Northern Michigan Fishing Update – August 8, 2025
Moon Phase & Solunar Peaks (Eastern Time)
Moon nearly full, part of the Sturgeon Moon cycle, reaching full illumination around 3 57 AM ET on August 9 
Major feeding windows include 11 46 AM ET–1 46 PM ET, and 11 30 PM ET–1 30 AM ET
Minor feeding windows include 4 23 AM ET–6 23 AM ET, and 7 10 PM ET–9 10 PM ET 
Water Temperatures & Thermocline
Lake Michigan surface temp near Grand Haven about 72 °F
White Lake (inland): 65 °F water temp, ideal for bass and trout 
Thermocline is located between 30–60 ft with a cool zone drop of 5–7 °F
Wind & Conditions
Inshore southeast winds transitioning to northwest midday, 5–9 mph
Waves remain low, about 1 ft; early calm, light haze building by late morning 
Live Bait Techniques (Eastern Time)
Minor early morning (4 23 AM ET), use Lindy rig with live minnow or leech over structure, refresh every 20 min
Major midday (11 46 AM ET), slow drift Lindy rig through thermocline with leech or crawler, use 3–6 ft fluorocarbon leader
Major evening (11 30 PM ET), slip‑bobber with Lindy rig leech over deep structure under moonlight
Salmon Report – Frankfort, Manistee, Ludington, Whitehall
Frankfort pier delivering early Chinook action on glow spoons and alewives
Offshore kings and lake trout stacking in 120–210 ft water, bites coming from top 70 ft; meat rigs, flasher‑spoon combos, and spoons set 40–60 ft behind dodgers are working best
Manistee & Ludington seeing Chinook and Coho in 140–250 ft, bites down 40–80 ft behind flashers; meat rigs triggering strikes on structure
Leland, West Grand Traverse Bay, East Grand Traverse Bay
Leland: Chinook and lake trout biting in 70–100 ft, often 60 ft down; spoons and cowbells near First Bank and Whaleback in play
West Grand Traverse Bay: steady salmon action early and late, bait pods north; lake trout still hitting spoons on structure
East Bay: solid smallmouth bass action in 15–30 ft, tube jigs and live bait working well Tight lines and Baitman out
#LiveBait #bucsbait #LiveBaitFishing #TakeAKidFishing
#michiganfishingreport #bucsfishingreport #letsgofishing #fishingreport #gonefishing #tightlines
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BaitMan’s Weekly Fishing Report
Date: Thursday, August 8, 2025
Real lakes, real bait, real bite.
🏆 Sponsor of the Week
Sanford Sport Shop
3783 N West River Road, Sanford, MI 48657
Phone: 989 687 5161
Website: sanfordsportshop.com
🪱 Bait Shop of the Week
Tamarac Sports
10390 N Greenville Road, Lakeview, MI 48850
Phone: 989 352 7677
Facebook: facebook.com/TamaracSports
🌊 Lake of the Week – Lake Leelanau
North Basin:
Smallmouth bass in 20 to 40 feet on drop shots and tubes
Walleye near The Narrows at dawn and dusk
Perch holding near mid-lake humps
South Basin:
Panfish active in 8 to 15 feet on worms
Walleye early and late on leeches near Advance
Bass feeding in weeds on topwater baits
🔥 Northern Michigan Lakes
Burt Lake – Walleye biting along the drop-offs on crawler harnesses
Mullett Lake – Deep trolling producing trout and occasional walleye
Black Lake – Crappie suspended over deeper weed flats
Lake Charlevoix – Smallmouth bass deep, perch in South Arm
Skegemog Lake – Walleye over humps, drifting leeches
Torch Lake – Vertical jigging for smallmouth in 40 to 60 feet
Long Lake (Grand Traverse) – Walleye and perch near breaks and weed edges
Lake Leelanau – See above (Lake of the Week)
Spider Lake – Bluegill and bass in back coves and fingers
Lake Dubonnet – Steady pike and panfish on worms
Green Lake – Deep bluegill bite, vertical jigs in 20+ feet
Duck Lake (Grand Traverse) – Perch scattered, smallmouth in rock pockets
Bass Lake (near Interlochen) – Weedline bass, early bite on topwater
Glen Lake – Smallmouth along gravel and sand transitions
Crystal Lake – Lakers deep, perch near rocky drops
Manistee Lake (Kalkaska) – Walleye early and late, smallmouth deep mid-day
Lake Margrethe (Grayling) – Mixed bag of perch, walleye, and pike
Big Bradford Lake (Otsego County) – Panfish with leeches in 10 to 12 ft
Manistee Lake (Manistee) – Early pike in coves, perch starting to group up
