Salmon are here! The high water brought in a wave of fresh Kings, Coho, and a few Steelhead. The sixth street dam is loaded with fish, as well as anglers. They are moving upstream at a steady pace. It sounds crazy after all that flooding two weeks ago, but we

• Source: Nomad Anglers
• Read full post: Fall Run

Southwest Lower Peninsula

St. Joseph River: A good number of steelhead, coho and Chinook salmon were moving through the Berrien Springs fish ladder at the beginning of the week. While there were some Chinook, most were coho and steelhead.

Black River: A few salmon were starting to move up into the river. Boat anglers caught a couple Chinook when trolling.

Grand River at Grand Rapids: The rain and cooler temperatures pushed a few more fish up into the river. Anglers were getting Chinook and some steelhead up near the Sixth Street Dam. Most were using a variety including spawn, spinners, thundersticks, Cleo’s and flies.

White River: Anglers casting body baits or spinners in the early morning caught the occasional Chinook salmon in the lower stretches.

Northeast Lower Peninsula

Cheboygan River: Anglers trying for salmon did not have much luck. There were a few splashes up near the dam, but harvest numbers were low. Most were floating spawn, drifting worms or casting crank baits and spinners. Those targeting walleye while drifting worms caught a few smallmouth bass. There is one gate open at the dam. Water temperatures were in the low 70’s.

Ocqueoc River: Had few anglers. Salmon were starting to stage near the mouth however there was build up at the sand bar.

Thunder Bay River: Anglers are trying for salmon but very few are in the river yet. Fishing has been very quiet as we wait for cooler temperatures to bring down the water temperature.

Tawas River: Has produced the occasional Chinook salmon.

Northwest Lower Peninsula

Bear River: Water levels dropped and were in good shape. Though anglers were getting some Chinook near the dam, the action did slow. A couple small steelhead were caught. Most were using spawn bags, flies and artificial eggs. Another push of salmon could come with rain and cooler temperatures.

Lake Charlevoix: Boats were starting to fish near the Belvedere Club. Those trolling for salmon caught a few fish. Rumor has it a few Chinook were starting to show up in the Boyne River.

Traverse City: A few Chinook and cisco were caught in the East Bay when trolling out from the launch and to the south. Lake trout were also caught when trolling around Deepwater Point. In the Elk River, a few salmon were caught in the morning up near the dam. There are plenty of smallmouth bass in the river. In the West Bay, salmon fishing was slow at the south end with only a couple Chinook caught when trolling. Lake trout were taken by those jigging along the west side of the island and south of it. Bass fishing was slow but a few were found in 20 feet. Small perch were found in Bowers Harbor, south of Elmwood and in Sutton’s Bay. On the Boardman River, salmon fishing was slow but a few Chinook were taken on spoons or body baits up at the dam either early morning or evening. A few Chinook and coho were caught below the new pedestrian bridge which is just below the weir. Skein and spawn worked best.

Frankfort: Those jigging or trolling the bay reported lower numbers however Chinook were still being caught as the fish are moving into the Betsie River at night. Very good numbers of coho were caught in Platte Bay when trolling or jigging in 80 to 100 feet. Pier anglers caught Chinook and coho when casting glow spoons or black spinners early and late.

Betsie River: Anglers caught Chinook salmon all the way up to the Homestead Dam, but the action was starting to slow.

Manistee River: Chinook and some coho have been caught up near Tippy Dam. The rain and cooler weather had brought in some fresh fish. Most were using spawn, skein, flies or spoons.

Pere Marquette River: Continues to produce a fair to good number of Chinook salmon including some very large fish.

Upper Peninsula

Manistique River: Was producing some walleye and salmon.

Marquette: Lake trout fishing continues to be good. More anglers are starting to target both the Carp and the Dead River but most had no luck.

Au Train: Lake trout fishing is still very good just north of Au Train Island when trolling or jigging. Some were starting to troll up high for salmon near the mouth of the Au Train River but very few had any luck.

Munising: Very slow fishing in general with only a few small splake caught by those trolling for coho. Surface water temperatures dropped to the low to mid 60’s. Lake trout anglers continue to do well towards Wood Island and near Big Reef with most fish averaging around five to six pounds. Rivers were high and turbid.

Now’s the time to start finding those fresh salmon in the holes in Pere Marquette. Based on what we saw this weekend in flies-only stretch, the salmon have just barely begun working the gravel beds. That means you’ve got to fish the dark water. Not every hole has fish but many of the expected (and unexpected) holes will have fish. Certainly more salmon on are on the way.

They kings are big! They’ll take you for ride, so rig up appropriately.

Plus, it looks like may trout have started keying in on eggs and small streamers. Great opportunity to hook up with large browns in the drop-offs.

• Source: Fish Fray
• Read full post: Late Summer King Salmon Fishing in Michigan - Catch and Cook