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All anglers ages 17 and older are required to have a fishing license to fish public waters in Michigan.
Northeast Lower Peninsula
Tawas/Au Gres: Many boat anglers made the run out to Charity Island and caught good numbers of walleye using both crawlers and crankbaits. Others traveled farther, closer to Sebewaing, and did well. Southeast of Point Au Gres, in approximately 30 feet of water, anglers had decent walleye fishing, along with catches of freshwater drum, white perch, white bass, northern pike and occasional yellow perch. Those targeting smallmouth bass caught a few while fishing rock piles in the Tawas area. Anglers who headed to Charity Island for bass did well on both largemouth bass and smallmouth bass. Those targeting salmon and trout caught a few Atlantic salmon, steelhead and many lake trout beyond the point in 70 to 110 feet of water.
Alpena: Anglers reported fair walleye activity in Thunder Bay. Fish were scattered from North Point to Sulfur Island in 15 to 25 feet of water. Crankbaits produced good results in open water with a wide variety of colors. Anglers also found success jigging around structure using swimbaits, plastics and crawlers. Those fishing near Scarecrow Island reported good catches while trolling crankbaits in 15 to 30 feet of water. Pier anglers reported slow walleye fishing. A few northern pike and smallmouth bass were caught while casting jigs tipped with crawlers and plastic swimbaits.
Thunder Bay River: Walleye were caught throughout the river while trolling crawler harnesses, along with northern pike and freshwater drum. Anglers casting spinner baits and plastic swimbaits reported good smallmouth bass fishing along the river’s edge. Catfish were caught in decent numbers using crawlers and cut bait. Anglers using leeches and crawlers near the 9th Street Bridge caught walleye, freshwater drum and bullhead.
Rockport: Lake trout fishing remained good, with fish scattered throughout the water column in depths of 50 to 100 feet. Flasher Spin-N-Glow combinations and spoons in chartreuse, white and green produced good results. Anglers targeting silver fish found success running spoons in the top 25 feet of the water column, with green, orange and watermelon patterns producing the best results. Chinook salmon, Atlantic salmon, steelhead and coho salmon were found from Stoneport to Middle Island. Anglers targeting walleye reported no success. Shore anglers caught a few smallmouth bass and the occasional northern pike while casting spinners.
Cheboygan: Lake trout limits were caught in the shallow waters of Reynold’s Reef. Anglers had success trolling spoons in 25 to 40 feet of water. Productive colors included combinations of orange, green, and chartreuse. The Cheboygan Lock and Dam reopened for public recreation. Downstream of the Cheboygan Dam, anglers reported catching walleye, bass, northern pike, rock bass and freshwater drum. Walleye catch rates varied, with anglers harvesting between zero and four legal-sized fish. Many undersized walleye were also released. Boat anglers drifted hook-and-nightcrawler rigs during the morning and trolled nightcrawler harnesses at night. Shore anglers drifted jigs tipped with worms or cast body baits. Bass were caught at the Cheboygan Dam spillway, near the drawbridge, at the river mouth and in Duncan Bay. Bass anglers had the most success using tube baits and body baits. Northern pike were also caught on these presentations. Freshwater drum continued to move into the river in low numbers. Anglers caught a few on both sides of the river near the Cheboygan DNR field station. Those using jigs tipped with worms and nightcrawler harnesses had the greatest success.
Oscoda/Au Sable: Anglers fishing offshore did well targeting salmon and trout this week. Water depths of 80 to 95 feet were productive for steelhead, coho salmon, Atlantic salmon and a few Chinook salmon. Targeting the top 30 feet of the water column proved effective for many anglers. Orange and green spoons, along with flasher-fly combinations, produced good results. High copper lines and two to five colors of lead core were productive for steelhead and salmon. Anglers targeting walleye in the mouth of the Au Sable River also did well, with drifting crawlers along the bottom or trolling Flicker Shads producing good catches of walleye.
Harrisville: Anglers targeting lake trout found a few fish in 60 to 90 feet of water; however, most moved farther offshore into waters deeper than 120 feet to find better numbers of lake trout. Anglers fishing in 70 to 100 feet of water also reported nice steelhead, Atlantic salmon and coho salmon 40 to 50 feet down. Sliders on downriggers, along with high lines and two to five colors of lead core, proved to be productive.
