Wednesday, October 16, 2024

10/16/24 Southeast Michigan Fishing Report

 


Southeast Lower Peninsula

Detroit River:  The bait fish have moved in close to shore and with them have come the walleye.  Anglers are catching walleye at night on jigs with dark colored plastics, while daytime anglers are catching fish on natural presentations. A few atlantic salmon are being taken from the river on with jig and plastics by anglers targeting walleye.

Lower Saginaw Bay: Walleye appeared in the lower part of the Saginaw River, and a few boat anglers managed to catch some while jigging blade baits or using soft plastics. Yellow perch were caught by anglers near buoy 1 in 26 feet of water, as well as near the Sparkplug. Anglers reported that these fish averaged 8 to 12 inches in size.

Eastern Saginaw Bay: Windy conditions and slow fishing limited angler activity on the eastern side of the bay. Anglers around Quanicassee reported slow fishing for both walleye and yellow perch. Fishing from Sebewaing to Caseville was similar, with very few boat anglers out for yellow perch and walleye, and slow fishing reported. Anglers targeting smallmouth and largemouth bass were catching fish on a variety of artificial baits. Shore fishing was slow with mostly small perch and panfish. Anglers that put in a half day’s effort or more were able to sort through enough small fish to get a meal.

Lexington: Fishing was reported to have improved, with anglers catching an occasional steelhead and Atlantic salmon around the docks at the Lexington State Harbor while casting spoons and spinners.

Port Sanilac: A mix of coho salmon, steelhead, and an occasional Atlantic salmon were caught sporadically throughout the day by anglers. Using smaller artificial lures and bobber fishing with nightcrawlers and wax worms were common choices among anglers.

Harbor Beach: A few coho salmon were caught using a variety of artificial lures from the break wall and near the boat launch area. Spinners were a popular choice among anglers.

Lexington: Bluegill were caught by anglers using nightcrawlers. A few northern pike were caught on artificial lures. Anglers were catching a few steelhead, coho salmon, and an occasional Atlantic salmon while casting spinners, Cleos, and still fishing with bobbers and night crawlers or wax worms.

Lake Erie: Yellow perch remained east of Stony Point, however anglers noted that they moved slightly in to around 24 feet of water. Anglers were catching them with both night crawlers and live minnows on perch spreaders. Red beads seemed to work best. Largemouth bass were active off the docks at Bolles Harbor and were biting on soft plastic lures. Smallmouth bass were caught on soft plastic dropshot rigs along the rock wall near the Sterling State Park beach. Catfish were caught in the discharge waters of the DTE power plant. 

  • If you're planning on fishing out of Sterling State Park or the Brest Bay area you can pick up tackle from the nice people at Jeff's Bait & Tackle

  • If you're planning on fishing any of the canals near Lake Erie Metro Park or Point Mouillee State Game Area you can get all of your bait & tackle needs met at  Bottom Line Bait & Tackle.

Lake St. Clair: Fishing activity was reported as slow. Prior to the windy conditions, anglers
were catching panfish near Selfridge. Small artificial lures in natural baitfish colors on slip bobbers worked well. Low numbers of perch were caught from the shipping channel near the St. Clair Lighthouse and in the mouths of the middle and south channels. Small muskellunge were caught near the spillway. Very few anglers headed to Grosse Point and Ford Cove due to high winds, however those that went reported perch in 13 to 15 feet of water. Anglers reported catching walleye between the spillway and the Metropark in 13 to 15 feet of water as well. Anglers who caught walleye in the channel mouths caught them in 19 feet of water.10/16/24 


Below are links to bait shop listings organized by county:  

Your area may not be listed within this fishing report so below is a list of links to pages in Southeast Michigan to help guide you to public lakes in your county.

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    10/16/24 Northwest Lower Peninsula, Michigan Fishing Report

     

    Northwest Lower Peninsula

    Charlevoix: Anglers targeting bass on the piers reported some smallmouth. Fishing live bait on the bottom seemed to produce some results. 

    Little Traverse Bay: Anglers fishing the Bear River reported Chinook salmon and some coho salmon making their way up the river. Fishing beads, spawn, and flies while bottom bouncing produced results. 

