7/9/2020 Southeast Lower Peninsula Michigan Fishing Report

Southeast Lower Peninsula

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

Lake Erie: Walleye action slowed as wind and a hatch of gnats made for tough fishing.  Some fish were found 15 to 20 feet down in 28 feet. Gold, purple and orange were hot colors. Those fishing the Hot Pond for catfish were not disappointed. No big numbers of perch; however, some anglers did have one or two jumbo fish as part of their catch.

From our friend Rich over at Andy's Tackle: Some anglers have been venturing out to the  sister islands for perch, however keep in mind that west sister island is in Ohio waters and east sister island is Ontario waters. So if you decide to make that trip make sure you have appropriate licenses.  Walleye anglers have mostly been targeting Lake Erie rather than the river, with Harnesses and  small spoons being the lures of choice. 

• 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. 

• 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.

Belle Isle: The lakes on the island are all pretty choked up with weeds.  However bass and pike are being caught on topwater frogs and buzzbaits.  While the larger bluegill and crappie are being caught on squirrel tail jigs and beetle spins along the weed edges in deeper water. Live bait has also worked well for bluegill and crappie if you're willing to weed through the smaller fish. 

Detroit River: Those targeting white bass continue to catch fish. The odd walleye was caught in the lower river. In the mornings and evenings a few large channel catfish are being caught on night crawlers at the foot of Southfield Road and Jefferson in Ecorse. With plenty of freshwater drum and rockbass coming up as bycatch.  

• For more public lakes to fish in Wayne County: Click Here! 
• Wayne County Bait Shops: Click Here

Lake St. Clair: Walleye were caught near the mouth of the South Channel off the shipping channel in 20 feet when trolling a crawler harness with bottom bouncers.  Some yellow perch were caught in the same area. Musky were caught trolling the shipping channel and near the Dumping Grounds. Panfish action was good in Bouvier Bay near the weed beds and out in the bay on the cabbage beds, where good size bluegills and pumpkinseed were caught. The smallmouth bite is starting to pick up, with fish hitting top water lures in the early morning or tube baits and swim baits near the Mile roads. Some caught a few down near the mouth of the Detroit River. 

• 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: Walleye were caught 3 miles off Linwood in 18 to 21 feet with crawlers and

crankbaits. Those using crawlers caught fish 2 miles east of Spoils Island in 21 feet and at the old Dumping Grounds in 22 feet. A few anglers targeting perch were drifting in and around 28 feet just east of the Spark Plug but had little success. Walleye were caught all along the Slot from Sunset Marina to North Island in 18 to 20 feet. Those fishing the center of the bay out near the Coryeon Reef found walleye in 22 to 24 feet and east of the buoys in 26 to 28 feet. Off Bay Port, some had eight to 12 per boat, with the better fishing outside the islands in 18 to 20 feet with a crawler harness or flicker shad.  The fish were suspended about halfway down. Off Caseville, walleyes were found off the end of Sand Point and off Oak Point. 

• For a more accurate report on Saginaw Bay I suggest taking a look at the weekly Saginaw Bay Fishing Report given to you by Saginawbay.com

Port Austin: Anglers targeting walleye around the lighthouse and to the west in 20 to 30 feet caught a few with crawlers and crankbaits. Lake trout were caught by those trolling Yankee Reef in 115 to 135 feet with spoons in the bottom half of the water column. Those fishing around the thumb caught freshwater drum. 

Grindstone City: A few walleyes were caught straight out as well as both north and south of the port in 25 to 35 feet with a crawler harness and artificial baits. Smallmouth bass and sunfish were caught on crawlers and body baits inside the harbor.

Harbor Beach: Anglers were targeting walleye in 30 to 40 feet between the harbor and Port Hope when using a crawler harness or crankbaits. 

• Huron County Bait Shops: Click Here!

Port Sanilac and Lexington: Steelhead and salmon fishing was good out of Port Sanilac when trolling downriggers and three colors of lead core about halfway down in 100 to 120 feet straight out and to the north. At Lexington, perch were caught in the weed beds 2 miles to the north when drifting. Bluegill and rock bass were taken on crawlers inside the harbor.

Below are links to bait shop listings organized by county:  

• Wayne County Click Here!
• Washtenaw County Click Here!
• Bay County Click Here!
• Monroe County Click Here!
• Livingston County Click Here!
• Ingham County Click Here!
• Genesee County Click Here!

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.

Clinton County Public Lakes: Click Here!

Genessee County Public Lakes: Click Here!

Hillsdale County Public Lakes: Click Here!

Jackson County Public Lakes: Click Here!

Lapeer County Public Lakes: Click Here!

Lenawee County Public Lakes: Click Here!

Livingston County Public Lakes: Click Here!

Oakland County Public Lakes Page 1: Click Here! 

Oakland County Public Lakes Page 2: Click Here!

Washtenaw County Public Lakes: Click Here!

Wayne County Public Lakes: Click Here!