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All anglers 17 years of age and older are required to have a fishing license.
Northeast Lower Peninsula
Tawas/Au Gres: Wind kept most boat anglers off the water. The anglers who were able to fish reported slow fishing when targeting walleye and yellow perch. Coho salmon and Chinook salmon were caught in the Tawas River on spawn and various artificial baits.
Alpena: Boat anglers targeting 40 to 60 feet of water had some success on lake trout, along with a few Atlantic salmon and coho salmon. Fish were still well scattered throughout the water column. A few walleye were also caught using standard-sized spoons on leadcore and downriggers. Anglers reported slow Chinook salmon action, with only a few fish caught.
Thunder Bay River: While anglers reported seeing both coho salmon and Chinook salmon, the catch rate was low. Anglers who found success drifted spawn and beads. Casting glow spoons produced a few fish after dark. A few Atlantic salmon were caught while casting spinners and drifting beads.
Rockport: Anglers targeting lake trout had success in 55 to 100 feet of water on spoons, flashers, and Spin-N-Glos. With cold water moving in, the majority of fish were caught in the top 40 feet of water. A few salmon were caught in the same depth on medium-sized spoons. Walleye anglers reported slow fishing, with only a few fish caught. Pier anglers had no success.
Cheboygan: Anglers at the Cheboygan Dam spillway caught low numbers of Chinook salmon, along with an occasional coho salmon, pink salmon, or steelhead. A handful of Chinook salmon were caught at the Cheboygan pier. Salmon and trout were caught when casting small spoons or minnow-style crankbaits, as well as drifted or bottom-bounced beads and spawn.
Small walleye, smallmouth bass, and rock bass were also caught between the Cheboygan Dam and State Street drawbridge while drifting nightcrawlers.
Oscoda: Boat anglers trolling spoons early in the morning caught a few coho salmon and Atlantic salmon off the pierhead in 15 to 30 feet of water. A few Chinook salmon were also caught on spoons and J-plugs. Anglers casting from the pier found similar success, catching a few coho salmon and Chinook salmon while casting spoons, spinners, and body baits early in the morning. Blue and silver, orange, and green were popular spoon colors, while fire-tiger and clown were effective patterns for body baits such as Bandits or J-13s. Anglers casting body baits or jigheads with split-tail plastics off the pier caught walleye at dusk.
Harrisville: Anglers targeting coho salmon and Chinook salmon in the harbor found limited success while casting spoons, spinners, and Jr. thundersticks. A few salmon were caught this week along with a steelhead, with dawn and dusk being the most productive times.
Rogers City: Adult Chinook salmon were present in 20 to 30 feet of water off Swan Bay. Anglers trolled plugs and Bombers off planar boards. Lake trout and immature Chinook salmon, along with the occasional steelhead, coho salmon, and walleye, were caught outside of the bay or straight out from the harbor. Lines were set throughout the water column near baitfish. Spoons were the most effective choice, with standard-sized and slim-profile models performing best. Effective lure colors included white, green, blue, orange, yellow, and glow patterns during early morning and late evening hours.
Presque Isle: Anglers were sparse due to rough and windy weather conditions. When boat anglers were able to get out, lake trout were caught off Stoneport and between the lighthouses. An occasional Chinook salmon was caught off Stoneport, False Presque Isle, and off the Grand River outlet north of the marina. Steelhead, coho salmon, and walleye were caught incidentally. The most productive depths ranged from 45 to 80 feet of water, with lines set throughout the water column. Anglers trolled a mix of J-Plugs and spoons. Effective lure colors included white, green, blue, orange, and glow patterns during early morning and late evening hours.
Northwest Lower Peninsula
Manistee: Anglers targeting salmon reported slow fishing. A few fish were caught just outside the pierheads and in Manistee Lake by boat anglers trolling plugs and jigging spoons. Pier fishing was fair for anglers targeting Chinook salmon and coho salmon while casting spoons. Anglers fishing along the shelf reported a few Chinook salmon, coho salmon, and steelhead in the top 40 feet of water in 150 to 200 feet of water. Fish were caught using spoons and plugs in glow, purple, and orange colors.
