It's that time - SALMON FISHING IN THE RIVERS

***jsxtreme*** · 09-27-2013, 11:58 AM

Originally Posted by fyoung7

How late do they let you stay out if your talking about flatrock spot?

I fish in the Ann Arbor area

**dudek** · 09-27-2013, 04:24 PM

Originally Posted by wikdsvt

This is going to be a GREAT salmon fishing weekend.

I was told there are so many salmon in the Pere Marquete river that you can walk across the water!
Tippy Damn is the usual chaos.
Marquette river is packed.
Betsie is ridiculous.

I'm outta here in two hours.
(hopefully I have some pick/video when I get back.)

Lets see. 4 guys, 5fish/person/day, 3 days = 60 keepers? LOL

betsie isnt doing so hot..its been on the decline since beginning of the week...actually have a buddy up there as we speak and i was up monday.
ive been here the pm and manistee seem to be doing pretty good tho

**wikdsvt** · 09-16-2014, 08:42 AM

Betsie is stacked with Fish right now, but they have special hook/weight restrictions.

This weekend we are heading up to the pere marquette with a canoe and flat bottom boat. Plan on hooking into some salmon. I called my local guy up there and he said this cold weather should bring a big run, and this would be the weekend to be up there.

I make my own 1oz spoons that seem to work very well in the rivers. I make them a couple hundred at a time, so i don't have to make them for a couple years. Basically, its a lead spoon with a wire in the middle for strength and a treble hook. One side is shiny lead color the other side is painted my special color.

In the rivers, let the lure hit the bottom of the river and retrieve it slowly as it is on the bottom. I cast up stream, let it hit and then slowly reel it in. you will snag a lot of branches/debris, but you will also feel where the salmon are on the bottom. usually where there is one waiting, they are many waiting. I usually hit the same 3 holes on the pere marquette and have good luck.

DNR weekly fishing report:

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Thursday, September 11, 2014
Weekly Fishing Report
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Rain and strong winds have once again hampered fishing conditions. Boat anglers had limited success as the days shorten and the temperatures cool. Catch rates should only get better from here on out. More salmon will be moving into the river systems but landing those fish may be a little more difficult if the water levels are up.

Southeast Lower Peninsula Fishing Report
Southwest Lower Peninsula Fishing Report
Northeast Lower Peninsula Fishing Report
Northwest Lower Peninsula Fishing Report
Upper Peninsula Fishing Report

Southeast Lower Peninsula Fishing Report

Lake Erie: Surface water temperatures in the mid 70's caused the perch to stay in deeper water however they are starting to move in gradually. Fish were caught off Stony Point in 24 to 26 feet. Start at 20 feet and work your way out. Perch were also caught about a mile and a half out from Toledo Beach, around Turtle Island, near the E-Buoy and the Edison Stacks. Many were too small to keep. No walleye reports were coming in. Anglers may want to try minnows off Stony Point.

Detroit River: Perch have been caught around Celeron Island, Rat Island, Grassy Island, and off Grosse Ile. No limit catches but they are catching a few nice ones. Walleye fishing was slow but muskie fishing was good in both the upper and lower river. Walleye anglers have started jigging with crawlers at the mouth.

Portage Chain-of-Lakes: Bluegill fishing improved and a good number of fish were caught on Zukey Lake and near the island on Strawberry Lake. Try 6 to 10 feet of water. Bass anglers are finding fish in the shallow flats in the morning and moving to the weeds in deeper water during the day. Try a soft plastic bait that mimics a crayfish or salamander mid-day and top water lures in the early morning.

Lake St. Clair: Had good bass fishing in Anchor Bay and south of Huron Point in deeper water. Perch fishing was spotty, but some bigger fish were caught along the shipping channel and the Dumping Grounds. A few walleye were caught by trolling crawler harnesses along the shipping channel and north of the St. Clair Light.

St. Clair River: Walleye fishing was slow for most of the river however those trolling at night near the Blue Water Bridge have caught fish. Bass and perch were caught along the weed beds at the lower end of the North Channel, Sni Bora and the Middle Channel. Try using live shiners. Muskie were caught in the same areas by those casting or jigging large baits.

Lexington & Port Sanilac: Lake trout were caught just off the bottom in 80 to 115 feet. Steelhead were caught 40 feet down. Orange and blue spoons worked best. Pier fishing along the Thumb was slow.

Harbor Beach: Lake trout, steelhead and the odd walleye were caught straight east and northeast of the harbor in 135 feet.

