Michigan DNR

Lake Erie: Had a large mayfly hatch. Walleye fishing was slow in Michigan waters. Those heading out to Ohio waters caught fish around West Sister Island. Perch fishing was good in Brest Bay in 18 to 20 feet or off Toledo Beach in 15 feet. Anglers are trolling orange, copper and purple spoons or crawler harnesses in 19 to 23 feet of water between Stony Point and the River Raisin. Catch rates were inconsistent but anglers were taking fish.

Huron River: Bass are being caught from Dexter to Ypsilanti.

Detroit River: White bass are still being caught in the upper river although the peak of the run is over. Smallmouth and largemouth bass are also being caught.

Lake St. Clair: Had very good walleye fishing around the shipping channel, the Dumping Grounds and off the 400 Club. Most are using crawler harnesses.

St. Clair River: Also had very good walleye fishing for those using crawler harnesses and bottom bouncers. Walleye were caught near the Blue Water Bridge.

Lexington: Is producing a good number of white bass.

Port Sanilac: Is producing some perch along the weed beds. A few fish were up near 16 inches.

Harbor Beach: Has produced some nice salmon and steelhead in the top 50 feet of waters 150 to 220 feet deep. Try spoons off downriggers or 5 and 10 color lead lines with offshore boards. Hot colors were orange or glow with black as well as silver and black screwballs. Use regular or magnum spoons. Lake trout fishing is good in 80 to 120 feet with dodgers and spin-glows or spoons just off the bottom. Brown trout are still close to shore in 30 to 40 feet. Try long lines with bright colored spoons or body baits. A few walleye were caught on body baits. Bass and pike can be found in the harbor. For perch, try inside the harbor or south near the cemetery.

Port Austin: Walleye fishing is just getting started with a few fish taken off the reefs. As the water continues to warm, walleye fishing off the tip of the Thumb will improve. Pier anglers are taking a few walleye near dusk and after dark.

Saginaw Bay: Has excellent walleye fishing from Au Gres to Sand Point. Limit catches are common. Crawler harnesses are working everywhere but some are starting to use Hot-n-Tots or spoons. Excellent fishing was noted off the Pinconning Bar, Gambil’s Marina, Linwood, the Spark Plug, the Callahan Reef, the Coryeon Reef, the Slot between Quanicassee and North Island, the Bar, Wildfowl Bay and off the mouth of the Kawkawlin and the Saginaw Rivers. While lots of fish are being caught, plan to catch about one sub-legal fish for every keeper.

Saginaw River: Walleye have been caught in the lower river by those trolling Hot-n-Tots between the mouth and the Coast Guard Station. This is a good option for those that with smaller boats that might not be able to get out on the open water.