Ludington: Pier fishing was very slow, though a few salmon were caught during late night hours. Boat anglers trolling for chinook salmon caught a limited number in the channel, in the harbor, and straight out in 50 to 80 feet of water. Salmon and a few steelhead were also caught to the northwest in 60 to 80 feet of water, as well as in 60 to 140 feet of water at and around Big Sauble Point in the top 40 feet of water using spoons and plugs. Steelhead were caught on orange colors.
Charlevoix: Water temperatures cooled significantly over the past week, with the temperature break holding near 35 feet down. Boat anglers trolling reported inconsistent salmon catches throughout the week. Chinook salmon were found 40 to 80 feet down in more than 80 feet of water, while an occasional coho salmon was caught in the upper 40 feet. Anglers targeting fish near Medusa Creek reported slow but steady action early in the morning while drifting skein or casting and trolling body baits.
Little Traverse Bay: Boat anglers targeting salmon reported slow action near the end of the Petoskey breakwall while trolling in roughly 30 feet of water. Anglers casting spoons and body baits off the pier and Clock Dock reported steady results. Anglers targeting salmon in the Bear River reported catches on flies and skein. An occasional steelhead was caught while drifting the river and trolling from boats.
East Grand Traverse Bay: Anglers heading south of the Center Road launch caught lake trout along with a few Chinook salmon when trolling in 80 to 140 feet of water. A mix of plugs and spoons worked well. A few cisco were caught around Old Mission roughly 50 to 70 feet down in 90 to 120 feet of water.
West Grand Traverse Bay: Lake trout along with a few Chinook salmon were caught by boat anglers trolling in 120 to 150 feet of water along the west bank just north of Elmwood Marina. A mix of spoons and flasher-fly combinations worked well. Boat anglers trolling near the Red 6 Buoy in 100 to 120 feet of water caught a few lake trout. Anglers caught salmon while trolling in 100 to 125 feet of water near the mouth of the Boardman River.
Leland: Anglers targeted Chinook salmon on the First Bank in 100 to 300 feet of water. Water temperature was reported to be 42 degrees from the surface down to 100 feet of water. Fishing was sporadic with no thermocline present. Anglers targeted all portions of the water column, catching coho salmon and Chinook salmon in 30 to 60 feet of water on blue and orange trolling spoons. Lake trout fishing was productive in 100 to 120 feet of water using attractors such as cowbells fished directly on the bottom. Pier anglers had the best success catching Chinook salmon before sunrise while drifting skein.
Frankfort/Lake Michigan: Cooler water moved into the area along with Chinook salmon and coho salmon. Chinook salmon continued to move into the Betsie River in lower numbers, with anglers reporting good action in deeper holes. Pier anglers casting spoons and rigging alewives reported very good fishing during late evening and early morning hours. Boat anglers trolling offshore in the early morning and evening reported good numbers of 2-year-old Chinook salmon, coho salmon, and an occasional steelhead.
Onekama/Lake Michigan: Anglers trolling the channel and just out front of the light house reported a few coho salmon caught on spoons in the early morning hours.
Northport/Suttons Bay: Boat anglers targeted yellow perch throughout Suttons Bay, Omena Bay, and Northport, though few anglers reported success when using natural bait.
Upper Peninsula
Little Bay de Noc: Anglers targeting coho salmon fished the Escanaba River. Anglers reported seeing fish surface in the river and near the dam. Fishing was slow, with most anglers unable to entice bites. Anglers drifted spawn and cast brightly colored lures. Anglers noted that the run was slowing down, though additional heavy rainfall could bring in remaining coho salmon. Walleye anglers reported fair fishing, with success using natural bait trolled on a harness or cast on a jighead, as well as artificial lures such as snap jigs and crankbaits.
Munising: Boat anglers caught a few coho salmon while trolling in the bay. Lake trout anglers had success jigging and trolling around Grand Island and Wood Island. Anglers fishing off the mouth of the Anna River caught a few splake and coho salmon. Casting spinners and drifting spawn produced the best results.
