LANSING -- Rain is needed to push more fish into the major river systems, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources said Wednesday in its weekly fishing report.
The drowned river mouth lakes are holding fish, but it has been tough to get them to bite.
The DNR also reminds anglers that lake trout season on Lake Michigan and Lake Huron will close Sept. 30. On the inland waters, all Type 1 and Type 2 rivers and streams as well as Type A and Type D inland trout lakes also will close to fishing Sept. 30.
Petoskey: Salmon have moved in closer so those fishing off the mouth of the river, off the piers and in smaller boats have caught fish. Boats did well with spoons, plugs and squid and shore anglers are casting glow spoons or minnows. Green has been a good color, but pier anglers also were using fire-tiger or pink and white. Lake trout are down 80 to 100 feet and hitting green flies behind dodgers.
Lake Charlevoix: Perch and smallmouth anglers are taking fish.
Lake Bellaire: Many walleye have been caught by those trolling or jigging in the south and northwest arms, the Narrows and near Fisherman's Paradise. They are trolling crawler harnesses and stick baits or jigging with leeches and crawlers in eight to 40 feet of water. The fish range from 14 to 30 inches. Bass were caught in eight to 25 feet of water near the northern flats and along the drop-off near the access site. Try artificial worms, tube baits, spinners or crank baits. Pike were hitting on spoons or stick baits in 15 to 30 feet of water in the northwest arm. Several perch between four and nine inches have been caught on minnows and crawlers in five to 20 feet of water near the mouth of the Intermediate River. Some bluegills were caught.
Traverse City: Salmon action in the East Bay has been slow. Whitefish were caught in the southern portions when jigging in 100 to 200 feet of water. In the West Bay, salmon have started to congregate at the mouth of the Boardman River. Try white and fire-tiger J-Plugs or jointed rapalas with green and white flasher/fly combos.
Elk River: Salmon and steelhead are slowly moving into the river. Try drifting spawn or casting body baits.
Boardman River: Salmon and steelhead are starting to come into the river. Those using spawn have caught a few fish.
Leland: The northwest end of North Manitou Island has produced limits of fish for those able to get out on the water before daylight. Several fish were in the 10- to 13-pound range. Lakers are always in abundance around the First Bank.
Glen Arbor: The west side of South Manitou Island is still producing some fine chinook in 80 to 110 feet of water in the early morning. Green and blue spoons with flies were taking fish. A couple steelhead were caught in waters up to 60 feet deep.
Frankfort: Fish were caught in the Herring Hole and out on the Shelf when trolling 45 to 55 feet down in 80 to 120 feet of water with spoons and flies. Good numbers of chinook and coho have been caught all the way up into Platte Bay. Pier anglers are catching salmon on alewife rigs. They are still dredging between the piers however anglers can still fish off the very ends.
Betsie River: Recent rain has pushed more fish into the river, especially in the lower sections. Decent numbers of fish have been caught from the M-22 Bridge to the US-31 Bridge. Anglers are casting squid or drifting spawn.
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