10-21-2007, 12:39 AM
Upper Peninsula:[/url]
The lake trout and splake fishing is fair on Copper Harbor in Copper Harbor.
Anglers on Lake Gogebic (go-GEE-bic) are reeling in a few walleye and perch. The perch are found on the south end of the lake near the weed beds, in water eight to 12 feet deep.
In the Marquette area, the lake trout fishing is good along the breakwall on Lake Superior. A few salmon are being caught on the Chocolay (chalk-oh-lay) and Dead rivers. Anglers on Little Lake are catching a few perch and walleye.
By Escanaba, the walleye fishing is improving on Little Bay de Noc. The best fishing is found north of Gladstone. At the mouth of the Cedar River, anglers are catching a few walleye trolling after dark. An occasional salmon is being reeled in by anglers on the Escanaba River.
Out of the Manistique area, the salmon fishing is fair, a lot of the fish in the river are turning color.
Around Sault Ste. Marie, the perch fishing is fair on the upper end of the St. Marys River. The fishing pressure has tailed off this week on Munuscong (muh-nuss-CONG) Bay, but for those anglers who are heading out the musky and perch fishing is fair.
Out by Drummond Island, the perch fishing is good on Maxton and Scott bays.
And fishing activity this week is slow in the St. Ignace area.
Northwest:[/url]
By Alanson, the perch fishing is good on Burt and Crooked lakes. Minnows are being used as bait. Anglers on the lakes are also reeling in a few walleye.
Out of the Boyne City area, the steelhead fishing ranges from fair to good at the mouth of the Boyne River. The salmon fishing is slowing down in the river. Anglers on Lake Charlevoix are catching good numbers of perch. The bass fishing on the lake is fair.
Around Traverse City, the perch fishing is slow to fair on Lake Leelanau. Both minnows and wigglers are being used as bait.
In the Frankfort area, anglers on Crystal Lake are reeling in a few perch. The salmon fishing is fair along the Betsie River.
Anglers on the Big Manistee River by Manistee are starting to see more steelhead move into the river. The salmon fishing is slowing, but there are still a few fresh salmon in the river.
The smallmouth bass fishing is good on Lake Skegemog by Kalkaska. The walleye fishing is fair on Lake Bellaire.
Bradford and Otsego lakes near Gaylord are producing good bass and walleye fishing. The salmon action is good on the Boyne and Jordan rivers, and some steelhead are moving into the rivers.
And at Cadillac, the bass and pike fishing is very good on both lakes Cadillac and Mitchell. The crappie fishing is fair on Lake Cadillac. The crappies are found on the bottom of the lake, with minnows working well as bait.
West:[/url]
Out of the Ludington area, the bluegill fishing is good on the upper end of Hamlin Lake. Both waxworms and leaf worms are being used as bait.
Anglers on the breakwall on Lake Michigan are reeling in a few steelhead. The salmon fishing is good along the Sable (SAY-bull) River in the Ludington State Park.
In the Whitehall area, the salmon fishing is slowing down on the White River. The bluegill action is picking up on White Lake.
By Muskegon, the salmon fishing ranges from slow to fair on the Muskegon River. Anglers on Lake Michigan are catching a few salmon and steelhead, when the weather allows boats to get out on the lake. The fish are found 40 to 60 feet below the surface, in water that is up to 140 feet deep. The bluegill fishing is improving on Muskegon and Wolf lakes.
And at Baldwin, the salmon fishing ranges from fair to good on the Pere Marquette River. Most of the small inland lakes are producing good bluegill fishing. Both crickets and leaf worms are being used as bait in water about seven feet deep.
And fishing activity this week is slow on Chippewa Lake.
Southwest:[/url]
Anglers on Lake Macatawa and on the pier on Lake Michigan in Holland are catching a few bluegill. Out of the Benton Harbor area, the salmon and steelhead fishing ranges from slow to fair on the St. Joseph River.
By New Buffalo, the catfish and crappie fishing ranges from slow to fair on the Galien River.
Around Kalamazoo, the salmon and steelhead action ranges from fair to good on the Kalamazoo River near the Allegan Dam. Anglers trolling on Gull Lake are reeling in good numbers of pike. The bluegill fishing is good on both Eagle and Portage lakes. The perch fishing is fair on Lake Cora. Both wigglers and minnows are being used as bait. On the St. Joseph River, the walleye action is fair.
And at Three Rivers, the perch fishing is good on Corey and Long lakes. Anglers are reeling in a few bluegill on the same lakes.
Northeast:[/url]
In the Alpena area, the salmon fishing is fair on the Thunder Bay River, near the Ninth Street Dam. Anglers on Hubbard Lake and the “small boat harbor” are catching a few perch, using minnows as bait.
