Fishing Reports

Grindstone/Port Austin area continues to have great fishing, but it isn’t as easy as last year. There is some work involved to get a nice catch. Lake Trout have been suspended at times, so it’s worth running 2-5 colors of lead core with magnum spoons. Some Steelhead and Cohos have been hitting those high lines as well, but the Chinooks have mostly disappeared as they always do in June. Big Lake Trout have been hitting spoons near the bottom in 120-140 feet of water, anywhere from 330-15 degrees out of Grindstone. As of now, the water is still very cold and clear, and the Walleye are not showing up because of it. I spent 3 weeks at Drummond Island, and the fishing there was outstanding. Plenty of nice Atlantic Salmon, and Lake Trout were available. The best fishing was in the top 50 feet, anywhere around the mouth of the St. Mary’s River, and up to 6 miles offshore.

The season has started successfully at the tip of Michigan’s thumb. The only problem has been the cold, windy, rainy weather. The area I have been fishing is due north out of Grindstone in 80-110′, just southeast of what we call the “tip of the reef”. Limit catches of Lake Trout, mostly 5-9 lbs, but some bigger ones have been showing up. The big surprise is the Chinooks, mostly around 12lbs. I have caught Salmon on every trip, but have had as many as 9 on in one trip. They are hitting spoons in the top 35′ of water, and the warmest water I could find is 46 degrees, but that will change quickly. Above are a few photos taken since 5-13-18. I still have a few weekday openings in June and July.