UPPER PENINSULA
Keweenaw Bay: Anglers trolling for salmon are picking up a mix of Chinook, coho, splake and lake trout between Baraga and L’Anse and south to the head of the bay. Fish were still caught 15 to 40 feet down in 20 to 60 feet with gold, orange and green spoons. Best trolling speeds were between 1.9 and 2.3 mph.
Lake Gogebic: Walleye anglers were catching a lot of fish however most were undersize at 13 and 14 inches. Many reported catching 25 to 30 fish but only had one or two keepers. Those having the most success were drifting or jigging with minnows and leeches in 10 to 15 feet in Bergland Bay. Many have also caught northern pike and smallmouth bass. The perch anglers had moderate success with each catching about 10 fish.
Menominee River: Anglers are catching a few walleye at the Hattie Street Dam. Most are using a jig and minnow. Boat anglers fishing the entire river have caught and released some nice smallmouth bass when casting spoons and stick baits.
Little Bay De Noc: Had a good start to the walleye season. Most anglers were fishing the head of the Bay up to Garth Point and caught good numbers of fish although many were undersize. Anglers were trolling or drifting crawlers in 16 to 24 feet. Fair to good action was reported between the Center Reef and the Second Reef for those drifting or trolling crawler harnesses in 18 to 26 feet or trolling stick baits with lead core and planer boards in 30 to 35 feet. Catch rates were fair at the “Narrows” trolling crawler harnesses in 28 to 32 feet and when jigging lead heads with minnows in 30 to 34 feet. Walleye were caught at the mouth and in the channel of the Escanaba River in 15 to 22 feet.
Big Bay De Noc: Had a good start to walleye season with some of the better catches coming from Ogontz where anglers were trolling or drifting crawler harnesses in eight feet. Near the Fishdam Rivers, anglers reported fair to good catches in 10 to 14 feet when trolling and drifting crawlers. Smallmouth bass fishing was excellent near Ogontz, Fishdam Rivers, South River, Garden Bay and Kates Bay. Anglers are casting crank baits, spinners or plastics in three to eight feet. The bass opener should be good.
Marquette: Those trolling have done better for Chinook and coho including a few limit catches on the right day in 60 feet of water outside the Lower Harbor to the Chocolay River, towards the Sand River and Shot Point. Those looking for lake trout are primarily targeting Shot Point and east of the harbor with spoons, flies or cut bait. Shore anglers fishing the mouth of the Carp River caught a couple but anglers were few because of construction on the bridge.
Au Train Lake: The opening of walleye season had fair catch rates. Those targeting walleye and pike were mainly drifting crawlers or minnows. Some of the walleye were legal size but many of the pike were sub-legal. Surface water temperatures were in the low to mid 50’s. No perch to report.
Munising: Had low to fair catch results on coho with a few Chinook and one brown trout caught as well. They are fishing 20 to 60 feet near Sand Point and Trout Bay.
Coho were caught by those still-fishing or trolling and a couple splake were caught near the Anna River. Those fishing off the dock of the Anna River were using fresh spawn. Smelt fishing has been minimal with no reports this week.
Grand Marais: No longer has ice however there was one day when some ice blew in at the end of the pier. Most anglers are trolling around West Bay or still-fishing off the pier. Steelhead effort and catch rates were low. Whitefish have shown up and catch rates were excellent. Most fish were caught on a single egg or wax worm. Those trolling were in 15 to 40 feet in the West Bay and near the mouth of the Sucker River did well with small spoons and rapalas. Catch rates for coho were fair. Limit catches of whitefish were taken off the pier. The fish were mainly 11 to 15 inches but a few were over 20 inches.
Two Hearted River: Steelhead fishing has been slow. Not only were few fish caught but few fish were actually seen.
Tahquamenon River: Anglers may find some walleye below Newberry. Try minnows or crawlers.
Munuscong Bay: A few walleye and pike were caught when trolling quarter ounce crank baits about six feet behind the boat in four to six feet of water between Gull Island and Barbecue Point. Orange and gold were the hot colors.
Drummond Island: A few yellow perch were caught off the docks in Scotts Bay when using shiners. Walleye and pike were caught at the south end of Ashman Island when drifting and jigging in five to seven feet and on the east side when using a small split shot 18 inches above a red hook tipped with a crawler. Pike were caught at the south end of Ashman Island and the north end of James Island when using chubs or shiners. Catch and release smallmouth bass fishing was good along the south end of James Island in three to six feet when using dark green and brown tube jigs.
Cedarville and Hessel: Good perch fishing off the Hessel pier for those using worms on clear days. Splake were active in Hessel Bay but they will be moving out once the water warms up. Northern pike fishing was very good in Hessel Bay, Snows Channel, Musky Bay and Cedarville Bay. Anglers are casting or trolling with planer boards and stick baits.
Carp River: Anglers are still targeting steelhead between the McDonald Rapids and the mouth. They are casting lures and using spawn bags or yarn.
