green or blue spoons.
Muskegon River: A few walleye were caught from Hardy Dam Pond. Smallmouth bass have been caught but some were undersize. Bluegills were also caught.
Whitehall: Chinook, steelhead and lake trout were caught in 80 to 120 feet with spoons and flies. Those trolling 100 to 120 feet down in 180 to 200 feet caught Chinook and coho on spoons, flies and meat rigs. Pier anglers casting spoons and crankbaits caught freshwater drum.
Northeast Lower Peninsula
Cheboygan: Lake trout fishing was good with anglers taking near limit catches when trolling spoons in 45 to 60 feet near Poe Reef.
Cheboygan River: Boat anglers drifting worms and leeches caught 14 to 20 inch walleye. A few were also caught on a crawler harness. Shore anglers drifting worms and leeches caught freshwater drum, suckers, rock bass, pike, and smallmouth bass.
Rogers City: Lake trout are everywhere and limit catches were taken throughout the water column in 40 to 60 feet with spoons, cowbells or dodgers with spin-glo's and spin doctors with peanuts and spin-glo's. Green was the hot color. Anglers caught Atlantic and the odd Chinook or steelhead in the top half of 70 to 120 feet with green, blue, orange, purple and glow spoons. Look for the scum line or baitfish.
Rockport: Had good lake trout fishing along with a mix of Atlantic, Chinook, coho and steelhead. Atlantics were in the top 20 in 70 feet and the Chinook were in the top half of waters 60 to 120 feet deep. Spoons were the bait of choice although some flasher/fly combos and squid were taking fish.
Alpena: Boat anglers caught lake trout when trolling spoons or spin-glo's with dodgers near the bottom in 80 to 100 feet around Thunder Bay Island and the Nordmeer Wreck. Fish were also found as shallow as 50 feet. Atlantic salmon were caught near the surface. Walleye were hitting on crank baits and crawler harnesses in 10 to 20 feet off the north shore, Thunder Bay Island, Grass Island and around Squaw Bay. A few pike were caught when casting spoons and crank baits.
Thunder Bay River: Anglers continue to find a few walleye in the early morning or evening when casting crank baits, still-fishing, and drifting leeches and crawlers up near the 9th Street Dam. Smallmouth bass were hitting on crank baits. Rock bass, carp, bullhead and freshwater drum were caught on crawlers.
Oscoda: Anglers are finding lake trout when trolling spoons in 70 to 100 feet. Pier anglers caught a couple smallmouth bass when casting crank baits. Carp were caught on crawlers near the bottom.
Au Sable River: Walleye fishing has been slow near the mouth; however, anglers continue to catch fish in the evening and overnight when drifting crawlers or trolling harnesses and cranks upstream of the Mill Street Bridge. Rock bass, freshwater drum, and smallmouth bass were caught when casting crank baits or still-fishing with crawlers near the bottom.
Higgins Lake: Lake trout anglers fishing at first light have taken fish just off the bottom in 80 to 130 feet. Those trolling are using rapalas and spoons and those jigging are using cast masters, cleo's and Swedish pimples. Anglers are just starting to get some keeper perch. Some good size rock bass have been caught.
Houghton Lake: Walleye fishing slowed but those trolling were still taking the occasional fish. Bluegills were hitting in five to nine feet. For those looking to do some bowfishing, carp are spawning in the shallows.
Tawas: Boat anglers report slow fishing. Pier anglers caught a mix of rock bass, smallmouth bass and carp.
Tawas River: Shore anglers caught catfish, bass, pike and freshwater drum.
Au Gres: Was on fire with limit catches of walleye reported in 30 to 45 feet between Point Lookout and Pointe Au Gres as well as south off the Saganing and Pinconning Bars. Some were fishing in 30 to 35 feet in the middle of the bay near the "Humps". Most are using a crawler harness but a few were using small spoons.
Northwest Lower Peninsula
Harbor Springs: Boat anglers did well for smallmouth bass near Harbor Point and along the shoreline all the way to Petoskey State Park. Look for structure. Anglers marked fish which could be lake trout or lake herring 50 to 80 feet down around Harbor Point. Surface water temperatures in Little Traverse Bay were 57 degrees.
