In Wisconsin, you can fish for salmon in some of the best lakes in the Midwest. In the north, you can reach Lake Superior, and in the east, you can reach Lake Michigan. Several rivers and streams flow from inland sources into these enormous waterways, providing the migration highways Salmon need.
While Wisconsin experiences lots of fishing pressure, the Department of Natural Resources maintains an extensive stocking program. People who fish in the state catch up to 200,000 Coho and 300,000 Chinook salmon every year. That’s not even counting the Kokanee, Pink, and Pinook salmon you can catch here.
You can fish almost all year long. The early catch-and-release season starts in January, and the regular season runs from May to October. If you’re new to angling or Salmon specifically, I’m here to help. In this guide, I’ll run through everything you need to know about Salmon fishing in Wisconsin. Let’s get started!.
Wisconsin offers world-class salmon fishing opportunities. Each year, huge runs of Chinook and coho salmon enter Lake Michigan and its tributaries to spawn. Anglers flock to popular rivers like the Brule and Menominee to try and hook trophy-sized fish during the peak migration periods. But when exactly do the salmon run in Wisconsin?
The timing of salmon runs depends on the species and location. Here’s a complete guide to the peak seasons to catch salmon runs across Wisconsin.
Chinook Salmon Runs
Chinook, also called king salmon, are the first salmons to enter Wisconsin’s spawning streams each fall These large, hard-fighting fish provide thrilling action for anglers.
The Chinook salmon run hits its peak during the months of September and October on major Lake Michigan tributaries:
- Brule River – Mid-September through October
- Kewaunee River – Late September through October
- Manitowoc River – Late September through late October
- Sheboygan River – Late September through late October
- Milwaukee River- Late September through October
- Menominee River – Late September to late October
Some additional places to catch the Chinook run include the Twin Rivers near Green Bay the Peshtigo River and streams along the Door County Peninsula like the Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal.
Chinook are an introduced species, so the way they spawn can change from year to year depending on the water. But going during the busy months is the best way to catch big fish over 30 pounds!
Coho Salmon Runs
After kings finish spawning, coho salmon enter the rivers. While not as massive as Chinook, coho make up for it with aerial acrobatics and drag-peeling runs when hooked.
The coho run happens from mid-September through October on select tributaries of Lake Michigan and Lake Superior
- Brule River – Mid-September into November
- Flag River – Late September through October
- Cranberry River – Mid-September through October
- Sioux River – Late September through October
- Pikes Creek – Late September through October
- North Fish Creek – Late September through October
- Bark River – Late September through October
- Kewaunee River – Late September through October
Salmon runs on rivers that flow into Green Bay, like the Peshtigo and Oconto, also get going in late September. Focus your efforts through October for the most action.
Brown Trout Spawning Runs
While not technically salmon, Lake Michigan’s brown trout runs provide comparable excitement for anglers in the fall months. Lean, mean browns swarm the rivers to prepare gravel beds for spawning.
The peak months for brown trout runs are October through November, with activity starting as early as late September on some streams. The best spots include:
- Brule River – Late September through November
- Kewaunee River – Late September through late November
- Manitowoc River – Mid-October through November
- Sheboygan River – October through November
- Milwaukee River – October through November
- Menominee River – October through November
Why Fall is Peak Salmon Season
Salmon spawn in the fall because fry that were born in the spring need a lot of time to grow up before they have to deal with the challenges of winter. If they lay eggs in the fall, they can stay safe over the winter under ice and gravel.
When river conditions are right in terms of flow, temperature, and dissolved oxygen, mature salmon sense it’s time to migrate from the big lake into the tributaries of their birth.
Anglers are then rewarded with the chance to catch these fish during the peak months of September, October, and November in Wisconsin.
How to Catch Migrating Salmon
When salmon enter the tributaries on their spawning runs, anglers have many options to target them:
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Backtrolling boats – Use planer boards to cover water and locate schools of salmon in larger rivers. Backbounce skein bags along current seams.
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Drift boats – Float shallow rivers like the Brule and cast crankbaits, spinners, and skein imitations to holding and staging salmon.
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Wading – Don waders and wade key runs to swing streamer flies, drift egg sacks, or backbounce cured skein.
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Pier and shore fishing – Cast spoons, spinners, and crankbaits near river mouths where salmon tend to stage before moving upstream.
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Plugs – Troll stickbaits along current edges where salmon hold, especially early and late in the day.
No matter your preferred method, September through November offers the best shot at hooking a trophy salmon in Wisconsin’s legendary fisheries!
