A lot of anglers want to catch a Chinook, also known as a King Salmon. This is especially true for people who have mostly fished up north. Due to its size, the King Salmon gets its royal name. It is the biggest species in the Pacific Salmon family.
These fish are found throughout the North Pacific, most commonly out of Alaska and British Columbia. You may be wondering why we are discussing a “Pacific” salmon in an article about Lake Michigan.
In the 1960s, Lake Michigan’s commercial fishing industry was in bad shape, according to the Michigan Department of Conservation, which later changed its name to the Department of Natural Resources. The invasive Alewife fish was growing in numbers, and eating native, baby trout.
In order to both bring back the old fishing industry by controlling the Alewife population and make the lake a popular spot for sport fishing, they did research and came to the conclusion that the King Salmon would do well in Lake Michigan. As such, the fish were introduced to the lake by man.
Since then, this has been a huge success, turning the fishery that was going down to a multimillion-dollar sport fishing industry, especially on Lakes Huron and Michigan. People come from all over the world to fish for King Salmon and enjoy the beautiful scenery in the Great Lakes. This is an important fish.
As an avid angler, catching salmon in Lake Michigan has been on my bucket list for years After much research and several fishing trips, I’ve learned that salmon fishing in Lake Michigan can be an extremely rewarding experience if you know what you’re doing In this complete guide, I’ll share everything I’ve learned about how, when and where to catch salmon in Lake Michigan.
Lake Michigan is home to an excellent salmon fishery that includes two main species – Chinook salmon (also known as king salmon) and coho salmon. These large, hard-fighting fish were intentionally introduced into the lake in the 1960s and 1970s to control the invasive alewife population. The salmon thrived in their new environment, growing large on a diet of abundant alewife.
Today, Lake Michigan hosts world-class salmon fishing, attracting anglers from across the country. Trophy-sized salmon can be caught in the lake from both boats and the shore. Chinook salmon regularly exceed 30 pounds, while coho in the teens are common.
Below I’ll cover everything you need to know to get in on the action, including:
- The best times of year to target salmon
- Top techniques for catching salmon
- Where to find salmon in Lake Michigan
- The gear and tackle you need
- Salmon fishing tips from the pros
Now that you know what this guide says, you can go out and catch your own Lake Michigan salmon!
When to Fish For Salmon in Lake Michigan
The timing of your salmon fishing trip is key to success. Here are the best times to target salmon species in Lake Michigan:
Spring (April – Early June)
- Target brown trout close to shore and in harbors as they feed on baitfish
- Cast spoons, spinners and crankbaits for browns
- Chance to catch early king salmon
Early Summer (Mid June – Mid July)
- King salmon start arriving offshore in good numbers
- Troll with spoons, flies and plugs in 50-100 ft depths
- Fish harbors for kings and coho following baitfish
Summer (Late July – September)
- Peak salmon fishing with the annual salmon run
- Kings are abundant both offshore and inshore
- Try trolling and casting near river mouths
Fall (October – November)
- King salmon spawning run peaks
- Fish piers, harbors and rivers for king and coho salmon
- Cast spinners, spoons, crankbaits and skein for fall salmon
As you can see, salmon are caught at some point during most months of the year in Lake Michigan. However, without a doubt the best action occurs between mid-summer and fall when salmon are abundant both offshore and near shore.
Where to Find Salmon in Lake Michigan
Salmon roam vast distances in Lake Michigan, but there are some key spots that produce year after year. Here are some of the top salmon fishing locations:
Milwaukee Harbor – The harbor and nearby river mouth holds king and coho salmon from mid-summer through fall.
Kewaunee/Manitowoc – Excellent fishing for kings, coho and steelhead from mid-summer through early fall. Fish 30-100 ft depths.
Sheboygan – Reliably produces king salmon from mid-summer into fall. Troll offshore structure.
Port Washington – Big kings cruise this area from late summer into fall. Try trolling and casting.
St. Joseph – Popular river for catching coho salmon during the fall spawning run.
Manistee – Legendary port known for its huge king salmon from mid-summer into fall.
Ludington – Big numbers of king salmon caught here from mid-summer through early fall.
In addition to these hotspots, look for contour changes, baitfish and river mouths to find migrating salmon. Having electronics to locate bait and structure is extremely helpful.
Salmon Fishing Techniques
The two most effective methods for catching Lake Michigan salmon are trolling offshore and casting near shore.
Trolling for Salmon
Trolling with downriggers is hands-down the most popular and productive way to catch salmon in deep water. Here are some trolling tips:
- Use plugs, spoons, flies, flasher flies at 1.5-2.5 mph
- Run lines at multiple depths with downriggers and dipsy divers
- Add dodgers/flashers to entice reaction bites
- Use planer boards to cover more water
- Follow contours, temperature breaks and baitfish schools
When trolling, make regular depth and lure changes to put salmon in the boat. Pay close attention to your electronics to stay on fish.
