Michigan Weekly Fishing Report: October 6, 2016

Weekly Fishing Report

October 6, 2016

Southeast Lower Peninsula  Southwest Lower Peninsula  Northeast Lower Peninsula  Northwest Lower Peninsula  Upper Peninsula  Great Lakes Temperature Map  Weekly Fishing Tip Fall fishing continues and will only get better as temperatures drop.  Trout and salmon are in the rivers though numbers are still light in some areas.  Fish in the inland lakes are starting to feed more as they prepare for winter.   Southeast Lower Peninsula Lake Erie:  Perch fishing did slow some.  The better fishing was in 17 to 21 feet near the E-Buoy, 19 to 23 feet near Buoys 1 & 2 off the River Raisin, and 20 to 25 feet off Stony Point.   There were a couple reports of decent catches in significantly shallower water in Brest Bay and off the Erie Consumers Power Plant.  Most are using perch or crappie rigs with spreaders and shiners.  A couple walleye were caught in the early morning when trolling crank baits or a crawler harness straight out from Fermi and the mouth of the River Raisin near Ohio waters.  Some caught the occasional legal size walleye, white perch or white bass when using shiners for perch.  Shore anglers at the Hoffman Memorial access site caught some decent sunfish on perch or crappie rigs with a crawler or shiner.   A couple largemouth bass were caught from the pier.  Shore anglers on Whitewood Creek in Luna Pier caught largemouth and panfish on crawlers.   Detroit River:  Anglers continue to catch yellow perch with emerald shiners on perch rigs.  Walleye were caught in the channels especially between Sugar Island and Grosse Ile and the Trenton Channel.      Oakland County:  Water temperatures on both Cass and Union Lake continue to drop and most species are starting to school up.  Anglers were seeing good bluegill action though finding bigger fish was not easy.  Some are fishing the mouth of the canals while others found fish along the drop-offs. Bass anglers are targeting the sandbars and weedy flats.  Those casting baits that imitate baitfish did best.  A few pike and walleye were caught on crankbaits and spinners. Lake St. Clair:  Yellow perch were caught with emerald shiners on perch rigs near Buoy 27.  Perch and catfish were caught by those still-fishing or drifting in the same area.  Walleye were caught by those jigging in 25 to 30 feet near the mouth of the South Channel.  Muskie were caught near the spillway and smallmouth bass were taken in eight feet near the mouth of the Middle Channel.  On the north end, smallmouth bass were caught in 8 feet near Selfridge when casting crank baits.  Those moving around had better luck.  Largemouth and pike were caught in less than 10 feet in Bouvier Bay when casting crank baits or spinners.  Walleye and drum were caught when jigging or trolling a crawler harness around Grassy Island.   Lexington and Port Sanilac:  Atlantic salmon have begun staging off the Lexington Harbor where pier and shore anglers were starting to catch a few.  The water was very clear and fish could be seen quite easily.  They like bright colored lures like orange and chartreuse.  Pier anglers caught a few pike.  A couple boats from Port Sanilac did manage to catch a walleye and steelhead.   Harbor Beach:  Night fishing for walleye is starting.  One angler did well on perch which were suspended halfway down.   Port Austin:  Had rumors of walleye being caught off the wall at night.   Saginaw Bay:  Perch were caught off the Pinconning Bar near Gambil’s Marina, Buoys 22 & 24 along the shipping channel, and along the old shipping channel.  Lots of small fish were caught inside the Linwood Beach Marina.  Perch fishing off Quanicassee was boom or bust as one boat came in with a limit and the next came in with none.  Lots of smaller perch along with the occasional keeper were caught in the Quanicassee River.  Shore anglers at Sebewaing caught panfish, pike and undersize bass at the Municipal Marina with tube jigs.  Pier and shore anglers at Caseville are starting to look for perch but it’s still a bit early.    Saginaw River:  Was very muddy after all the rain.  Boat anglers heading out say the water starts clearing up once you get out past Spoils Island.  A limit of perch was taken off the Karn-Weadok Plant at the mouth, off Bay Harbor Marina and near the Wirt Stone Dock at the Independence Bridge.   Back to Top Southwest Lower Peninsula St. Joseph:  There still seems to be a few fish out in 100 feet however boat anglers were struggling.  Perch and pier fishing were slow.  There is a lot of baitfish around the piers where anglers caught freshwater drum and bass.    St. Joseph River:   Those fishing near the Berrien Springs Dam caught salmon and steelhead.  Those drifting spawn bags were doing very well.   South Haven:  A few lake trout were caught in 130 feet when trolling spoons.  Perch fishing was very slow.  Anglers report a lot of baitfish around the piers and those fishing have caught freshwater drum.   Black River:  Anglers caught a few salmon when casting spoons.  Those trolling reported slower catch rates.   Grand Haven:  Boat anglers are catching trout and young salmon 30 to 80 feet down in 60 to 110 feet with green, orange or blue spoons.  Pier fishing was slow with only a few catfish and freshwater drum taken on minnows.  The south pier is closed to the public until the summer of 2017.   Grand River at Grand Rapids:  Catch rates were spotty for Chinook, coho and steelhead.  Most were floating spawn bags.   Grand River at Lansing:  Continues to produce a good number of smallmouth bass in areas with sand or gravel as well as below the dams.  They are hitting on crawlers, minnows and anything rubber including a jig with a twister tail.  A few salmon were caught at the Webber Dam near Portland but anglers were working hard to get them.   Looking Glass River:  Anglers caught a few bass and smaller pike.   Lake Ovid:  Was producing a few largemouth bass.  Not much on bluegills but anglers might find some bigger crappie.     Muskegon:  A mix of trout and salmon were taken 20 to 80 feet down in 60 to 120 feet with green and orange spoons and green flies.  Lake trout were caught on green or yellow spin-glo’s.  The south breakwall is closed for repairs.   Muskegon Lake:  Boat anglers caught a few nice perch.  The key is to keep moving until you locate a school of fish.   