TAWAS: Shore anglers reported catching a few throwback perch at Gateway Park.
OSCODA/ AuSABLE RIVER: Walleye fishing seemed to pick up, with more fish being caught off the pier than the previous weeks. Anglers had success floating crawlers under slip bobbers and casting deep-diving body baits along with curly tail grubs on jig heads. Atlantic salmon were still caught occasionally by pier anglers and in the lower river using minnows or casting spoons; ½-ounce to ¾-ounce spoons in gold/silver or blue/silver reportedly worked best. Downstream of the Foote Dam, steelhead were still around on gravel, with a few being caught here and there. Anglers had the most success bottom bouncing beads, spawn bags or flies with light leaders, 6- to 8-pound test.
AuGRES: Anglers reported catching a few walleye; however, limits were not being caught. Freshwater drum, white bass and a few northern pike were also caught by anglers. Boat anglers heading out from the Pine River reported catching a mixed bag including walleye, largemouth and smallmouth bass, freshwater drum, white bass, rock bass and northern pike.
HARRISVILLE: Boat anglers did well fishing for lake trout in 25 to 50 feet of water. Green Spin-n-Glos, along with orange and silver spoons, produced limits of lake trout using mostly three to five colors of lead core. A few Atlantic salmon were around, with some being caught on spoons by boat anglers. Anglers fishing the marina did not have much luck casting for Atlantic salmon and walleye.
ALPENA: Boat anglers in Thunder Bay had hit-or-miss results when trolling for walleye. Fish were found scattered in 10 to 20 feet of water from the pierhead as far as Sulphur Island. While crank baits worked well, a few fish were caught when jigging plastics and blade baits. Northern pike and a few brown trout were caught in the same waters. Those targeting lake trout and Atlantic salmon had very good results near North Point and Thunder Bay Island. Spoons in orange, golds, chartreuse and watermelon worked well in 30 to 50 feet of water.
THUNDER BAY RIVER: In the Thunder Bay River, the steelhead run was reported to be done. Those steelhead still in the river were found hanging around the 9th Street Dam and were caught on drifting beads and casting small spinners. A decent number of walleye, northern pike and smallmouth bass were reported to be in the river. While spinner baits and plastic swim baits worked well for pike and bass, the majority of walleye were caught in low light conditions on shallow-diving crank baits from the 9th Street Bridge down to the 2nd Avenue Bridge. A few bullhead and catfish were caught while fishing crawlers and minnows on bottom throughout the river. A few Atlantic salmon were caught while casting spinners and small spoons.
ROCKPORT: Anglers fishing in 25 to 40 feet of water found good catches of lake trout throughout the day. The waters near Middle Island held good numbers of fish from the surface to bottom in 50 to 60 feet of water. Short lead cores and downriggers run near bottom produced good numbers. A few Atlantic salmon were caught, with orange, green and gold colors being most productive. The area around false Presque Isle saw good numbers of lake trout with Atlantic and coho salmon mixed in. Fish were scattered with the cold water temperatures, and lines set all through the water column were productive.
CHEBOYGAN: Many anglers reported having success catching smallmouth bass all along the river using many different kinds of bait. A couple of walleye were caught trolling the river with natural bait. Darker steelhead were seen in the river but were not biting. Atlantic salmon and northern pike were caught near the dam. On the lake, anglers had luck drifting spoons when fishing for lake trout in 30 to 60 feet of water. They may begin to retreat to deeper water as the weather continues to warm up. Anglers reported that good colors to use for spoons included chartreuse, blues, silvers and pinks.
Fishing Tip:
Many anglers search for the latest tips and tricks when fishing for trout, and one of the best may also be the simplest: Don’t forget that trout can see! Trout are known to have excellent vision, so consider the following if you head out this spring:
• Cast out far ahead of you to prevent the trout from seeing you.
• When wading, do so carefully and avoid rapid movement, which could spook the fish.
• Don’t wear any shiny objects, including watches or tools on your vest.
• Stay away from wearing bright colors – stick to dark browns and greens.
• Remember that trout usually face into the current, so cast upstream.
