Southwest Lower Peninsula
Muskegon: Boats continued to find decent numbers of salmon. Anglers targeted 80 to 110 feet of water early in the morning and slid out to 180 to 230 feet later in the day. Most of the fish were caught 50 to 100 feet down on plugs and green flasher-fly combinations.
Grand Haven: Salmon action was good, but the fish were scattered. The most success was found 50 to 100 feet down in 80 to 220 feet of water. A mix of glow spoons, glow plugs, and flasher flies all worked well. Pier anglers were unsuccessful targeting salmon. Largemouth bass were caught on crankbaits and live bait.
Northwest Lower Peninsula
Manistee: Early in the week, lake conditions changed. Chinook salmon and coho salmon were caught in the area while fishing in 140 to 150 feet of water, 40 to 65 feet down. Plugs, flasher/fly combinations, spoons, and meat rigs all caught fish. Chinook salmon and coho salmon were also caught off the piers while casting and jigging spoons, as well as using alewife for bait. Boat anglers reported salmon in the harbor and just outside the pier heads while trolling plugs in green, blue, and white glow colors.
Ludington: Chinook salmon and a couple of coho salmon were caught northwest and at Big Sable Point in 80 to 110 feet of water, while fishing 45 to 65 feet down. Salmon and steelhead were also caught to the south off the projects in 80 to 100 feet of water at various depths, though the action was slower. Plugs and spoons caught fish. Salmon fishing off the pier was slow, Chinook salmon was caught early in the week while casting spoons. Smallmouth bass were reported along the piers over the weekend.
Frankfort/Lake Michigan: Rain and a cold front that moved in during the week pushed some Chinook salmon closer to shore or up into the bay. Anglers trolling in 100 to 140 feet of water still reported good numbers in the top 60 feet. Spoons and plugs worked best, with the early morning bite producing slightly better results. Lake trout were hitting in the same areas or off the bottom in Platte Bay. A few coho salmon were reported out front on regular spoons.
Mason County: Salmon fishing was great on Lake Michigan out of Ludington. Several limits of fish were reported.
Oceana County: Fishing was very slow on the inland lakes with the warm water. Anglers reported catching limits with a mixed bag of Chinook salmon, coho salmon, and steelhead being caught in the upper water column of Lake Michigan with the cold water up well from Pentwater to Little Point Sable.
Newaygo County: The water was very warm and fishing slowed down on the Muskegon River. The river saw low water levels from Croton Dam to Henning Park.
Fishing tip: August fishing
During late August, fish often move to deeper, cooler waters as surface temperatures remain warm. Focus your efforts during early morning or late evening hours when fish are more active. Use slow presentations like drop-shot rigs or jigging spoons near structure in 15 to 30 feet of water for species like walleye and smallmouth bass. Don’t forget to check your electronics for thermocline layers — fish often hold just above them this time of year.
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