Weekly Fishing Report October 18, 2012

Black River Harbor: A few salmon are still being caught below Rainbow Falls.Ontonagon:  High winds are keeping boat anglers off the water. A few small salmon were caught in area rivers.

Keweenaw Bay:  Boat anglers that can get out have caught mostly coho followed by lake trout and steelhead. They did best between Sand Point and Carla’s which is north of Baraga. Those fishing off the rock dock caught coho and steelhead.

Fall’s River:  Is producing coho and steelhead for those casting spoons and spinners or drifting crawlers and spawn bags.

Marquette:  Surface water temperatures have cooled to the upper 40’s so fishing has improved. Lake trout and steelhead were caught outside the Lower Harbor breakwall and up towards the Carp River. The fish are running three to six pounds. They are staging before the spawn but the run has not peaked yet. Shore anglers are fishing off the Lower Harbor breakwall and from the mouth of the Carp River to the Dead River. A couple nice steelhead were caught off the Upper Harbor breakwall.

Carp River:  Coho action was fair with the occasional fish caught on spoons or spawn. An increase in water levels should increase catch rates.

Dead River:  The salmon run may have peaked as most of the fish in the river appear to be done spawning. Most are using flies.

Menominee:  Pier anglers at the marina and the lighthouse caught the occasional salmon but the fish are turning dark. A couple brown trout were caught by those casting spoons or twister tails. Walleye fishing seems to be done.

Menominee River:  Walleye fishing was slow. Those targeting smallmouth bass, pike and musky also had reports of slow fishing. Water levels were still low but recent rain may help to bring levels back up. Chinook, pink salmon, steelhead and brown trout were caught near the first dam at Hattie Street. While some are drifting yarn or spawn others are casting spoons, rapalas or twister tails.

Little Bay De Noc:  The Kipling area has been fished the most with perch and walleye caught. Perch anglers were still-fishing with crawlers in four to 10 feet of water around Butler Island but many were small. Walleye anglers did best late evening when trolling or drifting in 10 to 23 feet of water at the Second and Third Reefs.

Escanaba River:  Shore anglers are casting for salmon but few fish were caught.

Big Bay De Noc:   Smallmouth bass by those anchored or drifting with crawlers 25 to 35 feet down between the Bluff and Snail Shell Harbor.

St. Mary’s River:  Those trolling the north end of Munuscong Bay caught a few walleye around Moon Island when trolling crawler harnesses in eight to 12 feet of water. As water temperatures get colder, change to crank baits when targeting walleye in the month of November. A few musky were caught by those trolling eight to 10 inch rubber body shad baits around Tea Cup Island and Kemps Point. Smallmouth bass are excellent around Moon Island when using minnows or jigging with dark green and brown tube jigs. A few yellow perch were caught mid-afternoon across from the Neebish Island Ferry dock or the west side of Neebish Island just off the weed beds. For perch, try out near the red buoy or off Green’s Resort in 12 to 18 feet of water.

Detour:  A few walleye were caught out from the DNR Boat Launch. Anglers are trolling crawler harnesses and bottom bouncers in 12 to 18 feet of water. Around Drummond Island, perch were caught in Scott Bay or try the south side of Ashman Island in eight to 12 feet of water with minnows. A couple perch were also caught near Harbor Island and Bald Island. Good smallmouth bass fishing around Bruce Point. Try minnows or tube jigs in four to eight feet of water around the rock piles.

Cedarville and Hessel:  Anglers are targeting yellow perch in Musky Bay and the Middle Entrance in 10 to 12 feet of water. Most are using minnows.

Carp River:  The pink salmon are almost done but Chinook are moving into the river.