08-24-2007, 09:04 AM
[font "Arial, Helvetica"]Thursday, August 23, 2007 [/font] [font "Arial, Helvetica"]Recreational Fishing Report[/font]
[font "Arial, Helvetica"]![[Image: fish_reportmap2_23340_7.gif]](http://www.michigan.gov/images/fish_reportmap2_23340_7.gif)
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[url "http://www.coastwatch.msu.edu/"][font "Arial, Helvetica"][#000000]Great Lakes temperature map[/#000000][/font][/url]
The waters of Lake Michigan have turned over and pushed colder water towards shore. Because of this; both pier and boat anglers are catching salmon in the harbors and just outside the pierheads. A few fresh salmon have also entered some of the river systems.
Southeast Lower Peninsula
Lake Erie - Walleye fishing has been spotty since the rains. A few fish were taken near the mouth of the Huron River. Perch anglers have caught fish in 10 to 20 feet of water off Bolles Harbor, the E Buoy, Stony Point and the Sputnik. Minnows worked best. Both large and smallmouth bass along with some rock bass have been caught.
Huron River - May be running a bit high due to recent rains. A couple steelhead were taken just south of the Flat Rock Dam. Bass fishing has been very good.
Detroit River - Walleye and perch fishing were not hot but fish are being caught. Water temperatures are warm and levels are up due to recent rains. A few walleye were caught on crawlers off the Ford Yacht Club, around Celeron Island and east of Sugar Island near the Cross Dike. Both large and smallmouth bass fishing has been very good near the weedbeds, rock piles and around the docks. Shore anglers are catching some nice catfish when drifting crawlers.
Lake St. Clair - Has fair walleye and muskie fishing.
Lexington - Perch action is spotty. Good catches were reported in waters 38 to 48 feet deep however the fish were seldom in the same spot two days in a row. Anglers will need to keep moving to locate fish.
Port Sanilac - Also has spotty perch fishing so keep moving until you locate fish. Windy weather has kept boat traffic down, but those able to get out in the early morning have caught lake trout in 90 to 130 feet of water.
Saginaw Bay - Walleye fishing seems to be slowing down, as it often does at this time of year. Both the air and the water temperatures are cooling down and the young baitfish are now large enough to be of interest to the walleyes. Anglers are fishing in certain areas such as the Black Hole and out past Buoys 1 & 2 in waters 25 to 30 feet deep. Those launching off Sebewaing have taken a few fish in 9 to 15 feet of water off Fish Point. Perch action is just getting started with some 8 to 11 inch fish caught out by Buoys 15 & 16 and Buoys 11 & 12 near the Spark Plug.
Southwest Lower Peninsula
St. Joseph - Surface water temperatures here are still in the low 50's. Boats are fishing around the pierheads in the early morning, but are moving out to deeper waters later. Perch were caught in waters 20 to 40 feet deep.
St. Joseph River - There is good movement of steelhead at the fish ladder in Berrien Springs. The river is currently high and turbid from all the rain, but it is fishable if caution is used.
Kalamazoo River - Is also running a bit high and fast. Some walleye were taken up near the Allegan Dam. Bass and catfish action has been very good for both boat and shore anglers.
Holland - Salmon have been caught in waters 20 to 35 feet deep. Some are fishing out deeper, however recent rain and strong winds have the fish scattered. Those fishing off the pier have caught a couple salmon and a few perch.
Grand Haven - Anglers fishing off both piers are catching perch when using pieces of soft shell crabs. Some chinook salmon have also been caught by pier anglers using small blue and chrome Cleo's.
Grand River at Grand Rapids - Water levels are up over a foot and turbid. A few chinook salmon have been caught at the Sixth Street Dam. Anglers are drifting glow beads instead of yarn balls or flies. Glow thundersticks have also taken a few fish. Walleye fishing has been fair to good when drifting crawlers. Some nice 8 to 10 inch bluegills have been caught up at Millennium Park.
Grand River at Lansing - Some nice pike have been caught along the river. Good bluegill fishing continues below the Moore's Park Dam. Try minnows, wax worms, butter worms, leaf worms or leeches. Catfish are still hitting above the dam. Due to the turbid waters, this would be a good time to target catfish and bullhead.
