This month has seen seasonable summer temperatures and was a slightly warmer month in comparison to July. Daytime highs exceeded almanac averages on several occasions, though the biggest trend was steady temperatures ranging from the upper 60’s to mid 70’s for daytime highs. August saw a considerable amount of precipitation and can be characterized by predominately partly cloudy to overcast skies.
River Conditions:
Water temperatures have fluctuated minimally throughout August. The St. Mary’s River peaked at 67F and has since begun a gradual cooling trend. Water temperatures near the Twin Cities currently reside around 63F. Water levels have remained consistent, and overall, the river is up several inches from this time last summer. In the Sault Rapids, maintenance is still being performed on the northernmost compensating gate.
Fishing Report:
With cooler water temperatures this summer than previous years, the trout and salmon fisheries have remained very productive throughout August. The Atlantic Salmon fishing was excellent throughout the first three weeks of August, and anglers are still catching an occasional Atlantic at this time. The Atlantics have become much less active than they were just a few weeks ago, and targeting this species is becoming quite difficult. The best approach to targeting Atlantics is to use small smelt imitations fished near the surface. The last couple hours of daylight prior to sunset are the most likely times to encounter feeding Atlantics.
The last two weeks have seen a considerable increase in the number of Chinook Salmon in the river. The run is now well underway, and fresh fish are showing up each day. Mornings and evenings have been most productive. Kings are being caught near the Edison Soo hydroelectric plant, the Sugar Island Ferry, north of the Sault Locks entrance, around the base of the St. Mary’s Rapids, and near the US Government and Canadian hydroelectric facilities. Catches have also been good near the Garden River Mouth. Trolling is the preferred method for targeting Kings in the St. Mary’s River system, and many anglers have great success pulling trolling spoons and plugs. Casting can also be productive along the Sault Ste. Marie waterfront. The best times to cast for Kings are early in the morning and just after sunset. Casting spoons and crank baits can be effective.
A few Pink Salmon are starting to show up in the St. Mary’s River, and this fishery should be picking up soon. Pinks can easily be taken fishing from shore along the St. Mary’s waterfront. Small casting spoons and light tackle are a great way to target this species. The first two weeks of September typically offer some o the best fishing of the season for most of the Pacific Salmonoids.
The perch fishing has been consistently good throughout the North Channel. Both US and Canadian waters have been producing fish. Other areas to look for perch include Lake George, Baie de Wasai, and along the South end of Sugar Island. Later in the Fall, also look to the Upper River for good catches of jumbo perch. The US side can be productive just offshore from Sherman Park. The Canadian side is generally good as well. Perch can be located by drifting or slow trolling with crawler harnesses fished just off the bottom. Once perch have been located, still fishing is a great way to target this species. A good graphing sonar is very helpful in locating schools of perch.
The walleye fishing remains difficult. Walleye fishermen have been successful fishing Lake George and the main river channel between 3 Mile Road and 9 Mile Road. Catches have also been reported by anglers fishing around St. Joseph Island and Neebish Island.
Smallmouth bass have been active throughout the river system. The southern end of Sugar Island has been a consistent fishery for this sport fish. The smallmouth fishing should remain productive throughout the late fall.
Pike have been caught in lower parts of the St. Mary’s River by anglers targeting perch and walleye. For anglers looking to target pike, try fishing during lowlight conditions. Many of the rocky islands and bays near the southern end of Sugar Island offer good structure for pike and maybe even an occasional Muskie. As autumn gets underway, anglers will have an opportunity to target Muskie in the lower river system. A likely place to find a large fall Muskie is in Munuscong Bay.
Comments:
Keep in mind that your angling experience is impacted by other fishermen, and, likewise, your angling impacts the experience of others. Be courteous to other fishermen, and plan your actions accordingly. Avoid causing frustration on the water by not crowding other boats and by handling your vessel in a manner that does not directly interfere with the intended course of another watercraft.
Keep it safe and don’t forget to activate navigational lights before sunset to comply with US Coast Guard regulations.
