Northern Michigan Fishing Report — August 17, 2025 (5 AM ET)
⸻
Moon & Solunar Windows (ET)
• Moon: Waning Gibbous (~54%)
• Major Bites: 5:31 AM–7:31 AM & 5:59 PM–7:59 PM
• Minor Bites: 1:38 PM–2:38 PM & 11:09 PM–12:09 AM
⸻
Water Temps & Thermocline
• Lake Michigan surface: ~71 °F
• Inland lakes: 71–75 °F
• Thermocline: 30–55 ft, with a 5–7 °F drop—target this zone for most pelagic bites
⸻
Weather Update — Traverse City Area
Today’s forecast: mid-70s, mostly cloudy with passing sun, possible afternoon showers—perfect fishing in the morning and evening.
⸻
Salmon Report — North to South (Leland, Frankfort, Manistee, Ludington, Whitehall, Grand Haven)
• Leland: Chinook and lake trout showing in 100–180 ft; most success at 70–80 ft using meat rigs and spoons. Strong late-day bite reported.
• Frankfort: Chinook actively taking spoons and meat rigs down at 60–90 ft in 120–160 ft water. Afternoon holds well.
• Manistee: Mixed salmon (king, coho, lake trout) found 80–100 ft down in 140–240 ft. Flasher-fly and plugs hottest when trolled slow.
• Ludington: Active on spoons and flasher-fly rigs deeper—best 70–100 ft down; morning time frame is most consistent.
• Whitehall: Kings and steelhead over bait pods; 40–60 ft down with glow spoons performing.
• Grand Haven: Still strong—king salmon early in 80–150 ft, bites 50–100 ft down on meat rigs and glow spoons, especially pre-sunrise.
⸻
Inland Lakes — Live Bait Updates (Mixed Methods)
Using real data from today’s local updates and social posts:
• Houghton Lake: Walleye strong midday on crawler harnesses; smallmouth picked at with leeches under slip-bobbers along drop-offs.
• Lake Saint Helen: Dawn/dusk action: walleye and perch on live minnows under slip-bobbers; midday spot flicks of leeches near weeds getting hits.
• Burt Lake: Walleye biting on crawler harnesses deep, but drop-shot minnows over flats adding extra fish early. Drifting crawler harness is still most reliable.
• Long Lake (Traverse City): Slip-bobber minnows over 20 ft structure and drifting crawler harness both producing—the latter catching more keepers.
• Mullett Lake: Smallmouth and walleye on crawler harnesses and slow drifted minnows near rocky edges—both working.
• Otsego Lake: Early anglers report success with crawler harness in 12–18 ft; slip-bobber leeches also picking up fish at first light.
• Black Lake: Perch and walleye near river mouths hitting leeches under bobbers and jigged live minnows—both methods pull.
• Lake Cadillac: Live crawlers fished from piers and drop-shot minnows working suspended fish—both methods applying depending on depth.
• Lake Mitchell: Panfish and walleye reacting to leeches under bobbers and crawler harnesses near weed edges early.
• Lake Missaukee: Bluegill and bass chasing minnows under bobbers; early walleye bites on crawler harness deeper.
• Spider Lake (Traverse City): Panfish and bass hitting minnows on bobber and live crawlers on light jigheads—structure edge pays off.
• Lake Skegemog: Perch and bass on leeches under bobbers near Torch River bank—it’s slow but steady.
• Grand Lake (Alpena): Walleye and smallmouth taken on minnows under bobber and drop-shot rigs near weed points—both holders.
• Lake Margrethe (Grayling): Walleye and smallmouth active on leeches under slip-bobber and drop-shot rigs 12–22 ft; perch on minnows near weedline at dawn/dusk.
⸻
Upper Peninsula — Live Bait Highlights
• Little Bay de Noc: Walleye biting on crawler harnesses; smallmouth hitting crawlers and leeches on structure.
• Munising Bay (Lake Superior): Lake trout landing on live bait rigs; coho and Chinook catching attention in early morning.
• Portage Entry (Lake Superior): Lake trout on drop-shot minnows and troll spoons; live bait adding edge.
• Ontonagon / Black River Harbor: Lake trout holding deep; live bait rigs adding connectivity to structure.
• Lake Gogebic: Walleye and perch biting minnows under bobber earlier; drop-shot rigs working suspended fish as water warms.
⸻
Hot 10 Bites — Best Now (Mixed Methods)
1. Leland — Chinook & lake trout, meat rigs, 70–80 ft down ⬆
2. Frankfort — Kings on spoons/meat rigs, 60–90 ft; harness working too ⬆
3. Manistee — Mixed kings/coho, plugs/spoons, 80–100 ft down ⬆
4. Houghton Lake — Walleye on crawler harness & slip-bobber leeches ⬆
5. Ludington — Kings/coho on flasher-fly/spoons, 70–100 ft ⬆
6. Burt Lake — Walleye on crawler harness, drop-shot minnows productive
7. Lake Saint Helen — Walleye/perch, slip-bobber live bait at dawn/dusk
8. Margrethe (Grayling) — Walleye/smallmouth, slip-bobber & drop-shot leeches/minnows
9. Otsego Lake — Walleye via crawler harness early; slip-bobber holding at depth
10. Mullett Lake — Smallmouth/walleye on crawler harness and drifting minnows
⸻
Pro Tip
In waters with heavy vegetation, fish leeches or minnows under a slip-bobber with a light glow tip for subtle action. On open water or rock edges, switch to crawler- or drop-shot rigs to keep bait in zone.
⸻
Tight lines and Baitman out
#LiveBait #bucsbait #LiveBaitFishing #TakeAKidFishing
#michiganfishingreport #bucsfishingreport #letsgofishing #fishingreport #gonefishing #tightlines
… See MoreSee Less