Petoskey: Anglers had trouble finding lake trout so try fishing deeper. The odd steelhead was caught near the surface in Bay Harbor. The "Bobber Hole" near the mouth of the Bear River had good shore fishing with smallmouth bass, rock bass, carp, freshwater drum and bullhead taken on worms.
Charlevoix: Boats can still catch the occasional lake herring outside of the channel and over to North Point when trolling or jigging spoons and blade baits. Lake Trout have moved out and were caught 50 feet down in 250 to 300 feet. Smallmouth bass were caught in the channel but most were sub-legal.
Traverse City: Lake trout regulations for both the East and West Bay have changed. It is now two fish and a 15 inch minimum. Lake trout and some big lake herring were caught in the East Bay off Elk Rapids. The Elk River is producing smallmouth bass in all sizes. Anglers were using minnows, leeches and tube baits. Bass were caught in the shallows along the south end of the bay. In the West Bay, lake trout anglers were trolling north of Bryant Park and south of Marion Island. A couple small Chinook were caught. Smallmouth fishing slowed in Suttons Bay and south of Lee Point. A few lake herring were caught south of Bowers Harbor. Most of the bass were found in the Boardman River with crawlers and leeches near the dam and along the breakwall.
Leland: Good numbers of lake trout were caught by those fishing in 25 to 70 feet from the First Bank to the Second Bank with cowbells or dodgers with a spin-glo. Good smallmouth action in the harbor and the river when using both live bait and artificial lures. A good number of carp are in the harbor.
Platte Bay: Should still have a decent number of lake trout. Smallmouth bass were caught near the rocky areas by shore anglers using live bait and artificial lures. Lots of carp are swimming in the shallows.
Frankfort: Alewife were starting to move out of the area. Brown trout were hitting on jointed body baits on both sides of the piers.
Portage Lake: Between the mayflies starting to hatch and windy conditions, catch rates were down for bass, perch and other panfish. Walleye were still caught at night when fishing near the mouth of the channel with body baits.
Manistee: Chinook and lake trout were found in 100 to 140 feet while others reported fish in 300 feet and deeper. Steelhead were caught off the north pier.
Ludington: Surface temperature readings were about 60 degrees. Fishing has slowed. A small number of Chinook were caught out deep in 200 feet or more. A few lake trout were taken in 100 to 150 feet off the projects.
Pentwater: Anglers trolling 50 to 100 feet down in 80 to 160 feet caught Chinook, coho salmon and the odd lake trout on spoons and flies. Spoons with a combination of green and orange or blue and green worked well.
Pentwater Lake: Those casting spoons and crank baits in the channel caught freshwater drum and smallmouth bass. Those fishing Longbridge Road caught perch, bluegill, and brown bullhead on crawlers or red worms under a bobber of when still-fishing on the bottom.
Upper Peninsula
Lake Gogebic: The walleye bite has slowed a bit however those trolling were still getting a few fish on crawler harnesses and crank baits. The smallmouth action picked up for those using stick baits and jigging around structure. A few smaller pike were caught. Those using worms caught bluegills, pumpkinseed, rock bass and the occasional perch.
Keweenaw Bay: Those trolling caught coho, steelhead, brown trout and splake along the shoreline or from the top 50 feet in 100 to 200 feet with spoons and stick baits. A few coho and brown trout were caught in Huron Bay or the South Entry in 20 to 30 feet.
Marquette: Fishing was slow with only a couple lake trout taken in 200 feet or more between the white rocks and Granite Island. A steelhead was caught on high lines in the same area. A couple coho and steelhead were taken off Shot Point.
Menominee River: Anglers report small walleye being caught between the Railroad Bridge and the mouth when slow trolling a jig tipped with a crawler. Muskie fishing was slow but a couple fish were taken on large spinners or crank baits.
Little Bay De Noc: Almost all walleye action was up near the Whitefish River. Anglers used stick baits and drifted or trolled crawler harnesses in 10 to 28 feet. A few used a jig tipped with a crawler in 12 to 28 feet. Fair to good smallmouth bass catches were reported throughout the Bay. Hot spots were near the Ford River, Escanaba River, Gladstone Bay near the highway, Hunters Point and Garth Point when casting plastics and spinners in five to 16 feet. Good pike fishing off the mouth of the Day's River with crank baits in 12 to 22 feet. Smaller fish were caught near the coal piles in Kipling in 12 to 20 feet. Perch were caught on minnows and crawlers in 24 to 30 feet near the green buoy at Kipling.