Muskegon - Salmon have been caught by those trolling both in front of the piers and about a mile or two south of the piers in 20 to 50 feet of water. Early morning is best when trolling glow spoons or J-plugs. Some 9 to 12 inch perch have been caught around the pierheads in 12 to 25 feet of water.
Muskegon River - Water levels are up and there was a small run of fresh salmon this week. Anglers were fishing near US-31 and down. Good bait was spawn or pearl flatfish. Bass fishing continues to be good.
Northeast Lower Peninsula
Rogers City - Catch rates have been slow due to the waters being stirred up. Some are fishing the shallow waters of Swan Bay and Adams Point. The better fishing has been the top 30 to 60 feet with spoons and J-plugs. Colors include greens, blues and anything that glows early and late.
Alpena - Fishing pressure has been low with one chinook salmon taken straight out from the harbor near the Nine Mile Can. Walleye fishermen are going out at night and only bringing in one or two fish right in front of the harbor when using any lure that resembles a perch.
Oscoda - A few lake trout have been caught on spoons 60 to 70 feet down in waters 100 feet deep north of the pier. No salmon to report around the pierheads. Pier fishing was slow with only a few smallmouth bass and rock bass caught.
Higgins Lake - Lake trout are still hitting in 80 to 100 feet of water and some nice fish have been caught. Angler pressure has slowed, but those willing to go out are still taking smallmouth bass when fishing the areas with structure. Heavy boating activity has the perch holding in deeper waters.
Houghton Lake - Fishing has not changed. If anglers are willing to brave the weather, they will catch fish in waters 8 to 12 feet deep. Concentrate on the areas with structure and near the drop offs.
Northwest Lower Peninsula
Walloon Lake - Anglers are targeting walleye when trolling crawler harnesses, rapalas, or thundersticks in 15 to 40 feet of water. Those targeting smallmouth bass and perch were taking mostly small ones when using worms, minnows or jigs.
Thumb Lake (Lake Louise) - Effort for splake has been steady but catch rates were slow. Anglers have been jigging, trolling or drifting in 40 to 60 feet of water on the east side of the lake and in 30 to 40 feet of water south of the island. Use minnows or spawn. Bass fishing has been good but the fish are running small. Most are targeting waters 10 to 30 feet deep with minnows, crawler harnesses, rapalas, tube baits, spinners, poppers and deep diving crankbaits. Kids have caught a good number of bluegills using crawlers and leaf worms in 10 to 15 feet of water near the public access site and the large island.
Traverse City - Lake trout fishing continues to be excellent in the East Bay. Cowbells and spoons are working best for those trolling. Whitefish action was very slow with only a few fish taken along the southern end of the bay. Those jigging are taking good numbers of lake trout along with the occasional whitefish. King salmon fishing has been steady, just not red hot. Most are trolling from the Center Road launch, then heading north to the Bluffs and trolling down the west shoreline. On the West Bay, the salmon action has been slow but the lake trout fishing continues to be very good with near limit catches reported.
Frankfort - Pier anglers casting wobblers or still-fishing with alewife have caught chinook and coho off both piers in the early morning and evenings. Those casting off the wall have also caught salmon. Boat anglers trolling from the Herring Hole up to and past Point Betsie have done well about halfway down in waters 40 to 60 feet deep and in waters 100 to 120 feet deep. Good lures have been green glow, chrome or gold J-plugs, blue squid or green flies with white flashers.
Onekama - Good catches of chinook with some coho and steelhead mixed in were taken straight out in front of the piers and up in the Barrel. Boats are trolling in 30 to 60 feet of water or in 110 to 150 feet of water. Fish were caught on meat rigs,chrome and glow J-plugs, and glow spoons.
Portage Lake - The afternoon troll or drift continues to produce decent walleye and pike action. Panfish action has slowed. Those casting worms and crankbaits for bass reported good catch rates on the west end of the lake and out near the piers.
Manistee - Lake Michigan rolled over, so there is now cold water in the harbors. Pier anglers are catching chinook salmon when casting or still-fishing. Boats are trolling in the harbor and out to waters 40 to 60 feet deep.
