Saturday, August 29, 2020

8/26/20 Northwestern, Michigan Fishing Report

 


Northwest Lower Peninsula

Petoskey: Boat anglers fishing from the break wall to Magnus Park caught a few Chinook 100 to 135 feet down but most were smaller fish. Those heading west did better for lake trout when fishing near the bottom. Most were using spoons, meat rigs and flasher/fly combos. More anglers were on the Bear River, but very few fish had been caught. Shore anglers targeting salmon in the early morning could see them, but none were caught.    

Charlevoix: Boats heading straight out and fishing 110 feet down did find a couple salmon when trolling spoons. Those jigging around South Point caught cisco and lake trout in 100 to 120 feet. There has been no activity in Medusa Creek. Those fishing the channel have caught smallmouth bass with live or artificial crawlers and leeches. No salmon in the channel yet.

  • For more places to fish in Charlevoix County: Click Here!
  • For a more accurate report on Lake Charlevoix I suggest reaching out to the people at Tom's Bait & TacklePhone: (231-536-3521)

Traverse City: Salmon were caught in the East Bay on the south bank, around Deepwater Point and near the white wall. Cisco fishing was good when the bite was on.  Bass fishing was slow. In the West Bay, salmon were caught in the hole in front of the Boardman River. No big numbers yet, but a few. Lake trout fishing was slow. Those trying for smallmouth bass were struggling.

Grand Traverse County: Slow fishing was reported on Long Lake, Bass Lake, Elk Lake and Lake Skegemog


Leland: Lake trout were still being caught deep off the harbor and near North Manitou Island. Salmon were also caught, but still low numbers.  

Lake Leelanau: Walleye were caught on the south end of the South Lake. A few Chinook were also caught, but the fish were smaller. 

Frankfort: Chinook salmon were hitting in 90 to 150 feet when trolling spoons 40 to 80 feet down. Some good-size fish have been caught, but the numbers were on the low side. Platte Bay anglers reported good numbers of coho in West Bay when trolling and jigging. 

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

Onekama: The Chinook bite was spotty, with a few landed out deep in 250 feet or more and working the top 100 feet with spoons. Anglers reported good numbers of baitfish.

Portage Lake: Water temperatures are still on the rise, and the bite was on the slow side. Bass, perch, and panfish anglers reported some activity but lots of little ones.

Manistee: Chinook and coho were caught 60 to 90 feet down in 80 to 200 feet to the north and south as well as along the Shelf when using spoons, J-plugs, meat rigs and a flasher/fly combo. The bite was hit or miss at times. A few lake trout and steelhead were also caught. Pier fishing was slow.   

Manistee River: Continues to provide some decent brown trout and the occasional steelhead. Pike and bass fishing were good below the dams.    

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

Ludington: A mix of Chinook and coho were caught straight out from the harbor, off the projects to the south and around Big Sable Point 45 to 80 feet down in 50 to 160 feet. Fishing was hit-or-miss at times. A few lake trout and steelhead were caught on spoons, meat rigs and J-plugs. A couple Chinook were caught in the harbor and off the pier. 

Pere Marquette Lake: A few Chinook salmon were caught both trolling and jigging, but the action was still hit or miss. 

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

Pere Marquette River: Those using spawn, beads or a jig and wax worm caught the occasional steelhead in the deeper holes. 

Mecosta County: The Martiny Chain was good in the early morning for panfish and pike. A few good size bass were also caught. Chippewa Lake was slow, with only a few largemouth bass and panfish caught.

Below are links to bait shop listings organized by county: 

Your area may not be listed within this fishing report so below is a list of links to pages in Northeast Michigan to help guide you to public lakes in your county.

8/26/20 Northeast Lower Peninsula, Michigan Fishing Report

 

Northeast Lower Peninsula

To access the original Michigan DNR fishing Report: Click Here!

Cheboygan: Lake trout were caught off Poe Reef when trolling spoons. A couple Chinook salmon up to 10 pounds were caught on spoons in the shipping channel.


Cheboygan RiverHad no reports of salmon yet. Those drifting worms at the DNR Station, the walk-over bridge and up at the dam caught walleye, smallmouth bass and rock bass. Anglers also had luck catching pike when casting crankbaits at the dam. 

Burt and Mullett Lakes: Perch fishing picked up. Jumbo-size fish were caught in both lakes, but not in any one location. 

Rogers CityThe better fishing for trout and salmon continues between Swan Bay and Adams Point extremely early before 5 a.m. or near sunset. The fish were picky, and getting them to bite was difficult. Most were using spoons, J-plugs, meat rigs and bombers throughout the water column in 50 to 125 feet. 

Presque IsleIs producing a mixed bag of trout and salmon for those finding baitfish or colder water near the thermocline. Most were using spoons along with attractors, flies, squid and spin-glo’s. The odd Chinook or Atlantic salmon have also been caught. 

  • For more public lakes in Presque Isle county: Click Here!

