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Little Bay de Noc: Walleye anglers reported success trolling for fish near drop-offs with crankbaits. Slim-profile crankbaits were the typical presentation, although some anglers trolled live bait harnesses rigged with nightcrawlers. Yellow perch anglers reported slow fishing overall. This week's limited success was sporadic and varied from day to day, but worms worked well when fished near weeds. Northern pike anglers had some success this week, reporting catches while both trolling and casting.
Munising: Poor weather conditions limited fishing activity during the week. However, on days when weather conditions improved, boat anglers caught a few Chinook salmon and splake in the bay, as well as some lake trout around Grand Island. There were also several reports of lake trout being caught at Big Reef.
Ontonagon River: Over the past week, anglers reported catching fair numbers of walleye. Overall fishing effort on the river was also fair. Reports indicated that trolling was the preferred method for most boat anglers, while jigging was also successful but less popular. Shore anglers reported catching low numbers of walleye and rock bass. Occasional catches of lake sturgeon were also reported by anglers fishing with natural baits.
Ontonagon/Silver City/Union Bay: Angling efforts from the Silver City and Union Bay access sites remained low. In comparison, fishing effort from Ontonagon remained slightly higher. Angler reports from all locations were promising. Common catches consisted primarily of lake trout. Catches of coho salmon and brown trout were also reported but in lower numbers. Trolling at depths ranging from 60 to 180 feet of water produced these fish.
Black River Harbor: The harbor continued to see low angling effort over the past week. Boat anglers reported catching fair numbers of lake trout. Trolling across a variety of depths ranging from 80 to 180 feet of water produced the most success for these anglers. Shore anglers reported occasional catches of white suckers and northern pike within the harbor boundaries.
St. Ignace: Anglers reported catches of walleye, perch, and bullhead catfish at the Pine River. While drifting leeches for walleye and nightcrawlers for perch, anglers caught low numbers of fish from the riverbank near the M-134 overpass bridge. Boat anglers reported sporadic catches of walleye while trolling nightcrawler harnesses and crankbaits.
Grand Marais: Weather conditions limited fishing access during the past week. When conditions improved, boat anglers found success targeting lake trout while trolling and jigging.
Manistique: This week, Chinook salmon anglers trolled magnum-sized spoons, as well as flasher-fly combinations. The fly portion was typically green or blue with flashy material. Anglers targeted the thermocline and deeper waters while using glowing lures. A few anglers also reported catching fish on meat rigs. Anglers fished near drop-offs where salmon were feeding during dawn and dusk. Fishing deeper water during other times of the day resulted in scattered fish farther from drop-offs and over deeper water.
Marquette: Lake trout anglers continued fishing slightly deeper than usual. Most anglers started trolling north of White Rocks toward North Granite Rock in depths ranging from 120 to 160 feet of water. Others found success jigging around 80 to 140 feet of water on structure near White Rocks and other islands.
Some anglers returned to Sand River and Shot Point, with mixed reports when targeting lake trout. Most anglers who caught fish found success in deeper water this week rather than closer to the surface. No salmon or brown trout catches were reported or observed during the week.
Au Train: Fishing remained slow in Au Train again this week. Only two anglers were observed fishing, while all other boaters were not actively fishing. Anglers continued to target depths around 120 to 180 feet of water. All lake trout caught were found near the bottom. One coho salmon was also observed being caught on a dipsy diver while trolling for lake trout north of Au Train Island.
Lake Independence, Big Bay: Fishing activity increased, with most anglers targeting walleye and yellow perch. Anglers had the best success while trolling in 10 to 15 feet of water using natural bait.
-- By the Michigan Department of Natural Resources