5/31/2018 Northeast Lower Peninsula Michigan Fishing Report

NORTHEAST LOWER PENINSULA FISHING REPORT

Cheboygan: Anglers were getting limits of lake trout off Cordwood Point when trolling spoons and spin-glo's in 45 to 80 feet. The fish averaged 5 to 9 pounds and were full of gobies.

Cheboygan River: Anglers were getting limits of walleye when drifting worms and leeches between the walkover bridge and the drawbridge. Anglers were also casting crank baits at the dam. Smallmouth bass and pike were caught on worms and crank baits. Largemouth bass, rock bass, catfish, bowfin and suckers were caught when drifting worms. Some were still targeting steelhead with spawn, beads and spinners up near the dam.

Ocqueoc River: A few suckers along with large and smallmouth bass were caught on worms. Some steelhead were seen but none were caught.

Rogers City: A large midge hatch was underway with swarms on the lake and on shore. Fishing picked up with lake trout suspended or on the bottom in 45 to 70 feet and hitting dodgers and cowbells with spin-glo's or spoons fished around structure with rocks. The fish are eating gobies and the gobies like the rocks. Hot colors were green, blue, orange and chartreuse. Chinook salmon have been caught. Try the top half of waters 60 to 90 feet deep with bright colored spoons. Atlantic salmon should start showing up soon.

Alpena: Those trolling are taking lake trout along with the occasional Chinook, Atlantic and

steelhead throughout the water column in 50 to 80 feet. The lake trout are hitting on flashers with flies or spin-glo's and dodgers with spin-glo's. The salmon and steelhead were hitting on spoons up high in the top 40 feet. Hot colors were green, orange, blue, chartreuse and other bright colors. Try straight out of the harbor or around Thunder Bay Island and the Nine Mile Can. Walleye anglers are trolling straight out from the city beach and marina to Grass Island inside 30 feet with body baits in the early morning or at night.

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Thunder Bay River: The steelhead run is over but a few were still in the river. Anglers are casting body baits or drifting flies and beads. Atlantic salmon were feeding on eggs and minnows. Rock bass along with large and smallmouth bass were caught on both live and artificial baits. There is still a few walleye in the river. Boat anglers were trolling body baits in the lower river from the turn basin to the mouth or jigging with leeches and minnows. Early morning was best.

Harrisville: Those trolling between Harrisville and Sturgeon Point picked up good numbers of lake trout along with a couple steelhead, pink salmon, and Chinook salmon. Fish were feeding on smelt and gobies and were caught anywhere from 5 feet off the bottom to 10 feet from the surface in 60 to 80 feet with spoons and flies with dodgers.

Oscoda: Anglers trolling between Oscoda and Greenbush have found lake trout, pink salmon and even a couple Chinook when trolling spoons in 60 to 85 feet. Some lake trout were as shallow as 30 feet. Most fish were found throughout the water column and were full of smelt so if you find the smelt, you have a good chance of catching fish. Orange, chartreuse, blue and chrome spoons were effective. Pier anglers found walleye when casting jigs and body baits or floating crawlers. A few Atlantics were caught around the piers when casting a small twister tail jig or still-fishing with inflated crawlers. Channel cats and carp were caught when still-fishing with leeches and crawlers after dark. Freshwater drum and a couple smallmouth bass were caught on jigs, body baits and crawlers.

Au Sable River: Water temperatures were in the mid to upper 60's. Steelhead catches are winding down but anglers are still getting a few when drifting flies, mostly between Foote Dam and the High Banks Overlook. Walleye were caught when drifting crawlers and leeches or when floating them from shore. Most walleye were caught in the deeper holes down near the mouth. Carp, suckers, rock bass, and freshwater drum were caught when floating crawlers.

Higgins Lake: Lake trout have been caught in 80 to 100 feet when trolling or when jigging cast masters or Swedish pimples just off the bottom in the early morning. The smallmouth bass action was good in 10 to 20 feet and rock bass are being caught everywhere. Perch anglers are trying but catch rates were spotty.

Nearby Bait & Tackle Shops: 

Higgins Lake Sport & Tackle: (989) 821-9517 

Sports Barn: (989) 821-9511

Houghton Lake: Walleye were still being caught early morning and late evening. Try crawlers or leeches on a harness or spinners. The bluegill bite picked up with the warmer weather. Some nice sunfish have also been caught. Crappie slowed so anglers will have to fish deep as they do not like the hot weather.

Nearby Bait & Tackle Shops:

Lymans On the Lake Resort: (989) 422-3231

H&H Fireworks, Guns & Sporting Goods: (989) 366-0126

Tawas: Boats are fishing in Tawas Bay near Buoys 4-6 or going to Alabaster and fishing 20 to 30 feet for walleye. There were rumors of Chinooks salmon caught in 30 to 40 feet off the point. Pier fishing was slow with a few smallmouth bass, pike or walleye taken at night.

Au Gres: Limits of walleye were taken straight out in 25 to 35 feet, towards the Steeples, Charity Islands and the humps south of Point Au Gres. Smallmouth bass were caught on tube baits in the shallows.