Anglers are hoping for a fun month. (Herald Review file photo)
BIG RAPIDS – The DNR reports the inland waters are warming and panfish are being caught on leaf worms and wax worms under a bobber.
The large and smallmouth bass action was good for those using live and artificial baits, the DNR added.
In Mecosta County, “the fishing has been fantastic,” Tom Vernon, of Frank’s Sporting Goods in Morley said “Fish are on fire, so are the walleyes. The bass season kicked off last Friday and is doing fantastic. With this warm weather, things are just going to keep getting better for the next month or so.”
At Frankfort, king salmon are starting to show up out deep. Boat anglers are heading out to 150 to 170 feet and trolling 40 to 80 feet down. Water temperatures are still on the cool side, but the fish are hitting if you can find the breaks, the DNR said, adding lake trout were suspended out deep.
“There’s some salmon being caught over 20 pounds,” Christine Murphy, of the Frankfort Tackle Box said. “There wasn’t been much change. I hope this wind settles down.”
Those heading straight out on the lake at Onekama and trolling to the golf course in 140 to 150 feet caught king salmon, lake trout and steelhead in the top 80 feet, the DNR said.
Anglers are catching bluegills, crappie and bass at lakes Cadillac and Mitchell.
At Lake Michigan in Ludington, “fishing has slowly picked up in the big lake,” Caleb Keegstra, at Captain Chuck’s in Ludington, said. “We’ve measure a couple of large fish from a 23-pound lake trout and a 15-pound steelhead, so fishing is starting to pick up. A few kings are being caught. We anticipate a few more over the course of next week. Bluegills are on the beds at Hamlin Lake, especially at the south end.
“Largemouth bass are on their beds and are being caught regularly. There’s some pretty good bluegill fishing on Pere Marquette Lake.”
Boats trolling for lake trout found a few fish in deeper water at Manistee. Fish were caught within 10 feet of the bottom when trolling dodgers and spin-glo’s. The occasional king salmon was also caught.
“They’re getting some bluegills and panfish,” Dewey Buchner at Don’s Sporting Goods in Manistee said. “The bass are doing pretty good. They’re getting a few pike too.”
Courtesy of the Michigan DNR
If you’re headed out fishing, please do your part to keep yourself and others safe by following COVID-19 public health and safety guidelines. Go fishing only if you're feeling well, and it’s always a good idea to frequently wash your hands with soap and warm water, or use hand sanitizer.
All anglers 17 years of age and older are required to have a fishing license.