🔥 West Michigan Lakes
Portage Lake (Onekama) – Perch starting to bite in 12 to 18 feet
Pere Marquette Lake – Salmon moving through early, coho and kings staging
White Lake – Pike and perch in mid-depth weedlines
Pentwater Lake – Pier anglers getting early salmon hits
Silver Lake – Largemouth in reeds, topwater active at sunrise
Hamlin Lake – Bluegill deep, evening pike off points
Bear Lake (Muskegon) – Panfish active near lily pads
Muskegon Lake – Walleye on crankbaits, some bass on jigs
Blue Lake (Muskegon County) – Crappie deep over brush piles
Big Star Lake (Lake County) – Largemouth good near docks, panfish deep
Wolf Lake (Muskegon County) – Decent panfish bite in 8 to 10 feet
Lake Cadillac – Crappie bite steady, bluegill slowing in shallow
Lake Mitchell – Weedline bass active, some early perch bites
🔥 Mid Michigan & Saginaw Bay
Houghton Lake – Walleye early with crawlers, bluegill in 10 feet
Higgins Lake – Deep perch with minnows, trout bite slow
Otsego Lake – Pike and perch near structure
Grand Lake (Presque Isle) – Walleye in the morning, drifting crawlers
Fletcher’s Floodwaters – Bluegill, rock bass, and northern pike
Long Lake (Alpena) – Bass and perch active near breaks
Wixom Lake (rebuilding) – Limited access but shore bluegill fishing steady
Secord Lake (Gladwin) – Bluegill and crappie consistent with waxworms
Lake Lancer (Gladwin County) – Decent perch bite near structure
Lake Missaukee – Bass near reeds, bluegill in deeper holes
Lake Mecosta – Walleye trolling near drop-offs
Chippewa Lake – Panfish near weeds, some early crappie schools
Croton Pond – Smallmouth and catfish bite during evening hours
Hardy Dam Pond – Pike and smallmouth on spinnerbaits
🎣 Saginaw Bay
Saginaw Bay:
Walleye in 10 to 14 feet near Linwood
Drifting crawler harnesses still best method
Perch bite showing signs of life near weed clumps
Catfish and bass mixed in around river mouths
🐟 Salmon Report – Leland to Grand Haven
Leland:
Chinook and lake trout near North Manitou
Bite best in 75 to 90 feet down over 200 feet
Green paddles, meat rigs, and glow spoons working
Frankfort:
Strong Chinook bite in 100 to 150 feet of water
50 to 65 down on spoons and Familiar Bite meat rigs
Coho close to shore early morning
Manistee:
Kings and steelhead scattered 30 to 160 down
Flasher-fly combos productive, meat rig slower but steady
Ludington:
Kings offshore 35 to 140 down
Best bites on chrome flashers and spoons in low light
Pier action very slow
Whitehall and Montague:
Mixed king and coho reports in 120 to 160 feet
Bite inconsistent but improving with east winds
Grand Haven:
Deep troll bite mid-morning to late afternoon
60 to 80 feet down over 150 to 200 ft water
Chartreuse and UV flashers with flies or spoons
🪱 Familiar Bite Herring Available At:
Fish Hook – Leland
Empire Outdoors – Empire
Roy’s General Store – Traverse City
Frankfort Tacklebox – Frankfort
Don’s Sporting Goods – Manistee
Insta Launch Marina – Manistee
Captain Chucks – Ludington
Johnson’s Great Outdoors – Montague
Armstrong’s on the Lake – Whitehall
Hesperia Sport Shop – Hesperia
Crispy Outdoors – Grand Haven
Jay’s Sporting Goods – Clare and Gaylord
Pilgrim’s Village – Cadillac
Hilltop Sports – Greenville
🎯 Deep Water Panfish
Slip Bobbers: Waxworms or leeches in 12 to 25 ft
Drop Shot: Hover just above structure
Vertical Jigging: Light tungsten jigs in bluegill pods
Anchor Tips: Fluke-style or chain anchor with over 100 ft rope
Rod Sensitivity: Use light gear and bite indicators
🪱 Bait Breakdown
Leeches: Top bait for walleye, smallmouth, and panfish
Crawlers: Effective across species, especially on harnesses
Minnows: Best for crappie and deeper perch
Waxworms: Bluegill, sunfish, and rock bass
Live bait delivery: Slip bobbers, vertical jigs, trolling harnesses, and drop shot rigs
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We are happy to share once more that the VHSv Lab Test results have come back NEGATIVE for our latest batch of Atlantic Herring. Additionally, we have received a Michigan State Certification letter that permits us to proceed with the sales of our Familiar Bite Herring Cut-Bait Strips.
