Salmon fishing continues to be outstanding on the west side of the state with many fish, mostly chinook salmon caught by boat and pier anglers. Depending on the weather, good salmon fishing should continue in Lake Michigan another week or two. Area rivers have good numbers of salmon in them, but water levels are low and clear which makes for tough fishing conditions. From now until ice-up, inland lake fishing will be very good for either panfish or game fish. Salmon fever will result in light pressure on inland lakes.
 

Lake Erie - Has no fish reports this week. Strong east winds along with rain have turned the lake into a muddy mess. A few boats have been heading out, but no catches to report. The good perch fishing should resume once the waters clear up. Try the usual hot spots such as 22 feet of water out from the Fermi Power Plant, Buoys 5 and 6 of the River Raisin Channel Markers and out by the E Buoy.

Detroit River - A few limit catches of walleye are still being taken at the mouth of the river. Boats are slow trolling or drifting crawler harnesses around Celeron Island and over near the Canadian border waters. Some are jigging with brown and black rubber worms, leeches or minnows. Some nice perch have been caught on jigs with minnows or worms around the islands along the southern end of the river.

St. Clair River - Better walleye fishing was reported as the cool nights have the fish feeding more frequently. Boat and shore anglers continue to fish up near Port Huron as well as in both the North Channel and the Middle Channel. Drifting crawler harnesses or jigging in 20 to 30 feet of water produced fair to good catches. Those seeking bass continue to fish along the weed beds.

Lexington - Pier anglers have caught smallmouth bass when casting tube baits, spinners or live bait. Rock bass are hitting on worms and leeches. Small perch were hitting jigs and minnows.

Port Austin - Boat anglers able to ride out the waves have managed to catch chinook, lake trout, walleye, brown trout and steelhead in 80 to 100 feet of water. Pier anglers have caught smallmouth bass, rock bass and small perch as the salmon have not shown up yet.

Saginaw Bay - Cool windy weather over the last week has basically shut fishing down. Walleye fishing has slowed just as it always does this time of year. Those going out are still trolling crawler harnesses. Perch fishing was productive at several locations and should only get better. Channel cats were caught near the Hot Ponds.

Saginaw River - Bass continue to hit on spinners, tube baits and crawlers.

Tittabawassee River - Anglers reported walleye starting to move into the river system. Fishing was still slow, but should only get better in the next couple of weeks.
 

St. Joseph - Chinook and steelhead have been caught off the piers and by boat anglers fishing between the piers and in the mud lines of the river. Perch fishing remains good in 40 to 60 feet of water.

St. Joe River - There are salmon and steelhead in the river but anglers are having a difficult time trying to catch them. Target the mouth of the creeks and try fishing the main river very early or late in the day. Boat anglers targeting the lower river are catching more fish than those fishing close to the Berrien Springs Dam. Walleye fishing was slow.

South Haven - Boat anglers are catching chinook and steelhead when trolling in waters 50 to 80 feet deep. Perch fishing remains very good in waters about 40 to 60 feet deep.

Grand Haven - Chinook and coho have been caught right in front of the pierheads. Fish have been hitting on J-plugs in green, silver and red or white and black. Fish were caught in 90 to 120 feet of water south off Rosy Mound. Pier anglers have caught chinook and coho using spoons or alewife. Many of the coho that have been caught off the pier and in the Grand River have their adipose fin clipped, which means they have a coded wire tag implanted in their head. Perch have also showed up at the piers and have been caught on small alewife.

Grand River at Grand Rapids - Good numbers of chinook and coho in the 10 to 15 pound range have been caught right at the Sixth Street Dam. They are hitting on a variety of baits including spawn sacks, Cleo's, rapalas, and stickbaits. While steelhead have been caught, brown trout should be moving into the river in the in the next couple of weeks. The walleye are going strong up near the dam with fish measuring 20+ inches. Good northern pike and bass fishing near Millennium Par

Reed Lake - Has excellent northern pike fishing. Pike minnows worked best.

