Post by Whiskers on May 28, 2007 12:08:08 GMT -6
This coming Saturday May 26th is the opening day of bass season on the Great Lakes and all the inland waters except Lake St. Clair, St. Clair River and the Detroit River which do not open until the 3rd Saturday in June. The opener looks to be a good one if the warm weather continues. Look for bluegills to be on the beds by the weekend.
Southeast Lower Peninsula
Lake Erie - Walleye fishing has been good this week. The fish can be found in 16 to 20 feet of water near the Fermi Power Plant and the E-Buoy. Drifting crawler harnesses with bottom bouncers has been the most productive, but a few fish were also caught when trolling dipsey divers and spoons.
Detroit River - Good walleye fishing continues in the lower river near the mouth, in the Trenton Channel and on both sides of Grosse Ile when jigging or slow trolling with crawler harnesses. The white bass fishing has been excellent with anglers taking limit catches.
Lake St. Clair - Walleye fishing has been very good when using crawler harnesses from Metro Beach to Masonic. The catch and release bass fishing has been very good. Anglers are reminded that the bass season does not open until the 3rd Saturday in June.
St. Clair River - Has been very good for walleye fishing. Anglers have done well both after dark and during the day.
Lexington - The trout and salmon are scattered in waters 15 to 50 feet deep. Those trolling have caught mainly lake trout with salmon, steelhead and walleye mixed in.
Port Sanilac - The trout and salmon are scattered here as well, but fish are still being caught.
Harbor Beach - Smallmouth bass have started to show up, and anglers have been targeting them during the catch and release season.
Willow Creek - Near Huron City has bass starting to show up near the mouth.
Port Austin - Anglers are still taking lake trout. Pier anglers have caught walleye very early in the morning.
Saginaw Bay - Walleye fishing on inner bay was nothing short of incredible until the cold front moved in. Everybody was getting fish, and lots of limits were taken everywhere from Linwood south and east to Quanicassee when trolling with planer boards or drifting crawler harnesses. Off Linwood, Buoys A and H were both hot. Other good spots were around the Spark Plug, the south end of the bay between Finn Road and Quanicassee, and in the Slot between Quanicassee and Sebewaing.
Saginaw River - Anglers are taking good catches of freshwater drum and carp.
Tittabawassee River - There are still some limits of walleye coming from the lower river near the launch at Center Street, around Imerman Park, and off Gordonville Road when jigging, trolling or casting crankbaits. White bass and smallmouth bass are also in the river.
Southwest Lower Peninsula
St. Joseph - Boats trolling between the surface and 40 feet down in 150 to 200 feet of water are taking chinook and coho. Pier fishing has been good with anglers taking flathead catfish and freshwater drum when fishing the river side off the North Pier. Most are using alewife. Some brown trout have also been caught.
South Haven - Boat anglers are taking chinook, coho and lake trout when trolling 20 to 40 feet down in waters 100 to 200 feet deep.
Kalamazoo River - Walleye continue to hit on large shiners. The dredging operations are still going on so anglers will want to avoid those areas.
Grand Haven - Boats are trolling with spoons in waters up to 200 feet deep. Perch were hitting on minnows in 60 to 70 feet of water. Some big catfish have been caught in the channel.
Grand River at Grand Rapids - Walleye are hitting on minnows, crawlers and chartreuse Twister Tails with red heads. Some big smallmouth bass have been caught using minnows, crawlers, bodybaits and small spinners. The bass opener looks to be a good one. Bluegills and crappie can be found in the pockets of slow water. Lots of catfish have also been caught. The flatheads are hitting on large sucker minnows while the channel cats prefer crawlers and dough baits.
Rogue River - Some nice brown trout have been caught in the upper river. The hot bait has been salted shiner minnows.
Thornapple River - Anglers are taking lots of nice crappie. The trick is to fish the downed trees, and when they stop biting, move on to the next area.
Grand River at Lansing - Walleye have been caught on minnows when fishing off the walls and near the bridges. Bluegills should be on the beds by the weekend. Look for crappie in the brush and downed trees. The carp are still active.
Maple River - Has good bowfin action. The fish are very active right now and because they put up such a good fight, they are fun to catch.