Get the “Big One” with Familiar Bite…
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Northern Michigan Fishing Update – August 7, 2025
Moon Phase & Solunar Peaks (Eastern Time)
Moon: Waning nearly full (~90 percent)
Major feeding windows: 10 37 AM ET–12 37 PM ET, 10 44 PM ET–12 44 AM ET
Minor feeding windows: 2 35 AM ET–3 35 AM ET, 6 24 PM ET–7 24 PM ET
Water Temperatures & Thermocline
Lake Michigan surface: approx 72 °F
Inland lakes: low to mid‑70s
Thermocline: 30–60 ft depth, dropping 5‑7 °F—prime zone for suspended salmon and walleye
Wind & Conditions
Light NE‑breeze shifting NW mid‑morning, about 5–9 mph; calm early, haze developing later
Live‑Bait Techniques (Eastern Time)
Minor Morning (2 35 AM ET): Lindy rig with live minnow or leech drifted along structure – refresh every 20 min
Major Midday (10 37 AM ET): Drift Lindy rig with leech or crawler through thermocline – use 3–6 ft fluoro leader in clear conditions
Major Evening (10 44 PM ET): Slip‑bobber + Lindy rig with live leech over drop‑offs under moonlight
Salmon Report – Frankfort Manistee Ludington Whitehall
Frankfort: Pier anglers hooking Chinook early; offshore salmon and lake trout holding 120–210 ft, bites top 70 ft, spoons slash meat rigs doing well
Manistee Ludington: Salmon in 140–250 ft, biting 40–80 ft down behind flashers; meat rigs scoring near structure
Leland West Grand Traverse Bay & East Grand Traverse Bay (Adding per request)
Leland West Bay: Salmon catching sporadic; best early and late—bait pods up north holding Chinook; lake trout still good on spoons and cowbells at First Bank and Whaleback
East Grand Traverse Bay: Smallmouth bass biting well in 15–30 ft; use tube jigs and live bait
Tight lines and Baitman out
#LiveBait #bucsbait #LiveBaitFishing #TakeAKidFishing
#michiganfishingreport #bucsfishingreport #letsgofishing #fishingreport #gonefishing #tightlines
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Splash of the Paddle
Lake Charlevoix
This week we are on Lake Charlevoix in northern Michigan chasing smallmouth bass, walleye, and perch from the kayak
Slip bobbers and live bait rigs are producing in twenty to forty feet of water near drop offs and rocky points
Try crawlers for bass and perch, or leeches near the river mouths
Circle K in Charlevoix has fresh bait to keep you dialed in
Fish smarter, kayak quiet, tight lines
Bait Man out
#splashofthepaddle #kayakfishing #lakecharlevoix #livebaitonly #northernmichiganfishing #hookandpaddle #smallmouthbass #walleyefishing #perchfishing
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Northern Michigan Fishing Update – August 5, 2025
⸻
🌕 Moon Phase & Solunar Peaks (Eastern Time – Detroit zone)
• Moon: Waning Gibbous (~86%)—moderately strong activity
• Major feeding windows: 9:29 AM ET–11:29 AM ET & 9:56 PM ET–11:56 PM ET
• Minor feeding windows: 1:40 AM ET–2:40 AM ET & 6:15 PM ET–7:15 PM ET  
⸻
💧 Water Temperatures & Thermocline
• Lake Michigan (Frankfort area): ~72–74 °F
• Inland lakes: Stable mid‑70s
• Thermocline: 30–60 ft depth, where water temp drops ~5–7 °F—prime target layers for salmon and suspended walleye
⸻
🌬️ Wind & Conditions
• Early light NE breeze shifting to NW midday, wind 5–10 mph. Calm bays early; haze building later. 
⸻
🎣 Live-Bait & Live Bait Techniques (Eastern Time)
• Minor Morning (1:40 AM ET): Lindy rig with live minnow or leech drifted near structure—refresh bait every ~20 minutes
• Major Afternoon (9:29 AM ET): Drift Lindy rig with leech or crawler through the thermocline; use a 3–6 ft fluorocarbon leader for clarity
• Major Evening (9:56 PM ET): Slip-bobber setup with Lindy rig and leech near drop-offs under low light conditions
⸻
🐟 Salmon Report – Frankfort, Manistee, Ludington & Whitehall
• Frankfort: Pier anglers hooking Chinook early with glow spoons/alewives. Offshore salmon and lake trout holding in 120–210 ft; prime strike zone top 60 ft. Meat rigs, spoons, and flasher-flies are pulling fish consistently.  
