MIBowhunter
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Change in the weather kicks fishing action into gear
Lower Peninsula
SOUTHEASTERN LP
Lake St. Clair
Walleye fishing has been pretty good on Lake St. Clair at Metro Beach and in the North and Middle channels. Anglers trolling with crawler harnesses in 8 to 10 feet of water are enjoying good results. Northern pike are hitting off Selfridge Air Base in 6 to 9 feet of water. Anglers are casting crankbaits and drifting crawler harnesses. Panfish are hitting wax worms and leaf worms in the canals north of Selfridge.
Lakeside Fishing Shops (586) 777-7003.
Jimmy’s Boat Livery (586) 468-6000.
Irish Hills Area
The bass opener was good for smallmouth bass anglers on Wamplers and Round lakes. Anglers casting crankbaits, spinners, and tubes in 3 to 5 feet of water did well. Redear sunfish and bluegills also are in the shallows. Redears are hitting small Mister Twisters and ’gills are hitting wax worms. A few walleyes have been caught on Vineyard Lake.
Knutson’s Sporting Goods (800) 292-0857 or (517) 592-2786.
Trenton Area
Good numbers of white bass are being caught in the Detroit River between Celeron Island and Grosse Ile on small Cleos. Walleyes are hitting crawler harnesses trolled between the boat launch at Wyandotte to Mud Island. The best action is coming in 15 to 25 feet of water. Anglers also are catching walleyes when hand-lining with silver spoons along the mud line. Perch are hitting minnows fished east of Grosse Ile between Stony Island and Sugar Island.
Bottom Line Bait & Tackle (734) 379-9762.
Trenton Lighthouse (734) 675-7080.
Horse Island Tackle (734) 692-9839.
Monroe Area
Walleye anglers report good fishing in the Ohio waters of Lake Erie, but that should soon change with the weather. Anglers have done well between the Toledo Harbor Light and Turtle Island. Good fishing also was reported straight east of Brest Bay. Anglers trolling crawler harnesses and crankbaits are catching fish. Perch are hitting wigglers and minnows in Brest Bay. The magic depth has been 20 feet.
Cook’s Sportland (734) 242-0774.
SOUTHWESTERN LP
Coldwater Area
Anglers reported a good bass bite on Mud, Messenger, Marble, and Coldwater lakes. Bass are still in the shallows and hitting cranks and tubes. Bluegills also have moved into the shallows and are hitting waxies and black ants. A few walleyes are being caught on Coldwater Lake but action is still warming up.
Dancing Bear Trading Post (517) 278-4626.
D’s Bait & Tackle (517) 639-3243.
St. Joseph Area
Pier fishing for steelhead remains pretty good in Lake Michigan at St. Joseph. Walleye anglers also report good success off the pier, with the best action coming after dark. Farther out in the lake, anglers are catching limits of chinook and coho on spoons and Dipsey Divers in 80 to 135 feet of water. Bass and bluegill fishing have been pretty good on most inland lakes.
Halls Bait and Tackle (269) 641-2304.
CENTRAL LP
Saginaw Bay Area
Walleye fishing has been good on Saginaw Bay, particularly around Callahan Reef and at the mouth of the Saginaw River. The best bite has been on nightcrawler harnesses fished in 8 to 16 feet of water. Bass fishing also has been good with spinnerbaits and crankbaits both taking fish.
Franks Great Outdoors (989) 697-5341.
Hoyles Marina (989) 697-4415.
Lansing Area
Panfish are starting to hit in the shallows on the Grand River. Rubber spiders and wax worms are taking bluegills, and crappies are hitting small minnows. The water level is down on the Maple River and crappie fishing has been decent. A few catfish and pike also are hitting. Fair crappie fishing has also been reported on Lake Ovid. The water is running high on the Looking Glass River and angler pressure has been light.
Grand River Bait & Tackle (517) 482-4461.
Muskegon Area
Salmon anglers trolling on Lake Michigan in 130 to 200 feet of water, 70 to 100 feet down, report a good chinook bite between Grand Haven and Whitehall. Green Dolphin, Orange Crush, and Monkey Puke have been the hot colors. The water level in the Muskegon River is still high. Steelhead have moved out, but good numbers of smaller trout are being reported in the river. The bite continues to be slow because of the high water levels.
