NORTHEAST LOWER PENINSULA

Alpena: Anglers fishing the pier and from shore near the yacht club caught walleye, smallmouth bass, and northern pike. Shallow-running crank baits and natural-colored swim baits worked well throughout the day. In Thunder Bay, boat anglers had success trolling crank baits for walleye early and late in the day. Fish were scattered from the pier head to Sulfur Island. A few brown trout and northern pike were also caught in the same waters from 12 to 18 feet deep. Weather permitting, those fishing offshore near North Point and Thunder Bay Island caught good numbers of lake trout in 30 to 60 feet of water. A few Atlantic and Chinook salmon were caught in 50 to 80 feet of water. The most productive colors were reported to be watermelon, chartreuse, and orange. With cooler water temperatures, fish were scattered all through the water column.

Rockport: Weather permitting, boat anglers found good numbers of lake trout and a few Atlantic salmon; 40 to 70 feet of water held the majority of fish, scattered from 15 feet to the bottom. With water temperatures in the high 40s, slower speeds worked well, with watermelon, golds, and greens being productive colors. Warmer water temperatures were reported near Stoneport, where anglers found a few coho and Atlantic salmon mixed in with lake trout. Short lead cores and dipsies on shallow sets were most productive.

Thunder Bay River: A decent number of steelhead were still reported to be in the river, with a few fresh fish still showing up. Spawn, beads, and spinners seemed to catch the majority of fish near the 9th Avenue Dam. Anglers targeting walleye found success from the 2nd Avenue Bridge up to the 9th Avenue Bridge early and late in the evenings. Shallow-running crank baits and jigs caught many fish. Smallmouth bass and northern pike were caught throughout the river on spinner baits and tube jigs, with white and chartreuse being the most productive.

Harrisville: Boat anglers did well when fishing for lake trout in 25 to 40 feet of water while trolling spoons using lead core and downriggers. Orange and chartreuse spoons yielded the best results. Deep-diving body baits also produced lake trout. Boat anglers were catching a few Atlantic salmon and some coho salmon when fishing spoons in 30 to 50 feet of water.

Oscoda/Au Sable River: Atlantic salmon were caught off the end of the pier and throughout the lower river. Most fish caught came off minnows or casting spoons in blue/silver and orange/gold. Some walleye were caught by pier anglers throwing deep crank baits, with dawn and dusk being the most productive times. Fire tiger and black/gold crank baits seemed to produce the best results. Boat anglers managed to pick up a few walleye and did well on lake trout and Atlantic salmon when using spoons in 30 to 50 feet of water. Downstream of the Foote Dam, steelhead fishing seemed to slow. However, there were still fish landed off of the gravel. Anglers had the most luck when bottom-bouncing beads, spawn bags, or flies. Anglers float fishing also had luck with beads and flies.

Cheboygan: Walleye anglers were successful when using body baits and curly tail grubs on jig heads. Successful colors were reported to be chartreuse, whites, and pinks. A few steelhead were caught when using bottom-bouncing beads and spawn bags. Suckers were reported to be dense by the drawbridge up to the dam. Smallmouth bass were caught throughout the same areas as the suckers. Lake trout anglers were coming in with bag limits. Those who were successful trolled cowbells with spoons in about 50 feet of water. Good colors were reported to be pinks, blues and chartreuse.

Tawas: Anglers fishing for walleye reported the bite to be sparse, likely due to the wind. A couple northern pike were reported to be caught in the bay. Smallmouth bass and freshwater drum were caught at the mouth of the Tawas River by shore anglers.