Manistique River: Had good walleye fishing throughout the river. Most were floating a jig and leech downriver with the current but some did well with silver stick baits. Pike fishing was good and some were over 30 inches. Smallmouth bass were caught on plastics, spinners and crank baits near the banks. No salmon here yet but the action should start to pick up around the end of June.
Au Train: A couple limit catches of lake trout were taken off the flats near Shelter Bay. Salmon fishing was slow.
Munising: Water temperatures in the bay were in the low 40's. Boat anglers targeting Chinook caught very few fish. Limits of lake trout were taken near Chapel Falls and the Twelve Mile beach but anglers put in their time to get them. Boat anglers need to watch for large floating logs and debris in the bay. Pier anglers reported slow fishing with only a couple splake taken on spawn and Menominee taken on worms. Carp appear to be spawning near the Anna River dock.
Grand Marais: Nearshore water temperatures within the harbor warmed into the mid to upper 40s with offshore temperatures in the low 40's. The few boat anglers that were out for coho and steelhead did poorly. Lake trout anglers managed a few limit catches. Pier anglers targeting Lake Whitefish had mixed results as some did well getting fish up to 20 inches and other days the average was about 12 inches. The better days had a north/northwest wind. A fair number of Menominee were taken off the Sable River when using worms.
Tahquamenon River: Had decent fishing with lots of pike and rock bass caught. A few perch and pumpkinseed were taken off the Dollarville Dam. A few muskie were also caught but anglers were putting in their time to catch them.
St. Marys River: Walleye fishing continues to improve with fish caught on small crank baits and a crawler harness in Lake George. Smallmouth bass are hitting on spinners of soft plastics. Pike slowed but a few were caught on minnows and spoons. In the Lower River, the walleye bite slowed in Munuscong Bay. Most of the fish caught were sub-legal. Small muskie were caught near Grassy Island and the mouth of the Munuscong River. Pike, walleye and muskie were caught when trolling a small crank bait and a crawler harness. Hot colors were orange, fire-tiger, perch and chartreuse.
Detour: A few Chinook salmon were caught 40 to 55 feet down in 70 feet when trolling black and purple spoons. A mix of Atlantic salmon, lake trout and steelhead were taken 15 to 20 feet down in over 60 feet when trolling spin-glo's out from the Detour Passage Boat launch.
Drummond Island: A few walleye were caught when drifting a crawler harness near the bottom or trolling small crank baits in eight to 12 feet. Hot colors were fire-tiger, chartreuse, and orange. Smallmouth bass fishing slowed as the fish have moved to slightly deeper water and were caught by walleye anglers. Try casting body baits, spinners and top water lures in the early morning or evening in Scott Bay, inside Paw Point and between Rutland and Peck Islands.
Cedarville and Hessel: Had no good perch reports and the few caught were mainly 6 to seven inches. Smallmouth bass were caught by those casting spinners with double leaf blades at the mouth of Duck Bay and the Middle Entrance. A couple splake were caught near Little LaSalle Island when casting or jigging small orange and chrome spoons in six to eight feet.
St. Ignace: Had no reports. Shore anglers on the Carp River caught a couple walleye when drifting a slip bobber or crawler harness with worms but most of the fish were small. Pike and suckers were also caught. A couple walleye were taken in the Pine River when drifting worms or leeches with a slip bobber or a crawler harness near the mouth and up by the rapids but most were too small. A couple perch were caught near the mouth.
, MLive
BY ERIC GAERTNER
The lake trout fishing is going very well for anglers in many parts of Michigan, especially those in northern Lake Huron.
The fishing reports coming out of Cheboygan, Rogers City and Alpena are all positive when it comes to those fishing for lake trout.
According to the Department of Natural Resources weekly fishing report, "lake trout are everywhere" in the Lake Huron water off of Rogers City. Several limit catches of lake trout were reported by those fishermen using spoons, cowbells and other lures.
