Tawas/Au Gres: Smallmouth bass were caught and released by boat anglers. Those fishing from shore at the Tawas River mouth reported slow fishing overall with only a few freshwater drum and catfish being caught.
In Au Gres, Boat anglers fishing straight out of Au Gres caught some walleye with numbers averaging at two to five fish per boat in around 28 feet of water. Boat anglers heading out from the Pine River seemed to see better numbers trolling the shallower water. Both crawlers and body baits produced catches. Northern pike, channel catfish, freshwater drum and white bass were also caught. Shore anglers targeting panfish reported slow fishing.
Alpena: Walleye anglers reported success in Thunder Bay while trolling crankbaits during low-light conditions. Crawler harnesses had hit-or-miss success during the day in 12 to 20 feet of water. With high winds, fish were scattered throughout the bay.
Anglers fishing 40 to 80 feet of water had success with lake trout using spoons and Spin-N-Glos fished lower in the water column. Atlantic salmon and a few coho salmon were taken on spoons fished higher in the water column, with orange, watermelon, and chartreuse proving productive.
Smallmouth bass were found in 5 to 10 feet of water, with white, black, and silver jigs working well.
Thunder Bay River: Decent numbers of walleye were caught throughout the river on jigs, crawlers, and body baits. Natural colors worked best throughout the day. Atlantic salmon were caught while casting smaller body baits and spinners in blue/silver, green/silver, and gold. Good numbers of catfish were taken by anglers fishing with crawlers on the bottom during the evenings and after dark.
Rockport: Atlantic salmon were caught from shore on minnows as well as small spoons. Boat anglers reported success on lake trout in 25 to 80 feet of water. Fish remained well scattered, with water temperatures in the mid-40s. Spoons in chartreuse, white, and watermelon were productive, as well as dodgers and Spin-N-Glos. A few steelhead were taken while fishing bright-colored spoons high in the water column. Bass anglers reported decent smallmouth fishing near Bell Bay in 5 to 10 feet of water while using plastic swimbaits.
Cheboygan: The Cheboygan Lock and Dam Complex remains closed to the public. Lake trout were plentiful this past week. Anglers were very successful at Poe Reef, Reynolds Reef, and Cordwood Point in 40 to 60 feet of water. They primarily hit spoons, with occasional catches on Spin-N-Glos and flashers. Productive colors included green, yellow, and orange.
In the Cheboygan River, walleye and steelhead were reported. Walleye reports increased as the week progressed. Shore anglers drifted various combinations of jigs and live bait, while boat anglers drifted nightcrawlers exclusively. Some anglers came close to their bag limits for walleye, although most caught one fish per trip.
Steelhead anglers were successful while drifting beads. Both walleye and steelhead were caught between the State Street drawbridge and the Cheboygan pedestrian walkway bridge.
Oscoda/Au Sable: Anglers casting bandits and deep husky jerks off the pierhead found some walleye. Anglers trolling scatter raps in the lower river and around the pierhead picked up walleye. A handful of Atlantic salmon were taken by anglers drifting minnows under a bobber in the lower river. Lake trout fishing was reported great with limits being taken in 50 to 70 feet of water on spoons and dodgers/Spin-N-Glos. A handful of coho salmon, steelhead and pink salmon were also caught by anglers trolling spoons.
Harrisville: Anglers casting in the harbor caught pike and smallmouth. Anglers targeting lake trout in 50 to 65 feet of water did well this week on spoons and Spin-N-Glos. A few coho salmon, Atlantic salmon and steelhead were also caught in 50 to 65 feet of water.
Rogers City: Lake trout were plentiful, and many anglers limited out. The best depths were 30 to 70 feet of water. Running lines throughout the water column produced the best results. Attractors with Spin-N-Glos worked well in the bottom 10 feet. Spoons were also productive, particularly in green, blue, orange, and yellow colors. Lead cores, downriggers, and dipsy divers were all effective.
Some Atlantic salmon were also caught in the top 30 feet of the water column. Anglers had success using brightly colored, smaller spoons.
Presque Isle: Lake trout fishing was very good, and most anglers limited out. The best depths were 40 to 90 feet of water. Anglers ran lines throughout the water column for the best results. Spoons, as well as attractors with Spin-N-Glos or Spin-N-Glo flies, were productive. Effective colors included green, blue, white, yellow, orange, gold, and copper.
There were occasional catches of steelhead, coho salmon, and Chinook salmon. The Atlantic salmon were found in the top 20 feet of the water column, while the other silver species were caught by running lines throughout the water column.
