FROM WIRE REPORTS
June 11, 2009 07:15 am Warmer weather and less wind will greatly improve fishing success around the state, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources said Wednesday in its weekly fishing report. The DNR also said June 13-14 is Michigan's annual Free Fishing Weekend. Residents and nonresidents can fish without a license both days, though all regulations that govern fishing in Michigan will still apply. Charlevoix: When boats can get out, anglers found good numbers of lake trout hitting on cowbells. The water is cold so look for fish either in the shallows, suspended or near the bottom. Lake Charlevoix: Anglers were catching perch and bass. Try trolling along the weeds for bass. Shore anglers caught perch off the docks. The water is warming up so it should be a good time for the kids to target rock bass near shore. Lake Bellaire: Water temperatures were in the low 60s. Walleye fishing was slow but fish were caught in the evening when trolling near the Grass River outlet, the Intermediate River inlet and between the Narrows and the access site at Eckertly Road. Most are trolling crawler harnesses, jigs, leeches or rapalas in 10 to 30 feet of water. For smallmouth bass, anglers are casting spinners, tube baits, stick baits and grubs in three to 12 feet of water along the west side of the lake, near the flats and along the drop-offs on the north side of the lake. Northern pike were caught near the Intermediate River in eight to 10 feet of water. Those caught range from 22 to 24 inches. Rock bass have also been caught by those targeting walleye or bass. Traverse City: Boats trolling in 40 to 100 feet of water have caught lake trout when using spoons, flashers and flies or peanuts. For the West Bay, windy conditions have kept many on shore. Elk River: Smallmouth bass and the occasional steelhead were caught on crawlers. Boardman River: Smallmouth bass are starting to show up in good numbers. Anglers are catching them on crawlers and artificial baits. Some big carp have been caught on corn, shredded wheat or cornmeal balls. Those looking to take kids out this weekend will find fair to good perch fishing below the Union Street Dam. Frankfort: Boats trolling from the piers up to Pt. Betsie have caught chinook, lake trout and steelhead about 30 to 60 feet down in waters 100 to 120 feet deep. Chinook were also caught on the outside edge of the Herring Hole. Those trolling in the harbor on windy days caught chinook and brown trout. There is bait in the harbor and those fishing alewife off the pier have caught salmon. Arcadia: Boat anglers still are catching chinook salmon when trolling spoons in waters up to 200 feet deep. Onekama: A mix of chinook, lake trout and steelhead were caught in front of the piers. The Barrel has been producing good catches of chinook. Target fish about 35 to 45 feet down in waters 80 to 150 feet deep. Portage Lake: Bass fishing continues to be good throughout the lake, though the recent cold temperatures pushed the fish back out into deeper waters. Largemouth bass were caught around the channel rocks. The panfish are also out deep -- try 25 to 35 feet of water. Walleye have been caught at night and many northern pike have been caught along the weed beds during the day. Try trolling small spoons and crawler harnesses along the drop-offs and near the channel.
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