The last I heard they were catching fish in 100 - 140 foot of water. Lakers near bottom on flashers and green or glow spoons, salmon on high lines using dipsy divers and planer boards with copper line or lead core about 60 - 80 feet down on flashers or dodgers with spoons or spin and glows.
Mgiven, at least you hooked a few. For me the fun is always in the fight anyway. Hopefully they stayed hooked up long enough for a good fight. The eating is just a bonus. That's why they call it fishing instead of catching. Hopefully you can have another chance to put some in the boat with them next year.
Also, if you have flashers and flies I would put them on the lead core and send them out on the boards for atlantics or coho. Green, blue or purple flies should work.
It looks like you're starting to figure out where the trout are. Those steelhead are fun to catch. I am willing to bet the salmon are out in deeper water. I always did good on Micheal Jackson silver streaks ( half black/half white ). Monkey Puke was another great spoon by the same company for salmon. It was a blend of green and gold. If you have something close to those colors put them 3 to 5 feet behind a flasher or dodger and drop down 70 to 80 feet on the downriggers in 100 feet of water and I think you'll do good. I also did good on dark green and white on some days. Good luck.
What Omaryam2 said. It's great advice. Trolling with spoons, meat rigs, flies or squid as well as spin glo's are the main salmon fishing methods while they are out in the lakes. Once they hit the rivers spoons, flies and salmon eggs will all catch fish. Good luck Edfritziii!
Mgiven, what type of line and what spoons or other lures are you using? Also, what colors? Maybe I can help you a little more with that.
Nice job. As much as I enjoy salmon I prefer walleye any day of the week. Did you catch it out near one of the bouys? I have a feeling you would have done much better on salmon if you had gone out around 100 feet. That's where I always had my best luck between Harrisville and Tawas. I haven't had a boat for several years but recently bought an 18 foot 4 Winns that needs a little work before it's ready for the water. This late in the year I don't plan on it being in the water until next spring. At that time I'll be on the water every chance I get. Good luck if you get out there again. Btw...you will notice fish at 60-80 feet in 100 feet of water. That can be salmon or lakers. Don't forget to run a long line or two at 10 - 20 feet for steelhead.
jl4401978, I know where the reservoir is but haven't fished it. I know there are at least 1 or 2 people on here that live in that area. If you go to the top of the page and click on User List you can enter Michigan in the Find by Location box it will give you a list of people from this site and where they live. You can then click on the names of the people in that area to see if they can help you out. That's what this site is about so don't be shy. We love to help others any way we can
Lisatipler, the good news is that the boys don't need a fishing license yet. You're already saving money! When it comes to fishing with kids you can never go wrong with a simple bobber, splitshot sinker, hook and worm or minnow. That basic set-up will catch just about anything that swims. It's simple, inexpensive and you can dig worms or nightcrawlers for free.
Wow! That's crazy. Thanks for the pics.
There are also walleye. There is a boat ramp below the dam as well as a county ramp above the dam on Foote Pond, next to the paddle wheel river boat. I prefer the pond above the dam for fishing and boating.
Lynngoodburne, if you are talking about Foote Dam in Alcona County, MI, access is easy. There is a huge parking area just below the dam as well as another great parking area just down the road beside the bridge. It's all well marked and there are access trails along the river making for fairly easy access. Good luck!
Dog 66, some kind of bait would be the best option. Lol. Seriously though, I hear the lakers and rainbows have been biting fairly good. A lot of people troll artificials for them. Others prefer to drift with live bait ( minnows ). I personally haven't fished it but I know a few that have. For lakers I would at least try drifting while jigging on bottom in deep water. Think 60 - 100 feet. They like to hang there. For rainbows go shallower. They tend to suspend in 15 - 40 feet from what they tell me. It's a big, deep lake and can be tricky to locate fish. I 'd put a big minnow or plastic bait on my jig for lakers. For rainbows maybe try a spinner, spoon or fly like is used on Lake Huron if you are trolling. If you're drifting I think I would use minnows and kick back and wait for a bite! Good luck on your trip. Fishyaker and a few others may have more suggestions for you. I imagine they will post something as soon as they see your post.
John427, I live just a few miles from VanEttan Lake in Iosco County. I assume that's the lake you're asking about. I haven't had a chance to fish it this year but it's fairly consistant. For walleye I would try jigs or a crawler harness. As for pike big spinners spoons ( red and white daredevil is my favorite ) or live suckers are a good bet. Bass are fairly plentiful and can be caught on most any bass bait. I prefer body baits. Poppers and jitterbugs are good early in the morning or toward evening.Btw... there are some nice perch in there as well. In fact, there are probably more perch than anything else. They are also easy to catch. If you have kids with you the perch can save the day for you. Hopefully this advice helps you catch some fish on your trip. Good luck and have a safe and fun time.