Angler Archer (231) 744-5992.
Dawn to Dusk (231) 767-9706.
Ludington Area
Salmon fishing is heating up on Lake Michigan at Ludington. Anglers report limit catches of chinook and an occasional lake trout. Anglers are trolling in the early mornings with spoons in a variety of colors. Most fish can be found in 80 to 150 feet of water. High water levels continue to hamper fishing on the Pere Marquette River. A good bite for bluegills and bass has been reported by anglers fishing on Hamlin Lake. Walleye fishing was fair and crappie fishing has been slow.
Pere Marquette Sport Center (231) 843-8676
THE THUMB
Caseville Area
Walleye fishing has been pretty good in Lake Huron. Anglers report a good bite when fishing off the Sand Pointe buoy in 8 to 14 feet of water. Hot ‘N’ Tots and nightcrawler harnesses are both taking fish. Catfish and bass fishing have been good off the breakwall on the Pigeon River in Caseville. There also has been a good bass bite on the Pinebog River.
Walsh Gun & Tackle (989) 856-4465.
Harbor Beach Area
Lake trout have been producing the lion’s share of the action in Lake Huron at Harbor Beach, but an occasional chinook is starting to show up. The best bite has been in 50 to 150 feet of water. Brown trout are hitting body baits in 20 feet of water, and anglers report a few perch being taken in 26 feet of water. Walleyes are still hitting crankbaits off the breakwall in Harbor Beach.
Frank’s Place Bait & Tackle (989) 864-5634.
Port Huron
Walleye fishing has been good in the St. Clair River. The water has been dirty, but the bite has been surprisingly good. Shore fishing has been good north of the Black River, where much of the mud has been coming from. Mr. Twisters, Night Stalkers, and clown Rapalas have been the hot baits. Bass fishing has been good on inland lakes.
Anderson’s Pro Bait (810) 984-3232
Vassar Area
Muddy water has put a damper on fishing on Murphy Lake. A few bluegills have moved into the shallows, but no one is fishing because of the water conditions. A few walleyes and pike are hitting in the Cass River, but action has been slow.
Fred’s Bait & Tackle (989) 823-8157.
NORTHWESTERN LP
East Jordan Area
Walleye fishing has been excellent on Lake Charlevoix. Anglers fishing nightcrawler harnesses in 15 to 18 feet of water are enjoying great success. Bass fishing has been slow. The fish haven’t moved in to spawn yet. An occasional muskie is being caught, including a 48-inch, 28-pounder, that was caught by a bass fisherman on opening day. Mushroom hunters are still finding a few morels but the season is winding down. River fishing has been slow.
Tom’s Bait & Tackle (231) 536-3521.
Manistee Area
Limit catches of chinook salmon are being reported in Lake Michigan at Manistee and Ludington. Many anglers say this is the best spring to early summer chinook fishing they can remember. The best bite has been on spoons trolled in 80 to 120 feet of water. The Manistee River is still high, and fishing has been slow. A few brown trout have been caught near Tippy Dam. Largemouth bass have started bedding in some lakes, but the bluegills have not due to cold water temperatures.
Insta-Launch Marina (231) 723-7718.
Kalkaska Area
Streams are still high and dirty in the Kalkaska area but are starting to clear up. Trout fishing has been very slow, but should improve with a little dry weather. Bass are starting to move in toward shore on most inland lakes and fishing is picking up. A few smallmouth bass are hitting in the Torch River.
Jack’s Sport Shop (231) 258-8892.
Cadillac Area
Northern pike fishing has been pretty good on Lake Mitchell near Cadillac. Anglers fishing large spoons and live bait are catching fish along weedbeds in the shallows. The bass opener was pretty good on Lake Cadillac, and walleye fishing is picking up with good success being reported by anglers fishing in shallow water, especially at night.
Schaefer’s Bait & Sporting Goods (231) 775-7085.
Higgins Lake Area
Anglers on Higgins Lake report a good perch bite near the Sunken Island. The best action is coming on shiners and wigglers. Lake trout are hitting spoons trolled in 100 feet of water. A decent brown trout and rainbow trout bite can be found near the drop-off.