• Manistee & Ludington: Salmon in 140–250 ft water; fish responding well to flashers, spoons, and occasional meat rig hookups. Best trolling depth: 40–80 ft down behind dodgers. Pier anglers still catching bass and sheepshead. Tight lines and Baitman out
#LiveBait #bucsbait #LiveBaitFishing #TakeAKidFishing
#michiganfishingreport #bucsfishingreport #letsgofishing #fishingreport #gonefishing #tightlines
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This is your Hot Bite 60 for Tactic Tuesday
We are targeting walleye in deep water using live bait in northern Michigan
Lindy rigs and drop shot setups are the best choice this week
Use crawlers for slow drifts and leeches for vertical fishing over structure
Target depth is twenty to forty feet with a slow troll between one point eight and two point two miles per hour
If you are marking fish and not getting bit switch to a leech and stay put
Live bait fished slow and tuned right is the key this time of year
Fish smarter, tight lines, Bait Man out
#hotbite60 #walleyefishing #livebaitonly #TacticTuesday #deepwaterfishing #dropshotrig #lindyrig #baitmanapproved
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Northern Michigan Fishing Update – August 5, 2025
⸻
🌕 Moon Phase & Solunar Peaks (Eastern Time – Detroit area)
• Moon: Waxing gibbous (~86%) — average day rating
• Optimal bite windows:
• Major: 9:29 AM ET–11:29 AM ET & 9:56 PM ET–11:56 PM ET
• Minor: 1:40 AM ET–2:40 AM ET & 6:15 PM ET–7:15 PM ET  
⸻
💧 Water Temps & Thermocline
• Lake Michigan surface: ~70–72 °F; inland lakes in low mid‑70s
• Thermocline: Cooling layer at ~30–60 ft where temps drop ~5–7 °F, ideal for salmon and walleye feeding
⸻
🌬️ Wind & Conditions
• Early NE breeze shifting NW midday, 5–10 mph—most bays glassy at dawn; haze building after mid-morning
⸻
🎣 Live Bait Techniques (Eastern Time)
• Minor morning (1:40 AM): Lindy rig with live bait drifted slowly along structure; refresh bait every 20 min
• Major afternoon (9:29 AM): Drift Lindy rig (leech or crawler) through the thermocline layer; use a 3–6 ft fluoro leader in clear conditions
• Major evening (9:56 PM): Slip‑bobber + Lindy rig with live leech over deep structure—low light equals hungry fish
⸻
🐟 Salmon Bite Report – Frankfort, Manistee, Ludington & Whitehall
• Frankfort: King and Coho action solid both from pier and offshore in 120–210 ft depths; baitfish glows working well in early hours
• Manistee & Ludington: Salmon and lake trout holding in deeper water; best hooks 40–80 ft down on spoons and flashers, occasional meat rig action over structure
• Trolling setup: 2.3–2.5 mph; rigs set 40–60 ft behind dodgers—run through the thermal break zone to maximize strikes Tight lines and Baitman out
#LiveBait #bucsbait #LiveBaitFishing #TakeAKidFishing #michiganfishingreport #bucsfishingreport #letsgofishing #fishingreport #gonefishing #tightlines #familiarbiteherring
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Deep Water Bluegill with Panfish Leeches
This is your Hot Bite 60 — real lakes, real bait, and the day’s best bite in under a minute.
Tonight, we’re fishing deep weedlines and structure in Northern Michigan for bluegill and sunfish, using small panfish leeches on slip bobbers and drop shot rigs.
🎯 Target depth: 12–25 feet
🪱 Bait: Lively leeches, rigged right
🎣 Technique: Slow presentation, light gear, patient hooksets
Brought to you by Buc’s Aqua Farms — Michigan’s live bait connection.
Fish smarter. Tight lines.
— Bait Man out.
#HotBite60 #BluegillFishing #LeechRig #DeepWaterPanfish #BaitManApproved #LiveBaitOnly #NorthernMichiganFishing
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Tail Annihilators Guide Service
Tail Annihilators Guide Service
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We offer world class waterfowl hunts on Lake Huron, the Saginaw Bay, and the Atlantic Ocean0 CommentsComment on Facebook
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Northern Michigan Fishing Update – August 4, 2025
⸻
🌕 Moon Phase & Solunar Peaks (Eastern Time, America/Detroit)
• Moon: Waning Gibbous (~85%) — robust evening bite expected
• Major feeding windows: 7:44 AM ET–9:44 AM ET & 8:09 PM ET–10:09 PM ET
• Minor feeding windows: 12:17 AM ET–1:17 AM ET & 4:19 PM ET–5:19 PM ET  
⸻
💧 Water Temps & Thermocline
• Lake Michigan surface (Frankfort area): ~73 °F — mixed, warming waters
• Inland lakes: Mid‑70s in shaded bays; surface temps in mid‑60s to low 70s
• Thermocline: Drop of ~5–7 °F around 30–60 ft—target zone for both salmon and suspended walleye  
⸻
🌬️ Wind & Weather Conditions
• Early NE breeze 5–9 mph shifting NW midday; calm bays turning hazy later in the day. Stable warm weather overall.  