Reeds Lake - Anglers report the crappies are spawning and the bluegills should be on the beds by the weekend. Northern pike have been caught near the Yacht Club.
Cranberry Lake - Bluegill and crappie have been caught on the south side of the lake near the cattails
Big Wabasis Lake - Those fishing near the boat rental reported seeing bluegills on the beds.
Murray Lake - Northern pike and muskie have been caught when slow trolling with 10 to 12 inch sucker minnows and no weight attached.
White Lake - Anglers are catching lots of panfish, mainly bluegills. Northern pike have been caught when trolling plugs in 10 to 15 feet of water.
Northeast Lower Peninsula
Rogers City - The lake trout fishing is here. Anglers are fishing the bottom 5 feet in waters 30 to 55 feet deep. Spoons, Cowbells, Spin-Glows and Peanuts have caught fish. Any color of green has been working well. Good places to fish have been from the Calcite breakwall all the way down to Adams Point, and near Seagull Point. A few brown trout and atlantic salmon were caught along the shoreline, especially near Calcite when using planer boards and bodybaits in a variety of colors.
Rockport - Slow lake trout fishing continues as boats are trolling around Middle Island, the Humps off Ferron Point, and out by the Wreck. Some are going five miles past the Wreck and fishing in 150 feet of water. Pier anglers casting spoons have caught a few brown trout. Anglers will want to bring some bug spray.
Alpena - Boat anglers are trolling around Grass Island, the 9-Mile Can, and just outside the breakwall. Only a few fish have been caught, but those taken were large. Those trolling for lake trout are going out in deeper waters around the 9-Mile Can, off North Point, and four miles straight out into the Bay. Pier anglers have caught northern pike and smallmouth bass.
Thunder Bay River - Those fishing for walleye during the daylight hours are having the best luck when trolling bodybaits from Mill Island down to the mouth. The walleye are averaging 16 to 19 inches and are full of gobies, so fish tight along the river bank.
Harrisville - Anglers are taking limits of lake trout in 45 to 55 feet of water in front of the harbor. A few boats went down to Sturgeon Point and also did well.
Oscoda - Walleye fishing has slowed during the day, but there has still been a fair amount of activity after dark.
Au Sable River - Most anglers are night fishing for walleye. They are drifting crawler harnesses down the river or using dipsey divers.
Tawas - Those fishing in Tawas Bay have taken some walleye in 10 to 30 feet of water. Coho, brown trout and walleye have been caught off the pier.
Au Gres - The best walleye fishing has been in the warm waters just south of Pte. Au Gres. The further south you go the better the fishing.
Higgins Lake - Lake trout are hitting on cowbells and live bait in 80 to 100 feet of water. Rainbow trout and brown trout can be found in 30 to 40 feet of water near the drop off. Smallmouth bass are hitting on crankbaits.
Houghton Lake - Fishing has been good. Walleye are hitting on crawler harnesses, leeches and rapalas. Anglers have caught both large and smallmouth bass, crappie, bluegills and rock bass. Pike have also been caught, but many are running on the small side.
Northwest Lower Peninsula
Walloon Lake - Smallmouth bass seem to be the target and most are having pretty good luck when casting shallow divers, plastic worms or grubs along the weeds or in the shallows. Some undersized walleye along with some bluegills and perch were taken while still-fishing or drifting with worms.
Thumb Lake (Lake Louise) - Anglers switched tactics over the last week putting their efforts into trolling for splake instead of fishing the shallows. Fish were caught using deep divers, stingers and stickbaits in waters 8 to 50 feet deep.
Traverse City - In the East Bay anglers are reporting good catches of lake trout and some brown trout on the east shore off Dock Road and Deepwater Point. Whitefish action was fair off Old Mission when the weather cooperates. In the West Bay, good numbers of lake trout along with some chinook salmon have been caught off the Gravel Pit. Those trolling with spoons did best, but fish were also taken when jigging a pearl colored Swedish Pimple. Smallmouth bass have been caught in the harbor.
Elk River - Fishing for steelhead is slow but the persistent anglers are catching some up at the dam. Try spawn on the bottom or casting. Suckers are really stacked up at the dam. Smallmouth bass are in the harbor and at the dam.
