COVERING LAKE ERIE, DETROIT RIVER, LAKE ST. CLAIR, ST. CLAIR RIVER, SAGINAW BAY & SOUTHERN LAKE HURON. ALSO, COVERING NORTHERN LAKE MICHIGAN, BENZIE INLAND LAKES, MANISTEE INLAND LAKE AND GRAND TRAVERSE INLAND LAKES
🎣 West Michigan Regional Fishing Report1. Frankfort
🎣 Regional Walleye Breakdown1. Detroit River
- Big Lake (Lake Michigan & Betsie Bay):
- Trolling: Solid action off "The Point" (Point Betsie) and out front in 100–160 ft of water targeting 60–100 ft down. Spoons in green/glow, flasher/fly combos, and meat rigs are pulling mature Chinook (King) salmon, Coho, and Steelhead.
- Betsie Bay / Pierheads: Early morning casting with heavy chrome/green or orange spoons off the piers or trolling body baits near the harbor entrance is taking staging salmon and brown trout.
- Trolling: Solid action off "The Point" (Point Betsie) and out front in 100–160 ft of water targeting 60–100 ft down. Spoons in green/glow, flasher/fly combos, and meat rigs are pulling mature Chinook (King) salmon, Coho, and Steelhead.
- River Report (Betsie River & Platte River):
- Betsie River: Excellent salmon run underway with fresh Kings and Cohos spread throughout the system from the mouth up past Homestead Dam. Back-bouncing plugs, drifting freshly cured salmon skein, or running spawn bags under floats in deep pools and woody cover is producing high-percentage bites. Early fall Steelhead are beginning to push in right behind the salmon.
- Platte River: Steady Coho action near the mouth in Platte Bay and upstream through the lower river stretch using float setups with spawn or casting inline spinners.
- Betsie River: Excellent salmon run underway with fresh Kings and Cohos spread throughout the system from the mouth up past Homestead Dam. Back-bouncing plugs, drifting freshly cured salmon skein, or running spawn bags under floats in deep pools and woody cover is producing high-percentage bites. Early fall Steelhead are beginning to push in right behind the salmon.
- Inland Lakes:
- Crystal Lake: World-class smallmouth bass fishing right now on rocky humps and drop-offs in 15–30 ft of water using drop-shots, tube jigs, and small swimbaits. Deep-water Lake Trout jigging with heavy 1.5 oz white/glow jigs in 60–100 ft is also very consistent.
- Platte Lake: Yellow Perch are schooling up in 20–30 ft basins (hitting live minnows or wigglers near the bottom), while Northern Pike are active along shallow weed edges hitting trolled body baits.
- Crystal Lake: World-class smallmouth bass fishing right now on rocky humps and drop-offs in 15–30 ft of water using drop-shots, tube jigs, and small swimbaits. Deep-water Lake Trout jigging with heavy 1.5 oz white/glow jigs in 60–100 ft is also very consistent.
- Big Lake (Lake Michigan): Trollers fishing in 100–180 ft of water (targeting 40–80 ft down) are pulling in mature Chinook salmon, Coho, and Steelhead. Copper lines (200–250 ft), 5–10 color cores, and Ninja divers with plugs, glow spoons (e.g., Veggie/Goat patterns), or flasher/fly setups have seen steady action.
- River Report (Pere Marquette River): The PM has a solid run of King salmon, though many are turning dark as the run progresses. Fall Steelhead are moving in behind the salmon beds; drift spawn, beads, or small flies in deeper runs.
- Inland Lakes:
- Hamlin Lake: Bluegill and Crappie action is good near weed edges using small jigs or teardrops tipped with wax worms/spikes. Northern Pike are active on live minnows or casting spinnerbaits along weed lines.
- Pere Marquette Lake: Slow trolling body baits or casting spoons near river mouths yields occasional staging salmon and smallmouth bass.
- Hamlin Lake: Bluegill and Crappie action is good near weed edges using small jigs or teardrops tipped with wax worms/spikes. Northern Pike are active on live minnows or casting spinnerbaits along weed lines.
- Big Lake (Lake Michigan): Trolling off the shelf and around the harbor piers produces mixed bags of Coho, late Kings, and Steelhead. Trolling in 100–150 ft of water near the bottom with flasher/fly combos or meat rigs is pulling lake trout and staging salmon.
- River Report (Big Manistee River): The river holds good numbers of Steelhead and resident Brown Trout, along with spawning Kings. Below Tippy Dam, anglers drifting spawn bags, beads, or swinging streamers in deep pools are finding active fish.
- Inland Lakes:
- Manistee Lake: Walleye anglers targeting dusk or low-light hours are having success trolling nightcrawler harnesses or casting crankbaits near drop-offs.
- Portage Lake: Good smallmouth bass action along rocky structure using tube jigs and drop-shots, alongside steady panfish activity in weed pockets.
- Manistee Lake: Walleye anglers targeting dusk or low-light hours are having success trolling nightcrawler harnesses or casting crankbaits near drop-offs.
- Big Lake (Lake Michigan): Outstanding structure trolling around Good Harbor Bay and the North/South Manitou Islands. Kings (up to 20+ lbs), Coho, and Lake Trout are being taken in 90–160 ft of water on spoons and flasher/fly setups.
- River Report (Leland River / Carp River): The short stretches of river connecting Lake Leelanau to Lake Michigan offer opportunities for early-run Steelhead and lingering Coho near river mouths.