Girl, 11, catches two 3-foot catfish in 90 minutes
Girl, 11, catches two 3-foot catfish in 90 minutes
Sasha Wheeler reeled in two massive flathead catfish within an hour and a half of each other
The largemouth and smallmouth bass opener is set for Saturday, June 17 on Lake St. Clair, the St. Clair River and the Detroit River. It's expected to be a successful opener for bass fishermen there, because the fishing has been good during the catch-and-release season, according to the DNR report.
12 wild and weird facts about the largest fish you can catch in the Great Lakes
12 wild and weird facts about the largest fish you can catch in the Great Lakes
The fish has been called "a dinosaur" and "river monster."
If you get out fishing this week, send your photos to egaertne@mlive.com to have them included in an upcoming fishing report.
Here's a regional breakdown of fishing reports compiled by the DNR:
Southeast Lower Peninsula
Lake Erie: Those targeting walleye have done well in 26 feet or deeper off Fermi and the River Raisin when trolling crawler harnesses and bottom bouncers. Yellow perch are in and those trolling for walleye are catching them. Those targeting the perch have done well with minnows and have caught some nice fish.
Wamplers Lake: Largemouth bass were caught while casting a wacky worm, plastics and jerk baits in six to 10 feet or while drop-shotting in 18 to 20 feet. Panfish were on the beds near Jerrys, the condos and in the West Bay in six feet. Try crickets and worms under a bobber. Crappie were caught along the drop-off at the sand flats when casting a beetle spin.
Sand Lake: Largemouth and a few smallmouth bass were caught while casting a wacky worm or jerk bait in six feet. Panfish including bluegill and redear sunfish were caught around the orange buoy and on the west end near the beds in six to 10 feet with worms. Panfish were also caught while casting a fly over the beds. A few walleye were caught when casting crank baits.
Detroit River: A few walleye were caught in the lower river when jigging worms. White bass are still being caught but the numbers are dropping. Those looking for yellow perch might want to try up around Sugar Island.
Lake St. Clair: Was still producing some walleye with the better fishing at night. Anglers continue to take carp and catfish at the Clinton River spillway. Bass are being caught so the opener this weekend should be good.
St. Clair River: Those vertical jigging or trolling crawler harnesses with bottom bouncers caught walleye. The bass opener is this coming Saturday.
Lexington to Port Austin: Pier fishing at Lexington was producing rock bass and smallmouth bass. Boat anglers caught lake trout and steelhead when trolling spoons in 60 to 80 feet. Harbor Beach had a few nice perch caught off the breakwall but the bite has now slowed. Those out trolling caught steelhead and lake trout in 30 to 180 feet and walleye in 35 to 40 feet when heading north towards Port Hope. Those trolling out of Port Austin were taking walleye on harnesses and body baits in 40 feet. A few good size whitefish were taken off all ports. Pier and shore anglers caught smallmouth bass.
Saginaw Bay: Walleye were hitting in many places including 17 to 20 feet off Pinconning, 18 feet off Linwood, and five to eight feet off the mouth of the Kawkawlin River however the best reports came from the south end of the Slot from Quanicassee to Sebewaing and up onto the Bar (Coryeon Reef) in 12 to 13 feet. Fish were also caught outside the islands off Bay Port and along the weed beds in Wildfowl Bay. Some of the east side anglers were going out as far as the shipping channel and getting fish in 25 feet and deeper. From Caseville, a couple fish were caught in 15 feet off Oak Point in the early morning. Hot spinner colors were chartreuse, anti-freeze, fire-tiger and purple.
Southwest Lower Peninsula
St. Joseph: Boat anglers targeting trout and salmon reported slower catch rates and the weather has not helped. The boats that have made it out caught a few fish in 120 feet. Pier anglers are taking the occasional steelhead on shrimp or alewife.
St. Joseph River: Had good walleye fishing in the lower river. Some good size fish were caught by those trolling crank baits.
South Haven: Boat anglers reported slower catch rates. Fish were found out in 150 or so but few boats were out that deep because of the rough lake conditions. No perch to report. Pier anglers are still taking the occasional steelhead but the waters are warming and catch rates are slowing down.
Grand Haven: Boat anglers reported slow catch rates for trout and salmon with only a couple fish taken 50 to 150 feet down in 90 to 180 feet on white flashers with green or white flies and orange or green spoons. Pier anglers caught a couple steelhead on shrimp. Freshwater drum were taken on alewife or spoons.