Around Grayling, the perch action ranges from fair to good on Lake Margrethe. The walleye fishing on the lake is fair.
By Oscoda, the perch action is good on Van Etten Lake. The bass and pike fishing ranges from fair to good on both Cooke Dam and Foote Dam ponds. Along the Au Sable River the salmon fishing is fair. Anglers are starting to see a few steelhead move into the river.
With a lot of people focused on hunting activities, the fishing action on Higgins Lake this week is slow.
Houghton Lake is producing fair walleye fishing. Early mornings or evenings are the best times to be out.
And at Au Gres, the perch fishing is fair on Saginaw Bay when the weather allows anglers to get out. On the Au Gres River, the salmon fishing is slow. Anglers are casting cleos at the salmon.
East:[/url]
On Saginaw Bay near Linwood, the perch action is steady. One of the best spots to drop a line in the water is along the “shipping channel.”
The perch fishing is fair on Saginaw Bay near Bay City. Some of the best spots to drop a line in the water are between buoys nine and ten, by the “blackhole,” and by the Quanicassee cuts.
Along the Saginaw and Tittabawassee rivers by Saginaw the walleye fishing is fair. Mornings and evenings are the best times to be out. The catfish and smallmouth bass fishing ranges from fair to good on the rivers.
On Saginaw Bay near Bay Port, the bluegill and perch fishing is fair.
In Harbor Beach, the salmon fishing ranges from fair to good inside the harbor. Anglers are fishing from shore casting body baits and using spawn as bait. The evening hours are the best time to be out.
Out of the Port Sanilac area, anglers are reeling in a few king salmon outside the harbor. By Lexington, anglers are catching good numbers of perch, in water about 25 feet deep.
Anglers on the St. Clair River in Port Huron are catching good numbers of walleye. Try using a jig in the deeper holes along the river. Some salmon are starting to move into the Black River. The steelhead fishing is fair where the Black and St. Clair rivers meet.
And at St. Clair, the walleye fishing is fair from the Edison plant to Marine City. The bass, perch and walleye fishing ranges from fair to good on the North and South channels closer to Algonac.
Central:[/url]
With a lot of people focused on hunting, fishing activity around Mount Pleasant this week is slow.
By Lansing, the catfish and bluegill fishing is good on the Grand River. One of the best spots to drop a line in the water is by the Moores Park Dam. The crappie and smallmouth bass fishing is fair on the river. A few salmon are being caught by anglers able to access the Sycamore Creek.
And at Jackson, Devils and Wamplers lakes are producing good pike fishing. The northerns are hitting on crank baits and live bait. The bluegill fishing is fair on both Clark and Vineyard lakes. The gills are hitting on both crickets and waxworms.
Southeast:[/url]
Anchor Bay in the Fair Haven area is producing some very good perch fishing. The best area to cast a line in the water is on the southwest side of Grass Island. Both minnows and crawlers are being used as bait.
The perch fishing is also very good in a number of spots on Lake St. Clair, between the Clinton and Detroit rivers. Early mornings or late afternoons are the best times to be out.
On the north end of the Detroit River, the walleye fishing is fair. Anglers are catching fish jigging and handlining.
Along the south end of the Detroit River, the perch fishing is good, the walleye action is fair. In the Huron River, anglers are reeling in a couple of steelhead.
Out on Lake Erie from Monroe, the perch action is good. The walleye fishing is fair near the sputnik.
And at Belleville, the crappie fishing is fair on Belleville Lake. Anglers on Ford Lake are reeling in good numbers of bluegill and crappies. The gills are hitting on waxworms, the crappie on both waxworms and minnows.
[font "Arial, Helvetica"]Thursday, October 18, 2007 [/font] [font "Arial, Helvetica"]Recreational Fishing Report[/font]
[font "Arial, Helvetica"]![[Image: fish_reportmap2_23340_7.gif]](http://www.michigan.gov/images/fish_reportmap2_23340_7.gif)
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[url "http://www.coastwatch.msu.edu/"][font "Arial, Helvetica"][#000000]Great Lakes temperature map[/#000000][/font][/url]
Strong winds coupled with rain have kept many of the boat anglers on shore. It is true; the fish bite least when the wind is from the east. Cooler weather is again needed to get the steelhead moving in good numbers. Panfish action continues to be good around the state.
Southeast Lower Peninsula
Lake Erie - The waters are a bit muddy with water temperatures in the low 60's as the lake has turned over. Perch have been caught in 12 to 15 feet of water near Bolles Harbor and Luna Pier, but the better fishing has been near the Fermi Plant, the E-Buoy, and in the deeper waters of Michigan and Ohio. Bass fishing was good near the Hot Ponds and the River Raisin. Walleye fishing was slow.
