Steelhead Fishing Elk Creek Erie Reports

DNR: Milder weather should bring better fishing

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — As Michigan's temperatures retreat from their recent sweltering levels, the incoming milder weather should bring good fishing across the state, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources said Wednesday in its weekly fishing report.

Southeast Lower Peninsula

Lake Erie: Walleye are being taken from Stony Point north to the Bell area. Most were caught in as close as 23 feet of water. Reports of perch being caught from the East Buoy and McDonald's area. A few great catches of smallmouth bass in the Brest Bay and Bell area.

Detroit River: has been good for smallmouth bass.

Lake St. Clair: Walleye are being caught at the south end of the Dumping Grounds, Puce and Belle River area. Most successful anglers are using bottom bouncers and harnesses. Fish are being caught from the Clinton River Spillway in 12 to18 feet of water at first light in the morning using bottom bouncers. Nice perch and lots of reports of smallmouth bass being landed.

Port Sanilac: Perch are spotty but some good catches are still being made. Move from weed bed to weed bed to find active fish. Good catches for lake trout, steelhead, coho and a few chinook can be found in 80 to 130 feet of water. Pier fishing is slow at all locations, with a few small panfish and catfish taken.

Harbor Beach: Good walleye action from 40 to 50 feet of water north toward Port Hope. Good catches of steelhead and lake trout from 80 to 130 feet of water.

Caseville: Walleye action is still good, but you may have to move around to find active fish. Try fishing in 20 to 40 feet of water. Trollers after trout and salmon are doing well in 80 to 130 feet of water. Steelhead are in the top 40 feet and lake trout are near the bottom. A few chinook are also being caught. Smallmouth bass are being taken by shore anglers at the mouth of Bird Creek.

GoErie.com Blogs: NWPA Outdoors - Erie-area fishing report for Aug ...

The last week or so has seen the lake kicking  up at times, but in general the fronts moving in have not produced any excessively severe weather. There is of course plenty of summer left for perching and walleye chasing. Last reports indicated good walleye catches off Godfrey Run (halfway between Trout Run and Elk Creek) in 34 to 40 feet of water but the major hot areas are in the depths of the first and second trenches northwest of Walnut Creek. Small dipseys 75 to 100 feet back or flat lining 150 feet back has been successful in shallower depths. Downriggers and long lines are working in the deeper depths. Stinger-style spoons and worm harnesses in a variety of colors have been successful with most anglers sticking to purple, chartreuse, copper and watermelon as the reliable choices. Current Lake Erie water temperature off the Port of Erie is 82 degrees. The Erie Tribs are very low and very clear.

Perch fishing continues to thrive with schools holding in 50 feet off the lighthouse, condos, and due north off Walnut Creek. Limits taken in relatively short periods of time have been very common. As we round the corner of the summer season anglers and boaters are advised to pay close attention to marine weather reports and official U.S. Coast Guard severe weather announcements on marine band channel 16. Most boaters are aware that our weather patterns come from the west and are officially forecast by the NOAA weather service out of Cleveland. Forecasting weather in our area is in fact rocket science and one should never rely of hearsay or secondhand information as a reliable source. As summer blends into the early fall season, wind and wave conditions can change dramatically in a short time placing an inexperienced boater in jeopardy. If ever in doubt, head for shore.

There have been a number of unconfirmed reports of a few steelhead entering the tribs which is an indication of early staging off shore. Again these reports are unconfirmed. With a Lake temp of 82 degrees, and extremely warm trib temps, it is a bit early. However, for a number of die-hards, this means fishing the wall at Walnut and the shorelines at Trout Run during the cool nighttime hours in hopes of landing that first early-season steelhead or brown trout. For the rest of us it means gearing up for the season. Cleaning and lubricating those reels and re-spooling with fresh line will pay off when the first real opportunity to hit the tribs arrives. Early-season steelhead will usually mean clear conditions dictating light line and small presentations. An update of your fly box and jig collection can keep you busy on a rainy evening. Take a little time and go through the pockets of your favorite vest. You’ll be surprised how many things you find that you thought were lost forever. Now is also a good time to check over the fly and noodle rods. Look for loose, bent, or broken eyes, especially at the rod tip. Be sure all hooks are sharp. Dull hooks are easily spit by a lively steelhead. Waders should be checked for leaks and repaired, particularly those that have been hanging in a hot garage all summer. With very little activity on the tribs now, it can be a great opportunity to walk the tribs where permitted and take advantage of the clear conditions to observe structure and changes in flow from last year. Anglers planning to fish the wall at Walnut Creek are reminded that boaters entering and exiting the channel have the absolute right of way over angler lines. Now is also a good time brush up on all local regulations and be familiar with any areas you plan to fish. In another month or so final days of summer will be giving way to the start of another great steelhead season.

Field & Stream

Field and stream

Federal aid in fish and wildlife restoration, annual reports of the Dingell-Johnson and Pittman-Robertson programs

Pennsylvania angler

Report of the Commissioner - United States Commission of Fish and Fisheries