IRON MOUNTAIN - Fishing activity declined during the past week, as folks turn attention to hunting.
"There were some perch caught," said Patti Teske at Florence Sport and Bait. "The guys were using plastic twister tails tipped with crawlers. Muskie were also hitting."
Don Ciochetto at The Sport Shop in Iron River said some nice trout were caught, but the season is winding down fast. Panfish and bass continue to bite, but walleye was slow.
John Grier's Whispering Pines Outpost reported anglers purchasing minnows, but not much activity.
Grier's shop has registered 31 bear so far, which is ahead of last season's pace. Other area shops reported some bear being taken as well.
Teske said Wisconsin archery hunters have taken a few bucks during the past week.
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources said archery hunters report they have been seeing good numbers of deer and there were quite a few nice deer registered over the opening weekend.
Bear hunters continue to report that bears are not hitting baits as well as a few weeks ago due to a very abundant acorn crop this year providing them with more than enough food.
The opening of many hunting seasons seems to have cut down on the amount of angling pressure throughout Wisconsin's Northwoods. Musky continue to provide the most consistent action and anglers report musky have been active at nearly all times of the day.
Fall colors are coming on stronger and moving farther south, with some good color now being reported at the Black River State Forest and Wildcat Mountain State Park. For current statewide information on statewide fall color, log onto the Wisconsin Department of Tourism's Fall Color Report.
Michigan DNR reported the following fishing conditions across the Upper Peninsula:
Keweenaw Bay: Has good coho fishing along the east shoreline, off the mouth of the Falls River, the L'Anse Township Park and between Sand Point and Carla's. Most are trolling 35 to 55 feet down in 40 to 70 feet. The Falls River is low and clear so no fish were seen. Lake trout and coho were caught in Traverse Bay when trolling off Hermits Cove, Gay Point and Big Louie's Point when trolling a foot or two off the bottom in waters 70 to 160 feet deep.
Chocolay River: Reported good catches of coho salmon.
Marquette: A few boats were out fishing for salmon and lake trout but windy conditions prevented boats from heading out several miles to fish. Fish were stacked up near the end of the Lower Harbor breakwall.
Carp River: Anglers were starting to catch a few salmon with Cleo's, stick baits or crawlers.
Menominee: Walleye fishing was good in 25 to 30 feet of water both north and south of the Cedar River. Anglers are using crawler harnesses then switching to Reef Runners or Thundersticks after dark. Walleye were caught around Green Island and off the mouth of the Menominee River in 15 to 30 feet of water. Try large stick baits.
Menominee River: Boat anglers caught walleye but most of the fish were sub-legal. They are trolling crawler harnesses or casting crank baits. Rock bass, smallmouth bass and freshwater drum were also caught. Shore anglers fishing near the Hattie Street Dam caught panfish on crawlers, wax worms or minnows.
Cedar River: A few smallmouth bass were caught on crawlers.
Little Bay de Noc: Walleye anglers were fishing around the mouth of the Escanaba River and out to the "Black Bottom" when trolling or drifting crawler harnesses in 18 to 30 feet of water. Very few fish were caught off the Kipling Flats, the Narrows and off the Terrace Bay Inn. Perch fishing was fair to good in 10 to 23 feet of water off Kipling. Both the Ford and the Day's River had low water levels and few fish.
Big Bay de Noc: Has fair to good smallmouth bass action around Garden Bluff when casting or drifting crawlers, crank baits or plastics in waters 10 to 38 feet deep. The Nahma Boat Launch is now closed for dredging. The Garden Launch would be best for those looking to head out to the areas where most of the fishing takes place this time of year.
Munising: Boat anglers are now targeting coho but catch rates were slow. No lake trout were reported this week. Surface water temperatures were in the low to mid 60's but could drop quickly with the cold front. Pier angling activity continues to increase slowly as catch rates for coho and splake are improving slowly. Some are still-fishing with spawn bags while others are casting spoons or spinners.
St. Mary's River: Water levels are at an all-time low as the Great Lakes have receded. Some are having trouble launching their boats. A good number of pink salmon were in the river.