Huron River - The steelhead are just getting started with a few fish caught off Lobo Park. Good bluegill fishing was reported at Huroc Park.
Detroit River - Perch have been caught near Sugar Island and around the south end of Fighting Island. Those fishing in Canadian waters have also caught perch around Dynamite Island which is right next to Bois Blanc Island.
Lexington - Boats trolling for salmon are still marking fish but no hook ups. A few small perch were caught in 18 to 20 feet of water. Pier fishing is slow, but a few salmon and trout are hitting on spoons. One very nice brown trout weighing in at 23 pounds was caught on a spoon while fishing off the pier.
Harbor Beach - Salmon action was spotty as the fish are there, but the bite is not.
Port Austin - Has good catches of smallmouth bass along with some small perch caught in Bird Creek.
Saginaw Bay - When conditions allowed, a few fish were caught from the Black Hole. Cooler temperatures will improve catch rates. Near Quanicassee, the perch fishing was slow as it appears the fish are just starting to show up. Sebewaing, Bay Port and Caseville have been slow with the exception of some nice perch taken near Sebewaing.
Southwest Lower Peninsula
St. Joseph River - Still has a good number of fish in it. As the salmon runs are winding down, the steelhead are moving into the river. Boats are trolling with small spinner baits and shore anglers are drifting spawn or flies.
Dowagiac River - Fish have been caught up near the dam when drifting flies or spawn under a bobber. Steelhead are moving in but the action is still slow.
Kalamazoo River - A few salmon can still be found up at the Allegan Dam. Though steelhead need cooler temperatures, a couple fish were caught in deeper holes in the lower river. Excellent smallmouth bass fishing with the warm weather.
Grand Haven - Steelhead were caught when trolling downriggers with lead core in 80 feet of water. Good colors were red, orange and gold. Pier anglers took a couple steelhead when floating spawn under a bobber. There are only two docks left at the boat launch.
Grand River at Grand Rapids - Still has good numbers of fish up at the dam and between Bridge Street and Pearl Street. Walleye have been caught when using crawlers and split-shot between the dam and Fulton Street. Crappie are hitting on minnows after 9:00pm at Riverside Park.
Grand River at Lansing - Anglers might still be able to find a couple salmon at the point where the Grand meets the Red Cedar, but most likely the fish have moved up into Sycamore Creek. Catfish have been caught at Moore's Park when using frozen minnows. Good bluegill fishing. Look for crappie near the downed trees.
Muskegon - Some boats are trolling out to waters 170 to 190 feet deep for Chinook and steelhead while others are trolling just outside the pierheads. Try spinners, spoons, dodgers and flies. Good colors have been orange, gold, and green.
Muskegon Lake - Walleye are still being caught with the better fishing in the early morning or late evening. Many are trolling the channel at night.
White Lake - Is a good place to fish for smallmouth bass in the fall. Try fishing off the points and along the weedbeds with artificial crawlers or spinner baits.
Northeast Lower Peninsula
Alpena - Walleye fishing in Thunder Bay was good for fish up to 5 pounds. Walleyes and a few bass can be found around the points and pierheads. Look for edges of vegetation where there is current sweeping around a point. Whitefish have not shown up yet, but it is still about a month early.
Thunder Bay River - A few salmon are being caught at the Ninth Street Dam when using spawn, rapalas and yarn. Most of the action has been at night.
Harrisville - Boat and shore anglers have been fishing in the marina but the catch rates were limited. Casting with spoons, rapalas or Cleo's and still-fishing with spawn under a bobber were the methods used. The best day was windy and rainy.
Van Etten Lake - Has good perch fishing. Try minnows on perch rigs in 10 to 20 feet of water along the east end of the lake near the YMCA Camp. Straight across from the camp on the north end of the lake is a good spot for crappie when fishing around the stumps.
Oscoda - Pier anglers have not seen much action. Boat anglers caught a few salmon when trolling or casting near the mouth of the Au Sable River. A few walleye were also caught.
Tawas - Salmon were caught when trolling spoons or plugs near the Tawas River. Yellow perch fishing improved slightly with minnows moving into the harbor.
Au Gres - Perch have been caught in 20 feet of water near the commercial fishing nets, which are south of Pt. Au Gres. There were reports of 8 to 12 inch perch caught in 40 feet of water near the shipping channel.
Au Gres River - Off the East Branch, shore anglers and those surfcasting near the Singing Bridge reported good catches of Chinook, brown trout and rainbow trout. Some have taken limits of salmon when using spoons or spawn sacks.
Higgins Lake - Water temperatures are still warm so it will be another week or two before the brown trout start moving into the shallows.