    Frankfort: Following the high winds, anglers reported excellent numbers of steelhead off the north and south piers. Better numbers and limits came off the south pier near the second ladder, and fresh spawn worked well. Young coho salmon were also being reported out near the elbow. Anglers noted that the morning bite seemed to be most productive.

    • For a list of bait and tackle shops in the Frankfort area: Click Here!

    Onekama: Anglers fishing off the south break wall reported some steelhead activity in the early morning hours on spawn. 

    Manistee: Overall fishing was slow. Anglers who were pier fishing reported catching a few steelhead on spawn.

    • For more public lakes to fish in Manistee County: Click Here!

    Ludington: A couple steelhead and coho salmon were reported to have been caught from the piers while using spawn. 

    Leland: Poor weather conditions kept boat anglers off the water. Pier anglers reported catching a few Chinook and coho salmon while float fishing skein.

    West Grand Traverse Bay: Boat anglers who were targeting cisco found success trolling silver spoons near Power Island and whitewalls in approximately 100 feet of water. Anglers who tried their luck for perch throughout the bay had unsuccessful trips. No fishing activity was reported from the piers.

    Below are links to bait shop listings organized by county: 

    Your area may not be listed within this fishing report so below is a list of links to pages in Northeast Michigan to help guide you to public lakes in your county.
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    10/16/24 Northeast Lower Peninsula, Michigan Fishing Report

     


    Northeast Lower Peninsula

    Cheboygan: Salmon were reported to be in high numbers at the Cheboygan Dam spillway; however, anglers had a tough time catching fish. Anglers were primarily catching Chinook salmon with the occasional pink salmon, coho salmon, or steelhead mixed in. Those drifting natural baits such as spawn saw the best results, however, other good options were beads, minnow crank baits, and spoons. 

    Rogers City: Poor weather conditions kept anglers off the water.

    Alpena: Angling pressure was reported as slow. A few boat anglers ventured in Thunder Bay with no success. Others targeted perch along the pier and harbor docks with only a few small fish found.

    Thunder Bay River: Chinook salmon were still present in good numbers. Anglers had success drifting spawn and beads. Fire tiger, chartreuse, and blue/silver body baits were also productive. Those using spawn reported a few steelhead and Atlantic salmon showing up as well. Perch anglers below 2nd Avenue bridge reported no luck.

    Rockport: A few anglers tried for Chinook and coho salmon with only a few caught. Chartreuse and white crank baits caught a few fish along with green, gold, and orange spinners.

    Oscoda: Anglers fishing off the pier at night started to pick up some walleye when casting flicker shads. A few coho and Atlantic salmon were caught by anglers casting spoons off the pier early in the morning.

    Au Sable River: Steelhead and Atlantic salmon were caught throughout the lower river when casting spinners, floating spawn/beads, and streamer fishing. Most Atlantic salmon were caught on spinners or flies resembling a minnow. Chinook salmon were caught below Foote Dam by anglers floating skein or spawn bags. 

    Harrisville: Chinook and coho salmon were caught by anglers floating skein 3 to 4 feet down early in the morning or at dusk inside the harbor from the gas docks. Fish were caught throughout the day, but the bite seemed the slow. Steelhead were also caught out of the marina by anglers casting little Cleos. 

    Black River: Anglers who were casting pink arctic spinners early in the morning picked up a couple coho salmon. Chinook salmon were caught when floating skein and beads. Anglers had the most success when casting spoons or spinners in the morning.

    Au Gres: A few walleye were caught north of Charity Island when trolling or casting crawlers and crank baits. Other anglers were able to get a few fish heading south out from the mouth. Bluegill and other panfish were caught by anglers at Eagle Bay Marina.

    Tawas: Windy conditions kept most boat anglers off the water. Chinook salmon and a few coho salmon were caught at the Tawas River mouth on various baits including spawn, spinners, spoons, and Rapalas. Chinook salmon and steelhead were also caught at the Singing Bridge when fishing the river and in the surf. 

    Below are links to bait shop listings organized by county:


    Your area may not be listed within this fishing report so below is a list of links to pages in Northeast Michigan to help guide you to public lakes in your county.

