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.
Salmon fishing is a popular pastime in Michigan, with anglers flocking to the state’s rivers and lakes to try their luck against these prized game fish. In this article, we’ll explore some of the top salmon fishing destinations across Michigan and provide tips to help you plan a successful salmon fishing trip.
The Mighty Manistee River
The Manistee River is one of Michigan’s most famous salmon rivers, and it has almost 200 miles of fishing spots. The Manistee is in the northwest Lower Peninsula of the state. From late August to October every year, big runs of Chinook and coho salmon pass through it.
The most productive section of the river for salmon fishing is the stretch below Tippy Dam near Wellston. The dam causes the salmon to stack up as they make their way upstream creating exciting fishing opportunities. Both shore and boat anglers enjoy success here with popular techniques including casting spinners, drift fishing with spawn bags, and fly fishing with streamers and egg patterns.
The Manistee River has a lot of salmon, but it also has a lot of steelhead and resident brown trout, so you have more fish to choose from. Numerous public access sites and campgrounds make the Manistee a convenient, angler-friendly destination.
Legendary Pere Marquette
The Pere Marquette River is another salmon fishing gem located in Western Michigan. The PM is a beautiful river with clear water that is mostly used for drift boats and fly fishing. For most of its length, artificial lures are the only way to catch fish.
Mid to late September is peak time on the “Holy Waters”, as large Chinook salmon move upriver from Lake Michigan toward the spawning grounds. The river mouth near Ludington State Park can be a hotspot as salmon and trout stack up preparing to ascend the river. Large streamers like leech and baitfish patterns tend to fool salmon here.
Above the upper weir, resident brown trout and steelhead provide additional fishing opportunities on the PM beyond the salmon runs. With plentiful public access and limited fishing pressure due to flies-only regulations, it’s easy to soak in the solitude of this special river.
Underrated Grand River
While not as famous as the Manistee and PM, the Grand River in Western Michigan holds an impressive run of Chinook and coho salmon each fall. As the state’s longest river at over 260 miles, the Grand provides salmon fishing access to anglers from Grand Rapids all the way downstream to Lake Michigan.
The best fishing generally occurs from late August through September as the salmon make their spawning run Productive areas to target include deeper holes, pools, and riffles, as well as near the river mouth. Casting spinners, drifting egg sacks, and fly fishing can all be effective
The Grand is also a fantastic smallmouth bass fishery and offers a unique urban salmon fishing experience minutes from downtown Grand Rapids.
Sleeping Bear’s Platte River
Tucked amid the spectacular Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, the Platte River sees an intense salmon run each fall as Chinook and coho surge up from Lake Michigan. September and early October are prime times to catch these hard-charging fish before they reach the spawning grounds.
The stretch below the lower weir is the most popular and accessible area. But the mouth and holes throughout the river also hold salmon. Drift fishing with spawn bags is a proven tactic, as is casting spinners like Blue Fox Vibrax. The Platte also holds a few steelhead and brown trout for bonus action.
Nearby Empire and Glen Arbor offer lodging and amenities for anglers. Be sure to check current regulations before fishing.
Urban Salmon Fishing on the Clinton River
Believe it or not, some of Michigan’s best salmon fishing happens right near Detroit on the Clinton River. Each fall, thousands of Chinook, coho, and even Atlantic salmon run up the Clinton as they return from Lake St. Clair to spawn.
Hotspots like Yates Park and River Bends Park near Rochester see heavy pressure. But there’s still plenty of room for shore anglers and boaters to hook trophy salmon mere minutes from Metro Detroit. Casting spoons, spinners, and drifting egg sacks produces consistent success.
Nearby motels, restaurants, and bait shops provide convenience if you’d rather not camp. The Clinton River gives city anglers a shot at hard-fighting salmon without driving halfway across the state.
Remote Salmon Fishing on the Two Hearted River
Nestled on the Upper Peninsula between Lake Superior and Lake Huron, the Two Hearted River offers a remote salmon fishing experience. Chinook and coho salmon ascend the river each fall to spawn, providing exciting fishing from mid-September through October.
Wading anglers cast spinners like Mepps, Panther Martins, and Blue Foxes in the deeper holes and runs. Atlantic salmon are also present on this stretch of the Two Hearted. The river winds through dense forests with few road access points, creating an immersive, wilderness-like setting while you fish.
Make sure to purchase a Recreation Passport to legally access the river. And be prepared for primitive camping conditions. But the solitude and scenery are worth it.
Tips for Salmon Success
To maximize your chances while salmon fishing in Michigan:
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Fish early morning and evening hours when salmon are most active.
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Target deeper pools, logjams, and underwater structure where salmon hold and rest.
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Use brighter lure colors like chartreuse, orange, and firetiger patterns.
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Keep lures and presentation steady versus jerky when water temps are warm.
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Switch to heavier fluorocarbon leaders if fishing is pressured.
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Check local fishing reports for river conditions and salmon movement.
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Bring a variety of tackle to adapt to changing conditions.
With so many excellent salmon fishing rivers across Michigan, make sure to get out this season and experience these incredible trophy fish firsthand. Follow the tips above to plan a successful and memorable salmon fishing adventure. Just be prepared for hard fighting, acrobatic salmon that will put your skills and equipment to the test. Good luck!
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
Where When & How To Catch Salmon In The River / Tips For SALMON FISHING IN MICHIGAN RIVERS
FAQ
Where is the best place to go salmon fishing in Michigan?
Where do salmon live in Michigan?
Is it legal to snag salmon in Michigan?
What is the best month for salmon fishing on Lake Michigan?
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.
How do you fish for salmon in Michigan?
Click HERE to watch their videos of them fishing for salmon. There are three types of salmon fishing in Michigan. There is open lake fishing where anglers troll from boats. There is near-shore lake fishing, where anglers will target salmon from piers and shorelines. River fishing is the most popular once the salmon enter rivers to spawn.
When is salmon fishing in Michigan?
Our guides give you their tactics, advice, and tips to help you have a better experience fishing for Michigan Salmon. Salmon fishing in Michigan rivers starts in September and ends in November, but anglers can catch salmon 12 months of the year. Anglers have many great rivers and streams to try and two Great Lakes with four types of salmon.
What kind of salmon can you catch in Lake Michigan?
For one thing, you can target all four salmon types found in Michigan here. Kings and cohos will be the most common catches, but there are also good chances for the occasional pink and Atlantic salmon. Another great advantage is that Lake Michigan’s salmon season is much longer than the often short river fishing seasons.