Port Austin: Those trolling off the tip of the Thumb caught lake trout within 10 feet of the bottom or steelhead in the top 40 feet of waters 120 to 170 feet deep. Medium-size spoons in fluorescent green worked well. Anglers from Port Austin and Grindstone City are heading straight north.

Saginaw Bay: Anglers did find a few walleye in 14 feet off the Saganing Bar and out near Buoys 1 & 2 but they are still working hard to find fish. One boat trolling off Finn Road caught a couple walleye. A few perch were caught south of Pinconning off Gambil's Marina and near the mouth of the Quanicassee River however be ready to sort out the small ones. Fishing was slow from Quanicassee to Caseville. Goose and teal hunters outnumbered fishing boats.

Saginaw River: Shore anglers in the lower river caught catfish, freshwater drum and a few bass.

Southwest Lower Peninsula Fishing Report

Brown trout anglers are having success on the southwest trout streams. To look at the stocking records and find brown trout in streams in your area Click Here for Stocking Information

St. Joseph: Boat anglers reported consistent fishing. No limit catches however they are coming back with fish. Most are using spoons and meat rigs. Perch fishing was hit-or-miss as the fish were scattered. A few were found in 40 feet. Pier fishing was slow.

South Haven: Salmon anglers reported tough fishing conditions. Most are targeting 110 feet and some reported fish staging in 50 feet. Perch fishing is slow so try 20 to 60 feet as they are scattered. Salmon fishing in the Black River was slow.

Kalamazoo River: Anglers are reporting salmon in the river. No big numbers yet but fish have been seen below the Allegan Dam. Bass anglers continue to do well.

Holland: Anglers have found chinook salmon and lake trout in 75 feet.

Grand Haven: Anglers are fishing 25 to 80 feet down in 40 to 80 feet in the morning then heading out to waters 70 to 80 feet deep later in the day. Chinook and a small number of coho are starting to stage. Anglers are using green, chrome or glow plugs. No perch to report.

Grand River at Grand Rapids: Is starting to get some chinook salmon and more will be coming in with the cooler weather. The better fishing will be from the mouth up to the 6th Street Dam.

Muskegon: Pier fishing was slow. Those targeting trout and salmon were fishing 20 to 80 feet down in 30 to 80 feet with green, chrome or glow plugs. Coho are also hitting more on short lead core or copper. Meat rigs also did well with green and yellow the hot colors.

Muskegon Lake: Anglers were trolling J-plugs for chinook salmon but catch rates were very slow.

Whitehall: Anglers fishing in the early morning found mature salmon in 110 feet. A fair to good number of younger fish were caught 70 feet down in 150 feet or more. Pier anglers have caught the occasional salmon when casting spoons or still-fishing with spawn.

Northeast Lower Peninsula Fishing Report

Rogers City: Anglers are catching trout, salmon and the occasional walleye when running lines up and down the water column in 40 to 90 feet. They are using a variety of lures including spoons, J-plugs, bombers and flashers with squid, flies or cut bait. Fishing was good up towards the State Park and Forty Mile Point. The few salmon caught in Swan Bay were quite dark.

Alpena: Walleye were caught out towards North Point and North Shore or straight out from the marina in 30 to 35 feet. A few lake trout, steelhead and pink salmon were caught at the "Humps".

Thunder Bay River: Had little activity but rain and cooler temperatures this week should help to bring the salmon in. Panfish were caught on crawlers or leeches.

Harrisville: Salmon and steelhead are starting to come into shallow waters so anglers are starting there and heading out deeper while fishing the entire water column. Dark colors seem to work best. Some were caught on sliders. Lake trout were suspended or on the bottom in 60 to 80 feet. Walleye were coming into the harbor in the early morning or late evening. Those trolling outside the wall are using body baits or crawler harnesses while those casting in the harbor are using body baits.

Oscoda: Fishing was a bit slow but anglers should start to see salmon and steelhead around the piers. Boat anglers will want to start shallow and work their way out. Long lines, planer boards and lead core should work along with spoons, squid, and body baits.

Au Sable River: Look for salmon to start heading up into the river. Walleye can be found between the pier head and the dam. Crawlers and stickbaits worked best.

Houghton Lake: Catch rates were spotty as the fish seem to be scattered. When they can find them, boat anglers caught bass, walleye and bluegills.

Tawas: Is producing the occasional walleye in 20 to 30 feet along the outer bay and down near Alabaster. A couple steelhead were caught about 40 feet down in 70 feet. Pier anglers caught mostly rock bass, a few small perch or the odd walleye.