Manistee Lake - Boat anglers have caught some trout and salmon when trolling.
Manistee River - Some early run fish are starting to make there way up the river.
Little Manistee River - The weir was installed on August 16th. Fishing remains open below the weir to Manistee Lake, until September 1st. It will reopen on November 15th. Fishing above the weir remains open through the end of the year. Anglers are reminded that fishing around the mouth of the Little Manistee River closes on September 6th. It will reopen on October 15th or when the DNR gets the quota of chinook eggs, which ever comes first. For up to date weir information and fishing reports, please call the Cadillac Operations Service center at 231-775-9727 extension 6072.
Ludington - There is now cold water in the harbors and pier fishing for chinook salmon has been good. Boat anglers trolling in the harbor and out to waters 40 feet deep reported great success for chinook, coho and steelhead when using flies, J-plugs and spoons. Anything that glows has been the ticket first thing in the morning.
Pere Marquette Lake - A few trout and salmon have been caught.
Pere Marquette River - Chinook salmon should be starting to head upstream soon. Trout fishing should also improve with a little flow and some reduced temperatures.
Upper Peninsula
West Portage Lake - While the cold front slowed fishing, it should rebound. Those putting in the time have caught a few walleye using planer boards with reef runners and rapalas inside Pike Bay, the Humps between the Sturgeon River and Chassell, and off the North Bar Reef.
Torch Lake - Bad weather knocked fishing pressure down. Those braving the elements have caught walleye when jigging or still-fishing with live bait in 10 to 14 feet of water. Bass are in deeper water than normal due to water temperatures. Crankbaits and spinner baits are producing some nice 17 to 20 inch smallmouth.
Little Bay de Noc - Surface water temperatures have dropped below 70 degrees. Walleye have been caught when jigging near Gladstone or when trolling in 17 to 22 feet of water near the Black Bottom, off Portage Point and Breezy Point. Walleye were taken 10 feet down in waters 18 to 22 feet deep at the head of the bay. Smallmouth bass are still active south of the Day's River. Some nice northern pike have been caught when casting spoons or crankbaits in 10 to 16 feet of water near the mouth of the Escanaba Yacht Harbor. Some 10 to 13 inch perch were caught south of the narrows when jigging worms in 25 to 35 feet of water.
Big Bay de Noc - Walleye anglers were marking good numbers of fish in the Ripley Shoals area but the bite was slow. The better fishing was reported along the southern end of St. Vitals Island when drifting crawlers in 10 to 20 feet of water. Bass fishing remains good outside Garden Bay in 10 to 16 feet of water and off the launch at Nahma when casting crankbaits or jigging tubes. Perch fishing was fair off Fayette Harbor when jigging worms in waters 15 to 25 feet deep. Salmon fishing off Fairport is good when trolling spoons or flies 45 to 55 feet down in waters 80 to 130 feet deep.
Marquette - Strong winds continue to keep many onshore. Those going out have been fishing in 140 to 200 feet of water near the White Rocks, Granite Island and Standard Rock. Some are fishing off the breakwall but no salmon have been caught.
Au Train - The work at the boat launch has been completed and the ramp and dock are now open to the public. Water temperatures are in the upper 60's so not much to report on the salmon fishing.
Au Train Lake - Anglers are catching small walleye, pike and perch.
Forest Lake - Located near Au Train, is being drained so repairs can be made on the dam. Water levels here will be low until the work is completed later this fall.
Munising - It has been windy but on the calm days anglers reported good lake trout fishing just past Wood Island in 90 to 250 feet of water.
Grand Sable Lake - There have been reports of some people experiencing difficulty when launching boats. Watch for low water levels.
Grand Marais - Anglers are still taking limits of lake trout.
De Tour - Boat anglers are trolling spoons or dipseys 35 to 80 feet deep along the shipping channel, out near the # 3 Green Can, and around the lighthouse. Those targeting smallmouth bass, yellow perch, and northern pike are fishing in Maud Bay and off Sweets Point.
Cedarville and Hessel - A few salmon were caught west of Goose Island and in the Yacht Entrance when fishing 30 to 70 feet down. Anglers targeting yellow perch are fishing the east end of Hessel Bay and the west end of Snows Channel while using worms. Northern pike are hitting in Hessel Bay, Musky Bay, Cedarville Bay and along the south shore of the Middle Entrance.
