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

Northwest Lower Peninsula

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

Harbor Springs:  Boats fishing from Harbor Point north to Cross Village caught lake trout 80 to 120 feet down.

Petoskey:  Boat anglers reported slower catch rates with only a few lake trout and the occasional coho taken. The lake trout were scattered anywhere from 50 to 140 feet down in deeper water. A couple salmon were caught near the mouth of the river when using spawn, flies or stick baits. There is increasing angler pressure at the end of the piers after dusk and before dawn.

Bear River:  Water levels dropped and were in good shape. Though anglers were getting some Chinook near the dam, the action did slow. A couple small steelhead were caught. Most were using spawn bags, flies and artificial eggs. Another push of salmon could come with rain and cooler temperatures.    

Charlevoix:  Boat anglers were targeting salmon in the shallower waters inside the breakwall at the cement plant. Those in the channel were targeting smallmouth bass. The action was hit-or-miss but some good size fish were caught on real or artificial worms and leeches. A couple salmon were caught before dawn and after dusk by pier anglers. The Medusa Weir is in operation, so fishing is closed on the creek as well as a 100’ radius out from the mouth.

Lake Charlevoix:  Boats were starting to fish near the Belvedere Club. Those trolling for salmon caught a few fish. Rumor has it a few Chinook were starting to show up in the Boyne River.  

• For a more accurate report on Lake Charlevoix I suggest reaching out to the people at Tom's Bait & Tackle. Phone: (231-536-3521)

Traverse City:  A few Chinook and cisco were caught in the East Bay when trolling out from the launch and to the south. Lake trout were also caught when trolling around Deepwater Point. In the Elk River, a few salmon were caught in the morning up near the dam. There are plenty of smallmouth bass in the river. In the West Bay, salmon fishing was slow at the south end with only a couple Chinook caught when trolling. Lake trout were taken by those jigging along the west side of the island and south of it.  Bass fishing was slow but a few were found in 20 feet. Small perch were found in Bowers Harbor, south of Elmwood and in Sutton’s Bay. On the Boardman River, salmon fishing was slow but a few Chinook were taken on spoons or body baits up at the dam either early morning or evening. A few Chinook and coho were caught below the new pedestrian bridge which is just below the weir. Skein and spawn worked best.  

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

Frankfort:  Those jigging or trolling the bay reported lower numbers however Chinook were still being caught as the fish are moving into the Betsie River at night. Very good numbers of coho were caught in Platte Bay when trolling or jigging in 80 to 100 feet.  Pier anglers caught Chinook and coho when casting glow spoons or black spinners early and late.  

• For a list of bait and tackle shops in the Benzie County: Click Here!

Betsie River:  Anglers caught Chinook salmon all the way up to the Homestead Dam, but the action was starting to slow.    

Portage Lake:  Cooler temperatures turned on the perch bite. Fish were hitting on worms in 12 to 18 feet along the west side.  

Manistee:  Surface water temperatures dropped to 60 degrees. Fishing slowed but coho and a few Chinook could still be found in 150 to 200 feet. Chinook were also picked up when trolling in the channel and by pier anglers.  

Nearby Bait & Tackle Shops:
Don's Sporting Goods: (231) 723-5028

Tangled Tackle Co.: (231) 887-4242

Pappy's Bait & Tackle: (231) 848-4142
Andy's Tackle Box: (231) 477-5737

Manistee River:  Chinook and some coho have been caught up near Tippy Dam. The rain and cooler weather had brought in some fresh fish. Most were using spawn, skein, flies or spoons.    

Ludington:  Surface water temperatures have cooled to the lower 60’s and a few coho, steelhead and lake trout were caught in 180 to 250 feet. Pier anglers were getting a few fish early or late.  

Pere Marquette Lake:  Chinook were still being caught when trolling or jigging however the action did slow.  

Pere Marquette River:  Continues to produce a fair to good number of Chinook salmon including some very large fish.   

Pentwater:  Chinook, coho and the odd steelhead or lake trout were caught 40 to 80 feet down in 160 to 200 feet. Spoons in orange, red, or green fished well along with white or green flies. Pier anglers casting spoons and body baits caught the occasional chinook salmon in the early morning hours.  

Pentwater Lake:  Anglers casting body baits from Longbridge Road reported very slow salmon fishing. Those still-fishing with perch rigs tipped with wax worms caught yellow perch in 20 to 30 feet. 

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

Antrim County Public Lakes: Click Here!

Cheboygan County Public Lakes: Click Here!
Charlevoix County Public Lakes: Click Here!
Leelanau County Public Lakes: Click Here!