As the end of August approaches, Michigan begins to move into the fall fishing patterns, the Michigan Department of Resources said Wednesday in its weekly fishing report. Cooler weather will bring the salmon in close to shore but warmer weather will push them out deep. Salmon action will intensify moving into September.
Petoskey: Salmon are starting to stage and there is a fair number of steelhead in the area. Plenty of fish in the 15 to 18 pound range have been caught anywhere from the surface to 70 feet down in almost any depth. A few are casting from the piers at night. Some 9 to 12 inch perch were caught off the pier.
Charlevoix: Salmon are staging here as well so boat and shore anglers are catching fish. Some are fishing off the piers at night while others are fishing the waters near the Cement Plant. Those trolling in 70 to 80 feet of water are also taking some lake trout.
Elk Lake: Smallmouth bass fishing has been excellent for those fishing in 5 to 30 feet of water with crawlers, leeches, tube baits, crank baits and rapalas. No report on muskie and the perch anglers were not having much luck. Look for rock bass in 10 to 15 feet of water.
Skegemog Lake: Effort for smallmouth bass is still high in the flats between the Torch River and Baggs Road and the Narrows. Those targeting muskie are trolling large rapalas in 8 to 20 feet of water in the same area. Pike fishing has increased in the southern part of the lake where anglers are trolling or casting crank baits, rattle traps, stick baits and bombers in 3 to 20 feet of water. Bluegills are hitting on crawlers and red worms in 10 to 12 feet of water.
Glen Lake: Perch are still the favorite. The bigger fish are in 30 to 40 feet of water and the bait varies. Try worms, shrimp, minnows and wigglers.
Manistee: Some are reporting limit catches of salmon in the harbor and around the piers when using glow or chrome J-plugs. Those fishing in 80 to 120 feet of water are catching both young and adult salmon. Pier anglers are using small glow spoons.
Hamlin Lake: Fishing activity is slowly picking up as the waters cool. Anglers targeting panfish are having success using worms in 8 to 12 feet on water. Good bass fishing can be found around any kind of structure.
Ludington: Boat anglers had success between the Bath House and the Point in 80 to 120 feet of water when using green or white flies. Pier fishing slowed with the warmer water but anglers are catching salmon on glow spoons early in the morning.
St. Ignace: Large chinook salmon have been caught by those using white and black spoons with a white eye. Squid and flies with flashers as well as yellow spoons with black dots are also working well. Lake trout were caught on the backside of Bois Blanc Island. Chinook salmon were spotted near the mouth of the Carp River.
Au Sable River: A few salmon have been reported at the mouth. It won't be long before they start heading into the river. Smallmouth bass and catfish are still being caught but the walleye have moved out to deeper waters.
Houghton Lake: Walleye and bluegill are still being caught along the weedbeds in 7 to 10 feet of water. Early morning or late evening is best due to heavy boat traffic.
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