ALPENA – The summer fishing season is approaching and the DNR provided an update on local fishing action and news.

Thunder Bay River: Anglers reported fair walleye fishing throughout the river while using crawlers and trolling body baits. Natural colors worked well early and late in the day. Atlantic salmon were caught in the river while casting spinners in blue/silver, gold, and green. Those targeting northern pike had success while casting spinner baits, and jigging plastic swim baits.

Alpena: Boat anglers had success targeting lake trout, Chinook salmon, and Atlantic salmon in depths of 45 to 70 feet of water near north point and Thunder Bay Island. Watermelon, orange, and greens worked well for salmon on leadcore lines as well as dipsy divers. Lake trout were taken on chartreuse, and white spoons as well as flashers and Spin-N-Glos. Walleye fishing was hit or miss while trolling body baits in 10 to 20 feet of water. Pier anglers caught smallmouth bass, northern pike, and the occasional walleye while using crawlers and casting crank baits.

Rockport: Lake trout fishing was good from Stone Port south to Middle Island with a few Atlantic salmon and coho salmon being caught. Spoons trolled with copper and leadcore lines worked well on planer boards as well as long lines in depths of 25 to 70 feet of water. Cold water had fish scattered, so covering different depths was most productive. A few Atlantic salmon were seen in the shallows near the pier and were caught on minnows under slip bobbers.

Harrisville: Pike and smallmouth bass were caught in the harbor by anglers casting overhead spinners and Rapalas. Anglers trolling in 40 to 65 feet of water did well on lake trout.

Rogers City: Lake trout fishing improved. Some anglers limited out. The best depths were 40 to 60 feet of water. Anglers ran lines all over the water column. Spoons were the best choice with successful colors of greens, oranges, yellows, and blue. Anglers also used dodgers and Spin-n-Glos as well as cowbells with Spin-n-Glos near the bottom. There continued to be some Atlantic salmon in and around the marina. Anglers cast small spinner spoons and body baits for them.

Presque Isle: Lake trout were caught in good numbers with some reported limits. Best depths were 60 to 90 feet of water. Anglers ran spoons but some body baits as well. Good colors were greens, oranges, blue, yellows and silver. Flashers, attractors and cowbells were run close to the bottom with Spin-N-Glos attached to them. The occasional Atlantic salmon came off lines trolled high in the water column.