6/21/2018 Northwest Lower Peninsula, Michigan Fishing Report

Northwest Lower Peninsula

Harbor Springs:  Smallmouth anglers are still going out on the Harbor Springs side of the bay and doing well in shallow waters from the State Park to Harbor Point.  Lake trout were caught from Harbor Point north as the fishing seemed better on this side of the bay.  Fish were caught in 40 to 60 feet.  Cisco were still being caught up around Harbor Point and further into the bay.  

Petoskey:  Boat anglers were catching lake trout when trolling from the breakwall to Bay Harbor.  The fish were near the bottom in 65 to 135 feet.  Surface water temperatures were about 57 degrees and some nice temperature breaks were setting up according to the weather buoy.  The Bear River may still have some steelhead up near the dam.  A variety of species have been caught at the mouth including smallmouth bass, rock bass, pike, catfish, bullhead, carp, freshwater drum, a couple walleye and even one largemouth bass.  Anglers are using worms and stick baits.  

Charlevoix:  Boat anglers are either jigging our front for cisco or trolling and catching lake trout.  The lake trout action was best north of North Point and out towards Nine Mile Point.  In the channel, the cisco action slowed as the fish could be moving out of the channel.  A couple lake trout were caught off the pier with spoons or jigs.  Anglers are waiting for smallmouth bass to start showing up.  

• For a more accurate report on Lake Charlevoix I suggest reaching out to the people at Tom's Bait & Tackle. Phone: (231-536-3521)

Kalkaska County:  Pickerel Lake was producing the occasional walleye.  A few bluegills were on the

beds.  Lake Skegemog had a good number of large and smallmouth bass caught.  Those targeting perch caught mostly small fish.  

Traverse City:  Lake trout were caught in the East Bay when trolling or jigging off the Elk Rapids Marina and to the north of it but catch rates were hit-or-miss.  Lake trout and lake herring were also caught on the north side of Deepwater Point and off the M-37 launch.  On the other hand bass fishing in the East Bay was good with fish caught in shallow waters south of Deepwater Point and the M-37 launch, towards Yuba and in Elk Harbor.  Fishing was slow in the Elk River but a few bass, perch and rock bass were caught between the dam and the mouth when using crawlers, leeches or tube baits.  In the West Bay, fishing was hit-or-miss.  Lake trout were caught along the east side when trolling.  Those jigging did fair south of Power Island.  Sutton’s Bay was slow but a few nice perch were taken off the pier.  Bass were caught in the shallows south of Bowers Harbor.  On the Boardman River, anglers caught a few smallmouth along with plenty of rock bass and panfish at the mouth and near the dam.  

• For a list of bait and tackle shops in the Traverse City area: Click Here!

Frankfort:  The early morning Chinook bite was starting to pick up.  Large bait plumes are being reported near the bottom and anglers are trolling just above them with green flies and spoons working best but meat rigs were also getting some hits.  Steelhead numbers were also picking up because of fly hatches.  

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

Arcadia Lake:  A mixed bag of salmon, lake trout, and steelhead were caught in front of the pier heads or off the golf course when trolling green, blue and orange spoons.   

Onekama: Chinook salmon were caught in the top 65 feet of waters 200 to 250 feet in the early morning.  Lake trout were caught on spin-glo’s a little further down.  There was still a good number of baitfish in the area. 

Portage Lake:  The mayfly hatch is in full swing and most anglers reported slower activity.  Bass fishing was good with largemouth caught along the drop-offs.  Panfish were still hitting on worms in the shallows.  

Lakes Cadillac and Mitchell:  Crappie were out deeper and hitting on a jig and minnow.  Those targeting bluegills and sunfish were getting fish in three to eight feet.  Those trolling found some walleye in deeper water.  A few limit catches were taken on a crawler harness.  Night anglers caught bullhead.  

Manistee:  Trolling in the harbor slowed but anglers were still picking up a few brown trout and the occasional Chinook.  Most were still coming in with a mix of Chinook, lake trout, steelhead and brown trout when using spoons 75 to 100 feet down in 150 to 200 feet.  Steelhead are starting be caught off the north pier when using spawn.  

Manistee River:  The hex hatch has started and the river should be in great shape for trout fishing.    

Nearby Bait & Tackle Shops:

Don's Sporting Goods: (231) 723-5028

Tangled Tackle Co.: (231) 887-4242

Pappy's Bait & Tackle: (231) 848-4142

Andy's Tackle Box: (231) 477-5737

Ludington:  Surface temperature readings were up to 60 degrees.  The catch rate slowed for those trolling but they were still bringing in some brown trout, steelhead and the occasional salmon.  Most fish were caught on spoons 60 to 100 feet down in 130 to 200 feet.  Pier fishing was slow.  

Nearby Bait & Tackle Shops:

Don's Sporting Goods: (231) 723-5028

Tangled Tackle Co.: (231) 887-4242

Pappy's Bait & Tackle: (231) 848-4142

Andy's Tackle Box: (231) 477-5737

Pere Marquette River:  Is in good shape and the hex hatch has started on the lower river.  Trout are being taken on spinner patterns as well as medium sized streamers. Brown trout are being caught on mouse patterns at night as well. When the trout aren't being cooperative smallmouth are also being caught readily on the river. 

Pentwater:  Boats trolling in front of Juniper Beach in 120 to 180 feet caught Chinook, steelhead, and coho on spoons and meat rigs in the top 70 feet.  Double orange crush, wonderbread, and bloody nose spoons worked well.  Pier anglers caught smallmouth bass in the channel when drifting crawlers or minnows.

Pentwater Lake:  Anglers casting body baits and soft plastic swimbaits caught smallmouth bass in five to 12 feet.  At Longbridge Road, anglers caught smallmouth bass, pumpkinseed, yellow perch, and bullhead when drifting worms under a bobber.