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7/4/08
Northern Michigan Fishing Report
Fourth of July
Check Out Buc's Fishing Forum
More severe weather accompanied by cold fronts slowed fishing however a warm up by the weekend should once again improve conditions. Fishing on the inland lakes has been good for walleye, pike, bass, and panfish. The rivers are producing pike, catfish and carp.
Grand Traverse Bay has been good for lake trout with the whitefish moving into deeper water
Lake St. Helen has been good this week with bass and bluegill biting.
Lake Missaukee - Is producing some nice panfish.
Little Bay De Noc - Mayfly hatches did cause fishing to slow however walleye are still being caught off Breezy Point when trolling or drifting crawlers in 8 to 14 feet of water. Fair walleye action was noted from the mouth of the Escanaba River to the Black Bottom. Several nice catches of perch were taken in 15 to 20 feet of water when jigging worms. Smallmouth bass were caught near the mouth of the Ford River when casting crank baits and spinners along the rocks.
Big Bay De Noc - Walleye anglers marked good numbers of fish in 20 feet of water off Ansell's Point but catch rates were slow. Bass fishing slowed however some nice fish have still been caught outside South River Bay or the weed beds off Ogontz when casting crank baits and spinners in 8 to 14 feet of water. Action off Fairport is a bit slow this year as water temperatures are still on the cool side in the low 40's. Light numbers of salmon have been caught 40 to 50 feet down in 100 to 105 feet of water when using various colored spoons.
Brevoort Lake - Anglers are still catching walleye. Walleye are hitting on crawlers.
Manistique has been good for fishing. Walleye and bass are decent.
Skegemog Lake - Bass fishing has been fair for those targeting 5 to 15 feet of water near the mouth of the Torch River and between the public access site and the Narrows. Fish up to 18 inches were caught on tube baits, crank baits, power baits, spinners or jigs. Good numbers of rock bass have been caught.
Big Glen Lake - Fishing has been difficult due to the abundance of minnows and other natural food. Perch are still biting and shrimp seems to be the favored bait. Lake trout are starting to hit in 100 feet of water. Try spoons or rapalas. The bass are off the beds and the rock bass are hitting along the weeds.
Around Grayling, The walleye are biting on Lake Margrethe with Pike fishing sporadic on inland lakes and river fishing is fair to good with live bait, Hendrickson’s, and flies.
Hamlin Lake - Panfish and bass are being caught in moderate numbers..
Wixom Lake - In Gladwin County is producing some nice rock bass.
Lake Charlevoix - Perch anglers are finding fish at 30 feet but they are small. The bass are off the beds and along the drop offs. Those fishing the channel of the Pine River have caught smallmouth using live bait and artificial worms. Freshwater drum and catfish are also starting to show up.
Saginaw Bay - Pick any port around the bay for excellent walleye fishing! Fish the vicinity of the Black Hole, the Spark Plug, Callahan Reef, off Jones Road, and the Slot from about 4 miles north of Quanicassee all the way up to the tip of Sand Point. They're also taking fish off the Bar on the west side of the Slot. Fish a variety of depths but in some area anglers need to fish in a minimum depth of 10 feet. From Bay Port and Caseville, fish the Slot outside Heisterman and North Islands northeast to the tip of Sand Point.
Upper Herring Lake - Walleye and largemouth bass have been caught during the day when trolling the weeds with either a crawler harness or a plastic worm.
Long Lake - The walleye are hitting on crawler harnesses after dark. Also Lake Leelanau has reported in with a good walleye bite. Warmer weather walleye will hit leeches real good
Portage Lake - Bass fishing continues to be good along weeds and drop offs throwing crank baits or plastic worms. Walleye are hitting on body baits or a crawler harness in the early afternoon and evening. Some nice bluegills were caught in 17 to 20 feet of water in front of the marina..
Muskegon Lake - Boat anglers are catching walleye at night. Both boat and shore anglers are catching bass and bluegills.
