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.
Michigan is a great place to go salmon fishing because it has so many species of salmon and great salmon runs. For people who like to fish for salmon, knowing when the salmon run happens is important for a successful trip. We will tell you everything you need to know about the Michigan salmon runs and the best times to catch big fish in this guide.
Overview of Salmon Species in Michigan
Michigan is home to four main species of Pacific salmon that run up its rivers and tributaries from the Great Lakes
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Chinook Salmon – The largest salmon species also known as king salmon. Adults average 10-30 lbs.
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Coho Salmon – Known for their acrobatic jumps when hooked Average 4-12 lbs.
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Pink Salmon – The smallest salmon species in Michigan, averaging 3-6 lbs.
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Atlantic salmon are from the Atlantic Ocean, but some Michigan rivers have been stocked with them. Average 4-12 lbs.
In addition to Pacific salmon, some Michigan rivers also have runs of steelhead, a type of rainbow trout that behaves like salmon.
When Does the Salmon Run Occur?
The salmon run timing varies by species, but in general the salmon runs occur in Michigan rivers from late summer through fall. Here are the key months:
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August – Some early salmon start their river runs, especially Chinook salmon. Fishing starts to pick up.
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September – Peak of the Chinook salmon run. All species begin river runs. Excellent fishing.
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October – Peak of the Coho salmon run. Chinook salmon still running. Prime salmon fishing month.
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November – End of Coho run. Steelhead and brown trout runs build. Fishing remains good.
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December – Most salmon runs over but steelhead and brown trout runs continue through winter.
Salmon Run Timing for Major Rivers
The timing of the salmon run can vary across different rivers and sections of rivers in Michigan. Here is an overview of when salmon runs occur on some of the most popular salmon fishing rivers:
Pere Marquette River
- Early run of Chinook salmon starts in late August.
- Peak of Chinook salmon run is mid September to early October.
- Coho salmon peak in late September into October.
- Good salmon fishing through November.
Manistee River
- Chinook salmon enter in August with run peak in September.
- Coho and pink salmon run from September through November.
- Chinook continue to be caught below Tippy Dam into November.
Muskegon River
- Kings enter in late August with run building in September.
- Coho salmon peak during October.
- Steelhead picking up in late November.
Au Sable River
- Chinook, coho, pink salmon runs start in late August.
- Peak salmon fishing is during September.
- Known for its Atlantic salmon run in July and August.
St. Joseph River
- Salmon enter in late August and run into December for late coho and steelhead.
- King salmon peak during September.
- Prime fishing at Berrien Springs fish ladder.
Best Fishing Techniques for Salmon Runs
When you time the salmon runs properly, the next key is using the right techniques to catch them:
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Casting spoons – Great for covering water to find actively feeding salmon. Spinners and crankbaits also work.
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Drift fishing with skein – Drifting egg skein under a float is deadly on spawning salmon.
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Backtrolling plugs – Backtrolling Hot-n-Tots and similar plugs catches salmon in deeper rivers.
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Jigging – Vertically jigging large spoons near river mouths catches salmon staging to enter rivers.
Make sure to use sufficiently heavy tackle – 10-20 lb test line, medium-heavy salmon/steelhead rods, and reels with smooth drags. The salmon put up a tremendous fight so heavy gear is a must!
Tactics for Late Season Salmon and Steelhead
In the late fall as the remaining salmon finish spawning and steelhead enter the rivers, try changing tactics to:
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Switch to smaller egg imitations, flies, and jigs for steelhead.
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Focus more on deeper holes and below dams for staging salmon and trout.
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Slow down presentations as water gets colder. Fish respond less aggressively.
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Try float fishing with bobbers or drift fishing to cover more water systematically.
With the right techniques and tackle, late season salmon and steelhead can still offer outstanding fishing.
Best Places to Fish for Salmon in Michigan
There are many excellent salmon and steelhead rivers scattered across Michigan. Some top destinations include:
Western U.P. – St. Mary’s River, Betsy River, Two Hearted River
Northern Lower Peninsula – Manistee River, Pere Marquette River, Betsie River, Boardman River, Platte River
West Michigan – Muskegon River, White River, PM Lake, Manistee Lake
Southwest Michigan – St. Joseph River, Kalamazoo River
Regardless of which river you target, make sure to check regulations and be aware of any seasonal closures on certain river sections.
