Upper Peninsula Weekly Fishing Report – Sept. 23, 2020

Marquette: Boat action for lake trout was still good near Shot Point and from the White Rocks to Granite Island. Only a few coho were caught. On the Dead River, smaller pink salmon were reported near the dam. On the Chocolay River, a few coho and smaller brown trout were caught. Fishing was slow on the Carp River.

Little Bay de Noc: Walleye anglers reported fair catches near Kipling when trolling a crawler harness around the reefs. Best catches were at dusk in 14 to 20 feet. A few large fish were caught south of the Ford River when trolling the “Fingers” and near Round Island in 10 to 20 feet. Several good perch catches were reported around the First and Second reefs in 8 to 24 feet with crawlers. Shore anglers in Rapid River took fair catches on crawlers. Bluegills and bullhead were also caught. This is a good place for kids to fish. A few shore anglers were looking for salmon along the Escanaba River, but no fish had been caught.

Manistique River: The numbers are down from last year, but anglers are catching both Chinook and pink salmon. Brown trout were also caught. The best area for boats is near the high dam spillover and rapids (small boats only). Shore anglers are fishing between the “Bass Hole” and the dam.

Munising: The few boats trying for coho reported poor catch rates. Some caught the occasional splake. Shore anglers also reported slow fishing. For those looking to do a color tour and go fishing, the leaves have started to turn, and some areas were close to 50% color.

Detour: Young salmon were caught at the Detour Reef and lighthouse. Chinook were found between the lighthouse and the first red buoy east of it on the Drummond Island side of the river. Hot baits were dipsey divers with blue and white squid baits. A few small coho were taken west of the lighthouse at the green buoy with gold and black spoons in 40 to 90 feet. Lake trout were along the 90-foot flat 2 miles south of the lighthouse and were hitting red, white and blue spin-glo’s behind flashers. A few nice catches of walleye were taken to the north near Swedes Point. Try shiners with a slip bobber in the early morning in 8 to 12 feet. Fish were caught at Butterfield Island when trolling planer boards with a blue and white crankbait.

Cedarville and Hessel: A few perch were caught at the Island #8 Bridge off Hill Island Road when still fishing off the weed beds in 8 to 12 feet. In Musky Bay, perch anglers were using pink and white jigs just off the weed beds in 8 feet at Connors Point.  Walleye were found between Marquette Island and the Cedarville Golf Course when jigging a chartreuse and white jig. Fish were also found off Les Cheneaux Club Point in 8 to 12 feet. For Hessel, good catches of splake were reported by those jigging both natural and artificial spawn bags from the finger docks at the marina. Yellow perch were caught in Mackinaw Bay between Lone Susan Island and Echo Island when using shiners and worms in 6 feet.

Carp River: Fishing was slower, but some anglers did manage to catch Chinook salmon at the sea wall in the early morning or at night when drifting spawn or casting spoons and crankbaits. No word on pink salmon.

Nunn’s Creek: Those wading at the mouth have caught Chinook with rattling crankbaits, spoons and spawn. The salmon were between 3 and 20 pounds.

Fishing Tip: Finding monster muskie in the fall

Known as “the fish of a thousand casts,” the muskellunge can be a tough species to target. Have you always wanted to catch a big one? Check out this tip to try the next time you head out.

When you’re out on the water, consider focusing your efforts on the corners or inside turns of the lake(s) you’re fishing. These spots consist of bends in the bottom that cause a slight point to form. Muskie will often hide out in these spots, especially if it puts them close to deeper water, excellent cover and access to food.

Want even more information on fishing for muskellunge? Check out the muskie page on the DNR’s website and the 2020 Fishing Guide for muskellunge fishing regulations.