IRON MOUNTAIN - Fish are biting for patient and persistent anglers, but reports suggest very few people were out fishing over the past week.

"We're selling some smaller fatheads and crappie minnows right now, but not a whole lot," said Dean Lindblom at Country Bait and Tackle in Iron Mountain.

"Perch were biting and those fishing muskies found that pike suckers were working pretty well."

Don Ciochetto at the Sport Shop in Iron River also reported a few fall fishermen after muskie, but not many other people were fishing.

"There's hardly anyone fishing right now," was the word from John Grier at Whispering Pines Outpost in Breitung Township.

Pattie Teske at Florence Sport and Bait and Tom Bean at Crystal Bait echoed the sentiment, saying there really wasn't much to report as fishing activity has slowed.

Bird hunting prospects continue to improve as cover drops, but reports of success have been hit or miss and highly localized. Some say they are flushing a lot of birds, while others in similar areas aren't seeing many at all.

Very little has come in on archery deer season success, poor weather most likely limiting hunting opportunities.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources reported the following fishing conditions across the Upper Peninsula:

Menominee - Walleye were reported by those trolling stick baits or rapalas near Chambers Island and Green Island. Up near the Cedar River, walleye fishing was good at night when trolling in 18 to 25 feet of water north to Deadman's Point and beyond. Walleye and bass were caught down near Hayward Bay.

Menominee River - Anglers were fishing from the mouth to the Hattie Street Dam. A few boats trolling for walleye did fair to good. Most were wading from Stephenson and Boom Island or shore fishing from the Cat Walk or the platform near the dam. Fish can be seen however catch rates were slow. Brown trout were jumping and a few were caught. Salmon and steelhead action was slow.

Little Bay De Noc - Walleye have migrated up into the northern parts of the Bay and catch rates were fair. Anglers that fished before dawn or at dusk did best between the First Reef and the Black Bottom when trolling stick baits in 8 to 30 feet of water along the reefs and the east bank. Northern pike were very active as several large fish were caught by those trolling crank baits or stick baits straight out from the coal piles near Gladstone. Try 12 to 23 feet of water. Good smallmouth catches reported throughout the Bay especially off Hunter's Point and Squaw Point.

Day's River - The salmon runs are just about done but several nice catches of steelhead were reported when casting spawn or yarn.

Big Bay De Noc - Continues to provide excellent smallmouth bass fishing from Fayette south to Snake Island. Most are drifting minnows 15 to 35 feet down.

Marquette - Catch rates for salmon were spotty however lake trout action was good for those trolling in 40 to 50 feet of water outside the breakwalls. Lake trout and splake were caught off the Lower Harbor breakwall.

Keweenaw Bay - A few coho were caught off the pier near L'Anse, the head of the Bay and off Sand Point when casting spinners or Cleo's. Good colors were gold, orange and green. A few fish were caught on spawn bags and crawlers. Those trolling in the bay have caught a few lake trout. In Traverse Bay, pier anglers caught coho and lake trout when casting spinners. Boats trolling in 20 to 30 feet of water near Buffalo Reef took some nice trout but the bite was slow.

Carp River - Is still reporting a few salmon in the upper river.

Chocolay River - Had a few reports of coho being caught.

Big Manistique Lake - Had fair to good perch fishing.

Tahquamenon River - Walleye, musky and perch are starting to pickup.

St. Mary's River - A few walleye were caught north of Sault Ste. Marie off Birch Point and Roach Point. Anglers were trolling chartreuse crawler harnesses with blades in 12 feet of water. Smallmouth bass were hitting on Twister Tails.

Drummond Island - Perch fishing was still slow. The waters had cleared up some and a few fish were taken in 12 feet of water between Rutland Island and James Island. Early morning was best.

Cedarville and Hessel - A few perch have been caught in Musky Bay and the Middle Entrance when using a red teardrop with a minnow in 6 to 12 feet of water.