Early Firearm Season and 6th Street dam Grand Rapids

I haven't posted since small game opener. So on Thursday the 17th Andy and I went out to Stockbridge for the evening hunt of the early antlerless firearm deer season in selected areas hunt. When we got the and began walking out and seen a mother doe with two fawns, still spotted this early on, away they ran and to our stands we went. I was pleased to see that the winter and trespassers were nices to my equipment as it was all still there and very much intact. we ended up seeing 8 or 9 deer that evening. I eventually seen one nice lone doe without any kids trailing so I decided that I would take her. Well, there's a reason we responsible hunters make it into the woods pre-season to check out equipment and clear shooting lanes, because had I done so I would have taken a nice mature doe instead of taking off a branch in front of me as the deer ran off. That was right before dark, so we got down and made sure we couldn't find any blood from the deer and determined it a clean miss. We ended up hanging up the hunt for the night and headed home. It was nice to get out that early in the year and atleas we seen some deer. Only a few more days until the archery opener!

This past Thursday morn I decided to head up to Grand Rapids to pop my 6th street dam cherry. Upon arriving at this carnival that is urban salmon fishing I took it all in for a couple minutes while reading the river and the locals. I made my way into the river downstream from everyone and found what appeared to be a decent trough running on a perfect drifters angle down from me. Worked that run for a while, had one hook up with a small coho, I didn't fight it too hard in hopes that it would shake itself off with as little stress as possible, and it did. No other hooks ups in that area, or hits for that matter, made my way all around the river to see what I could produce. The fishing had to be better erlier in the am due to the full stringers I seen leaving when I arrived and the few fish I seen caught while I was there.

I made my way right up to the spillway and fished there with skein for a bit with no luck. I then switched over to hardware, threw a mid size smelt pattern hot n' tot and on the first retrieve I had a monster king crush it as I was pulling it from the water, a five or so minute fight between the two of us ensued before his narly teeth ended up cutting my 14lb mono and away he swam, a fellow tried to help me net it, but it was an unsuccessful attempt. It was definately a nice fish, the biggest that I have ever had on for that long and lost, every bit of 25lbs maybe closer to 30. oh well, so is life I suppose. I didn't have any luck after that and shortly packed up for home afterwards.

I will probably make it back there at some point, maybe next wednesday, but I may wait to get back into the water until my 6 days off I am gonna have in October from the 6th to the 12th when I plan on heading up to Mesick for a few days of bow hunting and salmon fishing, hoping that Ashley decides to come up once her weekend starts that way we can hike the stretch of the North Country Trail we had planned to hike back in July when she got sick up there. The run should be going pretty strong again by then whether it be on the Manistee or the Betsie. Would like to go back out on the big water with Craig again if he wants to go out, but if he wants to run the drift boat in the river I won't argue as long as I have someone to fish with I'll be happy.

so until next time, good luck and tight lines!
-Zach

Small Game Season Opener

It's finally upon us! yesterday kicked off the small game season opener here in Michigan. Dave and I headed out early yesterday morning, Roussos met up with us for a bit. As usual I led the walk down the trails, Dave says it's because I am a good point man...maybe, but I say it is because I walk too fast for his liking and would end up ahead of him anyways. We only ended up taking three squirrels, but all three were taken in a memorable fashion.

The first one was a shot of a distance that I would have been leary of taking with the .22, I seen the little grey on a log about 60+/- yards out. As I lit off both barrels out of my 1889 remington double barrel, the 70 or so year old Remington shur-shot paper rounds deployed as expected, and away ran the squirrel, away and away and away... I seen what tree the grey appeared to run up the back side of, so I began to make my way down to the tree as Dave skirted around the other way. Upon reaching the base of the tree, I looked and there he was, lying at the base of the tree on his back. I reched down and picked up the squirrel and took a close look at it, ONE number 8 bb made it through the right hand side ribs of the bushy tailed tree rat, and it was enough to put an end to his life and take away a little space in my freezer. First squirrel kill of the year!

We continued on, coming up a slight hill I saw one grey off to my right about 30 yards, I zipped over for a better angle. When doing so I noticed there were two squirrels chasing eachother around back and forth. I raised the double barrel, waited, said to myself "line up! line up!" and as soon as they both crossed over the same path in front of my shotgun again, I let it rip. Let one barrel off like a normal person, not like the first one I had shot erlier. Well, that one shot took out both squirrels at once! My first squirrel double, none of us had ever seen it happen before. you might not be able to kill two birds with one stone, but one can kill two squirrels with one 12guage number 8 round.

