Southwest Lower Peninsula
Muskegon: Strong winds over the past week prevented most boats from getting out. When boats were able to get out, they found a mix of immature and mature salmon in 150 to 220 feet of water. Green or white flies fished 70 to 150 feet down worked best. Pier anglers casting for salmon found the action slow.
Grand Haven: Boat anglers had a difficult time getting out due to the winds. Most success was found 70 to 140 feet down in 150 to 200 feet of water. White flasher/fly combinations worked well, along with green or blue glow spoons. Pier action was slow for anglers targeting salmon. A few were caught on gizzard shad or while casting glow spoons.
Northwest Lower Peninsula
Manistee: High winds over the weekend kept most anglers off Lake Michigan. Boats jigging and trolling in the river channel and Manistee Lake caught chinook salmon in the early mornings and at night. Early in the week, a few salmon were caught inside and outside the pier heads while jigging and trolling glow plugs and spoons. The piers were slow, but a couple of Chinook salmon and coho salmon were caught while casting spoons, Thundersticks, and jigging spoons.
Ludington: High winds and large waves kept most anglers off the big lake this weekend. PM Lake had decent catches of Chinook salmon while jigging, trolling, and drifting skein, but the action slowed down early in the week. On Lake Michigan, a few Chinook salmon were caught northwest and just south of Big Sauble Point in 100 to 110 feet of water while fishing 60 feet down with green plugs and spoons. Pier fishing was very slow.
Fishing tip: Water clarity
Keep an eye on water clarity after rough weather. Stirred-up, muddy water can make fishing tough, especially for sight-feeding species like steelhead or Chinook salmon. When visibility is low, switch to brightly colored or noisy lures (like chartreuse or orange spoons with rattles) to help fish locate your presentation.