Houghton Lake - A few walleye have been caught when slow trolling with crawlers just off the bottom. Those fishing just before dark are floating minnows under a bobber. Panfish are hitting on wax worms and crawlers.
Northwest Lower Peninsula
Petoskey - Is seeing the last of the Chinook salmon. Many are turning their attention to perch, trout, or menominees. Steelhead have been caught but it is still to early because of the warm lake temperatures.
Bear River - Anglers are still catching salmon but the run is winding down.
Walloon Lake - Those targeting perch were catching quite a few, but only about one out of five were keepers. They are fishing with minnows in 15 to 40 feet of water. Bass fishing was a bit slow. Try casting in shallow waters and around structure in the early morning or late afternoon.
Charlevoix - Anglers are seeing the last of this year's salmon runs. Fish are still being taken near the plant but he numbers are dwindling fast.
Frankfort - Chinook, coho, and the occasional steelhead are being caught in waters over 300 feet deep in front of Point Betsie. Most are using meat rigs or spoons in pink, orange and green patterns. Slow pier fishing except for a couple steelhead.
Betsie River - Fishing has slowed, though there are a few salmon being caught in the lower stretches of the river.
Portage Lake - Those trolling along the north shoreline are catching pike. A few nice perch are starting to be caught in waters 16 to 20 feet deep near the Inn and out in the channel. Bluegills, rock bass, and sunfish have been caught.
Manistee - Boats trolling in waters 200 to 250 feet deep are still catching salmon and steelhead. Pier anglers have also caught salmon and steelhead on spawn.
Manistee Lake - Boat anglers have caught salmon and steelhead.
Manistee River - Anglers are still taking salmon up near Tippy Dam.
Ludington - Salmon have been caught in 40 to 60 feet of water. To catch steelhead, they are going out to 200 feet of water. Pier anglers have managed to catch a few salmon and steelhead when casting or drifting spawn off the North Pier.
Pere Marquette Lake - Those trolling have caught salmon and pike.
Pere Marquette River - Anglers fishing both the river and up near the State Park have caught salmon. There are still several fish below the Hamlin Dam.
Upper Peninsula
Lake Gogebic - Walleye fishing has been steady with good catches reported in 8 to 14 feet of water in the early morning or evening.
Torch Lake - Has good fishing but few anglers taking advantage of it. The smallmouth bass are schooling around the deep water structures. Anglers have caught 20 inch fish in waters 15 to 25 feet deep.
Marquette - Limits of lake trout have been caught. Hot spots have been 160 to 170 feet of water at the Sand Hole, north of the white rocks in 160 to 180 feet of water and around Stannard Rock in 60 to 70 feet of water.
Dead River - Salmon runs are starting to slow down. Some large fish can be found in the river however they are starting to decompose. Some were lucky enough to catch a few coho and pink salmon.
Carp River - Coho salmon were reported in the river, as well as some pink salmon and steelhead.
Little Bay De Noc - Walleye fishing slowed as water temperatures varied between 56 and 62 degrees. Good numbers of fish have been marked but few catches were reported. Off Kipling, anglers concentrating between the Narrows and the Second Reef caught a few fish when trolling crawlers in 18 to 30 feet of water. Those fishing off the Black Bottom, Portage Point and the Fingers were marking fish but no bites. Good catches of perch were reported by those jigging minnows in 25 feet of water off the docks in Escanaba. Good smallmouth bass action just south of the Day's River.
Escanaba River - The salmon runs are pretty much done in this area with the exception of those fishing up near the dam where a few fish are still being caught when casting spoons or crankbaits. Most of the fish are now dark.
Big Bay De Noc - Good to excellent smallmouth bass action around Snail Shell Harbor when jigging minnows along the drop off. Limit catches were reported.
Grand Marais - The weather has kept most off the water, but on favorable days anglers are catching coho and steelhead.
St. Mary's River - Northern pike have been very aggressive on the south end of Neebish Island where anglers are trolling large crankbaits in 6 to 8 feet of water. Some are trolling west from Moon Island to the weedbeds and back.
Drummond Island - Yellow perch anglers will want to concentrate their efforts along the south side of Ashman Island when fishing minnows in 12 to 14 feet of water.
Cedarville and Hessel - Yellow perch activity has picked up. Anglers are using minnows about 6 to 12 feet down in Government Bay, Musky Bay, Middle Entrance and around Little Joe Island. Some small northern pike were also caught. Smallmouth bass can be found at all the rocky points. Not much activity at Hessel as the marina is currently being dredged. Salmon are slowly entering Bush Creek and Beaver Tail Creek.
Carp River - Anglers are fishing from the mouth up to the McDonald Rapids. Salmon are coming in but the numbers are low.