⸻
🎣 Live-Bait & Live Bait Techniques (Eastern Time)
• Minor Morning (12:17 AM ET): Lindy rig with live minnow or leech drifted slowly around structure—refresh bait every 20 minutes.
• Major Afternoon (4:19 PM ET): Use Lindy rig with leech or crawler fished vertically through the thermocline layer—fluorocarbon leader helps in clear water.
• Major Evening (8:09 PM ET): Slip‑bobber combination with live leech Lindy rig near drop-offs—moonlight enhances low-light strikes.
⸻
🐟 Spotlight: Salmon Bite Report (Frankfort, Manistee, Ludington & Whitehall)
• Frankfort Pier: Chinook salmon biting strong on glow spoons and alewife baits early AM.
• Offshore action: Kings and lake trout holding in 120–210 ft water; most strikes coming from rigs in the top 60 ft. Flashers, spoons, and meat rigs set 40–60 ft behind dodgers are working best over structure. Bites are consistent early and late.  
• Manistee & Ludington: Salmon caught in depths of 140‑250 ft while working 40‑80 ft down; plug/flare/spoon combos effective. Meat rigs producing a few bites when fished tight to structure Tight lines and Baitman out
#LiveBait #bucsbait #LiveBaitFishing #TakeAKidFishing
#michiganfishingreport #bucsfishingreport #letsgofishing #fishingreport #gonefishing #tightlines #nwmifishingclub
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familiar bite herring oil Leader Length: Commonly 4–6 feet, with 54 inches being preferred by many salmon anglers for optimal action.
2. Preparing and Rigging Familiar Bite Herring
Familiar Bite herring is pre-brined and ready to fish, giving consistent firmness. Use Familiar Bite strips for simplicity—no need to prepare your own with brining or cutting.
Trimming: If needed, trim the strip so it fits smoothly into the Dreamweaver meat head. Remove fins and taper the tail for better fit and action—avoid using a piece too thick or too long for the head.
Inserting the Herring:
Slide the herring strip (skin side out) into the meat head as far as it will go. This keeps the strip secure and ensures it rolls properly.
Use a toothpick through the holes in the meat head to pin the herring strip in place. This ensures the strip stays tight and doesn’t slip during trolling.
Make sure the hook trails just at or slightly behind the end of the strip—Dreamweaver meat rigs come with a spacer/tubing for consistent hook placement.
3. Tuning and Fishing
Tuning the Roll:
The key to meat rig success is a slow, tight roll. If the bait is not rolling, or if it’s spinning too fast or erratically, adjust the curve of the strip and how it sits in the head.
Check the action beside the boat before sending it down. You want about a 1–2 second revolution (slow roll).
Hook Adjustment:
Some anglers “sink” the hook slightly into the meat, creating a gentle curve that adds stability and a natural look while rolling.
Flashers:
Run the meat rig behind a Dreamweaver rotator/10-inch flasher for the best action. Attach teaser section to back of the flasher, then the meat head to the end of teaser section.
Use smaller (8-inch) flashers for colder shallow water, and large (11-inch+) for deeper, warmer water. Match the color of your herring and meat head to water clarity and sunlight (bright for sun, UV/dark for clouds).
4. Best Practices
Speed: Troll at 2.0–2.2 mph for optimal meat rig action—go slower than for flies or spoons.
Check Regularly: After every fish or missed strike, inspect the herring strip, reset the hook, and make sure the roll/action remains consistent.
Color Selection: Experiment! Use UV and glow meat heads and matching herring strips—try purple or chartreuse for UV, glow heads in low light or deep.
Depth and Placement: Run meat rigs deep (using downriggers or wire divers), especially mid-day or when kings are found below the thermocline
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Northern Michigan Fishing Update – August 3, 2025
⸻
🌕 Moon Phase & Solunar Peaks (Eastern Time)
• Moon phase: Waxing Gibbous (~70%) — evening bite potential looks solid
• Major feeding windows: 7:44 AM ET–9:44 AM ET & 8:09 PM ET–10:09 PM ET
• Minor feeding windows: 12:17 AM ET–1:17 AM ET & 4:19 PM ET–5:19 PM ET  
⸻
💧 Water Temperatures & Thermocline
• Lake Michigan (Grand Haven): ~73 °F surface—well-mixed waters with warm shallow pockets
• Inland lakes: Mid‑70s in bays and shaded areas
• Thermocline: Strong 5–7 °F drop at 30–60 ft—ideal zone for salmon and suspended walleye feeding
⸻
🌬️ Wind & Weather Conditions
• Early light NE breeze at 5–9 mph, shifting northwest midday; protected bays glassy early, then rising haze later. Looks stable with warming trend. 
