Salmon catches on the Big Sable River in Ludington State Park were productive during mid-week using flies, egg-sucking leeches, and spawn. The Big Sable partially runs through Ludington State Park connecting Hamlin Lake to Lake Michigan.

A new batch of kings is at the pier heads. Fishing was good in PM Lake also. Riggers, down 10ft to 20 ft, 40ft to 60ft behind the boat. Divers set on 3 1/2, out 45ft and 3 color and 1/2 cores, all with plugs. Fishing was good at the state park in 45ft of water, with the same basic program. Our best plugs were Ace high double glow and the Dreamweaver green later back.

Labor Day weekend was an experience to say the least. Traffic at the point was bad. The fish shut down early. I chose to fish deep. I fished in the 57’s and the 36s to the 38’s we caughet 3 year old kings, coho, Steelhead, and laketrout. We had lots of action. Fishing the top 45ft of water, most of our action came on the core rods. 3 color 5,7,and 10 color all took fish with smaller baits. We used Super Slimes and Stingers.

Thursday and Friday the fishing was difficult. Where to go was the problem. Warm water had moved in and shut the shallow water; even the bank was warm all the way to the bottom. There were plenty of fish, they just would not bite. We fished north of the point in 50ft of water, and caught some 4 year old Kings during the morning bite. When the bank shut down we moved off shore to try a different fishery. On the 4000 line we found more active fish. Fishing the top 45ft, we found nice 2 and 3 year old kings, as well as Coho salmon, Steelhead Lake Trout and some Pinks. We took fish on all the core rods, high divers set to 110ft, and riggers set at 31ft, 35ft, and 45ft. The fish were biting on small spoons. The DW Super Slims were our best. The Hot baits were; Tangerine, Mix Veggie, and Beefeater. Saturday was a Blow day. High winds kept even the charter boats off the water. Sunday we shot straight out to the 4000 line off the point. The fish were still there, using the same program; we worked the fish over real good. Wow! Nice box of fish! Tip: When the fishing gets tuff, Go West. The deep water fishery is less affected by high winds and heavy currents.

Good salmon fishing continues. The Charter Boats are reporting good fishing from 3 locations. The first is just outside the harbor. Use all plugs, long leads, and 8ft to 14ft down. The second location is from the bath house to the 06. These fish are in 45ft of water in the morning, and move out to 200ft during the day. Adjust your program accordingly. The 3rd fishing hot spot is a real secret. Pentwater! Nobody wants to spend the fuel, to go to Little Point. The fishing is super, and there is no traffic. Pentwater Charter Boats have had record catches. Tip: Fishing inside a pack of boats can be difficult. Move just outside, this will be less stressful and more productive.

Sunday we fished the pier heads in 30ft to 50ft of water. A hard north blow turned the water over again. The temp has dropped to 45 degrees on the surface. These fish are real frisky. All plugs. Riggers 16ft to22ft mono divers 45ft back and 3 color core and ½ cores. WE took good numbers of fish. Monday was the same. Tip: keep it simple. The traffic is bad. Be courteous.