Anglers are happy to see this cold snap, just what we need to get fishing jump-started on fall bites. Find your gloves yet? How about your coffee thermos? Mornings are going to start to get just a little nippy, but then the sun feels so good when it rises enough to shine on you, and wrapping your hands around a hot cup o’ joe puts a little warmth back into your fingers. Best time of the year to fish, in my humble opinion, and that’s just what I intend to do for the next week. See you on the water when I get back.
White Lake - Fish are still stacked up just inside the lake. Try 50 feet of water with yellow, green and red stick baits or double jointed Rapalas. For the latest info on White Lake call Johnson’s Great Outdoors at 231-893-6688.
Whitehall/Montague - The boats are out again and catching coho 70 feet down in 140 feet of water. Some have started to catch steelhead 40 feet down in 120 feet of water.
Muskegon - Was slow. Boats are putting downriggers 100 to 200 feet down in waters up to 300 feet deep. They are using white paddles with a UV blue fly and spoons in green or blue. Muskegon Lake is producing a few walleyes. Salmon are in the river but the fish were running smaller with an average size of 10 to 14 pounds. The tributaries are now closed to fishing.
Grand Haven - Salmon fishing has slowed. A few fish are being taken by those trolling 80-150 feet down in 150-210 feet of water. UV paddles and flies worked best. Pier anglers are getting just a few coho and chinook on spoons or spawn/alewives.
Pentwater – Steelhead and lake trout are being taken in the top 40 feet over water deeper than 200 feet. A few chinook or coho in the mix. River anglers are targeting salmon.
Hamlin Lake – The cold snap should get panfish action heating up. For up to date Hamlin information call Hamlin Grocery at 231-843-2058.
Ludington – Fishing has slowed around the piers but a few chinook taken still on plugs. Lots of fish in Pere Marquette Lake and up into the river. Water temps at 60 degrees seem to have kept the fish around longer. Boats working 200-300 feet and pulling green or orange spoons in the top 100 feet have found fish.