⸻
🎣 Live-Bait & Lindy Rig Techniques
• Minor Morning (12:17 AM ET): Lindy rig with live minnow or leech fished slow along structure—refresh bait every 20 minutes.
• Major Afternoon (4:19 PM ET): Drift Lindy rig through thermocline with leech or crawler, 3–6 ft fluorocarbon leader for stealth.
• Major Evening (8:09 PM ET): Slip-bobber plus Lindy rig with live leech over drop-offs under low light—moonlit calm enhances bites.
⸻
🐟 Salmon & Frankfort Bite Report
• Frankfort Pier: Chinook salmon biting well on glow spoons and alewife trollers in early morning hours.
• Offshore: Salmon and lake trout holding in 120–210 ft depths; most bites in the top 60 ft. Meat rigs, flasher-spoon combos, and spoons trolling 40–60 ft behind flashers performing well—especially over structure and reef edges.   
• Manistee & Ludington: Chinook and Coho being landed offshore between 140–250 ft; charters report effective patterns with spoons, flasher rigs. Meat rig bite patchy but still productive if fished tight to structure. Tight lines and Baitman out
#LiveBait #bucsbait #LiveBaitFishing #TakeAKidFishing #michiganfishingreport
#bucsfishingreport #letsgofishing #fishingreport #gonefishing #tightlines
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The king salmon run off Frankfort is firing today — with coho and Chinooks being caught both off the piers and in deep water.
Bait of the day? Familiar Bite herring strips behind green, blue, and UV flashers.
Pier anglers saw early action in 4–6 feet of water. Offshore boats are running 50–65 feet down in 120–200 feet of water.
Photos from Instagram and charter captains show kings topping 30 pounds hitting the docks. #hotbite60 #frankfortmi #frankfortsalmon #kingsalmon #cohosalmon #familiarbiteherring #lakemichiganfishing #charterbite #pierfishing #30lbClub #baitmanapproved
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🎯 Northern Michigan Fishing Update – August 2, 2025 (Automation Run #15)
⸻
🌕 Moon Phase & Solunar Peaks
• Moon: Waning gibbous (~85%) — expect strong evening bite action.
• Major feeding: 4:30 PM–6:30 PM
• Minor feeding: 7:45 AM–8:45 AM & 11:30 PM–12:30 AM  
⸻
💧 Water Temps & Thermocline
• Lake Michigan surface temp today: ~73 °F (Grand Haven) 
• Inland lakes: mid‑70s common in shaded bays and embayments.
• Thermocline: breakpoint around 30–60 ft, where temperature drops 5–7 °F—hot zone for salmon feeding 
⸻
🌬️ Wind & Conditions
• Lake forecast: Northeast to north winds 5–10 kt, switching to northwest mid‑day; light haze lingering. Waves ≤ 1 ft on most zones 
⸻
🎣 Live‑Bait & Lindy Rig Strategy
• Morning minor (7:45 AM): Lindy rig with live minnow swung slow near structure—refresh every 20 min
• Midday major (4:30 PM): Lindy rig rigged with leech or waxworm worked vertically through the thermocline
• Evening minor (11:30 PM): Lindy rig under slip‑bobber with live leech on deep drop‑offs under moon glow
⸻
🐟 Salmon Report – Frankfort, Manistee, Ludington & Whitehall
• Depth & Temps: Salmon marking 55–65 ft; mid‑column temps ~56 °F; surface ~70 °F—ideal thermal cline zone
• Trolling Setup:
• Speed: 2.3–2.5 mph
• Rigs: Meat rigs and flasher‑spoon combos set 40–60 ft behind flashers or dodgers
• Technique: Run gear within or just above the thermocline; lobster spoons and meat rigs have been producing hits in early morning and dusk hours
⸻
Tight lines and Baitman out
#LiveBait #bucsbait #LiveBaitFishing #TakeAKidFishing
#michiganfishingreport #bucsfishingreport #letsgofishing #fishingreport #gonefishing #tightlines
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Kayak Fishing report Spider Lake, just southeast of Traverse City, is living up to its name — long, quiet fingers of water stretching deep into the woods.
Crappie are suspended at 10 feet. Bluegill are deep. Bass are cruising the edges.
Minnows, leeches, and crawlers are all in play.
Launch from Supply Road and get on early.
Fish smarter. Kayak quiet. Tight lines.