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    Wednesday, September 13, 2023

    9/13/23 Southeast, Michigan Fishing Report

     



    Southeast Lower Peninsula

    Lake Erie: Yellow perch fishing was slow; however, anglers did catch them near the east buoy on minnow rigs. Walleye fishing was also reported as slow. Anglers caught good-sized smallmouth bass using artificial lures in Breast Bay. 

    • If you're planning on fishing out of Sterling State Park or the Brest Bay area you can pick up tackle from the nice people at Jeff's Bait & Tackle

    • If you're planning on fishing any of the canals near Lake Erie Metro Park or Point Mouillee State Game Area you can get all of your bait & tackle needs met at  Bottom Line Bait & Tackle.

    Lake St. Clair: Anglers caught walleye in the north channel while dragging crawler harnesses. Smallmouth bass anglers did well by Grassy Island and the New Baltimore area. They also reported good smallmouth bass fishing near Brandenburg boat launch a mile and a half to 2 miles from shore. Perch anglers had the most success near the St. Clair Lighthouse and buoys 26, 27 and 28 at the mouth of the south channel. A few walleye were caught by these buoys as well. The perch were deep and in at least 20 feet of water. Anglers were starting to catch muskie and northern pike near the mouth of the Clinton River. The south end was very slow for smallmouth bass fishing, although some anglers caught a few in 15 to 20 feet of water near the 400 Club.

    • For a more accurate report on Lake St. Clair I suggest reaching out to the people at Sportsmen's Direct  as their weekly LSC fishing report is usually far more in depth.  Phone: (586-741-6052)
    • Macomb County Bait Shops: Click Here!

    Saginaw Bay: Weather limited fishing activity, but those who made it out found a few yellow perch in 8 to 10 feet of water out from Quanicassee. Anglers did, however, have to move around and sort through many small fish to find keeper-sized fish. Anglers fishing for walleye off Quanicassee reported fishing as slow.

    Bayport: Anglers caught some largemouth bass and northern pike in Wildfowl Bay. Anglers did best when casting various artificial baits in 2 to 7 feet of water.

    Sebewaing: Anglers reported catching a few northern pike in the Sebewaing River while casting artificial baits.

    Lower Saginaw Bay: Anglers reported catching yellow perch at the Sparkplug in 23 feet of water using perch rigs. Yellow perch averaged 7 to 10 inches in size. The lower part of the Saginaw River produced yellow perch as well.

    Port Sanilac: Anglers caught a few walleye from the break wall in the evening while casting body baits and spoons. Anglers trolling for salmon and trout were heading out to deep water in around 125 to 145 feet of water. Anglers who used lead core and downriggers caught lake trout and steelhead. A few steelhead were caught in front of the harbor in 40 feet of water while using planer boards and lead core.

    Port Austin: Smallmouth bass were caught from the break wall and along the Bird Creek when anglers were casting a variety of artificial lures.


    Harbor Beach: Anglers reported that fish were scattered in many depths due to changing water temperatures. Smallmouth bass and walleye were caught in 20 to 30 feet of water, with a few cohos caught in that water as well. Anglers who were trolling with lead core and body baits found success. Anglers who were trolling in 100 to 130 feet of water caught some lake trout close to the bottom with downriggers and caught steelhead with a five-color lead core. A few smallmouth bass were caught from the break wall when casting with artificial lures. 

    Lexington: Pike were caught from the beach area and around the docks while casting artificial lures, with an occasional walleye early in the morning while casting body baits.


    Below are links to bait shop listings organized by county:  

    Your area may not be listed within this fishing report so below is a list of links to pages in Southeast Michigan to help guide you to public lakes in your county.

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      Wednesday, August 30, 2023

      8/30/23 Northwest Lower Peninsula Michigan Fishing Report

       



      Northwest Lower Peninsula

      West Grand Traverse Bay: The thermocline varied with strong north and south winds; however, it was anywhere from 60 to 100 feet down. Salmon fishing was good in the hole in front of the Boardman River. Fishing near the white walls slowed down, but anglers reported a few salmon caught there. Using plugs, white flasher with flies, meat and spoons all caught fish. Anglers reported catching a few coho. Smallmouth bass fishing was good in 20 to 40 feet of water; bass were still deep. Very few salmon were reported in the Boardman River.