Casting for Salmon
During the spring and fall, salmon are caught near shore by casting from piers, shore and boats. Here are some tips:
- Cast spoons, spinners and crankbaits like Rapalas
- Fish harbor mouths, river mouths, pier heads
- Target areas of churning/baitfish activity
- Use heavy spinning tackle to muscle fish away from structure
- Pay close attention to retrieve speed and lure action
Areas with current and baitfish activity are prime spots to look for salmon in the shallows.
Salmon Fishing Gear and Tackle
Having the proper salmon fishing tackle and gear will make your trip much more successful and enjoyable. Here are some key items to have:
– Medium to medium-heavy salmon/steelhead rods – 7-9 foot rods rated for 15-25 lb. test work well.
-Baitcasting and spinning reels – Quality reels with smooth drags in the size 30-50 range.
-Line – Use quality braided line like PowerPro in the 15-30 lb. range. Add a 6-10 foot fluorocarbon leader.
-Downriggers – Electric downriggers are ideal, but manual work. Use 8-12 lb. cannon balls.
-Planer boards – Attach to lines to spread baits and covers more water.
-Lures – Spoons, plugs, spinners, flies. Have an assortment of colors and sizes.
-Terminal tackle – Snaps, swivels, leader line, dodgers, divers, releases.
-Net – Essential for boating big salmon. A long handle extendable net is ideal.
Having sharp hooks, checking your line regularly and bringing plenty of bait/lures is also important to success.
Salmon Fishing Tips and Techniques
Here are some additional salmon fishing tips from experienced Lake Michigan captains to help you catch more fish:
- Pay very close attention to your electronics and water temperature breaks
- Troll 2-3 mph faster than the schools of baitfish you mark
- Vary lure colors until you get bit – blue/green and white/UV are good starting points
- Use attractors like dodgers, flashers and rattles to trigger reaction bites
- Don’t be afraid to let fish run and tire themselves out before reeling
- Check lines and change depths/locations every 20-30 minutes if needed
-target areas with current, structure and active baitfish - Always set your drag and let salmon run when you first hook them
Finding active fish and getting lures in front of them is the name of the game. Persistence and constantly adjusting your presentations is key.
How to Fish for King Salmon on Lake Michigan
Deep water trolling is by far the most popular technique. Downriggers are used to keep the bait at a certain depth, usually half of the depth of the water you are fishing in. So, if you’re in 50 feet of water, move the downriggers so the bait stays between 25 and 30 feet away. The Salmon was brought into the lake to control an invasive species called the Alewife. The Alewife is a great bait, but troll spoons if you’d rather use artificial bait.
Anglers without access to a boat or charter service are not out of luck. A lot of the time, during the peak run, Salmon can be seen cruising near the lakes’ jetties, piers, and harbors. Catching a King Salmon from shore on a light spinning setup is an unforgettable experience!.
When to Fish for King Salmon on Lake Michigan
The peak of the Lake Michigan salmon fishing is in the summer. From May to early June, the fish start to show up in deeper water. The action really heats up during their run, which lasts from July to September, when the fish go back to the rivers where they were born. The fishing continues through October, but typically tapers off in November.
SALMON FISHING LAKE MICHIGAN – LEARN GEAR AND TECHNIQUES TO BE SUCCESSFUL WITH CAPT. JOE JUNION
FAQ
What bait to use for salmon in Lake Michigan?
How deep to fish for salmon in Lake Michigan?
What is the best month for salmon fishing on Lake Michigan?
What do you use to catch salmon in Michigan?
Can you catch salmon in Lake Michigan?
You can target Lake Michigan’s Salmon species either on foot or from a boat. During certain times of the year, Salmon can be found close to shore as they follow bait fish into shallower waters, meaning shore fishing is a possibility.
Is Michigan a good place to fish for salmon?
Michigan’s wealth of lakes and rivers ensures that anglers have access to some of the finest salmon fishing in the country. From the iconic Manistee River to the picturesque Platte River, epic salmon runs from Lake Huron and Lake Michigan fill the rivers every fall. Michigan is truly a bucket list destination for salmon anglers.
What is salmon fishing in Lake Michigan?
Salmon fishing in Lake Michigan is one of the most thrilling angling opportunities in North America. The lake is bordered by Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, and Wisconsin, and anglers come from all over to seek out the Chinook salmon (kings), coho salmon (silvers), and the occasional pink salmon and Atlantic salmon that come to Lake Michigan waters.
Can you catch a king salmon in Lake Michigan?
When the summer fishing season comes around, there’s no excuse not to get out and try your luck at catching a King. It doesn’t matter whether you’re using artificial bait, live bait, or you’re just dropping a line off the pier; Lake Michigan King Salmon fishing is an experience that every angler should have!