Whitehall - Fishing has picked up with a few more chinook and lake trout coming in, but they have been small. The fish were caught in 80 to 120 feet of water and the lake trout were coming off the bottom.
White Lake - Walleye have been caught early or late when trolling or drifting. Look for both large and smallmouth bass around the points and along the weedbeds. For northern pike, try trolling with large spoons or plugs, casting into the weeds or bobber fishing with large sucker minnows..
East & West Twin Lakes - has picked up for walleye and bass with leeches and crwlers working best..
Houghton Lake - Fishing has been great with lots of walleye being caught but many are small
Tittabawassee River - The lower river continues to produce very good walleye fishing around the Center Road access site. A lot of smallmouth bass have been caught and released and a lot of white bass have been caught.
Northwest:
Petoskey - Shore and pier anglers are catching a mixed bag of smallmouth, rock bass, bluegill, and catfish at the mouth of the Bear River.
Charlevoix - A few lake trout and some steelhead were caught off Mt. McSauba and the cement plant.
Lake Charlevoix - Perch anglers are finding fish at 30 feet but they are small. The bass are off the beds and along the drop offs. Those fishing the channel of the Pine River have caught smallmouth using live bait and artificial worms. Freshwater drum and catfish are also starting to show up.
Elk Lake - Lake trout anglers were trolling in the south end of the lake from the Narrows to just north of the Whitewater County Park in 60 to 75 feet of water. Bass anglers are casting in the backwaters near Kewadin, north of the Narrows on the east shoreline, and in Spencer Bay. Most are using tube baits, crank baits or spinners in 5 to 25 feet of water and the fish are ranging from 6 to 15 inches.
Skegemog Lake - Bass fishing has been fair for those targeting 5 to 15 feet of water near the mouth of the Torch River and between the public access site and the Narrows. Fish up to 18 inches were caught on tube baits, crank baits, power baits, spinners or jigs. Good numbers of rock bass have been caught.
Big Glen Lake - Fishing has been difficult due to the abundance of minnows and other natural food. Perch are still biting and shrimp seems to be the favored bait. Lake trout are starting to hit in 100 feet of water. Try spoons or rapalas. The bass are off the beds and the rock bass are hitting along the weeds.
Frankfort - Good fishing for chinook and lake trout from the Bank all the way up to Point Betsie when trolling spoons 60 to 80 feet down in 120 to 220 feet of water. Good colors are green, blue, white, and orange. Good numbers of steelhead have been caught along the scum line which was 6 to 13 miles out.
Onekama - Good catch rates in the Barrel and out on the Shelf. Anglers are taking a mix of chinook, steelhead, lake trout and brown trout. Try 90 to 180 feet of water with a green and white fly and flasher combination and orange or blue spoons.
Portage Lake - Bass fishing continues to be good along weeds and drop offs throwing crank baits or plastic worms. Walleye are hitting on body baits or a crawler harness in the early afternoon and evening. Some nice bluegills were caught in 17 to 20 feet of water in front of the marina.
Manistee - Boat anglers have caught chinook and lake trout on spoons in 150 to 250 feet of water. Good colors are orange, green, and blue.
Manistee River - Trout fishing is again viable, as the rivers have cleared out since the floods. Smallmouth bass were caught downstream of Tippy Dam. The hex hatch has been fair on both the upper Manistee and Little Manistee Rivers.
Hamlin Lake - Panfish and bass are being caught in moderate numbers.
Ludington - Chinook and lake trout were caught in 150 to 300 feet of water. Try in front of the Project.
Pere Marquette River - Brown trout were caught after dark on the lower stretches.
Pentwater - More fish are coming in but they are small averaging 5 to 6 pounds. A few lake trout are still being caught off the bottom in 80 to 120 feet of water.
Northeastern Lower Peninsula
Rogers City - The fish are scattered, but still being caught off the points when fishing the top 45 to 50 feet in waters up to 90 feet deep. Downriggers, planer boards and lead core have been productive. Good colors have been orange, yellow, chartreuse, green, blue, purple and white. Go with the ones that glow in the early morning or late evening. Chinook salmon are starting to show up along with lake trout, steelhead, coho, atlantic, brown trout and walleye.