- Inland Lakes:
- Lake Leelanau (North & South): Excellent Walleye fishing on mid-lake humps and weedlines trolling nightcrawler harnesses or casting snap jigs. Smallmouth bass are active in 10–20 ft on drop-shot rigs, while Northern Pike hit trolled crankbaits.
- Lake Leelanau (North & South): Excellent Walleye fishing on mid-lake humps and weedlines trolling nightcrawler harnesses or casting snap jigs. Smallmouth bass are active in 10–20 ft on drop-shot rigs, while Northern Pike hit trolled crankbaits.
- Big Lake (Grand Traverse Bay - East & West):
- East Bay: Jigging for Lake Trout in 60–100 ft of water around Deepwater Point and Elk Rapids with gold/white jigging spoons is very productive.
- West Bay: Smallmouth bass are active along break lines (10–20 ft) on tubes and jerkbaits. Lake trout jigging near Stony Point and Omena Bay is also steady.
- East Bay: Jigging for Lake Trout in 60–100 ft of water around Deepwater Point and Elk Rapids with gold/white jigging spoons is very productive.
- River Report (Boardman River): Salmon are scattered throughout the lower stretches. Anglers drifting spawn or casting inline spinners near deep holes are catching Coho, Kings, and early fall Steelhead.
- Inland Lakes:
- Long Lake & Green Lake: Smallmouth bass and Walleye are active on drop-offs; casting crankbaits or drifting live bait along weed edges works best.
- Elk Lake & Torch Lake: Jigging deep structure yields Lake Trout and Whitefish, while shallow weedlines offer pike and smallmouth bass action.
- Long Lake & Green Lake: Smallmouth bass and Walleye are active on drop-offs; casting crankbaits or drifting live bait along weed edges works best.
- Big Lake (Lake Michigan): Trollers setting up near the pier heads and out to 100 ft of water are finding Chinook salmon, Steelhead, and Lake Trout. Green/blue glow spoons, white flashers, and meat rigs fished 20–80 ft down yield the best results.
- River Report (Muskegon River): River flows are clear and manageable. Salmon are spread out in the system. Resident Brown Trout and Rainbow Trout are feeding aggressively on salmon eggs and small midge/scud patterns. Fall Steelhead are beginning to trickle in; try swinging flies or drifting spawn.
- Inland Lakes:
- Muskegon Lake: Walleye anglers trolling nightcrawler harnesses or deep crankbaits along the shipping channels and drop-offs are seeing solid evening bites. Perch and Crappie are hitting live minnows in 15–25 ft of water.
- Mona Lake: Good panfish (bluegill/crappie) action around weed margins using small teardrop jigs and wax worms.
- Muskegon Lake: Walleye anglers trolling nightcrawler harnesses or deep crankbaits along the shipping channels and drop-offs are seeing solid evening bites. Perch and Crappie are hitting live minnows in 15–25 ft of water.
🎣 Regional Walleye Breakdown1. Detroit River
- Tactics & Presentation: Vertical jigging with 1 oz jigs tipped with soft plastics (such as 4-inch Fin-S Minnows or Wyandotte Worms) or live emerald shiners. Chartreuse, brown/orange, and motor oil/glow remain top producers. Adding Garlic Dip-N-Glo dye to tails gives an extra edge in stained water.
- Key Areas: Focus on current seams, channel edges, and structure around the Trenton Channel, Grassy Island, Fighting Island, and down toward Mud Island.
- Conditions & Pattern: As water temperatures cool down, resident and incoming fall walleye stage in classic river structure. Keep your line vertically plumb while slipping with the current. In low-light or overcast conditions, shallow flats near river mouth transitions produce well on blade baits and heavy hair jigs.
- Tactics & Presentation: Trolling remains king on the open water. Run crankbaits (Bandits, Reef Runners, or Deep Husky Jerks) 30 to 70 feet back on planar boards. Trolling speeds from 1.3 to 1.8 mph are ideal. Gold, purple, and orange/clown patterns are consistently turning fish. Night casting crankbaits off piers and shallow reefs with stickbaits is also picking up momentum.
- Key Areas: Target Brest Bay, the waters off Sterling State Park, Luna Pier, and along the shipping channel edges in 18 to 28 feet of water.
- Conditions & Pattern: Schools are migrating toward western basin structures and nearshore drop-offs following massive baitfish balls. Look for marks suspended 8 to 15 feet down over deeper structure.
- Tactics & Presentation: Transitioning from summer crawler harnesses to trolling deep crankbaits (Flicker Shads, Bandits) and casting blade baits (Vibe-Es) or heavy jigs on inner bay structure.
- Key Areas: The Saginaw River mouth, Linwood, Au Gres, and around the Spoil Island / Coreyon Reef areas in 14 to 22 feet of water.
- Conditions & Pattern: Cooler fall breezes have pushed walleye into the inner bay and toward river mouths ahead of their late fall pattern. Trolling speed is critical as water temps drop—slow down to 1.2–1.5 mph to trigger reaction strikes from fatter, aggressive fall fish.
- Tactics & Presentation: Pitching or hopping blade baits, vibe lures, and 3/8 to 1/2 oz jigs with swimbaits/minnows along weedlines. Trolling shallow-running crankbaits or nightcrawler harnesses around weed edges in 10 to 16 feet of water continues to pull mixed-bag limits of walleye and jumbo perch.
