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Michigan Weekly Fishing Report, Nov. 26, 2015

Weekly Fishing Report

November 26, 2015

Southeast Lower Peninsula  Southwest Lower Peninsula  Northeast Lower Peninsula  Northwest Lower Peninsula  Upper Peninsula  Great Lakes Temperature Map  Weekly Fishing Tip Attention Anglers:  The fishing report will not be updated the first week of December. Those looking to head out may want to check with local bait and tackle shops to get the latest on conditions around the state.    A lot of would-be anglers are deer or duck hunting and the weather has made it difficult for those wanting to fish. Between the strong winds, rain, snow or cold there is not much to report for the last week. The Catch and Release sturgeon season on the Great Lakes and Connecting Waters will close on November 30.   Southeast Lower Peninsula Lake Erie:  Had some boats out but most were duck hunters.     Huron River:  Was giving up some steelhead in the lower river.   Detroit River:  The upper river has been good for muskie fishing.  Perch anglers are still getting some fish when the weather allows.  A few walleye were caught in the Trenton Channel.      Lake St. Clair:  Water temperatures fell quickly with the cold spell.  High winds have kept the lake muddied up and fishing reports have been slow.  Those targeting muskie have done well on both sides of the lake.  The Catch and Immediate Release sturgeon season closes on Monday, November 30.  Based on the forecast, it looks like DNR access sites will remain open through at least the first weekend in December. These sites will have at least one skid pier in the water for launching.     St. Clair River:  Walleye fishing was fair with fish caught in the lower river channels by jigging or the upper river when hand-lining or whipping at night.  Walleye were caught at night near the Bluewater Bridge.  The Catch and Immediate Release sturgeon season closes on Monday, November 30.  The boat access site in the North Channel near Algonac will close on Tuesday, December 1.   Saginaw Bay:  When they can get out, boat anglers were getting a few yellow perch on minnows.  Those fishing near the Hot Pond caught catfish.  Back to Top Southwest Lower Peninsula Boat anglers heading out for panfish reported bluegills in deep water.  No word on crappie.     St. Joseph River:  Anglers were catching steelhead.  The fish ladder was still open because of the late run and warmer temperatures.     Kalamazoo River:  Has steelhead and the better fishing was below the Allegan Dam.  Target the deeper holes.  Walleye, pike and bass were also caught.     Grand Haven:  Pier anglers caught whitefish.     Grand River at Grand Rapids:  Had good steelhead action over the 6th Street Dam.  A few walleye and smallmouth bass were caught above the dam.  Anglers were using minnows and crawlers.     Rogue River:  Is producing steelhead and some reported limit catches.     Muskegon River:  Had good steelhead fishing with a good push of fish after the wet snow.  Most were floating spawn.     Back to Top Northeast Lower Peninsula Thunder Bay River:  This is the time of year anglers should find whitefish off the 9th Street Bridge.  Try a single egg or wax worm on a gold hook just off the bottom.   Au Sable River:  Colder temperatures did push some steelhead up into the river.  Fish were caught on spawn or crawlers.   Houghton Lake:  Had snow on the ground and no fishing activity.      Tawas:  Some are fishing off the State Docks.  Try a small hook with a wax worm, wiggler or a single egg for whitefish.  Use a slip bobber to keep the bait just off the bottom.   Au Gres River:  A couple of steelhead were caught down near the Singing Bridge.  Try spoons, plugs or spawn bags.  Orange is good color.      Back to Top Northwest Lower Peninsula Charlevoix:  Pier anglers were hooking into some steelhead.   Frankfort:  Pier anglers caught a fair number of steelhead when floating spawn.    Manistee:  Had fair to good steelhead fishing for pier anglers and those surfcasting, of course, it all depends on wind direction.  Pier anglers are floating spawn while those surfcasting are throwing orange spoons and spinners.     Manistee River:  Those fishing the Big Manistee have caught steelhead between the mouth and Tippy Dam however the better numbers were coming from the lower end of the river.    Ludington:  Pier and shore fishing has been fair to good depending on wind direction.  Anglers caught steelhead and the occasional brown trout.       Pere Marquette River:  Had steelhead throughout the river.  Some nice silver bullets were hitting on spawn under a bobber, live bait or flies.      Back to Top Upper Peninsula Lake Gogebic:  Is producing the occasional walleye especially for shore anglers.   Menominee River:  Whitefish have arrived.  Anglers are reporting fish 16 to 21 inches being caught mainly by the Hattie Street Dam.    Little Bay De Noc:  Had very low angler participation.  The walleye anglers were still trolling from the “Narrows” north to the Center Reef.  Most were using stick baits in the evening in waters six to 28 feet deep.  Perch anglers reported good numbers caught around Butler Island but most were too small.  Ice was starting to form along the shoreline.  St. Mary’s River:  A few walleye were caught on crawlers, crank baits or stick baits in Munuscong Bay.      Back to Top Fishing Tip:  Gear maintenance is an important task With the colder months quickly approaching, many anglers may be getting ready to store their gear for the season. There are a few maintenance tips you should follow so your quality gear is ready to be used next season.  1. The biggest tip is to always make sure all your gear is clean and completely dry before storing it. Start by cleaning everything (rods, reels and lines) in fresh water with soap or the manufacturer’s recommended solution to remove any materials that may have become attached or embedded. 2. Now is a great time to inspect your gear for any damage – and thus make repairs or prepare for replacements.  3. Don’t store any of your gear in direct sunlight and don’t store any of your gear where heat and/or moisture might build up. 4. Have waders? Air them out completely and don’t forget to hang them upside down for the months they are out of use.  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.