St. Ignace - A small number of boat anglers are still out trolling between the launch site and the Coast Guard Station. Most are using flashers and squid, silver J-plugs or silver and black spoons.
The lake trout and splake fishing is fair on Copper Harbor in Copper Harbor.
Anglers on Lake Gogebic (go-GEE-bic) are reeling in a few walleye and perch. The perch are found on the south end of the lake near the weed beds, in water eight to 12 feet deep.
In the Marquette area, the lake trout fishing is good along the breakwall on Lake Superior. A few salmon are being caught on the Chocolay (chalk-oh-lay) and Dead rivers. Anglers on Little Lake are catching a few perch and walleye.
By Escanaba, the walleye fishing is improving on Little Bay de Noc. The best fishing is found north of Gladstone. At the mouth of the Cedar River, anglers are catching a few walleye trolling after dark. An occasional salmon is being reeled in by anglers on the Escanaba River.
Out of the Manistique area, the salmon fishing is fair, a lot of the fish in the river are turning color.
Around Sault Ste. Marie, the perch fishing is fair on the upper end of the St. Marys River. The fishing pressure has tailed off this week on Munuscong (muh-nuss-CONG) Bay, but for those anglers who are heading out the musky and perch fishing is fair.
Out by Drummond Island, the perch fishing is good on Maxton and Scott bays.
And fishing activity this week is slow in the St. Ignace area.
Northwest:[/url]
By Alanson, the perch fishing is good on Burt and Crooked lakes. Minnows are being used as bait. Anglers on the lakes are also reeling in a few walleye.
Out of the Boyne City area, the steelhead fishing ranges from fair to good at the mouth of the Boyne River. The salmon fishing is slowing down in the river. Anglers on Lake Charlevoix are catching good numbers of perch. The bass fishing on the lake is fair.
Around Traverse City, the perch fishing is slow to fair on Lake Leelanau. Both minnows and wigglers are being used as bait.
In the Frankfort area, anglers on Crystal Lake are reeling in a few perch. The salmon fishing is fair along the Betsie River.
Anglers on the Big Manistee River by Manistee are starting to see more steelhead move into the river. The salmon fishing is slowing, but there are still a few fresh salmon in the river.
The smallmouth bass fishing is good on Lake Skegemog by Kalkaska. The walleye fishing is fair on Lake Bellaire.
Bradford and Otsego lakes near Gaylord are producing good bass and walleye fishing. The salmon action is good on the Boyne and Jordan rivers, and some steelhead are moving into the rivers.
And at Cadillac, the bass and pike fishing is very good on both lakes Cadillac and Mitchell. The crappie fishing is fair on Lake Cadillac. The crappies are found on the bottom of the lake, with minnows working well as bait.
West:[/url]
Out of the Ludington area, the bluegill fishing is good on the upper end of Hamlin Lake. Both waxworms and leaf worms are being used as bait.
Anglers on the breakwall on Lake Michigan are reeling in a few steelhead. The salmon fishing is good along the Sable (SAY-bull) River in the Ludington State Park.
In the Whitehall area, the salmon fishing is slowing down on the White River. The bluegill action is picking up on White Lake.
By Muskegon, the salmon fishing ranges from slow to fair on the Muskegon River. Anglers on Lake Michigan are catching a few salmon and steelhead, when the weather allows boats to get out on the lake. The fish are found 40 to 60 feet below the surface, in water that is up to 140 feet deep. The bluegill fishing is improving on Muskegon and Wolf lakes.
And at Baldwin, the salmon fishing ranges from fair to good on the Pere Marquette River. Most of the small inland lakes are producing good bluegill fishing. Both crickets and leaf worms are being used as bait in water about seven feet deep.
And fishing activity this week is slow on Chippewa Lake.
Southwest:[/url]
Anglers on Lake Macatawa and on the pier on Lake Michigan in Holland are catching a few bluegill. Out of the Benton Harbor area, the salmon and steelhead fishing ranges from slow to fair on the St. Joseph River.
By New Buffalo, the catfish and crappie fishing ranges from slow to fair on the Galien River.
Around Kalamazoo, the salmon and steelhead action ranges from fair to good on the Kalamazoo River near the Allegan Dam. Anglers trolling on Gull Lake are reeling in good numbers of pike. The bluegill fishing is good on both Eagle and Portage lakes. The perch fishing is fair on Lake Cora. Both wigglers and minnows are being used as bait. On the St. Joseph River, the walleye action is fair.
And at Three Rivers, the perch fishing is good on Corey and Long lakes. Anglers are reeling in a few bluegill on the same lakes.
Northeast:[/url]
In the Alpena area, the salmon fishing is fair on the Thunder Bay River, near the Ninth Street Dam. Anglers on Hubbard Lake and the “small boat harbor” are catching a few perch, using minnows as bait.