We continued on for the rest of the day, Roussos had left for work, Dave and I kept on going. Andy and his buddy Jeff showed up in the late afternoon, nothing else was killed, but a good time was definately had and memories were definately made and that's all that matters.

My dreams of being able to get up and go salmon fishing a lot this year definately hasn't panned out, but i'll live. Early firearm deer season starts tomorrow, Andy and I are heading out to Stockbridge for the evening hunt with hopes of filling our freezers full of ven early this year.

-Zach

DNR Fish Report 09/10

Weekly Fishing Report
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Recreational Fishing Report517-373-0908
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Great Lakes temperature map
Salmon are moving into the rivers however the big push has not yet occurred. Catch rates on the inland waters should only get better as we move into the fall fishing mode. Anglers are reminded that the season to take both snapping turtles and softshell turtles will close on September 15th, 2009.
Southeast Lower Peninsula
Lake Erie - Perch anglers are catching fish in 11 feet of water where the warm water discharge used to be off Lake Erie Metro Park and about a half mile east of Stony Point. There are reports of the perch run starting off Colchester which is on the Canadian side of the lake.
Huron River - Smallmouth bass, carp and catfish seem to be the only thing anglers are catching. No reports on trout fishing as it may still be a bit early.
Detroit River - Walleye anglers continue to do well between Sugar Island and the Cross Dike. Those handlining did well east of Celeron Island in 14 to 16 feet of water and near McClouth Steel. Perch are being caught around Sugar Island.
Lexington - Those trolling were taking a variety of trout and salmon in 80 to 100 feet of water. Salmon and steelhead are about halfway down while lake trout are near the bottom. Walleye were caught but the perch were scattered in 40 to 60 feet of water.
Port Sanilac - Boat anglers are catching salmon, steelhead and lake trout. Some are getting the occasional walleye when targeting trout and salmon. The perch were scattered however anglers were taking 10 to 30 fish per boat.
Harbor Beach - Anglers are trolling in 100 to 125 feet of water for chinook and steelhead however more lake trout have been caught. There are rumors of yellow perch being caught southeast of the lighthouse.
Port Austin - Boat anglers are taking limits of lake trout when trolling in 90 to 125 feet of water. Smallmouth bass were caught in 40 feet of water.
Saginaw Bay - Limits of walleye have been caught off Pinconning and Linwood when trolling crawler harnesses or Hot-n-Tots in 12 to 15 feet of water. The action was slower a few miles east of the Spark Plug and the Black Hole. Yellow perch were caught in the shipping channel, around the Spark Plug and near Buoys 9 and 10. Catfish are hitting on shrimp in the Hot Ponds. Near Quanicassee, walleye fishing was slow with boats only taking 1 or 2 fish off the Callahan Reef. Those heading out for perch were taking 12 to 15 fish on average per boat near the Spark Plug. The better walleye fishing was off Sebewaing, but anglers are still working hard to get them. Target 15 feet of water in the Slot off Fish Point and out near the Spark Plug in 32 feet of water. Most are using crawler harnesses but fish were also caught on Hot-n-Tots in the deeper water. A few perch were caught northeast of the Spark Plug. Caseville is quiet except for a few smallmouth bass caught off the breakwall.
Southwest Lower Peninsula
St. Joe - Anglers are catching mostly chinook salmon when trolling in waters about 85 feet deep. Fish the mud lines and between the piers. Perch fishing is slow. Pier anglers were catching a few suckers.
St. Joe River - There is good chinook and coho movement through the ladder at Berrien Springs.
South Haven - The chinook have started to come in. Anglers are catching them in the mud lines and between the piers. Steelhead and perch have also been caught.
Kalamazoo River - Chinook, steelhead and the occasional walleye have been caught from the piers to the Allegan Dam.
Grand Haven - A good number of boats are trolling just outside the piers in the early morning. Pier anglers are catching chinook, coho and steelhead when casting spoon or rapalas in the early morning. A few perch were also been caught.
Grand River at Grand Rapids - Anglers are catching chinook, coho, brown trout and steelhead from the piers up to the Sixth Street Dam. They are using spoons, spinners, rapalas, yarn, flies or spawn. Some are drifting Hot-n-Tots or thundersticks. Pike and walleye were caught. Crappie are hitting twister tails and crappie minnows.
Grand River at Lansing - Shore anglers are trying for catfish below the dams. No word yet on salmon in the Lansing area however rain should push some fish up closer. A few fish have been caught near Ionia in Prairie Creek.
Lake Ovid - Anglers are catching catfish and bullhead. For the bigger bluegills, try slow drifting in deeper waters with leaf worms, wax worms or crickets.
Reeds Lake - Perch have been caught around the Sunken Island when drifting leaf worms. At night, some limits were caught on minnows.
