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Fishing heats up as fall hunts begin

Outdoors Report

IRON MOUNTAIN — Fall fishing is hitting its stride as anglers on area waters were limiting out on bluegill while also landing bass, northern pike and smaller walleye.

“Crawlers and large fathead minnows were working for walleye,” said Fay Whisler at Whisler Outdoors in Florence, Wis. “Fishing has picked up,” she added.

Pleasant weather is expected this weekend, with highs near 70 today and 79 and breezy Sunday.

Bear hunting started Sept. 8 in both Michigan and Wisconsin and the opening pace was quick. Millan’s Custom Butchering in Armstrong Creek, Wis., reported on its Facebook page that 73 hunters brought their bears in for processing during the first five days of the season.

Small game and turkey seasons opened this past Wednesday in Michigan, while the Wisconsin hunts start today. The outlook is good.

“Last winter was relatively mild with low snow levels statewide and few long-lasting cold snaps,” said Alaina Gerrits, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Marinette County wildlife biologist. “Mild winter conditions paired with an early spring green-up and dry weather point to favorable brooding conditions for 2021. All field reports suggest a healthy and robust turkey population providing many opportunities for fall hunting.”

Statewide drumming survey results in Wisconsin indicated a decrease of 6% in breeding grouse compared with 2019, the DNR said. Surveys were not completed in 2020.

Today also marks the opener of the archery and crossbow deer season in Wisconsin. The archery deer season will open Oct. 1 in Michigan.

The Michigan DNR reported this Upper Peninsula activity:

Ontonagon: Fishing remained steady for anglers fishing out of Ontonagon while trolling spoons of various colors. Anglers were having to do some searching for fish, but when they were found anglers were getting near limits of lake trout while trolling spoons.

Union Bay: There was a bit of an uptick in angling pressure which seems to have resulted in more lake trout being caught. Similar to Black River, anglers were finding fish in 100 to 150 feet of water depending on what water temperatures were.

Black River Harbor: Lake trout seem to be the name of the game currently while trolling spoons in 100 to 150 feet of water. Three-to-five-pound fish were the average with a few 10-pound fish caught.

Keweenaw Bay: Anglers were catching more Chinook and coho salmon. Most fishing was done while trolling in depths ranging from 60 to 140 feet.

Munising Bay: A few coho were caught by boat anglers. Shore anglers were picking up a few splake and a few coho. The best action occurred in the early morning or evenings. Most anglers were using spawn sacs with a few casting with spoons or stick baits.

Grand Marais: A few boats were fishing for lake trout along with a few trolling for coho. Lake trout anglers performed well with not always limits, but fair catches ranging from 4 to 6 fish per trip.

Big Traverse Bay/ South Portage Entry: Anglers were catching an increasing number of rainbow trout while trolling out south from the canal.

Au Train: Anglers were on the Rock River and a small steelhead was caught and released. Lake trout were caught while fishing on the Flats.

Marquette: Anglers were starting to see some action on the rivers around Marquette. Anglers reported coho catches in the Chocolay River. Lake trout were still biting and some really nice lake trout were caught coming from north of the white rocks. Some smaller fish in the 2-to-4-pound range were caught in the sand hole. A few coho were caught at the white rocks and a few Chinook were caught while trolling in front of the carp.

Little Bay de Noc: Walleye anglers were fishing areas north of Gladstone. Some anglers were fishing out of Kipling and by Minneapolis Shoals. Anglers fishing Minneapolis Shoals had very limited success, but were still catching fish.

Big Bay de Noc: Smallmouth anglers reported a notable slowdown. While fish are still being caught, much dedicated work has been necessary. Most anglers were fishing out of the Ogontz or Nahma access. Anglers were fishing the island when the wind permitted. Those fishing the weeds caught a few fish. Multiple reports of respectable-sized pike were caught at those locations as well. Anglers were drifting crawlers and casting soft plastics.

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