Around Grayling, the perch action ranges from fair to good on Lake Margrethe. The walleye fishing on the lake is fair.
By Oscoda, the perch action is good on Van Etten Lake. The bass and pike fishing ranges from fair to good on both Cooke Dam and Foote Dam ponds. Along the Au Sable River the salmon fishing is fair. Anglers are starting to see a few steelhead move into the river.
With a lot of people focused on hunting activities, the fishing action on Higgins Lake this week is slow.
Houghton Lake is producing fair walleye fishing. Early mornings or evenings are the best times to be out.
And at Au Gres, the perch fishing is fair on Saginaw Bay when the weather allows anglers to get out. On the Au Gres River, the salmon fishing is slow. Anglers are casting cleos at the salmon.
East:[/url]
On Saginaw Bay near Linwood, the perch action is steady. One of the best spots to drop a line in the water is along the “shipping channel.”
The perch fishing is fair on Saginaw Bay near Bay City. Some of the best spots to drop a line in the water are between buoys nine and ten, by the “blackhole,” and by the Quanicassee cuts.
Along the Saginaw and Tittabawassee rivers by Saginaw the walleye fishing is fair. Mornings and evenings are the best times to be out. The catfish and smallmouth bass fishing ranges from fair to good on the rivers.
On Saginaw Bay near Bay Port, the bluegill and perch fishing is fair.
In Harbor Beach, the salmon fishing ranges from fair to good inside the harbor. Anglers are fishing from shore casting body baits and using spawn as bait. The evening hours are the best time to be out.
Out of the Port Sanilac area, anglers are reeling in a few king salmon outside the harbor. By Lexington, anglers are catching good numbers of perch, in water about 25 feet deep.
Anglers on the St. Clair River in Port Huron are catching good numbers of walleye. Try using a jig in the deeper holes along the river. Some salmon are starting to move into the Black River. The steelhead fishing is fair where the Black and St. Clair rivers meet.
And at St. Clair, the walleye fishing is fair from the Edison plant to Marine City. The bass, perch and walleye fishing ranges from fair to good on the North and South channels closer to Algonac.
Central:[/url]
With a lot of people focused on hunting, fishing activity around Mount Pleasant this week is slow.
By Lansing, the catfish and bluegill fishing is good on the Grand River. One of the best spots to drop a line in the water is by the Moores Park Dam. The crappie and smallmouth bass fishing is fair on the river. A few salmon are being caught by anglers able to access the Sycamore Creek.
And at Jackson, Devils and Wamplers lakes are producing good pike fishing. The northerns are hitting on crank baits and live bait. The bluegill fishing is fair on both Clark and Vineyard lakes. The gills are hitting on both crickets and waxworms.
Southeast:[/url]
Anchor Bay in the Fair Haven area is producing some very good perch fishing. The best area to cast a line in the water is on the southwest side of Grass Island. Both minnows and crawlers are being used as bait.
The perch fishing is also very good in a number of spots on Lake St. Clair, between the Clinton and Detroit rivers. Early mornings or late afternoons are the best times to be out.
On the north end of the Detroit River, the walleye fishing is fair. Anglers are catching fish jigging and handlining.
Along the south end of the Detroit River, the perch fishing is good, the walleye action is fair. In the Huron River, anglers are reeling in a couple of steelhead.
Out on Lake Erie from Monroe, the perch action is good. The walleye fishing is fair near the sputnik.
And at Belleville, the crappie fishing is fair on Belleville Lake. Anglers on Ford Lake are reeling in good numbers of bluegill and crappies. The gills are hitting on waxworms, the crappie on both waxworms and minnows.
[font "Arial, Helvetica"]Thursday, October 18, 2007 [/font] [font "Arial, Helvetica"]Recreational Fishing Report[/font]
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[/font] [url "http://www.coastwatch.msu.edu/"][font "Arial, Helvetica"][#000000]Great Lakes temperature map[/#000000][/font][/url]
Strong winds coupled with rain have kept many of the boat anglers on shore. It is true; the fish bite least when the wind is from the east. Cooler weather is again needed to get the steelhead moving in good numbers. Panfish action continues to be good around the state.
Southeast Lower Peninsula
Lake Erie - The waters are a bit muddy with water temperatures in the low 60's as the lake has turned over. Perch have been caught in 12 to 15 feet of water near Bolles Harbor and Luna Pier, but the better fishing has been near the Fermi Plant, the E-Buoy, and in the deeper waters of Michigan and Ohio. Bass fishing was good near the Hot Ponds and the River Raisin. Walleye fishing was slow.
Huron River - The steelhead are just getting started with a few fish caught off Lobo Park. Good bluegill fishing was reported at Huroc Park.
