With Labor Day behind us, the majority of anglers will now turn to salmon and trout fishing. The fish are starting to move in closer to shore as well as into some of the river systems. The inland lakes have been good for both large and smallmouth bass and panfish activity has picked up. Perch fishing has started to pick up with wigglers and minnows your best bet. Smallmouth fishing on East Grand Traverse has been awesome with bigger fish from 30 to 40 feet.
BEAR RIVER: Water levels were still very low but that has not stopped a few salmon from coming in. Try spawn bags, rubber eggs, and small flies at the dam.
ELK RIVER: Is producing the occasional steelhead or smallmouth bass. Try fresh spawn bags for the salmon.
PLATTE BAY: Is producing fish about 40 feet down in 50 to 70 feet of water in the East Bay. Anglers are using J-plugs. Those surfcasting caught fish on spinners or spawn. A dredge is now opening up the mouth of the river.
FRANKFORT: The Herring Hole has been doing very well for chinook salmon. Anglers are trolling 55 to 90 feet down in 100 to 120 feet with spoons and plugs. Hot colors were orange and blue. Several large chinook weighing over 27 pounds were caught off the piers by those using spawn or Cleo’s that glow.
BETSIE RIVER: Was full of fast moving chinook salmon. Not many were seen on the beds or in the holes but fishing at the dam was good.
ONEKAMA: Those heading out to the “Barrel” had good action throughout the day for chinook and coho. The chinook were deep in 120 to 150 feet but the coho were found in shallow waters. Both are hitting on spoons or plugs.
PORTAGE LAKE: Anglers are starting to see increasing numbers of bluegill, perch, and bass now that cooler temperatures have arrived. Working 12 to 18 feet of water with worms around the weed beds has produced good catches.
PENTWATER: Had good fishing. Anglers are running lines 50 to 70 feet down in 120 to 150 feet near Silver Lake. Try pearl, green and silver J-plugs. Some large chinook and coho have been caught.
WHITEHALL: Salmon fishing picked up for those trolling 50 feet down in 100 to 120 feet. The bite was best in the early morning hours. Most are using spoons and J-plugs that glow.
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