Thursday, October 25, 2018

10/25/2018 Northwest Lower Peninsula, Michigan Fishing Report

Northwest Lower Peninsula

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

Petoskey: Had no boat anglers but a few were surfcasting off the beach or pier fishing.

Bear River: Water levels were back to normal. Angler pressure continues to be low at the dam and down at the mouth. Catch rates were slow with only one coho and one Chinook caught. Anglers are drifting spawn and flies at the dam. Most are waiting for the steelhead to show up. Down near the mouth, a Chinook, coho and one lake trout were taken on spawn, spinners, spoons or crank baits.

Traverse City: Had few anglers because of windy conditions. There was one boat looking for perch in the East Bay, but none were caught. A few lake trout and a couple small steelhead were taken up near the dam in the Elk River. Spawn in the morning worked best. In the West Bay, perch fishing was slow south of Elmwood Marina and the reports from Bowers Harbor were hit-or-miss. Steelhead fishing was slow in the Boardman River.
Frankfort: Steelhead had been hitting off the piers and the shorelines in Frankfort and between the piers and stub piers in Elberta. Windy conditions made angling a challenge however those sticking it out did catch some fish.
Portage Lake: When anglers could get out, some very nice perch were caught on minnows, wigglers and wax worms in 12 to 16 feet. Most were working the west shoreline to avoid the wind.
Lake Missaukee: Was producing bluegill and crappie.

Manistee: Surface water temperatures were holding in the low 50’s. Few anglers were out. Steelhead were caught off the pier. Spawn worked best.

Manistee River: Boat anglers in the lower river are catching steelhead but there has been no word on fish up near Tippy Dam. The Little Manistee River is low and clear which makes steelhead fishing more difficult.

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: Had surface waters in the low 50’s. Few were out but when they could pier anglers caught steelhead on spawn.
Pere Marquette River: Water levels are low and clear. We need some rain to get the steelhead moving.
Pentwater: Has had no boat anglers. Those still-fishing with spawn bags caught the occasional steelhead in the early morning.

Pentwater Lake: Pike were caught when casting body baits in 10 to 20 feet. Boats still-fishing with dropper-rigs and perch minnows caught good numbers of yellow perch in 30 to 40 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.
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10/25/2018 Northeast Lower Peninsula, Michigan Fishing Report


Northeast Lower Peninsula

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

Cheboygan River: Water flow had been high and fast, and the dam had four chutes open. Chinook salmon fishing slowed however a couple were still being caught at the dam. Most were using real and artificial spawn or crank baits. Some steelhead have been caught on spawn bags and trout beads.

Ocqueoc River: Had very few anglers. Those floating artificial spawn bags and trout beads had no hits.

Rogers City: Had no reports as it has been too windy and rough. Most anglers have put their boats away for the season and are now into hunting and other fall activities.

  • For more public lakes in Presque Isle county: Click Here!
Alpena: Trying to get out on the bay has been almost impossible as it continues to be windy and rough. If anglers could get out, there should be some walleye and maybe even some steelhead and Atlantic salmon out Thunder Bay. The fish cleaning station closed on Monday, October 22.
Thunder Bay River: Chinook salmon in this area are just about done for this year however more Atlantic salmon are starting to show up each day. Lots of angler activity but not many were caught. Anglers are casting spoons, body baits, rattle traps and small flies or drifting beads, spawn and small flies under a bobber. Reminder: Atlantic salmon with a missing adipose fin have a coded wire tag in their snout. Anglers catching such a fish can turn the heads into the Creel Clerk on duty, the Alpena Fisheries Research Station or Clem’s Bait and Tackle.
Black River: Had a few anglers targeting trout and salmon while casting body baits and spoons or still-fishing with spawn but no fish were caught.

Harrisville: A couple anglers were casting body baits for walleye but fishing was slow.

Oscoda: Anglers trolling spoons and spin glo’s around the pier heads and off Three Mile Park for trout and salmon had little luck. Those trolling body baits or jigging for walleye also had little luck. Fish were marked near the river however they did not want to bite. Pier anglers casting jigs and body baits caught a couple walleye and pike but the numbers were low. A small Atlantic salmon was caught when casting spoons off the pier. Those still-fishing with crawlers caught channel cats.

Au Sable River: Atlantic salmon are preparing to spawn so many were unwilling to bite. Anglers caught a few by coaxing reactionary strikes with streamer flies, spoons, spinners, and small jigs or by targeting pre-spawn fish with spawn bags and beads. A few remaining Chinook were caught but the fish are very dark. A couple steelhead were caught on spoons, spawn and beads. The water temperature dropped to the low 50’s.