Salmon Fishing Tips
To maximize your success during the salmon runs:
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Fish low light periods, early morning and evenings when salmon are most active.
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Target current seams and wood structure where salmon hold and stage.
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Use natural bait like cured skein eggs and live minnows.
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Go with bright colored spoons, crankbaits, and spinners for murky water.
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Use fluorocarbon leaders for low visibility.
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Be prepared to handle big fish over 20 pounds!
Regulations To Know
Make sure you follow all fishing regulations for salmon and trout in Wisconsin:
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A valid Wisconsin fishing license and Great Lakes salmon stamp are required for salmon fishing.
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There are daily bag limits and size restrictions in effect for salmon and trout species – be sure to identify your catch and obey the laws.
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Terminal tackle restrictions exist on some rivers, limiting you to artificial lures or flies/lures with single hooks.
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River-specific special regulations are in place on many salmon streams – always consult the regulations.
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Look up the current laws and stay legal when salmon fishing in Wisconsin.
More Fall Salmon Opportunities
Beyond the major tributaries of Green Bay and Lake Michigan, here are some other excellent options for fall salmon fishing:
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Ashland area streams like the Bad, White, and Marengo Rivers host salmon runs from Lake Superior.
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The Root River near Racine enters Lake Michigan and gets runs of Chinook, coho, and brown trout.
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The Pike River near Kenosha offers urban fall salmon fishing minutes from Chicago.
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Green Bay has strong salmon runs up the Fox, East Twin, and West Twin Rivers near Kewaunee.
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The Peshtigo, Oconto, and Pensaukee Rivers feed Green Bay and get fall coho salmon runs.
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The St. Louis River by Superior and Nemadji River near Duluth also see salmon migrations.
Don’t overlook smaller streams, urban rivers, and Green Bay tributaries when chasing salmon in the fall – there are plenty of options!
Plan An Epic Salmon Fishing Adventure
From backwaters to big water, Wisconsin provides the perfect setting for an unforgettable salmon fishing experience each fall.
As the leaves start changing color and the temperatures drop, mature kings, coho, and brown trout stage near river mouths before moving upstream to spawn – right in time for anglers to intercept them!
Follow this guide to peak salmon run timing across Wisconsin. Choose your favorite spots and methods, brush up on regulations, and get ready to do battle with hard-charging salmon this season. Just be sure to respect spawning habitat and never target salmon on redds.
With so many world-class opportunities, what are you waiting for? Start planning your next Wisconsin salmon run fishing adventure today!
When to Go Salmon Fishing in Wisconsin
From January to March, fishing is slow, so you might want to wait until at least April, when things pick up. The general open season starts in May and goes all the way through October, giving you plenty of chances to fish for all Salmonid species.
Many charters and locals note seeing more Coho action in the lakes during May and June. The Chinooks (King Salmon) take over the Great Lakes action from July through October. Meanwhile, Pink Salmon will be accessible around other Salmonids between May and August on the Lakes.
By August, you might see Chinook Salmon runs starting in the rivers. Spawn migrations peak in September and October for these fish. Coho arrive a bit later than their cousins, with October offering peak spawn migrations. Pink Salmon rule rivers and tributaries in the earlier months of June and July. Kokanee Salmon are surprisingly accessible all season in the limited waterways they call home.
Early mornings and late afternoons might offer an advantage when fishing for Salmon in Wisconsin. The key here is that the water is colder than the rest of the day. Night fishing is an option for Salmon fishing, but remember those obvious visual challenges. Lakes fish are more likely to be in deeper water during the hottest parts of the day.
You might think that the size of the Great Lakes means you need to pay attention to tidal forces. On the contrary, scientists say that these waterways are non-tidal. So that’s one less thing to worry about!
Wisconsin Salmon Fishing Basics
So, now that we’ve covered the different types of Salmon in Wisconsin, how exactly can you catch them?
Migration patterns are critical to success when Salmon fishing in Wisconsin. These fish get introduced into rivers that feed into the Great Lakes. Young salmon go to lakes and stay there for a few years. When they’re ready, the adults go back to rivers and tributaries to spawn before dying.
Salmon move back into the river systems in the fall. For example, waterways near Milwaukee tend to see Chinook move upstream in September and October, while Coho begin to arrive in October and November.
Spawning fish are more likely to hit lures because they are more focused on spawning, which makes them harder to catch. It’s also worth noting that the general fishing season winds down as the fall spawn approaches.
Fishing The WISCONSIN Salmon Run (ft. @tiefsa)
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