- Key Areas: Anchor Bay, off the mouth of the Clinton River, the Shipping Channel edges, and along the Grosse Pointe Mile.
- Conditions & Pattern: Walleye are heavily feeding on yellow perch and emerald shiners along transitional weed zones. Look for clean, clear water pockets near subtle current shifts.
- Tactics & Presentation: Handlining with wire setups pulling rapalas/flats, or bottom bouncing/jigging with 3/4 to 1 oz jigs along deep drop-offs. Live bait (emerald shiners) on slip-sinker rigs or wire leader rigs produces solid fish during dusk and dawn feeds.
- Key Areas: The upper river near Port Huron / Blue Water Bridge, St. Clair City Park, Algonac, and the North/South Channels.
- Conditions & Pattern: Current remains swift. Focus on the sharp channel breaks (25–40 ft) where walleye rest in current seams waiting to ambush migrating bait. Night handlining along shallow gravel edges is exceptionally productive.
- Terminal Setup: Utilize 10–12 lb Seaguar fluorocarbon leaders paired with braided mainlines to maximize sensitivity in current seams and pick up subtle fall taps.
- Color Selection: Stick to gold, hammered copper, chartreuse, and clown/orange in the rivers, and purple/copper or bright neon glow patterns on the open bays and lakes.
Fishing Report for Oct 6, 2026
1. Northern Lake Michigan Ports: Manistee, Frankfort, Leland, & Grand Traverse Bays
As water temperatures cool into the low-to-mid 50s, the action across the big-water ports of Northern Lake Michigan shifts dramatically toward staging salmon, aggressive fall trout, and early-arriving steelhead.
Manistee: King salmon and active cohoes are heavily stacked around the harbor piers and staging just outside the channel. Pier anglers are finding success tossing heavy spoons or casting body baits during low-light hours. Boat trollers are scoring well working 50 to 90 feet of water with deep-diving plugs and meat rigs. Steelhead are also beginning to show up in the lower river zones.
Frankfort: The peak of the fall king run is in full swing here. Anglers pulling multiple-fish limits are concentrating outside the piers and inside Betsie Bay as fish prepare for the run. Glow spoons early in the morning and meat rigs fished off downriggers or dipsy divers continue to be the primary producers. Yellow perch and early-season walleye are also starting to pull into shallower structure.
Leland: Action around the Manitou passage and local reefs focuses on late-season king salmon staging off the shelf, alongside residual lake trout holding in deeper pockets. Trolling standard spoons and flasher-fly setups near bottom contours remains effective.
Grand Traverse Bays (East & West): Traverse City and the surrounding bay structures offer stellar autumn fishing. West Bay is producing good numbers of staging king salmon in 60 to 120 feet of water. Depths change rapidly here, making electronics essential for targeting suspended fish. Depths shift quickly, so keeping a close eye on your fish-finder for suspended schools will keep rods bent.
2. Regional River Systems Report
Fall river fishing across Northern and Western Michigan is hitting its stride as migratory fish push upstream.
Manistee River: The upper stretches are fishing well for resident brown trout, with steady dry-fly activity during cloudy afternoons featuring Blue-Winged Olives (BWOs) and terrestrial patterns. Streamer fishing is picking up significantly on rainy, overcast days. Lower river sections are seeing steady numbers of fresh Chinook salmon and early steelhead moving past Tippy Dam. Freshly cured salmon skein and beads under a float are standard tools for success.
Platte & Betsie Rivers: Both systems are seeing strong pushes of cohos and kings. Low, clear water conditions in certain pockets mean early morning stealth and lighter fluorocarbon leader setups are critical for success.
Big Manistee & Pere Marquette: Ideal flows for float fishing and bottom bouncing. Expect steady action from accumulating steelhead and resident trout following behind the salmon spawn to feed on loose eggs.
3. Inland Lake Report
Northern Inland Lakes (Crystal Lake, Portage Lake, etc.):
Walleye & Perch: Cooling water temps are pushing walleye off deep summer haunts onto weed edges and drop-offs. Live bait rigs (crawler harnesses) or slow-trolled stickbaits after dark are turning heads.
Trout & Pike: Crystal Lake continues to offer great multi-species opportunities, with active smallmouth bass and aggressive northern pike hunting aggressively along weedlines and shallow flats as metabolism increases ahead of winter.
4. Michigan Walleye Fishing Report Page
Across the state, falling water temperatures are triggering a major aggressive feeding phase for walleye.
Statewide Overview: Fish are transitioning from deep, offshore summer basins to intermediate structures, shorelines, and river mouths. Jigging blade baits, casting plastics (such as 4-inch paddle tails or minnow imitations), and live-bait rigging are the go-to techniques. Low-light periods—especially dawn and the first hour after dark—yield the highest quality fish.
5. Southeast Michigan Walleye Report Page (Lake Erie, Detroit River, & St. Clair System)
Lake Erie (Western & Central Basins): Fall walleye fishing on Erie is heating up significantly. Trolling crankbaits (such as Reef Runners or Berkley Deep Jerkbaits) off planer boards at speeds between 1.8 to 2.4 mph is producing heavy limits. Focus on structural changes, drop-offs, and mud lines where baitfish congregate. Casting hair jigs or blade baits over rocky reefs is also starting to produce numbers.
