Now that the weather has finally cooled down, fall fishing in the river systems should pick up. Mature salmon have been caught out deep, and those fish should move in closer to shore. Color in the Northern Lower Peninsula is about 40 to 50 percent. This would be a good weekend to combine that fall fishing trip with a color tour.
 

Lake Erie - Perch fishing was spotty as the fish have been moving daily and those willing to try different spots seem to have the most success. The waters south of the E-Buoy and off the Fermi Plant have been the most productive when using minnows in 12 to 24 feet of water. Walleye were caught off Sterling State Park when fishing near the Michigan-Ohio boundary line, but most of the fish remain in Ohio waters.

Huron River - Steelhead have been caught in the deeper holes downriver. Bluegill fishing continues to be very good as the fish prepare for winter. This is a good time to take the kids fishing. All you need is a pole, bobber, and a worm.

Ford Lake - Near Ypsilanti, has anglers targeting bass, crappie, perch and walleye. For carp, try corn on the bottom. Ford Lake Park is a good spot for shore anglers.

Detroit River - Angler are still catching perch around Mud Island and Grassy Island.

Lake St. Clair - Has good perch fishing between the Grosse Point Yacht Club and Metro Beach. Anglers are using both minnows and worms. Smallmouth bass are still hitting near the rock piles and along the weedbeds.

Lexington - Salmon action was spotty. Night fishing may be more productive. Boats fishing outside the harbor are marking fish but no bites. Pike are still being caught in the harbor.

Harbor Beach - Boat anglers trolling just outside the harbor say the fish are there but the bite has been slow.

Port Austin - Boats trolling for salmon in the harbor are seeing fish but none were caught. Cooler temperatures should improve the catch rates. A few small perch were caught in Bird Creek.

Saginaw Bay - Perch fishing has been good around the commercial nets that are set from Killarney Beach all the way north to the Black Hole. Buoys 9 and 15 were also productive. Anglers were consistently catching 10 to 12 inch fish, but some were taking the occasional 14 inch perch. The successful ones were using pieces of store-bought shrimp instead of minnows. Near Quanicassee, perch were caught off the channel in 6 to 12 feet of water. Sebewaing, Bay Port, and Caseville were slow.

Saginaw River - Bass and catfish are still being caught in the lower river.

St. Joseph - Pier fishing has been slow. Boats are picking up fair to good numbers of Chinook salmon in 70 to 90 feet of water.

St. Joseph River - Has good numbers of coho and steelhead. Chinook were caught in the lower river, but rain should push these fish up into the river system.

Paw Paw River - Is reporting good catches of Chinook salmon in the lower river.

Van Auken Lake - Has fair to good crappie fishing in 12 to 14 feet of water. Largemouth bass are hitting in early morning and late afternoon in shallow waters. Northern pike are hitting in 12 to 20 feet of water when trolling spoons or plugs.

Kalamazoo River - Smallmouth bass fishing was outstanding as clear waters along with warm weather have kept the bite on through the summer and into the fall. The action has been good between Marshall and Plainwell.

Gull Lake - Northern pike fishing has been good with fish caught in waters 15 to 20 feet deep. Panfish action was good for those targeting sunfish, perch and rock bass.

Grand River at Grand Rapids - Fresh steelhead have been caught this week. Salmon and brown trout have been caught between the Sixth Street Dam and Wealthy Street. The salmon are hitting on micro yarn in chartreuse with an orange spot and spawn bags while the brown trout are hitting on spawn or green caddis. Walleye have also been caught. Beds can be found along the east side of the river between Bridge Street and Fulton Street.

Grand River at Lansing - Only a few salmon have been caught below the dams when using small orange spinners or small spoons. A couple walleye were caught up at Moore's Park. Panfish action was good as the fish are still aggressive. Try a piece of crawler or red worms under a bobber. Carp were caught off River Front Park.

Looking Glass River - Northern pike and bowfin have been caught by those fishing at Babcock's Landing.

Muskegon - Boat anglers have caught mature Chinook salmon out in deeper waters. Colder weather should push these fish closer to shore. Perch have been caught but the action should pick up in the next few weeks.

Muskegon Lake - Walleye fishing has picked up. Boat anglers are trolling the channel at night or casting crankbaits in 18 to 20 feet of water along the drop offs.

Muskegon River - There is still a good number of salmon in the river. Anglers are fishing between the mouth and Croton Dam.

Thunder Bay River - Very few Chinook salmon have been caught at the dam. The lucky ones caught fish in the 8 to 11 pound range when using spawn.

Harrisville - A few Chinook salmon are in the marina, but they are not biting. Anglers are casting Cleo's, rapalas or spawn with little success. Boats trolling outside the breakwall caught a couple salmon and walleye in 10 to 30 feet of water.

Oscoda - Fishing at the mouth of the river has been slow as only a light number of salmon were seen. Pie anglers reported limited success.

Tawas - A few boats are trolling for salmon off the mouth of the Tawas River and around the pier where the fish are porpoising, but few have been caught. Pier anglers have caught salmon along with a few perch and smallmouth bass.