[font "Arial, Helvetica"]
[/font] [url "http://www.coastwatch.msu.edu/"][font "Arial, Helvetica"][#000000]Great Lakes temperature map[/#000000][/font][/url]
The waters of Lake Michigan have turned over and pushed colder water towards shore. Because of this; both pier and boat anglers are catching salmon in the harbors and just outside the pierheads. A few fresh salmon have also entered some of the river systems.
Southeast Lower Peninsula
Lake Erie - Walleye fishing has been spotty since the rains. A few fish were taken near the mouth of the Huron River. Perch anglers have caught fish in 10 to 20 feet of water off Bolles Harbor, the E Buoy, Stony Point and the Sputnik. Minnows worked best. Both large and smallmouth bass along with some rock bass have been caught.
Huron River - May be running a bit high due to recent rains. A couple steelhead were taken just south of the Flat Rock Dam. Bass fishing has been very good.
Detroit River - Walleye and perch fishing were not hot but fish are being caught. Water temperatures are warm and levels are up due to recent rains. A few walleye were caught on crawlers off the Ford Yacht Club, around Celeron Island and east of Sugar Island near the Cross Dike. Both large and smallmouth bass fishing has been very good near the weedbeds, rock piles and around the docks. Shore anglers are catching some nice catfish when drifting crawlers.
Lake St. Clair - Has fair walleye and muskie fishing.
Lexington - Perch action is spotty. Good catches were reported in waters 38 to 48 feet deep however the fish were seldom in the same spot two days in a row. Anglers will need to keep moving to locate fish.
Port Sanilac - Also has spotty perch fishing so keep moving until you locate fish. Windy weather has kept boat traffic down, but those able to get out in the early morning have caught lake trout in 90 to 130 feet of water.
Saginaw Bay - Walleye fishing seems to be slowing down, as it often does at this time of year. Both the air and the water temperatures are cooling down and the young baitfish are now large enough to be of interest to the walleyes. Anglers are fishing in certain areas such as the Black Hole and out past Buoys 1 & 2 in waters 25 to 30 feet deep. Those launching off Sebewaing have taken a few fish in 9 to 15 feet of water off Fish Point. Perch action is just getting started with some 8 to 11 inch fish caught out by Buoys 15 & 16 and Buoys 11 & 12 near the Spark Plug.
Southwest Lower Peninsula
St. Joseph - Surface water temperatures here are still in the low 50's. Boats are fishing around the pierheads in the early morning, but are moving out to deeper waters later. Perch were caught in waters 20 to 40 feet deep.
St. Joseph River - There is good movement of steelhead at the fish ladder in Berrien Springs. The river is currently high and turbid from all the rain, but it is fishable if caution is used.
Kalamazoo River - Is also running a bit high and fast. Some walleye were taken up near the Allegan Dam. Bass and catfish action has been very good for both boat and shore anglers.
Holland - Salmon have been caught in waters 20 to 35 feet deep. Some are fishing out deeper, however recent rain and strong winds have the fish scattered. Those fishing off the pier have caught a couple salmon and a few perch.
Grand Haven - Anglers fishing off both piers are catching perch when using pieces of soft shell crabs. Some chinook salmon have also been caught by pier anglers using small blue and chrome Cleo's.
Grand River at Grand Rapids - Water levels are up over a foot and turbid. A few chinook salmon have been caught at the Sixth Street Dam. Anglers are drifting glow beads instead of yarn balls or flies. Glow thundersticks have also taken a few fish. Walleye fishing has been fair to good when drifting crawlers. Some nice 8 to 10 inch bluegills have been caught up at Millennium Park.
Grand River at Lansing - Some nice pike have been caught along the river. Good bluegill fishing continues below the Moore's Park Dam. Try minnows, wax worms, butter worms, leaf worms or leeches. Catfish are still hitting above the dam. Due to the turbid waters, this would be a good time to target catfish and bullhead.
