The Michigan Department of Natural Resources

Northeast Lower Peninsula

Presque Isle: Fishing pressure was low; however, those who made it out had good success. North Bay to Black Point was good for Chinook, coho, steelhead and lake trout. Salmon were caught from 40 to 70 feet of water while fishing the middle of the column. Using J-plugs and spoons in yellows, greens and blues was the most productive. Lake trout were found in 50 to 100 feet of water closer to the bottom. Fishing with watermelon, white and chartreuse spoons caught good numbers of fish. Steelhead were scattered in all depths in the top 30 feet of water, with oranges and golds being the most productive colors.

Rockport: Anglers caught their limits of lake trout while fishing in anywhere from 90 to 130 feet of water. The walleye bite slowed, but anglers reported the best bite being at night. Salmon were caught, but not in great numbers. Anglers found the majority of them in 30 to 60 feet of water.

Alpena: Walleye anglers had success fishing from Whitefish Point to Thunder Bay Island. Gold, purple and black/silver body baits caught fish in the evenings from 15 to 25 feet of water. Partridge Point and Sulphur Island produced walleye after dark on crankbaits in 10 to 15 feet of water. Anglers had luck catching Chinook in the bay while running longlines with plugs, body baits and spoons on short lead cores. Black, purple and chartreuse were most productive early and late in the day. Pier anglers had success casting glow spoons and body baits after dark.

Thunder Bay River: A few walleye were caught near Mill Island Park while casting body baits after dark, with fire tiger patterns yielding the best results. Anglers who targeted Chinook had hit-or-miss success trolling plugs and casting spoons early and late in the day. A few fish were caught by anglers who drifted spawn between the dam and 9th Avenue Bridge. Due to warm water temperatures, no large numbers of fish were reported.

Rogers City: Chinook salmon were staging off Swan Bay. Early in the morning or later in the day seemed to be better fishing. Anglers were long-lining bombers and J-plugs off planer boards. The best depths were inside 40 feet of water. Anglers reported heavy presence of bait fish, with immature salmon, steelhead, lake trout and walleye feeding on them. The best bite was reported to be in the evening as the sun is going down, with the best depths being where the bait was located, in around 50 to 70 feet of water. Anglers who used greens, yellows, blues and glow stuff early and late have had good success. Anglers used downriggers, dipsies and lead core as well.

Au Gres: Perch anglers did not seem to have much luck, but those who did reported using natural bait, such as jigging minnows.

Oscoda/Au Sable: Not many anglers were out on the water, but those who made it out reported catching steelhead and walleye in around 100 feet of water. Pier anglers reported an increase in the amount of Chinook and coho salmon caught off the pier. Anglers reported that using spoons at dawn and dusk seemed to work best.

Cheboygan: Salmon fishing improved in Cheboygan, but the run was not yet in full swing. Both the pier and the dam produced fish for shore anglers, with spawn, spoons and jointed crankbaits being the most popular lures. The current was fast due to three dam gates being open, which made floating a bobber more difficult. Boat anglers targeted salmon in the river channel and lake trout around the nearby reefs. The best salmon fishing continued to be at night or early morning, though they could be caught at any time.

Tawas: Walleye anglers were content with their catch when trolling both natural and artificial bait at around 70 feet of water. A couple coho salmon made an appearance and were caught by anglers using spoons.

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