November 10, 2015, Ohio DNR Fishing Report

• The daily bag limit for walleye in Ohio waters of Lake Erie is 6 fish per angler. The minimum size limit for walleye is 15 inches.
• The daily bag limit for yellow perch is 30 fish per angler in all Ohio waters of Lake Erie.
• The trout and salmon daily bag limit is 2 fish per angler. The minimum size limit is 12 inches.
• The black bass (largemouth and smallmouth bass) daily bag limit is 5 fish per angler with a 14 inch minimum size limit.
  
Western Basin 

Walleye Where: Walleye have been caught around Kelleys Island, primarily at night in shallow water.
How: Most walleye have been caught by trolling with crankbaits. 

Yellow Perch 
Where: Perch fishing has been good near Kelleys Island Shoal, southeast of Kelleys Island, and nearshore from Lakeside to the Marblehead lighthouse. 
How: Perch spreaders or crappie rigs with shiners fished near the bottom produce the most fish.

Central Basin 

Walleye Where: Walleye have been caught in 30 to 40 feet of water from Cedar Point to Huron. Night fishing has been good nearshore around Huron and around Cleveland harbor. 
How: Most walleye have been caught by trolling with crankbaits.

Steelhead
Information is available on our Lake Erie steelhead page:
• Lake Erie Steelhead Fishing Report


The Lake Erie water temperature is 51 off Toledo and 57 off Cleveland according to the nearshore marine forecast. 