680 River Rd.
Oscoda Twp. Mi 48750
(989) 739-5332

Ogemaw County: Some large panfish were caught in the canals on Sage Lake.

Houghton Lake: The only boats out on the lake were duck hunters. Shore anglers were getting a few walleye on shallow diving crank baits both day and night. Shore anglers are fishing under the bridges and off the boat launches.

Nearby Bait & Tackle Shops:

Tawas: Some limit catches of walleye were taken at the mouth of the Tawas River and behind the State Police Post when casting body baits or jigs in the middle of the night. Pier anglers caught pike on live minnows or when casting various lures.


 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.

Alcona County Public Lakes: Click Here!

Alpena County Public Lakes: Click Here!
Clare County Public Lakes: Click Here!
Crawford County Public Lakes: Click Here!
Gladwin County Public Lakes: Click Here!
Iosco County Public Lakes: Click Here!
Montmorency Public Lakes: Click Here! 
Ogemaw County Public Lakes: Click Here!
Oscoda County Public Lakes: Click Here!
Presque Isle County Public Lakes: Click Here!
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10/25/2018 Southwest Lower Peninsula, Michigan Fishing Report



Southwest Lower Peninsula

St. Joseph: Once again the weather has hampered fishing as no boats had made it out for salmon. Pier fishing was slow for steelhead with only a couple caught on spawn. The whitefish action is also slow.
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 Haven: No trout and salmon anglers had been out as windy conditions kept boats off the big lake. Pier fishing was slow for all species.


  • For more places to fish in Van Buren County: Click Here!
Black River: Boat and shore anglers reported slow steelhead fishing.
Kalamazoo River: Some steelhead were caught up near the Allegan Dam. Look for more fish to move in with rain in the forecast. Those using live and cut bait have caught some catfish in the early morning.

Grand Haven: Weather conditions have made it difficult for anglers to get out. When they do, lake trout were caught on the bottom in 90 to 150 feet with a yellow flasher and spin-glo combo. Pier anglers reported slow steelhead action however a couple small coho were caught on spawn.

Grand River at Grand Rapids: Any leftover salmon are in rough shape. Anglers are getting some steelhead up near the dam but no big numbers yet.
Grand River at Lansing: The coho action is pretty much done for this year. A few scattered steelhead have been caught in the area however there are no big numbers by any means. A few bass and panfish were caught on occasion.

  • For a more accurate report on the Grand River at Lansing I suggest reaching out to the people at Grand River Bait & Tackle. Phone: (517-482-4461)
Murray Lake: In Kent County was producing some nice bluegills in 24 feet.
Muskegon: No boat report due to weather conditions. Pier anglers reported slow steelhead fishing.
Muskegon River: Is producing the occasional steelhead however some rain by the weekend should help bring more fish into the system. A small number of salmon can still be found. Hardy Dam Pond was producing a few walleye for those using minnows.

Whitehall: Had no boat anglers. Pier anglers still-fishing with spawn bags caught coho and steelhead. Those casting jigs and blade baits caught walleye in the evenings.

White Lake: Perch fishing was slow but some were caught in 40 feet with perch minnows or wax worms.
White River: Water levels are low and clear. A few salmon are still being caught however we need some rain to get the steelhead moving.

 For more bait shops in the southwest lower peninsula follow the links below:
Kalamazoo County Bait Shops: Click Here!
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!

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! 
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10/25/2018 Southeast Lower Peninsula, Michigan Fishing Report



Southeast Lower Peninsula

To access the original Michigan DNR fishing Report: Click Here!
Lake Erie: The perch bite picked back up especially in the evening, with most boats getting 20-50 fish southeast of Stony Point in 23 to 24 feet, east of Stony Point in Ohio waters in 26 feet, near Buoys 1 & 2 in 23 feet and near the E-Buoy. Emerald shiners on perch rigs with green, purple and chartreuse spinners and/or beads still worked best. Walleye anglers were getting one to four fish in the morning east of Sterling State Park beach in 16 to 18 feet and a couple limit catches were taken off Stony Point in 24 feet. A couple musky were caught by walleye anglers trolling pink, purple and red walleye bandits and flicker minnows 50-55 feet back in 16 to 18 feet in Brest Bay. Largemouth bass were caught along the Sterling seawall and canals or in the Bolles Harbor and Toledo Beach Marina backwaters. A few smallmouth were caught by those casting crank baits, tube baits and a green pumpkin worm or biffle bug in the early morning.

  • If 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.