Tawas River - Night fishermen are getting a few salmon out of the lower river.

Au Gres - Perch fishing continues to be spotty. While most are fishing along the shipping channel, others are going south and fishing around the commercial nets where catch rates were better.

Au Gres River - Those fishing the East Branch have taken a few salmon when fishing at night in the lower Whitney Drain and near the Singing Bridge.

Higgins Lake - The few anglers still out trolling continue to catch lake trout.

Bear River - Anglers fishing from the Lake Street Bridge down to Lake Michigan have caught salmon on flies and spawn.

Walloon Lake - Most of the boat anglers are targeting bass in shallow waters. They are casting spinners, shallow diving baits, or crawlers. Others are targeting perch in waters 15 to 40 feet deep. Boat anglers trolling after dark have caught walleye.

Charlevoix - The waters near the plant have provided some opportunity for wading and small boat anglers. The best fishing is still at dawn and dusk using either spawn or casting minnow baits, diving crankbaits or spoons.

Traverse City - Salmon fishing slowed but a few fish were caught around the bay and off the mouth of Mitchell Creek. Near Elk Rapids, steelhead were caught off the breakwall in the early morning. Whitefish action has been very good in 70 feet of water off the Center Road launch site. Jigging Swedish Pimples on the bottom worked best. In the West Bay, steelhead were caught off the mouth of the Boardman River. Yellow perch have started to show up, but no big numbers or size at this time.

Elk River - Coho salmon are still being caught regularly at the dam when drifting spawn or casting hardware.

Boardman River - Salmon fishing continues to be very good from Union Street to the Trap and Transfer Facility. Spawn bags and casting spoons worked best.

Frankfort - Some silver salmon along with a couple steelhead were caught up near Point Betsie when trolling 70 to 100 feet down in waters 150 to 220 feet deep. Inside Betsie Bay, a few dark fish were caught off the old Elberta Marina. Chinook, coho and steelhead have been caught off the North Pier. Spawn is best for steelhead, but the salmon are hitting on Cleo's and glow baits.

Betsie River - Fishing was slow with only a few fish caught just below the dam. For those looking to fish above the dam, the river is now closed above Kurick Road.

Portage Lake - Catch rates for panfish are starting to improve. Bluegills, sunfish, and perch have been caught in 17 to 25 feet of water near the marina and the green buoy. Large rock bass and pike have been caught when trolling in front of the Inn, and along the north shore near the city launch.

Manistee - Those trolling had some luck catching Chinook salmon out on the Shel. Steelhead were caught in the deeper holes north of the port and off Orchard Beach State Park.

Manistee Lake - Boat anglers have caught Chinook salmon.

Manistee River - Anglers fishing up near Tippy Dam are still taking some Chinook. Look for more fish with the cooler temperatures.

Ludington - Boats trolling up near the point have caught Chinook and steelhead. Pier anglers have also caught fish when casting spoons or spawn.

Pere Marquette Lake - Boats trolling near the mouth of the river have caught salmon.

Pere Marquette River - Chinook salmon were caught when drifting spawn.

Marquette - When boats can get out, lake trout were being caught north of the white rocks in 160 feet of water and near the lower harbor in 60 feet of water.

Dead River - Some nice 10 to 12 pound Chinook salmon have been caught along the stretch before the waterfall off CR550. A few coho and plenty of pink salmon caught when casting orange spinners.

Carp River - Nice coho were seen from the mouth to about 150 yards upstream. Chinook and pink salmon could be found in the pool near the ski hills.

Chocolay River - Is still full of salmon along with the occasional steelhead.

Little Bay De Noc - Walleye fishing has improved with anglers marking and catching good numbers of fish. The Black Bottom and Portage Point areas were best when trolling or drifting crawlers in 12 to 22 feet of water. Walleye were caught off the Third Reef and north to the mouth of the Whitefish River. Some nice perch were caught off Butler Island when jigging minnows. Smallmouth bass have also been caught.

Ford River - Shore anglers have caught salmon when casting spoons or crankbaits.

Big Bay De Noc - Usually has low angler participation for this time of the year. There were rumors of walleye being caught just south of Big Bay Shoals, but no details were given. Good smallmouth bass action continues just outside Snail Shell Harbor when drifting and casting tube baits and minnows along the shoreline. Northern pike were caught off Ansel's Point when trolling crankbaits.

Grand Marais - Coho and steelhead have been caught in the bay.

De Tour - Boats fishing north of the city launch have caught smallmouth bass and northern pike. Those targeting salmon are trolling the shipping channel to the #3 Green Can and around the Lighthouse. Best baits were silver J-plugs or blue and white or green and gold spoons.

Drummond Island - A few small perch were caught near Boulanger Island.

Cedarville and Hessel - Yellow perch activity has picked up slightly. Anglers are fishing Government Bay, Musky Bay, Hessel Bay, Middle Entrance, Snows Channel and around Little Joe Island. Use minnows, crawlers or wigglers. Smallmouth bass and northern pike were caught in Snows Channel and the Middle Entrance when still-fishing with minnows or casting spinner baits.