Sandusky River and Maumee River



• Sandusky River and Maumee River walleye fishing update

Michigan Weekly Fishing Report; November 12, 2015

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Weekly Fishing Report

November 12, 2015

Southeast Lower Peninsula  Southwest Lower Peninsula  Northeast Lower Peninsula  Northwest Lower Peninsula  Upper Peninsula  Great Lakes Temperature Map  Weekly Fishing Tip The report this week is much shorter as most anglers now have their sights set on hunting season. After a relatively dry week, rain is needed to bring water levels up and improve steelhead fishing in the rivers. Those fishing the inland lakes have caught bluegill and crappie and this is also the time of year when pike go on a feeding frenzy. The season to take frogs, toads, salamanders and mudpuppies will close onNovember 15, 2015.     Southeast Lower Peninsula Lake Erie:  Shore anglers were catching yellow perch off the docks in the Metro Park Marina but many were small.  Bluegills were also caught.  This is the time of year when walleye anglers start to wade out from the beaches of Sterling State Park.  They usually cast bombers at night.   Huron River:  Anglers were catching a fair to good number of large and smallmouth bass between the Mast Road Bridge and Barton Pond.  Those fishing below the Ford Lake Dam at North Hydro Park caught bass and a few walleye.   Detroit River:  Boat anglers were catching perch.  Shore anglers caught perch around Grosse Ile.   Lake St. Clair:  Had cleared up but with rain and strong winds in the forecast Thursday and Friday, anglers should expect muddy conditions for the end of the week.  Perch fishing improved but muddy conditions will not help.  Muskie fishing has been good for those casting, trolling or jigging.    St. Clair River:  Lake sturgeon fishing remains very good in the North Channel. Walleye fishing was good with fish caught both night and day when jigging, casting or whipping.  Water temperatures at Algonac were 51 degrees.   Port Austin:  Still had one dock in at the boat launch.   Saginaw Bay:  Boat anglers were still heading out for perch.  It won’t be long before anglers start finding a few perch up in the cuts, canals and rivers.   Back to Top Southwest Lower Peninsula St. Joseph:  Pier anglers and those surfcasting continue to catch some steelhead.   St. Joseph River:  Had good steelhead movement with a fair to good number of fish moving through the fish ladders.  Expect continued movement of steelhead through the ladders until the water temperature is consistently below 45 degrees.  Smallmouth bass and a few walleye were caught near the dam at Three Rivers.     Kalamazoo River:  Is producing steelhead.  Try using spawn with light line.  A few walleye were taken below the Allegan Dam.  Try crank baits, stick baits or spoons.   Grand Haven:  Is still producing steelhead for pier anglers and those surfcasting.   Grand River at Grand Rapids:  Water levels are down some.  A couple of steelhead were caught by those floating spawn.  Very few walleye were caught.     Rogue River:  Anglers caught the occasional steelhead up near the Rockford Dam.  Some big brown trout were caught and released because the season is closed.   Muskegon:  Has some whitefish starting to show up around the piers.  Try putting a single egg right on the bottom.   Muskegon Lake:  Was producing a few walleye and perch.   Muskegon River:  Has steelhead but the fish seem to be scattered.  Try fishing the deeper holes until we get more rain.      Back to Top Northeast Lower Peninsula Otsego Lake:  Was producing some panfish.  West Twin Lake:  In Montmorency County was producing a few walleye.  Try crank baits, stick baits, small spoons or leeches.     Alpena:  Whitefish are most likely on the reefs however it is rare to see anyone on the big water this time of year.  Colder weather is needed before whitefish will come into the shallows to spawn.     