Otsego Lake: Walleye anglers caught a couple fish; however, weeds made fishing difficult.    

Alpena: Anglers caught lake trout, pink salmon, steelhead and walleye when trolling spoons and spin-glo’s in 90 to 160 feet at the “Humps” and near the Nordmeer wreck. Lake trout were found near bottom, with silver fish scattered throughout the lower half of the water column. Silver, orange, blue and green were good colors. Walleye were scattered with only a few caught in 35 to 80 feet when trolling lead core with spoons and body baits. 

Thunder Bay River: Fishing was slow, but anglers found a few rock bass and smallmouth bass when floating crawlers and leeches. Bullhead and a couple channel cats were caught in the evening with


crawlers or stink baits. The odd walleye was caught when trolling a crawler harness. 

Oscoda: Trout, salmon and walleye were caught when trolling spoons or spin-glo’s in 90 to 160 feet between the river and Greenbush. The odd Chinook and coho were also found. Lake trout were found both on the bottom and suspended, while walleye and silver fish were scattered between 30 feet down and the bottom. Gold, orange, purple, blue and green were hot colors. Pier anglers caught smallmouth bass, rock bass and yellow perch on crawlers. 

Au Sable River: A few smallmouth bass and northern pike were caught on crank baits and soft plastics. A couple channel cats were taken on crawlers in the evening. 

680 River Rd.
Oscoda Twp. Mi 48750

Higgins Lake: The lake trout action has slowed considerably. Smallmouth bass were caught by those working the drop-off. Rock bass are still being caught.      

Houghton LakeCatch rates were on the slow side. Walleye and bluegills were taken in small numbers near the Cut River. A few largemouth bass were caught along the south shore. 

TawasA few small perch were caught inside the bay near the weed beds with perch rigs and minnows in 15 to 20 feet. Walleye were caught near buoys 4 and 6 with lindy rigs or Erie dearies with crawlers. Steelhead and walleye were found out past Buoy #2 in 60 to 70 feet with downriggers and spoons. Catch rates for steelhead have been good. The few targeting smallmouth bass inside the bay and out near the point had released close to 30 fish. 

Tawas River: Anglers caught largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and some bluegills when using crawlers at Gateway Park. 

Au Gres: Walleye fishing has been slow, with only a few fish caught out near the Charity Islands or south near Pt. Au Gres when using body baits, spoons or crawlers in 15 to 30 feet. Perch were caught in front of the Pine River and south toward the Saganing and Pinconning bars when using minnows in 15 to 17 feet. 


Below are links to bait shop listings organized by county:




Your area may not be listed within this fishing report so below is a list of links to pages in Northeast Michigan to help guide you to public lakes in your county.



Friday, August 28, 2020

8/26/20 Southwest Lower Peninsula, Michigan DNR Fishing Report


Southwest Lower Peninsula

To access the original Michigan DNR fishing Report: Click Here! 

St. Joseph: Perch fishing was slow, as the fish were scattered in 25 to 60 feet. Boat anglers targeting salmon had fair catch rates with Chinook, coho and lake trout caught in 115 feet or so. Pier anglers caught freshwater drum and a few catfish. The water warmed up, so steelhead fishing was very slow. 

Note: At any time you can view the Berrien Springs fish ladder cam by go to this link or following their youtube channel. Subscribing to their channel helps fund the fish ladder cam. 

Nearby Bait Shops Include: 
Fishin Hole (269) 982-3474
Tackle Haven (269) 925-0341
Great Lakes Tackle  (269) 208-6178
Fishing Hole 2 (269) 468-7522  

South HavenPerch fishing was inconsistent, as some anglers had nice catches while many others had very few. Most were fishing to the south in 40 to 55 feet. Salmon fishing was decent; however, the fish were scattered in 80 to well beyond 120 feet. Pier fishing was slow for all species as the water warmed back up. 

  • For more places to fish in Van Buren County: Click Here!

Kalamazoo River: Had fair to good bass fishing in the early morning when working the shoreline and weed beds.   

Lake Macatawa: The DNR boat launch remains closed due to high water.

Port Sheldon: Salmon action slowed, but fish were still being found in 80 to 160 feet when trolling green flies and meat rigs 55 to 100 feet down. Glow spoons and plugs produced a few salmon in low-light conditions.

Grand HavenPier fishing was slow. The Harbor Island boat launch remains closed due to high water. 

Grand River near Grand Rapids: Bass anglers continue to find a few fish near the weeds and docks when using crawlers, plastics or spinners. Catfish were found early or late with crawlers, cut bait and stink baits. Closer to the big lake, fishing was slow in Sterns Bayou and Petty’s Bayou. 

  • For a more accurate report on the Grand River at Grand Rapids I suggest reaching out to the people at Al & Bob's SportsPhone: (616-281-0777)

Grand River near Lansing: Smallmouth bass were still being caught near the dams.  Channel cats were caught throughout the evening or early morning when using cut bait or minnows. Panfish were caught on crawlers, minnows and leeches. 