Rogers City: Lake trout fishing continued to be good, with limit catches reported when weather conditions allowed. Anglers fished straight out at the hump, south toward Adams Point or north toward 40 Mile Point. The best depths were 60 to 120 feet of water, with lines running throughout the water column producing the best results. Spoons were the primary bait, but anglers also found success using cowbells, Spin-N-Glos, and flashers paired with Spin-N-Glos. Productive colors included green, yellow, blue, chartreuse and UV patterns. Larger lake trout were generally found in deeper water. Many smaller lake trout just above or below the 15-inch mark were also caught, with some anglers releasing up to eight undersized fish per trip. Anglers were advised to use caution when fishing beyond the 40 Mile Point Light, as tribal nets were present in that area. Some steelhead began showing up, with anglers catching them in the top 20 feet of the water column. Orange and standard-sized spoons were effective. Faster trolling speeds produced the best results, with successful speeds ranging from 2.8 to 3.5 mph.
Presque Isle: Lake trout fishing continued to be excellent, with limit catches reported; however, many smaller fish were caught and released. Larger lake trout moved into deeper water but remained suspended in the water column. Productive areas included straight out south toward Stoneport and off North Bay. The best depths were 60 to 120 feet of water, with lines running throughout the water column producing the best results. Spoons remained the most productive presentation, although anglers also found success using cowbells, Spin-Glos and attractors paired with Spin-N-Glos. Productive colors included green, orange, blue, yellow, chartreuse and UV patterns. The occasional silver salmon was also caught while targeting lake trout. Steelhead were beginning to show up, with anglers finding success targeting the top 20 feet of the water column. Orange spoons, along with regular and smaller-sized spoons, produced the best results. Faster trolling speeds were most effective, with speeds up to 3.5 mph producing the best action.
Northwest Lower Peninsula
Manistee: Anglers trolling the shelf for Chinook salmon caught a few fish, but overall fishing was slow. Fish were found in 120 to 230-plus feet of water while trolling 45 to 50 feet down with spoons and flasher-fly combinations. A few steelhead were also caught. Anglers targeting steelhead from the piers were unsuccessful, although a couple of bowfin were reported. Early morning bites were the most productive.
Ludington: Anglers targeting Chinook salmon caught a few fish straight out in 130 feet of water, 50 to 60 feet down, and near Big Sable Point in 140 to 200-plus feet of water, 35 to 60 feet down; however, fishing was very slow overall. A few steelhead, lake trout and coho salmon were also caught. Spoons and flasher-fly combinations produced results. Early morning bites were the most productive. The piers saw little to no action.
Charlevoix: Anglers targeting lake trout found success on smaller fish between Big Rock and Fisherman’s Island. Anglers jigging over schools of fish in 120 to 180 feet of water experienced the most success. Anglers trolling the upper 25 feet of the water column reported catching steelhead and the occasional Chinook salmon.
Little Traverse Bay: Boat anglers targeting lake trout found success fishing west of Harbor Springs in 60 to 100 feet of water. Trolling spoons and flasher-fly combinations produced good results. Anglers also reported catching the occasional steelhead and small Chinook salmon. Those targeting smallmouth bass reported slower fishing as water temperatures continued to increase.
West Grand Traverse Bay: Lake trout were caught by anglers jigging around the Red 6 buoy in 50 to 80 feet of water. Smallmouth bass were caught around Power Island in 5 to 10 feet of water by anglers using drop-shot rigs and swimbaits. Water temperatures ranged from 65 to 70 degrees.
East Grand Traverse Bay: Anglers launching out of Elk Rapids caught lake trout while jigging in 70 to 100 feet of water. Lake trout were also caught by anglers jigging around Deepwater Point in 60 to 90 feet of water. Gold and white jigging spoons produced good results. Smallmouth bass were caught in good numbers by anglers fishing south of Deepwater Point and in front of the state park. Smallmouth bass continued to be caught in the Elk River.