Muskegon River:  The higher water levels will help bring fish into the river.  Salmon fishing has been slow thus far but should pick up with cooler temperatures.  Anglers will be targeting the lower section with flies.  Some bass were also caught.        Whitehall:  Boat anglers are catching steelhead and salmon 40 to 60 feet down in 70 to 100 feet on plugs and green or blue flies.  Pier fishing remains slow, but the occasional salmon has been caught.   White River:  A few salmon have been seen up at the Hesperia Dam, but most of the angling has occurred in the lower sections of the river.  Back to Top Northeast Lower Peninsula Cheboygan:  Had few boats fishing off the mouth of the river and of the fish staging off the mouth, very few Chinook were caught.      Cheboygan River:  Seen a push of Chinook salmon and catch rates improved.  Catch rates were not excellent by any means however some are being caught every day.  Most of those caught have been males.  Try early morning, late evening or on cloudy days with skein, spoons or body baits.    Mullett Lake:  The water was still warm for this time of year.  Perch fishing has been inconsistent but a light number were still caught in Pigeon River Bay and near the Indian River.  Most were good size nine to 12 inches.  Anglers are putting in many hours to catch up to five bass.  Steelhead and walleye fishing was light.   Rogers City:  When anglers can get out, try fishing the entire water column in 45 to 120 feet for young Chinook, coho and Atlantic salmon, steelhead or walleye with spoons and body baits in orange and silver, blue and silver or green.  Look for the thermocline, baitfish and structure.  The younger Chinooks might be up near Forty Mile Point.   Presque Isle:  Anglers should be able to find some younger Chinook, steelhead Atlantics and possible walleye weather permitting.  Try straight out of the harbor or north between the two lighthouses and target the top 55 feet in waters up to 120 feet deep.  Look for baitfish and use the same colors as Rogers City.  Try anything that glows early and late for Chinook.   Oscoda:  Was slow with only a couple steelhead caught recently.   Some reported seeing salmon jumping around the piers and at the mouth of the river.    Higgins Lake:  Some were starting to catch a few big perch on shiners.  Those looking for lake trout continue to troll in 80 to 100 feet or more with spoons, cowbells and large minnows.  A fair to good number of rock bass have also been caught.   Houghton Lake:  Anglers were catching lots of bluegills in the weed lines in seven to nine feet.  Some have also caught a few bass, perch and crappie.  Walleye anglers are out but catch rates were few and far between.   Tawas:  Pier anglers started catching walleye at night when casting crank baits.     Tawas River:  Quite a few Chinook salmon were caught on spawn, spoons and body baits.  Be sure to watch for fish with a clipped adipose fin.   Au Gres:  Had no activity except for a few duck hunters.  Bad weather and windy conditions have limited boat anglers.   Back to Top Northwest Lower Peninsula Harbor Springs:  Water temperatures in the bay were warm however east winds have cooled the waters down.  With lake trout season closed, few boats were out.   Petoskey:  Had few boat anglers with the closing of lake trout season and none were looking for staging salmon inside the breakwall.  Anglers are still casting off the piers after dark and before dawn however only one fish was caught when casting glow spoons and crank baits.    Bear River:  Water levels were up and there were a lot of fish at the dam but catch rates slowed.  The cooler weather had anglers taking a few Chinook, coho, smaller steelhead and a couple brown trout however brown trout fishing closed on September 30.  A few lake trout were seen below the dam.  Anglers were using fresh skein, spawn bags, artificial eggs and flies.  As for coho, most of them have turned very dark already.   Boyne River:  Anglers were still reporting a good number of salmon in the river. Charlevoix:  Boats typically troll or cast inside the breakwall for salmon but few have been out.  Pier anglers fishing the channel are targeting smallmouth bass with live or artificial crawlers but catch rates are still hit-or-miss.  Those casting for salmon off the end of the pier had no luck.  Salmon fishing has been slow near the cement plant.  A couple fish were taken on spawn during the day but those casting crank baits and spoons at night were not having much luck.   Traverse City:  Lake trout season has closed on both bays.  Anglers were waiting for fish to enter the Boardman River but only a couple fish were observed.  Lake herring are still being caught along the south end of the East Bay where they were suspended in 80 to 100 feet.  Fish were caught straight out from Elk Rapids when jigging.  The Elk River produced some steelhead, coho and Chinook.   Boardman River:  Had heavy fishing pressure.  A few Chinook were caught by those drifting spawn.  In general, mornings were best.  For tourists, there are plenty of salmon in the river and they can be viewed from the weir downstream to the Cass Street Bridge.  Platte River:  Has fish but the bite slowed with the warmer temperatures.  A few were caught during the day but the better fishing was early morning or late evening.   Frankfort:  Those trolling the shoreline up in Platte Bay were getting some coho on spoons.  A couple small steelhead were caught on spawn both inside and outside the breakwall.  Betsie River:  Has Chinook salmon however many were turning quite dark.     Portage Lake:  Boat anglers were doing quite well for yellow perch in 18 to 20 feet.  Most were using minnows on perch rigs.   Manistee:  Surface water temperatures were on the warm side at 60 degrees.  Smaller Chinook and some steelhead were caught in 200 to 250 feet.  The dredging is now done however the equipment will remain in the harbor for the next week or so while crews perform maintenance.   Manistee Lake:  Large and smallmouth bass have been caught sporadically in shallow waters.  Anglers are tossing top-water baits in the morning and evening.    Big Manistee River:  Water temperatures are starting to drop.  Catch rates for Chinook and coho continue to be on the slow side but fish are still being caught on spawn and beads.  Darker color stoneflies are also producing fish.  Steelhead are showing up throughout the river and the bite was decent for those using spawn or flies.   