Help do your part to protect and enhance the fishery on the world-class St. Mary’s River system! There are many ways to help promote conservation in order to create better fishing opportunities for everyone. Get acquainted with the practices of catch and release and selective harvest. Many fishermen do not have the discipline or the mindset to practice catch and release and selective harvest, which are two effective methods of protecting breeding fish, supporting healthy, growing, and sustainable fish populations, allowing for the growth and development of trophy fish, and ensuring that there are ample angling opportunities for future generations. To learn more about catch and release and selective harvest, contact the Michigan Department of Natural Resources or Captain Travis White at the St.
Mary’s Guide Company. Not every fish has to end up on the dinner table. The experience, memories, and pictures alone certainly justify this great American pastime!
Until next time, tight lines!
Captain Travis White
River Guide and Conservationist
St. Mary’s Guide Company LLC
Fishing Report for Sault Ste. Marie, MI
July 5th-July 27th
Weather Conditions:
The month of July has proven to be an unusually cool and damp month. High temperatures have ranged from upper 50’s to low 70’s throughout the month, while overnight lows have ranged from low 40’s to mid 50’s. Overall, the weather has been very unstable.
River Conditions:
Water temperatures have remained stable throughout the past several weeks with minor fluctuations. Currently, the water temperature sits at 60F in the immediate proximity of the twin cities. Water flow has been inconsistent. Nights and weekends have seen major cutbacks in water flow and levels, as the local hydroelectric facilities have been reducing electricity generation during these time periods. This has resulted in difficult fishing conditions and concentrated fishing pressure in many portions of the river. In the Sault Rapids, maintenance is being performed on the northernmost compensating gate.
Fishing Report:
With water temperatures in the 60’s throughout the river, mayfly hatches have been significant the past couple of weeks. The peak of these hatches is likely past. Caddis and stonefly activity continues, though these hatches peaked several weeks ago.
Herring have been present throughout the river system for the past couple weeks. Anglers have been fishing near the Bai de Wasai entrance and elsewhere throughout the lower river. Watch for surface activity and look along scumlines to find fish.
The whitefish fishery in the river has slowed down significantly. Very few boats have had much luck in targeting this species. This may be a result of the inconsistent water flow behind the Edison Soo hydroelectric plant.
Walleye activity has been steady throughout the St. Mary’s River. Fishermen have been successful in Lake George as well as the Raber Bay and Munuscong Bay areas. Walleye are also being caught in the proximity of Lake Nicolet.
Anglers that are hoping to locate perch should look to Lake George and the North Channel. Some lucky fishermen have reported catches of jumbos coming from these areas within the past week.
The smallmouth bass fishery has been productive. Fishermen that know where and how to catch these fish have had some phenomenal days and a shot at catching some trophy fish.
The Atlantic Salmon fishing has been good all month, though it is starting to show signs of depreciation. Overall, it seems as if this summer was a much less productive season than previous years for the Atlantics. The salmon that have been caught have had a smaller average size than the past several years, and, overall, the number of Atlantic Salmon present in the river this summer seems to be quite low. This could be a result of heavy fishing pressure in recent years. Most of the fish caught this season have been two year old fish. Only a small handful of three year old fish have survived long enough to return to the river this year, and only a very small number of four year old fish have evaded lines and natural causes of death long enough to thrill fortunate anglers.
Comments:
Keep in mind that your angling experience is impacted by other fishermen, and, likewise, your angling impacts the experience of others. Be courteous to other fishermen, and plan your actions accordingly. Avoid causing frustration on the water by not crowding other boats and by handling your vessel in a manner that does not directly interfere with the intended course of another watercraft. Keep it safe and don’t forget to activate navigational lights at least a half hour before sunset to comply with US Coast Guard regulations.
