Keweenaw Bay: The
bite is once again up and down. Those trolling are working hard for a
mix of Chinook, coho, lake trout and splake. They are trolling 15 to 40
feet down in 30 to 60 feet from the head of the bay north to Old
Mission and both the east and west sides of the bay. Trolling speeds
were between 1.9 and 2.5 mph with spoons and body baits in a variety of
colors. Those jigging for lake trout did well out from Jentofts Dock,
the Whirl-I-Gig and Pequaming in 220 to 260 feet. In Traverse Bay,
those jigging for lake trout did well with jigs and cut bait in 180 to
140 feet.
Lake Gogebic: The majority of anglers
are targeting walleye. While there were a handful of boats that were
still catching a good number the last week has been slow for many
others. Those using crank baits caught fewer fish however they also
caught more keepers. Smallmouth bass fishing was good with most anglers
casting lures into the rocky shoreline. Yellow perch anglers targeting
Bergland Bay have also caught some pumpkinseed.
Menominee River: A
few muskie were caught near Boom Island. Walleye anglers caught fish in
the evening when trolling however a strong current made fishing more
difficult. Shore anglers are catching a few walleye, catfish, and
freshwater drum when using live bait in the slow water. Bass anglers
had good success.
Little Bay De Noc: For
walleye, those fishing Garth Point reported good catches of undersize
fish with the occasional keeper when trolling or drifting crawlers in 18
to 20 feet. The mouth of the Escanaba River reported several good
catches drifting crawler harnesses in 14 to 23 feet and Breezy Point 18
to 24 feet. Smallmouth bass fishing was fair to good in the Ford
River. Try casting plastics, spinners or crank baits along the banks
and at the mouth. Perch fishing was spotty. A few were caught on
minnows around the green buoy near the Ford River in 22 feet or the
“Narrows” and off Gladstone Beach when using crawlers and wigglers in 14
to 33 feet.
Big Bay De Noc: Walleye catches
were reported at the head of the bay when trolling or drifting crawler
harnesses in 16 to 18 feet. Smallmouth bass fishing was spotty with
most targeting the waters near Ogontz, Puffy Bay, South River Bay,
Porcupine Point and near the Fish Dam Rivers. Try casting crank baits,
plastics or spinners in three to 10 feet.
Marquette: Surface
water temperatures were between 40 and 44 degrees. More anglers are
targeting lake trout but catch rates were slow. They fished Granite
Loma, the Sand Hole, and along the outside of the Lower Harbor towards
Sand River and Shot Point. Most caught no fish but a few lucky anglers
did manage to take a limit of five at various depths anywhere from less
than 100 to over 200 feet. The fish are eating sticklebacks and smelt.
Anglers are using spoons but some had better luck with spoons and flies
tipped with cut bait. A couple Chinook were also caught in less than
60 feet. Fishing near the mouth of the Carp River was slow with only a
few hits on spawn or crawlers. Water levels in the river have dropped
but there was still a strong current.
Au Train Lake: Anglers
targeting walleye had fair success. Most were small but a few
legal-size fish were caught. Pike were caught but most only averaged 20
inches. Anglers were using worms and leeches or trolling crank baits.
Weeds have started to come up in areas and a small mayfly hatch was
observed. Water temperatures were in the upper 50’s.
Munising: Catch
rates were low for those trolling for Chinook and coho. Boats were
targeting 60 to 200 feet of water near Sand Point and Trout Bay. Fresh
spawn was used by those fishing off the dock of the Anna River but few
fish were caught. Water temperatures were in the mid to high 40’s.
Grand Marais: Many
are still fishing off the end of the pier but most are trolling about
five miles out for lake trout. Catch rates are good on lake trout with
anglers bringing in fish ranging 18 to 30 inches every trip. Whitefish
average 14 inches with a few 20 inches or more.
South Manistique Lake: Walleye
were caught by those trolling the drop-off between De Shelter Road and
the island. Catch rates for bluegill and pumpkinseed have increased as
the water warms up. Those using wax worms and red wigglers did well
near the Wolf Road public access site.
Newberry: Walleye
lakes and rivers in the area are producing some fish. Many are using
crank baits and live bait in waters such as the Tahquamenon River,
Nawakwa, Pike, Culhane, and Bodi Lakes. For largemouth bass, try Twin,
Kaks and East Lake. Twin and East Lakes are located off of M-28 west of
Newberry and Kaks Lake is located off M-117 just west of Newberry. The
Dollarville Flooding is a great place for muskie this time of year. Try
artificial lures or trolling with suckers.
Munuscong Bay: Anglers caught good numbers of small walleye near the mouth of the river.
DeTour: Cold
water temperatures have slowed the salmon and trout fishing along the
DeTour Reef but anglers were still getting a mix of Chinook, Atlantic
salmon and lake trout. They are trolling lead core with orange and
chrome colored spoons 12 to 18 feet down in 45 to 60 feet between the
green can and the lighthouse.
Drummond Island: The
walleye bite slowed because of the cold clear water in Scott Bay. Fish
were caught by those trolling around Peck Island with bottom bouncers
and crawler harnesses with orange or copper blades in nine to 12 feet.
Trolling speed was 1.2 mph. Smallmouth bass are still good at the south
end of James Island using green or brown tube jigs in two to three
feet.
Cedarville and Hessel: The water is
still cold. Northern pike are biting, but harvest has been very slow.
Perch in the Moscoe Channel were hitting on minnows and worms in five to
six feet. Smallmouth bass are starting to move onto the beds.
St. Ignace: Had a handful of anglers but fishing was slow.
