Pages

▼

Wednesday, October 16, 2024

10/16/24 Southeast Michigan Fishing Report

 


Southeast Lower Peninsula

Detroit River:  The bait fish have moved in close to shore and with them have come the walleye.  Anglers are catching walleye at night on jigs with dark colored plastics, while daytime anglers are catching fish on natural presentations. A few atlantic salmon are being taken from the river on with jig and plastics by anglers targeting walleye.

Lower Saginaw Bay: Walleye appeared in the lower part of the Saginaw River, and a few boat anglers managed to catch some while jigging blade baits or using soft plastics. Yellow perch were caught by anglers near buoy 1 in 26 feet of water, as well as near the Sparkplug. Anglers reported that these fish averaged 8 to 12 inches in size.

Eastern Saginaw Bay: Windy conditions and slow fishing limited angler activity on the eastern side of the bay. Anglers around Quanicassee reported slow fishing for both walleye and yellow perch. Fishing from Sebewaing to Caseville was similar, with very few boat anglers out for yellow perch and walleye, and slow fishing reported. Anglers targeting smallmouth and largemouth bass were catching fish on a variety of artificial baits. Shore fishing was slow with mostly small perch and panfish. Anglers that put in a half day’s effort or more were able to sort through enough small fish to get a meal.

Lexington: Fishing was reported to have improved, with anglers catching an occasional steelhead and Atlantic salmon around the docks at the Lexington State Harbor while casting spoons and spinners.

Port Sanilac: A mix of coho salmon, steelhead, and an occasional Atlantic salmon were caught sporadically throughout the day by anglers. Using smaller artificial lures and bobber fishing with nightcrawlers and wax worms were common choices among anglers.

Harbor Beach: A few coho salmon were caught using a variety of artificial lures from the break wall and near the boat launch area. Spinners were a popular choice among anglers.

Lexington: Bluegill were caught by anglers using nightcrawlers. A few northern pike were caught on artificial lures. Anglers were catching a few steelhead, coho salmon, and an occasional Atlantic salmon while casting spinners, Cleos, and still fishing with bobbers and night crawlers or wax worms.

Lake Erie: Yellow perch remained east of Stony Point, however anglers noted that they moved slightly in to around 24 feet of water. Anglers were catching them with both night crawlers and live minnows on perch spreaders. Red beads seemed to work best. Largemouth bass were active off the docks at Bolles Harbor and were biting on soft plastic lures. Smallmouth bass were caught on soft plastic dropshot rigs along the rock wall near the Sterling State Park beach. Catfish were caught in the discharge waters of the DTE power plant. 

  • 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

  • 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.

Lake St. Clair: Fishing activity was reported as slow. Prior to the windy conditions, anglers
were catching panfish near Selfridge. Small artificial lures in natural baitfish colors on slip bobbers worked well. Low numbers of perch were caught from the shipping channel near the St. Clair Lighthouse and in the mouths of the middle and south channels. Small muskellunge were caught near the spillway. Very few anglers headed to Grosse Point and Ford Cove due to high winds, however those that went reported perch in 13 to 15 feet of water. Anglers reported catching walleye between the spillway and the Metropark in 13 to 15 feet of water as well. Anglers who caught walleye in the channel mouths caught them in 19 feet of water.10/16/24 


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.

    at No comments:

    10/16/24 Northwest Lower Peninsula, Michigan Fishing Report

     

    Northwest Lower Peninsula

    Charlevoix: Anglers targeting bass on the piers reported some smallmouth. Fishing live bait on the bottom seemed to produce some results. 

    Little Traverse Bay: Anglers fishing the Bear River reported Chinook salmon and some coho salmon making their way up the river. Fishing beads, spawn, and flies while bottom bouncing produced results. 

    Frankfort: Following the high winds, anglers reported excellent numbers of steelhead off the north and south piers. Better numbers and limits came off the south pier near the second ladder, and fresh spawn worked well. Young coho salmon were also being reported out near the elbow. Anglers noted that the morning bite seemed to be most productive.

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

    Onekama: Anglers fishing off the south break wall reported some steelhead activity in the early morning hours on spawn. 

    Manistee: Overall fishing was slow. Anglers who were pier fishing reported catching a few steelhead on spawn.

    • For more public lakes to fish in Manistee County: Click Here!

    Ludington: A couple steelhead and coho salmon were reported to have been caught from the piers while using spawn. 

    Leland: Poor weather conditions kept boat anglers off the water. Pier anglers reported catching a few Chinook and coho salmon while float fishing skein.

    West Grand Traverse Bay: Boat anglers who were targeting cisco found success trolling silver spoons near Power Island and whitewalls in approximately 100 feet of water. Anglers who tried their luck for perch throughout the bay had unsuccessful trips. No fishing activity was reported from the piers.

    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.
    at No comments:

    10/16/24 Northeast Lower Peninsula, Michigan Fishing Report

     


    Northeast Lower Peninsula

    Cheboygan: Salmon were reported to be in high numbers at the Cheboygan Dam spillway; however, anglers had a tough time catching fish. Anglers were primarily catching Chinook salmon with the occasional pink salmon, coho salmon, or steelhead mixed in. Those drifting natural baits such as spawn saw the best results, however, other good options were beads, minnow crank baits, and spoons. 

    Rogers City: Poor weather conditions kept anglers off the water.

    Alpena: Angling pressure was reported as slow. A few boat anglers ventured in Thunder Bay with no success. Others targeted perch along the pier and harbor docks with only a few small fish found.

    Thunder Bay River: Chinook salmon were still present in good numbers. Anglers had success drifting spawn and beads. Fire tiger, chartreuse, and blue/silver body baits were also productive. Those using spawn reported a few steelhead and Atlantic salmon showing up as well. Perch anglers below 2nd Avenue bridge reported no luck.

    Rockport: A few anglers tried for Chinook and coho salmon with only a few caught. Chartreuse and white crank baits caught a few fish along with green, gold, and orange spinners.

    Oscoda: Anglers fishing off the pier at night started to pick up some walleye when casting flicker shads. A few coho and Atlantic salmon were caught by anglers casting spoons off the pier early in the morning.

    Au Sable River: Steelhead and Atlantic salmon were caught throughout the lower river when casting spinners, floating spawn/beads, and streamer fishing. Most Atlantic salmon were caught on spinners or flies resembling a minnow. Chinook salmon were caught below Foote Dam by anglers floating skein or spawn bags. 

    Harrisville: Chinook and coho salmon were caught by anglers floating skein 3 to 4 feet down early in the morning or at dusk inside the harbor from the gas docks. Fish were caught throughout the day, but the bite seemed the slow. Steelhead were also caught out of the marina by anglers casting little Cleos. 

    Black River: Anglers who were casting pink arctic spinners early in the morning picked up a couple coho salmon. Chinook salmon were caught when floating skein and beads. Anglers had the most success when casting spoons or spinners in the morning.

    Au Gres: A few walleye were caught north of Charity Island when trolling or casting crawlers and crank baits. Other anglers were able to get a few fish heading south out from the mouth. Bluegill and other panfish were caught by anglers at Eagle Bay Marina.

    Tawas: Windy conditions kept most boat anglers off the water. Chinook salmon and a few coho salmon were caught at the Tawas River mouth on various baits including spawn, spinners, spoons, and Rapalas. Chinook salmon and steelhead were also caught at the Singing Bridge when fishing the river and in the surf. 

    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.

    at No comments: