This Week's Highlights
Fall fishing patterns are taking hold across Michigan as water temperatures drop and baitfish begin their seasonal migrations.
Fall fishing patterns are taking hold across Michigan. This week's report shows salmon runs picking up steam on both sides of the state, while traditional targets like walleye and perch are transitioning to their autumn patterns.
Before you head out, remember that all anglers 17 years and older need a valid Michigan fishing license. You can purchase your license online or at any license dealer statewide.
Regional Reports
Family-Friendly Fishing
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Southeast Lower Peninsula
Eastern Saginaw Bay
Very few ventured out onto the east side of the bay looking for walleye over the weekend. Anglers reported very slow fishing with nothing to show for their efforts. Those targeting yellow perch shared the same experience, with very little to show. Fishing for yellow perch was hit or miss, with one group doing well one day, only to struggle the next in the same area. Anglers who put in numerous days and long hours over the last few weeks had the most success when targeting yellow perch. Shore anglers along the east side also reported very slow fishing.
Lower Saginaw Bay
Anglers caught a few yellow perch on the east side of Spoils Island in 12 to 14 feet of water.
Local Intel: Spoils Island in Saginaw Bay is also known by the name Channel Island, and sometimes Shelter Island. It is a "spoil island," meaning it was created from dredged material (or "spoil") that was removed from the shipping channel in the Saginaw Bay/River area to maintain navigation depth for vessels. The water near Spoils Island is a known spot for fishing, particularly for Walleye and yellow perch.
Lake Erie
Although anglers were not yet limiting out on yellow perch, the cooler weather led to improved catches. Anglers continued to report catches east of Stony Point in deeper water, using minnows. Green and orange were good bead colors. Walleye fishing remained slow, but on days when the wind wasn’t from the east and blowing in vegetation, they were caught on crankbaits trolled in about 24 feet of water near the Ohio line, east of Sterling. Largemouth bass were hitting on tubes in and around the Bolles Harbor channel. Many catfish were caught on worms in the hot ponds near the coal plant.
Harbor Beach
Coho salmon were caught from the break wall casting a variety of different lures.
Lexington
Steelhead, a few coho salmon and an occasional Atlantic salmon was caught casting lures and bobber fishing with crawlers and wax worms. A few small perch and blue gills were caught using night crawlers. Lures with the most success were arctic spinners and Cleos.
Port Sanilac
Anglers reported catching a few coho salmon and an occasional steelhead off the pier in Port Sanilac. Mornings were reported as best, and anglers did well casting spoons and spinners of various colors.
Macomb County
With water temperatures dropping, a few yellow perch were reported along the Lake St. Clair shoreline. Lake St. Clair has cooled off, but anglers caught bass, walleye, and pike from shore and trolling along the weed beds.
Monroe County
Channel catfish were caught in the River Raisin near Hellenberg Park.
Southwest Lower Peninsula
South Haven
A few boat anglers did well targeting salmon. Anglers found the most success around 80 feet of water. Some small chinook salmon and steelhead were caught on spoons. Pier fishing was very slow for all species. Perch fishing was also very slow last week.
St. Joseph
Salmon anglers reported good fishing last week. The best water was around 100 feet of water. The fish caught were a mixed bag of salmon and trout. Spoons worked best. Pier fishing was very slow for all species. Perch fishing was fair, with the best water around 50 feet of water.
St. Joseph River
Decent numbers of salmon continue to be reported. Anglers casting or trolling the river had the most success.
Local Intel: For the best success targeting salmon in the St. Joseph River, look for conditions where the water temperature is trending downward and is ideally below 60∘F after the heat of summer.
Black River
There was a few salmon caught trolling the river with crankbaits. Fishing for salmon and lake trout was slow.
Grand Haven
Salmon along with a few steelhead were caught 50 to 90 down in 90 to 140 feet of water. Spoons were reported to have worked the best. Pier anglers found the action to be very slow for salmon and steelhead.
Muskegon
Boat anglers reported a mix of salmon and steelhead 40 to 90 feet down in 100 to 150 feet of water. Spoons have been working the best in either orange or green.
Eaton County
Largemouth bass were reported on inland lakes and Grand River.
Calhoun County
Bluegills were caught in good numbers with both live and plastic bait.
Ionia County
Salmon were caught in the Grand River.
Local Intel: Ionia Fairgrounds Access This is a public access point that features shoreline fishing and is perfect for locating deeper holes or logjams that salmon linger in while on their spawning run. Access: This location is listed as having public access (42.974392, -85.070343). Look for areas where you can safely wade or cast from the bank into the main current.
Northeast Lower Peninsula
Cheboygan
There was heavy fishing pressure at the Cheboygan Dam spillway, but catch rates slowed down. Many of the salmon began to spawn and became finicky. Most of the fish were dark, but some slightly silver fish were still being caught. Those who caught the fresher fish were floating or bottom-bouncing spawn. Other anglers used deep-diving stick baits and spoons.
Oscoda/Au Sable
Anglers fishing off the pier and catwalk experienced slow salmon fishing this week, although a handful of Atlantic salmon and a few coho salmon were taken on orange #4 spinners and orange/silver K.O. wobblers. Anglers casting deep-diving bandits before sunrise caught walleye off the pier head. In the river, coho salmon were taken by anglers floating skein or spawn bags through deeper runs. Chinook salmon, along with a few coho salmon, moved onto gravel and were taken by anglers bottom-bouncing spawn, flies, and beads. Atlantic salmon were also taken in the river by anglers swinging streamers or casting #3–#5 spinners. A few steelhead also began to show up throughout the river.
Local Intel: The Au Sable River Mouth Boat Launch is a hard-surface ramped launch with multiple docks. It has a very large 200 spot parking area and is open 24 hours.
Harrisville
A few coho salmon and a couple of Chinook salmon were caught in the harbor this week, along with a few steelhead. There were a lot of fish in the harbor, but few were willing to bite. Fire-tiger spoons, #3 pink Mepps, and chunks of skein under a bobber produced the most fish.
Tawas/Au Gres
Not many boats were able to make it on the water. Fishing was slow both out on the water and from shore. Walleye and perch fishing was slow in Au Gres. A few walleyes were caught by casting in approximately 30 feet of water around structure. Freshwater drum and a few small perch were reported as well. Out from the Pine River, perch fishing was slow, with only a couple of keepers caught per boat. Largemouth bass and a few northern pike were caught in the shallows. Bluegill fishing in the marina was very hit or miss.
Local Intel: Gateway Park offers a 300-foot lighted and ADA-compatible fishing pier for anglers without a boat. A small public boat launch is available, accommodating boats up to 28 feet long.
Alpena
Those targeting salmon from the pier reported fishing as very slow. The occasional Atlantic salmon was caught while casting spoons in green/silver, blue/silver, and orange.
Thunder Bay River
Good numbers of Chinook salmon and coho salmon were reported throughout the river. Drifting spawn under bobbers and beads was reported as successful. A few Atlantic salmon were caught while casting spinners and small spoons, with bright colors being the most effective. A fair number of smallmouth bass were caught throughout the river while casting spinners, crankbaits, and tube jigs.
Northeast Lower Peninsula Counties
Anglers reported panfish and smallmouth bass on Long Lake. The salmon run started with a few Chinook salmon caught in the Au Sable River and Tawas River. Anglers using orange spinners did well. Crappie were caught on Budd Lake using soft plastics with jig heads.
Northwest Lower Peninsula
Leland
Pier and shore anglers caught Chinook salmon and coho salmon while drifting skein throughout the morning and evening. Anglers targeting salmon at night had success casting glow-in-the-dark spoons near the pier heads and by the dam.
Northport/Suttons Bay
Anglers targeting yellow perch reported large schools throughout Suttons Bay, Omena Bay, and Northport. The best spots for perch were in Suttons Bay in 45 to 60 feet of water just south of Stoney Point, as well as in the southern parts of Northport. The bait of choice was wigglers.
Frankfort/Lake Michigan
Pier anglers setting spawn reported low numbers of steelhead, as water temperatures were still on the warm side. Anglers running out front in 100 to 140 feet of water and trolling the top 80 feet reported a few coho salmon, immature Chinook salmon, and the occasional ateelhead on spoons. Coho salmon numbers in Platte Bay started to pick up.
Onekama/Lake Michigan
Dredging in the channel continued as coho salmon started to move in; several were reported rolling at the mouth.
West Grand Traverse Bay
Salmon were caught in the lower Boardman River by those drifting skein or casting crankbaits.
Local Intel: The "hole" out in front of the Boardman River in Grand Traverse Bay is a well-known, deep water salmon staging area. Anglers typically find success fishing in water depths that range from 60 to 120 feet or more, with the fish themselves often suspended in the water column 50 to 80 feet down The launch closest to the hole is the Clinch Memorial Boat Ramp, located right where the river meets West Grand Traverse Bay.
Community Reports
Photos have been shared with us showing the river stacked with salmon. Now is the time!
East Grand Traverse Bay
Salmon were being caught in the Elk River by those drifting skein or spawn bags.
Charlevoix
Anglers targeting salmon near Medusa reported little to no success. Bass anglers fishing in the Pine River Channel found the occasional smallmouth bass while fishing with natural bait on bottom.
Manistee
Very few steelhead were caught off the piers while using spawn. Fishing remained slow. Most salmon were caught in the Big Manistee River, but boats trolling in 100 feet of water to the south found a few coho salmon and steelhead on spoons in the top 60 feet of water.
Local Intel: The weir on the Little Manistee River closed their egg take operations on October 8. The ponds have been drained and the screens opened. Fish totals this year: 5148 chinook 600 coho 186 steelhead 39 brown trout The Little Manistee River weir is an egg-take and salmon harvest facility which is operated by the DNR. The weir is used to block fish on the Little Manistee River in the spring and fall of the year. Steelhead eggs are taken in the spring and chinook salmon eggs are taken in the fall at the weir. The eggs taken at the weir are sent to state fish hatcheries where they are reared and stocked all over Michigan. Eggs are also supplied to several other states.
Ludington
Anglers trolling Lake Michigan reported slow fishing. Those fishing the harbor picked up a couple of late-running salmon on spoons, with the occasional pike and freshwater drum mixed in. The piers were slow, but a couple of nice pike were caught using crawlers and artificial lures. Most salmon were caught in the Pere Marquette River.
Benzie County
There were salmon caught in the Betsie and Platte Rivers.
Leelanau County
Shalda Creek anglers were still targeting salmon but reported that the salmon run was slowing down.
Oceana County
Chinook salmon were running heavy in the White River and the North Branch of the White River. Anglers had success targeting them with spawn, hard-bodied lures, beads, and spinners. The South Branch of the Pere Marquette River was slower for salmon activity in the Ruby Creek area.
Newaygo County
Anglers reported catching Chinook salmon, rainbow trout and some brown trout in the Muskegon River using beads and worms. Some steelhead are starting to run, but few were caught.
Local Intel: The best concentration of salmon is in the first 20 miles of river below Croton Dam. This area has an excellent mix of deep holes and extensive gravel bars which the Chinook salmon use as spawning grounds. Croton Dam Access is the absolute end of the line for migratory fish, causing them to stack up below the dam and in the immediate river section. It offers barrier-free access and a fishing pier. Try drifting skein/spawn bags under a float/bobber or casting large crankbaits (like Thundersticks).
Mecosta County
Martiny Chain of Lakes fishing was steady during the warm weather for panfish and pike.
Upper Peninsula
Ontonagon River
Angling efforts on the river remained extremely low over the past week. Reports suggested that very few fish were being caught. The floating docks in the Ontonagon Marina were removed from the river for the season.
Marquette
This past week’s weather was a bit windier, but anglers had good success both trolling and jigging for lake trout from northwest of the White Rocks out toward north of Granite Island. Anglers did well in both deep waters around 180 feet and shallower waters near 120 feet. Numerous boat anglers caught fish north of White Rocks. Anglers also caught coho salmon at around 60 feet deep while trolling in front of both the Carp and Chocolay Rivers. Steelhead were observed caught at the mouths of some rivers, so they are expected to start moving upriver soon. Lake trout fishing was good.
Local Intel: Lake trout are opportunistic predators that feed on large baitfish. You generally want big, flashy, and deep-running lures. Spoons: The classic lake trout lure. Use magnum-sized spoons (like Michigan Stingers or similar brands) in colors like: Silver/Chrome Silver/Chartreuse or Pink Fire-Tiger (especially in stained water) Dodger/Flasher and Fly/Spin-N-Glo Rigs: A large Dodger or Spin Doctor creates a flash and erratic motion, attracting the fish. The lure trailing behind is often a Spin-N-Glo (a buoyant bait that spins) or a fly (like a squirt fly). Diving Crankbaits/Plugs: Large, deep-diving plugs (like some Rapalas or Flatfish) are great for trolling, especially if you don't have downriggers and the fish are less than 50-60 feet deep. Jigs: Heavy jigging spoons (like a Northland Buck-Shot Rattle Spoon) or large tube jigs are great for vertical jigging. Tip jigs with cut bait or a soft plastic for extra scent/action.
Ontonagon/Silver City/Union Bay
Angling efforts out of Ontonagon were very low over the past week. Efforts from Union Bay and Silver City were also low. Reported catches consisted of lake trout and coho salmon in low numbers. Anglers reported finding fish while trolling in water depths of approximately 80 to 100 feet of water.
Black River Harbor
The harbor experienced very low fishing efforts over the past week. Recent catches have consisted of lake trout and coho salmon in low numbers. Reports suggested that anglers had the best luck when trolling in water depths of 60 to 80 feet. Anglers fishing at the mouth of the river have had some success in catching coho salmon when casting spoons.
Little Bay de Noc
Smallmouth anglers reported good fishing. Anglers reported having some success near shallow vegetation and rocks. Perch anglers reported good fishing in the shallows using perch rigs. There were some reports of fish caught deeper, but most success occurred at shallower depths.
Big Bay de Noc
Smallmouth anglers fished out of Garden Bay’s launch with good success. Most anglers caught numerous large smallmouth bass. Some anglers fished sucker minnows close to the bottom; others used soft plastics.
Local Intel: The Garden Bay boat launch is located in Garden Bay, approximately one mile south of the town of Garden, Michigan. It's a hard surfaced ramp and is perfect for accessing the shallows with the record-sized smallmouths.
Keweenaw Bay/ Huron Bay
Anglers reported fair to good numbers of salmon caught. Anglers caught coho salmon and occasionally Chinook salmon while trolling spoons, crankbaits, and flasher/flies in the upper portion of the water column. Shore anglers also reported some success catching coho salmon.
Traverse Bay/Portage Entry
There was low fishing effort from these ports during the last week. Anglers reported fair to good lake trout fishing. Anglers trolling spoons and flasher/flies reported most fish were caught between 50 and 100 feet of water, while those jigging reported most fish were caught around 100 feet of water.
Grand Marais
There was low fishing activity this past week. However, anglers reported a few coho salmon at the mouth of the Sucker River that were caught when casting spoons and spinners or using spawn.
Munising
Boat anglers reported a steady bite for coho salmon when trolling the bay at shallower depths. Anglers fishing off the Anna River fishing pier did well on coho salmon and splake. There was also a good number of coho salmon in the Anna River. Anglers did well when casting spoons and using spawn.
Local Intel: Coho are aggressive and like a fast presentation. Try to troll faster than you might for other species, in the range of 3.5 to 6 mph. Focus on the top 15-30 feet of the water column, or even in the prop wash, as Coho are often near the surface. A classic, highly effective setup: Dodgers/Flashers and Flies/Hoochies Orange is a proven Coho color, so try an orange dodger paired with a short leader (12" to 18") to a trolling fly or hoochie (small plastic squid). Spoons and Crankbaits: Trolling spoons or crankbaits (like minnow imitations in orange/bright colors) can be deadly, especially in the upper part of the water.
St. Ignace
At the Carp River mouth, there were no reports of salmon or Steelhead this week. At Nunns Creek, most of the salmon were quite dark in color. Salmon were surfacing just outside of the creek’s mouth. Anglers had success in the early mornings and late evenings while either floating spawn or casting glow lures.
Au Train
There was a decrease in the number of anglers observed this week in Au Train, mostly due to the poor weather. Most anglers went northwest of Au Train Island out to the flats around 120 to 160 feet of water. Both trolling and jigging were found to be effective.
U.P Counties
Salmon were stacked up in the Manistique and Milakokia Rivers getting ready to spawn. Thompson Creek also saw many salmon. Perch and walleye were caught on Indian Lake. Inland lakes are saw mixed reports, with lakes near the northern Alger County/Schoolcraft County line showing more success targeting pike, bass, and panfish. Perch were caught near Kipling. Inland lakes in Luce and Mackinac Counties are produced a mixed bag of perch, walleye and northern pike.
Weekly Fishing Tip: Lure color
Transition Zone Tactics
Change lure colors frequently if the bite slows down. Light conditions, water clarity, and fish activity can all affect which colors are most effective. Start with natural colors in clear water and switch to brighter or glow patterns if the water is stained or the sun is low.
Helpful Resources
This report provides a snapshot of fishing conditions around the state based on reports from DNR fisheries staff and conservation officers.
Republished with appreciation to Michigan DNR. Full original report available here.