Detroit River: Yellow perch fishing continues to get a little bit better as water temperatures drop. Anglers are using minnows around Sugar Island. A few walleye were caught off the Ford Yacht Club at the south end of Grosse Ile. Most were drifting a crawler harness, but some are switching over to a jig and minnow. Bluegills were hitting on wax worms in the marinas.
Lake St. Clair: Bluegill and crappie fishing was very good in and around the canals between Harley Ensign and Selfridge. Slip bobbers with a small jig and artificial worm, grub, or minnow were all attracting fish. Anglers had a hard time trying to catch other species with only a smallmouth bass, walleye or perch taken here or there.
  • For a more accurate report on Lake St. Clair I suggest reaching out to the people at Sportsmen's Direct  as their weekly LSC fishing report is usually far more in depth.  Phone: (586-741-6052)
  • Macomb County Bait Shops: Click Here!
St. Clair River: Both the North and the Middle Channels were holding a few walleye however the fish are scattered.
  • For a more accurate report on Lake St. Clair I suggest reaching out to the people at Sportsmen's Direct  as their weekly LSC fishing report is usually far more in depth.  Phone: (586-741-6052)
  • Macomb County Bait Shops: Click Here!
Lexington to Port Sanilac: Anglers were getting a few pike, steelhead and one or two Atlantic salmon off the break-wall each day. More Atlantics are staging just outside the harbor and should come in soon. The bite will improve when they are done spawning. At Port Sanilac, anglers are getting the occasional steelhead or pike off the breakwall.

Harbor Beach: The odd walleye was taken at night off the break-wall at the north gap.
Port Austin: A few walleye were caught off the break-wall at night with spoons and body baits. A couple seven to nine-inch perch were caught inside the harbor during the day.

Saginaw Bay: Has had very little fishing pressure for perch. The wind has kept boat anglers on shore and the perch have not come into the cuts and river mouths yet. Colder and calmer weather might improve the perch fishing as the water cools down. Some perch were caught in six to eight feet off Quanicassee. A couple pike were taken on spoons or body baits in the Sebewaing Marina.

  • 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
Saginaw River: Those fishing the lower river for walleye or perch had little success.

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.



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Thursday, October 18, 2018

Product Review: Okuma Voyager Travel Spinning Kit

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Thursday, October 11, 2018

10/11/2018 Southeast Lower Peninsula, Michigan Fishing Report


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

Lake Erie:  The DNR will continue its annual walleye assessment near Monroe through October 12 with gill nets set near Stoney Point and Luna Pier. Avoid navigating in between the large orange staff buoys and be sure to give the research vessel some room. The perch bite continued to pick up with most boats getting 30-60 fish as well as a good number of limit catches in the morning or afternoon in 22 feet in Brest Bay, 22 to 26 feet southeast of Stoney Point, near Buoys 1 & 2 or 5 & 6 off the River Raisin, 23 feet near the Dumping Grounds and between the E-Buoy and Ohio waters. Anglers were getting 13-15-inch perch Off Stoney Point and the Dumping Grounds. Most were using emerald shiners or fathead minnows on perch rigs with green, orange, red or chartreuse spinners and/or beads. Walleye were caught in 15 feet in Brest Bay when trolling spinners with dipsy divers. Weeds were making it difficult for those trolling.  Good bass fishing along the shoreline and near the harbors. A good number of largemouth and the odd smallmouth were caught off the seawall at the mouth of Frenchtown Harbor, off Sterling, Bolles Harbor, Toledo Beach Marina and the Hot Ponds with spinners, topwater frogs, crayfish or green pumpkin and watermelon worms.  

  • If 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.

Belleville Lake: Walleye fishing is going pretty well on Belleville.  Anglers are getting walleye by trolling crawler harnesses and lindy rigs along the eastern end of the lake , as well as near the bridges downtown. Anglers trolling are getting by-catch of white bass, white perch and northern pike.  While some anglers are catching suspended walleyes along weedlines using slip bobbers rigged with leeches.  

Huron River: The fall bite is on in full.  Anglers are taking smallmouth on bucktail jigs, twistertails and topwaters baits like whopper ploppers as well.  A few walleye have been taken as well up river with plenty of pike being taken as well. 


Detroit River:  The yellow perch are moving in and were caught in 10 to 12 feet around the islands or 14 to 17 feet at the mouth. Most were taken with minnows on spreaders.  Walleye were caught around Calf Island. Anglers were trolling, jigging or hand-lining.  


Macomb County:  Anglers started jigging for walleye on the inland lakes. The bite started to pick up with the cooler weather. Most were using blue colored jigs and plastics tipped with a minnow. Panfish are starting to show up in the canals.  