— Bait Man
#hookandpaddle #splashofthepaddle #kayakfishingmichigan #spiderlake #livebaitonly #slipbobberbite #bluegillbasin #crappiefishing #traversecityfishing #baitmanapproved #livebait #kayakfishingreport
#bucsbait
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We will have updated fishing report in Northern Michigan along with photos. Please post your catch
Northern Michigan Fishing Update – August 8, 2025 0 CommentsComment on Facebook
BaitMan’s Weekly Fishing Report 1 CommentsComment on Facebook
We are happy to share once more that the VHSv Lab Test results have come back NEGATIVE for our latest batch of Atlantic Herring. Additionally, we have received a Michigan State Certification letter that permits us to proceed with the sales of our Familiar Bite Herring Cut-Bait Strips. 0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Buc's Northern Michigan Fishing Report
Moon Phase & Solunar Peaks (Eastern Time)
Moon nearly full, part of the Sturgeon Moon cycle, reaching full illumination around 3 57 AM ET on August 9 
Major feeding windows include 11 46 AM ET–1 46 PM ET, and 11 30 PM ET–1 30 AM ET
Minor feeding windows include 4 23 AM ET–6 23 AM ET, and 7 10 PM ET–9 10 PM ET 
Water Temperatures & Thermocline
Lake Michigan surface temp near Grand Haven about 72 °F
White Lake (inland): 65 °F water temp, ideal for bass and trout 
Thermocline is located between 30–60 ft with a cool zone drop of 5–7 °F
Wind & Conditions
Inshore southeast winds transitioning to northwest midday, 5–9 mph
Waves remain low, about 1 ft; early calm, light haze building by late morning 
Live Bait Techniques (Eastern Time)
Minor early morning (4 23 AM ET), use Lindy rig with live minnow or leech over structure, refresh every 20 min
Major midday (11 46 AM ET), slow drift Lindy rig through thermocline with leech or crawler, use 3–6 ft fluorocarbon leader
Major evening (11 30 PM ET), slip‑bobber with Lindy rig leech over deep structure under moonlight
Salmon Report – Frankfort, Manistee, Ludington, Whitehall
Frankfort pier delivering early Chinook action on glow spoons and alewives
Offshore kings and lake trout stacking in 120–210 ft water, bites coming from top 70 ft; meat rigs, flasher‑spoon combos, and spoons set 40–60 ft behind dodgers are working best
Manistee & Ludington seeing Chinook and Coho in 140–250 ft, bites down 40–80 ft behind flashers; meat rigs triggering strikes on structure
Leland, West Grand Traverse Bay, East Grand Traverse Bay
Leland: Chinook and lake trout biting in 70–100 ft, often 60 ft down; spoons and cowbells near First Bank and Whaleback in play
West Grand Traverse Bay: steady salmon action early and late, bait pods north; lake trout still hitting spoons on structure
East Bay: solid smallmouth bass action in 15–30 ft, tube jigs and live bait working well Tight lines and Baitman out
#LiveBait #bucsbait #LiveBaitFishing #TakeAKidFishing
#michiganfishingreport #bucsfishingreport #letsgofishing #fishingreport #gonefishing #tightlines
Date: Thursday, August 8, 2025
Real lakes, real bait, real bite.
🏆 Sponsor of the Week
Sanford Sport Shop
3783 N West River Road, Sanford, MI 48657
Phone: 989 687 5161
Website: sanfordsportshop.com
🪱 Bait Shop of the Week
Tamarac Sports
10390 N Greenville Road, Lakeview, MI 48850
Phone: 989 352 7677
Facebook: facebook.com/TamaracSports
🌊 Lake of the Week – Lake Leelanau
North Basin:
Smallmouth bass in 20 to 40 feet on drop shots and tubes
Walleye near The Narrows at dawn and dusk
Perch holding near mid-lake humps
South Basin:
Panfish active in 8 to 15 feet on worms
Walleye early and late on leeches near Advance
Bass feeding in weeds on topwater baits
🔥 Northern Michigan Lakes
Burt Lake – Walleye biting along the drop-offs on crawler harnesses
Mullett Lake – Deep trolling producing trout and occasional walleye
Black Lake – Crappie suspended over deeper weed flats
Lake Charlevoix – Smallmouth bass deep, perch in South Arm
Skegemog Lake – Walleye over humps, drifting leeches
Torch Lake – Vertical jigging for smallmouth in 40 to 60 feet
Long Lake (Grand Traverse) – Walleye and perch near breaks and weed edges
Lake Leelanau – See above (Lake of the Week)
Spider Lake – Bluegill and bass in back coves and fingers
Lake Dubonnet – Steady pike and panfish on worms
Green Lake – Deep bluegill bite, vertical jigs in 20+ feet
