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Northeast of the Lower Peninsula

Presque Isle: Fishing pressure is down, but anglers who survive are reporting good catches of lake trout, chinook, steelhead and coho. Water depths of 50 to 150 feet were productive, with a wide variety of baits and colors catching fish. Large numbers of baits have been reported throughout the water column from the old lighthouse as far north as Black Point. Anglers have reported catching walleye at depths of 15 to 30 feet while targeting the steelhead. Golds, greens, and coppers worked best.

Rockport: Anglers targeting lake trout did their best in about 100 feet of water. A few walleye have also been reported fishing at this depth. Anglers have not reported catching many Chinooks, but caught ones can be found in 30 to 60 feet of water. Fishermen who fished during the day did not have much luck and reported better catches at night.

Alpena: A few Chinook were caught off the pier and in Gulf waters. Those who fish for spoons and plugs have found success in 20 to 40 feet of water early and late in the day. Pier anglers have caught a few Chinooks while casting heavy stick and spoon baits. Anglers who fished from Thunder Bay Island to the Nordmeer Wreck got good loads of lake trout, steelhead, chinook, and the occasional walleye catch in 90 to 140 feet of water. A wide range of spatulas, sockets and flasher/fly combos were produced. The majority of trout were caught near the bottom, while silverfish were targeted at depths of 15 to 60 feet. Walleye fishermen have successfully caught crankfish in 10 to 25 feet of water along the North Shore, Sulfur Islands, and Scarecrow after dark. Black/Gold, Blue/Silver, and Violet produced the best results.

Thunder Bay River: There were a fair number of Chinook, along with a few coho, moving in and out of the river. Crankbaits, spoonbaits, and whites caught a few fish from the shore, while those fishing had intermittent success with spoons and J-plugs. A few pike and bass were caught by anglers who used spinners, crooks, and leach from the Second Avenue to Ninth Avenue Bridge.

Rogers City: Most anglers targeted Chinook that were launching off Swan Bay. Anglers fished from 10 to 90 feet of water and used lead core, bottom rigs, brass and high lines. Running lines throughout the water column yielded the best results. Anglers also used spoons, J-shaped plugs, fly or squid flashes, and meat platforms. Good colors were green, blue, black, white, orange, and chartreuse. Salmon’s best success is before sunrise and after sunset.

Au Gres: Perch are caught near the mouth of the Pine River. The anglers who had the best luck would jump spoon minnows in about 15 feet of water. Near the mouth of the Au Gres, anglers have reported seeing a few walleyes of decent size as well as some bass.

Oscoda/Au Sable: The vast majority of anglers have targeted Chinook at the end of the dock or in boats around the mouth of the river. Anglers have reported catching a Chinook as well as a couple of coho. However, warm weather later in the week slowed salmon fishing. The anglers who fished the river were lucky with smallmouth bass and the occasional pike. Anglers also report that early morning is the best opportunity to get a bite.

Cheboygan: Hot weather and little rain have slowed the salmon bite in Cheboygan. Chinook salmon were caught from the shore at the dam and wharf. Canoe fishermen were most successful when fishing the way out in front of the mouth of the river. Night fishing has been reported as beneficial to both boat and pier anglers.