Michigan DNR: steelhead arrive at Frankfort piers while Cheboygan Dam still gives up chinook

The Michigan DNR's weekly fishing report for Oct. 22 shows the fall run moving along in the northern Lower Peninsula. At Frankfort, steelhead have arrived, and pier anglers reported moderate catches on spawn from both the North and South piers, depending on wind direction. Early mornings have been best. Steelhead fishing was slow on the Ludington and Manistee piers.

On East Grand Traverse Bay, anglers out of Elk Rapids caught cisco and a few chinook salmon trolling orange, green or white spoons 70 to 90 feet down over 110 to 140 feet of water. Others caught cisco near Old Mission by jigging in 80 to 150 feet. Lake trout and salmon were caught in the Elk River on beads and spawn bags.

On the Lake Huron side, the Cheboygan Dam spillway produced chinook salmon and an occasional steelhead. Anglers caught up to three salmon per outing drifting or bottom-bouncing spawn or beads, or casting minnow-style crankbaits, though the bite slowed when the skies cleared. At Oscoda, anglers on the pier caught a few walleye at dawn and dusk on deep-diving minnow plugs and shad-style crankbaits in fire tiger and clown colors. Anglers in the Au Sable River caught Atlantic salmon and steelhead.

Salmon fishing has slowed at Tawas, but walleye fishing is starting to pick up in the river and off the pier. Yellow perch in the Standish and Alpena areas remain mostly small or scarce.

This is a The Gillnet news desk summary, not a reprint.

Source: Michigan DNR Fisheries Division weekly fishing report, via the Traverse City Record-Eagle — Recreational Fishing Report: 10/22/2026 (Oct. 22, 2026).