Higgins Lake Sport & Tackle (989) 821-9517.
Phoenix Party and Bait Store (989) 821-7220.
NORTHEASTERN LP
Harrisville Area
Lake trout are keeping anglers busy on Lake Huron at Harrisville. Limit catches of lakers have been reported by anglers fishing in 60 to 85 feet of water, 40 to 85 feet down. A few kings are starting to move in, but the water temperature is still a little cool, running in the high 40s and low 50s.
Keerl’s Korner (989) 724-6426.
Hubbard Lake
Walleye and smallmouth bass fishing have been hot on Hubbard Lake. Walleyes are hitting in 4 to 7 feet of water. Anglers long-lining with small Rapalas report good results. The south end of the lake and along west shore have been the two most productive areas so far.
Side Door Bait & Tackle (989) 736-6418.
East Bay Outfitters (989) 727-9916.
Oscoda Area
Walleye fishing has been pretty good in Lake Huron off the pier at Oscoda. Anglers casting Clown Husky Jerks between midnight and 5 a.m. report good results. Walleyes, along with and an occasional steelhead, are being caught by anglers drifting crawlers and leeches near the mouth of the Au Sable River. Farther out in the lake, anglers are taking limits of lakers in 50 to 70 feet of water using spoons in a variety of colors.
Wellman’s Sport Center (989) 739-2869.
Tawas Area
Walleyes and northern pike are hitting Rapalas in Lake Huron near buoys 2 and 4. Chinook and lake trout have been caught off Au Sable Point and around Buoy 2. Good walleye fishing is being reported by anglers fishing in 20 to 35 feet of water at Au Gres. Crawler harnesses and deep-diving Husky Jerks are producing the best results. Pier and shore anglers are catching fair numbers of channel cats and freshwater drum. Good catches of largemouth and smallmouth bass also are being reported.
All Season Sporting Goods (989) 362-4512.
Upper Peninsula
EASTERN UP
Cedarville Area
Pike fishing has been pretty good in Lake Huron around the Les Cheneaux Islands. Anglers casting firetiger Rapalas and chartreuse or white spinnerbaits, or fishing live baits, report excellent success. Smallmouth bass fishing also has been very good for anglers casting crawlers and tubes over rock piles.
Great Outdoors Sport Shop (906) 484-2011.
Pickford Area
Walleye fishing has been pretty good in Munuscong Bay and Rayber Bay. Anglers report a good bite on body baits and night crawler harnesses. Pike fishing has been fair. Walleyes also are hitting in Brimley Bay with Spin-N-Glow crawler harnesses producing good results. Anglers fishing teardrops and wax worms in the Upper St. Marys River are catching fair numbers of whitefish.
Wilderness Treasures (906) 647-4002.
Drummond Island Area
Walleye fishing has been pretty good in Maxton Bay. Anglers fishing crawler harnesses and crankbaits are catching fish. At DeTour, good catches of chinook can be had in 100 feet of water, 35 feet down. Muskie fishing has been good in Maude Bay with bucktail spinners and large crankbaits taking most fish.
Johnson’s Sport Shop (906) 493-6300.
St. Ignace Area
Fishing has been slow around St. Ignace. An occasional walleye has been caught in Brevoort Lake, but anglers are having to work hard for any results. Salmon fishing also has been very slow in the Straits of Mackinac.
Ace Hardware (906) 643-7721.
CENTRAL UP
Grand Marais Area
A few rainbows are hitting on the Big Two-Hearted River, but the water is running high and dirty, and overall the action has been slow. Surf anglers report a fair menominee bite in Lake Superior, with worms and single salmon eggs taking fish.
Rainbow Lodge (906) 658-3357.
Big Bay Area
Walleye fishing has been good on Lake Independence. The best action is coming to anglers fishing crawlers and minnows in 13 to 18 feet of water. Lake trout fishing has been decent on Lake Superior. Streams are still running high and dirty and fishing has been slow.
Big Bay Corner Store (906) 345-5098.
