Weekly Fishing Report: June 16, 2016

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page. Weekly Fishing Report June 16, 2016  Southeast Lower Peninsula  Southwest Lower Peninsula  Northeast Lower Peninsula  Northwest Lower Peninsula  Upper Peninsula  Great Lakes Temperature Map  Weekly Fishing Tip Large and smallmouth bass season on Lake St. Clair, the St. Clair River and the Detroit River will open this coming Saturday, June 18.  The catch-and-immediate-release season has been good so anglers should do well on the opener. Have a special guy in your life? Help him celebrate Father's Day this Sunday by buying him a fishing license!  Southeast Lower Peninsula Lake Erie:  Anglers fishing for walleye started the week with strong catches but inclement weather and strong winds have slowed fishing effort.  Those having the most success were trolling and drifting crawler harnesses with bottom bouncers in 22 to 28 feet straight out from Estral Beach, Stony Point and Brest Bay.  Shore anglers fishing Whitewood Creek at the Luna Pier city launch caught catfish, yellow perch, and smallmouth bass on crawlers.  Anglers fishing the lagoons at Sterling State Park caught pike, large and smallmouth bass on jigs with a twister tail, and freshwater drum, panfish, and catfish on crawlers. Shore anglers at the Pointe Mouillee access site caught a few yellow perch and lots of rock bass on crawlers.  Largemouth bass were hitting on spinners and soft plastics.   Detroit River:  Walleye fishing has slowed especially in Michigan waters.  A few fish were still being caught in Canadian waters.  The white bass are starting to thin out.   Oakland County:  Fishing in general has been good on Cass and Union Lake.  Bass anglers are casting crank baits or soft plastics along the drop-offs in six to 10 feet.  The top-water bite has been good in the shallows in the early morning or evening.  Panfish were caught along the shallow weed beds and in the coves.  A few walleye were caught when trolling or casting a crawler harness or spoon. Lake St. Clair:  Fishing slowed along the south end where anglers were right on top of the fish but they would not bite.  Smallmouth bass were hitting on chartreuse colored lures.  Largemouth fishing near the banks also slowed.  Bass anglers were starting to find success in eight to 15 feet between Metro and 9 Mile Road with crank baits, jerk baits, spinners, or the green pumpkin tube bait.  Walleye were caught in 10 to 12 feet near Gino’s when trolling or drifting chartreuse or a pink and purple crawler harness.  Yellow perch and panfish were still being caught between Metro Beach and the Clinton River Cutoff.   Muskie were found near the 400 Club in five to eight feet when casting dark colored spinners or spoons but many were undersize.  Shore anglers at 9 Mile Road caught some perch on minnows and worms.  On the north end, large and smallmouth bass were caught in three to six feet near Selfridge.  A good number of rock bass have also been caught.  Walleye were caught in 11 feet near Selfridge when drifting a white curly tail grub.  A couple muskie were taken near Selfridge and Brandenburg Park in eight to 11 feet but many were too small.  Pike were caught in the north end of Anchor Bay and west of the launch at Fair Haven.  Perch and panfish were caught by those drifting worms north of Selfridge.  Carp are spawning in the shallows and those bow fishing did well near the launch at Fair Haven.   St. Clair River:  A large number of walleye are still being caught but anglers are sorting through a lot small ones.  Marysville, St. Clair, and Marine City were producing good walleye catches for those whipping after dark.  Those fishing during the day were using jigs or crawler harnesses and bottom bouncers in Marine City, Algonac, and near Harsens Island.  A few white bass were caught.   Lexington to Port Sanilac:  Those trolling are still taking a good number of lake trout.  Some are getting the occasional steelhead, Chinook, coho or Atlantic salmon in 50 feet.  Try spoons off planer boards and downriggers.  Those working 80 to 100 feet were catching mostly lake trout.  Boats fishing south toward Lakeport did well for lake trout and other species.  Anglers report their fish being full of smelt so there must still be some smelt hanging around the south end of the lake.   Harbor Beach:  Lake trout were taken in 70 to 125 feet straight north or the harbor.  Use dodgers with spin-glo’s or clean spoons near the bottom.  Try gold and orange, black and white or green and white spoons.  A couple steelhead were taken near the color lines.  Salmon were slow but try clean spoons 40 to 50 feet down.  