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Deer moving into the rut, fishing pressure very light

Outdoors report

IRON MOUNTAIN — Although it’s more than two weeks away, the firearm deer season is attracting most of the outdoors activity and conversation.

Fishing poles appear to have been put away, and a wet and windy week put a crimp on the grouse hunt, even though leaf cover is sparse.

“Hunters are reporting low numbers of birds,” said Fay Whisler at Whisler Outdoors in Florence, Wis.

A six-pointer was the highlight of archery harvests, Whisler said, but hunters are nonetheless preparing for the gun deer season in earnest. This year’s Wisconsin hunt starts Nov. 18, three days after Michigan’s Nov. 15 opener.

Ray’s Feed Mill in Norway was crowded Friday with customers loading up on beets and other baits and supplies.

Deer are moving into the rut, which will be reaching its peak into the early weeks of November, according to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Buck scrapes are being found and deer movement has increased significantly.

At Midtown Bait & Tackle in Channing, Bob Kennard reported 22 bear registrations this season.

DNR shock boat tallies show there are some browns and steelhead along with a few king salmon in the Menominee River, said Kevin King, Wisconsin fisheries technician at Peshtigo.

“The salmon run has been slow to develop this year, which has kept catch rates down,” King said.

The Michigan DNR reported the following Upper Peninsula fishing activity:

Menominee River: A few walleye were caught by the Hattie Street Dam using plastics and jig heads tipped with minnows or crawlers.

Little Bay De Noc: This past week was much slower for anglers with the best walleye catches in Kipling and south into the “Narrows.” Most trolled crawlers with harnesses in and around 30 feet. The mouth of the Escanaba River produced walleye in 18 to 22 feet. Good perch catches were reported in Kipling with minnows in 25 to 32 feet. Several large northern pike were reported while trolling cranks and spoons in the Escanaba Yacht Harbor.

Manistique River: Good numbers of Chinook were reported but the season is definitely winding down. Fly anglers reported good catches of steelhead up river between the bridges. Only a few coho were caught but several brown trout were reported.

Marquette: During breaks from the weather anglers were able to get a few lake trout and a couple coho. Little activity was reported on the Dead River but a few coho and steelhead were caught on the Carp and Chocolay rivers.

Munising: Recent summer-like temperatures saw surface water temps at 55 degrees. Pier anglers were targeting splake and coho salmon with the occasional steelhead caught as well. Spawn did well with the splake, otherwise anglers were using assorted spoons and stick baits.

Grand Marais: Reports were limited, especially from boat anglers. Those surf fishing near the Sucker River saw little to no action. Only one or two steelhead were reported. Coho action in the area has been slow all fall.

Tahquamenon River: The occasional muskie and northern pike were caught while anglers trolled or casted. Those targeting perch saw some success when using minnows or worms.

St. Marys River: A few steelhead were caught in the upper river behind both the Federal and Cloverland powerhouses. A few walleye were caught near the north end of Lake George, while perch were found there in 50 feet of water. In the lower river very few walleye were caught near Sweet’s Point and Pipe and Twin Pipe Islands just north of Detour. Legal size fish were found in 28 to 35 feet of water while trolling stick baits or crawler harnesses behind bottom bouncers. Fair muskellunge fishing was reported in Munuscong Bay while trolling large stick baits behind planer boards.

Drummond Island: Weather was tricky but those who ventured out caught good numbers of yellow perch. Small minnows were the bait of choice while drifting close to the bottom of the water column. A few anglers reported success while using pieces of night crawler as well. Notable spots included Maxton Bay near Sportsmen’s Club Point; James, Grape and Ashman islands; and Scott Bay near Rutland and Peck islands.

Cedarville and Hessel: Perch fishing was slow and high winds kept effort down.

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