Curtis Area
A fair number of walleyes are hitting on South and Big Manistique lakes, but most are running on the small side. Crawlers have been producing the best action. Perch fishing is starting to improve, but the best action is still a few weeks away. Bass season has been slow. A few pike and muskies are hitting, but the water temperature is still running cool.
J.R. Sport Shop (906) 586-6040.
Garden Area
Bass fishing has been decent in Big Bay de Noc. Spinnerbaits, crankbaits, and crawler harnesses have been producing pretty good results. Walleyes have been “few and far between” but the ones that are being caught are big, including several over 30 inches.
Foxy’s Den (906) 644-2817.
Marquette Area
Lake trout and a few salmon are hitting in Lake Superior at Marquette Harbor and in Munising Bay, Trout Bay, and AuTrain Bay. Lakers have been caught off the bottom in waters 140 to 220 feet deep. Limit catches are reported.
Gander Mountain (906) 226-8300
Escanaba Area
Walleye fishing has been pretty good in Lake Michigan’s Little Bay de Noc. Most anglers are targeting the north end of the bay from the red buoy to Garth Point. The best action is coming to anglers drifting nightcrawlers in 10 to 20 feet of water.
Bay View Bait & Tackle (906) 786-1488.
BayShore Resort Bait & Tackle (906) 428-2950.
WESTERN UP
Bergland Area
Walleye fishing has been pretty good on Lake Gogebic, but the fish are on the small side. The best bite is coming on minnows and leeches fished in 8 to 22 feet of water. A pretty good bite has been reported off the Hoop-N-Holler. Bass fishing also has been pretty good, but perch fishing has shut down.
Maple Ridge Bait & Tackle (906) 575-3545.
Crystal Falls Area
Stream fishing in many of the local rivers and streams remains difficult due to high water levels. Trout have been caught in Hannah-Web Lake and Fortune Pond near Crystal Falls. A few trout also have been caught in the Brule River and the Paint River. Crappies, northern pike, and walleyes are hitting in Peavy Pond. Anglers fishing with leeches and crawlers have been enjoying the best success.
DJ’s Sport Shop & Marine (906) 875-3113
Lower Peninsula
SOUTHEASTERN LP
Lake St. Clair
Walleye fishing has been pretty good on Lake St. Clair at Metro Beach and in the North and Middle channels. Anglers trolling with crawler harnesses in 8 to 10 feet of water are enjoying good results. Northern pike are hitting off Selfridge Air Base in 6 to 9 feet of water. Anglers are casting crankbaits and drifting crawler harnesses. Panfish are hitting wax worms and leaf worms in the canals north of Selfridge.
Lakeside Fishing Shops (586) 777-7003.
Jimmy’s Boat Livery (586) 468-6000.
Irish Hills Area
The bass opener was good for smallmouth bass anglers on Wamplers and Round lakes. Anglers casting crankbaits, spinners, and tubes in 3 to 5 feet of water did well. Redear sunfish and bluegills also are in the shallows. Redears are hitting small Mister Twisters and ’gills are hitting wax worms. A few walleyes have been caught on Vineyard Lake.
Knutson’s Sporting Goods (800) 292-0857 or (517) 592-2786.
Trenton Area
Good numbers of white bass are being caught in the Detroit River between Celeron Island and Grosse Ile on small Cleos. Walleyes are hitting crawler harnesses trolled between the boat launch at Wyandotte to Mud Island. The best action is coming in 15 to 25 feet of water. Anglers also are catching walleyes when hand-lining with silver spoons along the mud line. Perch are hitting minnows fished east of Grosse Ile between Stony Island and Sugar Island.
Bottom Line Bait & Tackle (734) 379-9762.
Trenton Lighthouse (734) 675-7080.
Horse Island Tackle (734) 692-9839.
Monroe Area
Walleye anglers report good fishing in the Ohio waters of Lake Erie, but that should soon change with the weather. Anglers have done well between the Toledo Harbor Light and Turtle Island. Good fishing also was reported straight east of Brest Bay. Anglers trolling crawler harnesses and crankbaits are catching fish. Perch are hitting wigglers and minnows in Brest Bay. The magic depth has been 20 feet.