Pike and bass were caught inside the harbor and near shore when casting or trolling small spoons and body baits.   Port Austin to Grindstone City:  At Port Austin, those wading were still getting some smallmouth bass at Eagle Bay and the Willow River but bass fishing is tapering off.  At Grindstone City, those trolling took lake trout on spin-glo’s in 60 feet and walleye on crawler harnesses in 25 to 30 feet.   Saginaw Bay:  Had good walleye fishing on the right day.  Fish were caught in 20 feet off Linwood, 22 feet east of the Spark Plug, and in 26 feet out near Buoy #1.  From the Saginaw River mouth, some boats were fishing out on the Bar.  Harnesses were best but some were also trolling spoons and crank baits.  On the east side, the Slot continues to be the best spot for walleye in 16 to 18 feet.  The Callahan Reef is also producing fish.   At Bay Port, walleye were caught outside the islands in the Slot and in seven to 10 feet in Wildfowl Bay.  Crawler harnesses and slow trolling speeds were the ticket.   Spinner colors were purple, pink, chartreuse, anti-freeze, brass and copper.  Those trolling also caught lots of freshwater drum.   Saginaw River:  Shore anglers in the lower river at Smith Park in Essexville were taking catfish, freshwater drum, rock bass and smallmouth bass with crawlers on the bottom.       Back to Top Southwest Lower Peninsula St. Joseph:  Pier fishing for steelhead slowed but a couple were caught when floating shrimp or alewife.  Catfish and freshwater drum were caught on crawlers along the bottom.  Boat anglers reported slower catch rates as the fish were scattered between 40 and 100 feet.  Perch fishing was very slow.    St. Joseph River:  Anglers caught a few walleye and smallmouth bass when drifting crawlers.  South Haven:  Pier anglers were catching a decent number of steelhead on shrimp and alewife under a bobber.  Boat anglers targeting salmon said the fish were scattered so few were caught.   Grand Haven:  Boats trolling near the piersheads caught steelhead on orange spoons or body baits.  Those heading offshore found trout and salmon in 150 to 210 feet.  Orange spoons and white flies worked well.  Pier anglers are catching steelhead on shrimp and a few perch on minnows.    Grand River at Grand Rapids:  Is producing bass and catfish.    Grand River at Lansing:  Is producing smallmouth bass and rocks bass.  Some of the better fishing has been below the dams.  The pike and walleye bite slowed.   Muskegon:  The action was slow for boat anglers.  Some did report a mix of trout and salmon taken 45 to 120 feet down in 120 to 180 feet with orange or green spoons.  Green or white flies worked well for those fishing deeper in the water column.   Muskegon River:  Those fly fishing have done well for both rainbow and brown trout.  Water levels were up a bit after the rain.     Whitehall:  Anglers have caught a couple steelhead and Chinook salmon in 180 to 225 feet.  Those fishing between the pierheads caught freshwater drum and pike.      Back to Top Northeast Lower Peninsula Cheboygan:  Boat anglers fishing Cordwood Point and Lafayette Point caught lake trout.  Some reported the occasional Chinook or pink salmon and a couple steelhead were caught by on high-lines.       Cheboygan River:  Is producing a few walleye but the bite has slowed.  Those drifting crawlers in the day or trolling crank baits at night did the best.  A few pike, smallmouth bass, and perch were caught but no large numbers.   Mullett Lake:  Walleye anglers were struggling to find fish especially with the large mayfly hatch on the north end.  Those that had success did better after sunset when using crawler harnesses and body baits.  A few smallmouth bass were still on the beds on the north end of the lake.     Rogers City:  When boats can get out many reported limit catches of lake trout in 45 to 60 feet.  The fish were close to the bottom as well as suspended.  Try cowbells or dodgers with spin-glo’s and green spoons along the rocky bottoms because that is where the gobies are.   Atlantic salmon are starting to be caught.  Try orange and green, orange and silver or orange and gold spoons.   Presque Isle:  Continues to provide excellent fishing for Atlantic salmon and lake trout.  The Atlantics are finally spreading out from Stoneport.  Fish up high in the water column with spoons in combos of orange with green, silver or gold.   Alpena:  Lake trout are being caught in good numbers in 80 to 130 feet.  Check water temperatures and look for baitfish.  Wobble glo’s, spoons, spin-glo’s and body baits are all working well.  Fish the entire water column as steelhead were higher up and hitting the same baits as lake trout.   Walleye were hit-or-miss in 20 to 40 feet around North Point.     