Traverse City Record-Eagle

Outdoors

September 8, 2011

Salmon fishing is in full swing

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Associated Press

LANSING — Slow catch rates are expected for a few days in some parts of the states after a strong cold front descended on the Great Lakes region, according to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

By the end of the week, fish should have adjusted to the change in the barometric pressure and catch rates are expected to pick up again.

However, salmon fishing is in full swing, especially the west side of the state.

Petoskey: Had very good salmon fishing on Little Traverse Bay. Chinook and coho were caught anywhere from 20 to 110 feet down in 80 to 120 feet of water when using rotators and flies. Pier anglers are finding salmon at night or early in the morning when using glow spoons, rapalas or deep diving reef runners.

Bear River: Salmon are in the river. However, a cool rain or a strong northwest wind will bring more fish in.

Charlevoix: Salmon fishing remains good for boat and shore anglers. Boats are trolling 80 to 110 feet down in 90 to 150 feet of water. Shore anglers are catching salmon in the St. Mary's boat slip in the morning or late evening with glow spoons, wobblers, and thundersticks in bright colors.

Lake Charlevoix: Salmon can be found near the Coast Guard station and the mouth of the Boyne River.

Traverse City: In the East Bay, catch rates were slow near Elk Rapids with only panfish and smallmouth bass caught. In the West Bay, chinook salmon were caught off the mouth of the Boardman River when using plugs and flashers. Those trolling or jigging for lake trout along the west side of the bay have done well.

Frankfort: Good numbers of salmon are being produced for boat and pier anglers. Boats are trolling spoons, plugs and meat rigs. Pier anglers are casting spoons or spawn.

Betsie River: A good run of salmon is being produced.

Manistee: Good salmon action is being produced between the piers and 90 feet of water. Anglers are bringing in some big fish weighing 20 pounds or more. Meat rigs and spin/fly combos were catching the majority of fish. Chinook were caught off the piers at dawn and dusk when using glow spoons.

Manistee Lake: Salmon is being produced for those trolling.

Manistee River: Some large chinook salmon are being produced. Overall, the fish caught are much bigger than the past couple of years.

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