Fishing Report

Steelhead fishing has been very good below the Allegan Dam. Try drifting spawn or flies.

Those looking for steelhead should try fishing the deeper holes. Drifting flies or bouncing spawn off the bottom will catch fish.

When boats can get out, anglers are still trolling for lake trout near the end of the breakwall in the Lower Harbor. Anglers are starting to catch more whitefish as they move in towards shore.

Walleye can still be found when fishing off the Hattie Street Bridge. Most anglers are casting rapalas, but a few fish have also been taken when floating a crawler under a bobber. Salmon fishing is pretty much done.

A few more anglers have been out trying to catch trout and salmon. Whitefish action was still a bit on the slow side, but should pick up soon.

Northern pike are starting to hit and some nice fish have been caught. Anglers are using minnows or trolling with crankbaits in 8 to 9 feet of water along the drop offs. Some are still seeking walleye, but no reports have been given.

A few boats are still trolling for lake trout. Rainbow trout have been caught up near the Conference Center located on the north end of the lake. Anglers are fishing near the mouth of the small creek. Not much to report on brown trout since the weather has warmed up.

Pier fishing here can be excellent for those seeking whitefish, especially near the State Dock. The run could approach its peak by the weekend. Pier and shore anglers continue to catch some steelhead drifting spawn or casting spoons and plugs. Orange has been a good color.

Anglers have started to catch some whitefish in the lower section of the river. This fishing opportunity should only improve over the next few weeks. Walleye can still be found near the mouth.

Pier anglers are catching some steelhead using spawn, small spoons or plugs. Whitefish are also being caught on a single hook with a wax worm.

Steelhead action continues. With the warmer weather, try fishing the deeper holes with spawn, flies or small spoons. Whitefish are moving up into the river, and the catch rate should only get better in the next few weeks. Fair numbers of yellow perch are being caught below the Ninth Street Dam.

Whitefish are moving towards shore right on schedule. Peak fishing is usually November 15 through early December. There are multiple reefs in Thunder Bay where whitefish are spawning. The best of these are Partridge Point, Grass Island and near the Cement Plant. There are also good numbers of whitefish on the end of the breakwall at the Alpena Marina. On calm mornings these reefs can be spotted by the rolling of whitefish on the surface. The best fishing occurs at dawn and dusk.

Good perch fishing in the lower section of the river down near Celeron Island and Sugar Island or up near Powder House Island which is located between Stony Island and Sugar Island. Walleye were caught when hand-lining with fire-tigers in the Trenton Channel near the Detroit Edison Stacks. Up near Wyandotte, perch have been caught after anglers locate them.

Boat anglers fishing between Marysville and Port Huron have caught some walleye when trolling at night. Those fishing off the wall have also caught a few fish when casting crankbaits, bodybaits or rapalas.

Those hand-lining down near the Delphine Channel are still taking some walleye. There were reports of large musky taken in Canadian waters. Fair to good perch fishing was noted in Anchor Bay when fishing around Grass Island. Look for panfish such as bluegill and crappie in the canals.

A couple salmon along with some steelhead have been caught up near the Flat Rock Dam. Look for the fish to be holding in the deeper holes.

Walleye fishing has been sporadic. Walleye were caught from Cedar Point to Vermilion. Water depths have ranged from 24’ to 38’; anticipate frequent moves to find schools of active fish. Fish have been caught on spoons (try Blueberry Muffin) trolled with dipsy divers or jet divers, but the crankbait bite is picking up (Blue Hawaiian Reef Runners and Ripsticks appear to be hot). Night pier fishing has been sporadic.

Yellow perch fishing had been spotty with recent weather patterns, but should improve when conditions allow. The best reports have been from Cleveland, where a steady bite has been found in 40’ to 43’ of water. Fish have ranged from 8 to 12 inches. Perch rigs with shiners fished near the bottom have produced the most fish.

Steelhead fishing has been fair to good in the Vermilion River, Rocky River, Chagrin River, Grand River, Arcola Creek, Cowles Creek, Geneva State Park, Conneaut Creek, and along the Conneaut west breakwall. Shore anglers are using small spinners and spoons, and jigs and maggots rigged with a split shot under a light bobber.

Steelhead fishing has been good surfcasting and off the piers.

Pier fishing and surfcasting have been good in the last week.

Weather permitting, anglers trolling in 175 to185 feet of water have caught chinook, coho and a few steelhead on green, purple, and white spoons. Steelhead were caught on spawn when fishing off the North Pier.

The chinook run is over and a few steelhead are starting to make their way into the river.

Steelhead fishing from shore and the piers has been good on both the Elberta side and Frankfort side. A few fish have been caught casting small spoons but spawn on a slip rig seems to be working best. Fish are hitting on chartreuse and pink spawn bags with the catch being consistent throughout the day. Boaters trolling in Betsie Bay have picked up some steelhead and northern pike. On the pier, a few menominee have been caught near the elbow and out on the very end. Most fish have been small.

A few steelhead and chinook have been caught below the Union Street Dam while drifting spawn bags along the river bottom.

Steelhead have been taken near the dam and along the river bank. Spawn bags produced the most consistent action while drifting along the bottom or floating under a bobber.

On East Bay, anglers continue to catch a fair number of whitefish off the Wall in 90 to 95 feet of water while still-fishing single eggs on the bottom. On the West Bay, fair numbers of yellow perch are being taken off the Boardman River mouth in 90 feet of water.