Upper Peninsula Fishing Report – October 12th, 2012

Pickford Area

Walleye fishing has been red hot in Raber Bay. Crawler harnesses have produced the best results. Perch fishing has been fair in Lake Huron at Cedarville but should improve as the water begins to cool. Muskie fishing has been decent in Munuscong Bay. Duck hunting has been slow, but goose hunters report some success. Grouse and woodcock hunting has been pretty good and bird numbers are up. Bear hunting has been pretty decent, and the early archery deer season is off to a good start, too.
Wilderness Treasures, (906) 647-4002.

Drummond Island Area

Perch fishing has been good on Scotts and Maxton bays. A few pike and smallmouth bass have been caught, too. Archery deer season is off to a slow start. Grouse and woodcock hunting has been good, but waterfowl hunting has been slow.
Johnson’s Sport Shop, (906) 493-6300.

Curtis Area

Perch fishing has been impressive on Big Manistique Lake, but anglers are having to sort through their catch to find the keepers. Walleye action is improving on Big and North Manistique lakes. Minnows have produced the best results when fished with jigs or under slip bobbers. Grouse and woodcock hunting has been decent, but foliage is still thick and hunting has been tough. Bear hunting has been good, but the archery deer season has been slow.
J.R. Sport Shop, (906) 586-6040.

Garden Area

Smallmouth bass are keeping anglers busy on Lake Michigan’s Big Bay de Noc. Sucker minnows fished in 30 feet of water are producing good results. Perch fishing has been slow in Garden Bay but should improve as the water temperature drops. Grouse hunting has been pretty good. Bear hunting has been fair, and hunting pressure has been light. Archery deer season is off to a slow start, with warm weather hampering deer movement.
The Garden Sport Shop, (906) 644-2908.
Foxy’s Den, (906) 644-2817.

Escanaba Area

Fishing pressure has been light on Lake Michigan’s Little Bay de Noc. Walleye fishing has been good south of Escanaba between the Ford and Cedar rivers. A few salmon are being caught on crankbaits in the Ford and Escanaba rivers. Perch fishing has been fair in the bay. Fish are still scattered, but action should improve when the water begins to cool.
Bay View Bait & Tackle, (906) 786-1488.
BayShore Resort Bait & Tackle (906) 428-2950.

L’Anse Area

Salmon have moved into local rivers, and anglers report success. Lake trout fishing has been good in Lake Superior’s Keweenaw Bay. Anglers trolling near shore are catching decent numbers of cohos and a few kings around the river mouths. Grouse and woodcock hunters report high flush rates. Deer hunting has been very good and deer numbers appear to be up. Bear hunting has been slow. 
Indian Country Sports, (906) 524-6518.

Bergland Area

Walleyes and smallmouth bass are hitting sucker minnows on Lake Gogebic. Rock points and sand points have been the hot spots for smallies, and walleyes are hitting along near-shore hard-bottom areas. Perch fishing has been good along the weedbeds. Grouse hunting has been good. Bird numbers are down a little, but hunters report up to 30 flushes a day. Leaves are falling, and hunting should improve. Bear hunting has slowed, and hunting pressure has been light. Early bow deer season has been pretty good. Deer numbers are up in the western Upper Peninsula.
Bear’s Nine Pines Resort, (906) 842-3361.

Ontonagon Area

Grouse hunting has been pretty slow in Ontonagon County. Early archery deer season has been slow,  and bear hunters report spotty success. Lake trout fishing has been good on Lake Superior at Silver City. Anglers report a good bite in 140 feet of water, 70 feet down.
Grieg’s Taxidermy & Tackle,  (906) 884-2770.