Wednesday, June 3, 2026

6/3/26 Northeast Lower Peninsula, Michigan Fishing Report

 

Northeast Lower Peninsula


Tawas/Au Gres: Smallmouth bass were caught and released by boat anglers. Those fishing from shore at the Tawas River mouth reported slow fishing overall with only a few freshwater drum and catfish being caught.

In Au Gres, Boat anglers fishing straight out of Au Gres caught some walleye with numbers averaging at two to five fish per boat in around 28 feet of water. Boat anglers heading out from the Pine River seemed to see better numbers trolling the shallower water. Both crawlers and body baits produced catches. Northern pike, channel catfish, freshwater drum and white bass were also caught. Shore anglers targeting panfish reported slow fishing.

Alpena: Walleye anglers reported success in Thunder Bay while trolling crankbaits during low-light conditions. Crawler harnesses had hit-or-miss success during the day in 12 to 20 feet of water. With high winds, fish were scattered throughout the bay.

Anglers fishing 40 to 80 feet of water had success with lake trout using spoons and Spin-N-Glos fished lower in the water column. Atlantic salmon and a few coho salmon were taken on spoons fished higher in the water column, with orange, watermelon, and chartreuse proving productive.

Smallmouth bass were found in 5 to 10 feet of water, with white, black, and silver jigs working well.

Thunder Bay River: Decent numbers of walleye were caught throughout the river on jigs, crawlers, and body baits. Natural colors worked best throughout the day. Atlantic salmon were caught while casting smaller body baits and spinners in blue/silver, green/silver, and gold. Good numbers of catfish were taken by anglers fishing with crawlers on the bottom during the evenings and after dark.

Rockport: Atlantic salmon were caught from shore on minnows as well as small spoons. Boat anglers reported success on lake trout in 25 to 80 feet of water. Fish remained well scattered, with water temperatures in the mid-40s. Spoons in chartreuse, white, and watermelon were productive, as well as dodgers and Spin-N-Glos. A few steelhead were taken while fishing bright-colored spoons high in the water column. Bass anglers reported decent smallmouth fishing near Bell Bay in 5 to 10 feet of water while using plastic swimbaits.


Cheboygan: The Cheboygan Lock and Dam Complex remains closed to the public. Lake trout were plentiful this past week. Anglers were very successful at Poe Reef, Reynolds Reef, and Cordwood Point in 40 to 60 feet of water. They primarily hit spoons, with occasional catches on Spin-N-Glos and flashers. Productive colors included green, yellow, and orange.

In the Cheboygan River, walleye and steelhead were reported. Walleye reports increased as the week progressed. Shore anglers drifted various combinations of jigs and live bait, while boat anglers drifted nightcrawlers exclusively. Some anglers came close to their bag limits for walleye, although most caught one fish per trip.

Steelhead anglers were successful while drifting beads. Both walleye and steelhead were caught between the State Street drawbridge and the Cheboygan pedestrian walkway bridge.

Oscoda/Au Sable: Anglers casting bandits and deep husky jerks off the pierhead found some walleye. Anglers trolling scatter raps in the lower river and around the pierhead picked up walleye. A handful of Atlantic salmon were taken by anglers drifting minnows under a bobber in the lower river. Lake trout fishing was reported great with limits being taken in 50 to 70 feet of water on spoons and dodgers/Spin-N-Glos. A handful of coho salmon, steelhead and pink salmon were also caught by anglers trolling spoons.

Harrisville: Anglers casting in the harbor caught pike and smallmouth. Anglers targeting lake trout in 50 to 65 feet of water did well this week on spoons and Spin-N-Glos. A few coho salmon, Atlantic salmon and steelhead were also caught in 50 to 65 feet of water.

Rogers City: Lake trout were plentiful, and many anglers limited out. The best depths were 30 to 70 feet of water. Running lines throughout the water column produced the best results. Attractors with Spin-N-Glos worked well in the bottom 10 feet. Spoons were also productive, particularly in green, blue, orange, and yellow colors. Lead cores, downriggers, and dipsy divers were all effective.

Some Atlantic salmon were also caught in the top 30 feet of the water column. Anglers had success using brightly colored, smaller spoons.

