GH anglers finding steelhead, lake trout

Sat, Jul 10, 2010    to del.icio.us

LANSING (AP) — This is an in-between time for fishing in Michigan, according to the state Department of Natural Resources and Environment.

Salmon are coming in, while lake trout are moving out, the agency said in its weekly fishing report.

Lake trout can still be taken out deep in colder water, with smaller ones still in close. Now would be an exceptional time to fish offshore, about 150 to 200 feet of water fishing the top 50 feet. Look for scum lines and bugs on the surface.

SOUTHWEST LOWER PENINSULA

St. Joseph River: Fishing was very slow this week. Shore anglers were catching a few catfish and suckers using live bait and fishing on the bottom. Very few walleye and bass were caught.

South Haven: Perch fishing has picked up with some nice catches reported. The best depth seems to be in the 20 to 30 foot range fishing minnows near the bottom. Salmon and lake trout fishing has been slow.

Grand Haven: Windy weather has kept most anglers away. Boats that did get out did well on steelhead and lake trout with some salmon mixed in.

Grand River at Grand Rapids: Pike are hitting at the stream mouths using floating suckers and bluegill for bait. A few Skamania are being caught by the dam. Bluegill are hitting in the slack waters on wax and leaf worms. Anglers are also catching walleye using nightcrawlers and small body baits. Catfish are being caught from the bridges and on the east side wall by the dam using cut-up suckers, bluegill and live suckers.

Grand River at Lansing: The dam in Eaton Rapids is doing well with smallmouth bass and 15 to 20 pound carp. Moores Park Dam has been producing 5 to 8 pound catfish and a decent number of smallmouth bass on nightcrawlers and cut bait. Bluegill are coming out in good numbers on red worms and butter worms. The North Lansing Dam is producing walleye, smallmouth bass and 10 to 15 pound carp at dawn and dusk on live minnows and night crawlers.

Maple River: Anglers are catching a lot of crappie in town on speck minnows and Rosie reds. Jumbo sized catfish are hitting on chicken liver, cut bait and night crawlers.

Reeds Lake: Bass are being taken on top waters in early morning and late evening. Good numbers of perch have been caught on a perch rig. Good crappie fishing using wax worms and minnows in 5 to 15 feet of water. Crappie are also being caught at night with lights and lanterns around the sunken island.

NORTHWEST LOWER PENINSULA

Traverse City: Fishing activity has slowed in the west bay due to Cherryfest activities. Lake trout anglers are still taking good numbers including a few chinook. In the east bay, smallmouth bass anglers have found the fish to be off there beds and back out in deeper waters along the bays; drop-offs and weed beds.

Manistee: Salmon and trout have been caught in 120 to 220 feet of water. Fish are being caught deeper in the water column on green or blue flies.

Ludington: Boats are finding salmon and trout in 140 to 240 feet of water with most of the fish coming 80 to 140 feet down. Try green or blue flies.