      East Grand Traverse Bay: Like West Bay, the thermocline varied anywhere from 60 to 100-plus feet down. Salmon fishing was good on the south end of the bay from the Center Road Launch to South Bank, and up the east side to Deepwater Point. Flasher fly, meat, spoons and plugs all worked well.

      Petoskey/Harbor Springs: Salmon fishing on both the north and south side of Little Traverse Bay was productive depending on the day. Both the mornings and evenings provided success. Trolling anywhere in 75 to 150 feet of water at half the water column landed fish. Chinooks, cohos and lake trout were reported. Trolling green, black and silver spoons and flies was the most successful; however, the plug bite was getting better. Those fishing the Bear River reported the occasional Chinook and coho bite.

      Frankfort: The Chinook numbers were good, with anglers also reporting good sizes. Anglers were in 100 to 150 feet of water and worked the top 50 to 70 feet early in the morning and a bit deeper as the sun moved up. The pier and jigging slowed, with anglers reporting low numbers, but the Chinooks that moved into the bay were not running up the river. Anglers reported coho in the area, and they were hitting on three-color or sliders around 25 to 35 feet down.

      • For a list of bait and tackle shops in the Frankfort area: Click Here!

      Onekama: Straight out and heading north, anglers in 90 to 120 feet of water who worked the top 70 feet reported good numbers of Chinook in the early morning and at sunset. Meat rigs landed good numbers, with black and greens working best.


      Below are links to bait shop listings organized by county: 

      Your area may not be listed within this fishing report so below is a list of links to pages in Northeast Michigan to help guide you to public lakes in your county.
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      8/30/23 Northeast Lower Peninsula, Michigan Fishing Report

       



      Northeast Lower Peninsula

      Presque Isle: Anglers reported good trout fishing straight out of the harbor in depths of 90 to 120 feet of water. Spoons and dodgers with spin glows worked well 40 to 60 feet down. A few Chinook and walleyes were caught on lead cores that were run from 20 to 40 feet. North of the lighthouse to Thompson Harbor had decent catches of Chinook, steelhead and trout. With temperatures in the 40s, anglers reported most fish being caught in the top 45 feet of water in depths of 60 to 110 feet. Those targeting walleye reported fishing as slow and scattered. 

      • For more public lakes in Presque Isle county: Click Here!

      Cheboygan River: Most boat anglers trolled between the channel buoys and the pier head. Salmon were caught, but not in great numbers. Shore anglers had the most success casting spoons off the pier. Fish were caught at the dam, though numbers were low. Early morning continued to be the time when the salmon were most active. Smallmouth and pike were still available in the lower stretches of river, though few people were targeting them. 

      Rockport: Anglers going out around Middle Island caught good amounts of walleye, as well as the occasional Chinook, steelhead and lake trout in depths varying from 70 to 100 feet of water. Near Stoneport in 80 to 90 feet of water was the best spot for anglers targeting Chinook. Anglers reported having the best luck using spoons and meat rigs.

      Alpena: Cool water moving into the bay brought in Chinooks. Anglers reported salmon to be scattered across the bay in depths of 25 to 40 feet of water. J-plugs and spoons caught a few fish when run 10 to 20 feet down. Green, blue and silver baits had the most success. Walleye were reported to be scattered, with the most consistent catches coming from 40 to 50 feet of water toward Scarecrow Island and the Thunder Bay Islands. Crankbaits and spoons worked best in the middle of the water column. A few catfish, pike and bass were caught fishing the pier head, Grass Island and the shallows around Sulphur Island.  

      Thunder Bay River: Anglers targeting Chinook reported slow fishing, with only a few being caught while trolling plugs early and late in the day. A few fish were seen surfacing from the pier head to the 9th Street dam. Walleye and smallmouth bass were caught around Lamar Park floating crawlers late in the evenings. Spinner baits and large spinners were productive on pike along the pier and boat harbor.