Ludington:  Surface water temperatures were 58 degrees.  Steelhead and small Chinook salmon were caught in 200 to 220 feet.  Pier and shore fishing were slow.   Pentwater:  Angling activity on Lake Michigan slowed but those heading out did catch a few salmon 30 to 60 feet down in 60 to 100 feet.    Pentwater Lake:  Anglers caught pike when drifting minnows in the channel. Pentwater River:  Salmon were caught in the lower river when casting crank baits or drifting spawn.   Back to Top Upper Peninsula Ontonagon:  Lake trout fishing was very good about 80 feet down in 100 feet but no salmon activity.  Fall colors were at 60 to 75 percent.    Black River Harbor:  Boat anglers caught a few lake trout in 60 to 80 feet.  There were rumors of a few brown trout in the river but no catches were reported.   Menominee River:  Some walleye are being caught by those trolling stick baits between Stephenson Island and the mouth.  Spinners, tube baits and plastics are catching some nice smallmouth bass.   A few salmon were observed at the Hattie Street Dam.  Shore anglers caught walleye at night when using stick baits from the walkway.   Escanaba River:  Those fishing between Gwinn and Watson have caught walleye, brown trout and brook trout.   Marquette:  Boat anglers are catching lake trout and coho near the Lower Harbor and near the white rocks.  Salmon are starting to run in the rivers.  Some coho and Chinook were caught in the Carp and the Chocolay Rivers when using mostly spawn but some were also using crawlers and orange, pink or copper spinners.  Brown trout were also caught on crawlers or spinners in the Chocolay River.  The Dead River has not had much fishing pressure but anglers did spot a few Chinook and pink salmon.    Munising:  Surface water temperatures remain warm and data from the temperature buoy shows water temperatures in the low 60’s about 100 feet down.  Fishing remains slow with only a few coho caught by those trolling.  Anglers are trying variety of methods including jigging or casting around Sand Point and up to Murray Bay.  Fishing the Anna River Dock improved slightly with a few more splake caught but still slow for coho.  Anglers are using spawn bags or casting small orange and gold spoons.  A side note, fall leaf color has started to change over the last few days and was about 30 percent.   Grand Marais:  Has the same conditions as Munising with only a couple coho and a small rainbow caught by those trolling the harbor to the mouth of the Sucker River.  Shore anglers at the mouth of the Sucker River were using spawn bags or casting small orange, chartreuse or gold spoons but did not have much luck.   Two Hearted River:   Anglers are getting a few coho and steelhead but they are putting in a lot of time to get a few fish.  Water temperatures were near 54 degrees which is still a bit warm.  The run is later than normal this year.   St. Marys River:  From those targeting muskie, a few reports of success came from Raber Bay when trolling along the weed beds in five to seven feet on the northwest side.  Most were using black and yellow bucktail spinners or large green and yellow crank bait.  Moving from Swedes Pointe down to Detour Village, anglers had some good catches of walleye with a shiner under a slip bobber off the rocky ledges and points.  Set your bait 6 to 8 feet off the bottom in 12 to 14 feet.   Detour:  With lake trout and splake season closed, a few were out trolling for salmon along the Detour Reef and the 90 foot flat which is two miles south of the lighthouse.  Chinook were caught upstream from the Drummond Island Ferry Boat lane with flashers and squid 48 to 55 feet down in 80 feet.    Cedarville and Hessel:  Anglers out of Cedarville targeting yellow perch had good success taking fish nine to 11 inches and a few jumbos up to 12 inches.  Perch fishing seemed to be more productive with small schools of bigger perch on the north side of Government Island in eight to 10 feet.  A few walleye were caught in the narrow channel running in front of the Cedarville Golf Course just west of Snows Channel.  Try drifting or trolling crawler harnesses with bottom bouncers between the red and green buoys west to Mackinaw Bay in 12 to 14 feet.  The west end of Snows Channel has some good weed beds so try trolling crank baits in the early morning or late afternoon.  Bluegills and sunfish were caught on small worms in five to six feet around Echo Island.  The Hessel Marina and boat launch were reporting large schools of splake in the early morning and late afternoon.  Those casting or jigging natural spawn bags from the finger docks caught fish.  Some large pike were caught straight south of the Hessel Marina near Cube Point which is the first point on the north end of Marquette Island when trolling red and white spoons or still-fishing with creek chubs in eight to 14 feet.   St. Ignace:  Had very few boat anglers.  A few small Chinook were caught around Mackinac Island.  The Carp River is still producing some pink salmon right along with a few Chinook for those fishing near the spawning gravel.  Pink salmon were caught on flies, spawn and small spoons and the kings were taken on skein.  Nunns Creek is now closed to fishing but the lake is still open off the mouth but anglers are reminded to be careful and watch for all the gill nets.   Back to Top Fishing Tip: Go "hunting" for fish this fall Autumn can be one of the best times of year to seek out your favorite fish species for a day of fun angling. Several species to target this October and November include walleye, perch and trout. Walleye are thought to be in their best condition in the fall, and can often be found in the river-mouth areas of larger, inland lakes. They’re gathering there to take advantage of baitfish that like to hang out as the weather cools off. Set your sights on 10 to 12 feet deep to find these guys.  Perch will also populate around those same river-mouths, but these fish will likely be much closer to the river than walleyes. Check out depths as shallow as four feet to find them. Trout will be available in those larger lakes as well during this time period, and can be found in the same areas as the walleye and perch. Try your luck at some great angling this fall. For more information on the numerous opportunities to fish in Michigan, visit Michigan.gov/fishing.   Back to Top

