U.P. weekly fishing report
This report is intended to give you an idea of what is going on around the state. Updates come from fisheries staff and conservation officers. With more than 11,000 inland lakes, the Great Lakes and thousands of miles of rivers and streams, not all locations can be listed. However, it is safe to say if a species is being caught in some waters in the area, they are likely being caught in all waters in that section of the state that have that species.
Fishing Tip:
One tactic that can be particularly useful when targeting Chinook is fishing with glow lures. This species often can be caught near the surface in low-light conditions, and glow lures make that opportunity even more appealing.
In particular, glow lures work well in the early morning hours before the sun comes up or at night. Many believe this type of lure attracts salmon because it can be seen in the dark from longer distances and encourages them to strike.
Little Bay de Noc
High winds had a significant effect on fishing pressure. Anglers reported the start of improved perch fishing, although they anticipate further improvement over time. Those fishing out of Kipling had fair results when still fishing or drifting. Walleye anglers reported good fishing. Some fish were caught near the narrows, “black bottom” and areas by the mouth of the Ford River.
Big Bay de Noc
Anglers targeting smallmouth reported fair to good fishing.
Fairport
Angler pressure was down. Windy conditions limited the number of fishable days. Anglers reported some remaining salmon; however, many adults left the area and started heading toward river mouths.
Marquette
Anglers who made it out reported the best places for catching fish were near the northwest side of the White Islands and trolling out toward Granite Island. Anglers trolling around 120 to 160 feet of water harvested the most lake trout near the White Islands. Reports of several Chinook and coho harvested this week as well at around 100 feet of water. Anglers trolling for lake trout around Granite Rock had the most luck at around 120 to 150 feet of water. Yellow tails, silver and pearl multicolored spoons, cowbells, and green and blue flasher flies were good lures for lake trout, while gold spoons and lime green crankbaits were good for Chinook and coho salmon near the White Rocks. Mostly lake trout were harvested out by Granite Island.
Au Train
Anglers who made it out seemed to catch near their limit. The best places for anglers to catch fish were near the northeast side of Au Train Island. Anglers trolling or jigging around 160 feet of water or trolling along the flats were harvesting the most lake trout. Also, trolling cowbells around 145 feet of water with sucker meat or smelt had good success for some anglers. Trolling or jigging bright green/silver spoons, or cow bells with sucker, smelt or white fish bellies were common baits.
Manistique
No report.
St. Ignance
No report.
Keweenaw Bay/Huron Bay
Anglers reported catches of lake trout and coho during successful fishing trips. These anglers focused their pressure during the morning hours and used almost exclusively artificial baits. Varying reports came off the water of whether spoons or flies were more effective. Most fishing trips were completed and successful in 150 feet of water or less. Fish were found throughout the water column in these areas. Try fishing in the mornings and look forward to cooling water temps meaning salmon returning to the bays.
Les Cheneaux/Detour
In the Hessel area, anglers trolled for Chinook salmon and lake trout in the west entrance and had some luck. Due to strong winds and poor weather, there wasn't much fishing activity. Anglers also reported catching a few perch in the Cedarville area along with smallmouth along the wall at the Hessel marina. The first splake of the fall run was caught off the wall in Hessel with a little cleo. In Detour, anglers started to pick up a good number of pink salmon, along with lake trout and a few Atlantics and steelhead mixed in as well.
Big Traverse Bay/South Portage Canal
Anglers caught a variety of fish during their trips. Most of the catch was lake trout, with increased numbers of pink salmon being seen. Other species that were caught during these trips were Chinook and coho salmon. Most, if not all, fishing trips were more successful during morning trips while using artificial bait such as spoons and flies. Anglers reported successful fishing in a range of depths from 40 to 150 feet of water. Try fishing in cooler waters early in the mornings to find salmon moving back into the bays as the water cools.
Pine and Rivers
Most anglers were targeting salmon. Some walleye are still available in the Pine and Carp Rivers, but the bite was slow. The Carp River was reported to be producing mostly Chinook salmon. Fishing from the concrete walkway or wading was the most popular way to reach the fish. The boat salmon anglers were not very successful. Saint Martin's Bay is popular for trolling when the salmon are running the nearby rivers. Fishing upstream can be very effective as more salmon enter the river.
Munising Bay
No report.
Grand Marais
No report.
Ontonagon River
Fishing on the river was somewhat slow, with anglers reporting catches consisting of walleye in low numbers. The slow bite may have been partially influenced by recent rains causing poor water clarity. Both trolling and jigging yielded similar levels of success.
Ontonagon/Silver City/Union Bay
Anglers had luck in catching good numbers of lake trout and the occasional coho salmon. They reported that trolling artificial lures across a variety of depths was the key to successful trips. Early morning trips seemed to be the most popular, as anglers were trying to beat some of the recent strong winds off the lake.
Black River Harbor
Fishing from the harbor was good, with catches consisting of respectable numbers of lake trout. Reports show that occasional coho and Chinook salmon were caught randomly and in low numbers. Anglers found fish at a variety of depths and at all times of day. Successful trips typically occurred in the morning hours and involved covering a lot of water while trolling artificial lures.
