Traverse City Record-Eagle

Sports

August 2, 2012

Fishing Report: 08/02/2012

FROM DNR REPORTS ----

Harbor Springs: Is where salmon fishing was a little better especially for those traveling out toward Seven Mile Point and fishing 60 feet down. Winward and Five Mile Creek were also producing anywhere from 40 to 120 feet down in 140 to 160 feet of water. * The thermocline in Little Traverse Bay was moving up, with a temperature of 55 degrees at 65 feet.

Petoskey: Anglers are doing very well for lake trout around Bay Harbor and straight out from the pier. Fish were caught anywhere from 40 feet to 150 feet down. A steelhead was caught between the hospital and the pier in 60 feet of water. Pier anglers caught sub-legal smallmouth bass and a few nice rock bass.

Bear River: Rumor has it a salmon was caught up near the dam however that rumor was not confirmed. A few anglers are still there and using spawn for bait.

Charlevoix: Is producing salmon 60 to 90 feet down in waters 100 to 300 feet or deeper. Most were fishing North Point or near the Cement Plant. The thermocline was at 90 but has since moved up to 70 feet. Blue was a good color. Try ladderbacks, flies and meat rigs or glow spoons after dark. Smallmouth bass were caught off the pier but many were too small. Walleye were hitting on crawlers.

Traverse City: Boat anglers in both bays were bringing in chinook and lake trout. Salmon were caught 50 to 80 feet down. Green or white flies or meat rigs worked best. Smallmouth bass fishing was slower, try 40 feet of water or more.

Elk River: Is still producing smallmouth bass, rock bass, freshwater drum and carp. Most of the smallmouth bass were sub-legal but fun to catch when using live baits.

Boardman River: Had slow fishing. Rock bass and a couple fairly nice smallmouth were caught on leeches or crawlers.

Platte Bay: Fishing has moved three miles out into the West Bay where anglers are fishing about 100 feet down in waters over 100 feet deep. Most are using spoons like Cotton Candy or Easter Egg.

Frankfort: The thermocline has moved and will move again with north to northwest winds. It was 100 feet down and the fish were hitting in 90 to 140 feet of water. Use anything that glows in the early morning or U.V. spoons after daylight. Plugs were catching fish right along with meat rigs, dipseys and ten colors of lead line. Steelhead were caught. The Point was seeing good numbers and the Herring Hole did well on most days.

Arcadia: Fishing slowed. With warm water pushed into shore, anglers are fishing about 100 feet down in 150 feet of water straight out. Most are using chrome J-plugs and chrome flasher flies.

Onekama: Had fair to good fishing straight out in 120 to 160 feet of water and north to the golf course in 80 to 120 feet. Use meat rigs after the sun comes up. Green spoons seem to be the favorite.

Portage Lake: Bass can be found near the drop-offs as well as the shoreline and near any structure. The bigger bluegills were caught in the early morning. Surface water temperatures were 73 to 75 degrees.

Lake Cadillac: Continues to produce a good number of crappie for those fishing with slip bobbers on the east side of the lake. Walleye fishing was hit-or-miss for those trolling crawler harnesses or body baits. Bass and pike fishing were good. Try spinners, crank baits, crawlers or leeches.

Lake Mitchell: Is producing crappie, bass pike and the occasional walleye.

Pentwater: Continues to have good fishing. Most were staying close to the port but a few ventured towards Silver Lake. Fish were caught 50 to 70 feet down in 80 to 90 feet of water or try long lines 115 feet down in 150 feet of water. Blue flies and green flasher worked best.

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