7/22/26 Northwest Lower Peninsula, Michigan Fishing Report

 

Northwest Lower Peninsula

Manistee: Anglers trolling for Chinook salmon caught a few fish during the early mornings, but overall activity was slow. Fish were found in 90 to 145 feet of water while trolling spoons 50 to 80 feet down. Lake trout were caught in decent numbers straight out from town and to the north, with anglers finding success near the bottom in 100 to 150 feet of water. Those targeting steelhead from the piers were unsuccessful.

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

Ludington: Anglers targeting Chinook salmon caught a few fish at Big Sable Point in 110 to 300 feet of water while fishing 50 to 80 feet down. A few fish were also caught to the south in 60 to 115 feet of water, primarily fishing around 80 feet down. Fishing was inconsistent, with most Chinook salmon being smaller-sized fish. Spoons and flasher-fly combinations produced results. Pier fishing remained slow due to warm water temperatures.

Charlevoix: Boat anglers reported slow fishing for lake trout and the occasional small silver fish. Those who found success trolled spoons anywhere from 25 to 100 feet down in 100 to 150 feet of water. Anglers fishing the Pine River Channel reported limited to no success targeting cisco and smallmouth bass.

Little Traverse Bay: Anglers targeting smallmouth bass reported slow but steady catches, primarily while fishing along the north shore of the bay. Casting tubes, body baits, and occasionally using natural bait produced results. Anglers targeting lake trout found success fishing in 70 to 120 feet of water west of Harbor Springs near the refuge.

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

West Grand Traverse Bay: Lake trout were caught by anglers jigging around the Red 6 buoy in 50 to 80 feet of water. Gold- and white-colored jigging spoons produced well. Anglers trolling along the west bank just north of Greilickville in 30 to 80 feet of water also caught a few lake trout. Smallmouth bass were being caught throughout the bay in 5 to 10 feet of water, with swimbaits and drop-shot rigs producing the best results.

East Grand Traverse Bay: Smallmouth bass were being caught in good numbers by anglers fishing the South Flats and in front of the state park. Water temperatures ranged between 60 and 63 degrees.

Smallmouth bass continued to be caught in the Elk River.

Leland: No fishing activity to report.

Frankfort/Lake Michigan: Alewife moved out into deeper waters, causing the bite to slow this week. Anglers trolled in deeper waters ranging from 140 to 220 feet and used spoons and flies 80 to 100 feet down. The Chinook salmon that were landed were primarily smaller fish. Lake trout anglers reported very good numbers and sizes in Platte Bay, the Six Mile Hole, and off the shelf.

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

Below are links to bait shop listings organized by county: 

• Benzie County Click Here!
• Charlevoix County Click Here!
• Grand Traverse County Click Here!

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.

• Charlevoix County Public Lakes: Click Here!
• Cheboygan County Public Lakes: Click Here!
• Grand Traverse County Public Lakes: Click Here!
• Lake County Public Lakes: Click Here!
• Leelanau County Public Lakes: Click Here!
• Mason County Public Lakes: Click Here!
• Antrim County Public Lakes: Click Here!
• Otsego County Public Lakes: Click Here!
• Osceola County Public Lakes: Click Here!