The Weekly Fishing Report is intended to give anglers an idea of what is going on around the state. Updates come from DNR Fisheries seasonal and field staff, and DNR Conservation Officers. With more than 11,000 inland lakes, the Great Lakes and thousands of miles of rivers and streams, not all locations can be listed. However, it is safe to say if a species is being caught in some waters in the area, they are likely being caught in all waters in that section of the state that have that species.

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Holy Crap! Bass Pro Shops Just Acquired Cabelas!

(Photo: Nati Harnik, AP)

Ok, so I make it  a point not to take content from other sources and share them.  However this is news that every sportsman and woman needs to know, Bass Pro Shops is acquirng Cabelas. Wow!!  Here is the actual article that just posted on USA Today.

Bass Pro Shops has reached a deal to acquire outdoors retail competitor Cabela's and take the company private in a deal valued at $5.5 billion, the companies said Monday.

It was not immediately clear whether the acquisition would result in any store closures, but the companies said in a statement that Springfield, Mo.-based Bass Pro Shops would "celebrate and grow" the Cabela's brand.

The deal comes about 10 months after Sidney, Neb.-based Cabela's effectively put itself up for sale at the urging of hedge fund Elliott Management, which had declared the hunting-and-fishing retailer undervalued and called for the company to consider a sale or reorganization.

Privately held Bass Pro Shops will pay $65.50 per share in cash for Cabela's, representing a premium of 19.2% over Friday's closing price.

Cabela's shares rose 14.7% to $62.99 in pre-market trading Monday.

Long known for large-format destination stores, Cabela's has lost ground to smaller, nimbler competitors and online retailers. Sales at stores open at least a year fell 1.3% in the first half of 2016, compared to a year earlier, according to a securities filing.

The number of purchases at Cabela's stores fell 8.1% during that period, reflecting a drop-off in foot traffic as customers bought less clothing and footwear from the retailer, although hunting sales increased and average revenue per transaction rose 8.2%.

The deal marks a dramatic expansion of the outdoor retailing empire controlled by Bass Pro Shops CEO Johnny Morris, who founded the company in 1972. The billionaire will lead the newly combined entity as CEO and will retain majority ownership.

Bass Pro Shops has about 99 stores and 20,000 employees. Cabela's has about 85 stores and had about 19,700 employees at the end of 2015, according to securities filing.

Representatives for Cabela's and Bass Pro Shops did not respond to requests seeking comment, questions about potential store closures or interviews with executives.

"The story of each of these companies could only have happened in America, made possible by our uniquely American free enterprise system," Morris said in a statement. "We have enormous admiration for Cabela’s, its founders and outfitters, and its loyal base of customers."

Cabela's CEO Tommy Millner said the company's board had unanimously backed the sale after "a thorough strategic review."

Bass Pro Shops said it plans to maintain Cabela's operations in Sidney and Lincoln, Neb. "and hopes to continue the very favorable connections to those communities and the Cabela’s team members residing there."

The companies said they expect the deal to be approved in the first half of 2017.

Follow USA TODAY reporter Nathan Bomey on Twitter @NathanBomey.

Special Delivery! September 2016 Mystery Tackle Box Unboxing

I received my mystery tackle box today and I couldn't be more happy. Why? Because the fall bite is on and crank baits are the ticket this time of year. Apparently the team at Mystery Tackle Box considered this and sent me two this month, one shallow diving crank bait and one deep diving crank bait.  Couple that with last months Lucky Craft jerk bait, my spring and fall crank bait box will be pretty set.  So, without anymore rambling from me, below is the list of items that came in my September 2016 Mystery Tackle Box.

