U.P. weekly fishing report
Little Bay de Noc
Anglers fishing the drop-off, south of Gladstone, were catching a few perch and walleye. Perch anglers reported fair fishing, although the bite slowed down. Anglers fishing the Escanaba River mouth and Kipling had some success when using minnows. Walleye anglers reported slow fishing.
Big Bay de Noc
The smallmouth bass anglers reported catching some quality fish. Anglers were casting over areas with rock. Some anglers reported catching fish near the weeds, but most were fishing structure away from the shoreline.
Fairport
Salmon anglers reported mixed results. Many anglers were experiencing short strikes and were losing fish upon taking the bait. Anglers were successful using a variety of trolling methods, using spoons and rotator and fly combinations.
Manistique
No report.
Keweenaw Bay/Huron Bay
Anglers were fishing for lake trout and whitefish during the days and salmon and trout during the mornings and evenings. Some large trout and salmon were caught while trolling this recent week. Most fish were caught during the mornings and lake trout and coho salmon made up most of the catch. Anglers found fish throughout the water column in waters as deep as 170 feet and shallower.
Les Cheneaux/Detour
Anglers in Hessel were picking up a few perch at the marina, mostly using red worms. They were also picking up an occasional pike off the outside wall early in the morning on perch, gobies and chubs. There were also a few splake caught by anglers trolling Wilderness Bay. The Detour area was pretty steady with herring anglers the last few days. Anglers were picking up nice catches of herring around the islands towards Drummond. Anglers were catching them on wax worms and teardrops. The best way to find herring was to follow the fly hatch. There were a few lake trout caught out in the flats, however the majority of the anglers were going north for herring. There were reports of anglers catching walleye to the north, while trolling with crawler harnesses after sunset.
Big Traverse Bay/South Portage Canal
Anglers were mostly catching lake trout and coho. Some anglers were having luck jigging for lake trout with cut bait in deeper waters while other anglers were lucky trolling with artificial lures (spoons and flies). Anglers were catching fish anywhere from 60 to 200 feet. During warm days the fish were found deeper in colder water and after rain the fish were found throughout the water column.
Pine River
Some walleye were caught in the Pine River, but it was very slow.
Carp River
No report.
Munising Bay
Boat anglers continued to report action for coho, with a few Chinook salmon. Although general fishing pressure was very low and catch rates have slowed considerably, there continues to be some fish caught. Lake trout anglers caught a few and reported good action near White Rocks and Wood Island in depths of 150 to 200 feet.
Grand Marais
Lake trout anglers continued to do well on limits. The best areas were Five Mile Reef and towards AuSable from 300 to 250 feet. Both trolling and jigging were effective. Pier fishing pressure was low, with only a few small whitefish caught.
Ontonagon River
Despite recent inclement weather, anglers were catching walleye in respectable numbers, along with the occasional rock bass. Jigging was reported to be the most effective fishing method for walleye over the past week. However, some anglers that prefer trolling were able to find fish. Fish were caught at all times of the day, but early mornings seem to yield the most successful trips.
Ontonagon/Silver City/Union Bay
Fishing out of these ports seemed to pick up over the past week. Despite some days of strong winds and rain, anglers were able to find some lake trout, coho salmon, and the occasional brown trout. Successful trips were the result of long days on the lake spent trolling artificial lures. Fish were reported to be caught randomly in a variety of shallow and deeper waters.
Black River Harbor
The few anglers who were on the lake reported a random dispersion of fish in various depths of water. Lake trout were caught in low numbers by those willing to spend long days trolling artificial lures.
