9/13/2018 Northeast Lower Peninsula, Michigan Fishing Report

Northeast Lower Peninsula

To access the original Michigan DNR fishing Report: Click Here!

Cheboygan River:  Anglers trying for salmon did not have much luck. There were a few splashes up near the dam, but harvest numbers were low. Most were floating spawn, drifting worms or casting crank baits and spinners. Those targeting walleye while drifting worms caught a few smallmouth bass. There is one gate open at the dam. Water temperatures were in the low 70’s.

Ocqueoc River:  Had few anglers. Salmon were starting to stage near the mouth however there was build up at the sand bar.

Black Lake:  Was producing a few nice catches of walleye but the fish were smaller. Perch can also be found.

Rogers City:  Chinook salmon can be found around Swan Bay. Anglers are using J-plugs and bombers in eight to 30 feet and at least 100 feet back as well as lines off planer boards out to the side. Out deeper, anglers are still getting Chinook, lake trout, Atlantics, coho and walleye when they find baitfish. Try throughout the water column in 40 to 120 feet with spoons, J-plugs, bombers, and flashers with flies, squid or cut bait. Hot colors were green, blue, purple, black and white or glow early and late.

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

Grand Lake:  Was producing a few perch and walleye.

Long Lake:  Bass fishing was starting to heat up.

Alpena:  Should still have good lake trout fishing. Atlantic salmon should return to Thunder Bay soon.

• For more Alpena County Lakes: Click Here!
• For a list of Alpena County bait and tackle shops: Click Here!

Thunder Bay River:  Anglers are trying for salmon but very few are in the river yet. Fishing has been very quiet as we wait for cooler temperatures to bring down the water temperature.

Black River:  High winds kept anglers off the lake, but those able to get out should be able find walleye in the early morning or evening when trolling crank baits in 20 to 35 feet. Those casting spoons and spinners at the mouth were targeting trout and salmon.

Harrisville:  Before the strong winds, anglers had picked up a few lake trout, salmon, and suspending walleye when trolling spoons and dodgers with flies in 60 to 140 feet. Most were found in the bottom half of the water column.

• For more Alcona County Lakes: Click Here!
• For a list of Alcona County bait and tackle shops: Click Here!

Oscoda:  Lake trout, steelhead and walleye were found by those trolling spoons and spin-glo’s in the bottom half of waters up to 100 feet deep. Those targeting Chinook were trolling spoons and J-plugs off the mouth of the river. A couple fish were taken by pier anglers when casting spoons in the early morning or late evening. Blue, chrome and glow were the hot colors. A couple smallmouth bass were taken on crawlers or crank baits off the north pier. Those drifting or still-fishing with crawlers caught smallmouth bass, rock bass and drum.

• For more Oscoda County Lakes: Click Here!

Au Sable River:  Fishing was still slow in the lower river. Smallmouth bass, rock bass, yellow perch and a few undersized walleye were caught by those drifting crawlers. Water temperature in the lower river was in the low 70s.

Au Sable River Store

680 River Rd.

Oscoda Twp. Mi 48750

(989) 739-5332

Houghton Lake:  Fishing is slow as water clarity has been low since the storms and strong winds. The bite should pick up once the lake settles down. The best bite was in the canals where bluegills were caught on leeches and wax worms or bass on tube baits and rubber worms. The odd pike was found in the weed beds.

Nearby Bait & Tackle Shops:

Lymans On the Lake Resort: (989) 422-3231

H&H Fireworks, Guns & Sporting Goods: (989) 366-0126

Tawas:  Those trolling up in the armpit of Tawas Bay did manage to catch the odd walleye when trolling with planer boards.

Tawas River:  Has produced the occasional Chinook salmon. 

• For more Iosco County Lakes: Click Here!

Au Gres:  Some perch were caught near the Bell Buoy off Whitestone Point in 30 to 40 feet. Anglers may also want to try near the NOAA weather buoy in 30 feet. 

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.

Alcona County Public Lakes: Click Here!

Alpena County Public Lakes: Click Here!

Clare County Public Lakes: Click Here!
Crawford County Public Lakes: Click Here!

Gladwin County Public Lakes: Click Here!

Iosco County Public Lakes: Click Here!

Montmorency Public Lakes: Click Here! 
Ogemaw County Public Lakes: Click Here!

Oscoda County Public Lakes: Click Here!

Presque Isle County Public Lakes: Click Here!