10-25-2007, 09:52 AM
[font "Arial, Helvetica"]Thursday, October 25, 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]
Gale warnings have shut down fishing on the Great Lakes. Cooler temperatures not only make it feel more like fall, but should also improve fishing conditions.
Southeast Lower Peninsula
Lake Erie - Perch are still being caught in 20 feet of water near the Bolles Harbor and the E-Buoy.
Huron River - Steelhead fishing is just starting to pick up. Anglers are fishing from the Flat Rock Dam down to the mouth with wax worms or spinners. No limits, but fish are being caught. Bluegill fishing continues to be good at Huroc Park.
Detroit River - Perch have been caught around Sugar Island and Celeron Island. Walleye fishing has picked up since the weather has cooled down. Try jigs with minnows in the lower Trenton Channel.
St. Clair River - Has reported very good perch fishing when the winds are not too strong. Walleye fishing should soon pick up.
Lexington - The salmon being caught range from bright silver to black. Light numbers of steelhead along with a few brown trout have also been caught.
Port Austin - Still has light numbers of salmon coming in. During the day, most are casting lures or fishing spawn under a bobber. At night, they switch over to mostly spawn. Some decent perch are being taken from lower Bird Creek.
Saginaw Bay - High winds have kept many off the water. A few perch were taken in 9 feet of water off Quanicassee. Mostly small perch were taken off Caseville.
Saginaw River - For those getting anxious, it is still too early for the walleye.
Sebewaing River - Perch, bluegill, and crappies have been caught in the river and the channel.
Southwest Lower Peninsula
St. Joseph - Gale warnings have made it impossible for both boat and pier anglers. Some have tried surfcasting, but no reports of any fish caught.
St. Joseph River - Still has slow but steady movement of Chinook salmon along with a few fresh steelhead going through the fish ladder at Berrien Springs.
Grand Haven - No boats have been out because of the strong winds. Even the pier anglers have not been able to get out. Look for more steelhead to move in as the temperatures drop.
Grand River at Grand Rapids - Some salmon are still being caught between the Sixth Street Dam and Fulton Street however the run is winding down. A couple steelhead were caught on Wobble Glows. Try the glow with pink dots. Chartreuse and white Spin Glows have also caught fish. Walleye can be found between the dam and Wealthy Street. Try Hot-n-Tots, crankbaits or thundersticks right along the bottom. Big bluegills were caught just off the bottom when using leaf worms.
Grand River at Lansing - Walleye, crappie, catfish and bluegills are being caught. Look for crappie around the downed trees while drifting. Good numbers of catfish have been caught when using live or cut bait. Bluegill action has also been very good. The bigger fish should be close to the bottom.
Muskegon - When the weather permits, steelhead have been caught off the piers when using spawn bags.
Muskegon Lake - Anglers are catching perch but the fish are running small.
Muskegon River - Anglers are still catching the occasional salmon, but those fish are in bad shape. Steelhead have started to move up into the lower river.
White Lake - Perch are being caught here as well but the fish are small.
Northeast Lower Peninsula
Thunder Bay River - In Alpena, the action has been at the Ninth Street Dam where anglers are floating spawn. Steelhead are starting to enter the river.
Harrisville - A few Chinook salmon are in the marina. Anglers are casting a variety of things as well as fishing with spawn. The best days have been rainy and windy. The salmon range from 8 to 12 pounds with the occasional 15 pound fish taken. The docks at this port will be removed the first part of November.
Oscoda - Angler activity has been light. Salmon fishing at the mouth of the river is just about over. A few anglers were casting but not much was caught. Steelhead, walleye, and a few brown trout should start coming in around the piers as we head into November.
Tawas - Pier anglers are starting to get fair numbers of perch inside the harbor. The fish are averaging 7 to 9 inches. Pier anglers are still catching Chinook and coho. Some have caught pike, the odd steelhead or walleye and a whitefish.
Tawas River - Salmon, steelhead, and a few brown trout were still being caught at the mouth. Night anglers have caught walleye behind the State Police Post.
Au Gres - Has been slow due to the winds, but there are still rumors of perch in the shipping channel and down around the commercial nets.
Northwest Lower Peninsula
Bear River - Most of the salmon action has been in the river and though fish are still being caught, the run is just about done. Light numbers of steelhead are starting to show up but catch rates were slow.
Walloon Lake - A few boats have been out targeting perch but the fish have been small. Bass are still hitting in the shallows in the morning and evening.
