Northeast Lower Peninsula

Cheboygan: Fishing pressure was limited on Lake Huron due to fluctuating weather conditions and wind. Salmon anglers trolled spoons and flasher-fly combinations. In the Cheboygan River, anglers caught smallmouth bass, rock bass, freshwater drum, and the occasional walleye. Worms were the most commonly used bait for these species. For smallmouth bass, natural-colored or white soft plastic swimbaits produced good results. Crankbaits and spinners had some success with walleye. Good areas to target these species included the area beside the pedestrian walkway bridge by the baseball fields, the State Street drawbridge near the Cheboygan DNR field office, and along the parking lot by the Plaunt’s Transportation ferry. Early-run salmon were expected to move into the Cheboygan River within the following week, as cooler days brought river temperatures down. At the time, the water temperature was roughly 65 degrees at the mouth and near the drawbridge at the surface. Pier anglers were advised to cast spoons an hour before sunrise and just after sunset. Glow-in-the-dark presentations worked well in the dark or in deeper water. In cloudy conditions, greens, yellows, and blues were effective in the top 50 feet of water. In sunny conditions, reds, oranges, and purples worked best between 30 and 50 feet of water.

Tawas/Au Gres: Walleye fishing was very slow, with an average of five fish caught per boat and no limits reached. Many of the walleye caught were undersized or deemed too small by fishermen, with none larger than 18 inches caught. No yellow perch were caught or reported. Freshwater drum, catfish, and a largemouth bass were caught while fishing for walleye. In Tawas, walleye fishing was fairly good at times, with an average of eight fish caught per boat, but no limits were reached. A steelhead was caught alongside the walleye. Fishing slowed down at the end of the week due to bad weather and choppy water. Many boaters opted for recreational activities instead. Shore anglers caught freshwater drum, catfish, rock bass, and smallmouth bass.

Oscoda/Au Sable: A handful of walleye were caught by anglers fishing in 100 to 130 feet of water, targeting depths of 30 to 60 feet down while trolling small spoons and crawler harnesses. Anglers fishing from the catwalk and pier caught a few freshwater drum and the occasional channel catfish while still-fishing crawlers on the bottom.

Rogers City: Salmon were caught from Calcite to Adam’s Point. The best depths ranged from 60 to 100 feet of water, depending on the day. Anglers deployed downriggers, lead core, coppers off boards, and dipseys. Lines were run throughout the water column for the best results. When the water was cold, the spoon bite was better. When the water warmed up, the meat bite improved. Anglers used spoons, flashers or dodgers with flies and squids, meat rigs, and J-plugs. Productive colors included dark greens, greens, blues, oranges, black and white, and white and glow patterns early and late in the day. The best salmon fishing occurred about an hour before first light in the morning and after sunset in the evening. Anglers also picked up a few lake trout and an occasional bonus walleye while targeting salmon.

Presque Isle: Anglers reported multiple catches, consisting mostly of lake trout, with occasional Chinook salmon, steelhead, coho salmon, walleye, and Atlantic salmon. Productive areas included the waters between the lighthouses, south toward Stoneport, or north off North Bay and Black Point. Anglers ran lines throughout the water column using downriggers, lead core, coppers, and dipseys. The best depths ranged from 60 to 120 feet, depending on where the cold water was located. Anglers used spoons, flashers, and dodgers with flies and squids, as well as meat rigs and J-plugs. Effective colors included greens, blues, white, black and white, oranges, and glow patterns early and late in the day.

Alpena: Walleye fishing in Alpena was hit or miss, with some anglers having no success while others caught limits. Not many anglers were targeting lake trout last week, and there was not much activity on the river either.

Rockport: Anglers had success in Rockport both trolling and jigging for walleye and lake trout. A few anglers reported Chinook salmon and Atlantic salmon catches. Some also reported catches and releases of freshwater drum and smallmouth bass.