Grand River at Lansing - Anglers are seeking resident fish at this time. Panfish such as bluegills and crappie along with catfish have been caught. Look for northern pike especially in the many tributaries such as the Red Cedar, Looking Glass, Maple, and Flat River or check out that favorite pike hole in the main branch.

Lake Lansing - Has fair to good largemouth bass fishing. Fish the weed beds in 5 to 10 feet of water between the North Park and the South Park. A few northern pike have also been caught in 10 to 15 feet of water.

Muskegon - Boat anglers trolling just outside the piers have caught both trout and salmon. Most are trolling with spoons or J-plugs in 40 to 80 feet of water. Pier fishing has picked up a bit as it seems the fish are coming in and feeding in good numbers in the very early morning or late evenings. Try casting spoons or drifting spawn, flies and crawlers. Live bait such as alewife also worked good.

Muskegon Lake - Boat anglers are starting to catch a few chinook salmon when trolling in 30 to 40 feet of water off the Conservation Club which is located on the northeast end of the lake. A few walleye were caught near the entrance of the Muskegon Channel and in 10 to 15 feet of water around Strawberry Island.
 

Rogers City - Reported slow fishing as strong currents have been changing water temperatures on a daily basis. The fish are just starting to stage out in front of Swan Bay. In the shallow waters, fish planer boards with J-Plugs and bombers at least 100 to 120 feet off the board. Out deep, fish the entire water column with J-Plugs, spoons, bombers, Hootchie Mama's, and dodgers.

Rockport - Anglers are doing fairly well and catching some nice chinook salmon. While some of these fish have already started to turn dark, many still remain silver as good numbers of fresh fish can still be found. Boats are fishing in shallow waters along the drop-off between the shoreline and Middle Island.

Alpena - Again the weather has been the reason few anglers have been fishing this port. Walleye anglers have been out, but only a couple chinook salmon were taken up around North Point. The salmon seem to be in a feeding frenzy and eating just about anything to get the necessary energy before they start making their run.

Thunder Bay River - Boat anglers managed to catch a couple salmon when trolling cut bait behind the old Fletcher Paper Mill. Those trolling the harbor have caught light numbers of fish on J-plugs. The river is also producing some big bass when casting tube jigs, spinners, or live bait. Remember the bridge is out until sometime in November.

Hubbard Lake - Perch fishing is picking up as anglers reported keeping 25 to 30 fish each. Most are using natural baits, but some have also done well using artificial minnows. The action is still very spotty, but the north and south ends of the lake in 12 to 14 feet of water seem to be producing. Bass action is still slow with crawlers working best in 8 to 14 feet of water. Walleye action slowed a bit, but fish can still be found in 40 to 50 feet of water. Try trolling right on the bottom with crawlers and crank baits.

Harrisville - Anglers have started to catch better numbers of chinook salmon in the harbor and out to waters 50 feet deep using chrome or pearl J-plugs. Boats anchoring in the harbor have caught chinook when casting spoons. Weather permitting, boat anglers have been catching lake trout in 80 to 120 feet of water.

Oscoda - Boat anglers are catching a few chinook salmon right in front of the piers when trolling J-plugs in the early morning. Pier anglers reported hit-or-miss action when casting glow spoons in the early morning or late evening.

Tawas River - Salmon are just starting to show up in light numbers. The run will only get stronger as we move further into September.

Au Gres - Boat anglers continue to do well for perch when fishing out near the Shipping Channel and in front of the hotel in 30 to 40 feet of water. Walleye fishing was slow, but a few fish were still caught when slow trolling or drifting crawler harnesses just south of Point Au Gres.

Au Gres River - A few salmon are starting to show up but they will come in stronger as September progresses.