Muskegon - Boat anglers are fishing shallow in the early morning and heading out to waters up to 300 feet deep as the day goes on. They are catching chinook, coho and steelhead. Plugs are working in the shallows and spoons out deep. Pier anglers have caught salmon and steelhead in the early morning or late evening. Boats are also fishing in the channel.
Northeast Lower Peninsula
Mullett Lake - Anglers have caught pike and perch when still-fishing with crawlers or minnows. Walleye, bass and even a few trout were also caught. Good perch fishing on the west side with some in the 9 and 10 inch range.
Rogers City - Is producing salmon in Swan Bay. Early morning or sunset is the best time in waters 10 to 65 feet deep. In shallow, use planer boards with J-Plugs or bombers. Out deep, fish about halfway down with spoons or J-Plugs. Good colors are orange and silver, green and yellow, watermelon, pearl or glow.
Presque Isle - Anglers are catching salmon straight out of the harbor and north toward the lighthouses while trolling the top half of waters 45 to 90 feet deep.
Rockport - Fishing was still spotty. Salmon and steelhead were found in 15 to 50 feet of water around Bell Bay and the launch. Salmon were halfway down in 40 to 50 feet of water and lake trout were just off the bottom in 110 feet of water near the wreck. Hot colors were chartreuse, black, red and gold. Walleye were taken in Bell Bay when using rapalas or body baits in perch patterns.
Thunder Bay River - Salmon and steelhead have been caught near the Ninth Street Dam. The best fishing has been between 10:00pm and 1:00am for those using black and brown flies or glow spawn.
Harrisville - The salmon are moving into shallow waters 60 to 80 feet deep. The salmon are hitting on silver, blue or gold and the steelhead on orange. Lake trout are hitting on anything white or silver. Walleye were caught in the and around the harbor and north toward Sturgeon Point.
Oscoda - About half the boats heading out were successful. Reports have the fish from the river out to waters 100 feet deep. Lures in blue and silver were catching fish. Those fishing close to shore just north or south of the pier were using planer boards and lead core. Pier anglers have caught some steelhead and walleye on body baits and crawlers.
Au Sable River - A few walleye have been caught in the river. Try body baits or crawlers down near the mouth.
Higgins Lake - A few anglers are still catching lake trout when trolling or jigging. Good numbers of rock bass have been caught over the last week.
Houghton Lake - Walleye are being caught on crawlers or leeches. Some big bluegills have been caught and a few nice crappie were taken on spinner baits. Those out pike fishing have also caught some nice fish.
Tawas - Walleye fishing was slower with a few fish caught near Buoy 2 and down near Alabaster. Pier fishing was also slow with only a few small perch or the occasional walleye taken.
Au Gres - Is producing some limit catches of walleye, mostly north of the Charity Islands in 15 to 40 feet of water. Some are heading south toward Standish and fishing off Eagles Bay Landing. A few limits were taken in 10 to 30 feet of water.
Northwest Lower Peninsula
Petoskey - Salmon fishing varies from day to day however fish were caught in the bottom 70 feet of waters 120 to 130 feet deep. Good colors for flies and plugs have been blue, purple, green, or white and spoons were green, blue, purple, or black. Mix up your colors with a different color attracter. Try a white spin doctor in front of a purple fly on sunny days. A number of lake trout have been caught.
Charlevoix - Anglers are concentrating on salmon. Most are fishing down 70 feet or more in waters up to 130 feet deep.
Lake Bellaire - Surface temperatures increased to the high 60's and low 70's. Walleye anglers are still fishing near the Fisherman's Paradise Public Access, Northwest Arm and the Narrows. Try trolling crawler harnesses, spoons, and stick baits or jigging with leeches and crawlers in 10 to 35 feet of water. Fish range from 14 to 16 inches. Bass anglers have been casting artificial worms, tube baits or crank baits in 3 to 25 feet of water. Target the drop-offs in the South Arm. Pike are hitting on crawler harnesses or spoons near the mouth of the Intermediate River and the Grass River. Yellow perch ranging from 4 to 13 inches have been caught by those still-fishing in 2 to 16 feet of water in the Northwest Arm and in front of the Intermediate River. Try crawlers or minnows.
Leland - North Manitou Island is still the area to fish as the salmon get ready to run. Boat anglers are starting 45 to 50 feet of water in the early morning and moving out to deeper water as the sun comes up. No reports on the First or Second Banks yet.
Glen Arbor - Fish are moving into shallow waters 60 feet deep off Pyramid Point and right out in front of the boat launch.
Platte Bay - Has good fishing in the West Bay 30 to 80 feet down in 50 to 150 feet of water with black ladderback J-Plugs. Good fishing in the East Bay as well about 30 to 80 feet down in 60 to 120 feet of water.
Platte River - Some fish are up the river and at the mouth. A small run of fish came in over the weekend and there are fish below the weir, mostly coho. Shore anglers casting or fishing spawn were not having much luck yet.