Boardman River - Smallmouth bass are being caught when casting spinners and bodybaits. Only a handful of steelhead are still in the river, but those fishing the mouth have caught brown trout and lake trout.
Crystal Lake - Good numbers of perch have been caught but the fish are running small. Good whitefish action was reported on the east end of the lake.
Frankfort - Chinook and brown trout are being caught by those trolling in and around the pier heads. Baitfish can be found in the harbor and in front of the mouth. Most are trolling rapalas in the early morning or evening. Hot colors have been chartreuse, orange, silver or perch patterns. Pier anglers willing to put some time in have caught a few brown trout when fishing in the early morning.
Onekama - Those trolling spoons up near the Barrel and in front of the pier heads have been catching a few chinook and steelhead in 20 to 40 feet of water. Hot colors were chartreuse, orange and gold.
Portage Lake - Panfish and bass are starting to move up into the shallows. Anglers are catching bluegill, crappie and rock bass. Those looking for large and smallmouth bass seemed to have better luck on the drop offs on both the east side and the south end of the lake. Crankbaits and spinner baits have worked best. Northern pike continue to hit throughout the day.
Manistee River - Some large brown trout have been caught up near Tippy Dam when using minnows or crawlers.
Ludington - Cool water temperatures continue to slow fishing. Pier anglers had no luck when using spawn or casting spoons. Night anglers have managed to catch a few walleye. Those trolling were able to pick up a few fish when trolling down towards Pentwater and the Project were water temperatures are warmer. They are catching mainly brown trout, but a few chinook salmon are also starting to show up.
Pere Marquette Lake - Anglers are catching northern pike.
Pentwater Lake - Good numbers of crappie and other panfish have been caught. Check around the docks and near the channels.
Upper Peninsula
Torch Lake - In Houghton County is providing fair to good northern pike fishing when casting minnows near the drop offs. A few walleye along with good numbers of bass were caught when working the shorelines.
Portage Lake - Fair numbers of northern pike have been caught when using minnows. Some nice walleye were taken when back trolling or drifting crawler harnesses. Warmer weather is still needed.
Marquette - Fishing has been slow. The coho fishery is wrapping up and anglers are still waiting for the chinook action to start. Lake trout have been caught in waters about 150 feet deep.
Little Bay De Noc - Has very good walleye fishing with limit catches reported. Most fish have been in the 16 to 23 inch range. Night anglers trolling crankbaits along the Second and Third Reefs took fair catches. Several large fish were taken when trolling crankbaits in 18 to 25 feet of water near Breezy Point. Shore anglers fishing off the new pier did well when floating crawlers just off the bottom. Walleye and perch were taken from the Narrows over to the East Bank when drifting or trolling crawler harnesses along the bottom in 20 to 34 feet of water. Good catches were taken around Garth Point and near the mouth of the Whitefish River. Northern pike have been caught throughout the Bay
Big Bay De Noc - The better walleye fishing has been in the head of the Bay when drifting or trolling crawler harnesses in 8 to 20 feet of water between the Big Fishdam River and Valentine Creek. Fish were also caught across the Bay near the Nahama Golf Course. Anglers have also seen lots of bass, so the opener looks good.
Au Train Lake - Anglers are doing fairly well when fishing for walleye and northern pike. Most are trolling or still-fishing with crawlers. Most fish have been small but a couple 30 inch pike have been caught. Several smallmouth bass and a couple brown trout have also been caught.
Grand Marais - Anglers are still catching coho off the pier when using spawn and in the bay when trolling spoons. Lake whitefish were taken on spawn in the early morning or late evening.
Big Manistique Lake - Has excellent walleye fishing. Most of the fish taken have been in the 15 to 18 inch range, but fish up to 25 inches have been caught. Drifting and trolling with live bait or casting crankbaits worked best.
Drummond Island - Northern pike fishing has been excellent, with limits taken in Maxton Bay and Scotts Bay when casting Little Cleo's or drift fishing with large minnows.
