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Michigan Department of Natural Resources

Northeastern Lower Peninsula

Presque Isle: Fishing pressure was low; However, those who have succeeded have done well. North Bay to Black Point has been good for Chinook, coho, steelhead and lake trout. Salmon have been caught in 40 to 70 feet of water while mid-shaft fishing. The use of yellow, green and blue plugs and spoons has been the most productive. Lake trout are found in 50 to 100 feet of water near the bottom. Fishing with melons, white spoons and chartreuse has caught good numbers of fish. Steelhead have been scattered at all depths in the top 30 feet of water, and orange and gold have been the most productive colors.

Rockport: Anglers have found their limits of lake trout while fishing in anywhere from 90 to 130 feet of water. The walleye bite has slowed, but anglers are reporting the best bite is at night. Salmon were caught, but not in large numbers. Anglers found most of them in 30 to 60 feet of water.

Alpena: Walleye anglers have had success fishing from Whitefish Point to Thunder Bay Island. Gold, purple and black/silver body baits are being caught in the evening in 15 to 25 feet of water. Partridge Point and Sulfur Island have produced walleye after dark on crankbaits in 10 to 15 feet of water. Anglers have had good luck catching Chinook in the bay while running long lines with plugs, body baits and spoons on short lead cores. Black, purple, and lilac were most productive early and late in the day. Pier anglers have had success casting glow spoons and body baits after dark.

Thunder Bay River: A few walleye were caught near Mill Island Park while casting body baits after dark, with fire tiger patterns having the best results. Anglers targeting Chinook have had great success trolling plugs and casting spoons early and late in the day. A few fish were caught by anglers who drifted between the dam and the Ninth Avenue Bridge. Due to the warm water temperatures, large numbers of fish have not been reported.

ROGERS CITY: Chinook salmon were holding off Swan Bay. Fishing early in the morning or later in the day seems to be best. The catchers were long jigs and J-plugs from planer boards. Best depths were within 40 feet of water. Anglers are reporting a heavy presence of baitfish, with immature salmon, steelhead, lake trout and walleye feeding on them. The best bite has been reported to be in the evening as the sun goes down, and the best depths are where the bait is, in about 50 to 70 feet of water. Anglers using green, yellow, blue and glowing objects early and late have had good success. Anglers used bottom piles, dipsies, and lead cores as well.

Au Gres: Perch anglers don’t seem to have much luck, but those who do report using natural bait, such as minnow.

Oscoda/O Sable: There weren’t many anglers getting out on the water, but those who did make it reported catching steelhead and walleye in about 100 feet of water. Pier anglers have reported an increase in the amount of Chinook and Coho salmon caught from the pier. Anglers report that using spoons at dawn and dusk seems to work best.

Cheboygan: Salmon fishing in Cheboygan has improved, but the run is not yet in full swing. Both the pier and the dam have produced fish for shore anglers, with eggs, spoons and articulated crankbaits being the most popular lures. The current was fast because three dam gates were open, making the bobber more difficult to float. Boat anglers targeted salmon in the river channel and lake trout around nearby reefs. The best way to catch salmon remains at night or early in the morning, although they can be caught at any time.

TAWAS: Walleye anglers were satisfied with their catches when fishing both natural and artificial bait in about 70 feet of water. A couple of coho salmon showed up and were caught by anglers using spoons.

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