Detroit River: Fall migratory walleye are starting to show up in the lower river and near lake transitions. Vertical jigging with 1-ounce jigs tipped with Fin-S Minnows or soft plastic paddletails, enhanced with garlic scent, remains the gold standard. Concentrate efforts around the deep channels, shipping channel ledges, and current breaks.
Lake St. Clair & St. Clair River System: The St. Clair system is yielding excellent multispecies bags. Walleye are scattered across the flats and staging near the main river mouths. Pulling crawler harnesses or slow-trolling bottom bouncers with natural crawlers or plastic minnows around the shipping channel drop-offs is steady. Smallmouth bass fishing on the lake remains world-class, with drop-shot rigs and tube jigs working over gravel and weed transition areas.
1. Northern Lake Michigan Ports: Manistee, Frankfort, Leland, & Grand Traverse Bays
As water temperatures cool into the low-to-mid 50s, the action across the big-water ports of Northern Lake Michigan shifts dramatically toward staging salmon, aggressive fall trout, and early-arriving steelhead.
Manistee: King salmon and active cohoes are heavily stacked around the harbor piers and staging just outside the channel. Pier anglers are finding success tossing heavy spoons or casting body baits during low-light hours. Boat trollers are scoring well working 50 to 90 feet of water with deep-diving plugs and meat rigs. Steelhead are also beginning to show up in the lower river zones.
Frankfort: The peak of the fall king run is in full swing here. Anglers pulling multiple-fish limits are concentrating outside the piers and inside Betsie Bay as fish prepare for the run. Glow spoons early in the morning and meat rigs fished off downriggers or dipsy divers continue to be the primary producers. Yellow perch and early-season walleye are also starting to pull into shallower structure.
Leland: Action around the Manitou passage and local reefs focuses on late-season king salmon staging off the shelf, alongside residual lake trout holding in deeper pockets. Trolling standard spoons and flasher-fly setups near bottom contours remains effective.
Grand Traverse Bays (East & West): Traverse City and the surrounding bay structures offer stellar autumn fishing. West Bay is producing good numbers of staging king salmon in 60 to 120 feet of water. Depths change rapidly here, making electronics essential for targeting suspended fish. Depths shift quickly, so keeping a close eye on your fish-finder for suspended schools will keep rods bent.
2. Regional River Systems Report
Fall river fishing across Northern and Western Michigan is hitting its stride as migratory fish push upstream.
Manistee River: The upper stretches are fishing well for resident brown trout, with steady dry-fly activity during cloudy afternoons featuring Blue-Winged Olives (BWOs) and terrestrial patterns. Streamer fishing is picking up significantly on rainy, overcast days. Lower river sections are seeing steady numbers of fresh Chinook salmon and early steelhead moving past Tippy Dam. Freshly cured salmon skein and beads under a float are standard tools for success.
Platte & Betsie Rivers: Both systems are seeing strong pushes of cohos and kings. Low, clear water conditions in certain pockets mean early morning stealth and lighter fluorocarbon leader setups are critical for success.
Big Manistee & Pere Marquette: Ideal flows for float fishing and bottom bouncing. Expect steady action from accumulating steelhead and resident trout following behind the salmon spawn to feed on loose eggs.
3. Inland Lake Report
Northern Inland Lakes (Crystal Lake, Portage Lake, etc.):
Walleye & Perch: Cooling water temps are pushing walleye off deep summer haunts onto weed edges and drop-offs. Live bait rigs (crawler harnesses) or slow-trolled stickbaits after dark are turning heads.
Trout & Pike: Crystal Lake continues to offer great multi-species opportunities, with active smallmouth bass and aggressive northern pike hunting aggressively along weedlines and shallow flats as metabolism increases ahead of winter.
4. Michigan Walleye Fishing Report Page
Across the state, falling water temperatures are triggering a major aggressive feeding phase for walleye.
Statewide Overview: Fish are transitioning from deep, offshore summer basins to intermediate structures, shorelines, and river mouths. Jigging blade baits, casting plastics (such as 4-inch paddle tails or minnow imitations), and live-bait rigging are the go-to techniques. Low-light periods—especially dawn and the first hour after dark—yield the highest quality fish.
5. Southeast Michigan Walleye Report Page (Lake Erie, Detroit River, & St. Clair System)
Lake Erie (Western & Central Basins): Fall walleye fishing on Erie is heating up significantly. Trolling crankbaits (such as Reef Runners or Berkley Deep Jerkbaits) off planer boards at speeds between 1.8 to 2.4 mph is producing heavy limits. Focus on structural changes, drop-offs, and mud lines where baitfish congregate. Casting hair jigs or blade baits over rocky reefs is also starting to produce numbers.
Detroit River: Fall migratory walleye are starting to show up in the lower river and near lake transitions. Vertical jigging with 1-ounce jigs tipped with Fin-S Minnows or soft plastic paddletails, enhanced with garlic scent, remains the gold standard. Concentrate efforts around the deep channels, shipping channel ledges, and current breaks.
Lake St. Clair & St. Clair River System: The St. Clair system is yielding excellent multispecies bags. Walleye are scattered across the flats and staging near the main river mouths. Pulling crawler harnesses or slow-trolling bottom bouncers with natural crawlers or plastic minnows around the shipping channel drop-offs is steady. Smallmouth bass fishing on the lake remains world-class, with drop-shot rigs and tube jigs working over gravel and weed transition areas.