Grand River near Grand Rapids: Catfish anglers were using small bluegills however catch rates have slowed. Walleye anglers are taking a few fish here and there as catch rates were sporadic. Smallmouth bass were found around structure. Bluegills were caught in the backwaters.
Grand River near Lansing: Had good carp fishing below the North Lansing Dam in Old Town. Anglers were using sweet corn.
Morrison Lake: Was producing bluegills and crappie. Anglers were using top-water flies and small poppers.
Muskegon: Had slow trout and salmon action. A couple salmon were caught 40 to 120 feet down in 100 to 200 feet with orange, green or blue spoons.
Muskegon River: A few walleye were caught from Hardy Dam Pond. Smallmouth bass have been caught but some were undersize. Bluegills were also caught.
Whitehall: Chinook, steelhead and lake trout were caught in 80 to 120 feet with spoons and flies. Those trolling 100 to 120 feet down in 180 to 200 feet caught Chinook and coho on spoons, flies and meat rigs. Pier anglers casting spoons and crankbaits caught freshwater drum.
Northeast Lower Peninsula
Cheboygan: Lake trout fishing was good with anglers taking near limit catches when trolling spoons in 45 to 60 feet near Poe Reef.
Cheboygan River: Boat anglers drifting worms and leeches caught 14 to 20 inch walleye. A few were also caught on a crawler harness. Shore anglers drifting worms and leeches caught freshwater drum, suckers, rock bass, pike, and smallmouth bass.
Rogers City: Lake trout are everywhere and limit catches were taken throughout the water column in 40 to 60 feet with spoons, cowbells or dodgers with spin-glo's and spin doctors with peanuts and spin-glo's. Green was the hot color. Anglers caught Atlantic and the odd Chinook or steelhead in the top half of 70 to 120 feet with green, blue, orange, purple and glow spoons. Look for the scum line or baitfish.
Rockport: Had good lake trout fishing along with a mix of Atlantic, Chinook, coho and steelhead. Atlantics were in the top 20 in 70 feet and the Chinook were in the top half of waters 60 to 120 feet deep. Spoons were the bait of choice although some flasher/fly combos and squid were taking fish.
Alpena: Boat anglers caught lake trout when trolling spoons or spin-glo's with dodgers near the bottom in 80 to 100 feet around Thunder Bay Island and the Nordmeer Wreck. Fish were also found as shallow as 50 feet. Atlantic salmon were caught near the surface. Walleye were hitting on crank baits and crawler harnesses in 10 to 20 feet off the north shore, Thunder Bay Island, Grass Island and around Squaw Bay. A few pike were caught when casting spoons and crank baits.
Thunder Bay River: Anglers continue to find a few walleye in the early morning or evening when casting crank baits, still-fishing, and drifting leeches and crawlers up near the 9th Street Dam. Smallmouth bass were hitting on crank baits. Rock bass, carp, bullhead and freshwater drum were caught on crawlers.
Oscoda: Anglers are finding lake trout when trolling spoons in 70 to 100 feet. Pier anglers caught a couple smallmouth bass when casting crank baits. Carp were caught on crawlers near the bottom.
Au Sable River: Walleye fishing has been slow near the mouth; however, anglers continue to catch fish in the evening and overnight when drifting crawlers or trolling harnesses and cranks upstream of the Mill Street Bridge. Rock bass, freshwater drum, and smallmouth bass were caught when casting crank baits or still-fishing with crawlers near the bottom.
Higgins Lake: Lake trout anglers fishing at first light have taken fish just off the bottom in 80 to 130 feet. Those trolling are using rapalas and spoons and those jigging are using cast masters, cleo's and Swedish pimples. Anglers are just starting to get some keeper perch. Some good size rock bass have been caught.
Houghton Lake: Walleye fishing slowed but those trolling were still taking the occasional fish. Bluegills were hitting in five to nine feet. For those looking to do some bowfishing, carp are spawning in the shallows.
Tawas: Boat anglers report slow fishing. Pier anglers caught a mix of rock bass, smallmouth bass and carp.
Tawas River: Shore anglers caught catfish, bass, pike and freshwater drum.