Oscoda:  Pier fishing for walleye was slow but catfish were moving in during the late evening.  Those still-fishing had good luck.  Those trolling out in 80 to 120 feet caught lake trout on spoons, wobble glo’s and spin-glo’s.  Steelhead are still in the area so anglers will want to look for colored lines and temperature breaks when trolling spoons in 50 to 100 feet.  Blue and silver, orange and silver or solid orange were good colors.    Houghton Lake:  Was producing some bigger walleye and perch along the north shore.  Anglers are using a jig and leech or a leech harness.  Fire-tiger, purple or copper with green were good colors.  Some are also trolling crank baits.  Hot colors were silver and black or colors that resemble perch and bass.  Bluegills were on the beds along the south shore weed beds.  Anglers were catching lots of rock bass in the same area.   Tawas:  Those trolling for walleye did best around Buoy #2 but it was still slow as there was a pretty good mayfly hatch going on and that usually depresses the walleye bite.  Boats going out to the Charity Islands and the Steeples caught fish.    Tawas River:  Shore anglers were getting a few catfish, freshwater drum and the odd smallmouth bass on crawlers.      Au Gres:  Walleye fishing was good in 25 to 35 feet between Point Lookout and Pointe Au Gres.  Those looking for bigger fish were out beyond the Charities and fishing in 60 to 70 feet.  Crawler harnesses work best but a few were using spoons or crank baits.  Some boats going south of Pointe Au Gres found walleye out near Buoys 1 & 2.   Au Gres River:  Shore anglers were getting catfish and freshwater drum on crawlers. Back to Top Northwest Lower Peninsula Harbor Springs:  Anglers are targeting smallmouth bass though not many fish were on the beds yet.  Lake trout were caught 35 to 50 feet down in 50 to 100 feet except around Harbor Point where the fish were 70 feet down in 90 feet.   Petoskey:  A couple lake trout were caught from the breakwall to Bay Harbor when trolling near the bottom in 90 feet.   Bear River:  Those fishing near the mouth, off the rocks and the D Pier caught smallmouth bass, rock bass, pike, carp, bullhead, carp, suckers and even a couple small perch.  A large catfish was also caught.   Charlevoix:  Boat anglers caught a few very small Chinook in 120 feet. The fish hit spoons about halfway down.  Lake trout were caught near the bottom or suspended in 80 to 100 feet.  Try spoons, spin-glo’s or peanuts.  Those fishing the channel caught the occasional smallmouth bass.  Cisco fishing was good for those using spoons or jigs.  Lake trout were still in the channel and staying close to the bottom.  A large pike was caught off the pier.   Traverse City:  Cisco fishing especially in the East Bay has been very good.  The West Bay continues to produce lake trout.  Some are trolling along the drop-offs while others are jigging out in deeper water.   Boardman River:  Anglers were still catching a few smallmouth bass.     Leland:  Boat anglers are getting lake trout and the occasional Chinook.     Lake Leelanau:  Is producing some walleye and those targeting them were also catching some pike.       Lakes Cadillac and Mitchell:  Walleye are being caught by those trolling or drifting crawler harnesses.  Anglers caught bluegills, crappie, sunfish, bass and bullhead.   Manistee:  The north pier is still closed due to construction.  Lake trout and a small number of Chinook salmon were caught in 100 to 300 feet and steelhead were caught in 200 to 400 feet.  A few walleye were still being caught in the channel at night.   Manistee Lake:  Bass anglers casting along the shoreline have caught good numbers of large and smallmouth bass when on crank baits and plastic worms.  Small pike were in abundance and found when trolling near the old submerged docks.   Big Manistee River:  Anglers at Tippy Dam caught some fresh steelhead on flies, crawlers and shrimp.  Smallmouth bass, rock bass and pike were becoming more active.   Ludington:  Boat anglers caught a few Chinook and lake trout in 100 to 300 feet.  Steelhead were caught higher in the water column.  Be advised the Copeyon Park fish cooler is not working properly so please dispose of your fish at the Loomis Launch.   Pentwater:  Boat anglers trolling in 60 to 150 feet caught lake trout and the occasional steelhead.   Pentwater Lake:  Large and smallmouth bass are being caught throughout the lake and within the channel.  Try jigs tipped with soft plastics, crawlers or shiners.    Back to Top Upper Peninsula Menominee River:  Those trolling stick baits and crawler harnesses caught walleye from Stephenson Island to the mouth.  