Low water levels causing a delay in salmon runs, DNR says

News has been pretty light lately. Here's a fishing report from the Macon (Georgia) Telegraph:

Low water levels are causing a delay in the salmon runs this year, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources said Wednesday. Warm water temperatures also are contributing to the slow start. Cooler temperatures along with much needed rain will help improve conditions, the DNR said in its weekly fishing report.

The fishing at Harrisville and Oscoda has improved some. Salmon were caught at both ports. However, the catch varies daily from fair to good. The best time to fish is early mornings or late evenings from the shoreline to waters 35 feet deep. J-plugs in both silver and green ladder-back patterns have caught fish. Lake trout still can be found in 100 feet of water though not many anglers are targeting them. Those targeting salmon also are catching an occasional walleye.

At Tawas, boats are trolling and taking fair catches of chinook and brown trout in 45 to 55 feet of water on spoons tipped with cut bait. Pier anglers are catching chinook and smallmouth bass on a variety of spoons, spinners and body baits. Shore anglers are fishing along the mouth of the Tawas River and catching salmon after dark. Chinook, brown trout and steelhead have been caught when surf casting spoons or spawn near the Singing Bridge and the lower end of Whitney Drain. Stream discharge is low due to recent dry weather.