Thunder Bay River:  Had light fishing activity up at the Ninth Street Dam where anglers are targeting fall run steelhead, Atlantic salmon and the odd Chinook salmon.  Some have caught walleye or whitefish.    Au Sable River:  Should have steelhead especially in the lower river.  Look for more fish to start moving in after the rain this week.    Tawas:  Walleye were starting to become active in the shallows of Tawas Bay.  The fish move in closer to shore when chasing the baitfish.   Back to Top Northwest Lower Peninsula Traverse City:  Cisco were caught in the East Bay.  Anglers were using primarily Swedish Pimples.   Frankfort:  Had little boat traffic.  Depending on the day and the weather conditions, pier anglers were still getting some steelhead.  Most are using spawn.  Some are surfcasting with spawn or small spoons.     Portage Lake:  Was producing some large perch.   Long Lake:  In Missaukee County was producing some crappie.     Manistee:  Pier fishing and surfcasting for steelhead was still good on certain days, depending on wind and waves.  Spawn was still the best bait.   Manistee River:  Dry weather caused water levels to drop once again.  The low and clear water makes steelhead fishing much more difficult.  Fish are around but anglers will need to be patient and use light line.   Ludington:  Steelhead were caught by pier anglers and those surfcasting.  Catch rates were dependent on wind and wave action.  Most are using spawn.    Pere Marquette River:  Has steelhead but the water was low and clear.  The fish will spook easily so use light line.  Anglers are reminded that possession limits are put into place for a reason and to help prevent overharvest.         Back to Top Upper Peninsula Menominee River:  Fishing pressure increased at the Hattie Street Dam. Whitefish were caught from the fisherman’s walkway to the dam. Evenings were best. Fish ranging 16 to 22 inches were caught by those floating a jig and minnow in the current. Some walleye and pike were caught by boat and shore anglers in the lower stretches when using jigs tipped with live bait or stick baits.   Little Bay De Noc:  Walleye anglers reported results similar to last week.Those fishing during the day had fair catches when trolling stick baits in 35 to 40 feet at Kipling or 20 to 30 feet near the Black Bottom. Night anglers did best trolling stick baits along the edge of the First and Second Reefs in ten to 22 feet. The best perch catches were taken by those fishing off the dock in the Escanaba Yacht Harbor. The boat slip docks were a good place to try jigging minnows and worms. A lot of walleye anglers reported incidental pike catches throughout the bay.   Back to Top Fishing Tip: Using spawn to catch steelhead Steelhead, a migratory strain of rainbow trout, are considered one of Michigan's premier game fish and are exciting to catch on conventional fishing tackle. Reaching weights of 15 pounds or more, these fish ascend Great Lakes' tributaries in the fall each year beginning in late September and continuing through December.   A popular method of fishing for steelhead involves using spawn bags for bait, as spawn (loose eggs from other fish species) is a natural food item for them. Spawn bags placed on a hook can be casted and drifted through runs and holes in rivers or below barriers or dams where migratory steelhead are congregated.   Knowing how to "read" a river is key to finding the spots where steelhead are. Anglers fishing from a boat also can anchor in the river and cast their line out behind the boat, letting the spawn bag sit in the current as steelhead move upstream.     Anglers can either tie their own spawn bags by placing loose salmon eggs into brightly colored netting material (sold in most bait stores) and cinching them closed with thread, or they can purchase spawn bags that are already tied and preserved in liquid.   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