  • For a more accurate report on Lake St. Clair I suggest reaching out to the people at Sportsmen's Direct  as their weekly LSC fishing report is usually far more in depth.  Phone: (586-741-6052)
  • Macomb County Bait Shops: Click Here!

Lexington to Port Sanilac:  Pier and shore anglers at Lexington caught one or two Atlantic salmon per day. Fewer fish were caught during the warm up this week as it appears they moved back out to deeper water. A few pike were also caught. 

Port Austin:  A few perch were caught from the docks.

Saginaw Bay:  Had few anglers off Eagle Bay Marina but a couple good catches of perch were taken in eight to 13 feet. Some perch were also taken from the old state bridge in Quanicassee. Those fishing the inner bay did well for bluegills with some nice fish caught by shore anglers at Finn Road in 11 feet and northeast of Sebewaing off Pop’s Place. Bluegills were also taken by shore anglers between Sebewaing and Bay Port. The bite was best when the sun came out. A couple bass boats at Bay Port caught a few largemouth bass close to shore. When the weather allows, anglers can find some good size smallmouth out near North Island.      

Saginaw River:  A few perch were caught near Smith Park and Wirt Stone at Essexville.


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.

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Saturday, October 6, 2018

10/4/2018 Northeast Lower Peninsula, Michigan Fishing Report


Northeast Lower Peninsula

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

Overall: Lake trout and splake season in MH 1-2 closed on September 30. This includes the waters of Lake Huron from Detour all the way down to Black River. 

Cheboygan:  A few fishing Duncan Bay caught smallmouth bass and pike when trolling body baits. Those trolling spoons for salmon did not have much luck.  

Cheboygan River:  Fishing pressure picked up. A couple Chinook were caught on crank baits or skein. Most of the fish are dark however fresh fish are still trickling in. A good number of pink salmon were caught on skein, spoons and crank baits up at the dam. Those casting spoons and crank baits or drifting worms caught steelhead, large and smallmouth bass, walleye, pike and one muskie.  

Ocqueoc River:  Had very little fishing activity. Salmon were spotted upstream of the boat launch, but none were caught.  

Rogers City:  Swan Bay has chinook salmon. Those trolling were using J-plugs and bombers and those casting were using Cleo’s and body baits. For younger salmon and steelhead, try 90 feet and deeper with spoons throughout the water column. Green, blue and orange would be good colors.  

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

Alpena:  Windy conditions had the water stirred up. Anglers had a difficult time finding fish though they should still be getting Atlantics, steelhead, young Chinook and walleye. Try straight out to 70 feet when trolling spoons or body baits.  


Thunder Bay River:  Chinook salmon are jumping but were difficult to catch. The Atlantic salmon fishery was still on the slow side. Anglers are casting spoons and body baits or drifting spawn under a bobber.    

Black River:  Anglers were targeting salmon while casting spoons and crank baits or when still-fishing with spawn near the mouth of the river.

Harrisville:  Fishing effort was low. A few anglers were targeting trout and salmon while trolling spoons and J-plugs but had no luck. A couple Chinook were caught when casting spoons near the mouth of Mill Creek.  


Oscoda:  Those trolling spoons and J-plugs off the mouth of the river had little success for salmon. Walleye up to 26 inches and a few pike were caught in the morning and evening by those casting crank baits from the pier. A couple good size smallmouth bass were also caught when still-fishing or jigging crawlers and minnows.  


Au Sable River:  A couple Atlantic salmon were caught between Foote Dam and the Whirlpool by those floating spawn, drifting and swinging egg and streamer flies through the holes or fishing behind the gravel. Smallmouth bass have been caught.  

680 River Rd.
Oscoda Twp. Mi 48750
(989) 739-5332


Tawas:  Had a lot of minnows inside the harbor at Tawas Bay but anglers caught very little. Chinook salmon were jumping both inside and outside the harbor as well as off the mouth of the river, but none were caught.  A couple walleye were taken off the breakwall at night when casting body baits.   

Tawas River:  A couple pike and smallmouth bass were caught in the river and off the mouth by shore anglers casting various lures.

Au Gres River:  Had some reports of Chinook salmon jumping off the mouth of Whitney Drain at the Singing Bridge, but none were caught.  

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.

Alcona County Public Lakes: Click Here!

Alpena County Public Lakes: Click Here!
Clare County Public Lakes: Click Here!
Crawford County Public Lakes: Click Here!
Gladwin County Public Lakes: Click Here!
Iosco County Public Lakes: Click Here!
Montmorency Public Lakes: Click Here! 
Ogemaw County Public Lakes: Click Here!
Oscoda County Public Lakes: Click Here!

Presque Isle County Public Lakes: Click Here!
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