NORTHEAST LOWER PENINSULA

Alpena: Walleye fishing remained hit-or-miss near shore in Thunder Bay. High winds and fluctuating water temperatures caused fish to scatter. A few fish were caught in 14 to 18 feet of water near the cement plant and Grass Island on crawler harnesses and deep-diving crank baits. Catfish, freshwater drum, and a few northern pike were also caught. Sulfur and Scarecrow Islands were productive, with most fish being caught after dark on crank baits. Purples, chartreuse, and blue/silver were the most productive colors. Walleye and smallmouth bass were found along North Shore to North Point. Blade baits and jigging plastics were good for bass around the rocks in eight to 12 feet of water, while deep-diving crank baits and spoons produced walleye in 16 to 25 feet of water. Those targeting the 60- to 90-foot depths found good numbers of lake trout, as well as Atlantic salmon, Chinook salmon, and steelhead. Flashers and Spin-n-Glos in chartreuse worked well for trout near the bottom, while salmon and steelhead were found in the top half of the water column. Standard-sized spoons in green, gold, and orange were most productive for silver fish.

Thunder Bay River: The Thunder Bay River was producing catfish, freshwater drum, smallmouth bass, and the occasional walleye. Crawler harnesses fished near the bottom caught the majority of the fish throughout the day.

Rockport: Good numbers of steelhead, salmon, and lake trout were caught by anglers. Fish were scattered top to bottom from Middle Island to Stoneport. Flashers/Spin-n-Glos caught lake trout near the bottom, while chartreuse, watermelon, and gold/orange spoons saw the best results in the middle of the water column. Anglers found fish in anywhere from 30 to 90 feet of water. A few bonus catches of walleye and pink salmon were reported from lines run at 20 to 35 feet down in 50 to 70 feet of water.

Rogers City: Anglers who targeted the 40-Mile Point area reported catching a mixed bag. Good numbers of lake trout were caught, along with an occasional steelhead, Atlantic salmon, coho salmon, pink salmon, and Chinook salmon. The steelhead, coho salmon, and Atlantic salmon were most commonly found in the top 25 feet of water. Regular-size spoons in bright and flashy colors worked well. Lake trout were caught all throughout the water column. Flashers with Spin-n-Glos did better near the bottom. Chinook salmon catches came early and late, with a few midday, as well. Anglers fishing early and late were using spoons that glow for best results and were catching them around the middle part of the water column. Good colors were reported to be greens, blues, white and black, and oranges. Anglers fishing south between Swan Bay and Adams Point were fishing similar stuff.

Harrisville: Lake trout fishing remained decent, with anglers beginning to target deeper water. A few Atlantic salmon and steelhead were reportedly caught offshore trolling spoons on lead core and downriggers. Walleye fishing remained slow.

Cheboygan: Anglers targeting lake trout found fish just south of Reynold’s Reef trolling Spin-n-Glos between 15 and 25 feet of water. Good colors used for Spin-n-Glos were pink/white and purple/chartreuse. Steelhead, coho salmon, Atlantic salmon, and pink salmon were all caught within the top 25 feet of water using spoons that were orange, pink, silver, or chartreuse. Keeper-sized pike were caught off the first lighthouse from the mouth of the Cheboygan River. Smaller pike, between 10 and 18 inches, were found off the Cheboygan pier. Smallmouth bass and rock bass were being caught all throughout the Cheboygan River. Some keeper-sized smallmouth bass were caught across from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources field station and below the dam. A couple drum and carp were caught, as well. Most anglers reported using night crawlers.