Help do your part to protect and enhance the fishery on the world-class St. Mary’s River system! There are many ways to help promote conservation in order to create better fishing opportunities for everyone. Get acquainted with the practices of catch and release and selective harvest. Many fishermen do not have the discipline or the mindset to practice catch and release and selective harvest, which are two effective methods of protecting breeding fish, supporting healthy, growing, and sustainable fish populations, allowing for the growth and development of trophy fish, and ensuring that there are ample angling opportunities for future generations. To learn more about catch and release and selective harvest, contact the Michigan Department of Natural Resources or Captain Travis White at the St. Mary’s Guide Company. Not every fish has to end up on the dinner table. The experience, memories, and pictures alone certainly justify this great American pastime!
Be sure to check back regularly for an updated fishing report for the St. Mary’s River System. Updates will be posted every one to two weeks depending on changes in river and fishing conditions.
Weather this past week has been quite unseasonable. A major cold front has brought very cool temperatures, strong winds, and several consecutive days of overcast weather. Scattered showers have also contributed to the unpleasant weather conditions. Temperatures this past week have been 15-20F below average for this time of year according to NOAA Weather. Cool temperatures will continue through the next week.
River Conditions:
Water temps have climbed significantly this past week. Temperatures have ranged from 50-57F. Water temps are currently sitting at 57F. The increase in water temperature has stimulated a greater presence of insect activity. Caddis flies, mayflies, and stoneflies have begun hatching. The caddis fly hatch is currently at its peak in Sault Ste. Marie. Mayfly hatches are most significant in lower portions of the river and in back bays, where water temps are much warmer.
Fishing Report:
Fishing has been significantly impacted by the recent weather trends. Fishing conditions have been quite frustrating for many anglers. However, as river conditions continue to improve, fishing activity will pick up quickly once fairer weather returns.
The most notable fishing for walleye and perch during the past couple of weeks has been seen in the Munuscong Bay and Raber Bay areas. Raber Bay has been consistently producing catches of walleye and perch. Walleye fishing in Munuscong has slowed down in the last week, though some fishermen have been successful. Pike have also been taken by walleye and perch anglers.
Herring fishing is just beginning to pick up in parts of the river. Mayflies have been hatching out of the shallow bays. Herring have been taken in Tenby Bay. Herring fishing will likely be in its prime in the next one to two weeks.
Anglers have been catching decent numbers of whitefish behind the Edison Soo hydroelectric plant along with an occasional Atlantic Salmon. Fishing is starting to pick up in this portion of the river now that the caddis flies (locally called “shadflies”) are hatching. Fresh Atlantic Salmon have showed up recently and are scattered throughout upper portions of the St. Mary’s. The Atlantics taken this year appear to be well fed and are in mint condition.
The upper river continues to bear some whitefish and perch, though catches haven’t been significant. Fishermen continue to report catches of walleye in Brimley Bay, though this has been a very inconsistent fishery the past couple of weeks.
Fishing in Lake George is picking up. Look for pike, walleye, perch, and smallmouth scattered throughout this water body.
Comments:
Be sure to check back regularly for an updated fishing report for the St. Mary’s River System. Updates will be posted every one to two weeks depending on changes in river and fishing conditions.
Special thanks to Wilderness Treasures in Pickford, MI for information pertaining to Munuscong Bay and Raber Bay. Contact Wilderness Treasures for the latest fishing report at (906)-647-4002, or stop by to browse their selection of live bait and fishing tackle.
Special thanks to Captain Greg Gorsuch of Soo Fishing Charters for providing the latest information on fishing conditions throughout the St. Mary’s River. To book a charter with Captain Greg, visit his website (www.fishdaup.com) or give him a call at (906)-748-1042.
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Check out the Lake Superior State University Fish Cam the fish cam camera is positioned on the output side of the Edison Sault Electric power generation building, on the east side of the hydro plant, immediately downstream from Lake State’s ARL hatchery on the St. Mary's River .
For mor information on fishing and our Annual Peak Fishing Guide click here.
Sault Ste. Marie Convention & Visitors Bureau
536 Ashmun Street, Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783
Phone 800-647-2858 or (906) 632-3366 or you can contact us!
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