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Northeast Lower Peninsula
Presque Isle: Fishing pressure was down, but anglers who did make it out reported good catches of lake trout, Chinook, steelhead and coho. Depths of 50 to 150 feet of water were productive, with a wide variety of baits and colors catching fish. Good numbers of bait were reported all throughout the water column from the old lighthouse as far north as Black Point. Anglers reported catching walleye 15 to 30 feet down while targeting steelhead. Golds, greens and coppers worked best.
Rockport: Anglers who targeted lake trout did the best in around 100 feet of water. A few walleye were also reported to be caught while fishing that depth. Anglers did not report many Chinook being caught, but those that were caught could be found in 30 to 60 feet of water. Walleye anglers who fished during the day did not have much luck and reported better fishing at night.
Alpena: A few Chinook were caught off the pier and in the waters of the bay. Those who trolled spoons and plugs found success in 20 to 40 feet of water early and late in the day. Pier anglers caught a few Chinook while casting stick baits and heavy spoons. Anglers who fished Thunder Bay Island to the Nordmeer wreck had decent catches of lake trout, steelhead, Chinook and the occasional walleye fishing in 90 to 140 feet of water. A wide variety of spoons, plugs and flasher/fly combos were productive. The majority of trout were caught closer to bottom, while silver fish were targeted 15 to 60 feet down. Walleye anglers had success trolling crankbaits in 10 to 25 feet of water along the north shore and Sulphur and Scarecrow islands after dark. Using black/gold, blue/silver and purples yielded the best results.
Thunder Bay River: A fair number of Chinook, along with a few coho, were moving in and out of the river. Crankbaits, spoons and spawn caught a few fish from shore, while those trolling had on-and-off success with spoons and J-plugs. A few pike and bass were caught by anglers who used spinners, crawlers and leaches from 2nd Avenue to the 9th Avenue Bridge.
Rogers City: Most anglers targeted Chinook that were staging off Swan Bay. Anglers fished from 10 to 90 feet of water and used lead core, downriggers, copper dipseys and highlines. Running lines throughout the water column yielded the best results. Anglers also used spoons, J-plugs, flashers with flies or squids, and meat rigs. Good colors were greens, blues, black and white, oranges and chartreuse. The best success for salmon was before sunup and after sundown.
Au Gres: Perch fishing picked up near the mouth of the Pine River. Anglers who had the best luck were jigging spoon-tipped minnows in about 15 feet of water. Near the Au Gres River mouth, anglers reported seeing a few decent-sized walleye as well as some bass.
Oscoda/Au Sable: The vast majority of anglers targeted Chinook at the end of the pier or in boats around the river mouth. Anglers reported catching Chinook as well as a couple coho. However, warm weather later in the week caused salmon fishing to slow. Anglers who fished the river had good luck with smallmouth bass and the occasional pike. Anglers also reported the early morning being the best chance to get a bite.
Cheboygan: Hot weather and little rain slowed the salmon bite in Cheboygan. Chinook salmon were caught from the shore at the dam and at the pier. Boat anglers were more successful when trolling a way out in front of the river mouth. Night fishing was reported as good for both boat and pier anglers.