Higgins Lake - Lake trout fishing has picked up with the cooler weather. Boats trolling with spoons and cowbells have taken some limits. Good colors have been silver and blue or silver and green. Perch fishing has been good as it seems the fish are feeding more with the cooler nights. Anglers are still fishing perch rigs with minnows in 35 feet of water. Smallmouth bass have been caught off the tip of the North State Park.

Houghton Lake - Cooler nights have helped to improve the walleye bite. Most anglers are fishing after dark and working the weed beds while fishing about a foot off the bottom in 6 to 9 feet of water. Panfish have been caught throughout the day.
 

Lake Charlevoix - Salmon are being caught when trolling spoons, Hootchie Mama's and J-Plugs 30 to 60 feet down in waters 30 to 80 feet deep. Hot spots are still near Whiting Point, Young State Park, Boyne City and the old Power Plant. In the South Arm, anglers are fishing in 15 to 22 feet of water from Dutchman's Bay to East Jordan. The fish are running 13 to 15 pounds. Smallmouth bass fishing picked up, but was still slow. Horton Bay, Oyster Bay, Boyne City and all of the South Arm are usually good for bass. Perch anglers are doing well using shrimp, minnows and crawlers in 10 to 25 feet of water.

Traverse City - Reports good salmon fishing. In the East Bay, productive locations include the South Bank, along the Old Mission Peninsula from Willow Point to the Walls, near Yuba and Elk Rapids. Fish are hitting on Hootchie Mama's or Spin-doctors with flies in green, white or silver. Blue, green and orange spoons have also worked well when trolling 60 to 80 feet down in waters 110 to 140 feet deep. A good number of lake trout have also been caught. In the West Bay, try fishing near the Hole, Red Buoy 8, off the Gravel Pit and in Suttons Bay.

Leland - Has terrific fishing with limit catches of chinook salmon. Most of the boat anglers are hitting the First Bank with great success in the early morning. Good fishing remains around North Manitou Island.

Glen Arbor - Has excellent chinook salmon fishing. Good numbers of coho were caught and once the fish were located the action was fast and furious. The "Holy Grounds" on the western side of South Manitou Island have been off the charts with great catches. Try Sleeping Bear Bay in the early morning when trolling spoons and cut bait. A few chinook were taken in front of the Crystal River.

Glen Lake - Perch fishing has started to take off this past week with fish up to 13 inches taken along the Narrows on crayfish, leeches and wigglers. Lake trout fishing has been very good the past two weeks.

Frankfort - Great catches of chinook salmon are still being caught from the Herring Hole up to Point Betsie. Some are also having good luck in West Platte Bay when trolling the top 30 to 40 feet in waters 30 to 120 feet deep. A few coho and steelhead were also caught. Pier fishing has started to pick up with chinook and lake trout taken off both piers using spoons, spawn or alewife.

Betsie River - Anglers fishing near the Homestead Dam are catching chinook salmon but the action up there is still slow for now.

Onekama - Good catches of chinook, steelhead and coho have been caught in 80 to 140 feet of water near Arcadia and in the Saddle. Meat rigs, flies, spoons and j-plugs caught fish. Hot colors have been green, white, blue, red or anything that glows. Pier fishing was slow this week with only a few rock bass and largemouth bass taken.

Portage Lake - Anglers are starting to catch perch in the Hole by the channel and in front of the Inn. Some nice catches of bass and other panfish have also been taken throughout the day.

Manistee - Fishing has been good. Boat anglers are trolling in and around the harbor in 30 to 60 feet of water or heading out to the Shelf and fishing in 90 to 120 feet of water. They are catching mostly chinook and a few coho on spoons and flies. Pier anglers caught fish when casting spoons or using alewife.

Lake Cadillac - Has very good black crappie fishing on the east end of the lake just south of the City Launch using minnows in 10 feet of water. Some limit catches were reported. Some real nice pumpkinseed and bluegills were taken on wax worms in 8 to 15 feet of water along the south shore.

