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Days are
shorter now. Mornings are crisp. The sun casts long
shadows. Most party boaters have put their boats away
once again leaving the lakes for the fisherman to enjoy.
Another year of fishing soft water on the Great Lakes
is almost over. But it’s not over yet! There are some
excellent opportunities around the Great Lakes right now
to catch a variety of fish.
Salmon are returning to the streams where they were
planted. Did you know that Steelhead and Brown Trout
follow salmon into harbors and streams knowing that
there will be a free meal as salmon eggs roll down
stream on the current? Ports on Lake Michigan and Lake
Ontario benefit the most from the fall salmon run. Lake
Superior and Lake Huron also have a number of ports
where salmon are concentrated around river mouths and
harbors. Salmon fishing is good around the pier heads
and in the harbors up and down the Lake Michigan coast
right now. Trolling is also productive in the larger
harbors and on the near shore waters when the fall winds
and waves lay down. Ports like Frankfort, Manistee and
Ludington are good choices along with many more.
Walleye fishing on the south shore of Lake Erie is very
good and should continue right up to winter ice for
those hardy enough to brave the colder weather. Ports
east of Cleveland are your best bet now for walleyes.
Walleye fishing has been picking up on the north and
south channel of the St. Clair River near its junction
with Lake St. Clair. Trolling crawler harnesses work
well. Some walleyes are even being caught with vertical
jigging in the shipping channel.
Perch fishing is in the spotlight right now. Lake St.
Clair has been excellent for several weeks already.
October is traditionally the prime time. There are many
areas that are producing nice catches. The middle of
Anchor Bay is good as are the flats just outside of the
shipping channel from the St. Clair light up to the
south channel. The St. Clair Shores shoreline seems to
be the best bet in ten to fourteen foot of water. Just
look for subtle changes in depth where patches of weeds
grow up from the bottom and you should find schools of
perch. It is not unusual to catch a hundred perch or
more for a half days fishing on Lake St. Clair in
October. The western end of Lake Erie is also giving up
some nice catches of perch from Monroe to Brest Bay and
the Stony Pointe area of the lake. Minnows are the bait
of choice on both lakes.
Winter will be here soon enough but fishing is great
right now. Take some time to enjoy fall on the water
before the season ends.
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