NORTHEAST LOWER PENINSULA

Alpena: Good numbers of steelhead were still being caught from below 9th Street up to the dam. Drifting fresh spawn and beads was the most productive early and late in the day. Pier anglers reported catching a few Atlantic salmon and brown trout while casting spoons and crankbaits. A few walleye were caught in low light conditions when casting a variety of crankbaits. Boat anglers caught a few walleye while jigging swim baits near the mouth of the river. Those trolling the bay found scattered Atlantic salmon, brown trout, and lake trout. Fish were reported to be in depths of 20 to 50 feet of water throughout the shipping lanes.

Rogers City: Fishing pressure was low due to cold and windy conditions on Lake Huron. Stained water was reported to be out in front of the marina. Anglers fishing from the wall with spoons and body baits found some success. Using bright colors like yellows and oranges in 60 feet of water or less was reported to work well.

Ocqueoc River: Anglers who fished for steelhead had limited success. Fish were reported to be trickling in, with anglers getting prespawn fish as well as fish already spawned out. Anglers were drifting spawn bags under bobbers in the deeper holes for the best results.

Harrisville: A good number of Atlantic salmon and steelhead were found around the harbor. Shore anglers had success using spinners, spoons, and minnows. Boat anglers caught a good number of coho salmon, Atlantic salmon, steelhead, and lake trout. Short lead cores and long lines worked well in 20 to 60 feet of water. While orange, watermelon, and gold/green spoons worked well for silver fish, chartreuse, orange/white, and golds worked better for lake trout.

Oscoda: Pier anglers caught good numbers of Atlantic salmon, lake trout, and brown trout while fishing minnows on bobbers and close to the bottom. Spoons and spinners of various colors were all productive throughout the day. Steelhead action slowed, but a few fish were still caught on fresh spawn. A few walleye were caught while casting crankbaits in low light conditions. Weather permitting, those in boats did well on lake trout, Atlantic salmon, and walleye. Medium diving crankbaits and standard-size spoons in oranges, gold/green, and chartreuse worked well in waters 15 to 40 feet deep.

Au Sable River: The AuSable River still had good numbers of steelhead being caught by anglers. Fresh spawn and plugs caught the majority of the fish near the Foote Dam. A few fresh Atlantic salmon were caught in the lower river on bright-colored spoons, spinners and plugs.

The sighting of the first blue-winged olives is a promising sign, and anglers can expect trout to become more active as they begin to feed on emerging insects. With water temperatures slightly warmer than usual, the first Hendrickson hatch could occur at any time now. Those hatches are typically in the afternoon, but do note that they can also occur in the morning under the right conditions. Check in with the local fly shops for the latest information on hatch timing and insect activity.

Cheboygan: A few chrome steelhead were reported to be running up the river. Anglers who had the best luck reported using steelhead spawn bags, wax worms, and beads, and were drifting in about six feet of water. Fish were cooperating the most on days that were cloudy, but still on the warmer side. Just off the river’s mouth in Lake Huron, there were reports of some coho salmon and walleye activity.