  • For a more accurate report on the Grand River at Lansing I suggest reaching out to the people at Grand River Bait & TacklePhone: (517-482-4461)

Wamplers Lake: In Jackson county was producing some panfish. 

Maple River: Had very good fishing. Anglers had success on a wide variety of fish, including bluegills, catfish, bass and pike.

Muskegon: Catch rates slowed; however, boat anglers were still seeing a mix of salmon and steelhead. The salmon were scattered 45 to 100 feet down in 80 to 240 feet and hitting glow spoons, plugs and green meat rigs. Steelhead were hitting orange and green spoons. 

  • For a more accurate report on the Muskegon Lake & the Muskegon River I suggest reaching out to the people at Snug Harbor OutfittersPhone: (231-719-0759)

Muskegon River: Fishing has been up and down due to the weather. Most anglers were catching smallmouth bass and various panfish. Perch and pike fishing picked up along the river. Trout fishing was slow on the Little Muskegon due to water levels.


For more bait shops in the southwest lower peninsula follow the links below:
Berrien County Bait Shops: Click Here!
Allegan County Bait Shops: Click Here!
Ingham County Bait Shops: Click Here!
Branch County Bait Shops: Click Here!
Barry County Bait Shops: Click Here!
Kalamazoo County Bait Shops: Click Here!
Kent County Bait Shops: Click Here!

Your area may not be listed within this fishing report so below is a list of links to pages in Southwest Michigan to help guide you to public lakes in your county.

Allegan County Public Lakes: Click Here!
Barry County Public Lakes: Click Here!
Calhoun County Public Lakes: Click Here!
Cass County Public Lakes: Click Here!
Clinton County Public Lakes: Click Here! 
Jackson County Public Lakes: Click Here!
Kalamazoo Public Lakes: Click Here! 
St. Joseph County Public Lakes: Click Here! 

8/26/20 Southeast Lower Peninsula, Michigan DNR Fishing Report

 


Southeast Lower Peninsula


To access the original Michigan DNR fishing Report: Click Here!

Lake Erie: Perch fishing slowed considerably. The best action was in front of the River Raisin near buoys 1 and 2. Walleye are showing up once more. Fish were caught near Fermi and Buoy E near Bolles Harbor. Plenty of catfish are being taken from the Hot Pond by those casting crawlers and shrimp.   


  • I
    f you're planning on fishing any of the canals near Lake Erie Metro Park or Point Mouillee State Game Area you can get all of your bait & tackle needs met at  Bottom Line Bait & Tackle
  • If you're planning on fishing out of Sterling State Park or the Brest Bay area you can pick up tackle from the nice people at Jeff's Bait & Tackle.

Washtenaw CountyFishing was slow throughout the county, as most anglers reported limited to no success with only a few small bass and small panfish caught. Not many reports of good catches on the Portage Lake Chain and the Halfmoon Chain.

Detroit RiverHad very little as far as walleye reports; however, perch anglers were getting some near Sugar Island when fishing near the Cross-Dike with minnows. Smallmouth bass could be found near Grosse Ile and Stoney Island. 

Harbor BeachAnglers caught a mix of walleye and lake trout with the occasional Chinook or steelhead 2 miles out and south in 120 to 130 feet with spoons near the bottom. Those fishing northeast in 100 feet also found a few fish about halfway down. 


Port AustinWalleye anglers were fishing Hat Point Reef, but catch rates were slow. 

Saginaw Bay: Walleye are done for now, but the yellow perch action is slowly picking up. The better fishing was straight out from Linwood, near the old shipping channel and about a mile east of Spoils Island in 17 feet. Getting minnows has been a little bit of a problem, but if you can find them, perch prefer shiners but not golden shiners. Perch anglers off Quanicassee had mixed results. Some were getting five to 10 fish per person, some boats had less, and some had more. Try 6 to 10 feet and move around to find active fish. From Sebewaing to Bay Port, the few boats out looking for perch and walleye had limited results. Walleye fishing slowed throughout the eastern part of the bay.

  • For a more accurate report on Saginaw Bay I suggest taking a look at the weekly Saginaw Bay Fishing Report given to you by Saginawbay.com

Below are links to bait shop listings organized by county:  

Your area may not be listed within this fishing report so below is a list of links to pages in Southeast Michigan to help guide you to public lakes in your county.

Clinton County Public Lakes: Click Here!
Genessee County Public Lakes: Click Here!
Hillsdale County Public Lakes: Click Here!
Jackson County Public Lakes: Click Here!
Lapeer County Public Lakes: Click Here!
Lenawee County Public Lakes: Click Here!
Livingston County Public Lakes: Click Here!
Oakland County Public Lakes Page 1: Click Here! 
Oakland County Public Lakes Page 2: Click Here!
Washtenaw County Public Lakes: Click Here!
Wayne County Public Lakes: Click Here!

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