Skinny Bear: Deep Crank 2.5
Color: Sexy (10 colors to choose from)
Price: $11.99

Baker Lures: RGD0 Series SuspendingCrankbait
Color: Gold Bass (28 colors to choose from)
Price: $5.49

B8Lab:  5 inch Ultimate Strike Minnow
Color: Pumpkin Red Flake (10 colors to choose from)
Price: $6.50 per 5pack

Big Bite Baits: 4 Inch Salt Tube
Color: Salt & Pepper Smoke (11 Colors to choose from)
Price: $2.20



Daiichi: D239-4/0-2 Fat Gap Offset Worm Hook
Price: $3.50

Michigan Weekly Fishing Report: September 15, 2016

Weekly Fishing Report

September 15, 2016

Southeast Lower Peninsula  Southwest Lower Peninsula  Northeast Lower Peninsula  Northwest Lower Peninsula  Upper Peninsula  Great Lakes Temperature Map  Weekly Fishing Tip Windy conditions on the Great Lakes were preventing boat anglers from getting out.  The waters of Lake Michigan turned over with the strong winds and fish were caught closer to shore in 40 to 80 feet.   Salmon runs are just getting started and will only get better as the temperatures drop.  Southeast Lower Peninsula Lake Erie:  Had good perch fishing with several anglers reporting limit catches.  Anglers are using minnows on perch rigs, crappie rigs and spreaders in 22 to 24 feet near Buoys 1 & 2 of the River Raisin, 20 to 23 feet near the E-Buoy and in 23 to 25 feet off Stony Point.  Perch anglers also caught white perch, freshwater drum, and a few walleye.  Shore anglers at Sterling State Park caught bluegills, largemouth bass and freshwater drum on crawlers.  Those bow fishing the marsh and lagoons at Sterling harvested longnose gar and carp.  Shore anglers at the Hoffman Memorial access site on La Plaisance Creek caught bluegills and sunfish on crawlers and jumbo panfish with worms under a bobber or drop-shotting.    Detroit River:  Anglers were starting to catch some decent yellow perch around Celeron Island and Sugar Island.  Those doing the best were using emerald shiners.  Those jigging have caught a few walleye.  Smallmouth bass can be found throughout.  Oakland County:  Some good size bluegills were caught in deep water on Union Lake.  Anglers did best floating a wax worm or drifting crawlers.  On Cass Lake, fishing overall has remained steady with pike, walleye and bass caught around the shallow weed lines and the sunken islands.  For smallmouth, try top water baits along the flats in the early morning.  A few good catches of panfish were also reported.    Lake St. Clair:  Water temperatures were 74 degrees in shallow water and 70 out deeper.  Smallmouth bass have been caught near the mouth of the Detroit River when casting soft plastics, in 10 to 15 feet around the Mile Roads and the stretch from the Clinton River Cut Off launch when casting purple or golden shiner tube baits.   Largemouth bass were caught in six to 10 feet around the Mile Roads.  Yellow perch fishing was decent out by the St. Clair Light and Buoy 31 in 18 feet while still-fishing with perch rigs and emerald shiners however move around to locate schools of fish.  Large muskie were spotted in four to eight feet around the spillway near the Clinton River Cutoff.  These fish are not biting but those caught were taken on white lures because of the murky water.  Channel cats were caught when drifting crawlers on the bottom.  Bluegills were caught just outside the canal to Metro in 10 feet while casting lead head jigs with wax worms in the weed beds and around docks.  On the north end, walleye were caught when trolling a crawler harness from the mouth of the Clinton River to Strawberry Island but check your line constantly to keep the weeds off.   St. Clair River:   Northern pike have been caught in the Middle Channel in 10 feet with rattle traps and spinners around the docks and weed beds. Anglers have caught smallmouth bass at the mouth of the North Channel.   Harbor Beach:  The water was stirred up but once it settles back down anglers will want to try 80 to 135 feet near the color lines for steelhead.  Use bright colored spoons in 160 feet.  For salmon, try spoons 25 to 90 feet down.  Lake trout were hitting on dodgers and spin-glo’s near the bottom or spoons 60 to 120 feet down.  Blue, green orange and purple were good colors.  A few walleye were taken on spoons, thunder sticks and crawler harnesses in 50 to 120 feet.  Some good size bass were caught by those casting small spinner and body baits close to shore.   Saginaw Bay:  The area between the Saganing Bar and the Pinconning Bars continues to be the perch hot-spot for the inner bay.  This area can be accessed from Eagle Bay Marina on the north end or Gambil’s Marina on the south end.  Perch were also caught near sailboat buoy D, the Black Hole, the Spark Plug, northeast of Spoils Island and along the shipping channel near Buoys 18 & 22.  A few perch were caught in eight to 10 feet straight off the mouth of the Quanicassee River.    Back to Top Southwest Lower Peninsula St. Joseph:  Weather has hampered fishing and few boats were able to get out.  Perch fishing was very slow and pier fishing was slow.   St. Joseph River:  Those trolling have caught a few salmon on spoons.  South Haven:  Very few boats were able to fish this week due to the poor weather.    Pier fishing was very slow this week.   Pressure was also very low.   Perch fishing was very slow this week.   Kalamazoo River:  Night anglers caught catfish on crawlers and cut bait near Comstock.  Salmon have moved closer to the river mouth as fish were caught out in 40 to 80 feet.  