Fishing Reports

Thank you to all my 2023 fishing guests. There were some positive changes to our fishery this year, especially on Lake Huron. The benefit of Coho Salmon plants are showing signs of success. In addition to Lake Trout and Walleye, we caught many Steelhead, Coho, Atlantic Salmon, and some Chinooks. The only problem is that the good Lake Trout fishing is now well offshore compared to years ago. On Lake Michigan, the Chinook fishery is strong, but occasionally unstable on some days, mainly depending on weather fronts. This has always been typical of Chinooks, though. My prediction is for 2024 to be similar, or a little better due to plants, and good health of the lakes.

Our DNR began planting Coho Salmon, Atlantic Salmon and Steelhead in an attempt to add to the already good Walleye and Lake Trout fishing on Lake Huron. We are definitely noticing the benefits of those plants. I have caught as many as 6 different species of fish in one trip. The last two months have been productive out of Grindstone City for a variety of fish, but Lake Trout are catches are down unless you travel well offshore to deep water. The best area has been due north out of Grindstone, to about 80 degrees out of Grindstone, anywhere from 5-9 miles. I have a few dates open in September.

Thank you to all the guests who fished with me in 2022. All three ports were productive, but the Port Austin area required a longer boat ride to experience the best fishing. At Drummond Island, Atlantic Salmon were readily available until early June, then it slowed somewhat. This is an unpredictable fishery that seems to be based on conditions of the St. Mary’s River, and weather. Thankfully, Lake Trout fishing was great.  At Frankfort, we had good Salmon action on most days, but they occasionally disappear. This is the real, true honest nature of fishing. I can’t always guarantee fish will bite, but I will guarantee that my best effort will be put forth, based on a lifetime of fishing experience. This trend seems to be steady, so I predict the same good fishing at all 3 ports in 2023.

Thank you to all my guests for fishing with me in 2021. Photos from those trips have been updated, and they are now on the website. Based on trends, I believe 2022 will offer some fantastic fishing on the great lakes. As of now (December), I still have some weekday openings for 2022, but those dates are filling fast. Please call me at 586-212-4030 to reserve a date. Sincere wishes for a happy and healthy 2022!

Here is the fishing report as I see it on July 5. I do not have any charter openings until September, but if you call, I can recommend someone for you. 586-212-4030.

The fishing at Drummond Island has been good for Lake Trout, at the mouth of the St. Marys River, all the way to about 10 miles west. 90-120 feet of water was best when I fished there recently, and there were scattered Steelhead and Atlantic Salmon mixed in. Be careful not to enter the federal Lake Trout refuge. Notice the color of the meat. It is a deep, rich orange flesh. These fish are prime for the table, and there’s nothing better.

    

More recently, I have been fishing at Grindstone City. Lake Trout has been excellent, and we are also catching Pinks, Cohos and Steelhead near the surface on small orange spoons, but expect to go out more than 10 miles. These fish are scattered everywhere in water greater than 150 feet. The Walleye are just showing up in 25-40 feet of water. I like using body baits, and trolling faster than most people do. Early morning and late evening is best.

Good luck.

2021 Fishing Outlook

Happy New Year! The fishing outlook for 2021 is excellent, based on 2020 catches. The Atlantic Salmon fishing at Drummond Island should continue to be outstanding, due to efforts from the DNR, and Lake Superior State College. 2020 was excellent. Frankfort will continue to have good Salmon fishing, but it has honestly become a hit and miss fishery. There just isn’t as many Salmon in Lake Michigan as there was 10 years ago, but it is still the best place to fish, and most days in 2020 were good! The fishing at the tip of Michigan’s thumb had a lot of variety in 2020. Steelhead, Walleye, and Lake Trout were especially good in 2020, but many other species were available. Walleye fishing should continue to be excellent, especially in July. Lake Trout fishing will be excellent, but these fish are moving around more than usual, and long runs offshore are sometimes necessary. If you are interested in a 2021 charter, please call me at 586-212-4030. Have a wonderful winter!