Arcadia - Catch rates have slowed for boat anglers as more fish start running up into the rivers. Those fishing in the early morning have caught salmon in 150 to 400 feet of water when using spoons or J-Plugs that glow.
Lake Cadillac - Anglers are catching largemouth bass, pike and crappie. For bigger bluegills, fish deeper water with leaf worms, wax worms and crickets.
Manistee - Boats have found the salmon and trout to be scattered anywhere from the front of the piers to 400 feet of water. Early in the morning, salmon can be caught using glow plugs in front of the piers. Those fishing the Shelf found fish in the top 60 feet of water. Best colors continue to be green or blue.
Manistee River - Salmon are in the river however cooler weather will bring more fish in. The better fishing has been in the early morning or at night with spoons, crank baits, body baits, yarn or spawn. Fish the deeper holes or up near Tippy Dam.
UPPER PENINSULA
Copper Harbor - Splake are starting to come back into the harbor.
Eagle Harbor - Those jigging have caught lake trout in 220 feet of water. Trolling was slow as it has been hard to find scum lines or temperature breaks.
Lac La Belle - Walleye fishing was good along the flats in 15 to 25 feet of water using crawlers or minnows near the bottom. Smallmouth bass fishing has been good in 10 to 14 feet of water near the weedbeds.
Keweenaw Bay - The better lake trout fishing was in Traverse Bay when trolling between Big Louie's and Gay Point in 130 to 150 feet of water. Those jigging got limits in 220 to 240 feet of water. Try 1 or 2 ounce jigs with cut bait. Lake trout were caught near the South Portage Entry when trolling spoons in 130 to 160 feet of water.
Paint River - In west Iron County has good brook trout fishing in the South Branch. The trout are running a little small this year but should be good next year.
Peavy Reservoir - Has good pike fishing.
Hagerman Lake - Has good smallmouth bass action.
Marquette - Lake trout picked up between the White Rocks and Granite Island. Standard Rock is still very productive with groups limiting out. Coho are still spotty but anglers are marking fish. Large groups of baitfish have been marked in 140 to180 feet of water. No action to report near the Carp and Dead River.
Menominee - Catch rates were a bit slow with only a few fish caught in 10 to 20 feet of water down near Green Island. Chinook were caught from the pier in the early morning and late evening when casting spoons. Up near the Cedar River, a few chinook were caught near the Whaleback Shoal.
Menominee River - Small walleye were caught by those trolling, fishing off the Cat Walk, and wading near Stephenson and Boom Island. Use crawlers. Sturgeon season on the boundary waters is open from September 5th through September 30th. Anglers are reminded that the possession limit for sturgeon on the river between the Hattie Street Dam and end of the breakwalls in Green Bay is 0 fish. A non-transferable sturgeon tag must be obtained at a license vendor prior to all sturgeon fishing, including catch and release. Successful anglers must tag and register the fish within 24 hours. Fish being released should not be tagged.
Little Bay De Noc - Most of the walleye are still in the southern bay however fish have been caught throughout. Some are trolling stick baits from the mouth of the Escanaba River south to Portage Point and fishing 25 to 30 feet down just off the break. Walleye and perch were caught by those drifting or stillfishing with crawlers off the beach at Gladstone. Northern pike were caught on spinners and spoons fished in 10 to 12 feet of water at the mouth of the Escanaba Yacht Harbor.
Big Bay De Noc - Had fair walleye catches near Ogontz in 14 to 16 feet of water and Garden Bay in 8 to 12 feet of water. Good smallmouth action for those casting crank baits and tube baits in 18 to 25 feet of water. Salmon action off Fairport was down.
Au Train - Has excellent lake trout fishing. A few salmon were caught along the flats, the shipping lanes and around Wood Island in 150 to 170 feet of water.
Munuscong - Anglers are trolling up to the bell and the split in the channel for walleye. Use bottom bouncers with crawler harnesses in lime green and orange.
De Tour - Boats were trolling both sides of the freighter channel to the lighthouse area, some further south as well as to the flats and catching chinook, lake trout and even a couple Atlantic salmon.
Cedarville and Hessel - Pier fishing at the Hessel Marina was slow with only small pike or perch caught. Splake have started coming into the harbor and were hitting on spawn bags. Fish were also caught in Snows Channel and Musky Bay however many were sub-legal. In Cedarville Bay, the best perch action was in 6 to 8 inches of waters when using minnows, leaf worms or crayfish tails.
Carp River - A few anglers are catching chinook using green and white or red and white spoons.
St. Ignace - Anglers fishing from the primitive launch are casting weedless baits. Fire-tiger and lime were good colors. Those trolling have caught a few chinook and lake trout between the bay and the Coast Guard Station when using silver J-Plugs or green and gold spoons.