Traverse City - Salmon fishing has slowed considerably in the East Bay with only a few fish taken off the mouth of Mitchell Creek. Whitefish action has been very good in 70 feet of water off the Center Road launch site and the southern portion of the bay. Try jigging Swedish Pimples off the bottom. In the West Bay, steelhead were taken off the mouth of the Boardman when using spawn. The whitefish are scattered and difficult to target. A few perch have started to show up but no big numbers or sizes. Water levels are extremely low in both bays.
Frankfort - When the weather permits, boats are going out 2 to 5 miles and fishing 150 to 170 feet down for Chinook, coho and steelhead. Pier anglers and those surfcasting have caught steelhead while using spawn or white and orange spoons.
Manistee - Boats trolling in 20 to 40 feet of water have caught young Chinook salmon, steelhead and brown trout. North winds predicted for this week might help bring more fish in. Salmon and steelhead were caught when floating spawn off the South Pier. There seems to be a good numbers of baitfish in the harbor right now.
Manistee River - Chinook salmon are still being caught but the run is on the downslide as most of the fish are rapidly decomposing. Steelhead fishing is getting off to a slow start this fall due to the warm weather. In order to get large numbers of steelhead moving, the river needs substantial rainfall.
Sable River - Still has some Chinook salmon in it.
Ludington - Those trolling have caught some young Chinook salmon and steelhead. Pier anglers fishing off the North Pier caught steelhead when using spawn.
Pere Marquette Lake - Salmon can still be found and those trolling have caught fish. This is a good time of year to target northern pike as well.
Upper Peninsula
Lake Vieux Desert - Muskie are very active right now. Jerk baits and live suckers are working best.
Portage Lake - Walleye fishing has been slow but the smallmouth bass fishing has been great when fishing around the points or structure. Crawlers and artificial baits have caught bass.
Twin Falls Impoundment - Anglers are catching muskie when using jerk baits or live suckers.
Marquette - When anglers can get out, fishing has been decent. Some nice lake trout have been caught in waters 40 feet deep or less. Those fishing out in 100 to 200 feet of water are catching smaller coho and lake trout, but they are still nice fish. The Sand Hole and north of the white rocks has been the place to fish. Those casting or drifting off the lower harbor breakwall have caught some nice lake trout and whitefish. Some nice brown trout were caught near the mouth of the Carp River.
Dead River - The salmon runs are done and steelhead are moving into the river.
Carp River - Steelhead are just starting to move upstream.
Little Bay De Noc - Water temperatures are sill 52 to 55 degrees. Good numbers of fish have been marked but catch rates were slow. Anglers were fishing from the Narrows north to the Third Reef and off the East Bank when trolling crawlers or crankbaits in 20 to 28 feet of water. Night anglers reported several nice catches in the north end of the Bay near the Vagabond when trolling crankbaits in 14 to 20 feet of water. A few perch were caught just south of the Narrows in 25 to 30 feet of water.
Escanaba River - Salmon and brown trout are still being caught up near the dam. Shore anglers are casting spoons and crankbaits.
Big Bay De Noc - Still primarily smallmouth bass anglers here although catch rates have tapered off. Most are jigging or drifting minnows in 20 feet of water around Snail Shell Harbor. Walleye anglers were trolling crankbaits southeast of St. Vitals Island in 10 to 25 feet of water. Most fish were caught right off the bottom. Cooler temperatures this week should give those walleye a push.
Grand Marais - When the weather allows, anglers are picking up an occasional coho and steelhead trolling in the bay, but usually no more than one per person.
De Tour - A few boats marked some salmon while trolling around the lighthouse, but no hits. Others went to Frying Pan Island looking for walleye but the catch rate was slow. Some traveled north of the port to target pike and walleye around Watsons Reef. Most were casting firetiger stickbaits or trolling an orange crawler harnesses. Perch are hitting on emerald shiners around Peck Island.
Cedarville and Hessel - Yellow perch activity gets better every week. Fish the Middle Entrance, Musky Bay, and Government Bay. The Middle Entrance has been producing the best results when using minnows in 8 to 12 feet of water. Smallmouth bass have dispersed, but should still be present in Musky Bay, around Connors Point and Pleasant Point. Those targeting pike are casting minnows off the pier at Hessel. The waters are still a bit murky, but should clear up now that the dredging is done. Salmon are slowly migrating into Bush and Beaver Tail Creeks.
Carp River - Only a few salmon have been spotted in the deeper pools near the McDonalds Rapids. Anglers are casting small spoons or spawn.
St. Ignace - The Coast Guard docks have been pulled but there is still one dock at the city launch.
