Upper Peninsula Weekly Fishing Report – Sept. 30, 2020

Marquette: Had slow fishing, with very few caught. Rain has caused higher water levels and poor water clarity with small debris. Boats trolling from the Lower Harbor to the mouth of the Chocolay River had poor catch rates, with only a couple coho taken. Fishing pressure on the Carp and Chocolay rivers dropped due to poor catch rates. A few pink salmon were reported in the Dead River, but anglers had no luck.

Little Bay de Noc: Walleye catches were up for those fishing the reefs off Kipling. Best catches were in 16 to 30 feet with a crawler harness or stick baits. A few fish were caught down near the Ford River in 14 to 20 feet. Good perch fishing in Kipling and north to Strawberry Island with crawlers in 8 to 14 feet. A couple anglers were targeting salmon up near the dam on the Escanaba River.

Manistique River: Seems to have a good number of Chinook. Boat anglers did best up near the high dam overflow and rapids. Many are anchored and casting crankbaits or spawn. Shore anglers did best between the 94-Bridge and the dam when casting spawn or J-plugs.

Munising: Has major road construction at both the east and west ends of town. Traffic has been backed up with only one lane open. Those targeting coho in the bay did not have much luck. Water levels are up due to heavy rain. Shore anglers on the Anna River dock had very little action, with only a few small splake or odd coho caught.

Detour: Steelhead were caught 2 miles south of the Detour Reef and lighthouse when trolling red and white spin-glo’s behind flashers over the 90-foot flat. The thermocline was between 35 and 45 feet. Lake trout season is closed, and there were no reports of Chinook salmon caught.

Drummond Island: Yellow perch fishing remains steady in Scott Bay and Maxton Bay, with fish 8 to 11 inches caught at James Island and Ashman Island with shiners and worms in 8 to 12 feet. Good perch fishing at Harbor Island early morning and mid-day inside the mouth of the harbor with the same off the weed beds in 8 feet. Good smallmouth action on the north side of Burnt Island when jigging orange or dark green tube jigs in 6 to 10 feet and in Scott Bay when jigging along the rocky points in 4 to 6 feet. Walleye fishing was slow along the entire St. Marys River.

Cedarville and Hessel: Good pike action in Snows Channel and around Dollar Island when trolling a split body crankbait. Good colors were fire-tiger and chartreuse. Fish were also caught at the Middle Entrance to the Les Cheneaux Islands with live chubs two cranks off the bottom in 14 to 18 feet. Good walleye action off Les Cheneaux Club Pointe on the north side of Marquette Island when jigging an orange twister tail. Try between the red and green buoys in 8 to 10 feet. Slip bobber rigs tipped with emerald shiners caught walleye in 12 feet early morning and late evening. A few catches of yellow perch were reported off the boat launch on Park Avenue. Also try at the red buoy at the east end of Snows Channel in 10 to 12 feet. Good catches of panfish around Echo Island with chartreuse and white twister tail jigs.

Carp River: Had a few anglers fishing at the seawall, but no reports came in.

Nunn’s Creek: Anglers caught limits of smaller Chinook salmon on occasion when casting spoons and crankbaits or when drifting spawn, skein and flies.

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Fishing Tip: Go “hunting” for fish this fall

Autumn can be one of the best times of year to seek out your favorite fish species for a day of fun angling. Several species to target this October and November include walleye, perch and trout.

Walleye are thought to be in their best condition in the fall and often can be found in the river mouth areas of larger, inland lakes. They’re gathering there to take advantage of baitfish that like to hang out as the weather cools off. Set your sights on 10-12 feet deep to find these guys.

Perch also populate around these same river mouths, but these fish likely will be much closer to the river than walleye. Check out depths as shallow as 4 feet to find them.

Trout, available in some of these larger lakes during this time as well, can be found in the same areas as walleye and perch.

Try your luck at some great fishing this fall. For more information on the numerous autumn opportunities, visit Michigan.gov/Fishing.