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All anglers 17 years of age and older are required to have a fishing license.
Northeast Lower Peninsula
Presque Isle: Anglers were catching all salmon species and trout from the old lighthouse to Thompson Harbor. The 70 to 90 feet of water range was the most productive off the old light house with 3-7 color lead cores having the best results. Spoons in green/silver, orange/gold, black/orange, and watermelon were producing. Trout were caught lower in the water column while silver fish were in the top 40 feet. North of the new lighthouse, anglers were targeting 110 to 200 feet of water. Solid temperature breaks were reported 50 feet down and were producing a good number of Chinook and coho. Anglers were using 1-7 color lead cores and were producing Atlantic salmon, Chinook salmon, coho, pink, trout and a high number of steelhead. Long liners were reported in decent catches of trout in waters 15 to 25 feet deep. Heavy spoons or cowbell/peanut combos produced the majority of the fish in the skinny water. Bass anglers were having moderate success around Thompson Harbor while fishing minnows and crankbaits.
Cheboygan River/Lake Huron: In the Cheboygan River, walleye fishing continued to be slow below the dam. However, some fish were caught throughout the river from the dam to the pier. Smallmouth and pike were biting in the river and in Duncan Bay. However, pike were rarely caught above the State Street Bridge. Out in Lake Huron, lake trout fishing was decent. Anglers were finding fish off the three nearby reefs as well as in open water. Anglers targeting steelhead and salmon species were not successful.
Rockport: Anglers were reporting good fishing in the waters east of Middle Island to Stoneport. Trout were caught in 70 to 100 feet fishing close to the bottom. White and chartreuse were the best colors in flasher/spin glow combos. High set lines with orange, gold, green, and copper spoons were taking a decent number of silver fish throughout the day. Anglers making moderate runs of 7 to 10 miles straight out found big temperature breaks on the surface producing good numbers of steelhead, Chinook, coho and pink salmon. Northern pike and smallmouth bass were caught around the launch and old loading dock on minnows, crankbaits and small spinner baits.
Alpena: Walleye were scattered throughout Thunder Bay. Anglers had hit or miss success near the pier head with jigs tipped with leaches and trolling crawler harnesses. Anglers targeting 16 to 25 feet had some success trolling harnesses and crankbaits from the cement plant to Whitefish Point. Gold, purple, pink and copper colors had the most success. A good number of smallmouth bass and northern pike were caught around Grass Island and Squaw Bay. Spinner baits and plastic swim baits worked well while targeting the weed lines in the shallows. Anglers targeting lake trout had good results around Thunder Bay Island in 60 to 120 feet. Cowbell and spin glows were taking the majority of trout while anglers targeting salmon and steelhead had success fishing the top 50 feet in 120 to 150 feet of water. The key to the salmon and steelhead success was reported to be running spoons high and fast.
Thunder Bay River: There were very few anglers on the river. Rock bass, smallmouth bass, pike and freshwater drum were found from the river mouth to the 9th Street Dam. Anglers fishing for catfish near the walking bridge reported minimal success.
Oscoda/Au Sable: Anglers were targeting salmon and trout. Harvests occurred in 90 to 120 feet of water anywhere from 30 feet down to 30 feet off the bottom. Anglers also brought in a good amount in up to 200 feet of water. Some walleye were caught off the pier in the early morning. Anglers trolling up and down the mouth of the river were bringing in mixed bags of smallmouth, largemouth, freshwater drum and the occasional walleye.
Rogers City: Anglers were catching lake trout, Chinook salmon, steelhead, pink salmon Atlantic salmon and coho salmon. Good amounts of silver fish were mixed in with the lake trout. Anglers were deploying lines throughout the water column. Lead core fished with boards away from the boat were taking just about everything this last week. Anglers reported that 3, 5, and 7 colors were working well. Anglers were using spoons, mostly regular size and slims. Good colors were oranges, greens, lemons, blue and silver, and silver. Steelhead, pink salmon, Atlantic salmon and coho were all feeding on bugs heavily on the surface. The Chinook were coming a little deeper but still in the top 45 feet. The best depths were anywhere from 75 to 120 feet of water. The fish seemed to be anywhere out of the harbor right now straight out, up the lake or south towards Adams Point. Anglers were fishing downriggers and dipsies to stay in the mid-water column. Anglers were also using some flashers with flies, squids and cut bait.