Tawas River: Is producing a few catfish. Try crawlers, bluegills or cut bait.

Au Gres: The few anglers chasing walleyes had no limit catches but they were catching enough fish to keep the trip interesting. Try crawler harnesses in 30 to 35 feet straight off the mouth of the river and southwest towards Pointe Au Gres. Some were looking for perch near Pointe Au Gres but few were caught.

Au Gres River: Was producing a few catfish and some small perch.

Northwest Lower Peninsula Fishing Report

Harbor Springs: Those fishing the Petoskey side of the bay did poorly with only one lake trout caught.

Petoskey: Had no thermocline. Fishing was better before the storms rolled in. Fish were being marked but none were caught. Earlier, salmon were caught 50 to 65 feet down in 90 to 115 feet and lake trout were 90 feet down in 130 to 150 feet. Boats were trolling fairly close to the breakwall with meat rigs and squid. Smallmouth bass were caught outside the breakwall during the day. Those casting off the end of the breakwall and the end of the clock dock after dark did manage to catch a few salmon on spoons or crank baits.

Bear River: Had more salmon and quite a few were caught at the dam. There was quite a bit of angling pressure but high water levels made landing any fish a challenge. Spawn and flies worked best. Anglers are reminded that there is a gear restriction of one single pointed, unweighted hook no larger than 3/8 inch from point to shank when fishing from the mouth to the Lake Street Dam.

Charlevoix: Lake trout fishing has dropped off. Most boats were still focusing on the area around the "Can" near the cement plant. Salmon were caught anywhere from 40 to 80 feet down in 75 to 130 feet. Meat rigs worked best but spoons also caught fish. Those moving in shallow were trying for the salmon staging near Medusa Creek. A few were caught 20 to 25 feet down. The weir in Medusa Creek is up and running. Fishing is closed in the creek as well as a radius of 100 feet off the mouth. Smallmouth bass are still being caught in the channel and some were keepers. A large northern pike was also caught in the channel. Pier anglers fishing after dark caught one or two salmon when casting spoons or crank baits.

Traverse City: The East Bay has good lake trout fishing 70 to 95 feet down in 90 to 120 feet. Salmon fishing was still hit-or-miss. Good smallmouth action in 10 to 30 feet. In the West Bay, lake trout were taken in 85 to 120 feet. Salmon anglers fishing near "the hole" had very limited success. Good smallmouth action for those using tube baits along the drop-offs.

Elk River: Smallmouth bass were caught on crawlers or tube baits. Salmon have not yet arrived in big numbers.

Boardman River: The weir is in place. A few chinook salmon were in the river and some actually jumped over the weir and continued upstream during high water. Those drifting skein under a bobber had limited success.

Platte Bay: The lake water is still cold and the river water at 70 degrees. Most fish are still in the East Bay off Peterson Road.

Platte River: Fishing was slow but should pick up soon. Coho were moving up into the river. The lower weir is in place and is holding back fish. There are fish all through the lower river.

Frankfort: Still has fresh chrome chinook and coho out front of the breakwalls. The better bite was in the early morning in 150 to 180 feet.

Betsie River: A large number of chinook salmon were heading upstream in a big rush. Very few were holding in the deeper holes along the way.

Onekama: Those fishing the "Barrel" caught coho and lake trout.

Portage Lake: Bass anglers are having a good year on the lake and in the channel. Both large and smallmouth have been caught.

Lakes Cadillac & Mitchell: Cooler temperatures will bring the bluegill, crappie and perch back into shallow waters. Those targeting bass continue to do well with largemouth caught in the shallows early morning or evening.

Manistee: Boat anglers found trout and salmon 80 to 120 feet down in 120 to 200 feet. Most are using green flies or meat rigs and glow plugs. Those trolling around the piers had minimal success.

Manistee River: Anglers are catching salmon but some of the fish are dark. More anglers are showing up at Tippy Dam. With the cooler temperatures, look for more fish to move into the river system.

Ludington: Anglers found a decent number of salmon and trout 50 to 100 feet down in 200 to 400 feet. Most are using orange or green spoons along with green or yellow meat rigs. Fishing around the pier was slow but should improve soon.

Pentwater: Was producing salmon in 70 to 110 feet in the early morning. Spoons and flies were the ticket. A few salmon were caught from the pier, Long Bridge on Pentwater Lake and from the marsh beyond Long Bridge at the mouth of Pentwater River. No real numbers as most of the mature fish are still out in the big lake. Pier anglers caught a couple nice pike when salmon fishing.