Muskegon - Salmon have been caught by those trolling both in front of the piers and about a mile or two south of the piers in 20 to 50 feet of water. Early morning is best when trolling glow spoons or J-plugs. Some 9 to 12 inch perch have been caught around the pierheads in 12 to 25 feet of water.
Muskegon River - Water levels are up and there was a small run of fresh salmon this week. Anglers were fishing near US-31 and down. Good bait was spawn or pearl flatfish. Bass fishing continues to be good.
Northeast Lower Peninsula
Rogers City - Catch rates have been slow due to the waters being stirred up. Some are fishing the shallow waters of Swan Bay and Adams Point. The better fishing has been the top 30 to 60 feet with spoons and J-plugs. Colors include greens, blues and anything that glows early and late.
Alpena - Fishing pressure has been low with one chinook salmon taken straight out from the harbor near the Nine Mile Can. Walleye fishermen are going out at night and only bringing in one or two fish right in front of the harbor when using any lure that resembles a perch.
Oscoda - A few lake trout have been caught on spoons 60 to 70 feet down in waters 100 feet deep north of the pier. No salmon to report around the pierheads. Pier fishing was slow with only a few smallmouth bass and rock bass caught.
Higgins Lake - Lake trout are still hitting in 80 to 100 feet of water and some nice fish have been caught. Angler pressure has slowed, but those willing to go out are still taking smallmouth bass when fishing the areas with structure. Heavy boating activity has the perch holding in deeper waters.
Houghton Lake - Fishing has not changed. If anglers are willing to brave the weather, they will catch fish in waters 8 to 12 feet deep. Concentrate on the areas with structure and near the drop offs.
Northwest Lower Peninsula
Walloon Lake - Anglers are targeting walleye when trolling crawler harnesses, rapalas, or thundersticks in 15 to 40 feet of water. Those targeting smallmouth bass and perch were taking mostly small ones when using worms, minnows or jigs.
Thumb Lake (Lake Louise) - Effort for splake has been steady but catch rates were slow. Anglers have been jigging, trolling or drifting in 40 to 60 feet of water on the east side of the lake and in 30 to 40 feet of water south of the island. Use minnows or spawn. Bass fishing has been good but the fish are running small. Most are targeting waters 10 to 30 feet deep with minnows, crawler harnesses, rapalas, tube baits, spinners, poppers and deep diving crankbaits. Kids have caught a good number of bluegills using crawlers and leaf worms in 10 to 15 feet of water near the public access site and the large island.
Traverse City - Lake trout fishing continues to be excellent in the East Bay. Cowbells and spoons are working best for those trolling. Whitefish action was very slow with only a few fish taken along the southern end of the bay. Those jigging are taking good numbers of lake trout along with the occasional whitefish. King salmon fishing has been steady, just not red hot. Most are trolling from the Center Road launch, then heading north to the Bluffs and trolling down the west shoreline. On the West Bay, the salmon action has been slow but the lake trout fishing continues to be very good with near limit catches reported.
Frankfort - Pier anglers casting wobblers or still-fishing with alewife have caught chinook and coho off both piers in the early morning and evenings. Those casting off the wall have also caught salmon. Boat anglers trolling from the Herring Hole up to and past Point Betsie have done well about halfway down in waters 40 to 60 feet deep and in waters 100 to 120 feet deep. Good lures have been green glow, chrome or gold J-plugs, blue squid or green flies with white flashers.
Onekama - Good catches of chinook with some coho and steelhead mixed in were taken straight out in front of the piers and up in the Barrel. Boats are trolling in 30 to 60 feet of water or in 110 to 150 feet of water. Fish were caught on meat rigs,chrome and glow J-plugs, and glow spoons.
Portage Lake - The afternoon troll or drift continues to produce decent walleye and pike action. Panfish action has slowed. Those casting worms and crankbaits for bass reported good catch rates on the west end of the lake and out near the piers.
Manistee - Lake Michigan rolled over, so there is now cold water in the harbors. Pier anglers are catching chinook salmon when casting or still-fishing. Boats are trolling in the harbor and out to waters 40 to 60 feet deep.
Manistee Lake - Boat anglers have caught some trout and salmon when trolling.
Manistee River - Some early run fish are starting to make there way up the river.
