WEEKLY FISHING REPORT FOR OCTOBER 23, 2023

After a week of rain, anglers that are hard core enough to get out on the water have been doing well as fish settle deeper into a fall pattern. Look to ride what looks like the last mild week of the fall before temperatures plunge into the 30’s during the night. Some of the best fishing of the year can be just before and after the cool off. Night fishing can also be hot during the upcoming full moon.

WEST SIDE SALMON AND STEELHEAD RIVERS

Last week, a healthy amount of rain has brought cooler river temps, higher water levels, and more salmon and steelhead. Anglers are still catching strong salmon in the Pere Marquette, Grand, Manistee, Betsie, and Kalamazoo Rivers using bottom bouncing (flossing) rigs with yarn or beads, inline spinners, hard baits, and float fishing with beads, spawn bags, and skein.

Last week’s rain and cooler nighttime temps made the steelhead fishing better in most rivers, anglers are catching steelhead in good numbers using bottom bouncing (flossing) rigs, hard baits, inline spinners, and float fishing with beads, spawn bags, and skein.

Pictured above: Derek Wilder from Marquette, Michigan caught this big Coho on the Two Hearted River on a North Star Outfitters Bead in 12mm Orange Glow/UV. Coming soon!

ST. CLAIR

Captain Eric Long from Long Line Charters says the Perch bite has been outstanding from 9 Mile Road to Detroit on the U.S. side and along the Belle River Hump in Canadian waters. Fish in about 12-14 feet of water with spreader rigs (perch rigs) with Emerald Shiner minnows. The water temperature is about 56 degrees.

Book an awesome fishing trip with Long Line Charters!

ST. CLAIR & DETROIT RIVERS

The vertical jigging bite is heating up in the mouths of the Detroit and St. Clair rivers. Anglers are fishing ¾ - 1 oz. jigs tipped with a plastic minnow, an Emerald Shiner, and a stinger hook. Follow the boats or fish near the mouths of the rivers.

SOUTHEAST MICHIGAN INLAND LAKES

Anglers are still catching a good variety of fish in Oakland County’s lakes. Anglers are catching Crappie in good, consolidated schools suspended in deeper water on slip bobbers rigged with minnows or a jig and plastic. Spreader rigs (perch rigs) tipped with minnows work as well. Anglers are catching Bass and Pike in the weed beds in deeper water on spoons, inline spinners, jerkbaits, spinnerbaits, and crankbaits trolling or casting. Bluegill and Carp will taper off as the water cools, if you do want to tackle these fish, fish on the warmer, sunnier days.

Visit THE BAIT SHOP in Waterford, Michigan for the latest reports and to stock up on tackle.

WEATHER AND LUNAR FORCAST

LUNAR: FULL MOON ON OCTOBER 28^TH

WEATHER: After this week’s warm up, temperatures across the state should drop to the mid 40’s and below. Look for showers later in the week.

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