Michigan DNR Weekly Fishing Report

Weekly Fishing Report

October 29, 2015

Southeast Lower Peninsula  Southwest Lower Peninsula  Northeast Lower Peninsula  Northwest Lower Peninsula  Upper Peninsula  Great Lakes Temperature Map  Weekly Fishing Tip Much needed rain should help with the low water levels.  The Chinook salmon run never really peaked this year and catch rates were spotty at best.  Anglers are now targeting coho and steelhead.  Those fishing the inland lakes report panfish being caught in deeper waters.  Those bow fishing are doing well for carp in shallow waters.  Southeast Lower Peninsula Lake Erie:  Perch fishing was great over the last week.  Limit catches were coming from 26 feet straight out from Sterling State Park however anglers are still sorting out the smaller ones.  Catch rates were still hit-or-miss in 12 to 15 feet off Toledo Beach and in 22 to 25 feet near the River Raisin buoys.  Emerald shiners on spreaders or basic perch rigs right near bottom seem to be working best.  The “Hot Hole” is still producing a good number of bass and catfish.  Water temperatures were in the low 50’s so walleye fishing remains slow.  Once those temperatures reach the high 40’s, anglers should try stick baits in 15 to 17 feet off Stony Point.   Huron River:  Had the occasional steelhead but no big numbers yet.      Detroit River:  Yellow perch were caught on the south end of Celeron Island however the action was still light.  Try 12 to 15 feet with emerald shiners.  Catch rates were light up around Sugar Island.  No perch or walleye reports from the upper river.  Those fishing Belle Isle caught a few small panfish and channel cats.   Lake St. Clair:  Perch fishing has been spotty, but those using emerald shiners did best.  Water temperatures are dropping quickly.  MDNR electrofishing in Anchor Bay found good numbers of northern pike and largemouth bass in waters less than six feet deep.  Shocking in the marinas off Anchor Bay produced large crappie and bluegills.   St. Clair River:  Anglers have caught walleye from shore when casting after dark in the Port Huron and Marysville area.  Fish were also found in the Delta Channels.  Best results have been for those jigging with minnows.  Sturgeon anglers have been catch and release fishing in the North Channel near Decker’s Landing, Sassy Marina, Pearl Beach, and Algonac. Water temperatures were in the mid to low 50’s. Lexington & Port Sanilac:  Were slow with only one Atlantic salmon caught.       Harbor Beach:  Had rumors of walleye caught at night when casting body baits.   Saginaw Bay:  Was windy and slow fishing overall.  Some yellow perch were caught near Spoils Island and the Spark Plug.  The east side had mostly duck hunters as perch fishing dropped off.  Those fishing from shore were picking up a few smaller fish.  Quanicassee, Sebewaing and Bay Port had slow perch fishing.  Caseville had rumors of walleye caught at night when casting body baits.   Saginaw River:  A few walleye were caught between the Independence Bridge and the Train Bridge in Essexville.  A few perch were caught down near the mouth.   Back to Top Southwest Lower Peninsula St. Joseph:  Windy conditions continue to hamper fishing efforts.  Pier anglers caught a few whitefish but fishing has slowed.  For whitefish, anglers were using a single salmon egg on the bottom.    South Haven:  Pier and boat anglers found slow fishing for all species.   Grand Haven:  Pier and surf anglers are catching a couple steelhead on spawn.  When boats can get out, they were trolling orange spoons up high.    Grand River at Grand Rapids:  Anglers are getting a few more steelhead but the action was still on the slow side because of the low water levels.  Most are using spawn.  Some walleye were caught below the Sixth Street Dam.   Rogue River:  Is producing some steelhead for those using a jig and wax worm.   Grand River at Lansing:  One small salmon was caught over at the point where the Grand meets the Red Cedar.  Anglers may find the occasional fish however they were small.  Good pike action for those using spinners.  Smallmouth bass are also being caught.     Looking Glass River:  Is producing pike even with the low water levels.  Try bright colored spinners near Babcock’s Landing.    Muskegon:  Steelhead fishing was slow off the piers.  Boat anglers are out trolling when the winds allow.   Muskegon River:  Water levels were low which makes it easier for those wading.  The salmon run has slowed and the occasional steelhead has been caught when floating spawn or fly fishing.  Good bass fishing continues.      Whitehall:  Some pier anglers had luck when fishing spawn close to the shoreline.  Catfish were also caught.  Those fishing the channel caught a fair number of walleye when casting artificial lures.  Surface water temperatures at the mouth were 54 degrees.   Back to Top Northeast Lower Peninsula Ocqueoc River:  Was producing salmon but the numbers remain low.   Rogers City:  Fishing for the season is pretty much done.  Windy conditions have made it impossible.  