Captain Chad Dilts from Sport Fish Michigan gives us his latest Michigan fishing report for July 8th, 2024.
Michigan Fishing Report: 7-8-2024
The fishing in Michigan has been fantastic for a variety of species. Lake trout, salmon, walleye, and smallmouth bass are all biting. Lake Michigan and the inland lakes all have hot bites going on.
Michigan Fishing Report: Lake Trout
A lot of southwest winds have pushed warm water in and it’s forming a deeper more defined thermocline. This has created a big ceiling for the lake trout and forage forcing them deeper.
Anglers are catching lake trout in that 90-130 feet of water. Look for the schools of alewife and you’ll find lakers close by. There is lots of bait in Lake Michigan right now so it shouldn’t be too hard to find these schools. You can also find structure like reefs and fish on the bottom.
Michigan Fishing Report: Salmon
The salmon fishing has been pretty consistent for the most part, but the fish have been scattered. Anglers are catching salmon in all different year classes. Look for salmon between 90 and 150 feet down in all depths of water.
Michigan Fishing Report: Smallmouth Bass
On Lake Michigan the third wave of spawning bass is over now and the fishing has slowed a little. It is a transition time so fishing has been a little tougher but there are still some nice fish are being caught.
Throwing topwater baits early in the morning and late in the afternoon in the shallows is still very effective. We are starting to see those smallmouth bass setup in deeper water over the break. Skitter pops and prop baits are great to throw to draw topwater strikes. For those deeper fish fish heavy ned rigs, heavier drop shots, and tube jigs. Look for deep drops, deep docks, and rock piles on the inland lakes to find smallmouths.
Michigan Fishing Report: Inland Walleye
Fishing has been pretty good despite having to combat the mayfly hatch. Anglers are doing good catching fish on crank baits trolled straight back or on planer boards. Walleyes are all being caught on deeper weed edges with slip bobbers.
Michigan Fishing Report: Panfish
Crappie and bluegill fishing has been good and fish are being caught on shallower weed edges or suspended above deeper weeds. Tubes, hair jigs, and crappie minnows under a slip bobber are always great options to target these fish.
Michigan Fishing Report: Stream Trout
The tail end of hex hatch is still going on in the middle of Michigan all the way up to the lower UP. Rain has made for some fluctuating water levels over the last few weeks, which has made it more challenging. Mousing is also effective and can produce fish when hatches are down and will continue to be an effective method to catch fish throughout summer.