Leland: Chinook salmon fishing near both Manitou Islands produced fair numbers. Anglers fishing near the east shore of North Manitou Island and north of the island in 150 to 180 feet of water while trolling caught fair numbers of Chinook salmon of good size. Lake trout fishing was excellent throughout the area, with cowbells and white paddles producing good results. Water temperatures near North Manitou Island were reported to be 50 to 55 degrees.
Frankfort/Lake Michigan: Fishing slowed after the alewives moved into deeper water last week, with anglers trolling in 400 to 600 feet of water to find a few smaller Chinook salmon. As usual, a change in the wind brought in cooler water, and Chinook salmon moved back into the Herring Hole area and out front. Lake trout continued to be caught in the same areas, with some anglers finding success while jigging near the bottom. Steelhead were reported throughout the area in the top 30 to 50 feet of the water column, with orange spoons producing good results.
Northport/Suttons Bay: Fishing efforts took place along the shorelines of Suttons Bay and Omena Bay. Bass anglers reported fair numbers of fish but noted that bass were moving away from shallow waters. Lake trout fishing effort was low; however, anglers who jigged near Stoney Point found success.
Upper Peninsula
Little Bay de Noc: Anglers targeting yellow perch reported limited success and overall slower fishing. Positive reports came from the head of the bay near the Whitefish River, although some anglers reported marking schools of perch near the reefs in the upper bay. Worms were the primary bait used, but anglers also used minnows. Walleye anglers in the upper bay reported catching many smaller walleye. Some anglers continued to find success near the mouth of the Escanaba River and near the narrows. Larger fish were reported in the outer portions of the bay, typically in 18 feet of water or deeper. Walleye anglers found success drifting or trolling crawler harnesses. Those casting used larger, snap-style lures with fins, triggering reaction bites. Some anglers also had success using jigs tipped with worms or leeches.
Munising: Boat anglers did well targeting lake trout when trolling and jigging around Grand Island and Wood Island. The salmon bite in the bay slowed this week. Anglers reported catching a few splake near the mouth of the Anna River, but overall fishing was slow.
Keweenaw Bay/Huron Bay: Anglers reported catching good numbers of coho salmon while trolling spoons and flasher-fly combinations in the top 60 feet of the water column. Anglers also caught Chinook salmon, although in smaller numbers and sizes compared to the previous few weeks. Those targeting lake trout found success while trolling and jigging natural and artificial presentations in waters deeper than 140 feet.
Traverse Bay/Portage Entry: Anglers trolling near structure reported catching good numbers of lake trout, along with a few coho salmon and Chinook salmon, while using spoons and flasher-fly combinations. Anglers jigging for lake trout reported a fair bite using both natural and artificial baits, with most fish caught between 140 and 180 feet of water.
Ontonagon River: Fishing effort on the river was somewhat low over the past week. Walleye were caught in low to fair numbers. Boat anglers found success while both trolling and jigging, with some reporting better results when jigging. Shore anglers reported catching low numbers of walleye and rock bass.
Ontonagon/Silver City/Union Bay: Angling effort from the Silver City and Union Bay access sites remained relatively low over the past week. Effort from Ontonagon was stronger in comparison. Anglers reported catching fair numbers of lake trout, along with the occasional coho salmon. Trolling continued to produce the best results for boat anglers.
Black River Harbor: Angling effort at the harbor was fair over the past week. Anglers reported that fishing was somewhat slow. Boat anglers reported catching low numbers of lake trout and coho salmon. Trolling continued to be the most effective method for targeting these fish.
St. Ignace: At the Pine River, catch rates for walleye and perch decreased as the week progressed. The mayfly hatch and increased current from rainwater runoff may have contributed to limited angler success. Few reports of anglers reaching their limits were received, but many undersized fish were caught and released. Large perch were caught near the M-134 overpass bridge. Shore anglers drifted jigs tipped with leeches or nightcrawlers and cast nightcrawler harnesses. Boat anglers trolled nightcrawler harnesses and body baits.
Grand Marais: Boat anglers reported some good catches of lake trout while trolling and jigging, along with a few coho and Chinook salmon. There was little fishing pressure from anglers fishing off the breakwall.