Lake Mitchell - Good numbers of panfish have been caught in 10 to 15 feet of water on the south and east side of the lake. Anglers are using one hook crawler harnesses baited with a piece of worm or a jig with a twister-tail. Bass anglers are casting top waters lures.

Ludington - Also has good fishing when trolling in waters 30 to 60 feet deep. They are catching chinook along with the occasional steelhead. Those fishing off the breakwall caught chinook and steelhead in the early morning or late evening when casting spoons or using alewife.

Pere Marquette River - Is producing good numbers of salmon and steelhead.
 

Black River Harbor - Has good salmon and lake trout fishing. Anglers had success using spoons with planer boards in 50 feet of water for salmon and in 100 feet of water for lake trout.

Ontonagon - Fishing has been very good at this port with anglers catching salmon and lake trout 40 feet down in waters over 50 feet deep. Spoons in a variety of colors have caught fish.

Keweenaw Bay - Anglers trolling for salmon reported little success and jigging produced fair success. In Traverse Bay, those trolling reported better catch rates than those jigging. Most are trolling spoons in 100 to 140 feet of water southeast of the harbor and out from Big Louie's Point. Try trolling about a foot off the bottom or suspended fishing about 60 to 120 feet down. Those jigging for lake trout caught fair numbers in 130 to 230 feet of water. White glow-in-the-dark jigs with cut bait worked best.

Lake Michigamme - Walleye have been found in the East Arm around the many islands including Flat Island when drifting, jigging or still-fishing with worms and leeches. Smallmouth bass and rock bass can be found throughout the lake. Northern pike were caught along the drop-off near the mouth of the Peshekee River.

Marquette - Good catches of lake trout were reported out in deep waters. The shallow waters have also been producing coho along with the occasional chinook and lake trout. Boats have been trolling in waters 40 to 70 feet deep near the mouth of the Chocolay River and near the breakwall in the Upper Harbor. The coho are running 3 to 5 pounds while the chinook are averaging about 12 pounds.

Menominee River - Is producing fair walleye catches from Stephenson Island upstream to the First Dam. Smallmouth bass, rock bass, freshwater drum and sturgeon have also been caught. Perch are hitting inside the marina.

Little Bay De Noc - Walleye action has picked up with the best reports coming from the southern end from Breezy Point to the Shoals where anglers are trolling and drifting the breaks and structures with crawlers in 16 to 24 feet of water. The mouth of the Whitefish River also produced several nice catches in 10 to 14 feet of water when jigging crawlers right on the bottom. Perch fishing was spotty off the southern end of the Black Bottom. Fair to good northern pike catches were reported off Kipling near the coal piles. Smallmouth bass have been caught just south of the Ford River when drifting along the rocks in 10 to 18 feet of water. A few salmon are starting to show up near the mouth of the Day's River and the Ford River.

Big Bay De Noc - Walleye were caught near Ogontz when trolling crawlers in 14 feet of water. Smallmouth bass have been the main focus. Anglers working the Snake Island area are drifting minnows along the break and up on the Shelf just off the Island in 15 feet of water. It is still a little early but some good catches have been reported. Off Fairport, anglers reported slow salmon fishing. The fish caught were taken about 60 to 110 feet down in waters 120 to 140 feet deep. Greens, blues and anything that glows continue to be hot colors.

Manistique - Has good chinook salmon fishing. The fish are in 80 to 150 feet of water which means anglers are heading out 5 to 10 miles or more. Some limit catches were reported.

Munising - Has fair lake trout fishing in 170 to 200 feet of water. Coho fishing has picked up slightly with most boats getting at least one per trip. Several salmon anglers reported catching lake trout in waters less than 80 feet deep.

Grand Marais - Lake trout fishing continues to be good when trolling spoons about 5 miles out. Anglers are starting to catch coho when trolling in 60 to 80 feet of water outside the harbor. Rumor has it that some chinook salmon were caught within a mile from shore.