New record Brown Trout!

Look at the size of this thing!

Tom Healy says he’s “just an old retired guy who came to Manistee for a nice day of fishing.” But after landing what appears to be a world-record brown trout today, he suspects “they’re going to make me the king of Manistee, Michigan.”

“We’re real happy to bring the world record back to Manistee,” the 66-year-old Rockford angler said after landing a 41-pound, 7-ounce brown in the Manistee River. “I’ve fished here 20 years and come regularly, and I’ve caught some nice salmon. But never anything like this.”
The huge brown beat the existing world record from Arkansas by 1 pound, 3 ounces. The state record was 36-13. The fish took a black-and-silver Rapala Shad Rap crankbait that Healy cast from fishing guide Tim Roller’s boat. Healy used a Cabela’s XML spinning rod and Cabela’s Prodigy reel loaded with 30-pound braided line.
“Tom cast, and I saw him set the hook,” Roller said. “The fish tried to jump, but it could only porpoise on the surface. I heard a splash and turned too late to see the fish. But I saw the huge tail and said, ‘You have a big salmon.’”
Healy said the fish fought 15 minutes before coming to the boat. The record fish from Arkansas fought five minutes. Roller said, “We didn’t realize it was a brown until we were about to net it.”
The fish was weighed before Department of Natural Resources biologists, who certified it at 41-7. They took scale samples that will be tested to prove it’s a brown trout and not a closely related Atlantic salmon.

An amazing fish for sure

MDNR Fish Report...Game On!