Chromeseekers Sportfishing Report — Late September 2026Lake Michigan PortsFrankfort & Platte Bay
Captain Dan Stewart
Chromeseekers Sportfishing
- The Action: The fall salmon migration is firing on all cylinders. Mature Chinook and aggressive early Coho salmon are stacking up heavily around the pier heads, Betsie Bay, and Platte Bay.
- Tactics: Early morning trollers working the top 30 to 50 feet of water with silver-finish spoons and meat rigs are finding steady limits. Pier anglers are also getting in on the action casting heavy spoons or working fresh spawn as fish stage.
- The Action: Boat anglers working offshore waters are finding steady numbers of staging Kings, while early coho runs and yellow perch are starting to gain momentum in the harbors.
- Tactics: For salmon, look to deeper structural drops and staging zones in 100 to 150 feet of water. Inshore and harbor perching is picking up nicely on small minnows as water temps begin their downward slide.
- The Action: Beautiful fall weather is making for stellar mixed-bag opportunities across both arms of the bay.
- Tactics: Smallmouth bass are actively feeding along gravel points and drop-offs. Cisco and lake trout are cooperating well for vertical jiggers working deep structure, while early staging salmon are beginning to show near the river mouths.
- The Action: Flows are stabilizing nicely below Tippy Dam, and a steady push of early-run Chinook salmon and early steelhead are moving into the system.
www.fishfrankfort.com - Tactics: Back-bouncing plugs, running spawn bags, or swinging streamers through the deeper runs and classic gravel stretches is producing good results during low-light hours.
- The Action: As water temperatures dip, smaller tribs like Bear Creek are starting to see trickles of early fish pushing upstream.
- Tactics: Keep an eye on water levels after rain events; low-light sight-fishing and float setups with beads or spawn will turn heads.
- The Action: The lower stretches near the bay and Homestead zones are holding solid numbers of fresh kings and cohos as fish navigate the system.
- Tactics: Wading anglers working the deeper pools with float rigs and skein are finding consistent success during early morning pushes.
- The Action: Fall transitions are underway right in town and down near the mouth. Early salmon and resident trout are active.
- Tactics: Low-clearance wading with single-hook artificials, streamers, and small spawn sacs will keep you into fish as the run builds.
- The Action: Both the Leland (the Fishtown stretch) and the Platte River mouth are experiencing solid flurries of activity as cohos and kings mill about prior to making their final runs.
- Tactics: Stealthy presentations and casting small spoons or body baits near the mouth areas during low-light windows are key.
- Crystal Lake: Smallmouth bass fishing is exceptional right now, with fish keying in on rocky humps and drop-offs in 15 to 30 feet of water. Deep-water lake trout are also hitting well for vertical jiggers.
- Platte Lake: Yellow perch are schooling up nicely in mid-depth basins (20 to 30 feet); small minnows or wigglers fished near the bottom are taking nice mixed bags.
If you are looking for a trip, please reach out to me - 248-229-7226
Captain Dan Stewart
Chromeseekers Sportfishing
🎣 ChromeSeekers Northwest Michigan Report: March 14, 2026
Current Status: 🔥 PEAK STEELHEAD RUN | 🔱 BROWN TROUT NEARSHORE
1. The Big Manistee River (Tippy Dam)
The "Holy Water" of Michigan steelhead is officially on fire.
• The Action: The "Big Thaw" has pushed fresh, bright chrome fish into the system. Flows are currently around 2,900 CFS and slightly stained—perfect for hiding your line from weary fish.
• Hotspots: The stretch from Tippy Dam down to Suicide Bend. Fish are holding in the "slower woody winter stuff" (5–7 feet deep) but are beginning to move toward the gravel as temps hit 38°F.
• Tactics: Float fishing with 10mm–12mm beads in "Creamsicle," Mottled Orange, or "Dead Egg." Fresh spawn bags in peach mesh are also taking fish.
• Pro Tip: As the alevins (salmon fry) begin to hatch, switch to small fry imitations or "Alevin" beads to trigger aggressive strikes from resident browns and steelhead.
2. Frankfort: Betsie & Platte Rivers
• The Betsie: The river is high but clearing. Fresh steelhead are stacking up below Homestead Dam. This is a "bead game" right now—natural colors are outperforming brights in the clearer stretches.
• The Platte: Very clear water. Stealth is key. Use lighter fluorocarbon leaders (6lb or 8lb) and smaller 8mm beads.
• Nearshore (Lake Michigan): The "Brown Trout Bite" is starting near the Frankfort pier heads. Trolling Rapala Husky Jerks (HJ10/HJ12) in silver/blue or "Clown" in 10–15 FOW is the ticket.
3. Grand Traverse & Inland Waters
• The Bays (East & West): Lake Trout are active in the deep holes (80–140 feet). If you aren't on the river, jigging 1.5 oz Bondy Baits or heavy white/glow jigs is producing solid Lakers.
• Crystal Lake: The ice is gone, and the Yellow Perch and Rock Bass adventures are beginning. Look for fish on the drop-offs in 30–50 FOW.
• Boardman River: Staging steelhead are being reported in the lower river near the Traverse City mouth.
