NORTHEAST LOWER PENINSULA

Alpena/Thunder Bay River: Good numbers of steelhead and suckers were still reported to be in the Thunder Bay River. Steelhead were caught around the 9th Avenue Bridge when drifting spawn and beads and casting spinners. As walleye were migrating out of the river, anglers had success jigging with blade baits and plastic jigs. A few walleye, northern pike, and smallmouth bass were caught on jigs and crankbaits when fishing offshore at the mouth of the river. Boat anglers reported catching walleye when trolling from the mouth of the river to Grass Island in 12 to 20 feet of water. Natural and perch-colored crankbaits caught fish both early and late in the day. A few brown trout were caught while trolling standard-size spoons and crankbaits in the same waters. Lake trout were caught in 30 to 50 feet of water around Thunder Bay Island. Dodgers with Spin-n-Glows and spoons in white, chartreuse, and watermelon colors worked well. A few Atlantic salmon were caught while trolling bright-colored spoons close to the surface.

Rogers City: Anglers casting off the marina wall had success in catching Atlantic salmon. Casting spoons and body baits in brighter colors, oranges, yellows, and silvers were reported to work best. The best fishing was reported to be when the stained river water was present. Boat anglers reported catching lake trout, with the best depths being from the shoreline out to 60 feet of water. The occasional Atlantic salmon or steelhead was reported to be in those areas, as well. Spoons or dodgers with Spin-n-Glows in greens, oranges, yellow, blue, and silver all seemed to work well. The stained water off the Trout River and south around Swan Bay all produced fish.

Ocqueoc River: Anglers focused their efforts on targeting steelhead in the deeper holes with fresh spawn. A few were caught, but many of them had already spawned out. Anglers were fishing up by the lamprey weir as well as the mouth access.

Harrisville: A few Atlantic salmon were caught by anglers inside of the harbor while fishing with minnows and casting spoons. Blue and silver, green and silver, and orange-colored spoons were reported to have caught the majority of fish. Weather permitting, boat anglers found success straight out of the harbor when fishing for steelhead, Atlantic salmon, lake trout, and coho salmon. Fishing in 30 to 60 feet of water was found to be the most productive. Lake trout were caught from top to bottom on chartreuse and green-colored spoons, while Atlantic and coho salmon were caught on short lead cores with bright-colored spoons.

Oscoda: Pier anglers reported good catches of Atlantic salmon and steelhead, with a few lake trout and walleye mixed in. Crankbaits caught the majority of lake trout and walleye, while minnows under a bobber and casting spoons worked well for Atlantic salmon and steelhead. Weather permitting, boat anglers found success when trolling standard-size spoons on lead core in 20 to 50 feet of water. Orange, green, chartreuse, and watermelon-colored spoons yielded the best results.

Au Sable River: Fishing remained good below Foote Dam for steelhead. Anglers had success when drifting spawn and beads and casting small spinners. Boat anglers did well drifting spawn and plugs in the deeper holes. Atlantic salmon were reported to have moved into the lower stretches of the river and were caught on spinners and casting spoons. The best colors were reported to be orange and gold, green and gold, and blue and silver throughout the daytime.

Tawas: Boat anglers had decent catches of walleye, with many anglers coming back with their limit. Most boats were launching out of Gateway Park and heading south from there. Anglers also reported that they were seeing the occasional steelhead and lake trout. Pier anglers caught a few steelhead and saw some pike and bass, as well. Anglers also reported that the best walleye bite was occurring at night. Those fishing the mouth of the Tawas River were catching and releasing bass.