JULY
Manistee Steelhead
Wind, current and warming temperatures create thermal barriers and scum lines off Manistee in July, and the breaks collect terrestrial insects and hungry steelhead.

In-line planers and divers trailing orange spoons are a proven combination to catch the steelies. Fish the top 10 feet of the water column. Lake trout and chinook salmon suspend below the steelhead. Troll fast, cover water and watch for birds working the surface. The steelhead average 6 to 8 pounds, but 'bows pushing 15 pounds are available.

For local information, contact the Manistee Area Visitors & Convention Bureau at 1-888-584-9860.

Lake Fenton Largemouths
Lake Fenton in Genesee County is a great place to catch largemouth bass. The irregular shoreline, bays and coves offer perfect bass habitat. Try Crane's Cove and near the narrows on the south end. Weedless rigs work in the weeds where the bass hide during the summer.

Rush Lake Largemouths
Rush Lake teems with big bass. The lake is located within the Mackinaw State Forest. Rush has an abundance of vegetation that bass relate to, including bucketmouths in excess of 5 pounds.

AUGUST
Ludington Chinooks
Pre-spawn kings begin to stage off Ludington in mid-July, and salmon shadow the "The Shelf" three to seven miles north of the port. Look for salmon in 30 feet of water early, and then move deeper.

Plugs, Spin Doctors and flies, and super-magnum-sized spoons are best. Glow, green and chartreuse are proven colors.

Fishing pressure is intense. Plan on being on the water early. Expect salmon between 5 and 15 pounds, but kings over 20 pounds are common.

For more information, contact the Ludington Area Convention & Visitors Bureau at 1-800-542-4600, or online at Ludingtoncvb.com.

Muskegon Lake Kings
Pre-spawn kings stack up in Muskegon Lake beginning in August. Water temperature dictates their arrival. Try south of the harbor in 50 to 60 feet of water. Later, kings school just inside the channel, all the way to the Yacht Club. Key is to fish plugs within a few feet of bottom.

Black River Harbor Lake Trout
Black River Harbor offers consistent action for native lake trout during August. The trout school up in the 80- to 120-foot depths between Sucker Creek Reef and Maple Creek Reef. Most lakers will be 3 to 10 pounds, but 25-pounders are common.

SEPTEMBER
South Lake Leelanau Walleyes
South Lake Leelanau walleyes turn on from about mid-September until the weeds begin to die. Locate scattered weeds in 4 to 12 feet of water, and then cast stick baits over openings in the weeds. The walleyes will run from 15 to 19 inches, but 8- or 9-pounders are available.

Try Perrin's Bay, off Robinson Point, and near the outlets of Weisler and Cedar creeks.

For information, contact the Leelanau County Chamber of Commerce at (231) 271-9895.

Loon Lake Panfish
Loon Lake sees a lot of fishing pressure in the summer, but few anglers in the fall. Bluegills and crappies move shallow in September. Try the weed edges adjacent to deep water. Jigs or teardrops will catch 'gills and crappies up to 12 inches. Contact KD Outdoors at (248) 666-7799.

Lake Millecoquin Bass & Pike
Maybe this is the top lake in the eastern U.P. for largemouths and northerns because both go on a feeding binge as the weeds begin to recede. Lake Millecoquin has few spots over 12 feet. Fish can be found anywhere. Use Johnson Silver Minnows and pork rind, or spinnerbaits. The inlet and outlet areas of the river are hotspots. Contact the Northern Lake Michigan Management Unit at (906) 786-2351 for more details.