Northwest Lower Peninsula
Manistee: Salmon fishing was hit or miss. Some good numbers of steelhead were coming in though. Chinook and steelhead were scattered from 25 to 70 feet down in anywhere from 100 to 250 feet of water. Lake trout were reported from the bottom in 100 feet of water and north of town out from Onekama. The perch action was hit or miss on the north pier with some smaller fish in the mix. Anglers looking for summer run steelhead didn’t have any luck yet; a couple brown trout were caught on the south pier. The early morning Chinook bite was the best. Spoons, flasher/fly combos and meat rigs worked well.
Ludington: Salmon fishing was hit or miss but generally slow. Anglers found a few at the point when fishing 70 to 140 feet of water and off the projects in 150 to 220 feet of water. Some nice steelhead were caught while fishing the top 30 feet in the same areas for Chinook salmon and in deeper waters. Late night bites were good, just before sundown and just after dark. Anglers should try meat rigs and flasher/fly combos along with spoons.
West Grand Traverse Bay: With the Northport launch back open, more action was occurring further north. Anglers were successful fishing for smallmouth bass with natural baits. Anglers jigging for lake trout and cisco were also successful. Surface water temperatures were sitting at about 59 to 60 degrees.
Leland: With the water temperatures sitting at about 57 degrees at the surface, the lake trout fishing was holding strong. Many anglers and charters were coming back to the port with their limits on lake trout, all very good in size. A handful of Chinook were recorded as well, all being caught 18+ miles out. Trolling for lake trout 3 to 3.5 miles out while using a variety of spoons and spinners seemed to be the best method.
Charlevoix: Anglers targeting cisco reported slow numbers on the piers and some moderate numbers fishing from boats while trolling spoons. Pier anglers reported increased numbers of smallmouth bass while casting soft plastics and small spinners. A few lake trout were caught northwest of Charlevoix while jigging 200+ feet of water.
Petoskey/Harbor Springs: Anglers fishing from boats were targeting bass while casting soft plastics in shallow depths. Anglers reported some cisco near Harbor Springs while trolling in 50 feet of water with spoons.
Frankfort: Anglers were reporting moderate numbers of Chinook around the herring hole in 120 to 200 feet of water. Temperature break was not set up yet, so anglers were working the cold water from 25 to 90 feet down and landing Chinook salmon. Several 18+ pounders were being reported on meat rigs and flashers-n-flies. Steelhead were hitting near the surface in front of the pier heads. Anglers heading north to Platte Bay and six mile hole were reporting lake trout near the bottom in 90 to 140 feet of water.
Onekama: Anglers were reporting lake trout and a few Chinook around the barrel and in front of the golf course. Spoons and flies were working the best. Warmer water was reported as good numbers of bait pods were showing up.
Portage Lake: There was a small mayfly hatch so the bites slowed down a bit but anglers were reporting perch, bass and bluegills in moderate numbers.
Upper Peninsula
Little Bay de Noc: Anglers reported slow to fair fishing for walleye. Trolling cranks or crawler harnesses produced some success. Anglers in search of larger fish were leaving the upper bay and fishing the outer bay and offshore areas.
Big Bay de Noc: Smallmouth anglers fishing out of Nahma reported good smallmouth fishing after a mayfly hatch earlier in the week.
Fairport: Anglers fishing for Chinook salmon reported fair fishing. Anglers were trolling flasher flies and spoons near Point Detour, and along drop offs and deep-water structure near the island chain. Some steelhead were reported.
Manistique: Salmon anglers reported contacting Chinook salmon and steelhead. Anglers trolled near the can, Wiggens Point and Point Aux Barques. Some lake trout were harvested in deeper water.