Presque Isle - Steelhead fishing has been great. Look for the scum line in 180 to 200 feet of water and fish the top 35 feet with anything orange and silver.
Rockport - Atlantic salmon are in shallow waters 15 to 20 feet deep. Pier anglers still-fishing with minnows have caught atlantic salmon. Those fishing out near the wreck have caught limits of lake trout. Green was the hot color.
Alpena - Walleye anglers had some luck when trolling around the Cement Plant with short billed reef runners.
Thunder Bay River - Anglers are catching walleye, catfish, and rock bass. Walleye were hitting on leeches and green and gold crawler harnesses.
Hubbard Lake - Has fair to good walleye fishing. Most of the fish were 13 to 18 inches long.
Harrisville - Lake trout and salmon catches have picked up. Most of the lake trout are in 90 to 100 feet of water and spread out over a large area. Spoons, dodgers and wobble glo's seem to be the biggest attractant. Silver and white are good colors. Salmon are in 70 to 80 feet of water straight out of the harbor and close to the nets.
Van Etten Lake - Anglers are catching both largemouth bass and rock bass. Those trolling in the early morning or evenings have caught walleye and pike.
Oscoda - Lake trout catches were slow due to the weather. The fish caught were taken on spoons in 80 to 100 feet of water.
Au Sable River - Limits of walleye are being taken in the morning and afternoon when drifting crawlers and a slip bobber. Most fish are 3 to 5 pounds and healthy.
Tawas - Those trolling for walleye are doing well in 35 to 50 feet of water near Buoy #2 and up towards Au Sable Point. Pier anglers are taking walleye, rock bass, pike, crappie, catfish, and drum.
Au Gres - Has excellent walleye fishing in 16 to 35 feet of water off Point AuGres and straight off the Au Gres River. Lots of limit catches were reported. Crawler harnesses are still producing best, but some fish are being caught on crank baits.
Smallwood Lake - In Gladwin County is producing smallmouth bass. Try fishing near the bridges.
Higgins Lake - Lake trout can be found in 85 to 100 feet of water. Perch are still hitting on minnows just off the bottom in 30 to 50 feet of water between Treasure Island and Sunken Island.
Upper Peninsula
Black River Harbor - Fish have been caught on spoons in 100 to 150 feet of water.
Ontonagon - Boats are heading out early in the morning before the wind picks up. Some nice lake trout were caught 25 to 30 feet down in 40 to 50 feet of water.
Ontonagon River - Fishing continues to be steady. Boats are trolling with harnesses for walleye.
Lake Gogebic - With the water warming the walleye are less active during the day so try fishing in the early morning or evening with leeches or crawlers under a slip bobber. Smallmouth bass fishing has been exceptional for those casting along the rocky shoreline or the weeds.
Marquette - Good numbers of lake trout have been caught when anglers can get out. Most fish were taken in 140 to 180 feet around Granite Island and east of the white rocks.
Menominee River - A few walleye have been caught between Hattie Street and the mouth in the evening. Good smallmouth action at the lighthouse when using a white or bumble bee colored Mr. Twister or crawlers. Freshwater drum, smallmouth bass, channel cats and rock bass have all been caught near the Hattie Street Bridge.
Cedar River - Walleye fishing has slowed but fish are still being caught in the shallows during the evening hours when trolling or drifting a crawler harness. Smallmouth bass are still hitting on spinners and crank baits and a good number of freshwater drum have been caught. No word on salmon.
Little Bay De Noc - Mayfly hatches did cause fishing to slow however walleye are still being caught off Breezy Point when trolling or drifting crawlers in 8 to 14 feet of water. Fair walleye action was noted from the mouth of the Escanaba River to the Black Bottom. Several nice catches of perch were taken in 15 to 20 feet of water when jigging worms. Smallmouth bass were caught near the mouth of the Ford River when casting crank baits and spinners along the rocks.