Detroit River - Perch have been caught near Sugar Island and around the south end of Fighting Island. Those fishing in Canadian waters have also caught perch around Dynamite Island which is right next to Bois Blanc Island.
Lexington - Boats trolling for salmon are still marking fish but no hook ups. A few small perch were caught in 18 to 20 feet of water. Pier fishing is slow, but a few salmon and trout are hitting on spoons. One very nice brown trout weighing in at 23 pounds was caught on a spoon while fishing off the pier.
Harbor Beach - Salmon action was spotty as the fish are there, but the bite is not.
Port Austin - Has good catches of smallmouth bass along with some small perch caught in Bird Creek.
Saginaw Bay - When conditions allowed, a few fish were caught from the Black Hole. Cooler temperatures will improve catch rates. Near Quanicassee, the perch fishing was slow as it appears the fish are just starting to show up. Sebewaing, Bay Port and Caseville have been slow with the exception of some nice perch taken near Sebewaing.
Southwest Lower Peninsula
St. Joseph River - Still has a good number of fish in it. As the salmon runs are winding down, the steelhead are moving into the river. Boats are trolling with small spinner baits and shore anglers are drifting spawn or flies.
Dowagiac River - Fish have been caught up near the dam when drifting flies or spawn under a bobber. Steelhead are moving in but the action is still slow.
Kalamazoo River - A few salmon can still be found up at the Allegan Dam. Though steelhead need cooler temperatures, a couple fish were caught in deeper holes in the lower river. Excellent smallmouth bass fishing with the warm weather.
Grand Haven - Steelhead were caught when trolling downriggers with lead core in 80 feet of water. Good colors were red, orange and gold. Pier anglers took a couple steelhead when floating spawn under a bobber. There are only two docks left at the boat launch.
Grand River at Grand Rapids - Still has good numbers of fish up at the dam and between Bridge Street and Pearl Street. Walleye have been caught when using crawlers and split-shot between the dam and Fulton Street. Crappie are hitting on minnows after 9:00pm at Riverside Park.
Grand River at Lansing - Anglers might still be able to find a couple salmon at the point where the Grand meets the Red Cedar, but most likely the fish have moved up into Sycamore Creek. Catfish have been caught at Moore's Park when using frozen minnows. Good bluegill fishing. Look for crappie near the downed trees.
Muskegon - Some boats are trolling out to waters 170 to 190 feet deep for Chinook and steelhead while others are trolling just outside the pierheads. Try spinners, spoons, dodgers and flies. Good colors have been orange, gold, and green.
Muskegon Lake - Walleye are still being caught with the better fishing in the early morning or late evening. Many are trolling the channel at night.
White Lake - Is a good place to fish for smallmouth bass in the fall. Try fishing off the points and along the weedbeds with artificial crawlers or spinner baits.
Northeast Lower Peninsula
Alpena - Walleye fishing in Thunder Bay was good for fish up to 5 pounds. Walleyes and a few bass can be found around the points and pierheads. Look for edges of vegetation where there is current sweeping around a point. Whitefish have not shown up yet, but it is still about a month early.
Thunder Bay River - A few salmon are being caught at the Ninth Street Dam when using spawn, rapalas and yarn. Most of the action has been at night.
Harrisville - Boat and shore anglers have been fishing in the marina but the catch rates were limited. Casting with spoons, rapalas or Cleo's and still-fishing with spawn under a bobber were the methods used. The best day was windy and rainy.
Van Etten Lake - Has good perch fishing. Try minnows on perch rigs in 10 to 20 feet of water along the east end of the lake near the YMCA Camp. Straight across from the camp on the north end of the lake is a good spot for crappie when fishing around the stumps.
Oscoda - Pier anglers have not seen much action. Boat anglers caught a few salmon when trolling or casting near the mouth of the Au Sable River. A few walleye were also caught.
Tawas - Salmon were caught when trolling spoons or plugs near the Tawas River. Yellow perch fishing improved slightly with minnows moving into the harbor.
Au Gres - Perch have been caught in 20 feet of water near the commercial fishing nets, which are south of Pt. Au Gres. There were reports of 8 to 12 inch perch caught in 40 feet of water near the shipping channel.
Au Gres River - Off the East Branch, shore anglers and those surfcasting near the Singing Bridge reported good catches of Chinook, brown trout and rainbow trout. Some have taken limits of salmon when using spoons or spawn sacks.
Higgins Lake - Water temperatures are still warm so it will be another week or two before the brown trout start moving into the shallows.
Houghton Lake - A few walleye have been caught when slow trolling with crawlers just off the bottom. Those fishing just before dark are floating minnows under a bobber. Panfish are hitting on wax worms and crawlers.