Cedarville and Hessel - Good splake fishing continues around the pier at Hessel. Early morning and late evening are best in 15 to 20 feet of water. Northern pike and smallmouth bass are being caught. Anglers are averaging 25 pike per day with about half of those fish meeting the minimum size limit.
Southeast Lower Peninsula
Lake Erie - Walleye fishing has been good this week. The fish can be found in 16 to 20 feet of water near the Fermi Power Plant and the E-Buoy. Drifting crawler harnesses with bottom bouncers has been the most productive, but a few fish were also caught when trolling dipsey divers and spoons.
Detroit River - Good walleye fishing continues in the lower river near the mouth, in the Trenton Channel and on both sides of Grosse Ile when jigging or slow trolling with crawler harnesses. The white bass fishing has been excellent with anglers taking limit catches.
Lake St. Clair - Walleye fishing has been very good when using crawler harnesses from Metro Beach to Masonic. The catch and release bass fishing has been very good. Anglers are reminded that the bass season does not open until the 3rd Saturday in June.
St. Clair River - Has been very good for walleye fishing. Anglers have done well both after dark and during the day.
Lexington - The trout and salmon are scattered in waters 15 to 50 feet deep. Those trolling have caught mainly lake trout with salmon, steelhead and walleye mixed in.
Port Sanilac - The trout and salmon are scattered here as well, but fish are still being caught.
Harbor Beach - Smallmouth bass have started to show up, and anglers have been targeting them during the catch and release season.
Willow Creek - Near Huron City has bass starting to show up near the mouth.
Port Austin - Anglers are still taking lake trout. Pier anglers have caught walleye very early in the morning.
Saginaw Bay - Walleye fishing on inner bay was nothing short of incredible until the cold front moved in. Everybody was getting fish, and lots of limits were taken everywhere from Linwood south and east to Quanicassee when trolling with planer boards or drifting crawler harnesses. Off Linwood, Buoys A and H were both hot. Other good spots were around the Spark Plug, the south end of the bay between Finn Road and Quanicassee, and in the Slot between Quanicassee and Sebewaing.
Saginaw River - Anglers are taking good catches of freshwater drum and carp.
Tittabawassee River - There are still some limits of walleye coming from the lower river near the launch at Center Street, around Imerman Park, and off Gordonville Road when jigging, trolling or casting crankbaits. White bass and smallmouth bass are also in the river.
Southwest Lower Peninsula
St. Joseph - Boats trolling between the surface and 40 feet down in 150 to 200 feet of water are taking chinook and coho. Pier fishing has been good with anglers taking flathead catfish and freshwater drum when fishing the river side off the North Pier. Most are using alewife. Some brown trout have also been caught.
South Haven - Boat anglers are taking chinook, coho and lake trout when trolling 20 to 40 feet down in waters 100 to 200 feet deep.
Kalamazoo River - Walleye continue to hit on large shiners. The dredging operations are still going on so anglers will want to avoid those areas.
Grand Haven - Boats are trolling with spoons in waters up to 200 feet deep. Perch were hitting on minnows in 60 to 70 feet of water. Some big catfish have been caught in the channel.
Grand River at Grand Rapids - Walleye are hitting on minnows, crawlers and chartreuse Twister Tails with red heads. Some big smallmouth bass have been caught using minnows, crawlers, bodybaits and small spinners. The bass opener looks to be a good one. Bluegills and crappie can be found in the pockets of slow water. Lots of catfish have also been caught. The flatheads are hitting on large sucker minnows while the channel cats prefer crawlers and dough baits.
Rogue River - Some nice brown trout have been caught in the upper river. The hot bait has been salted shiner minnows.
Thornapple River - Anglers are taking lots of nice crappie. The trick is to fish the downed trees, and when they stop biting, move on to the next area.
Grand River at Lansing - Walleye have been caught on minnows when fishing off the walls and near the bridges. Bluegills should be on the beds by the weekend. Look for crappie in the brush and downed trees. The carp are still active.
Maple River - Has good bowfin action. The fish are very active right now and because they put up such a good fight, they are fun to catch.
Reeds Lake - Anglers report the crappies are spawning and the bluegills should be on the beds by the weekend. Northern pike have been caught near the Yacht Club.
