Northwest Area Fishing Report: September 2013

HARBOR SPRINGS:

Most of the boat anglers were fishing around Harbor Point in 180 to 200 feet of water. The salmon were up higher in 60 to 80 feet but the lake trout were deeper at 100 to 120 feet. Spoons were the ticket.

PETOSKEY:

Few fish were seen or caught off the break wall, the D-Pier, or at the Bobber Hole. A couple salmon were caught between the pier and the water treatment plant. Salmon and lake trout were caught 90 feet down in 120 feet of water with spoons, flashers and flies. One angler managed to land a 27 pound salmon.

BEAR RIVER:

Chinook and steelhead can be found up near the dam however the big push of fish has not yet occurred. The fish being caught are the typical early ones that come in every year.

ELK RIVER:

Anglers have caught smallmouth bass and rock bass on plastics, crawlers, and leeches. There has been rumor of salmon or steelhead being spotted near the power dam.

BOARDMAN RIVER:

Fishing was slow with only a few smallmouth bass or rock bass taken. A couple steelhead and salmonwere in the river but they will not stay long with the warmer temperatures.

FRANKFORT:

Has good fishing with several chinook salmon weighing in between 22 and 30 pounds. Anglers are heading straight west of the lighthouse to waters 180 to 220 feet and then trolling 55 to 110 feet down while heading north. Fish were caught on splatter back plugs, meat rigs, UV ladder back spoons in green or blue and flies. Coho and steelhead were also caught. Early morning is best.

ONEKAMA:

Is producing some fish. Anglers are trolling 60 to 90 feet down in 180 to 220 feet with J-plugs. Those trolling north to the “Barrel” reported lots of baitfish right along with trout and salmon in 60 to 70 feet.

PORTAGE LAKE:

Those looking for bass and panfish will want to look for an area where the fish are moving in and out of the shallows. Those moving around seem to catch more fish.

MANISTEE:

Boat anglers found trout and salmon 40 to 90 feet down in 60 to 220 feet of water with glow spoons, plugs or meat rigs. Hot colors were green, red or purple.

PENTWATER:

Fishing was good as salmon and trout moved in closer to shore. Some caught fish in 60 to 80 feet while others did well in 200 feet or more when trolling 50 to 70 feet down with red, orange and glow spoons. Pier fishing was slow.

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