Northwest Lower Peninsula
Petoskey - Is seeing the last of the Chinook salmon. Many are turning their attention to perch, trout, or menominees. Steelhead have been caught but it is still to early because of the warm lake temperatures.
Bear River - Anglers are still catching salmon but the run is winding down.
Walloon Lake - Those targeting perch were catching quite a few, but only about one out of five were keepers. They are fishing with minnows in 15 to 40 feet of water. Bass fishing was a bit slow. Try casting in shallow waters and around structure in the early morning or late afternoon.
Charlevoix - Anglers are seeing the last of this year's salmon runs. Fish are still being taken near the plant but he numbers are dwindling fast.
Frankfort - Chinook, coho, and the occasional steelhead are being caught in waters over 300 feet deep in front of Point Betsie. Most are using meat rigs or spoons in pink, orange and green patterns. Slow pier fishing except for a couple steelhead.
Betsie River - Fishing has slowed, though there are a few salmon being caught in the lower stretches of the river.
Portage Lake - Those trolling along the north shoreline are catching pike. A few nice perch are starting to be caught in waters 16 to 20 feet deep near the Inn and out in the channel. Bluegills, rock bass, and sunfish have been caught.
Manistee - Boats trolling in waters 200 to 250 feet deep are still catching salmon and steelhead. Pier anglers have also caught salmon and steelhead on spawn.
Manistee Lake - Boat anglers have caught salmon and steelhead.
Manistee River - Anglers are still taking salmon up near Tippy Dam.
Ludington - Salmon have been caught in 40 to 60 feet of water. To catch steelhead, they are going out to 200 feet of water. Pier anglers have managed to catch a few salmon and steelhead when casting or drifting spawn off the North Pier.
Pere Marquette Lake - Those trolling have caught salmon and pike.
Pere Marquette River - Anglers fishing both the river and up near the State Park have caught salmon. There are still several fish below the Hamlin Dam.
Upper Peninsula
Lake Gogebic - Walleye fishing has been steady with good catches reported in 8 to 14 feet of water in the early morning or evening.
Torch Lake - Has good fishing but few anglers taking advantage of it. The smallmouth bass are schooling around the deep water structures. Anglers have caught 20 inch fish in waters 15 to 25 feet deep.
Marquette - Limits of lake trout have been caught. Hot spots have been 160 to 170 feet of water at the Sand Hole, north of the white rocks in 160 to 180 feet of water and around Stannard Rock in 60 to 70 feet of water.
Dead River - Salmon runs are starting to slow down. Some large fish can be found in the river however they are starting to decompose. Some were lucky enough to catch a few coho and pink salmon.
Carp River - Coho salmon were reported in the river, as well as some pink salmon and steelhead.
Little Bay De Noc - Walleye fishing slowed as water temperatures varied between 56 and 62 degrees. Good numbers of fish have been marked but few catches were reported. Off Kipling, anglers concentrating between the Narrows and the Second Reef caught a few fish when trolling crawlers in 18 to 30 feet of water. Those fishing off the Black Bottom, Portage Point and the Fingers were marking fish but no bites. Good catches of perch were reported by those jigging minnows in 25 feet of water off the docks in Escanaba. Good smallmouth bass action just south of the Day's River.
Escanaba River - The salmon runs are pretty much done in this area with the exception of those fishing up near the dam where a few fish are still being caught when casting spoons or crankbaits. Most of the fish are now dark.
Big Bay De Noc - Good to excellent smallmouth bass action around Snail Shell Harbor when jigging minnows along the drop off. Limit catches were reported.
Grand Marais - The weather has kept most off the water, but on favorable days anglers are catching coho and steelhead.
St. Mary's River - Northern pike have been very aggressive on the south end of Neebish Island where anglers are trolling large crankbaits in 6 to 8 feet of water. Some are trolling west from Moon Island to the weedbeds and back.
Drummond Island - Yellow perch anglers will want to concentrate their efforts along the south side of Ashman Island when fishing minnows in 12 to 14 feet of water.
Cedarville and Hessel - Yellow perch activity has picked up. Anglers are using minnows about 6 to 12 feet down in Government Bay, Musky Bay, Middle Entrance and around Little Joe Island. Some small northern pike were also caught. Smallmouth bass can be found at all the rocky points. Not much activity at Hessel as the marina is currently being dredged. Salmon are slowly entering Bush Creek and Beaver Tail Creek.
Carp River - Anglers are fishing from the mouth up to the McDonald Rapids. Salmon are coming in but the numbers are low.
St. Ignace - A small number of boat anglers are still out trolling between the launch site and the Coast Guard Station. Most are using flashers and squid, silver J-plugs or silver and black spoons.