**wikdsvt** · 09-16-2014, 08:43 AM

U

pper Peninsula Fishing Report

Keweenaw Bay: Had low angler participation at all ports. The lake trout bite picked up for those trolling or jigging near Farmers, Newton's and the Big Reef as well as the Mud Banks. Lures with green, orange and gold worked well when trolling 50 to 80 feet down in 60 to 90 feet. Best speeds were between 2.3 and 2.6 mph. Those jigging were targeting waters 160 to 260 feet deep.

Lake Antoine: Anglers caught bluegills, sunfish, yellow perch and rock bass from shore or still-fishing and drifting from boats. Lots of small ones with some bigger ones mixed in. Bass anglers are still catching smallmouth but the numbers have declined. No walleye to report.

Marquette: Catch rates were not so good. Lake trout were taken only after several hours of fishing near Little Presque Isle, the Sand Hole and the White Rocks. A few small chinook were caught in both the Upper and Lower Harbor when using spoons.

Carp River: Had few shore anglers. They tried crawlers, spawn, small spinners and crank baits but had no luck.

Chocolay River: Boat anglers were fishing the mouth while shore anglers were wading. Most are targeting coho but catch rates were not good.

Little Bay De Noc: Walleye catches were fair to good from the Second Reef to the Center Reef when trolling crawler harnesses in 10 to 20 feet in the early morning. Fair catches from the Black Bottom when trolling crawler harnesses or jigging in 14 to 22 feet. Good smallmouth bass fishing when casting crank baits or plastics in 12 to 14 feet around the mouth of the Ford River and in 8 to 16 feet around the mouth of the Whitefish River. Pike were active throughout the Bay including several fish in the 30 to 35 inch range. Perch fishing was spotty but catches were reported near Garth Point, Brach's Cabins or off the beach at Kipling and Gladstone. Most are using crawlers or minnows in 10 to 26 feet. The rivers are running high and fast.

Big Bay De Noc: Perch anglers reported fair catches in Garden Bay as most of the larger fish have moved out to deeper water near Ansell's Point. The better catches were in 16 to 24 feet with minnows. Smallmouth bass fishing is showing signs of fall fishing. Catch rates were fair for those using spinners, crank baits or plastics in 12 to 25 feet off Ansell's Point and Garden Bluff. Bass were caught in 12 to 20 feet in Ogontz Bay, Poplar Point and near St. Vitals Island. Good pike action in Garden Bay but many were undersize. Anglers are trolling spoons, spinners or crank baits in 8 to 14 feet. No walleye to report.

Au Train: Had no angler activity. Water levels were high in the Rock River.

St. Mary's River: Anglers are still catching pink salmon near the power plant in Sault Ste. Marie. Try spoons in pink, orange or anything half gold. Some caught 4 and 5 pound Atlantic salmon when casting three inch crank baits with a black back and a grey or chrome belly. In Lake Nicolet, anglers caught walleye between 4 Mile Road and 6 Mile Road when trolling bottom bouncers and crawler harness in 12 to 18 feet just inside the shipping channel. A few musky were caught near Tea Pot Island and along the south end of Neebish Island. Try large black spinners. A few walleye were taken in Raber Bay near the mouth of Carlton Creek by those trolling smiley blades with crawler harnesses. Many were sub-legal but a few keepers were reported. Some 8 to 10 inch yellow perch were reported near Howard Island. Shiner minnows worked best at Grape Island and LaPoint Island during the mid-day.

Detour: Those fishing from the city launch to Frying Pan Island, around the lighthouse and to the #2 Red Can near Drummond Island said the salmon bite was slow but the lake trout action was good. Yellow perch could still be found at Sweets Point and walleye off Drummond Island near Dix's Point.

Cedarville and Hessel: Catch rates slowed as storms stirred the waters up. Perch fishing out of Hessel was fair in 10 to 12 feet and along the east side of Murtough's dock in 8 to 9 feet. Pier anglers at Hessel caught lots of pike but a limited number of perch. Excellent pike fishing remains in Hessel Bay, Middle Entrance, Musky Bay and Government Bay when using chubs.

Carp River: Anglers are targeting salmon at the mouth.

St. Ignace: Anglers caught chinook, lake trout and pink salmon between the fuel tanks and the southwest corner of Mackinac Island. Try green and gold, blue and silver or white spoons.

more

**wikdsvt** · 09-25-2014, 08:49 AM

Heading up north Saturday for a week to hit the rivers. I typically keep one fish and toss all the others back.

Anyone else go salmon fishing yet this fall?