Au Gres: Was on fire with limit catches of walleye reported in 30 to 45 feet between Point Lookout and Pointe Au Gres as well as south off the Saganing and Pinconning Bars. Some were fishing in 30 to 35 feet in the middle of the bay near the "Humps". Most are using a crawler harness but a few were using small spoons.
Northwest Lower Peninsula
Harbor Springs: Boat anglers did well for smallmouth bass near Harbor Point and along the shoreline all the way to Petoskey State Park. Look for structure. Anglers marked fish which could be lake trout or lake herring 50 to 80 feet down around Harbor Point. Surface water temperatures in Little Traverse Bay were 57 degrees.
Petoskey: Anglers had trouble finding lake trout so try fishing deeper. The odd steelhead was caught near the surface in Bay Harbor. The "Bobber Hole" near the mouth of the Bear River had good shore fishing with smallmouth bass, rock bass, carp, freshwater drum and bullhead taken on worms.
Charlevoix: Boats can still catch the occasional lake herring outside of the channel and over to North Point when trolling or jigging spoons and blade baits. Lake Trout have moved out and were caught 50 feet down in 250 to 300 feet. Smallmouth bass were caught in the channel but most were sub-legal.
Traverse City: Lake trout regulations for both the East and West Bay have changed. It is now two fish and a 15 inch minimum. Lake trout and some big lake herring were caught in the East Bay off Elk Rapids. The Elk River is producing smallmouth bass in all sizes. Anglers were using minnows, leeches and tube baits. Bass were caught in the shallows along the south end of the bay. In the West Bay, lake trout anglers were trolling north of Bryant Park and south of Marion Island. A couple small Chinook were caught. Smallmouth fishing slowed in Suttons Bay and south of Lee Point. A few lake herring were caught south of Bowers Harbor. Most of the bass were found in the Boardman River with crawlers and leeches near the dam and along the breakwall.
Leland: Good numbers of lake trout were caught by those fishing in 25 to 70 feet from the First Bank to the Second Bank with cowbells or dodgers with a spin-glo. Good smallmouth action in the harbor and the river when using both live bait and artificial lures. A good number of carp are in the harbor.
Platte Bay: Should still have a decent number of lake trout. Smallmouth bass were caught near the rocky areas by shore anglers using live bait and artificial lures. Lots of carp are swimming in the shallows.
Frankfort: Alewife were starting to move out of the area. Brown trout were hitting on jointed body baits on both sides of the piers.
Portage Lake: Between the mayflies starting to hatch and windy conditions, catch rates were down for bass, perch and other panfish. Walleye were still caught at night when fishing near the mouth of the channel with body baits.
Manistee: Chinook and lake trout were found in 100 to 140 feet while others reported fish in 300 feet and deeper. Steelhead were caught off the north pier.
Ludington: Surface temperature readings were about 60 degrees. Fishing has slowed. A small number of Chinook were caught out deep in 200 feet or more. A few lake trout were taken in 100 to 150 feet off the projects.
Pentwater: Anglers trolling 50 to 100 feet down in 80 to 160 feet caught Chinook, coho salmon and the odd lake trout on spoons and flies. Spoons with a combination of green and orange or blue and green worked well.
Pentwater Lake: Those casting spoons and crank baits in the channel caught freshwater drum and smallmouth bass. Those fishing Longbridge Road caught perch, bluegill, and brown bullhead on crawlers or red worms under a bobber of when still-fishing on the bottom.
Upper Peninsula
Lake Gogebic: The walleye bite has slowed a bit however those trolling were still getting a few fish on crawler harnesses and crank baits. The smallmouth action picked up for those using stick baits and jigging around structure. A few smaller pike were caught. Those using worms caught bluegills, pumpkinseed, rock bass and the occasional perch.
Keweenaw Bay: Those trolling caught coho, steelhead, brown trout and splake along the shoreline or from the top 50 feet in 100 to 200 feet with spoons and stick baits. A few coho and brown trout were caught in Huron Bay or the South Entry in 20 to 30 feet.
Marquette: Fishing was slow with only a couple lake trout taken in 200 feet or more between the white rocks and Granite Island. A steelhead was caught on high lines in the same area. A couple coho and steelhead were taken off Shot Point.