[font "Arial, Helvetica"]
[/font] [url "http://www.coastwatch.msu.edu/"][font "Arial, Helvetica"][#000000]Great Lakes temperature map[/#000000][/font][/url]
Gale warnings have shut down fishing on the Great Lakes. Cooler temperatures not only make it feel more like fall, but should also improve fishing conditions.
Southeast Lower Peninsula
Lake Erie - Perch are still being caught in 20 feet of water near the Bolles Harbor and the E-Buoy.
Huron River - Steelhead fishing is just starting to pick up. Anglers are fishing from the Flat Rock Dam down to the mouth with wax worms or spinners. No limits, but fish are being caught. Bluegill fishing continues to be good at Huroc Park.
Detroit River - Perch have been caught around Sugar Island and Celeron Island. Walleye fishing has picked up since the weather has cooled down. Try jigs with minnows in the lower Trenton Channel.
St. Clair River - Has reported very good perch fishing when the winds are not too strong. Walleye fishing should soon pick up.
Lexington - The salmon being caught range from bright silver to black. Light numbers of steelhead along with a few brown trout have also been caught.
Port Austin - Still has light numbers of salmon coming in. During the day, most are casting lures or fishing spawn under a bobber. At night, they switch over to mostly spawn. Some decent perch are being taken from lower Bird Creek.
Saginaw Bay - High winds have kept many off the water. A few perch were taken in 9 feet of water off Quanicassee. Mostly small perch were taken off Caseville.
Saginaw River - For those getting anxious, it is still too early for the walleye.
Sebewaing River - Perch, bluegill, and crappies have been caught in the river and the channel.
Southwest Lower Peninsula
St. Joseph - Gale warnings have made it impossible for both boat and pier anglers. Some have tried surfcasting, but no reports of any fish caught.
St. Joseph River - Still has slow but steady movement of Chinook salmon along with a few fresh steelhead going through the fish ladder at Berrien Springs.
Grand Haven - No boats have been out because of the strong winds. Even the pier anglers have not been able to get out. Look for more steelhead to move in as the temperatures drop.
Grand River at Grand Rapids - Some salmon are still being caught between the Sixth Street Dam and Fulton Street however the run is winding down. A couple steelhead were caught on Wobble Glows. Try the glow with pink dots. Chartreuse and white Spin Glows have also caught fish. Walleye can be found between the dam and Wealthy Street. Try Hot-n-Tots, crankbaits or thundersticks right along the bottom. Big bluegills were caught just off the bottom when using leaf worms.
Grand River at Lansing - Walleye, crappie, catfish and bluegills are being caught. Look for crappie around the downed trees while drifting. Good numbers of catfish have been caught when using live or cut bait. Bluegill action has also been very good. The bigger fish should be close to the bottom.
Muskegon - When the weather permits, steelhead have been caught off the piers when using spawn bags.
Muskegon Lake - Anglers are catching perch but the fish are running small.
Muskegon River - Anglers are still catching the occasional salmon, but those fish are in bad shape. Steelhead have started to move up into the lower river.
White Lake - Perch are being caught here as well but the fish are small.
Northeast Lower Peninsula
Thunder Bay River - In Alpena, the action has been at the Ninth Street Dam where anglers are floating spawn. Steelhead are starting to enter the river.
Harrisville - A few Chinook salmon are in the marina. Anglers are casting a variety of things as well as fishing with spawn. The best days have been rainy and windy. The salmon range from 8 to 12 pounds with the occasional 15 pound fish taken. The docks at this port will be removed the first part of November.
Oscoda - Angler activity has been light. Salmon fishing at the mouth of the river is just about over. A few anglers were casting but not much was caught. Steelhead, walleye, and a few brown trout should start coming in around the piers as we head into November.
Tawas - Pier anglers are starting to get fair numbers of perch inside the harbor. The fish are averaging 7 to 9 inches. Pier anglers are still catching Chinook and coho. Some have caught pike, the odd steelhead or walleye and a whitefish.
Tawas River - Salmon, steelhead, and a few brown trout were still being caught at the mouth. Night anglers have caught walleye behind the State Police Post.
Au Gres - Has been slow due to the winds, but there are still rumors of perch in the shipping channel and down around the commercial nets.
Northwest Lower Peninsula
Bear River - Most of the salmon action has been in the river and though fish are still being caught, the run is just about done. Light numbers of steelhead are starting to show up but catch rates were slow.
Walloon Lake - A few boats have been out targeting perch but the fish have been small. Bass are still hitting in the shallows in the morning and evening.