Ontonagon River: Angling effort on the river was very low over the past week. Recent reports indicated occasional catches of walleye in low numbers. Early morning hours were the most productive.
Ontonagon/Silver City/Union Bay: Angling effort from Ontonagon increased over the past week, with effort from the Silver City and Union Bay access sites increasing significantly. Anglers reported mixed catches of lake trout, brown trout, coho salmon, and Chinook salmon in fair numbers. Boat anglers trolling found fish in depths ranging from 30 to 150 feet. Anglers had better success finding salmon when trolling in shallower water.
Black River Harbor: Angling effort from the harbor increased slightly over the past week. Anglers reported catches of brown trout, coho salmon, Chinook salmon, and lake trout, with lake trout and coho salmon being the most frequently reported. Fish were caught by boat anglers trolling in 30 to 160 feet of water. Anglers had better success targeting salmon when trolling in shallower water.
St. Ignace: Anglers reported salmon moving into Nunns Creek and closer to McDonalds Rapids in the Carp River. Anglers casting spoons and drifting spawn from shore at Nunns Creek caught few Chinook salmon. At the Carp River, Chinook salmon and pink salmon were caught using spoons, spinnerbaits, crankbaits, beads, and spawn.
Grand Marais: Boat anglers had success targeting lake trout when trolling and jigging. A few coho salmon were caught by boat anglers trolling east of the breakwall. Shore anglers also caught a few coho salmon near the mouth of the Sucker River while casting spoons.
Manistique: Pink salmon were plentiful in the river. Anglers targeting pink salmon used small crankbaits, spinners, and beads, typically in pink colors. Chinook salmon anglers reported catching fish in holes of fast water above the U.S. Highway 2 bridge. Anglers reported the best success on skein, though other egg patterns also produced fish. Anglers trolling the river reported slow salmon fishing but caught incidental species such as smallmouth bass and northern pike.
Marquette: Anglers targeted lake trout in 80 to 160 feet of water. Most boat anglers continued to troll north of White Rocks out toward Granite Rock and the Clay Banks, as reports from west of the Chocolay River remained dismal. Anglers reported catching lake trout throughout the water column, though most fish were caught near the bottom using downriggers. A few anglers caught lake trout and coho salmon off the lower breakwall early in the morning and before sunset. Anglers trolling the river mouths out of Lower Harbor caught fair numbers of salmon, including both coho salmon and chinook salmon. Brown trout were among the most frequently caught species in both the Chocolay and Carp rivers, along with numerous coho salmon. Following rain and cooler temperatures, fish numbers began to increase as salmon pods staged near the river mouths ahead of the run.
Au Train: Tribal nets were reset in the flats northwest of Au Train Island toward Five-Mile Point, requiring caution when navigating that area. Wood Island Reef and the waters northwest of Au Train Island toward the Laughing Whitefish River remained open for lake trout fishing, while Au Train Bay to the Laughing Whitefish River remained open for salmon, brown trout, and steelhead. Anglers jigging near the bottom in 40 to 80 feet of water in front of Au Train Island had good success catching lean lake trout. All lake trout taken this week were caught near the bottom while trolling or jigging. Anglers targeting brown trout and salmon in shallow water marked numerous fish, though few catches were reported. As angler effort increases over the coming weeks, activity is expected to pick up, particularly off river mouths, Scott Falls, and the Laughing Whitefish River area.
Keweenaw Bay/Huron Bay: Anglers reported fair to good fishing with catches consisting primarily of coho salmon, lake trout, and a few splake while trolling. Anglers jigging for lake trout reported fair action using natural and artificial presentations in 100 to 140 feet of water. Shore anglers reported improved fishing over the past week, with many anglers catching coho salmon.
Lake Independence/Big Bay: Fishing activity remained slow, with most anglers targeting walleye and yellow perch. Anglers had the best success jigging in 10 to 15 feet of water using natural bait.