The marina, the cleaning station and the restrooms are now closed for the season but there was still one dock in.   Alpena:  The weather has made it miserable for those wanting to fish.  When anglers can get out, they are targeting steelhead, Atlantic salmon, small Chinook and walleye.  As we move into November, anglers will be trying for whitefish along the reefs as they tend to move in closer to shore for spawning.     Thunder Bay River:   The Ninth Street Dam continues to see a few salmon but they near the end as most were dark and beat up.  Look for steelhead was water temperatures drop.  Try drifting salmon eggs near the bottom.   Harrisville:  As the weather cools steelhead should start to show up in the harbor.  There were reports of walleye in the harbor but number of fish was limited.  Most anglers are catching walleye when casting small spoons or body baits for salmon at night.  Good colors are blue and silver, orange and silver or anything that glows.   Au Sable River:  A few salmon were spotted on the beds upriver.  Boy Scout Run and High Banks had a good number of fish.  Steelhead have not made their way up for the most part but a few early fish were seen near the mouth where anglers were using spawn, spoons and body baits.  Use anything that glows early morning or late at night.  Higgins Lake:  Was producing smallmouth bass and rock bass near structure.   Houghton Lake:  Walleye and panfish were caught by those drifting crawlers and leeches.   Lake St. Helen:  Was producing panfish near the weed beds.   Tawas:  A few small perch were caught off the floating docks along the inner harbor.  A couple walleye were caught by those casting body baits from the outer pier in the evening.   Tawas River:  Was extremely slow with pretty much no one fishing except for a few behind the State Police Post but yet again no catches were recorded.     Au Gres:  Had the occasional boat trolling off Whitestone Point.  A few walleye were caught on body baits.  Au Gres River:  Was producing a few small perch but anglers are sorting.  Along the East Branch, there was no activity near the Singing Bridge.   Back to Top Northwest Lower Peninsula Harbor Springs:  Had no anglers to talk to.  The boat launch is still in and a few boats usually go out this time of the year for yellow perch.  They usually fish in the harbor and around Wequetonsing.   Petoskey:  Had no report as no boats have gone out.   Bear River:  Lake trout were near the mouth and between the bridges.  Drifting spawn bags worked best.  Anglers are reminded that lake trout season in the waters of Lake Michigan is closed but the river is still open.  The steelhead are a bit late this year.   Charlevoix:  Had few anglers.  A couple boats were out looking for yellow perch between the points but there were no reports of any fish being caught.  There were no salmon anglers near the cement plant and few anglers fishing the piers.   Elk River:  Catch rates were fair with juvenile steelhead, brown trout, lake trout and the occasional coho taken on spawn bags below the power dam.   Traverse City:  Cisco fishing was fair in the East Bay.  Trolling was more effective than jigging with fish on the move.  They were caught 50 to 90 feet down in various depths.  The West Bay had a few boats out perch fishing or targeting steelhead near the mouth of the Boardman.  Perch were caught on minnows in 30 to 40 feet near the weed beds but most were throw backs.   Boardman River:  A good number of lake trout were caught on minnows, spawn and spinners at the Union Street Dam.  Some coho and lake trout were caught at the mouth and a couple steelhead were taken up from the weir.     Frankfort:  Pier anglers caught a couple steelhead when using spawn.  Those trolling body baits around the piers caught coho and steelhead but no big numbers.   Portage Lake:   Those bass fishing have caught a few largemouth when working the drops out in deeper water.   Lakes Cadillac & Mitchell:  Anglers are targeting walleye at night.  Most are casting crank baits.   Manistee:  Pier and surf anglers did well catching a good number of steelhead and the occasional coho.   Manistee River:  Fishing was slow because of the lack of rain and low water levels.  A couple steelhead were caught in the lower stretch but no big numbers yet.   Pere Marquette River:  Has slow fishing because of the low water levels.  There are still a few salmon around but the kings are just about done.  From here on out, anglers will be catching mostly coho and steelhead.    Pentwater:  Pier fishing was slow but a few did manage to catch some steelhead on spawn.  The morning bite seemed to be better.  Some were targeting pike at the end of the channel facing Pentwater Lake.  A few fish were caught by those still-fishing with frozen smelt. Back to Top Upper Peninsula The fall perch bite has been fair to good on the inland lakes.  Anglers were starting to pick up more walleyes.   Keweenaw Bay:  Fishing was very slow for those trolling.  Anglers did pick up a mix of coho and splake off the pier and at the head of the bay near the cement bridge.  