Keweenaw Bay/Huron Bay: Anglers had some luck trolling for lake trout and some salmon during this last week. A few anglers caught some whitefish while the weather was favorable. Some reports coming off the water suggested water temperatures were quite high during the last week. Successful fishing trips during these warmer days included trolling spoons and flies around 50 feet. Anglers should try trolling during the early and late hours while fish were feeding up in the water column.
Big Traverse Bay/South Portage Canal: Anglers were mostly trolling near the mouth of the Portage Canal and out a few miles from the mouth on Big reef. Successful anglers caught lake trout and some occasional salmon including coho and Chinook salmon. Anglers were fishing in around 150 feet of water and fish were found throughout the water column. Anglers should try mixing lines of muddy and clear water after this rain for fish feeding on the edge of the muddy water.
Les Cheneaux/Detour: Anglers were catching a few perch in Hessel and Cedarville, but they really had to work for them. Anglers were also catching a good number of pike in Hessel, along with a few splake while trolling. There’s a lot of smallmouth bass sightings but anglers were having a tough time getting them to bite. Mayflies started hatching however the herring have yet to show in either place. In Detour, anglers were picking up a few lake trout and Chinook salmon while trolling with spoons around the lighthouse and in the flats. Fishing was slow and tough for most.
Munising Bay: Boat anglers continued to do well for coho although catches were not as good as in previous weeks. Quality size was still running around 2 to 3 pounds. A few Chinook were caught up to 15 pounds. Lake trout anglers reported good catches near Wood Island and Grand Portal. Water temperatures offshore were in upper 60s and nearshore low 70s.
Ontonagon River: Anglers were consistently catching walleye and the occasional rock bass in the river. While fish were being caught by those trolling and jigging, it seemed that jigging was the most productive method over the past week. Fish were caught at all times of the day, but early mornings seemed to yield the most successful trips. Recent rains dirtied the river waters and slowed down the bite.
Ontonagon/Silver City/Union Bay: Fishing was slow over the past week. Anglers reported a sparse bite and random dispersion of fish in shallow and deeper waters. A few determined boat anglers were able to find some lake trout and the occasional coho salmon. These successes were the result of long days on the lake spent trolling artificial lures in a variety of depths. Recent storms in the area also resulted in limited fishing opportunities.
Black River Harbor: Fishing pressure was low, possibly due to the recent inclement weather conditions. Anglers who were on the lake had little luck apart from finding the occasional lake trout. Long days spent trolling artificial lures in a variety of depths was necessary for those hoping to find fish. Rain in the area had significantly dirtied the water of the river which caused low visibility for those fishing from the shores and docks of the harbor.
Grand Marais: Boat anglers were targeting lake trout with limits being reported. Most anglers were fishing off Five Mile reef and towards AuSable Point. Lake trout were averaging around 3 to 4 pounds. Anglers were trolling or jigging with both methods being productive. Big Reef anglers were also doing well.
Pine River: Walleye fishing was fair while catches of perch varied from day to day. Occasionally, anglers targeting walleye would catch pike, bullhead or bowfin.
Southeast Lower Peninsula
Lake Erie: Largemouth and smallmouth bass anglers reported good topwater frog bites in channels and on the shoreline on Lake Erie. Walleye were caught straight out from the Bartnik boat launch at Sterling State Park on crawler harnesses, flicker minnows, and spoons while trolling near the Michigan and Ohio borderline. Yellow perch were reported out of Bolles Harbor and were caught while jigging with live minnows with anglers fishing four miles northeast of Bolles Harbor out by the coal power plant with decent success when the wind was right and no overcast.
Lake St. Clair/St. Clair River: Walleye anglers did well fishing around the shipping channel near the St. Clair lighthouse in 18 to 20 feet of water. They also did well while trolling in the middle and south channels of the St. Clair River. Darker colored lures and crawler harnesses were working best for walleye. Yellow perch anglers did well near the south channel of the St. Clair River and near the lighthouse in similar depths, 18 to 20 feet. Minnows worked best for yellow perch. Bass anglers were having success near Grosse Pointe and 9 Mile ramp in 12 to 15 feet of water while casting green tubes and dropshot lures.
