NorthWest LOWER PENINSULA
Charlevoix: Boat anglers targeting lake trout found steady success fishing in anywhere from 75 to 150 feet of water near bottom. Lake trout were caught between Fisherman’s Island to North Point. Trolling the east edge of the refuge also proved somewhat successful. Those targeting salmon found small chinook, with the occasional 10+ pounder, 15 to 40 miles west of Charlevoix, north of the Leelanau Peninsula. Cisco fishing in the channel proved slow throughout the week, however, anglers have still found some success primarily fishing the ends of the piers and in the middle of the Pine River.
Little Traverse Bay: Anglers targeting lake trout found success trolling the north side of the lake trout refuge. Fishing on bottom with flasher flies, Spin-n-Glos, and spoons produced the best results. Those targeting smallmouth bass had continued success on the north side of the bay, as well as in front of Bay Harbor on the south side. Those fishing the Bear River found the occasional summer steelhead.
Manistee: Salmon fishing was reported as slow. The piers produced some steelhead while using spawn. A good number of bowfin, along with some smallmouth bass, and northern pike were caught on artificial lures and alewife.
Ludington: Salmon fishing was hit or miss. Those that found chinook salmon fished north by Big Sauble Point in 110 to 220 feet of water when fishing 50 to 90 feet down with green and orange spoons. In the mix also came a steelhead and cisco.
Frankfort: Anglers reported high numbers of small chinook salmon throughout the area hitting on spoons and flies. Anglers heading north were picking up good numbers of lake trout while bouncing bottom with cow bells. Good numbers of baitfish were also being reported throughout the area.
Onekama: Anglers fishing off the golf course and working the “Barrel” reported a few lake trout and smaller chinook salmon in the early morning bite. Be sure to check your lines frequently as the smaller chinook salmon may not trip the release.
NORTHEAST LOWER PENINSULA
Cheboygan: Anglers fishing the Cheboygan River anywhere from the DNR field office to the dam reported catching some small smallmouth and rock bass. They also reported catching larger smallmouth bass, freshwater drum, carp, and bowfin when using natural bait. Walleye anglers tested their luck at night after the rain, but they were not successful.
Alpena: Thunder Bay was described as hit or miss for walleye. A few fish were caught on crawler harnesses and crank baits from the river mouth to Grass Island in 15 to 20 feet of water. A number of catfish, drum, and a few pike were also caught in the same waters. Nighttime anglers had success between Sulphur and Scarecrow Islands when trolling shallow running crank baits. A few anglers reported decent walleye numbers around Thunder Bay Island and North Point. Those targeting 50 to 80 feet of water found good numbers of lake trout in the bottom half of the water column. Flasher/Spin-n-Glow combinations and spoons in chartreuse, white, and watermelon were most productive. Atlantic salmon, steelhead, and a few coho salmon were caught while fishing bright colored spoons in the top 30 feet of water.
Thunder Bay River: Fishing was reported to have slowed with only a few walleye caught. Those who were successful reported using leaches and crawlers from 2nd Avenue to 9th Street early and late in the day. A few bass and freshwater drum were caught while using crank baits, spinners, and crawlers. A few catfish were caught after dark on crawlers near the walking bridge and the Holiday Inn.