The smallmouth bite was slow.   Little Bay De Noc:  Fishing did slow.  The best walleye catches were from Breezy Point south to Round Island and out to the “Fingers” when trolling or drifting crawlers and stick baits in 10 to 27 feet.  Pike were very active throughout the bay and though most were undersize, anglers did catch some that were 28 to 30 inches around Butler Island in eight to 14 feet.  Smallmouth bass anglers had fewer catches but those casting crank baits, spinners or plastics did take some off Hunters Point, the mouth of the Escanaba River and the Ford River in 5 to 14 feet.   Big Bay De Noc:  Walleye anglers reported fair catches at best when trolling stick baits or crawler harnesses in 18 to 24 feet.  Smallmouth bass catches slowed in Ogontz with many reporting undersize fish when casting spinners or plastics in six to 14 feet.  Garden Bay had fair to good catches in four to 12 feet.    Marquette:  When boats can get out, they have caught lake trout when jigging cut bait out near Standard Rock.  Those still-fishing near the “white rocks” had no luck.   Coho fishing has been slower.  Those fishing the Lower Harbor breakwall and near Shot Point in the early morning had some success.  Steelhead were caught when trolling spoons between both harbors.  Water levels in the Carp River were still high.     Munising:   Some boat anglers did catch a few Chinook and coho between eight and 12 pounds in Trout Bay and towards Miner’s Beach in less than 30 feet.  Those specifically targeting lake trout did best near the west channel with downriggers, spoons and cut bait just off the bottom in 150 to 200 feet.  Catch rates were still a bit slow as surface water temperatures were still in the mid 40’s.  Pier fishing off the Anna River was slow but a few splake 17 to 20 inches were taken on spawn or crawlers.   Grand Marais:  Gusty winds have made trolling difficult.  Those trolling within a mile of shore had no luck.  Those targeting lake whitefish off the pier caught some but many were too small.  The bigger fish came in the early morning hours with some reporting limit catches.   Detour:  Several targeting Atlantic salmon and lake trout caught more Atlantic salmon at the Detour Reef when trolling spoons 10 to 12 feet down in 80 feet from the green buoy to the lighthouse.  Lake trout were taken in 25 to 35 feet.  Hot colors were orange and white or purple and copper.  Sliders are taking fish just 10 feet below the surface.  Atlantic salmon were caught on the east side of the Detour lighthouse.  Around Drummond Island, Scott Bay was still producing a few 15 to 20 inch walleye for those trolling planer boards and bottom bouncers in four to 12 feet on the north side from Paw Point to Peck Island.  Good smallmouth action on the south end of James Island when drifting or casting spinners in four to six feet.   Cedarville and Hessel:  Those trolling spoons in 6 feet along the weed beds caught lots of smaller pike.  Those using large chubs and frozen smelt caught fish ranging 28 to 32 inches in the early morning.  Anglers reported high numbers of herring in Moscow Channel.  Those looking for perch had little success.  Try 18 to 20 feet with red worms or small minnows.  Smallmouth and rock bass were caught in in the early morning on crawlers or minnows about 4 feet down off the breakwall at Hessel.     St. Ignace:  The fish cleaning station is now open.  Very few anglers have been out because of the strong winds.  The Carp River is still producing a few walleye and a good number of small pike.  Crawlers or leeches worked best.  The Pine River is starting to produce more walleye and a few pike.   Back to Top Fishing Tip: Fly fishing frenzy June is the month in Michigan for fly fishing after dark with big bugs for big trout. The month’s hatches start with the brown drake mayfly, followed by the isonychia mayfly, and rounded out by Michigan’s biggest mayfly – the hexagenia.   Each bug can be expected to hatch one to two weeks on a given water body with some overlap. With the warm weather so far in 2016, the hatch schedule may be accelerated in Michigan so the hatches this year may be more intense and last fewer nights that usual.   Bugs will begin to emerge in the evening after sunset and can continue well after dark. Roughly48 hours later those same bugs will return to the water they hatched from and die. Both events cause a feeding frenzy in the fish community and provide a lot of fun for the anglers that take advantage of the feeding fish.   Contacting a local fly shop or bait shop is a good place to look for information on hatch activity on a specific water body. For information on fly fishing in Michigan, visitMichigan.gov/howtofish.