Escanaba River - Northern pike fishing has been fair to good from the mouth up to the dam. Try casting crank baits or spinners.
Big Bay De Noc - Walleye anglers marked good numbers of fish in 20 feet of water off Ansell's Point but catch rates were slow. Bass fishing slowed however some nice fish have still been caught outside South River Bay or the weed beds off Ogontz when casting crank baits and spinners in 8 to 14 feet of water. Action off Fairport is a bit slow this year as water temperatures are still on the cool side in the low 40's. Light numbers of salmon have been caught 40 to 50 feet down in 100 to 105 feet of water when using various colored spoons.
Munising - Those able to head out to the big reef have caught lake trout and some reported limit catches. Chinook fishing is pretty much done. A few yellow perch were caught off Murray's Bay.
Grand Marais - Limits of lake trout are still being caught in 120 to 300 feet of water in the shipping channel and over off Sable Point. Whitefish action seemed to slow with the warm up.
Nawakwa Lake - Jigs tipped with leeches under a bobber or when casting a Mr. Twister with a leech has produced a fair number of walleye. Target the drop offs and weeds. A few big perch and a pike were also caught.
St. Mary's River - Good numbers of atlantic salmon are showing up at the Edison Power Plant. They are hitting on gray crank baits trolled 3 to 6 feet down and about 40 feet behind the boat. Walleye fishing is still slow. A few fish were taken off the steel breakwall near the Sugar Island Ferry. Northern pike action was excellent near Gem Island, Sugar Island and Lake George. Weed growth has been slow so anglers can troll or cast in close to the weedbeds.
Cedarville and Hessel - From Hessel, herring are in the bay, and salmon are present in the outer bay towards Goose Island in 35 to 40 feet of water. Pike are biting but few anglers are targeting them. The bays around Cedarville are producing some nice fish. Limits of herring have been caught in McKay Bay. Use wax worms or mayflies in 6 to 12 feet of water. Moscoe Channel is turning out herring and good numbers of yellow perch in 4 to 6 feet of water. Other hot spots for perch have been Cedarville Bay, the north side of LaSalle Island and the west side of Island Number Eight. Try minnows or worms in 6 to 8 feet of water.
Pine River - Reported slow fishing with only a few white suckers taken on crawlers.
Carp River - Anglers caught a few smallmouth bass when casting body baits. White suckers are hitting on crawlers.
St. Ignace - Boats are still trolling towards Mackinaw Island for chinook and lake trout. Most are using spoons or flies with flashers. The primitive launch on the northwest side of the bridge is producing northern pike and smallmouth bass. Anglers are casting small black and silver body baits or red and gold spinners.
Brevoort Lake - Walleye are still hitting on crawlers.
Southeastern Lower Peninsula
Lake Erie - Fishing success has been limited by the inability to get out on the water. Walleye action was fair off Stony Point and the Fermi Plant in 27 feet of water but poor off Bolles Harbor. Perch are slowly starting to bite as walleye anglers are starting to catch them. Freshwater drum and channel cats continue to provide a good alternative chance to catch a fish when the walleye bite is slow.
Huron River - Bass fishing continues with a good number of largemouth bass caught this year. The river still holds good numbers of carp and catfish. Panfish can be found in the backwaters.
Detroit River - Jigging or handlining is producing fair to good numbers of walleye. Carp and catfish are hitting on corn, crawlers or shrimp.
Lexington - Perch are starting to hit around the weeds in 16 to 20 feet of water. Trout and salmon can be found in at 100 feet.
Port Sanilac - Not many are targeting trout and salmon, but the fish are there in 100 feet of water. Perch fishing has picked up with fish caught in waters up to 20 feet deep. Inside the harbor, anglers have caught pike, walleye, bass and panfish.
Harbor Beach - Salmon and trout are hitting in 80 to 100 feet of water and smallmouth bass are in the harbor. Walleye were caught off the north wall at night.