Menominee River: Anglers report small walleye being caught between the Railroad Bridge and the mouth when slow trolling a jig tipped with a crawler. Muskie fishing was slow but a couple fish were taken on large spinners or crank baits.
Little Bay De Noc: Almost all walleye action was up near the Whitefish River. Anglers used stick baits and drifted or trolled crawler harnesses in 10 to 28 feet. A few used a jig tipped with a crawler in 12 to 28 feet. Fair to good smallmouth bass catches were reported throughout the Bay. Hot spots were near the Ford River, Escanaba River, Gladstone Bay near the highway, Hunters Point and Garth Point when casting plastics and spinners in five to 16 feet. Good pike fishing off the mouth of the Day's River with crank baits in 12 to 22 feet. Smaller fish were caught near the coal piles in Kipling in 12 to 20 feet. Perch were caught on minnows and crawlers in 24 to 30 feet near the green buoy at Kipling.
Manistique River: Had good walleye fishing throughout the river. Most were floating a jig and leech downriver with the current but some did well with silver stick baits. Pike fishing was good and some were over 30 inches. Smallmouth bass were caught on plastics, spinners and crank baits near the banks. No salmon here yet but the action should start to pick up around the end of June.
Au Train: A couple limit catches of lake trout were taken off the flats near Shelter Bay. Salmon fishing was slow.
Munising: Water temperatures in the bay were in the low 40's. Boat anglers targeting Chinook caught very few fish. Limits of lake trout were taken near Chapel Falls and the Twelve Mile beach but anglers put in their time to get them. Boat anglers need to watch for large floating logs and debris in the bay. Pier anglers reported slow fishing with only a couple splake taken on spawn and Menominee taken on worms. Carp appear to be spawning near the Anna River dock.
Grand Marais: Nearshore water temperatures within the harbor warmed into the mid to upper 40s with offshore temperatures in the low 40's. The few boat anglers that were out for coho and steelhead did poorly. Lake trout anglers managed a few limit catches. Pier anglers targeting Lake Whitefish had mixed results as some did well getting fish up to 20 inches and other days the average was about 12 inches. The better days had a north/northwest wind. A fair number of Menominee were taken off the Sable River when using worms.
Tahquamenon River: Had decent fishing with lots of pike and rock bass caught. A few perch and pumpkinseed were taken off the Dollarville Dam. A few muskie were also caught but anglers were putting in their time to catch them.
St. Marys River: Walleye fishing continues to improve with fish caught on small crank baits and a crawler harness in Lake George. Smallmouth bass are hitting on spinners of soft plastics. Pike slowed but a few were caught on minnows and spoons. In the Lower River, the walleye bite slowed in Munuscong Bay. Most of the fish caught were sub-legal. Small muskie were caught near Grassy Island and the mouth of the Munuscong River. Pike, walleye and muskie were caught when trolling a small crank bait and a crawler harness. Hot colors were orange, fire-tiger, perch and chartreuse.
Detour: A few Chinook salmon were caught 40 to 55 feet down in 70 feet when trolling black and purple spoons. A mix of Atlantic salmon, lake trout and steelhead were taken 15 to 20 feet down in over 60 feet when trolling spin-glo's out from the Detour Passage Boat launch.
Drummond Island: A few walleye were caught when drifting a crawler harness near the bottom or trolling small crank baits in eight to 12 feet. Hot colors were fire-tiger, chartreuse, and orange. Smallmouth bass fishing slowed as the fish have moved to slightly deeper water and were caught by walleye anglers. Try casting body baits, spinners and top water lures in the early morning or evening in Scott Bay, inside Paw Point and between Rutland and Peck Islands.
Cedarville and Hessel: Had no good perch reports and the few caught were mainly 6 to seven inches. Smallmouth bass were caught by those casting spinners with double leaf blades at the mouth of Duck Bay and the Middle Entrance. A couple splake were caught near Little LaSalle Island when casting or jigging small orange and chrome spoons in six to eight feet.
St. Ignace: Had no reports. Shore anglers on the Carp River caught a couple walleye when drifting a slip bobber or crawler harness with worms but most of the fish were small. Pike and suckers were also caught. A couple walleye were taken in the Pine River when drifting worms or leeches with a slip bobber or a crawler harness near the mouth and up by the rapids but most were too small. A couple perch were caught near the mouth.