Cook’s Sportland (734) 242-0774.
SOUTHWESTERN LP
Coldwater Area
Anglers reported a good bass bite on Mud, Messenger, Marble, and Coldwater lakes. Bass are still in the shallows and hitting cranks and tubes. Bluegills also have moved into the shallows and are hitting waxies and black ants. A few walleyes are being caught on Coldwater Lake but action is still warming up.
Dancing Bear Trading Post (517) 278-4626.
D’s Bait & Tackle (517) 639-3243.
St. Joseph Area
Pier fishing for steelhead remains pretty good in Lake Michigan at St. Joseph. Walleye anglers also report good success off the pier, with the best action coming after dark. Farther out in the lake, anglers are catching limits of chinook and coho on spoons and Dipsey Divers in 80 to 135 feet of water. Bass and bluegill fishing have been pretty good on most inland lakes.
Halls Bait and Tackle (269) 641-2304.
CENTRAL LP
Saginaw Bay Area
Walleye fishing has been good on Saginaw Bay, particularly around Callahan Reef and at the mouth of the Saginaw River. The best bite has been on nightcrawler harnesses fished in 8 to 16 feet of water. Bass fishing also has been good with spinnerbaits and crankbaits both taking fish.
Franks Great Outdoors (989) 697-5341.
Hoyles Marina (989) 697-4415.
Lansing Area
Panfish are starting to hit in the shallows on the Grand River. Rubber spiders and wax worms are taking bluegills, and crappies are hitting small minnows. The water level is down on the Maple River and crappie fishing has been decent. A few catfish and pike also are hitting. Fair crappie fishing has also been reported on Lake Ovid. The water is running high on the Looking Glass River and angler pressure has been light.
Grand River Bait & Tackle (517) 482-4461.
Muskegon Area
Salmon anglers trolling on Lake Michigan in 130 to 200 feet of water, 70 to 100 feet down, report a good chinook bite between Grand Haven and Whitehall. Green Dolphin, Orange Crush, and Monkey Puke have been the hot colors. The water level in the Muskegon River is still high. Steelhead have moved out, but good numbers of smaller trout are being reported in the river. The bite continues to be slow because of the high water levels.
Angler Archer (231) 744-5992.
Dawn to Dusk (231) 767-9706.
Ludington Area
Salmon fishing is heating up on Lake Michigan at Ludington. Anglers report limit catches of chinook and an occasional lake trout. Anglers are trolling in the early mornings with spoons in a variety of colors. Most fish can be found in 80 to 150 feet of water. High water levels continue to hamper fishing on the Pere Marquette River. A good bite for bluegills and bass has been reported by anglers fishing on Hamlin Lake. Walleye fishing was fair and crappie fishing has been slow.
Pere Marquette Sport Center (231) 843-8676
THE THUMB
Caseville Area
Walleye fishing has been pretty good in Lake Huron. Anglers report a good bite when fishing off the Sand Pointe buoy in 8 to 14 feet of water. Hot ‘N’ Tots and nightcrawler harnesses are both taking fish. Catfish and bass fishing have been good off the breakwall on the Pigeon River in Caseville. There also has been a good bass bite on the Pinebog River.
Walsh Gun & Tackle (989) 856-4465.
Harbor Beach Area
Lake trout have been producing the lion’s share of the action in Lake Huron at Harbor Beach, but an occasional chinook is starting to show up. The best bite has been in 50 to 150 feet of water. Brown trout are hitting body baits in 20 feet of water, and anglers report a few perch being taken in 26 feet of water. Walleyes are still hitting crankbaits off the breakwall in Harbor Beach.
Frank’s Place Bait & Tackle (989) 864-5634.
Port Huron
Walleye fishing has been good in the St. Clair River. The water has been dirty, but the bite has been surprisingly good. Shore fishing has been good north of the Black River, where much of the mud has been coming from. Mr. Twisters, Night Stalkers, and clown Rapalas have been the hot baits. Bass fishing has been good on inland lakes.
Anderson’s Pro Bait (810) 984-3232
Vassar Area
Muddy water has put a damper on fishing on Murphy Lake. A few bluegills have moved into the shallows, but no one is fishing because of the water conditions. A few walleyes and pike are hitting in the Cass River, but action has been slow.
