Northeast Lower Peninsula

Alpena: Boat anglers found success trolling for walleye in 8 to 16 feet of water. Natural colored crank baits along with purple and chartreuse worked well between the cement plant and Grass Island. Those trolling for lake trout found good numbers near Thunder Bay Island in 30 to 60 feet of water. A few Atlantic salmon and coho salmon were taken on short lead core lines with orange, pinks, and watermelon working best. Pier anglers caught a good number of smallmouth bass with a few pike mixed in. A few walleye were reported by those casting stickbaits after dark with black/gold and black/silver being most productive.

Thunder Bay River: A few anglers were still having success drifting beads for steelhead. The suckers were reported to be in their peak and anglers were having success while using crawlers. Walleye anglers reported fishing as slow. A few smallmouth bass and northern pike were caught by those casting small crank baits and spinners in white, chartreuse, and yellow.

Rockport: While anglers reported no salmon activity, the lake trout fishing was reported as strong. Anglers found lake trout in depths of 20 to 50 feet of water from Stoneport to Middle Island. Orange, gold, and green spoons worked well on short lead cores as well as long lining crank baits.

Cheboygan: Cheboygan city boat launch is available for use, but the Cheboygan County marina boat launches have not been slid into the water yet. The cleaning station is also closed. Steelhead fishing slowed due to suckers running upriver. Those that had luck for steelhead reported beads and spawn bags as good bait choices. Walleye anglers had the best luck when drifting live minnows or jigging soft plastic minnows. A few nice-sized pike were reported to have been caught at the spillway as well.

Oscoda / Lower Ausable River: Anglers trolling in 20 to 35 feet of water did well on lake trout while pulling spoons. Orange and green were reported to have been hot colors. Anglers targeting walleye off the pier and lower river found some nice fish but had to work for them. Deep thunder sticks and bandits were popular for walleye off the pier. Those fishing for Atlantic salmon with spoons and minnows found a few fresh fish. Orange/gold K.O Wobblers were popular. Steelhead fishing in the lower Au Sable River was reported as good with anglers catching a mix of fresh fish and drop backs. Anglers fishing Foote Dam had decent results when bottom bouncing beads.