Salmon Fishing Charters
For visiting anglers who want the best chances of connecting with salmon, hiring a fishing charter is a smart move. Reputable charter captains know the rivers in their areas intimately and can put you on salmon during their runs. They provide the boat, tackle, local knowledge of where salmon hold in the rivers, and handling to maximize your time fishing.
From southern port cities like Saugatuk up to Manistee, Ludington and beyond, there are salmon fishing charters available across Michigan’s prime salmon fisheries. So be sure to book a trip during the peak salmon run months!
License Requirements
To fish legally for salmon in Michigan, all anglers age 17 and over need a fishing license. You can get a daily, 3-day, annual resident license, or non-resident annual license. The license allows you to fish for all species. Be sure to read the detailed rules and regulations to understand salmon daily limits, gear restrictions, mandatory reporting, and river specific regulations.
Safety Tips for Salmon Fishing
When salmon fishing during the peak river runs, be sure to follow these important safety tips:
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Wear a PFD life jacket, especially when fishing from a boat. Cold water makes swimming dangerous.
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Watch your footing on slippery rocks and logs near rapids.
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Use extreme caution when wading, watch for deep holes and strong currents. Avoid the fastest rapids.
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Look out for sweepers (fallen trees) both when boating and fishing from shore.
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Avoid fishing alone on remote river sections.
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Check river levels and lake wind forecasts before heading out.
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Let others know your fishing plans, exact launch and take-out locations, and expected return time.
Gearing Up for Michigan Salmon
Salmon put up a tremendous fighting ability, making salmon fishing a thrilling experience. Make sure you have the right rod, reel, and line:
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Rods – Medium-heavy or heavy power, moderate to fast action rods in lengths from 8-10 feet for salmon.
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Reels – Quality reels with smooth drag systems to handle long runs are ideal.
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Line – 10-20 lb braided line or monofilament. Use fluorocarbon leaders.
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Baits/Lures – Assortment of spoons, spinners, plugs/crankbaits, jigs, skein bags, and flies.
Having the proper waders, landing net, and pliers for hook removal are also essential for salmon anglers.
Best Times to Catch Trophy King Salmon
For salmon anglers looking for the fish of a lifetime, September and October offer the best opportunity to hook a giant king salmon weighing over 30 pounds in Michigan’s rivers. These Chinook salmon weighing 20 pounds or more put up a legendary fight.
Key rivers to target trophy kings are the Manistee, Pere Marquette, Muskegon, Betsie, and St. Joseph. Hire a guide for better odds at a giant king. Also make sure your tackle is up to the challenge!
Fall Salmon Runs Offer Memorable Fishing
From heart-pounding strikes to screaming drags and acrobatic leaps, the fall salmon runs provide some of the most exciting freshwater fishing found anywhere. Now that you know when salmon are running throughout Michigan, grab your tackle box and get in on the action during the peak months of September and October. Tight lines!
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 Run at the Platte River By the Sleeping Bear Dunes Michigan
FAQ
What is the best month for salmon fishing on Lake Michigan?
Do salmon run in the Black river in Michigan?
Where are the king salmon in Michigan?
When can you see the salmon run?
When do salmon run in Michigan?
Salmon runs typically occur here from late August through October. Keep an eye on local reports and monitor water temperature to gauge when the salmon are most active. The river has over 60 miles of pristine, free-flowing water from the mouth. It’s the longest undammed river in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula.
Where can you catch salmon in Michigan?
Nestled in the incredible Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, the Platte River is a haven for salmon fishing. Known for its large runs, the Platte is a great destination fishery for salmon. The river also produced the largest official coho salmon caught in Michigan, setting the state record mark at over 30 pounds.
What time of year do salmon run?
The salmon run typically occurs from late summer through the fall, with peak numbers in September. Anglers flock to the Grand River during this time to try their luck catching these prized fish, meaning the shorelines can get a little crowded near cities. Fly fishing, spin casting, and drift fishing are popular techniques.