Upper Peninsula Weekly Fishing Report – Oct. 7, 2020

Marquette: A few boats were out and caught a small number of coho, steelhead and brown trout. Some limit catches were taken near Granite Island, including fish up to 10 pounds. The fish were found in shallow water along the breaks. Those trying for whitefish had no luck. Shore anglers fishing from the Chocolay River access, the mouth of the Carp River and Dead River reported one or two fish per trip, mostly coho, brown trout, splake and small Chinook salmon. Those starting to fish the breakwall by the Coast Guard Station caught a few lake trout on spoons.

Little Bay de Noc: Walleye anglers reported fair catches, with most fishing north of the “Narrows” in the early morning or late at night when trolling a crawler harness or stick baits in 12 to 20 feet. Night anglers anchored in the shallows and casting stick baits also caught fish. Perch fishing was fair in the same area with crawlers or minnows in 6 to 25 feet. Smallmouth bass are in fall mode and were found 25 feet down in deeper water near the Black Bottom. Most were using dropshots or minnows. No salmon in the rivers.

Indian Lake: In Schoolcraft County was producing some perch.

Manistique River: The fall salmon run has peaked, as very few silver fish are being reported. Most were casting crankbaits about 100 yards from the dam. Some have started looking for steelhead, but no catches were reported. Walleye are still in the river, and a few were caught by salmon anglers.

Munising: Had some improvement, but catch rates were still low, especially for boat anglers. Those shore fishing the Anna River and Bay Furnace caught a few coho and splake along with a few small rainbows on spawn or casting spoons. Most of the coho were still somewhat silver.

St. Marys River: Salmon fishing slowed. The pink salmon run lasted about two weeks near Sault Ste. Marie. Anglers were still getting a few behind the Edison Power Plant, but they were not in the best shape. Walleye fishing in the upper river was slow, with only a few caught near the shipping channel. Perch fishing was good in Lake George.

Detour: Gusty winds have kept salmon and trout anglers off the water. When conditions allowed, those able to get out beyond the lighthouse caught a few lake trout along the 90-foot flat. Most were using orange and white or chartreuse and white spin-glo’s behind flashers.

Drummond Island: Yellow perch fishing was good until strong northeast winds stirred up both Scott Bay and Maxton Bay and stained the water. Before that, perch were caught in 12 to 14 feet at Ashman Island and James Island with worms and shiners.  Good smallmouth action on the north side of Burnt Island in 6 to 8 feet with orange and dark green tube jigs and off Bruce’s Point with orange and chartreuse twister tail jigs along the rock piles.

Cedarville and Hessel: There were reports of a few perch caught in Cedarville Bay, across from Viking Marina. Try just off the cattails in 6 to 8 feet with worms and shiners. A few catches were taken at Island #8 off Hill Island Road. Try fishing on both sides of the bridge. For Hessel, there were no reports of any perch caught from the finger docks at the marina. Pike fishing was good at the pier in the early morning. Fish were caught east and west of the pier when casting large crankbaits or floating live creek chubs 2 feet off the bottom.

Carp River: Anglers fishing upriver from the I-75 overpass to the McDonald Rapids caught pink salmon on spawn, spoons and spinners. The occasional coho was caught at the seawall when casting spoons.

Nunn’s Creek: After the last rain, anglers caught Chinook weighing 6-20 pounds when casting spoons and crankbaits or drifting skein. Boat anglers casting spoons and crankbaits at the mouth also caught fish.

Fishing Tip: How to catch muskellunge when others can’t

For many anglers, muskellunge can be quite elusive, but having a few tips in your back pocket can make your trips more successful.

The first thing to consider is the type of lure you might use. Many experts recommend using a jerkbait-style lure to trigger vertical follows.

The next thing to consider is where you might look for muskellunge. Always be looking for cover, including weed patches or downed trees – these are prime spots for them to linger.

Lastly, don’t be afraid to focus your fishing time to late afternoon/early evening. These hours can produce some quality opportunities. Please check the 2020 Fishing Guide for muskellunge fishing regulations.

For even more information on fishing for muskellunge, visit the muskie page on the DNR’s website.