Current Status: 🔥 PEAK STEELHEAD RUN | 🔱 BROWN TROUT NEARSHORE
1. The Big Manistee River (Tippy Dam)
The "Holy Water" of Michigan steelhead is officially on fire.
• The Action: The "Big Thaw" has pushed fresh, bright chrome fish into the system. Flows are currently around 2,900 CFS and slightly stained—perfect for hiding your line from weary fish.
• Hotspots: The stretch from Tippy Dam down to Suicide Bend. Fish are holding in the "slower woody winter stuff" (5–7 feet deep) but are beginning to move toward the gravel as temps hit 38°F.
• Tactics: Float fishing with 10mm–12mm beads in "Creamsicle," Mottled Orange, or "Dead Egg." Fresh spawn bags in peach mesh are also taking fish.
• Pro Tip: As the alevins (salmon fry) begin to hatch, switch to small fry imitations or "Alevin" beads to trigger aggressive strikes from resident browns and steelhead.
2. Frankfort: Betsie & Platte Rivers
• The Betsie: The river is high but clearing. Fresh steelhead are stacking up below Homestead Dam. This is a "bead game" right now—natural colors are outperforming brights in the clearer stretches.
• The Platte: Very clear water. Stealth is key. Use lighter fluorocarbon leaders (6lb or 8lb) and smaller 8mm beads.
• Nearshore (Lake Michigan): The "Brown Trout Bite" is starting near the Frankfort pier heads. Trolling Rapala Husky Jerks (HJ10/HJ12) in silver/blue or "Clown" in 10–15 FOW is the ticket.
3. Grand Traverse & Inland Waters
• The Bays (East & West): Lake Trout are active in the deep holes (80–140 feet). If you aren't on the river, jigging 1.5 oz Bondy Baits or heavy white/glow jigs is producing solid Lakers.
• Crystal Lake: The ice is gone, and the Yellow Perch and Rock Bass adventures are beginning. Look for fish on the drop-offs in 30–50 FOW.
• Boardman River: Staging steelhead are being reported in the lower river near the Traverse City mouth.
Northwest Michigan Spring Fishing Report: March 1, 2026
The "Big Thaw" is currently transforming the Northwest Lower Peninsula. With the recent warming trends and rain, river levels are rising, and the Great Lakes' nearshore waters are finally shedding their ice. This is a premier window for steelhead in the tributaries and brown trout along the Lake Michigan shoreline.
1. The Rivers: Benzie & Manistee Counties
The Report: We are in the "Waking Up" phase. The Big Manistee is flowing at approximately 2200 CFS and 35°F. While the water is slightly stained from snowmelt, it’s a "good" stain that gives the fish confidence to move into shallower runs. The Betsieand Boardman are warming faster than the big water, pushing fresh spring chrome toward the staging areas below the dams.
• Target: Steelhead (Spring Run) and Resident Brown Trout.
• Hotspots: * Manistee: Below Tippy Dam to Suicide Bend.
• Betsie: Homestead Dam area (be prepared for crowds) and the lower "woodsy" sections.
• Tackle Box:
• Beads: 8mm to 10mm in "Mottled Orange," "Creamsicle," and "Dead Egg."
• Flies: Black Stoneflies (size 8–10) are becoming active. Alevin (Salmon Fry) imitations are a secret weapon right now as the fall spawn starts to hatch.
• Hardware: Small silver or gold Blue Fox spinners (size 3) or Steelie Stix in high-vis colors for triggered strikes in stained water.
2. Lake Michigan Nearshore: Frankfort & Leland
The Report: The "Mud Line" is your best friend. As the rivers dump warm, stained water into the cold, clear Lake Michigan, Brown Trout and Steelhead congregate right at that temperature break.
• Target: Brown Trout and Steelhead.
• Strategy: Trolling shallow (8–20 feet) parallel to the shoreline or the pier heads.
• Tackle Box:
• Body Baits: Rapala Husky Jerks (HJ10) in "Silver/Blue" or Smithwick Perfect 10s in "Clown" or "Table Rock Shad."
• Spoons: Small Stinger Spoons in "Lemon Ice" or "Orange Crush" run behind planer boards.
• Pier Fishing: Fresh spawn bags (peach mesh) or heavy cleos (blue/silver) cast from the Frankfort North Pier.
3. Grand Traverse Bay: East & West
The Report: The Bays are transitioning from ice to open water. While some protected pockets still have shelf ice, the main basins are open. Lake Trout are the most consistent bite, though Yellow Perch are starting to group up in staging areas.
• Target: Lake Trout and Yellow Perch.
• Strategy: Deep-water vertical jigging for Lakers; shallow weed-edge searching for Perch.
• Tackle Box:
• Lake Trout: 1.5 oz to 2 oz Bondy Baits or heavy Swedish Pimples (white/glow) worked in 80–130 feet of water.
• Perch: Tungsten jigs tipped with a wax worm or minnow head in 15–25 feet of water near drop-offs.
4. Inland Lakes: Crystal & Long Lake
The Report: "First Ice-Off" is a magical time. Panfish are moving toward the northern, sun-soaked shorelines where the water is 2–4 degrees warmer than the rest of the lake.
• Target: Crappie, Bluegill, and Northern Pike.
• Tackle Box:
• Panfish: 1/64 oz jig heads under a sensitive slip bobber.
• Pike: Large suspending jerkbaits (Lucky Craft Pointer 100) worked slowly over emerging weed beds.
