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Heading to Portage from Indianapolis with one of my sons on Thursday-Friday, fish or no fish. I’m not that experienced but on the last two trips we headed out to 3 points and did OK. Last reports SEEM to suggest that Steelhead may be running closer to shore (30-40 FOW) but I may be miss-reading them? Any advice on how far out and how deep we should troll would be welcomed! I’m not partial to any particular species of fish, would just like to catch something I can put on the dinner table!

It’s been blowing from the North last several days. Water temps in the 70’s top to bottom at the weather buoy. Likely tough fishing unless you head to 100’ plus water depths.

I hear your plea brother. But as mentioned, been a tough northerly blow last several days and it’s been at the tail end of the steelie season. Looks like winds are calming down for Thur/Friday. Not knowing your boat size and experience, I’d say shoot for the in close water...Burns ditch area...mouth to 50 fow, east to west in front of the mouth. Sounds general, but nobody knows what’s going to be around or where. Throw a handful of baits down deep and troll around. We would all love to hear your report. You’re fishing at a tough time of the year after a big north blow. But if weather decent, soak some spoons in the area and you might be surprised!

How long does it normally take to get the cold water to come back in?

A few days of south winds will get the cool water back in. While there may be some fish inshore, I would not count on it but you never know. However, there will be some drum near shore, you will catch them on your salmon and steelie baits. Two weeks ago we got 8 steelhead, but also caught 25+ drum, four over 15 lbs - so its something.

Offshore fishing is tough right now. Right place, right time its good, but mostly the fish are really scattered. As was said earlier, you would likely need to be 100+ FOW, maybe deeper.

St Joe Michigan is probably 30 min longer drive and US 31 better drive than I-65 in my opinion. St Joe has nice public launch and Bouy just north at South Haven showing cold water and you get to deeper water quicker out of St Joe. Tackle Haven good place to get info. Only down side this weekend Tournament at Saugatuck which is 2 ports north.