Cranberry Lake - Bluegill and crappie have been caught on the south side of the lake near the cattails
Big Wabasis Lake - Those fishing near the boat rental reported seeing bluegills on the beds.
Murray Lake - Northern pike and muskie have been caught when slow trolling with 10 to 12 inch sucker minnows and no weight attached.
White Lake - Anglers are catching lots of panfish, mainly bluegills. Northern pike have been caught when trolling plugs in 10 to 15 feet of water.
Northeast Lower Peninsula
Rogers City - The lake trout fishing is here. Anglers are fishing the bottom 5 feet in waters 30 to 55 feet deep. Spoons, Cowbells, Spin-Glows and Peanuts have caught fish. Any color of green has been working well. Good places to fish have been from the Calcite breakwall all the way down to Adams Point, and near Seagull Point. A few brown trout and atlantic salmon were caught along the shoreline, especially near Calcite when using planer boards and bodybaits in a variety of colors.
Rockport - Slow lake trout fishing continues as boats are trolling around Middle Island, the Humps off Ferron Point, and out by the Wreck. Some are going five miles past the Wreck and fishing in 150 feet of water. Pier anglers casting spoons have caught a few brown trout. Anglers will want to bring some bug spray.
Alpena - Boat anglers are trolling around Grass Island, the 9-Mile Can, and just outside the breakwall. Only a few fish have been caught, but those taken were large. Those trolling for lake trout are going out in deeper waters around the 9-Mile Can, off North Point, and four miles straight out into the Bay. Pier anglers have caught northern pike and smallmouth bass.
Thunder Bay River - Those fishing for walleye during the daylight hours are having the best luck when trolling bodybaits from Mill Island down to the mouth. The walleye are averaging 16 to 19 inches and are full of gobies, so fish tight along the river bank.
Harrisville - Anglers are taking limits of lake trout in 45 to 55 feet of water in front of the harbor. A few boats went down to Sturgeon Point and also did well.
Oscoda - Walleye fishing has slowed during the day, but there has still been a fair amount of activity after dark.
Au Sable River - Most anglers are night fishing for walleye. They are drifting crawler harnesses down the river or using dipsey divers.
Tawas - Those fishing in Tawas Bay have taken some walleye in 10 to 30 feet of water. Coho, brown trout and walleye have been caught off the pier.
Au Gres - The best walleye fishing has been in the warm waters just south of Pte. Au Gres. The further south you go the better the fishing.
Higgins Lake - Lake trout are hitting on cowbells and live bait in 80 to 100 feet of water. Rainbow trout and brown trout can be found in 30 to 40 feet of water near the drop off. Smallmouth bass are hitting on crankbaits.
Houghton Lake - Fishing has been good. Walleye are hitting on crawler harnesses, leeches and rapalas. Anglers have caught both large and smallmouth bass, crappie, bluegills and rock bass. Pike have also been caught, but many are running on the small side.
Northwest Lower Peninsula
Walloon Lake - Smallmouth bass seem to be the target and most are having pretty good luck when casting shallow divers, plastic worms or grubs along the weeds or in the shallows. Some undersized walleye along with some bluegills and perch were taken while still-fishing or drifting with worms.
Thumb Lake (Lake Louise) - Anglers switched tactics over the last week putting their efforts into trolling for splake instead of fishing the shallows. Fish were caught using deep divers, stingers and stickbaits in waters 8 to 50 feet deep.
Traverse City - In the East Bay anglers are reporting good catches of lake trout and some brown trout on the east shore off Dock Road and Deepwater Point. Whitefish action was fair off Old Mission when the weather cooperates. In the West Bay, good numbers of lake trout along with some chinook salmon have been caught off the Gravel Pit. Those trolling with spoons did best, but fish were also taken when jigging a pearl colored Swedish Pimple. Smallmouth bass have been caught in the harbor.
Elk River - Fishing for steelhead is slow but the persistent anglers are catching some up at the dam. Try spawn on the bottom or casting. Suckers are really stacked up at the dam. Smallmouth bass are in the harbor and at the dam.