Michigan Walleye In-Depth Report: The Spring Push (March 2026)
March 2026 has arrived with a classic "mixed bag" start. While Lake Erie still holds some floating pack ice, the major river systems—the Detroit, St. Clair, and Saginaw—are shedding their winter shells and inviting the largest walleye migration on the planet. This is the time for "verticality" in the rivers and "breadth" in the bays.
1. The Detroit River: World-Class Verticality
The Current State: The run is currently in its early "Trophy Phase." Millions of walleye are pushing up from Lake Erie. While the total volume of fish will peak in mid-April, the largest females (10+ lbs) are being caught right now.
• Hotspots: Focus on the Wyandotte and Trenton channels. Look for "current seams" where fast water meets slower eddies near the mid-river islands.
• Technique: Vertical Jigging. You must keep your line perfectly vertical to feel the "tick" of a bottom-hugging walleye. If your line is at an angle, you are out of the strike zone.
• Tackle Selection:
• Jigs: 5/8 oz (shallow/low flow) to 1 oz (deep/fast flow) round-head jigs.
• Colors: "Anti-freeze" (neon yellow/green), Purple/Gold, and Black.
• Plastics: 4" Wyandotte Worms or Finn-S Fish.
• Pro Tip: Use a stinger hook (a small #8 or #10 treble on a 2" leader) attached to the main jig hook. Early season bites are often "short," and the stinger will double your hook-up rate.
2. Saginaw Bay & Saginaw River
The Current State: The ice is rapidly deteriorating. In the lower river (near the YMCA in Saginaw), boats are already finding success. In the Bay, fish are staging in the "Slot" (10–14 feet) and out by the Sparkplug (22–24 feet).
• Technique: A mix of jigging and slow trolling. If the water is muddy from runoff, vibration is more important than color.
• Tackle Selection:
• Trolling: Flicker Shads (#5 or #7) or Bandits run 30–50 feet back behind planer boards. Target speeds of 1.1–1.4 mph.
• Jigging: Jigging Raps (Blue/Chrome) or Moonshine Spoons (the "shiver" action triggers lethargic fish).
• Plastics: Split-tail minnows in "Firetiger" or chartreuse.
3. Lake St. Clair & St. Clair River
The Current State: Lake St. Clair is offering a fantastic "Pre-Spawn Trolling" window along the Michigan shoreline. The St. Clair River is seeing a steady push of fish near Algonac and Marine City.
• Technique: Trolling shallow flats (6–10 feet) on the lake, or "slipping the current" (drifting at the same speed as the water) in the river.
• Tackle Selection:
• Trolling (Lake): Deep Husky Jerks (DHJ12) in "Glass Minnow" or Deep Walleye Bandits. No weights are needed; just run them straight back.
• Jigging (River): Heavy jigs are mandatory here--1 oz to 1.25 oz to stay pinned to the bottom in the 4–6 mph current.
• Rigging: 6'6" to 7'0" Medium-Heavy rod with 10 lb high-vis braided line.
4. Western Basin: Lake Erie (Monroe/Luna Pier)
The Report: The "pre-spawn staging" is occurring on the reef complexes. Fish are schooling heavily before they make their final move into the Raisin and Detroit Rivers.
• Strategy: Find the "Stained Water." Walleye love the edge where murky river water meets clear lake water.
• Tackle Selection:
• Blade Baits: SteelShads or Silver Buddies in silver or gold. Rip them up 2 feet and let them flutter back down.
• Hair Jigs: Old-school purple hair jigs tipped with a minnow are a secret weapon for Erie's early spring "cold-water" walleye.
The "Big Thaw" is currently transforming the Northwest Lower Peninsula. With the recent warming trends and rain, river levels are rising, and the Great Lakes' nearshore waters are finally shedding their ice. This is a premier window for steelhead in the tributaries and brown trout along the Lake Michigan shoreline.
1. The Rivers: Benzie & Manistee Counties
The Report: We are in the "Waking Up" phase. The Big Manistee is flowing at approximately 2200 CFS and 35°F. While the water is slightly stained from snowmelt, it’s a "good" stain that gives the fish confidence to move into shallower runs. The Betsieand Boardman are warming faster than the big water, pushing fresh spring chrome toward the staging areas below the dams.
• Target: Steelhead (Spring Run) and Resident Brown Trout.
• Hotspots: * Manistee: Below Tippy Dam to Suicide Bend.
• Betsie: Homestead Dam area (be prepared for crowds) and the lower "woodsy" sections.
• Tackle Box:
• Beads: 8mm to 10mm in "Mottled Orange," "Creamsicle," and "Dead Egg."
• Flies: Black Stoneflies (size 8–10) are becoming active. Alevin (Salmon Fry) imitations are a secret weapon right now as the fall spawn starts to hatch.
• Hardware: Small silver or gold Blue Fox spinners (size 3) or Steelie Stix in high-vis colors for triggered strikes in stained water.
2. Lake Michigan Nearshore: Frankfort & Leland
The Report: The "Mud Line" is your best friend. As the rivers dump warm, stained water into the cold, clear Lake Michigan, Brown Trout and Steelhead congregate right at that temperature break.
• Target: Brown Trout and Steelhead.
• Strategy: Trolling shallow (8–20 feet) parallel to the shoreline or the pier heads.