Duck Lake (Grand Traverse) – Perch scattered, smallmouth in rock pockets
Bass Lake (near Interlochen) – Weedline bass, early bite on topwater
Glen Lake – Smallmouth along gravel and sand transitions
Crystal Lake – Lakers deep, perch near rocky drops
Manistee Lake (Kalkaska) – Walleye early and late, smallmouth deep mid-day
Lake Margrethe (Grayling) – Mixed bag of perch, walleye, and pike
Big Bradford Lake (Otsego County) – Panfish with leeches in 10 to 12 ft
Manistee Lake (Manistee) – Early pike in coves, perch starting to group up
🔥 West Michigan Lakes
Portage Lake (Onekama) – Perch starting to bite in 12 to 18 feet
Pere Marquette Lake – Salmon moving through early, coho and kings staging
White Lake – Pike and perch in mid-depth weedlines
Pentwater Lake – Pier anglers getting early salmon hits
Silver Lake – Largemouth in reeds, topwater active at sunrise
Hamlin Lake – Bluegill deep, evening pike off points
Bear Lake (Muskegon) – Panfish active near lily pads
Muskegon Lake – Walleye on crankbaits, some bass on jigs
Blue Lake (Muskegon County) – Crappie deep over brush piles
Big Star Lake (Lake County) – Largemouth good near docks, panfish deep
Wolf Lake (Muskegon County) – Decent panfish bite in 8 to 10 feet
Lake Cadillac – Crappie bite steady, bluegill slowing in shallow
Lake Mitchell – Weedline bass active, some early perch bites
🔥 Mid Michigan & Saginaw Bay
Houghton Lake – Walleye early with crawlers, bluegill in 10 feet
Higgins Lake – Deep perch with minnows, trout bite slow
Otsego Lake – Pike and perch near structure
Grand Lake (Presque Isle) – Walleye in the morning, drifting crawlers
Fletcher’s Floodwaters – Bluegill, rock bass, and northern pike
Long Lake (Alpena) – Bass and perch active near breaks
Wixom Lake (rebuilding) – Limited access but shore bluegill fishing steady
Secord Lake (Gladwin) – Bluegill and crappie consistent with waxworms
Lake Lancer (Gladwin County) – Decent perch bite near structure
Lake Missaukee – Bass near reeds, bluegill in deeper holes
Lake Mecosta – Walleye trolling near drop-offs
Chippewa Lake – Panfish near weeds, some early crappie schools
Croton Pond – Smallmouth and catfish bite during evening hours
Hardy Dam Pond – Pike and smallmouth on spinnerbaits
🎣 Saginaw Bay
Saginaw Bay:
Walleye in 10 to 14 feet near Linwood
Drifting crawler harnesses still best method
Perch bite showing signs of life near weed clumps
Catfish and bass mixed in around river mouths
🐟 Salmon Report – Leland to Grand Haven
Leland:
Chinook and lake trout near North Manitou
Bite best in 75 to 90 feet down over 200 feet
Green paddles, meat rigs, and glow spoons working
Frankfort:
Strong Chinook bite in 100 to 150 feet of water
50 to 65 down on spoons and Familiar Bite meat rigs
Coho close to shore early morning
Manistee:
Kings and steelhead scattered 30 to 160 down
Flasher-fly combos productive, meat rig slower but steady
Ludington:
Kings offshore 35 to 140 down
Best bites on chrome flashers and spoons in low light
Pier action very slow
Whitehall and Montague:
Mixed king and coho reports in 120 to 160 feet
Bite inconsistent but improving with east winds
Grand Haven:
Deep troll bite mid-morning to late afternoon
60 to 80 feet down over 150 to 200 ft water
Chartreuse and UV flashers with flies or spoons
🪱 Familiar Bite Herring Available At:
Fish Hook – Leland
Empire Outdoors – Empire
Roy’s General Store – Traverse City
Frankfort Tacklebox – Frankfort
Don’s Sporting Goods – Manistee
Insta Launch Marina – Manistee
Captain Chucks – Ludington
Johnson’s Great Outdoors – Montague
Armstrong’s on the Lake – Whitehall
Hesperia Sport Shop – Hesperia
Crispy Outdoors – Grand Haven
Jay’s Sporting Goods – Clare and Gaylord
Pilgrim’s Village – Cadillac
Hilltop Sports – Greenville
🎯 Deep Water Panfish
Slip Bobbers: Waxworms or leeches in 12 to 25 ft
Drop Shot: Hover just above structure
Vertical Jigging: Light tungsten jigs in bluegill pods
Anchor Tips: Fluke-style or chain anchor with over 100 ft rope
Rod Sensitivity: Use light gear and bite indicators
🪱 Bait Breakdown
Leeches: Top bait for walleye, smallmouth, and panfish
Crawlers: Effective across species, especially on harnesses
Minnows: Best for crappie and deeper perch
Waxworms: Bluegill, sunfish, and rock bass
Live bait delivery: Slip bobbers, vertical jigs, trolling harnesses, and drop shot rigs
Get the “Big One” with Familiar Bite…