Grindstone City - Has good lake trout and smallmouth action.
Port Austin - Reported excellent catches of walleye from 25 to 35 feet of water off the Flat Rock Reef and the lighthouse. Lake trout are hitting in 100+ feet of water.
Saginaw Bay - Pick any port around the bay for excellent walleye fishing! Fish the vicinity of the Black Hole, the Spark Plug, Callahan Reef, off Jones Road, and the Slot from about 4 miles north of Quanicassee all the way up to the tip of Sand Point. They're also taking fish off the Bar on the west side of the Slot. Fish a variety of depths but in some area anglers need to fish in a minimum depth of 10 feet. From Bay Port and Caseville, fish the Slot outside Heisterman and North Islands northeast to the tip of Sand Point.
Southwest Lower Peninsula
St. Joseph - Perch fishing is fair in 40 feet of water both north and south of the piers.
St. Joseph River - Anglers are catching walleye, smallmouth bass and catfish.
Van Auken Lake - In Van Buren County, look for largemouth bass in the shallows. Try casting spinners in the weeds and along structure. The bigger bluegills can be found when trolling in 15 to 20 feet of water.
South Haven - Perch fishing is getting hot with nice catches taken in waters 35 to 40 feet deep, south of the piers. The big boats are catching good numbers of chinook and lake trout while trolling in 80 to 140 feet of water.
Grand Haven - Fishing has started to slow as we move into the "Dog Days" of summer. Boat anglers are spending more time on the water and searching for fish. Some were fishing in 90 to 180 feet of water with downriggers set at various depths and using spoons, flies and flashers in a variety of color. Pier anglers have managed to catch freshwater drum and catfish. No perch to report.
Grand River at Grand Rapids - A couple skamania were caught up near the Sixth Street Dam when fishing near the bubblers and the center run. Spawn, streamer patterns and shrimp have caught fish. Smallmouth bass are hitting on green tube baits or small spoons. Big cats have been caught off the upper bridges when using sucker minnows, creek chubs or cut bait. Some big pike have been caught on large artificial baits. Crappie and bluegills can be found along the entire river.
Grand River at Lansing - Big carp are hitting on bread and corn along Riverfront Park. Anglers near Lyons have caught walleye on leeches.
Looking Glass River - Some big pike have been caught off Babcock's Landing.
Lake Lansing - Lots of bluegills are being caught. Not real big, but keeper size.
Morrison Lake - Has good bluegill and crappie fishing.
Reeds Lake - Some nice crappie have been caught on the north end of the lake in 25 feet of water when using a perch rig with two minnows and a small split shot. Switch over to wax worms for big bluegills.
Muskegon - Slower fishing here is causing boat anglers to spend more time out on the water looking for fish. No set patterns right now so fish at various depths and try using a variety of baits in different colors. Freshwater drum, catfish and a few bass have been caught off the pier.
Muskegon River - Has good smallmouth bass fishing. Try casting tube baits, crank baits, spinners, live bait and artificial worms. Those fishing up near the Croton Dam have caught a few trout.
Whitehall - Fishing has picked up with a few more chinook and lake trout coming in, but they have been small. The fish were caught in 80 to 120 feet of water and the lake trout were coming off the bottom.
White Lake - Walleye have been caught early or late when trolling or drifting. Look for both large and smallmouth bass around the points and along the weedbeds. For northern pike, try trolling with large spoons or plugs, casting into the weeds or bobber fishing with large sucker minnows.
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FISHING CONDITIONS ON LAKES CADILLAC AND MITCHELL FROM PILGRIM VILLAGE FISHING SHOP 231-775-5412
FISHING CONDITIONS ON LAKES CADILLAC AND MITCHELL
FROM PILGRIM VILLAGE FISHING SHOP
Although we’ve had more storms the lakes are slowly receding. North Boulevard, next to the canal dividing the two lakes is no longer flooded. State Park campers are must moor their boats on the grass above the canal instead of in the canal. Many docks, including ours are still underwater.
