Ontonagon River: Anglers are catching walleye and bass however they were throwing back more than they were keeping.
Keweenaw Bay: The bite has slowed as surface water temperatures were near 75 degrees. Few salmon and perch have been caught. Lake trout were caught by those jigging in 240 to 280 feet of water but those anglers were working hard. The South Portage Entry was producing a few lake trout near Farmers Reef in 130 to 150 feet of water. Catch rates for lake trout were fair in Traverse Bay along the reefs including Big Reef. A couple coho were also caught. Anglers were trolling on the bottom in 140 to 150 feet of water. Best trolling speed was between 2.2 and 2.4 mph.
Marquette: Had lots of anglers getting one or two lake trout per hour. Best areas to fish were east of the White Rocks, Little Presque Isle, and towards Granite Island. Anglers are using a variety of colors with flies and spoons. Depths vary from 180 to 200 feet or as little as 100 feet or less with highlines. Fish were caught by those trolling or jigging near the “Sand Hole” in 120 to 150 feet of water. Stannard Rock remains consistent with most fish averaging five to 15 pounds. Try jigging with suckers. Water temperatures are still in he low 70’s. No salmon or steelhead to report.
Menominee: Is producing chinook, steelhead and brown trout in 100 feet of water near Green Island. Surface water temperatures were in the mid 70’s. Walleye were caught by those trolling crawler harnesses in 12 to 15 feet of water. Those fishing off the Cedar River caught mostly chinook salmon out near the Whalesback.
Menominee River: Continues to produce smallmouth bass, channel cats, freshwater drum, pike and walleye for those trolling crawler harnesses or different colored rapalas. Shore anglers are targeting walleye and smallmouth in the late evening.
Cedar River: Had no changes, still producing sub-legal smallmouth bass along with some rock bass and freshwater drum.
Little Bay De Noc: The better walleye fishing was near the Escanaba River when trolling or drifting crawlers in 14 to 30 feet of water from the southern end of the “Black Bottom” , the East Bank and over to the coal docks. Several limits were reported. A few anglers were fishing crawler harnesses in 20 to 35 feet of water down near the “Fingers” and the Minneapolis Shoals. Fair perch fishing northeast of Butler Island when drifting crawlers in 16 to 32 feet of water. Salmon anglers were following the baitfish. Some were shallow 32 feet down in 50 feet of water while others were 65 to 90 feet down in 110 to 140 feet of water.
Big Bay De Noc: Rumor has it a few walleye were caught between the “Boot” and the shoals area. Smallmouth bass fishing was fair as the fish were seeking deeper water due to heat. Try fishing 20 to 30 feet of water in Kate’s Bay and Garden Bluff. Panfish anglers caught rock bass and perch in 10 to 12 feet of water in Garden Bay. Fairport had good to excellent catches 50 to 90 feet down in waters 80 to 110 feet deep or 65 to 96 feet down in 110 to 140 feet of water. The size of the fish caught is down from last year however the number of fish caught is definitely up. Hot colors were black, green, red, anything that glows or anything with a big eye.
Au Train: Lake trout fishing was fair as anglers averaged two to five fish in a five hour trip. Try the shipping lanes and the flats of Shelter Bay. The fish averaged three to four pounds and a few were close to 10 pounds. Those jigging east of Au Train Island had poor results. No salmon to report this week. An algae bloom was still present as water temperatures were still in the low 70’s.
Munising: Boat anglers were targeting lake trout almost exclusively. Early morning is best on the west side of Grand Island, Grand Portal Point, Trout Bay, Wood Island and Trout Reef. Boat anglers caught a mix of chinook and splake around Grand Island. Pier fishing for splake was poor and perch fishing was fair with a lot of throw backs. Surface water temperatures were in the low 70’s.
Grand Marais: Boat anglers targeting lake trout had fair to good success. Trips were yielding five to 15 fish averaging two to four pounds. Try 120 to 250 feet of water five to seven miles north of the bay or between the Au Sable Point Lighthouse and Grand Marais. Some caught salmon when trolling east or west of the bay in 50 to 60 feet of water. Chinook were averaging eight pounds while the coho averaged three pounds. Reports from Big Reef indicate the presence of some nice fish being caught. Shore anglers caught a few small pike when casting in the weeds. Pier fishing was slow.
St. Mary’s River: Good numbers of walleye are hitting near Raber Bay Point and Carlton Creek. Anglers do best trolling crawling harnesses and bottom bouncers in 8 to 12 feet of water in the early morning until 10 am. Muskie have been caught off Kemps Point in Munuscong Bay. They are doing catch and release in the West Bay when trolling large crank baits in eight to 12 feet of water near the weed beds. Anglers are reminded to be careful of rocks and sandbars while boating.
DeTour: Is producing excellent numbers of Atlantic salmon and lake trout when trolling 90 feet of water between lighthouse and first red buoy on the south end of Drummond Island. Fish are hitting 45 feet down on small orange and gold spoons.
Cedarville and Hessel: Perch are slow throughout Cedarville and Hessel. The channels are simply too warm. Smallmouth bass are being picked up in Musky Bay, Middle Entrance and off the end of the Hessel Marina Pier when using minnows. A few anglers are still-fishing for pike with chubs in 10 to 15 feet of water.
St. Ignace: Salmon fishing is fair with late evening producing the best. Temperatures have been too hot for a good daytime fishery. Salmon and lake trout are hitting 45 feet down in 80 feet of water.