Captain Chad Dilts of Sport Fish Michigan gives his latest Buzz Bite Report for Northern Michigan on May 20th, 2023.
Northern Michigan: 5-20-2023
Up in Northern Michigan we’ve got a really good smallmouth bass bite happening right now in Grand Traverse Bay. Small swimbaits, jerkbaits, hair jigs and plastics will catch a bunch of fish. Target these fish up shallow in less than twelve feet of water.
There is also a great jigging bite for lake trout, whitefish, and ciscos in Grand Traverse Bay. Spoons, jigs, and blade baits have been the most consistent producers.
Anglers can expect to catch good numbers of walleyes, perch and smallmouth bass on most of the inland lakes in Northern Michigan.
In Southern Michigan anglers are still doing really well on the Detroit river for walleyes. Anglers can expect to catch a lot of smaller males, but the schools of fish are big. Jigs paired with plastics or livebait have been working great.
Lake St. Clair and Lake Erie are both kicking out numbers of big post-spawn walleyes right now. Trolling has been the ticket and is the best way to cover water.
The fishing should continue to be good for the coming weeks. Good luck to all the anglers fishing in Michigan!
- Captain Chad Dilts
Sport Fish Michigan