Saginaw Bay: Walleye fishing was very good to excellent in some areas of the inner Saginaw Bay. While anglers did catch walleye straight off Quanicassee in 10 feet of water, limit catches were common out past the bar in 24 feet of water and in the vicinity of the Spark Plug in 25 to 26 feet of water. Walleye were also caught at buoys 1 ad 2 while trolling in 24 to 26 feet of water and in 7 feet of water near Bay City State Park. Spoons, flicker shads, and night crawler harnesses all produced walleye. Some channel catfish were caught by shore anglers at Smith Park while using worms.
Bay City State Park: The walleye fishing was great with limit catches happening frequently in deeper water. Spoons and body baits were working for some, but many anglers switched to crawlers and were doing well. Bigger fish were caught from the deeper water in structures. The fish seemed to be in tight pods lately so if you catch a few, keep working that specific area. Bass anglers were still catching fish in the shallows and were concentrating on the weed beds and lily pads. Some panfish anglers were doing ok, however with the water warming up fishing in the shallows slowed down.
Grindstone: Good catches of salmon and trout were caught while trolling in about 120 feet of water heading north of the harbor between Port Austin and Grindstone using downriggers at different depths for a mix catch of lake trout, Chinook salmon, steelhead and a few pink salmon and Atlantic salmon.
Harbor Beach: Rock bass and smallmouth bass were caught from the break wall and from the shore with nightcrawlers and casting small lures. Boats trolling for salmon and trout caught lake trout, Atlantic salmon and an occasional Chinook in 60 to 70 feet with lead core and spoons straight out and to the south.
Port Sanilac: Anglers trolling for salmon and trout caught a few lake trout, steelhead and Atlantic salmon in 100 to 120 feet east of the harbor. Some smallmouth and rock bass were caught from the break walls mostly with nightcrawlers.
Lexington: Some perch were caught in various weed beds along the shoreline to the south of the harbor and a little north of the harbor in 12 to 16 feet of water using minnows. Inside the harbor from the shore bluegill, rock bass, smallmouth and largemouth bass were caught with nightcrawlers and casting small lures.
Southwest Lower Peninsula
Muskegon: Pier anglers casting spoons were catching freshwater drum. Boat anglers trolling for salmon found the action to be slow. A few were caught 30 to 80 feet down in 80 to 150 feet of water. Anglers were catching salmon on blue and orange spoons along with green meat rigs.
Grand Haven: Pier anglers were catching freshwater drum while casting spoons or still fishing alewives on bottom. The steelhead action was slow. Boats trolling for salmon found the action to be fair. Salmon were caught 20 to 80 feet down in 80 to 160 feet of water. The action started to pick up on meat rigs and flies. Green or yellow meat rigs worked well along with blue and orange spoons.
South Haven: Salmon fishing for boat anglers continued to be consistent. The fishing wasn’t great, but anglers were still catching a mixed bag of coho, lake trout, steelhead and an occasional Chinook. The most productive water was changing constantly but 70 to 100 feet of water was the most consistent. Pier anglers were still catching steelhead, but the fishing was on the slow side. Most of the fish were caught on shrimp. Perch fishing was decent, and the fish seemed to be very deep. The best water was 55 feet and deeper.
St. Joseph: Boat anglers targeting salmon reported good fishing. The fish were spread out over different depths. Most of the fish were caught very deep, well beyond 120 feet of water. The 80 to 100 feet of water range was good also. There was a mixed bag caught with a lot of coho. The most productive lures were standard size spoons. Perch fishing was slow. Pier fishing was slowing down for steelhead as the lake temperatures warmed up. Anglers were still catching steelhead on shrimp.
This report is intended to give you an idea of what is going on around the state. Updates come from Fisheries staff and 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.