Traverse Bay/Portage Entry: Anglers reported fair to good lake trout fishing while trolling spoons and flasher-fly rigs around structure in 50 to 100 feet of water. Anglers reported a few coho salmon and steelhead were caught while trolling, but in very low numbers. Anglers jigging for lake trout reported fair fishing using natural presentations, with most fish caught in 80 to 120 feet of water.
Les Cheneaux/DeTour: Anglers caught yellow perch in Cedarville within Cedarville Bay and Government Bay. Anglers also caught good numbers of larger smallmouth bass around rocky structures near the islands in Hessel. Splake fishing was extremely slow due to warm weather and elevated water temperatures delaying fish movement. In DeTour, anglers targeted walleye with little success but caught yellow perch near Drummond Island. Anglers also caught good numbers of lake trout while trolling the flats prior to the end of the season on Sept. 30.
Southeast Lower Peninsula
Lake Erie: Boat anglers caught approximately 30 good-sized yellow perch per vessel over the weekend in Michigan waters, potentially marking the start of their seasonal return. Anglers fished east of Stony Point near the Ohio border using minnows on perch rigs. Water temperatures continued to drop, which should improve conditions. Virtually no walleye were caught over the past week as fish remained in deeper water. Largemouth bass were active along submerged cover.
Lower Saginaw Bay: Yellow perch and walleye fishing was poor due to northeast winds, with only a few yellow perch and walleye caught in the lower Saginaw River.
Eastern Saginaw Bay: High winds kept fishing effort to a minimum in many areas. A few yellow perch were caught in the slot off Fish Point, though numbers were low. Anglers fished half-day trips to keep five to eight fish, with extensive sorting required. Northern pike were also caught by anglers casting various artificial lures in the Quanicassee River. Elsewhere, fishing activity and effort remained slow.
Lexington: Overall fishing was slow. Pier anglers tried fishing off the rocky south pier at the boat launch without success. A few boat anglers caught yellow perch inside the harbor using bobbers and minnows. The north pier remained inaccessible, and the boat launch continued to operate with only one working dock.
Port Sanilac: Silver fish began to appear nearshore, with a few anglers reporting coho salmon and steelhead off the north and south breakwalls. Spoons, spinners, and spawn were effective, though the movement of salmon and trout remained relatively slow. Some anglers caught northern pike and smallmouth bass off the south breakwall using spinners. Boat fishing remained slow, with few fish caught. Access along the inside of the north breakwall was limited due to dredging.
Harbor Beach: Anglers caught coho salmon off the pier. A few anglers had success using spoons and spinners when targeting coho salmon, with many caught along the inside wall of the harbor. Water conditions were murky but showed signs of clearing. Windy conditions limited boat angling activity while pier anglers benefited.
Southwest Lower Peninsula
Muskegon: Boat anglers reported fair salmon action 25 to 80 feet down in 70 to 140 feet of water. Spoons in green, blue, and orange worked well. The south breakwall in Muskegon is closed due to lighthouse repairs.
Grand Haven: Boat anglers found immature Chinook salmon, steelhead, and a few lake trout 30 to 80 feet down in 60 to 180 feet of water. Spoons were most productive in green and orange. Pier anglers reported slow salmon action, though a few mature salmon were caught using glow spoons, alewives, and gizzard shad. The north pier in Grand Haven is closed, with a projected reopening in the summer of 2028.
South Haven: Pier fishing was slow for all species, with only an occasional Chinook salmon or steelhead caught. Boat anglers had good success targeting salmon in around 60 feet of water using plugs and spoons. No perch reports were received.
St. Joseph: Fishing pressure remained high on the piers, though fishing was slow for all species. A handful of salmon and steelhead were caught by anglers casting spoons or crankbaits. Boat anglers continued to catch a few fish around the pierheads, with better fishing reported in around 60 feet of water using spoons. Perch fishing was fair, with fish scattered in 40 to 60 feet of water.
St. Joseph River: Salmon fishing was slow in the lower river. Salmon were present in the area, but fishing was difficult. Some salmon caught near the Berrien Springs Dam.
Black River: Salmon fishing slowed in the river. A few fish were still caught while trolling, though action was overall slow.