Presque Isle: Lake trout fishing was very good, and most anglers limited out. The best depths were 40 to 90 feet of water. Anglers ran lines throughout the water column for the best results. Spoons, as well as attractors with Spin-N-Glos or Spin-N-Glo flies, were productive. Effective colors included green, blue, white, yellow, orange, gold, and copper.

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

There were occasional catches of steelhead, coho salmon, and Chinook salmon. The Atlantic salmon were found in the top 20 feet of the water column, while the other silver species were caught by running lines throughout the water column.


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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6/3/26 Southwest Lower Peninsula, Michigan DNR Fishing Report

 

Southwest Lower Peninsula


South Haven: Salmon anglers reported another good week of fishing. The salmon fishing got tougher the last couple of days; 75 to 100 feet of water was the most consistent. Standard sized spoons worked best. Pier anglers caught a few steelhead and a decent number of freshwater drum. Most of the fish were caught on shrimp or alewife. Perch fishing pressure was very low.

St. Joseph: Salmon fishing was slow with fish being reported as spread out. Anglers caught fish from 55 feet of water out well beyond 120 feet of water. The most consistent water was around 80 feet. Pier fishing was steady. Steelhead were caught on shrimp as well as live bait and by casting.

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 

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. 

St. Joseph River: Good numbers of walleye were caught in the lower St Joseph river by anglers trolling crank baits and drifting crawlers. 

Muskegon: Salmon fishing slowed down slightly over the past week but a fair number were still caught. Salmon were scattered in 60 to 220 feet of water with the best action reported in 70 to 140 feet of water. Green and orange spoons worked well with a few caught on white flasher-flies.

  • 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 noticed the salmon action slowing down over the past week. They still caught a fair number of salmon in addition to a few steelhead 30 to 100 feet down in 60 to 140 feet of water. Spoons did the best in the colors of orange, yellow, and green. Pier anglers targeting steelhead found the action to be slow. Anglers casting the in the channel for freshwater drum caught a few on silver spoons.


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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6/3/2026 Southeast, Michigan Fishing Report


 

Southeast Lower Peninsula

Lake Erie: Walleye fishing continued to be excellent this past week. The fish had moved slightly deeper, with anglers having the most success northeast of Bolles Harbor in 20 to 24 feet of water using both bottom bouncers and crankbaits.

Some anglers caught a few yellow perch while targeting walleye with crawlers, although it was still early in the season for them to be fully schooled up. Many catfish were caught out in the DTE hot ponds using natural bait.

The Detroit River also continued to produce walleye, with many anglers catching fish there and bringing them to the Sterling State Park Fish Cleaning Station. Shore fishing in the lagoons at the state park was also very good for panfish, bass, and catfish. Both lures and natural baits were effective there. The best colors for harnesses and lures for walleye were green and orange.

  • 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.

Saginaw River: Anglers fishing for bass in the lower Saginaw River caught both smallmouth and largemouth bass while casting artificial baits around structure and rocky areas. They also caught the occasional northern pike and walleye. Other anglers fishing with nightcrawlers on the bottom caught mostly freshwater drum and channel catfish.

Eastern Saginaw Bay: Fishing around Quanicassee produced walleye in 12 to 14 feet of water and in as shallow as 6 feet. Some anglers also caught walleye around Callahan Reef and the southern end of the slot.

From Sunset Marina to Sebewaing, anglers caught walleye off the bar and along the edges where it dropped off into 20 to 24 feet of water. Some walleye were also caught in deeper water around 26 feet east of the shipping channel. A few large yellow perch were mixed in with the walleye. Body baits and crawler harnesses both produced fish in a variety of colors.


Lower Saginaw Bay: Walleye anglers were successful at Callahan Reef, trolling in 9 to 12 feet of water using crawler harnesses. Anglers also caught fish near Sparkplug while trolling in 23 feet of water with flicker shads, and 3 miles northeast of the area while trolling with flicker shads. Additional success was reported by anglers trolling in front of Linwood in 18 to 22 feet of water using crawler harnesses.

Tittabawassee River: Fishing pressure was light. Anglers fishing in the vicinity of Caldwell Boat Launch caught freshwater drum and channel catfish while fishing with nightcrawlers on the bottom.

For Bait Shops in Southeast Michigan See List Below:

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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