A fair number of steelhead were caught off the mouth of Swan Creek when using crawlers under a bobber or drifting yarn on the bottom.     Black River:  There is a few salmon being caught by anglers trolling spoons.    Grand Haven:  Boat anglers found trout and salmon 35 to 100 feet down in 80 to 180 feet with orange, blue and green spoons as well as white or green flies.  Pier anglers caught coho on glow spoons or live bait.    Grand River at Grand Rapids:  Had a small surge of coho up near the 6th Street Dam.  Some fish were caught by shore anglers and others were taken by those trolling plugs.   Muskegon:  When the weather allows, trout and salmon were caught by boat anglers fishing 45 to 100 feet down in 100 to 200 feet with orange or green spoons.   Whitehall:  Boat anglers caught salmon 30 to 70 feet down in 70 to 140 feet.  Pier anglers also caught a few salmon when casting glow spoons or jigs.   White Lake:  Bluegill and perch fishing was good in 15 to 25 feet near the drop-offs.  Try fishing near the bottom using wax worms or red worms. White River:   Chinook are starting to make their way up into the river and were entering Oceana County at Skeels Road.   Back to Top Northeast Lower Peninsula Mackinaw City:  Anglers report good numbers of lake trout along with some pink salmon and smaller Chinook around Mackinac Island.  Most of the lake trout were caught on dodgers with spin-glo’s and the salmon on spoons.   Cheboygan:  Boat anglers caught a few Chinook and pink salmon when trolling between the Cheboygan River and the shipping channel.  Try a mix of spoons, J-plugs and a flasher/fly combo.   Cheboygan River:  Had a few more salmon in it but catch rates remained on the slow side with only a few fish caught each day.  Most are using skein, glow spoons and body baits early or late.  The water is still very warm.  Smallmouth bass, walleye and pike were also caught but most were undersize.   Rogers City:  Weather is becoming an issue as stability has been affected with the changing winds and cold fronts.  Chinook salmon are being caught in front of Swan Bay on a regular basis.  No numbers in the bay yet but a few were moving in and out.  Fish were caught in 45 to 90 feet with J-plugs and attractors or flashers with flies, squid and cut bait.  When the water is cold, spoons worked better.  Hot colors were still green, blue, purple, white, black or glow early or late.  Anglers are still getting lake trout, pink salmon, walleye and the stray Atlantic salmon.  A fair number of younger Chinook were caught deeper near the temperature break.  Those fishing Forty Mile Point caught a mix of Atlantic, pink and Chinook salmon, lake trout and walleye.   Presque Isle:  Had great lake trout fishing in the bottom 10 feet of waters 70 to 120 feet deep when using big attractors with flies and squid or cowbells and dodgers with spin-glo’s.   Those targeting salmon were in 45 to 70 feet between the lighthouses and Stoneport.  Try spoons, J-plugs or attractors with flies, squid and cut bait in the top half of the water column.  Good colors were green, blue, black and white, purple or anything that glows early and late.   Thunder Bay River:  Salmon were starting to show up near the Ninth Street Dam.  Anglers were using Cleo’s, rattletraps and stick baits.     West Twin Lake:  In Montmorency County was producing a good number of walleye.   Black River:  Anglers reported a good number of brook trout on portions in both Montmorency and Otsego County.   Lake Margrethe:  Some large bluegills were caught in 16 feet.       Higgins Lake:  Lake trout were still hitting in 80 to 100 feet.  Perch anglers found some fish in 50 feet.  Try near the islands.   Houghton Lake:  Had good panfish action.  Try leaf worms, leeches or wax worms.  Some have caught the occasional walleye when slow trolling with crawlers or leeches on a harness.   Lake St. Helen:  Was producing northern pike and panfish.     Tawas:  Those trolling anywhere from 21 feet off the Crib at Alabaster to 35 to 60 feet out beyond Buoy #2 were getting a mix of walleye and steelhead on body baits.  Some walleye and perch were taken along the weed beds off Jerry’s Marina but the perch anglers were still doing a lot of sorting to get a mess of eaters.  The minnow situation was improving with most bait shops now carrying shiners.          Tawas River:  Was producing a few channel cats and freshwater drum on crawlers.  Rumor has it a couple salmon were caught but the reports were not verified.   Au Gres:  Perch anglers were going to the Steeples north of Big Charity Island in 35 to 40 feet, the NOAA weather buoy in 40 feet or more and south of the hotel on Pointe Au Gres in 35 to 40 feet.  Fish were caught but anglers were sorting out lots of small ones.   Back to Top Northwest Lower Peninsula Harbor Springs:  Anglers caught lake trout about 120 feet down near Harbor Point.  Some caught lake trout and a couple salmon around Seven Mile Point.   Petoskey:  Boat anglers picked up lake trout and the occasional salmon.  The salmon were caught 40 to 45 feet down but the wind blew warm water back into Little Traverse Bay and the fish were 70 to 80 feet down.  The surface temperature was near 70 degrees and the thermocline was reported at 110 to 120 feet.  Lake trout were caught 100 to 140 feet down.  Most were using spoons but some did well with cut bait.  Pier anglers were targeting salmon with glow spoons before sunrise.  Fish were hooked but they had a hard time landing them.   