Michigan Fishing Reports » Upper Peninsula Waters

08-14-2010 Lake Superior

admin — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 13:47:00 +0000

Captain Brian Helminen From Sandpoint Charters reports from Lac La Belle:

Fishing report for Lake Superior fishing in Bete Gris and Stannard Rock out of Lac la Belle with Sand Point Charters, LLC aboard the Fishin Mission.
With the surface water temperatures warming up to the low 70’s almost all accross Lake Superior, all the fish are down deep. There are some thermoclines from anywhere between 50 feet down to the bottom. Fishing in water as deep as 200 feet, there are still a few Coho being caught, but mainly lake trout in the thermos, and at the bottom.
Dypsy divers and planer boards have been un-productive with fish down deep, so downriggers are almost a necessity. Another option that has always worked well is deep sea trolling with a heavty duty rod and 1 to 2 lb weight on a triangle, pulling a herring dodger and fly or “pop corn” spinner.
Catches of lakers in the 1 to 5 lb range have been most common in close, but larger fish in the 10 lb range at Stannard Rock are more normal.
Most spoons have been working well with Silver Streaks with orange, gold and black are most productive. Speeds of 2 to 2.2 for the laker trout and a little faster for Coho and Steelhead have been good. There have not been many Steelhead or King Salmon caughrt lately though. Kings are few and far between.
Many of us are looking forward to fall fishing for lake trout as the water cools and they come in to shallower waters.
To schedule a charter with Sand Point Charters, call Brian at 906-370-2257 or email brian@sandpointcharters.com. For more informaition, see www.sandpointcharters.com

05-25-2010 Fishing Report Upper Peninsula Waters

admin — Wed, 26 May 2010 14:31:28 +0000

Watta Bite Charter Fishing Glen Arbor Michigan

Fishing out of Glen Arbor has been good. nice catches, of Lake Trout with an occasional Salmon are being caught in Sleeping Bear Bay. Tight on the bank in 50-60′ of water. Cowbells with spin glows, and double orange crush spoons are working well.

South Manitou Island produced some nice Kings over the weekend. Fish between 4 to 16 lbs were caught. Lead core, and copper were hot. Double orange crush and green blue dolphin spoons worked well,
trolling over 100 to 300′ of water.

The weather looks great for the Memorial Day Weekend.

Captain Bill Winowiecki
Port Captain – Michigan Charter Boat Association.

05-12-2010 Lake Michigan U.P

admin — Wed, 12 May 2010 12:48:36 +0000

Captain Dick Stafford of Take Five Charters reports from the U.P Lake Michigan and Superior: Perch fishing on the Bays de Noc has slowed down a great deal from two weeks ago. A few browns and splake have been caught around the Cedar River Area just south of Escanaba. Walleye opener is expected to be moderate at best. Numbers of spawning walleye were down this past Spring. Meanwhile, cohos were up around Marquette, Autrain, and Munising. Coho fishing saw good catches around Grand Maris Harbor. Steelhead are being caught off the Chocolay River in Marquette. The sudden cold and windy conditions have, however, slowed up limit catches. As the weather warms, the catching should improve.

Asian Carp Ypsilanti Town Hall Meeting Video

admin — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 23:18:47 +0000

Testimony before Congress by GLFC Chair Dr. Mike Hanson

admin — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 22:20:24 +0000

Written testimony before Congress on February 9th by Great Lakes Fishery Commission Chair Mike Hanson “The Great Lakes Fishery Commission” has more than 50 years experience controlling the invasive sea lamprey”

Written Testimony to Congress on Asian Carp

Video of the testimony

Carp Summit

admin — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 14:08:13 +0000

Governors of five Great Lake’s state met with President Barack Obama’s administration to work out a plan to prevent Asian Carp from reaching Lake Michigan, which would allow their movement into the other Great Lakes.

The Army Corp and other agencies are doing a great deal of testing and scientific work throughout the region and have committed significant resources in the $75-80 million range.

Although the governors and federal officials found many common solutions they could not convince officials to close navigational locks which lead into Lake Michigan but left the summit with this option is still on the table.

Officials hope to have a final report by next month, which will provide more information about the navigational locks.

Although all admit that closure of the locks is not the single answer to this by any means. The navigational locks were not built as fish barriers, so closing them will not necessarily prevent the carp from reaching the Great Lakes.

Illinois Governor Flynn said shipping from Chicago would have to be rerouted at currently undetermined costs if the navigational locks are closed.