Weekly Fishing Report
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Recreational Fishing Report517-373-0908
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Great Lakes temperature map
Cooler temperatures along with rain last week did push salmon into some of the rivers, especially on the west side of the state where the runs are typically one or two weeks ahead of the east side. Boats trolling out in the Great Lakes are still catching fish. September looks to be a good month for trout and salmon fishing.
Southeast Lower Peninsula
Lake Erie - Fishing was slow with a few walleye caught when trolling crawlers or spoons. Perch fishing has started to show signs of improvement over the last few days for those using minnows between Bolles Harbor and Toledo Beach. Catfish have been caught at the Monroe Hot Ponds.
Huron River - Anglers are catching bass, bluegills, catfish and carp. A couple trout were caught by the coldwater discharge but no significant numbers yet.
Detroit River - Walleye were caught in 18 to 20 feet of water up near Sugar Island and the Cross Dike. Some were handlining near McClouth Steel and around Calf Island. Perch were hitting in 14 feet of water near the Huron River and 9 feet of water north of Sugar Island.
Lake St. Clair - Walleye anglers are still taking a few fish when handlining or trolling a crawler harness. Smallmouth bass and perch were caught in 12 to 14 feet of water however some of the perch were small. Some big muskie were also caught.
St. Clair River - Walleye anglers are trolling crawler harnesses or handlining.
Lexington - Lake trout are still hitting in 100 to 125 feet of water. Lake trout season is open until the end of September. Perch fishing is spotty.
Harbor Beach - Lake trout fishing is still good straight out and north of the harbor in 80 to 100 feet of water in the morning, then moving out to 105 to 130 feet of water. Fish close to the bottom with green dodgers. For steelhead, fish the top 50 to 60 feet with lures in bright colors like pink, yellow, and orange about 150 feet back of the offshore boards, downriggers or dipseys. If the bite is slow, try speeding up. For salmon, try closer to shore in the morning with plugs or body baits 25 to 40 feet back and adjust for deeper waters. Good colors were black with glow, gold, green or blue. Walleye were scattered but anglers may still want to try straight out or north of the harbor with crawler harnesses and Hot-n-Tots. Try 25 to 30 feet of water in the early morning.
Port Austin - Walleye and smallmouth bass were caught in 40 feet of water between the harbor and the lighthouse.
Saginaw Bay - We seem to be in the fall fishing mode a bit earlier this year. Walleye fishing is shutting down, as it usually does around Labor Day. As for catch rates, walleye were taken 2 to 3 miles east of the Black Hole in 23 feet of water. Other spots were the Callahan Reef and out near the Slot however anglers are fishing a long time to get a couple walleye. Perch fishing is still slow, with better action about a month away. A few fish were caught around the Black Hole and Buoy H. Enough fish 7 to 10 inches long were caught to make the trip worthwhile.
Saginaw River - Trollers using crank baits in the lower river have caught a few walleye. This is a good place to try if it is too windy to get out on the bay. Channel cats were caught near Essexville.
Southwest Lower Peninsula
St. Joe - Boat anglers are catching chinook and coho when trolling near the end of the piers. Early morning is best. Pier anglers are also catching a few salmon.
St. Joe River - The cool nights are still producing some good skamania fishing, especially below the dams.
Kalamazoo River - Steelhead have been caught between the mouth and the Allegan Dam. Some are floating spawn while others are fly fishing. Early morning is best. Anglers caught a few walleye.
Grand Haven - The fall salmon action has started. Anglers are trolling around the piers and in the channel. Hot baits were J-Plugs in chrome with a red head or green ladderback with downriggers or dipsey divers. Pier anglers have caught chinook, coho and steelhead when casting spoons or alewife. No luck on perch.
Grand River at Grand Rapids - Anglers are catching salmon, steelhead and brown trout up near the Sixth Street Dam or below the first coffer dam. Try spawn bags under a bobber, rapalas, yarn, spoons, plugs or Hot-n-Tots. The best time to fish was 5 A.M. through 10 A.M. A few fish have also been caught in Prairie Creek near Ionia. Walleye were hitting on crawlers and rapalas and pike were hitting on sucker minnows and spoons.
Grand River at Lansing - A few walleye are still being caught. There have been reports of salmon at Lyons and Portland. Bass and channel catfish were caught below the North Lansing Dam. Try minnows, crawlers or crickets.
Muskegon - Boats are catching chinook, coho and steelhead when trolling J-Plugs around the piers and in the channel. Good colors were chrome with red or the green ladder back. Pier anglers jigging or casting spoons have caught chinook.
Northeast Lower Peninsula
Mullett Lake - Bass are hitting on sand colored tube baits, spinners and drop shot minnows in waters as shallow as 4 feet or as deep as 14 to 17 feet. Perch and rock bass were hitting in the shallows. Walleye were caught when trolling crawler harnesses in 35 to 45 feet of water along the north end of the lake.