Bear River:  The water level was much higher and more anglers were out trying to catch salmon, but only a couple fish were landed near the dam.  Most were using spawn bags and flies.   Charlevoix:  Boat fishing was slow but some did pick up a couple lake trout, Chinook or coho salmon.  The lake trout were 100 to 110 feet down and the salmon were 50 to 60 feet down.  Try spoons and a flasher/fly combo.  Those fishing the channel were targeting smallmouth bass but landing a legal size fishwas hit-or-miss.  Try real or artificial worms.  A few were casting glow spoons for salmon after dark.  The Weir at Medusa Creek is in place, which means the creek and an area of Lake Michigan in a radius of 100 feet from the mouth of Medusa Creek is closed to fishing.    Traverse City:  Salmon anglers have been catching a mix of coho and Chinook on both bays early in the morning and before dusk.  On the East Bay, a few salmon, lake trout and lake herring were caught at the south end and off Elk Rapids.  The Elk River is slow however a few salmon have made it to the dam.  On the West Bay, fish are still being marked and caught in front of Clinch Park.   Boardman River:  Remains slow however salmon anglers have hooked a few fish at the dam.  As a reminder, the weir grates have been put in the river and fishing is closed 300 feet upstream and downstream of the weir.    Frankfort:  Chinook are in full run mode.  Those trolling have landed good numbers of good size fish in Betsie Bay.  Pier anglers have caught coho on glow spoons throughout the day.  Those heading north to Platte Bay reported good numbers of coho when casting and jigging.   Betsie River:  Anglers were landing a good number of Chinook salmon downstream of the Homestead Dam with spawn, spoons and jigs and stick baits.  Most of the fish were caught in the slower water and in pools under structure.   Portage Lake:  Those trolling the shoreline in the early morning caught a few coho on spoons.  Coho were also reported in the channel.   Manistee:  Dredging continues in the harbor so boat anglers should be cautious around the equipment.  Chinook salmon slowed but a few were still being caught in 50 to 70 feet.  Coho and lake trout have come into the same depths.  Chinook were caught in the channel.   Manistee Lake:  Anglers were doing well catching a decent number of seven to nine inch bluegills and pumpkinseeds on crawlers and leaf worms.  Those trolling for salmon were limited as most are nowfishing up in the river.   Big Manistee River:  Chinook and coho salmon have reached Tippy Dam in good numbers, but anglers are having a hard time getting them to hit.  Anglers had slightly better success above the coffer dam on the Consumers Energy side with a mix of everything from spawn to crankbaits and spinners.  Fishingbetween High Bridge and Bear Creek has been slow with the exception of a few Kings caught out of the mouth of Pine Creek.  The bite was steady east of Bear Creek in the lower section.  Those anchored in the deeper holes and casting crankbaits did best in the morning.   Ludington: Surface temperature readings were about 63 degrees.  Chinook and coho were still being caught in 50 to 90 feet.  Chinook were caught in the channel as well.  At night, walleye were caught off the piers.   Pere Marquette River:  A fair amount of fish have moved up into the main tributaries but only a small portion of those fish have made their way into the smaller tributaries.   Pentwater:  Salmon fishing has been slow, but a few were caught 30 to 70 feet down in 80 to 165 feet.  Pier anglers caught a few salmon and the occasional steelhead in the early morning or late evening when casting spoons or jigs.  Pentwater Lake:  Anglers have caught a few smallmouth bass and pike in the channel while casting crank baits or drifting minnows. Pentwater River:  Chinook were starting to enter the river from Pentwater Lake. Back to Top Upper Peninsula Keewanaw Bay:  South winds kept the lake trout out in deeper water.  A few coho showed up 40 to 60 feet down in 120 feet around the bay and near Sand Point.  A Chinook and brown trout were also caught.  Anglers were trolling glow spoons and a flasher/fly combo.    Lake Gogebic:  Fishing was good with some reporting limit catches of walleye when trolling crawler harnesses and stick baits or bobber fishing with crawlers, leeches and minnows especially in Bergland Bay.  A decent number of perch and pumpkinseed were caught in the weed beds.    Michigamme Reservoir:  Anglers caught a few walleye and some panfish near the Way Dam.     Menominee River:  The walleye bite remains fair for those trolling very early morning or evenings from Stephenson Island to the mouth.  No reports of salmon yet.  Little Bay De Noc:  Walleye anglers reported fair catches.  The better action was still in the southern waters.  Fish were caught from Stonington south to the “Fingers” when trolling crawlers or stick baits in 18 to 26 feet.  Anglers near Kipling reported lots of undersize fish caught in 22 feet.  Several good catches of perch were reported in the Nelsons Bay area with minnows in seven to 12 feet and fair catches at the mouth of the Escanaba Yacht Harbor along the break.  The better smallmouth action was just south of the Black Bottom in 12 to 20 feet and along the east shore past Stonington in eight to 20 feet.  Good pike action between the Day’s River and Butler Island when trolling or casting spinners, spoons and crank baits in eight to 16 feet.  