Boardman River - Smallmouth bass are being caught when casting spinners and bodybaits. Only a handful of steelhead are still in the river, but those fishing the mouth have caught brown trout and lake trout.
Crystal Lake - Good numbers of perch have been caught but the fish are running small. Good whitefish action was reported on the east end of the lake.
Frankfort - Chinook and brown trout are being caught by those trolling in and around the pier heads. Baitfish can be found in the harbor and in front of the mouth. Most are trolling rapalas in the early morning or evening. Hot colors have been chartreuse, orange, silver or perch patterns. Pier anglers willing to put some time in have caught a few brown trout when fishing in the early morning.
Onekama - Those trolling spoons up near the Barrel and in front of the pier heads have been catching a few chinook and steelhead in 20 to 40 feet of water. Hot colors were chartreuse, orange and gold.
Portage Lake - Panfish and bass are starting to move up into the shallows. Anglers are catching bluegill, crappie and rock bass. Those looking for large and smallmouth bass seemed to have better luck on the drop offs on both the east side and the south end of the lake. Crankbaits and spinner baits have worked best. Northern pike continue to hit throughout the day.
Manistee River - Some large brown trout have been caught up near Tippy Dam when using minnows or crawlers.
Ludington - Cool water temperatures continue to slow fishing. Pier anglers had no luck when using spawn or casting spoons. Night anglers have managed to catch a few walleye. Those trolling were able to pick up a few fish when trolling down towards Pentwater and the Project were water temperatures are warmer. They are catching mainly brown trout, but a few chinook salmon are also starting to show up.
Pere Marquette Lake - Anglers are catching northern pike.
Pentwater Lake - Good numbers of crappie and other panfish have been caught. Check around the docks and near the channels.
Upper Peninsula
Torch Lake - In Houghton County is providing fair to good northern pike fishing when casting minnows near the drop offs. A few walleye along with good numbers of bass were caught when working the shorelines.
Portage Lake - Fair numbers of northern pike have been caught when using minnows. Some nice walleye were taken when back trolling or drifting crawler harnesses. Warmer weather is still needed.
Marquette - Fishing has been slow. The coho fishery is wrapping up and anglers are still waiting for the chinook action to start. Lake trout have been caught in waters about 150 feet deep.
Little Bay De Noc - Has very good walleye fishing with limit catches reported. Most fish have been in the 16 to 23 inch range. Night anglers trolling crankbaits along the Second and Third Reefs took fair catches. Several large fish were taken when trolling crankbaits in 18 to 25 feet of water near Breezy Point. Shore anglers fishing off the new pier did well when floating crawlers just off the bottom. Walleye and perch were taken from the Narrows over to the East Bank when drifting or trolling crawler harnesses along the bottom in 20 to 34 feet of water. Good catches were taken around Garth Point and near the mouth of the Whitefish River. Northern pike have been caught throughout the Bay
Big Bay De Noc - The better walleye fishing has been in the head of the Bay when drifting or trolling crawler harnesses in 8 to 20 feet of water between the Big Fishdam River and Valentine Creek. Fish were also caught across the Bay near the Nahama Golf Course. Anglers have also seen lots of bass, so the opener looks good.
Au Train Lake - Anglers are doing fairly well when fishing for walleye and northern pike. Most are trolling or still-fishing with crawlers. Most fish have been small but a couple 30 inch pike have been caught. Several smallmouth bass and a couple brown trout have also been caught.
Grand Marais - Anglers are still catching coho off the pier when using spawn and in the bay when trolling spoons. Lake whitefish were taken on spawn in the early morning or late evening.
Big Manistique Lake - Has excellent walleye fishing. Most of the fish taken have been in the 15 to 18 inch range, but fish up to 25 inches have been caught. Drifting and trolling with live bait or casting crankbaits worked best.
Drummond Island - Northern pike fishing has been excellent, with limits taken in Maxton Bay and Scotts Bay when casting Little Cleo's or drift fishing with large minnows.
Cedarville and Hessel - Good splake fishing continues around the pier at Hessel. Early morning and late evening are best in 15 to 20 feet of water. Northern pike and smallmouth bass are being caught. Anglers are averaging 25 pike per day with about half of those fish meeting the minimum size limit.
