From DNR reports

DNR fishing guide, July 24

Muskegon area

Muskegon: Catch rates were slow. Anglers are catching steelhead but fewer chinook salmon in waters up to 170 feet deep. Steelhead were found in the top 30 feet and were hitting on orange or gold spoons. Those fishing the channel were casting spoons or using shrimp. No perch to report.

Whitehall: Anglers had some luck around the Clay Banks or two to three miles north of the pier in 170 feet when trolling 45 to 55 feet down. Some were heading north quite a ways to catch fish. The action really is around Little Sable Point right now and many were catching coho. Meat rigs worked best.

Grand Haven: The wind turned the lake over and cold water temperatures returned. Boats trolling off the end of the piers caught steelhead right along with those trolling spoons in the top 30 feet of waters 150 to 170 feet deep. Hot colors were orange and gold. Just a few chinook were taken 40 to 85 feet down on spinnies and blue or green flies. Perch anglers were targeting waters 35 to 40 feet deep. Pier anglers caught steelhead on shrimp or alewife.

North and Southwest 

Onekama: Those heading straight west from the pier and trolling the top 50 feet of waters 100 to 130 feet have caught good numbers on meat rigs and spoons. Bloody nose and green were hot colors and early morning was best. The “Barrel” is also producing good numbers of lake trout throughout the day. Try spin-glows.

Portage Lake: Walleye were hitting on crawler harnesses along the shoreline in front of Little Eden and the Inn. Panfish and bass were slow. Bass anglers working the drop-offs caught a few largemouth.

Manistee: Catch rates were spotty with most anglers targeting the top 80 feet of waters up to 200 feet deep. In low light conditions, anglers are using glow spoons or plugs. Try meat rigs in red, purple or blue. Salmon fishing was slow for pier anglers.

Ludington: Fishing was tough. Some found trout and salmon in the top 80 feet of waters up to 160 feet deep when trolling spoons and glow plugs or green and blue meat rigs or flies. No salmon off the piers.

Pentwater: Salmon and trout fishing were spotty but some large chinook were caught in 75 to 100 feet off Little Sable Lighthouse. Some say the fish were stacked up in the area. Others ran into fish when trolling 30 to 50 feet down in 170 to 180 feet. Meat rigs worked best and green was the hot color. Pier anglers caught smallmouth bass, pike and a few perch.

South Haven: Salmon fishing was pretty good with fish caught in waters 80 feet and deeper. Dodgers and flies worked best for chinook. Pier anglers are catching the occasional steelhead when floating shrimp. Perch fishing was good in 25 feet.

Grand River at Grand Rapids: Anglers are still taking the occasional summer steelhead when using flies, spinners, body baits or a jig and wax worm up near the dam. The catfish bite has slowed.

Grand River at Lansing: Is producing some walleye over at Moore’s Park. Try minnows along the wall where the fast water is.

Lake Lansing: Is producing a few bluegills.

Reeds Lake: Is producing some pike and panfish.

St. Joseph: Pier anglers have caught steelhead. Most are floating shrimp under a bobber. Fishing should stay decent as long as the water stays cold. Boat anglers caught a few salmon in 80 to 120 feet. Catch rates were spotty but some nice fish were taken. A good number of perch were caught in 30 feet.