No significant salmon reports for the rivers yet but it won’t be long with the cooler temperatures.    Big Bay De Noc:  Look for good smallmouth bass fishing as fish are being marked in the southern waters.  The better fishing was from Ripley Shoal out to Round Island when casting crank baits, plastics or spinners in eight to 16 feet.  Some were also drifting minnows.  Fair catches were also reported near Garden Bluff in 12 to 25 feet.  Manistique River:  Had some Chinook salmon starting to move in.  Manistique Lakes:  Were producing some perch.       Marquette:  When they can get out, boat anglers caught lake trout in 140 to 180 feet near the white rocks.  Boat anglers fishing the mouth of the Chocolay River caught a few pike but no salmon.  Some have reported salmon in the Carp River and the Dead River but there has been no confirmation of anyfish harvested.   Munising:  Surface water temperatures remain at 66 degrees and were in the low 50’s about 80 feet down.  A few splake were caught on the Anna River dock with spawn sacs.    St. Marys River:  When both the Government Powerhouse and the Cloverland Powerhouse were down recently, there was no current keeping the pink salmon consolidated in one area like usual.  Most anglers were getting between one and four fish per trip.  Those drifting in the St. Marys Rapids picked up a few pink salmon when the turbines were off.  Most fish were taken on white blade baits and Swedish pimples.  Walleye anglers trolling from the Soo Powerhouse down to the Aune-Osborn launch picked up a decent number of walleye when trolling crawler harnesses or stick baits inside the rock islands.   Detour:  Anglers did take some limit catches of pink salmon when trolling 52 feet down in 60 to 80 feet.  Most were using a three inch spoons in gold or purple.  Along with the pinks anglers also caught a few Chinook and coho.  The best area for trolling for salmon this time of year is upstream from the Detour Lighthouse from the green buoy northwest of the lighthouse and back and then to the east to the red buoy on the Drummond Island side.  This enables anglers better boat control on windy days.  At Seymour Bay, two miles east of Detour Village off Hwy M-134, anglers reported smallmouth bass in the 16 to 18 inch class.  Anglers are casting blue and chrome weed less spoons from boats and shore.  Northeast of Detour Village at Pipe Island, walleye were caught by those trolling bottom bouncers with a 36 inch leader over the rock piles and under the underwater humps in 18 to 22 feet.     Cedarville and Hessel:  Anglers out of Hessel caught smallmouth bass straight out from the Hessel Pier at Haven Island in the early morning.  The better fishing was on the windy days when jigging green and dark brown tube jigs in four to six feet.  Those targeting pike found fish in Wilderness Bay when trolling purple and gold crank baits or red and white spoons just off the weed beds.  Yellow perch fishing was very slow around the islands.  Cedarville Bay and Government Bay were good for seven to eight inch sunfish.  A few bluegills and rock bass were also taken.  Try small worms in five to seven feet.  Snows Channel reported lots of smaller pike and a few nice pike up to 31 inches caught when trolling crank baits or still-fishing with live chubs in early morning and late evening.  Moving west out of Snows Channel to Club Cut, a few walleye were caught adjacent to the golf course at Buoys 18 & 19 when drifting or slow trolling from the weed beds on the Marquette Island side back to the channel in eight to 12 feet.        St. Ignace:  Anglers have caught good numbers of lake trout along with some pink and smaller Chinook around Mackinac Island.  Most of the lake trout were caught on dodgers with spin-glo’s and the salmon on spoons.  The salmon seem to be scattered at different depths with high lines and riggers both producingfish.  The Carp River has still not seen a big push of salmon yet.  The fish are still concentrated off the mouth of the river.  A few pike were caught by salmon anglers but most were undersize.  Chinook are also staging off the mouth of Nunn’s Creek.  There are still a lot of gill nets in St. Martin’s Bay and they are prevalent around the mouth of the Carp River and Nunn’s Creek.   Back to Top Fishing Tip: Using Trout Trails to really enjoy Michigan's fall fishing Michigan’s autumn months can be an ideal time to hit a lake, river or stream for some fantastic fishing. For those who are eager to target trout, the department’s Trout Trails online application can be a helpful tool when planning a trip. Trout Trails features biologist-verified trout waters that are often lesser known. The application currently features nearly 200 locations hitting many corners of the state; including the southeast, southwest and northern parts of the Lower Peninsula and the western and central parts of the Upper Peninsula. Each location on the Trout Trails application features detailed descriptions and photos – with more locations being added each year it’s a great resource to bookmark to help you plan all your trout fishingtrips!  Back to Top

NDYakanglers Brilliant Kayak Angling Setup

So I've seen this video before and shared it on Facebook.  However  hadn't shared it here on the blog. Since I'm coming up with ideas for my rigging on my yak I figured it's time to share it with you all.  NDYakangler has by far the most creative way of rigging his kayak.  Take your time and check out this video and pay special attention to how he rigged his gopro cameras.