Lake levels are abnormally high and the fish love it. Gills and sunfish are spawning and have been easy to catch. Most we’ve seen at the cleaning station have been 8-9 inch males. Everything’s late this year so they may be bedding for the next several weeks. Usually it’s over by now. No tricks, no fancy equipment is necessary to catch a meal. Light equipment and small baits are all you need.
Crappie fishermen are also happy. Early mornings and evenings have been best but afternoon anglers get their share. The City dock on the east side of Cadillac is in the right place. Often there are schools under the dock. Lake Mitchell crappies have been schooling just outside the Small cove.
Live bait, crawlers and leeches have been deadly on bass. Panfish anglers are catching them incidentally. Small mouths have been rare but large mouths are in the shallow areas sulking under the sunken docks and around the bluegill beds. Fourteen to eighteen inch is common. Serious bass fishermen using artificials are catching limits and culling. Senko’s in the pumpkin or watermelon colors are hot. Frog baits are starting.
Pike are also cruising the panfish areas. Lots of numbers lately but many hammer handles. Action has been fun, especially on spinner baits.
Young James Antku from Bridgeport is now a seasoned fisherman after his week on Lake Mitchell. He’s photographed with a 25 ½” pike, a 16” large mouth and a Master Angler size 32” bowfin. Great job!
Adam and Ashley Antku weren’t out done by James. They’re seen with their Lake Mitchell large mouths.
Early Riser, Tyeler Ault from Cadillac caught a 16 and 18 inch large mouth in the canal Friday. He’s a pro using watermelon colored Senkos.
Picture of the week! Curt Nederhoed is seen with a 26 ½”, over 6 pound walleye taken from Lake Cadillac. For you non-believers, we do have legal walleye in both lakes.
High water and storms haven’t hurt the fishing. It’s been good. Get out and enjoy it.
Detailed maps of current fish conditions are available at the Pilgrim Village Fishing Shop. Stop in.
NORTHERN MICHIGAN WEATHER
Jul 3 Tonight
Partly cloudy skies. Low 51F. NNE winds shifting to SE at 10 to 15 mph.
Jul 4 Tomorrow
Intervals of clouds and sunshine. High 79F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph.
Jul 4 Tomorrow night
Clear skies. Low 54F. Winds light and variable.
Jul 5 Saturday
Sunny. Highs in the low 80s and lows in the upper 50s.
Jul 6 Sunday
Plenty of sun. Highs in the mid 80s and lows in the upper 60s.
Jul 7 Monday
A few thunderstorms possible. Highs in the low 80s and lows in the mid 60s.
Jul 8 Tuesday
Slight chance of a thunderstorm. Highs in the upper 70s and lows in the upper 50s.
Jul 9 Wednesday
Partly cloudy, chance of a thunderstorm. Highs in the low 80s and lows in the low 60s.
NG LAKE MICHIGAN.
You've just discovered the most extensive information available to the Great Lakes Angler and Charter Fisherman I've been able to put together so far. Please keep in mind, there's well over 150 different pages, full of my original content containing an a complete encyclopedia fishing tips, past results, photos, tricks and "how to's." Only here, are the techniques to consistently catch more and larger fish are revealed in an easy to read and understand format""
E-mail me at kingscharter@yahoo.com Capt. John
Capt. Jack Duffy is the kind of licensed charterboat skipper who has a zest for life, a burning desire to make every fishing trip memorable and the stuff of which fishing dreams and legends are made. He is outgoing, wildly in love with fishing Lake Michigan for trophy Chinook and coho salmon, and the creamy-spotted lake trout that makes anglers enjoy catching fish. He also catches brown trout and high-jumping steelhead.
Call Capt. Jack at 231-883-7530 to book your next fishing adventure.
FISHING CONDITIONS ON BUDD LAKE AND LONG LAKE AND SURROUNDING LAKES IN THE HARRISON REGION CALL MIKE AT K. D. QUIK STOP IN HARRISON . 989-539-1269