      Tawas/Au Gres: Both Tawas and Au Gres saw low fishing pressure due to weather. Walleye and perch catches were come and go. Anglers reported that the fish were out there, they just weren’t biting. Some anglers reported seeing a few sheepshead, an occasional bowfin, as well as some catfish. Bluegill and crappie fishing was decent for anglers fishing from the shore of tributaries in the Au Gres area.

      Oscoda/Au Sable: Due to rough water, fishing pressure was down. Some anglers reported catching a few Chinook off the pier in the morning using spoons and stick baits.

      Rogers City: Anglers mostly fished Swan Bay as the Chinooks were staging. They were fishing anywhere from inside the bay out to 90 feet of water. Anglers used downriggers, planer boards with lead core and copper, and dipsies, and ran lines throughout the water column for best results. Anglers fished with spoons, J-plugs, flashers with squids and flies, and meat rigs. Good colors to use were greens, oranges, black and white, yellow, and glow stuff early and late. The salmon bite was the best after sunset or in the early morning hours before sunrise. Anglers were heavily focused on fishing salmon, with low fishing pressure for other species.


      Below are links to bait shop listings organized by county:


      Your area may not be listed within this fishing report so below is a list of links to pages in Northeast Michigan to help guide you to public lakes in your county.

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      8/30/23 Southwest Lower Peninsula, Michigan DNR Fishing Report

       


      Southwest Lower Peninsula

      Muskegon: Boat anglers found the action to be slow for salmon. Anglers had the most success fishing for salmon 55 to 100 feet in 70 to 130 feet of water. Glow spoons, meat rigs and J-plugs seemed to work the best.

      • For a more accurate report on the Muskegon Lake & the Muskegon River I suggest reaching out to the people at Snug Harbor Outfitters. Phone: (231-719-0759)

      Grand Haven: Boat anglers reported salmon action as good in 40 to 80 feet of water. Glow or chrome J-plugs worked well, along with white flasher/flies. Pier anglers caught a few salmon while casting spoons in low light conditions.

      South Haven: Poor weather limited fishing activity. When boat anglers made it out, the salmon fishing was pretty good. The best fishing was in around 100 feet of water. Anglers did well from 90 to 120 feet of water. Using meat rigs, rotators and flies seemed to catch the most fish. Perch fishing was inconsistent. The beginning of the week, anglers were doing well in 30 feet of water, but they struggled toward the end of the week. Pier fishing was slow for all species except sheepshead. Anglers trolling the Black River for salmon also had a very slow week.  

      St. Joseph: Due to poor weather, very few anglers made it out salmon fishing. Boat anglers were targeting 90 to 100 feet of water when they made it out. Perch fishing was also slow due to weather. Pier anglers who targeted trout and salmon had slow fishing. There were a few smallmouth bass and sheepshead caught.

      Note: At any time you can view the Berrien Springs fish ladder cam by go to this link or following their youtube channel. Subscribing to their channel helps fund the fish ladder cam. 

      Nearby Bait Shops Include: 
      Fishin Hole (269) 982-3474
      Tackle Haven (269) 925-0341
      Great Lakes Tackle  (269) 208-6178
      Fishing Hole 2 (269) 468-7522 

      For more bait shops in the southwest lower peninsula follow the links below:
      Berrien County Bait Shops: Click Here!
      Allegan County Bait Shops: Click Here!
      Ingham County Bait Shops: Click Here!
      Branch County Bait Shops: Click Here!
      Barry County Bait Shops: Click Here!
      Montcalm County Bait Shops: Click Here!
      Kalamazoo County Bait Shops: Click Here!
      Kent County Bait Shops: Click Here!

      Your area may not be listed within this fishing report so below is a list of links to pages in Southwest Michigan to help guide you to public lakes in your county.

      Allegan County Public Lakes: Click Here!
      Barry County Public Lakes: Click Here!
      Calhoun County Public Lakes: Click Here!

      Cass County Public Lakes: Click Here! 
      Kalamazoo County Public Lakes: Click Here!
      Oceana County Public Lakes: Click Here!
      Ottawa County Public Lakes: Click Here!
      Van Buren County Public Lakes: Click Here!
      Barry County Public Lakes: Click Here!



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