Rogers City - Most of the action has been between Calcite and Adams Point. Those fishing between Adams Point and Swan Bay were running J-Plugs and Bombers on highlines and planer boards. Try halfway down in waters 45 to 75 feet deep. Good colors were green, blue, silver and chartreuse or black and white. Use anything that glows early and late. Anglers were catching mostly chinook along with the occasional lake trout, brown trout or walleye.
Presque Isle - Anglers are fishing straight out from the Red Can or north between the lighthouses. Stoneport has also been good however anglers need to watch out for the commercial fishing nets.
Rockport - Anglers are doing well around Middle Island in about 90 feet of water. They caught lake trout and salmon when trolling spoons. Good colors were green and silver or rainbow.
Alpena - Has good walleye fishing for those trolling the channel into the bay with crawler harnesses, body baits and reef runners. Other hot spots were Thunder Bay Island, North Point and along the north shore in 20 to 30 feet of water.
Thunder Bay River - Fishing was slow however salmon have started jumping in the river. Boat anglers are trolling near the mouth in 20 to 30 feet of water.
Harrisville - Fishing continues to be steady. Boats trolling straight out of the harbor and fishing in 75 to 90 feet of water have caught salmon and steelhead. The salmon were hitting on downriggers 10 to 20 feet off the bottom and steelhead on sliders, dipsey divers and lead core. Lake trout were scattered but once you find them, catch rates were good.
Oscoda - Boat anglers are catching salmon and steelhead in 70 to 90 feet of water. Try spoons, body baits or plugs in blue and gold or anything that glows.
Au Sable River - Those fly fishing continue to do well on brook trout and brown trout. Salmon had not yet started to come into the river however the run should start soon. A few walleye have been caught in the early morning or late evening.
Higgins Lake - Those jigging or trolling are still catching lake trout. A few perch were caught around the Sunken Island and lots of rock bass have been caught all over the lake.
Houghton Lake - Those jigging leeches or trolling crawler harnesses have caught walleye. Many were sub-legal. Bluegill and crappie were in the weedbeds and some nice pike were caught on spoons, spinner baits or large minnows.
Tawas - Those trolling are still getting some walleye in 25 feet of water out near Buoy #2, around the reef, and north of the Charity Islands. Some 6 to 9 inch perch have been caught off the pier in the early morning. No salmon yet.
Au Gres - Boat anglers are still catching some walleye north of the Charity Islands and in 25 feet of water off Point Lookout and Point Au Gres.
Northwest Lower Peninsula
Petoskey - Anglers are doing well for salmon and lake trout when fishing 100 to 125 feet down in waters 130 feet deep with green and white or chartreuse glow flies behind green and white dodgers or flashers. More fish are showing up on the banks and staging before they start the spawning process.
Crooked Lake - Anglers targeting bass, walleye, and pike in 10 feet of water along the weedbeds are casting fire-tiger or blue and white crank baits or white spinners.
Charlevoix - Boat anglers continue to catch fish just off the bottom in waters up to 130 feet deep. Pier and shore anglers are also catching fish.
Lake Bellaire - Surface temperatures are still around the mid to low 60's throughout the entire lake. Pressure for walleye continues to be high with a few fish caught each day. Anglers are trolling and jigging near the Fisherman's Paradise Access, the Northwest Arm and the Narrows. Try crawler harnesses, spoons, stick baits or floating jigs with leeches or crawlers in 10 to 40 feet of water. Bass have been caught on artificial worms, tube baits or crank baits. Pike were caught by those trolling crawler harnesses or casting spoons near the mouth of the Intermediate River and the Grass River outlet in 8 to 12 feet of water. Perch were hitting crawlers in 5 feet of water near the mouth of the Intermediate River.
Traverse City - Salmon fishing slowed in the East Bay however whitefish could be found in the southern portions of the bay when jigging white spoons. In the West Bay, salmon action was hit-or-miss around the "Hole" and the Red Buoy. The fish were scattered due to warm water pushed back into the bay.
Leland - Good catches were still coming for those fishing the north end of North Manitou Island. Most fish were in 120 to 130 feet of water however recent storms and cooler temperatures have the fish moving into shallow waters. Those fishing along the First Bank did well in the evening when trolling spoons, plugs and flies.
Glen Arbor - The west side of South Manitou Island is still a favorite spot for those looking for chinook 90 to 120 feet down. At sundown, anglers are heading to Pyramid Point and Canners Point.
Glen Lake - The M-22 Bridge is open for boat traffic even though it is under construction. Perch anglers are starting to pick up good numbers when using wigglers in the shallows in the early morning.
Platte Bay - Those fishing in 40 to 110 feet of water in the East Bay have caught chinook and coho on spoons and J-Plugs off dipsey divers set 25 to 50 feet down. No fishing pressure on the surf yet but with fish up the river at the lower dam and fish at the mouth, it won't be long.
Platte River - Has salmon in it. There are some coho below the lower weir and a limited number of fish have been passed upstream. Those surfcasting at the mouth have only caught a few fish.
Frankfort - The north wind last weekend pushed some fish into the harbor. Both pier and boat anglers were catching good numbers. Boats were trolling in 80 to 100 feet of water near the Shelf with green, blue or glow plugs. Those fishing off the pier did well when casting green or blue Cleo's and live alewife.