The summit was a first step to convince the administration is that the long-term effects of allowing the carp are irreversible,” he said. “The effects of closing the locks and moving some of that shipping to rail and truck are not.”

Please join with us and sign the petition at http://www.stopasiancarp.com

Don’t forget Lake Trout season is closed!

admin — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 16:08:35 +0000

Don’t forget Lake Trout season is closed! They are in close spawning right now, so if you
catch one be sure to throw it back.

Additional funds for the “Great Lakes Fishery and Ecosystem Restoration Program

admin — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 00:07:44 +0000

ENERGY AND WATER” BILL TO BRING SIGNIFICANT HABITAT IMPROVEMENTS TO THE GREAT LAKES

Congress provides, and the president accepts, additional funds for the “Great Lakes Fishery and Ecosystem Restoration Program”

ANN ARBOR, MI—The Great Lakes Fishery Commission today commended Congress and the president on the passage and signing into law of the fiscal 2010 Energy and Water Appropriations bill, legislation that funds essential water projects throughout the United States. The bill, signed October 28th, 2009, includes $2.4 million for the Great Lakes Fishery and Ecosystem Restoration Program (GLFER), a program authorizing the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to partner with state and local agencies or private groups to implement projects that protect and restore habitat, fisheries, and the Great Lakes ecosystem.

The Great Lakes comprise a nationally and internationally significant fishery and ecosystem that requires restoration and improvement. To further that goal, the Water Resources Development Act of 2000 authorized $100 million for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to partner with state and local agencies and non-governmental organizations to plan, implement, and evaluate projects that support the restoration of the fishery and the ecosystem.

“Since its inception, GLFER has brought much-needed restoration dollars to the Great Lakes region for projects such as dam removal, fish passage around barriers, shoreline improvements, and fish and wildlife habitat recovery,” said William Culligan of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, chair of the GLFER Review Committee. “The funds provided for fiscal 2010 will allow the corps to work with state and local agencies, and perhaps non-governmental organizations, to complete projects already in progress and to begin new high-priority restoration initiatives.”

“The GLFER program is an excellent example of partnerships,” Culligan added. “Through GLFER, agencies throughout the Great Lakes basin collaborate to plan and implement projects, leverage resources, and incorporate science into the program. Overall, GLFER has been a tremendous asset to the region and has allowed for key restoration projects to move forward. I commend Congress and the president for providing greater attention to this important initiative.”

A list of current GLFER projects is online at www.glfc.int/glfer

The Great Lakes Fishery Commission is an international organization established by the United States and Canada through the 1954 Convention on Great Lakes Fisheries. The commission has the responsibility to support fisheries research, control the invasive sea lamprey, and facilitate implementation of A Joint Strategic Plan for Management of Great Lakes Fisheries, a provincial, state, and tribal fisheries management agreement. The commission is also responsible for facilitating the operations of the GLFER Review Committee, a committee of state, tribal, and non-governmental observers tasked with reviewing and making recommendations potential GLFER projects. For more information about the commission and GLFER, visit www.glfc.int and www.glfc.int/glfer.

For Immediate Release
October 29, 2009
Contact: Dr. Marc Gaden
734-662-3209 x 14
734-417-8012 (cell)

10-22-2009 Upper Peninsula Fishing Report

admin — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 15:53:20 +0000

According to the Michigan DNR

Carp River – Is still reporting a few salmon in the upper river.

Chocolay River – Had a few reports of coho being caught.

Menominee – Walleye were reported by those trolling stick baits or rapalas near Chambers Island and Green Island. Up near the Cedar River, walleye fishing was good at night when trolling in 18 to 25 feet of water north to Deadman’s Point and beyond. Walleye and bass were caught down near Hayward Bay.

Menominee River – Anglers were fishing from the mouth to the Hattie Street Dam. A few boats trolling for walleye did fair to good. Most were wading from Stephenson and Boom Island or shore fishing from the Cat Walk or the platform near the dam. Fish can be seen however catch rates were slow. Brown trout were jumping and a few were caught. Salmon and steelhead action was slow.

Little Bay De Noc – Walleye have migrated up into the northern parts of the Bay and catch rates were fair. Anglers that fished before dawn or at dusk did best between the First Reef and the Black Bottom when trolling stick baits in 8 to 30 feet of water along the reefs and the east bank. Northern pike were very active as several large fish were caught by those trolling crank baits or stick baits straight out from the coal piles near Gladstone. Try 12 to 23 feet of water. Good smallmouth catches reported throughout the Bay especially off Hunter’s Point and Squaw Point.