The South Portage Entry had few anglers but a couple steelhead were caught by those trolling in 30 to 60 feet near the lighthouse.  In Traverse Bay, a couple lake trout and steelhead were caught near the Gay Stacks and straight out from the pier in 30 to 150 feet.    Portage Lake:  Was producing decent catches of walleye.       Menominee River:  Anglers have caught a few brown trout, walleye and smallmouth bass between Stephenson Island and the Hattie Street Dam.  Spoons, spinners, and plastics are being used. Little Bay De Noc:  Northern pike catches are still good throughout the Bay.  Not as many anglers are targeting them so most were caught by walleye anglers.  Most of the walleye anglers were fishing the northern half between the First and Second Reefs and trolling primarily stick baits.  Day anglers did best in 14 to 30 feet and the night anglers in eight to 12 feet but catch rates were fair at best.  Several good catches of perch were reported around Butler Island when using minnows in ten to 26 feet.  Fish were also caught in the Escanaba Yacht Harbor in eight to 12 feet.  Some were targeting salmon at the dam in the Escanaba River but the numbers were few as the run seems to be over.       Big Bay De Noc:  This will be the last report coming from the creel clerk for the season.  Angler participation was very low.  Windy conditions have not made it easy for anglers to get out but those that did were mostly bass anglers.  Catch rates were good for those drifting minnow rigs 25 to 40 feet down along the break from Garden Bluff to the Fayette area.   Marquette:  Had no boat activity out on the big lake.  Catch rates for coho were slow in the Dead River for those using spinners at the dam.  The coho action slowed in the Carp River but the steelhead are moving in.  The fish caught were between 21 and 26 inches and were hitting on spawn bags in the holes under the bridge.  Fishing in the Chocolay River was steady off the M-28 platform.  Anglers caught steelhead, brown trout and coho on spawn bags, crawlers, spinners and rapalas.  Hot colors were blue and silver, orange and pink.   Au Train Lake:  Had no reports.  Construction on the ramp continues and will not be completed until sometime the first week of November.   Munising:  Had few anglers and fishing was slow.  The only activity was shore fishing at the Anna River dock where anglers were casting spoons.  Orange and gold or blue and silver were good colors.  Splake were hitting on small hammered spoons and spawn sacks but many were undersize.  A few coho were caught on spoons.   Grand Marais:  Had good fishing for those surfcasting near the mouth of the Sucker River as some reported limit catches of fish up to and over 28 inches.  Spawn worked best but fish were also caught on green and silver or orange and gold spoons.  Some nice brown trout and some coho were caught.  A few boats trolling the harbor caught steelhead over eight pounds.  Coho were running about 22 inches but a serious of smaller coho 12 to 14 inches were caught which is a good sign for future fishing.   St. Mary’s River:  Walleye anglers had success from DeTour to Barbeau when trolling crank baits or crawler harnesses in eight feet around Moon Island and west to the mouth of the Munuscong River.  Some caught 21 to 24 inch fish.   Drummond Island:   Most have put their boats in storage for the season however walleye anglers were still catching fish when using planer boards with blue and chrome crank baits in eight to ten feet between Peck Island and Rutland Island.  Orange, green and yellow six-inch crankbaits are working as is long lining for those that do not have planer boards.  Musky fishing was fair on the east side of the channel across from Conley’s Point in six to eight feet.  Most were using dark green and yellow split body baits with a flat nose.    Cedarville & Hessel:  Has an excellent population of nice perch but few anglers were getting out.  When they can, try Cedarville Bay, Musky Bay, Little Joe Island, Viking Channel, Rice Point, Middle Entrance or Snows Channel.  These areas should also produce pike especially the Middle Entrance.   Carp River:  Is still fair for a few left over salmon and some steelhead.  Anglers are casting spinners or floating spawn bags.   Back to Top Fishing Tip:  Why is fall fishing so great?   Many anglers will tell you that as fall rolls in the fishing gets better and better. But why is this? There isn’t much formal research to answer that question, but several factors could be contributing to this influx of angling opportunities: forage availability, dropping water temperatures, fish movement, or oxygen availability.  Some say it could just be related to less fishing pressure and/or better angling techniques. The bottom line is, if you don’t consider fall to be an ideal time to go fishing you may want to rethink that sentiment. Some of the biggest crappie, muskellunge, walleye and smallmouth bass can be found in the fall – don’t you want to experience that? This tip adapted from Michigan Outdoor News.  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.