A lot of different kinds of fish live in Michigan’s water all year long. Did you know that there are more than 150 species of fish in the state? But for some fishermen, the big catch is salmon, which they can find in the rivers that feed into the Great Lakes almost all year.
You can read about four types of salmon that live in Michigan and get tips on how to catch each one below. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources website has a section on fishing that has more information on fishing laws, records, and reports. This section also has more fishing tips.
These are the biggest Pacific salmon. They have been living in the Great Lakes for more than 50 years. Because they generally prefer cooler temperatures, Chinook are caught in deeper waters. Chinooks begin their upstream migration in late summer and are usually present in catchable numbers by mid-August. People often call these fish “kings,” and for good reason: any fish over 20 pounds is thought to be a good-sized fish. In the fall, Chinook can be found on Lake Michigan piers, in streams along the lake’s shore, or in inland streams like the Manistee (Tippy Dam), Pere Marquette, and St. Joseph rivers.
the Department of Natural Resources says that coho salmon is “the fish that really started the salmon fishery in the Great Lakes.” This popular fish can be caught in Lake Michigan all year, but the best times to fish on the east side of the lake are in early spring and again in late summer and early fall. In late October, the Manistee River and the Platte River in northern Michigan are also popular places for Coho to be. The St. Croix River is a popular place for migrating fish. Joseph River as late as Christmas. If you’re fishing for Coho in the Upper Peninsula, check out the Anna River.
The state record for a pink salmon is just over eight pounds. Pink salmon first came to Lake Huron in the 1950s. They are the smallest type of Pacific salmon. Rivers that flow into Lake Huron, the Carp River in the southeast Upper Peninsula, and the St. Joe River are the best places to see pink salmon. Marys River. A fun fact about pink salmon is that they normally spawn every two years, but enough one- and three-year-old salmon spawn every year, with the biggest runs happening in odd-numbered years.
Originally from the North Atlantic Ocean, Atlantic salmon are known for their leaping and fighting ability. Torch Lake has a fishery where fly fishers can catch fish at the heads of tributaries as the fish get ready to spawn. However, the primary place for Atlantic salmon fishing is the St. Marys River. You can also find them in Lake Huron and even the St. Clair River. In the middle of summer, the salmon start to spawn, and fly fishermen chase the fish in the fast-moving rapids of the river. Fall fishing for them from October – December can be very fruitful.
As an avid fisherman who has enjoyed many summers fishing on Lake Michigan, I’ve learned that catching salmon takes patience, skill, and the right techniques In this comprehensive guide, I’ll share everything I’ve learned over the years about how to catch salmon on this massive Great Lake
Understanding Salmon Behavior
The key to success is understanding salmon behavior and patterns. Salmon are most common in Lake Michigan in the summer, when they move to deeper, colder water to find food. This is because salmon thrive in colder temperatures between 45-60°F.
In the spring, salmon are closer to shore and river mouths as they migrate from the lake into rivers to spawn. In the fall, mature salmon also make this journey back to their natal streams. Outside of spring and fall, targeting deeper waters offshore is your best bet for finding salmon.
Trolling Techniques
Without a doubt, trolling is the best and most popular way to catch salmon in Lake Michigan. In this method, fishing lines are slowly pulled behind a moving boat to cover water and find places where salmon are feeding. Here are some trolling tips:
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Use downriggers to get lures and bait down to the depths salmon are swimming. Downriggers use weights to lower lines down 30-90 feet or more.
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Lead core lines are also effective at getting lures down deep when attached to rods and reels. Use different colors like blue, purple, and green to achieve different depths.
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To cover water at different depths, run spoons, plugs, and flasher flies behind dipsy divers, planer boards, downriggers, and on flat lines.
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Troll offshore contours, structure, drop-offs, and baitfish areas in the central and northern basin where cold water exists.
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Troll at speeds from 1-2 mph for best action. Go slower in cold water.
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Use maps, fish finders, and downrigger balls to identify depths and structure.
Best Baits and Lures
When trolling for salmon, having a selection of proven lures and baits is key. Here are the top producers:
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Spoon lures like the Moonshine and Stinger lines elicit reaction bites. Go with glow, UV, green/white, blue/white patterns.
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Plugs like Rapala Tail Dancers, Bombers, and Thundersticks dive and wiggle triggering strikes.
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Flies like the Spin Doctor and Rapture nicely match baitfish patterns salmon feed on.
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Meat rigs with cut bait fish or whole alewives work well for kings.
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Flasher and fly combos are effective. Greens, whites, blues, and UV patterns work.
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Run a mix of flashers, spoons, flies, meat rigs, and plugs at multiple depths.
Ideal Depths and Locations
Salmon can be found from 20 feet down to over 100 feet deep depending on time of year, water temperature, and location. Here are key things to know:
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In early spring, target 20-50 feet near shorelines and tributary mouths.
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In summer, focus on 50-100 feet depths offshore for cooler water.
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Look for temperature breaks where warm and cold water meet. These often hold baitfish.
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Target structure like drop-offs, reefs, ledges, and contour changes.
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The northern basin typically has ideal cold water thanks to upwellings and currents.
Additional Tips and Tactics
Here are some final tips and tactics for boosting your salmon success:
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Run lines directly off planer boards, off downrigger balls, and near the surface with divers.
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Keep lures and presentations moving at different speeds and depths.
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Make frequent turns and zig zags to cover water and find active fish.
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Watch your fish finder closely for baitfish and arches to focus efforts.
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Follow salmon fishing reports online from reputable charters to learn productive areas.
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Keep bait and lures fresh and checkgear often for line fray, loose hooks etc.
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Bring a variety of rod/reel setups from light to heavy action.
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Use shorter leaders in clear water and longer in dirtier water.
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Play fish carefully on lighter tackle to avoid pulling hooks and losing fish.
Be Patient and Stay Positive!
Some final advice is to stay patient and positive even on tough days of fishing. Salmon fishing can be streaky so stick with it and you’ll be rewarded. Analyze conditions and make smart adjustments until you solve the puzzle. When you finally hook into that big king salmon it will make those fishless days a distant memory!
Tips for Reeling in Salmon in Michigan
- Chinook Salmon: Many anglers look for Chinook during low-light times, like early morning or late evening. Others use glow-in-the-dark spoons to catch Chinook after dark. Most fishermen use fake bait to catch these fish, but salmon eggs are also very popular.
- COHO Salmon: A lot of people who fish for this species use spinners, spoons, and plugs.
- Pink Salmon: A good number of pink salmon can be caught by fishermen trolling with downriggers or jigging with spoons in the deeper water of the St. Marys a few weeks before the fish come into the rapids
- Atlantic Salmon: Downriggers are used to troll for them, but some anglers drift with the current below the rapids and throw streamers or soft-plastic jerk baits at them. Being on the water in South Haven with a Pure Michigan lure | Photo by Instagram user olsen_twin
SALMON FISHING LAKE MICHIGAN – LEARN GEAR AND TECHNIQUES TO BE SUCCESSFUL WITH CAPT. JOE JUNION
FAQ
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