• Tackle Box:
• Body Baits: Rapala Husky Jerks (HJ10) in "Silver/Blue" or Smithwick Perfect 10s in "Clown" or "Table Rock Shad."
• Spoons: Small Stinger Spoons in "Lemon Ice" or "Orange Crush" run behind planer boards.
• Pier Fishing: Fresh spawn bags (peach mesh) or heavy cleos (blue/silver) cast from the Frankfort North Pier.
3. Grand Traverse Bay: East & West
The Report: The Bays are transitioning from ice to open water. While some protected pockets still have shelf ice, the main basins are open. Lake Trout are the most consistent bite, though Yellow Perch are starting to group up in staging areas.
• Target: Lake Trout and Yellow Perch.
• Strategy: Deep-water vertical jigging for Lakers; shallow weed-edge searching for Perch.
• Tackle Box:
• Lake Trout: 1.5 oz to 2 oz Bondy Baits or heavy Swedish Pimples (white/glow) worked in 80–130 feet of water.
• Perch: Tungsten jigs tipped with a wax worm or minnow head in 15–25 feet of water near drop-offs.
4. Inland Lakes: Crystal & Long Lake
The Report: "First Ice-Off" is a magical time. Panfish are moving toward the northern, sun-soaked shorelines where the water is 2–4 degrees warmer than the rest of the lake.
• Target: Crappie, Bluegill, and Northern Pike.
• Tackle Box:
• Panfish: 1/64 oz jig heads under a sensitive slip bobber.
• Pike: Large suspending jerkbaits (Lucky Craft Pointer 100) worked slowly over emerging weed beds.
Michigan Walleye In-Depth Report: The Spring Push (March 2026)
March 2026 has arrived with a classic "mixed bag" start. While Lake Erie still holds some floating pack ice, the major river systems—the Detroit, St. Clair, and Saginaw—are shedding their winter shells and inviting the largest walleye migration on the planet. This is the time for "verticality" in the rivers and "breadth" in the bays.
1. The Detroit River: World-Class Verticality
The Current State: The run is currently in its early "Trophy Phase." Millions of walleye are pushing up from Lake Erie. While the total volume of fish will peak in mid-April, the largest females (10+ lbs) are being caught right now.
• Hotspots: Focus on the Wyandotte and Trenton channels. Look for "current seams" where fast water meets slower eddies near the mid-river islands.
• Technique: Vertical Jigging. You must keep your line perfectly vertical to feel the "tick" of a bottom-hugging walleye. If your line is at an angle, you are out of the strike zone.
• Tackle Selection:
• Jigs: 5/8 oz (shallow/low flow) to 1 oz (deep/fast flow) round-head jigs.
• Colors: "Anti-freeze" (neon yellow/green), Purple/Gold, and Black.
• Plastics: 4" Wyandotte Worms or Finn-S Fish.
• Pro Tip: Use a stinger hook (a small #8 or #10 treble on a 2" leader) attached to the main jig hook. Early season bites are often "short," and the stinger will double your hook-up rate.
2. Saginaw Bay & Saginaw River
The Current State: The ice is rapidly deteriorating. In the lower river (near the YMCA in Saginaw), boats are already finding success. In the Bay, fish are staging in the "Slot" (10–14 feet) and out by the Sparkplug (22–24 feet).
• Technique: A mix of jigging and slow trolling. If the water is muddy from runoff, vibration is more important than color.
• Tackle Selection:
• Trolling: Flicker Shads (#5 or #7) or Bandits run 30–50 feet back behind planer boards. Target speeds of 1.1–1.4 mph.
• Jigging: Jigging Raps (Blue/Chrome) or Moonshine Spoons (the "shiver" action triggers lethargic fish).
• Plastics: Split-tail minnows in "Firetiger" or chartreuse.
3. Lake St. Clair & St. Clair River
The Current State: Lake St. Clair is offering a fantastic "Pre-Spawn Trolling" window along the Michigan shoreline. The St. Clair River is seeing a steady push of fish near Algonac and Marine City.
• Technique: Trolling shallow flats (6–10 feet) on the lake, or "slipping the current" (drifting at the same speed as the water) in the river.
• Tackle Selection:
• Trolling (Lake): Deep Husky Jerks (DHJ12) in "Glass Minnow" or Deep Walleye Bandits. No weights are needed; just run them straight back.
• Jigging (River): Heavy jigs are mandatory here--1 oz to 1.25 oz to stay pinned to the bottom in the 4–6 mph current.
• Rigging: 6'6" to 7'0" Medium-Heavy rod with 10 lb high-vis braided line.
4. Western Basin: Lake Erie (Monroe/Luna Pier)
The Report: The "pre-spawn staging" is occurring on the reef complexes. Fish are schooling heavily before they make their final move into the Raisin and Detroit Rivers.
• Strategy: Find the "Stained Water." Walleye love the edge where murky river water meets clear lake water.
• Tackle Selection:
• Blade Baits: SteelShads or Silver Buddies in silver or gold. Rip them up 2 feet and let them flutter back down.
• Hair Jigs: Old-school purple hair jigs tipped with a minnow are a secret weapon for Erie's early spring "cold-water" walleye.
Tight lines,
Captain Dan Stewart
Chromeseeekers Sportfishing Charters
(248) 229-7226
Captain Dan Stewart
Chromeseeekers Sportfishing Charters
(248) 229-7226