Little Manistee River - The weir was installed on August 16th. Fishing remains open below the weir to Manistee Lake, until September 1st. It will reopen on November 15th. Fishing above the weir remains open through the end of the year. Anglers are reminded that fishing around the mouth of the Little Manistee River closes on September 6th. It will reopen on October 15th or when the DNR gets the quota of chinook eggs, which ever comes first. For up to date weir information and fishing reports, please call the Cadillac Operations Service center at 231-775-9727 extension 6072.
Ludington - There is now cold water in the harbors and pier fishing for chinook salmon has been good. Boat anglers trolling in the harbor and out to waters 40 feet deep reported great success for chinook, coho and steelhead when using flies, J-plugs and spoons. Anything that glows has been the ticket first thing in the morning.
Pere Marquette Lake - A few trout and salmon have been caught.
Pere Marquette River - Chinook salmon should be starting to head upstream soon. Trout fishing should also improve with a little flow and some reduced temperatures.
Upper Peninsula
West Portage Lake - While the cold front slowed fishing, it should rebound. Those putting in the time have caught a few walleye using planer boards with reef runners and rapalas inside Pike Bay, the Humps between the Sturgeon River and Chassell, and off the North Bar Reef.
Torch Lake - Bad weather knocked fishing pressure down. Those braving the elements have caught walleye when jigging or still-fishing with live bait in 10 to 14 feet of water. Bass are in deeper water than normal due to water temperatures. Crankbaits and spinner baits are producing some nice 17 to 20 inch smallmouth.
Little Bay de Noc - Surface water temperatures have dropped below 70 degrees. Walleye have been caught when jigging near Gladstone or when trolling in 17 to 22 feet of water near the Black Bottom, off Portage Point and Breezy Point. Walleye were taken 10 feet down in waters 18 to 22 feet deep at the head of the bay. Smallmouth bass are still active south of the Day's River. Some nice northern pike have been caught when casting spoons or crankbaits in 10 to 16 feet of water near the mouth of the Escanaba Yacht Harbor. Some 10 to 13 inch perch were caught south of the narrows when jigging worms in 25 to 35 feet of water.
Big Bay de Noc - Walleye anglers were marking good numbers of fish in the Ripley Shoals area but the bite was slow. The better fishing was reported along the southern end of St. Vitals Island when drifting crawlers in 10 to 20 feet of water. Bass fishing remains good outside Garden Bay in 10 to 16 feet of water and off the launch at Nahma when casting crankbaits or jigging tubes. Perch fishing was fair off Fayette Harbor when jigging worms in waters 15 to 25 feet deep. Salmon fishing off Fairport is good when trolling spoons or flies 45 to 55 feet down in waters 80 to 130 feet deep.
Marquette - Strong winds continue to keep many onshore. Those going out have been fishing in 140 to 200 feet of water near the White Rocks, Granite Island and Standard Rock. Some are fishing off the breakwall but no salmon have been caught.
Au Train - The work at the boat launch has been completed and the ramp and dock are now open to the public. Water temperatures are in the upper 60's so not much to report on the salmon fishing.
Au Train Lake - Anglers are catching small walleye, pike and perch.
Forest Lake - Located near Au Train, is being drained so repairs can be made on the dam. Water levels here will be low until the work is completed later this fall.
Munising - It has been windy but on the calm days anglers reported good lake trout fishing just past Wood Island in 90 to 250 feet of water.
Grand Sable Lake - There have been reports of some people experiencing difficulty when launching boats. Watch for low water levels.
Grand Marais - Anglers are still taking limits of lake trout.
De Tour - Boat anglers are trolling spoons or dipseys 35 to 80 feet deep along the shipping channel, out near the # 3 Green Can, and around the lighthouse. Those targeting smallmouth bass, yellow perch, and northern pike are fishing in Maud Bay and off Sweets Point.
Cedarville and Hessel - A few salmon were caught west of Goose Island and in the Yacht Entrance when fishing 30 to 70 feet down. Anglers targeting yellow perch are fishing the east end of Hessel Bay and the west end of Snows Channel while using worms. Northern pike are hitting in Hessel Bay, Musky Bay, Cedarville Bay and along the south shore of the Middle Entrance.