Day’s River – The salmon runs are just about done but several nice catches of steelhead were reported when casting spawn or yarn.

Big Bay De Noc – Continues to provide excellent smallmouth bass fishing from Fayette south to Snake Island. Most are drifting minnows 15 to 35 feet down

Drummond Island – Perch fishing was still slow. The waters had cleared up some and a few fish were taken in 12 feet of water between Rutland Island and James Island. Early morning was best.

Cedarville and Hessel – A few perch have been caught in Musky Bay and the Middle Entrance when using a red teardrop with a minnow in 6 to 12 feet of water. A few fish were also caught off Little Joe Island. Near Cedarville, Bush Creek still has a few salmon coming in. Anglers are casting an artificial orange egg on a single hook with a couple of split shots.

Carp River – Anglers are catching the occasional coho and steelhead when casting spawn at the mouth.

Nunn’s Creek – Those fishing down near the mouth in the waters of Lake Huron are still taking some nice silver chinook salmon when using spawn.

St. Ignace – Anglers are targeting salmon while fishing off the docks in the early morning before daylight and after dark.

10-09-2009 Michigan Upper Peninsula Fishing Report

admin — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 19:08:28 +0000

According to the MDNR

Keweenaw Bay - Angler participation was down due to rain and windy conditions. Those able to get out did manage to catch a few coho. In Traverse Bay, pier anglers were starting to pick up a few coho along with the occasional lake trout. Try Cleo’s or big spinners.

Carp River - Salmon action has picked up.

Chocolay River - Salmon action here picked up in the upper river.

Dead River - Action is still spotty with a few chinook and pink salmon reported.

Menominee - Those trolling spoons north and south of the river have caught a few chinook, steelhead and brown trout. Blue and silver were good colors. Up near the Cedar River, walleye were caught at night off Deadmans’ Point. Some nice walleye along with a few bass were caught as far south as Hayward Bay by those using rapalas, crawler harnesses or stick baits.

Menominee River - Smaller brown trout and steelhead were caught up near the dam by those wading near the rocks in the middle. Anglers are reminded to use extreme caution when wading that close to the gates as the rocks are slippery. A nice brown trout weighing in at 15.5 pounds was caught on spawn near the rocks on the Michigan side. Walleye are being caught from the Cat Walk after dark when using jigs with crawlers, zip lures, or rapalas.

Little Bay De Noc - Walleye were caught by those trolling stick baits in 9 to 15 feet of water around the island that is south of the Ford River. Lots of small walleye were caught between the Escanaba River and the Black Bottom when trolling or drifting crawlers in 10 to 25 feet of water. A few perch were taken in the Narrows when jigging minnows in 18 to 30 feet of water.

Ford River - Salmon are in however high water levels lowered the catch rates.

Big Bay De Noc - Had fair to good catches of smallmouth bass as the fish are congregating along the break between Fayette and Snake Island. Some nice fish were caught when drifting minnows 15 to 30 feet down. Off Fairport, a couple salmon were caught when trolling spoons 40 to 90 feet down in 110 to 130 feet of water.

De Tour - Had limited fishing pressure however those going out and targeting salmon are trolling the shipping channel to the #3 Green Can and fishing 60 feet down with yellow flies and silver flashers. De Tour Point is producing a few walleye. Try crawler harnesses or stick baits. Upstream, a few walleye were caught on pink and pearl beads when fishing off Swedes Point and the west side of Pipe Island.

Drummond Island - Small schools of perch were found on the south side of Ashman Island. Strong winds have the waters stained in Scott Bay.

Cedarville and Hessel - Pier anglers off Hessel are catching a few smallmouth bass and some small pike. Splake are also present, but the season is closed. A few chinook were harvested by anglers casting spoons. Hessel Bay is producing light numbers of perch in 14 feet of water. In the Snows Channel, anglers are casting spinner baits in shallow waters for smallmouth bass. Musky Bay and the Middle Entrance are producing a few perch. Early morning is best with minnows in 5 to 12 feet of water.

Carp River - Is providing some action with chinook and pink salmon caught by shore anglers at the mouth when casting spawn or blue, silver and orange stick baits. Beds have been spotted in the deeper holes up near McDonald Rapids.

Nunn’s Creek - Salmon are present however anglers must wade or fish from shore in the waters of Lake Huron. Anglers are casting black stone flies.

St. Ignace - Boat activity was low however shore anglers near the ferry docks have caught a few chinook when casting spoons, small Cleo’s or silver and green J-Plugs.