Betsie River - Cooler weather has anglers catching more fish when casting squid or floating spawn at the upper and lower River Road Bridges, and from the 31 Bridge all the way up to the dam. Trolling inside Betsie Lake has been somewhat slow, but casting squid and other spinners in the river channel did produce some good catches.
Arcadia - The fishing was hit-or-miss with the changing weather. The better catches came from the Steeple Hole or the Herring Hole when fishing 30 to 130 feet down in waters 60 to 400 feet deep. Most were caught on ladder backs or flies.
Onekama - Salmon fishing has been good. Fish were found near the Barrel in the early morning however by mid-morning the boats were moving out near the Bank. The fish are in a little closer but most anglers were still trolling about 45 feet down in waters 60 to 100 feet deep. Plugs, meat rigs and spoons were taking fish.
Portage Lake - Those trolling for walleye and pike had a hard time locating fish. Good numbers of largemouth bass are once again being caught on the east side.
Manistee - Boats are catching salmon in the harbor and around the piers. Try using glow plugs in low light conditions and chrome plugs once the sun comes up. Pier anglers are catching salmon on glow spoons.
Manistee River - Anglers have begun to catch fish in earnest, especially in the lower river. Most were casting body baits or floating skein under a bobber.
Ludington - Salmon are being caught when trolling plugs in front of the pier and out to 60 feet of water. Pier anglers have caught salmon when casting spoons.
Pere Marquette River - Anglers fishing the lower river have caught fair to good numbers of fish when casting body baits or floating skein under a bobber.
UPPER PENINSULA
Keweenaw Bay - Boats trolling spoons in 120 to 150 feet of water near Gay Point have caught lake trout. Those jigging in 220 to 240 feet of water out from Big Louie's Point caught lake trout when using cut bait.
Marquette - Has good lake trout action with water temperatures in the low 60's. Chinook and coho are moving in but still slow this past week. A few salmon along with the occasional brown trout have been caught near the Carp and Dead Rivers.
Lake Michigamme - Muskie are hitting on body baits.
Ottawa Lake - Near Iron River, has good smallmouth bass action.
Menominee - Trout and salmon fishing slowed in Green Bay however walleye were hitting near Chambers Island and Green Island. Most are trolling crawler harnesses or rapalas. Pier anglers caught a few chinook and brown trout near the lighthouse in the early morning. Try casting a variety of colored spoons.
Menominee River - Walleye have been caught by shore anglers off the Cat Walk, those wading near Stephenson Island and Boom Island, or by those trolling. Anglers will need to sort as many were small. Crawlers worked best.
Cedar River - Those fishing between the mouth and the first rapids have caught lots of smallmouth bass however many were sub-legal.
Little Bay De Noc - Walleye anglers are still trolling near the "Fingers" with stick baits in 10 to 30 feet of water. A few fish were caught at the mouth of the Escanaba River when drifting crawlers along the weedbeds. Light perch action off Brach's Cabins when jigging minnows in 10 to 14 feet of water. Fair salmon action off Portage Point when trolling glow spoons 70 feet down in waters 80 to 90 feet deep.
Big Bay De Noc - Is producing walleye north and south of Round Island when trolling small moonshine glows in 20 to 33 feet of water. Smallmouth were caught in 10 to 14 feet of water near Ogontz and 10 to 25 feet of water outside Garden Bay. Off Fairport, boat anglers are still heading out deep and fishing 110 to 170 feet down with green and black glow spoons. A few large fish were caught however most were less than 10 pounds.
Au Train - Has excellent lake trout action with many getting their limits when trolling spoons or jigs with cut bait around the islands.
Grand Marais - Light numbers of salmon, lake trout and steelhead have been caught. Catch rates should improve this week.
Munuscong - Walleye have been caught in the channel when using crawler harnesses with smiley blades in bright colors. Walleye were also found in 8 to 10 feet of water in Raber Bay.
De Tour - Boats are trolling the channel to the lighthouse or heading about 5 miles south of the lighthouse for lake trout.
Drummond Island - Yellow perch have been caught on the north side of Grape Island in the evening. In the early morning, try the end of the Yacht Haven Dock with minnows. A few pike were caught on the just off the weedbeds on the north side of Grape Island. Try pencil plugs the last two hours before dark.
Cedarville and Hessel - Catch rates from the Hessel pier seem to fluctuate with the weather. Catch rates for perch and pike have dropped. Smallmouth bass action has picked up as it usually does when the weather starts to cool. Try casting along the reefs and the rocks. Salmon have been caught off Goose Island when fishing 25 to 40 feet down. Perch can still be found in Cedarville Bay or the Moscoe Channel.
Pine River - A limited number of anglers are still-fishing with crawlers and leeches for rock bass and suckers.
St. Ignace - Anglers are casting for pike from the primitive launch on the northwest side of the Mackinaw Bridge. They are using red and gold spinners. Boats are trolling the bay flats to the Coast Guard Station for chinook. Most are targeting 40 to 60 feet of water with silver and red or green, orange and white combination spoons.