Fred’s Bait & Tackle (989) 823-8157.
NORTHWESTERN LP
East Jordan Area
Walleye fishing has been excellent on Lake Charlevoix. Anglers fishing nightcrawler harnesses in 15 to 18 feet of water are enjoying great success. Bass fishing has been slow. The fish haven’t moved in to spawn yet. An occasional muskie is being caught, including a 48-inch, 28-pounder, that was caught by a bass fisherman on opening day. Mushroom hunters are still finding a few morels but the season is winding down. River fishing has been slow.
Tom’s Bait & Tackle (231) 536-3521.
Manistee Area
Limit catches of chinook salmon are being reported in Lake Michigan at Manistee and Ludington. Many anglers say this is the best spring to early summer chinook fishing they can remember. The best bite has been on spoons trolled in 80 to 120 feet of water. The Manistee River is still high, and fishing has been slow. A few brown trout have been caught near Tippy Dam. Largemouth bass have started bedding in some lakes, but the bluegills have not due to cold water temperatures.
Insta-Launch Marina (231) 723-7718.
Kalkaska Area
Streams are still high and dirty in the Kalkaska area but are starting to clear up. Trout fishing has been very slow, but should improve with a little dry weather. Bass are starting to move in toward shore on most inland lakes and fishing is picking up. A few smallmouth bass are hitting in the Torch River.
Jack’s Sport Shop (231) 258-8892.
Cadillac Area
Northern pike fishing has been pretty good on Lake Mitchell near Cadillac. Anglers fishing large spoons and live bait are catching fish along weedbeds in the shallows. The bass opener was pretty good on Lake Cadillac, and walleye fishing is picking up with good success being reported by anglers fishing in shallow water, especially at night.
Schaefer’s Bait & Sporting Goods (231) 775-7085.
Higgins Lake Area
Anglers on Higgins Lake report a good perch bite near the Sunken Island. The best action is coming on shiners and wigglers. Lake trout are hitting spoons trolled in 100 feet of water. A decent brown trout and rainbow trout bite can be found near the drop-off.
Higgins Lake Sport & Tackle (989) 821-9517.
Phoenix Party and Bait Store (989) 821-7220.
NORTHEASTERN LP
Harrisville Area
Lake trout are keeping anglers busy on Lake Huron at Harrisville. Limit catches of lakers have been reported by anglers fishing in 60 to 85 feet of water, 40 to 85 feet down. A few kings are starting to move in, but the water temperature is still a little cool, running in the high 40s and low 50s.
Keerl’s Korner (989) 724-6426.
Hubbard Lake
Walleye and smallmouth bass fishing have been hot on Hubbard Lake. Walleyes are hitting in 4 to 7 feet of water. Anglers long-lining with small Rapalas report good results. The south end of the lake and along west shore have been the two most productive areas so far.
Side Door Bait & Tackle (989) 736-6418.
East Bay Outfitters (989) 727-9916.
Oscoda Area
Walleye fishing has been pretty good in Lake Huron off the pier at Oscoda. Anglers casting Clown Husky Jerks between midnight and 5 a.m. report good results. Walleyes, along with and an occasional steelhead, are being caught by anglers drifting crawlers and leeches near the mouth of the Au Sable River. Farther out in the lake, anglers are taking limits of lakers in 50 to 70 feet of water using spoons in a variety of colors.
Wellman’s Sport Center (989) 739-2869.
Tawas Area
Walleyes and northern pike are hitting Rapalas in Lake Huron near buoys 2 and 4. Chinook and lake trout have been caught off Au Sable Point and around Buoy 2. Good walleye fishing is being reported by anglers fishing in 20 to 35 feet of water at Au Gres. Crawler harnesses and deep-diving Husky Jerks are producing the best results. Pier and shore anglers are catching fair numbers of channel cats and freshwater drum. Good catches of largemouth and smallmouth bass also are being reported.
All Season Sporting Goods (989) 362-4512.
