Michigan's Best Bets for Fishing
JULY
Ludington Salmonids July is the best month to catch a Great Lakes "Grand Slam" out of Ludington. Trollers will find a mix of lakers, salmon, brown trout and steelhead in the 100- to 150-foot depths. Spoons produce the biggest variety of fish off in-line boards, divers and downriggers. Glow-in-the-dark tape highlighting green, blue and chartreuse spoons score. Try the area out from the Consumer's Project or north off the state park. Fish 30 to 70 feet down. To book a charter, contact the Ludington Area Charter Boat Association at 1-800-927-3470 or online at www.LudingtonCharterBoats.org.
Menominee River Smallmouths Abundant forage and ideal habitat make the mighty Menominee River perfect for smallmouth bass. Both the impoundments and river hold bass that will average 2 to 4 pounds. Power company land along the river makes for good access. The bass get fat on insects, crayfish and minnows. Wading is productive when spinning, fly-fishing or jigging.
St. Mary's River Herring Lake herring begin schooling near Detour and Lime Island as mayfly hatches bring them to the surface. The feisty herring average 1 to 3 pounds and are great eating when fresh. Slip-bobbers or fly tackle, teardrops baited with wax worms or mayflies are the ticket. Look for concentrations of boats to find active schools.
AUGUST
Manistee Kings Big schools of mature kings amass off Manistee beginning in August. Chinooks crowd the pierheads all the way to Big Point Sable. Try structure in 100 feet of water early and late. Flashers and flies, plugs and magnum spoons goad the salmon into striking. Spooky salmon shy away from boats and traffic, so try lead-core line, sinker drops and wire divers. Mature kings regularly top the 30-pound mark. Cohos headed for Platte Bay are bonus catches. For information, contact the Manistee Area Convention & Visitors Bureau at 1-888-584-9860.
Stannard Rock Lake Trout August's stable weather makes it the perfect time to make the long run to Stannard Rock and its giant lake trout. Forty-two miles from Marquette, anglers with seaworthy boats regularly take trout in excess of 30 pounds by jigging and trolling. Use electronics to locate feeding schools.
Fletcher Pond Largemouths Hot summer nights are the perfect time for some exciting topwater bassin' on Fletcher Pond. Largemouths topping 6 pounds will explode on gurgling Pop-Rs, Jitterbugs and Devil Horses. Pick a full moon and hold on.
SEPTEMBER
Green Bay Northern Pike As waters cool, big northerns put on the feedbag in Green Bay off Menominee. The pike patrol weed edges in search of forage in 10 to 20 feet of water. Big muskie-type lure produce pike that top 20 pounds. The weeds are scattered and locating them is key. Anchor to cast parallel to the edge or troll using your graph. Perch-pattern Rattlin' Raps and Husky Jerks are proven favorites. For more information, go to www.uptravel.com.
Pere Marquette River Kings Schools of chinook salmon move into the P.M. beginning in September. Try the lower river near Scottville, Custer and Indian Bridge. Anglers wade and cast in-line spinner, plugs and spoons.
St. Mary's River Pink Salmon Pods of pink salmon move into the St. Mary's in early September. The 1 1/2- to 3-pound pinks are spunky and will hit flies, spinners and spoons. Access the rapids from the Canadian side of the river. Use caution while wading.
OCTOBER
Tahquamenon River Muskies Fantastic scenery, solitude and feisty muskies make October the best time to fish the Tahquamenon River near McPhee's Landing. The muskies aren't huge, but the numbers and scenery make up for the lack of size. Locals soak suckers, cast spinnerbaits or twitch jerkbaits for explosive action. Try bright-colored lures that show up better in the tannic-stained water. Prime locations are off the Sage and Hendrie rivers. For details, contact the DNR's Newberry office at (906) 293-5131.
Lac La Belle Muskies Lac La Belle has a burgeoning muskie population that go on a feeding binge as waters cool in October. Fed by the Little Gratiot River, 1,146-acre Lac La Belle features rocky shoals and weedbeds that harbor forage. Try in the Mendota Ship Canal, in the narrows on the east end and off the boat launch. Contact: Lac La Belle Lodge, www.laclabellelodge.com.
Lake St. Clair Smallmouths Cooler temperatures cause Lake St. Clair's smallmouth bass to go crazy. Fifty-fish days are common in early fall. The bass are concentrate near weed edges in 8 to 15 feet of water, gorging on crayfish, minnows and aquatic insects. Tube baits are hot in pumpkinseed, silver/glitter and motor-oil colors. Spinnerbaits and topwater lures work, too.
NOVEMBER
Tawas Whitefish Lake whitefish show up around the Tawas piers in early November. The tasty whitefish average 2 to 10 pounds and put up a good fight. Slip-bobbers with teardrops and wax worms suspended 10 to 11 feet down excel. Wave action stirs up the bottom and causes whitefish to feed. Best fishing is off the DNR pier in town. Get there early to secure a spot. For bait and information, contact Kirby's All-Season Sport Shop at (989) 362-4512.
Chocolay River Steelhead Fall rains bring silvery steelhead into the Chocolay River near Harvey. Anglers can access the river off M-28. Spawn, spinners and yarn produce when fish are in. The best fishing is early in the morning.
Saginaw River Walleyes Big walleyes follow schools of shad into the Saginaw River in the fall. Vertical jig with leadhead jigs or troll upstream. Try near the Zilwaukee Bridge, in downtown Saginaw or off Wick's Park.
DECEMBER
Hamlin Lake Bluegills Hamlin Lake's bluegill population has rebounded after several down years. First ice produces limit catches of 7- to 9-inch bluegills off Wilson Park, Indian Pete Bayou and on the South Bayou. Usually, safe ice occurs in late December. Teardrops baited with spikes or mousies are preferred. Contact: North Bayou Resort, 1-800-261-7415.
Big Manistee River Steelhead Expect hot action and little competition on the big river during December. Try near Bear Creek, Rainbow Bend or Coho Bend.
Lake Cadillac Panfish This lake produces slab crappies, hand-sized bluegills and decent perch. Try the 5- to 10-foot depths on first ice. Use minnows for the specks and perch. Larva works best for the 'gills.
Discover even more in our monthly magazine,
and have it delivered to your door!
Subscribe to Michigan Sportsman
|
OUR NETWORK: IMOUTDOORS WEBSITES
