Lake Trout, Steelhead and Salmon in Saugatuck

June 29 Fishing Report

The fishing has slowed this past week with creel numbers of 2 to 8 being the norm. Most of the creel consists of Lake Trout with occasional salmon and steelhead mixed in. 85 to 110 foot of water was the best depth with the salmon and steelhead hitting lures run 35 to 60 foot down and the lake trout caught in the bottom 10 foot.

Downriggers on the bottom with metal flashers and Spin n Glos produced the majority of the Lake Trout. 200 foot, 300 foot and 400 foot of copper also produced. Salmon came on the shorter lengths with NBK and Orange Crush Stinger lures and Lake Trout on the longer lengths with Pro Troll flashers and green hypnotist flies. The dipsy divers at 100 and 150 foot of line out caught some steelhead and salmon with just about any color flasher and the green hypnotist fly behind it.

There have been reports that salmon were being caught north of Holland and south of South Haven from 120 to 180 foot of water, however we have had very little success in the deeper water. There is some bait in the 90 foot depth and hopefully the salmon should begin to show up in this area.

Once again, I have not heard any reports on successful perch fishing anywhere from South Haven to Holland, however I do think we have seen some small schools of perch, on the graph, off The Ball in 40 to 50 foot of water. Fishermen on the Saugatuck piers are catching nice stingers of cat fish and sheephead. There also have been some reports of very good walleye catches in the Kalamazoo River above the I-196 bridge.

Remember that reservations to catch that fish for Catch and Cook can be obtained by contacting me at captron@chartermichigan.com. Also you can contact me to get information about the restaurants who participate in Catch and Cook.