Les Cheneaux Islands/DeTour: Anglers in Hessel caught a few perch off the marina docks but had to sort through many smaller fish. Northern pike were also caught off the wall, with the best action occurring early in the morning. Lake trout were caught while trolling around Penny Island and in the middle entrance. In Detour, anglers trolling through the channel and around the lighthouse caught a few salmon along with good numbers of lake trout. Anglers also found success targeting lake trout on the flats. A few impressive Atlantic salmon were caught over the past week, and there were still no reports of herring.
Manistique: Anglers fishing the Manistique River caught walleye, northern pike and smallmouth bass. Some walleye anglers trolled the river using shallow-diving crankbaits. Anglers reported good lake trout fishing and fair salmon fishing. Lake trout were marked near the bottom, but anglers also reported catching some higher in the water column. Multiple age classes of Chinook salmon were caught. Some anglers reported seeing sparse schools of baitfish and very limited numbers; however, most anglers had successful trips and caught fish using flies and spoons.
Marquette: Lake trout anglers found success while trolling in deeper water at near-surface depths. Most anglers trolled around White Rocks and traveled toward Granite Rock in 120 to 200 feet of water. However, fish were caught in depths ranging from 10 to 60 feet of water. While targeting lake trout, anglers continued to catch a few coho salmon, brown trout and steelhead. Some good-size lake trout were also reported this past week.
Au Train: Fishing was slow in Au Train this week, with only a few anglers observed. Those who were interviewed reported fishing deeper waters north to northwest of Au Train Island in 120 to 220 feet of water. Anglers caught a mixed bag of lake trout and a few coho salmon. All fish were suspended in the water column while feeding on bugs and bees and were caught between 10 and 60 feet deep. One nice 7-pound brown trout was also caught in front of the Au Train River in approximately 40 feet of water.
Lake Independence, Big Bay: Boat anglers did not catch many fish over the past week, as walleye and yellow perch fishing was slow. Most anglers targeted walleye and yellow perch using natural baits paired with jigs for both species.
Southeast Lower Peninsula
Lake Erie: Walleye fishing slowed significantly in Michigan waters as water temperatures rose. Anglers had some success east of Luna Pier in 18 feet of water using spoons or crawler harnesses. Not many yellow perch were caught, either. Anglers targeting largemouth bass and smallmouth bass did good in 10 to 15 feet of water using artificial lures.
Sebewaing: Walleye fishing was excellent over the weekend. Limit catches were common. The best fishing was on the edge of the bar in 14 to 15 feet of water trolling nightcrawler harnesses.
Lower Saginaw Bay: Anglers caught a few walleye in the Old Dumping Grounds while trolling in 18 feet of water. Crawlers were the most effective bait. Anglers also had success 3 to 4 miles northeast of Spoils Island in 23 to 25 feet of water while using Bandits and Flicker Shads. Some walleye were also caught in 23 feet of water in front of Linwood while trolling Flicker Shads. Anglers caught some smallmouth bass in the lower portion of the Saginaw River, with tube jigs producing good results.
Bayport: Anglers found success in the slot outside the islands in 13 to 14 feet of water and farther offshore near the Charity Islands in 25 feet of water. Both nightcrawler harnesses and body baits produced walleye.
Quanicassee: Both the slot off Fish Point, Sunset and Callahan Reef off Quanicassee produced walleye. Some anglers trolling east of the Spark Plug in 20 feet of water also reported good success. Nightcrawler harnesses, body baits and spoons all produced walleye. Anglers were advised that the warmer weather forecasted for the week would likely push walleye into deeper, cooler waters.
Southwest Lower Peninsula
Muskegon: Boat anglers found salmon action to be slow. A few salmon were caught 60 to 100 feet down in 100 to 200 feet of water. Green and blue spoons produced good results, along with white flasher-fly combinations. Lake trout were caught near the bottom in 150 to 200 feet of water. Pier anglers casting spoons caught freshwater drum. The outer two-thirds of the south breakwall remained closed due to lighthouse work.
Grand Haven: Salmon action was slow for boat anglers. A few steelhead and Chinook salmon were caught 60 to 120 feet down in 100 to 220 feet of water. A variety of presentations, including spoons, meat rigs and flasher-fly combinations, produced salmon. Pier anglers caught a few steelhead using shrimp or by casting orange spoons. Freshwater drum were caught while casting spoons or crankbaits in the channel. The north pier remained closed due to construction.