Traverse City - Salmon fishing has slowed considerably in the East Bay with only a few fish taken off the mouth of Mitchell Creek. Whitefish action has been very good in 70 feet of water off the Center Road launch site and the southern portion of the bay. Try jigging Swedish Pimples off the bottom. In the West Bay, steelhead were taken off the mouth of the Boardman when using spawn. The whitefish are scattered and difficult to target. A few perch have started to show up but no big numbers or sizes. Water levels are extremely low in both bays.
Frankfort - When the weather permits, boats are going out 2 to 5 miles and fishing 150 to 170 feet down for Chinook, coho and steelhead. Pier anglers and those surfcasting have caught steelhead while using spawn or white and orange spoons.
Manistee - Boats trolling in 20 to 40 feet of water have caught young Chinook salmon, steelhead and brown trout. North winds predicted for this week might help bring more fish in. Salmon and steelhead were caught when floating spawn off the South Pier. There seems to be a good numbers of baitfish in the harbor right now.
Manistee River - Chinook salmon are still being caught but the run is on the downslide as most of the fish are rapidly decomposing. Steelhead fishing is getting off to a slow start this fall due to the warm weather. In order to get large numbers of steelhead moving, the river needs substantial rainfall.
Sable River - Still has some Chinook salmon in it.
Ludington - Those trolling have caught some young Chinook salmon and steelhead. Pier anglers fishing off the North Pier caught steelhead when using spawn.
Pere Marquette Lake - Salmon can still be found and those trolling have caught fish. This is a good time of year to target northern pike as well.
Upper Peninsula
Lake Vieux Desert - Muskie are very active right now. Jerk baits and live suckers are working best.
Portage Lake - Walleye fishing has been slow but the smallmouth bass fishing has been great when fishing around the points or structure. Crawlers and artificial baits have caught bass.
Twin Falls Impoundment - Anglers are catching muskie when using jerk baits or live suckers.
Marquette - When anglers can get out, fishing has been decent. Some nice lake trout have been caught in waters 40 feet deep or less. Those fishing out in 100 to 200 feet of water are catching smaller coho and lake trout, but they are still nice fish. The Sand Hole and north of the white rocks has been the place to fish. Those casting or drifting off the lower harbor breakwall have caught some nice lake trout and whitefish. Some nice brown trout were caught near the mouth of the Carp River.
Dead River - The salmon runs are done and steelhead are moving into the river.
Carp River - Steelhead are just starting to move upstream.
Little Bay De Noc - Water temperatures are sill 52 to 55 degrees. Good numbers of fish have been marked but catch rates were slow. Anglers were fishing from the Narrows north to the Third Reef and off the East Bank when trolling crawlers or crankbaits in 20 to 28 feet of water. Night anglers reported several nice catches in the north end of the Bay near the Vagabond when trolling crankbaits in 14 to 20 feet of water. A few perch were caught just south of the Narrows in 25 to 30 feet of water.
Escanaba River - Salmon and brown trout are still being caught up near the dam. Shore anglers are casting spoons and crankbaits.
Big Bay De Noc - Still primarily smallmouth bass anglers here although catch rates have tapered off. Most are jigging or drifting minnows in 20 feet of water around Snail Shell Harbor. Walleye anglers were trolling crankbaits southeast of St. Vitals Island in 10 to 25 feet of water. Most fish were caught right off the bottom. Cooler temperatures this week should give those walleye a push.
Grand Marais - When the weather allows, anglers are picking up an occasional coho and steelhead trolling in the bay, but usually no more than one per person.
De Tour - A few boats marked some salmon while trolling around the lighthouse, but no hits. Others went to Frying Pan Island looking for walleye but the catch rate was slow. Some traveled north of the port to target pike and walleye around Watsons Reef. Most were casting firetiger stickbaits or trolling an orange crawler harnesses. Perch are hitting on emerald shiners around Peck Island.
Cedarville and Hessel - Yellow perch activity gets better every week. Fish the Middle Entrance, Musky Bay, and Government Bay. The Middle Entrance has been producing the best results when using minnows in 8 to 12 feet of water. Smallmouth bass have dispersed, but should still be present in Musky Bay, around Connors Point and Pleasant Point. Those targeting pike are casting minnows off the pier at Hessel. The waters are still a bit murky, but should clear up now that the dredging is done. Salmon are slowly migrating into Bush and Beaver Tail Creeks.
Carp River - Only a few salmon have been spotted in the deeper pools near the McDonalds Rapids. Anglers are casting small spoons or spawn.
St. Ignace - The Coast Guard docks have been pulled but there is still one dock at the city launch.