By October, much of the fishing action has switched to the spawning rivers themselves, most of which are open to sport fishermen under very liberal regulations. In certain sections of streams, a somewhat restricted form of snagging is permitted, although the law calls it “accidental foul-hooking.” Officials figure it’s better for sport fishermen to utilize the salmon than have them spawn, die and go wasted. Michigan’s fishery program depends mostly on hatchery raised fish stocked each spring, and though natural spawning adds to the production, it isn’t absolutely necessary for good salmon fishing.

The regulations governing this brand of snagging, along with the streams open to it, are spelled out in the annual fishing digest provided with the fishing license.

From south to north in the Lower Peninsula, these are the streams which host spawning runs and are generally open to fishing: St. Joseph, Kalamazoo, Grand, Muskegon, Pere Marquette, Big Manistee, Little Manistee (open for steelhead fishing only above the state harvest weir) and Platt (closed until late fall). Other stocked streams are too small to be open to general fishing pressure, although the river mouth areas are usually open. The Menominee, Whitefish, Carp, Big Cedar and Manistique Rivers in the Upper Peninsula are most often open, too.

Along Lake Superior, most of the fishing action continues offshore at the river mouths throughout the season. The better spots include (from east to west): Grand Marais (Sucker River), Munising (Ana River), Marquette (Chocolay), Big Huron Bay (Big Huron), Keweenay Bay and Black River Harbor (Presque Isle).

Salmon seem little inclined to take artificial lures during spawning runs, so most anglers use such bait as spawn sacks (salmon eggs tied in small nylon bags), nightcrawlers and wigglers, all available in local bait stores. These are usually fished right on the bottom with enough split shots to keep them rolling on the bottom of holes where salmon rest in their passage upstream. Some fluorescent-orange or yellow lures work at times, but most fishermen finally resort to snagging. Where dams block upstream passage, snagging a limit of five salmon isn’t hard.

If you’d like a crack at a really big chinook, your choices are still somewhat limited. Most big kings were taken last season at the south end of Manistee Lake where the Little Manistee Rivers enters. There was literally a carpet of boats at the spot, nearly everyone still-fishing on the bottom with spawn or night crawlers. To actually land one of the 30-pounders in that maze was quite an experience.

The Muskegon River hosts plenty of big chinook, too, but after they pass through Muskegon Lake, most are taken by snaggers from holes along the way to Croton Dam upstream.

Up-to-date salmon fishing information is available seven days a week from the state’s “hotline” number in Lansing. The state’s “Michigan Campground Directory” is a free pamphlet listing every public campground in the state (write Publications Room, Michigan Dept. of Natural Resources, Stephens T. Mason Bldg., Lansing).

Tourist accommodation information is available from the West Michigan Tourist Association or the Upper Peninsula Tourist Association. Michigan fishing licenses cost $3.10 for residents and $6.10 for non-residents annually. A trout and salmon stamp adds $2.10 for residents and $3.10 for non-residents. Seven day permits are $3.10 and $5.10 respectively, and a one-day tag for all fishermen goes for $1.10. Take your pick.

Furnasman Winnipeg

Ice Fishing Lake Manitoba Narrows

• What Kind of Boat Should You Buy? [/caption] If you're an avid fisherman, you've probably had consistent access to one boat or another during your tenure out...
• Fishing Report: November 5, 2010 Lakes and Saltwater Anderson: Those who are looking to grab some great small bass are going to want to head...
• Fishing Report: January 22, 2010 Unfortunately for fishermen, the recent storms in the Bay Area have overfilled almost every stream and river where steelhead have...
• Fishing Report: June 5th, 2009 The fishing has been hit or miss this week, with some great scores and some less than ideal hauls. In...
• Fishing Report: December 18, 2009 Striped Bass, Crab and Halibut At Berkeley/Emeryville, crabbing has been, by all accounts, pretty terrible, mostly because the crab boats...
• Fishing Report: April 22, 2011 Lakes and Saltwater Anderson: People who have been having the most success at this location have been those who are...
• Fishing Report: February 4, 2011 Lakes and Saltwater Anderson: If you are looking for one of the best bass lakes in the region you are...
• Fishing Report: May 20, 2011 Fishing on the lakes has seen different results based on where you are fishing. Most sites are seeing good results...
• Fishing Report: July 4th, 2009 The fish are still biting in the lakes this week. The trout are still biting around 15 feet below the...