Upper Peninsula
EASTERN UP
Cedarville Area
Pike fishing has been pretty good in Lake Huron around the Les Cheneaux Islands. Anglers casting firetiger Rapalas and chartreuse or white spinnerbaits, or fishing live baits, report excellent success. Smallmouth bass fishing also has been very good for anglers casting crawlers and tubes over rock piles.
Great Outdoors Sport Shop (906) 484-2011.
Pickford Area
Walleye fishing has been pretty good in Munuscong Bay and Rayber Bay. Anglers report a good bite on body baits and night crawler harnesses. Pike fishing has been fair. Walleyes also are hitting in Brimley Bay with Spin-N-Glow crawler harnesses producing good results. Anglers fishing teardrops and wax worms in the Upper St. Marys River are catching fair numbers of whitefish.
Wilderness Treasures (906) 647-4002.
Drummond Island Area
Walleye fishing has been pretty good in Maxton Bay. Anglers fishing crawler harnesses and crankbaits are catching fish. At DeTour, good catches of chinook can be had in 100 feet of water, 35 feet down. Muskie fishing has been good in Maude Bay with bucktail spinners and large crankbaits taking most fish.
Johnson’s Sport Shop (906) 493-6300.
St. Ignace Area
Fishing has been slow around St. Ignace. An occasional walleye has been caught in Brevoort Lake, but anglers are having to work hard for any results. Salmon fishing also has been very slow in the Straits of Mackinac.
Ace Hardware (906) 643-7721.
CENTRAL UP
Grand Marais Area
A few rainbows are hitting on the Big Two-Hearted River, but the water is running high and dirty, and overall the action has been slow. Surf anglers report a fair menominee bite in Lake Superior, with worms and single salmon eggs taking fish.
Rainbow Lodge (906) 658-3357.
Big Bay Area
Walleye fishing has been good on Lake Independence. The best action is coming to anglers fishing crawlers and minnows in 13 to 18 feet of water. Lake trout fishing has been decent on Lake Superior. Streams are still running high and dirty and fishing has been slow.
Big Bay Corner Store (906) 345-5098.
Curtis Area
A fair number of walleyes are hitting on South and Big Manistique lakes, but most are running on the small side. Crawlers have been producing the best action. Perch fishing is starting to improve, but the best action is still a few weeks away. Bass season has been slow. A few pike and muskies are hitting, but the water temperature is still running cool.
J.R. Sport Shop (906) 586-6040.
Garden Area
Bass fishing has been decent in Big Bay de Noc. Spinnerbaits, crankbaits, and crawler harnesses have been producing pretty good results. Walleyes have been “few and far between” but the ones that are being caught are big, including several over 30 inches.
Foxy’s Den (906) 644-2817.
Marquette Area
Lake trout and a few salmon are hitting in Lake Superior at Marquette Harbor and in Munising Bay, Trout Bay, and AuTrain Bay. Lakers have been caught off the bottom in waters 140 to 220 feet deep. Limit catches are reported.
Gander Mountain (906) 226-8300
Escanaba Area
Walleye fishing has been pretty good in Lake Michigan’s Little Bay de Noc. Most anglers are targeting the north end of the bay from the red buoy to Garth Point. The best action is coming to anglers drifting nightcrawlers in 10 to 20 feet of water.
Bay View Bait & Tackle (906) 786-1488.
BayShore Resort Bait & Tackle (906) 428-2950.
WESTERN UP
Bergland Area
Walleye fishing has been pretty good on Lake Gogebic, but the fish are on the small side. The best bite is coming on minnows and leeches fished in 8 to 22 feet of water. A pretty good bite has been reported off the Hoop-N-Holler. Bass fishing also has been pretty good, but perch fishing has shut down.
Maple Ridge Bait & Tackle (906) 575-3545.
Crystal Falls Area
Stream fishing in many of the local rivers and streams remains difficult due to high water levels. Trout have been caught in Hannah-Web Lake and Fortune Pond near Crystal Falls. A few trout also have been caught in the Brule River and the Paint River. Crappies, northern pike, and walleyes are hitting in Peavy Pond. Anglers fishing with leeches and crawlers have been enjoying the best success.
DJ’s Sport Shop & Marine (906) 875-3113
