The Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Now that Labor Day is past, the vast majority of fishing effort will turn to salmon and trout. Those wishing to fish inland lakes or inland trout streams will be greeted with solitude and often some very good fishing! Salmon are starting to move in closer to shore as well as into some of the river systems. Bluegill, crappie and bass fishing can be good this time of year.
SOUTHWEST LOWER PENINSULA
White Lake: Has salmon in it. Fish were caught on green and white or ladder back J-plugs or dark spoons in green, blue and red.
NORTHWEST LOWER PENINSULA
Manistee Lake: The southern end near the mouth of the Little Manistee River will close to fishing on September 6 and will re-open on October 15 or when the DNR egg quota is reached. This closed area is marked by DNR buoys.
Ludington: Has good catches of Chinook salmon with a few coho mixed in. The thermocline was 50 feet down in 90 to 150 feet of water. Try green or blue plugs. Pier fishing is slow but fish have been caught in Pere Marquette Lake.
Pere Marquette River: Salmon are in the river however the better fishing may still be in the lower stretches until we get more rain and the water temperatures cool.
Pentwater: The salmon have moved in a little as anglers caught fish in 115 to 130 feet of water. Only a few salmon have been caught from the piers.