Fishing report: Cool temps, rain could boost salmon run
Fri, Sep 5, 2008 
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(AP) — Cooler temperatures and rain by the weekend should help push the salmon, the Michigan Department of Resources said in its weekly fishing report. Inland, anglers are taking advantage of the excellent bass fishing.
SOUTHWEST LOWER PENINSULA
Grand Haven: Pier anglers were starting to catch salmon when using large alewife hooked just once behind the dorsal fin. Skamania were hitting at night off the south pier when fishing three to four feet off the bottom. Perch fishing was slow.
Grand River at Grand Rapids: Anglers are starting to catch a few more chinook and steelhead. Most are dead drifting crawlers or using flies. The occasional brown trout have also been caught. Pike are still hitting on large sucker minnows under a bobber. Some large channel cats and flathead cats have been caught on cut bait. Bluegill and crappie can be found in the backwaters.
Muskegon: A few salmon have been caught in waters 80 to 100 feet deep. Rain in the forecast should push more fish into the channel and the river system.
Whitehall: Boat anglers are catching salmon in 100 feet of water but the action has been slow. Not many fish up near the piers as water temperatures were in the 70s.
NORTHWEST LOWER PENINSULA
Elk Lake: Smallmouth bass are hitting on crawlers, leeches, tube baits, crank baits and Rapalas in waters 5 to 30 feet deep. Those trolling for large muskie are targeting 15 to 30 feet of water around Spencer Bay, Kewadin and between the Whitewater Park and Rex Terrace. Yellow perch are still being caught in 13 to 17 feet of water and rock bass in 10 to 15 feet of water in the same area.
Skegemog Lake: Bass ranging from 8 to 18 inches are still being caught in the flats between the Torch River and Baggs Road and the Narrows. They are targeting waters 4 to 20 feet deep. More have started trolling for muskie but no fish had been caught. For pike, try 10 to 20 feet of water with sucker minnows, stick baits or large rapalas. Perch continue to be scarce. Rock bass have been caught inside the mouth of the Torch River and on the north side of the narrows around the stumps.
Glen Lake: Reports good perch fishing when using minnows. The biggest fish were caught on the north end of Big Glen in 30 to 40 feet of water. Trout are hitting in 80 to 100 feet of water and rock bass were on a feeding frenzy.
Fisher Lake: Is still a good spot to catch bluegills and the occasional largemouth bass. For the gills, target the deeper waters and for the bass try casting crawlers, tube baits or spinners along the edge of the weedbeds.
Frankfort: Warm water has the fish scattered from the Herring Hole up into West Platte Bay. Anglers are fishing real early in the morning or late evening. Fish have been caught on 160 to 300 feet of water on the south end of the Herring Hole and off the Bank. Pier fishing has been very slow due to the water temperatures and the lack of baitfish close to shore. A few fish were caught off the old ferry dock. J-plugs and spoons are catching the most fish
Onekama: Fish have been caught south of the piers, and up near the Barrel. Anglers report early morning is best as the bite slows after 7:30 a.m. They are still taking a mix of mature and young chinook about 80 feet down in 120 to 240 feet of water. J-plugs are working the best, especially the lighter colors.
Portage Lake: Walleye are hitting at night. Those fishing in the early afternoon have caught the smaller fish. The bigger bluegills are biting once again. Try wax worms or crawler pieces in waters up to 25 feet deep. Bass fishing has been a little slow, but those trolling have caught pike, rock bass and big bluegills.
Manistee: Trout and salmon are being caught 60 to 120 feet down in waters 120 to 240 feet deep. Those fishing in front of the piers in the early morning have only managed to catch a few fish. Pier fishing has been slow due to warm water.
Hamlin Lake: Fishing has been good to very good depending on location. Limits of panfish including bluegills were taken in five to 10 feet of water near the Boy Scout Camp, Laman's Landing, Pete's Bayou, the Narrows, the Dunes, the Sable River outlet and Sterns Bay. Catch rates have been higher in clear water. Bass anglers are having a field day as fish have been caught at all depths with most any kind of tackle. Walleye fishing was slow with only a few fish caught off the State Park when slow drifting in 10 to 20 feet of water with a single hook crawler harness and a leech.
Ludington: Boat anglers are catching salmon in 80 to 160 feet of water with most of the fish caught in the deeper waters between the Bath House and the Point. The best baits were green and white flies. Pier fishing was slow.
Pentwater: Boat anglers are doing well in 80 to 90 feet of water. There have been no reports of salmon staging.
