Want to know why fishing for salmon in Lake Michigan is often at the top of freshwater anglers’ wish lists? It all starts with the humble alewife. If you haven’t heard of this fish before, you’re not alone. Many things are good about it, though. It’s the reason why salmon were brought to Lake Michigan in the first place.
The Alewife is a small bait fish that bears some resemblance to Herring. It’s also incredibly invasive. It got to Lake Michigan in the 1960s and caused commercial overfishing, the end of recreational fishing, and huge amounts of fish washing up on the shores. A picture-perfect fishery? We think not!.
Salmon varieties were put into Lake Michigan to control the growing number of Alewife. Not only did they survive, they did very well. Over time, they blossomed, turning Lake Michigan into the first-class Salmon fishery anglers know and love today.
But what kinds of Salmon can you catch here? And how should you go about it? Don’t worry, we’ll talk about all of that and more below…
Michigan is a premier destination for salmon fishing in the United States. Its vast network of rivers and lakes provides anglers with diverse opportunities to catch impressive Chinook, coho, pink, and Atlantic salmon. I have explored many of Michigan’s best salmon waters, and want to share my experiences to help others discover the top salmon fishing spots in the state.
Through years of salmon fishing across Michigan, a few areas have consistently produced incredible days on the water. Rivers like the mighty Manistee, Pere Marquette, and Betsie offer scenic waters to hook trophy salmon. Massive lakes including Lake Michigan and Lake Huron harbor salmon preparing for their spawning runs. And don’t overlook urban rivers like the Clinton, where salmon migrate through the heart of northern Detroit.
Here are my picks for the top salmon fishing spots in Michigan:
Manistee River
The Manistee River stands out as one of the premier salmon fisheries in Michigan This scenic river in Northern Michigan sees huge numbers of Chinook and coho salmon every fall as they run from Lake Michigan to spawn.
The most popular part is near Tippy Dam, where huge groups of salmon gather before going up the fish ladder. Wading and drift boats are effective in navigating the strong current here. A short walk upstream brings you to Sawdust Hole, which is a bit more private but still has great salmon fishing.
Pere Marquette River
The Pere Marquette River is a great salmon stream close to Lake Michigan. It is known for having very clear water and beautiful scenery. It boasts spawning runs of impressive Chinook salmon from late August through October. When the salmon first start to come in, streamers and egg patterns work well for fly fishing.
Lake Michigan
As the salmon prepare to enter Michigan’s rivers, they first stage in massive numbers in the cool, deep waters of Lake Michigan. Trolling spreads of plugs or meat rigs is the most effective technique for targeting salmon here. Consider hiring a charter to help locate fish in this vast fishery.
Betsie River
The Betsie River enters Lake Michigan just south of Frankfort providing anglers with a condensed area to target salmon. Drift fishing with spawn or casting spinners and plugs produces Chinook and coho salmon from late August through October.
Clinton River
This urban salmon stream flows through Oakland County near Detroit. The run starts later than more northern waters, peaking in October. Salmon migrate through the river in big numbers, providing great action near dams and access points in Auburn Hills and Pontiac.
Platte River
Situated in the scenic Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, the Platte River sees an impressive fall salmon run from September through early October. The river mouth, lower weir, and deep holes throughout the river give anglers shots at hooking salmon here.
Au Sable River
In addition to its incredible trout fishing, the Au Sable also hosts strong runs of Pacific and Atlantic salmon. The stretch below Foote Dam and the lower river near Lake Huron produce Chinook, coho, pink, and Atlantic salmon from late summer into fall.
Saginaw Bay
Overlooked by some salmon anglers, Saginaw Bay offers awesome opportunities to catch all species of salmon as they migrate towards spawning grounds. Trolling near river mouths as they enter the bay is an effective technique. Smaller towns around the bay provide easy access.
St. Joseph River
The St. Joe River contains a naturally reproducing population of salmon near Lake Michigan in Berrien County. Salmon start entering in late August, with the action peaking in mid-September into October below Berrien Springs Dam.
Grand River
As Michigan’s longest river, the Grand River provides plentiful access near Grand Rapids. Salmon migrate up the river starting in late summer, with drift fishing and casting lures producing fish in the deeper pools and holes.
Muskegon River
For salmon fishing without extensive crowds, check out the Muskegon River near Muskegon. The river receives heavy runs but has room to spread out below Croton Dam. Drift fishing with eggs or casting spinners and crankbaits catches fish in September and October.
Escanaba River
The Escanaba River in the central Upper Peninsula sees salmon runs starting in late summer. The area near the mouth and deeper holes farther upriver are prime spots to target Chinook and coho salmon into the fall months.
Thunder Bay River
This less-known salmon stream flows into Lake Huron near Alpena in northeast Michigan. From August through October, drift fishing with spawn or casting spinners and crankbaits catches salmon preparing to spawn.
With so many excellent salmon fishing opportunities, Michigan is a bucket list destination for diehard salmon anglers. Rivers along Lake Michigan and Lake Huron receive huge spawning runs of fish each fall. Massive bodies of water like Lake Michigan also harbor salmon throughout the summer months.
Whether you prefer casting lures, drift fishing with eggs, or fly fishing, Michigan has a salmon fishery for you. Do your research, grab your gear, and start exploring the top salmon waters that Michigan has to offer.
Lake Michigan Salmon Fishing Techniques
You can target Lake Michigan’s Salmon species either on foot or from a boat. At certain times of the year, salmon can be found close to shore as they follow bait fish into shallower water. This means that fishing from the shore is possible. Take a Lake Michigan Salmon fishing charter to see the parts of the lake that are out to sea where salmon like to hide.
This technique has stood the test of time as Lake Michigan’s most favored way to hook Salmon. It’s easy to see why, too. Salmon go straight for the deeper, cooler water of the lake in the summer, when there are lots of them. Trolling allows you to spread multiple lines throughout this massive fishery, covering plenty of ground.
While Coho Salmon often cruise near the top of the lake’s waters, Chinook prefer to head deeper. Because of this, you’ll want to implement downriggers when targeting ’em. Try setting them to the mid-depth range of the water column you’re fishing in. Basically, set your downriggers halfway down, e. g. set them 30 feet deep if you’re trolling in 60 feet of water.
Downriggers let you explore Lake Michigan’s depths, but what if you want to cover more surface area at the same time? That’s easy; planer boards are a common addition to boats in this area and will help you get to places you never thought possible.
As for bait, the Alewife we already talked about is a popular choice, but most local anglers say you should get shiny spoons instead. These lures are flashy and bright, which makes them perfect for catching your fish, especially in water that is deeper and murkier.
If you want to catch salmon from the shore, you need to get back to the basics! Yes, the terms “spinning” and “casting” have come to mean a lot of different ways to fish. But if you want to catch something on one of Lake Michigan’s piers or beaches, all you really need is a simple spinning or casting rod.
Fishing Lake Michigan from a boat offers up opportunities that you simply won’t get from shore. If you go walking fishing at the right time, though, you should have a Salmon-filled day. And luckily, both Chinook and Coho salmon come out of the deep water of the lake at different times to hang out near the harbors and piers.
Visit during spring and you’ll find Lake Michigan’s harbors, piers, and jetties teeming with Coho Salmon. During the fall, you’ll experience the annual Salmon run and spawning season. This means that a huge number of both Coho and Chinook fish move around the lake and gather near structures on the shore.
When it comes to bait, fishermen in the area suggest a slightly different but very effective kind of lure. Get a spoon, preferably blue and silver, and put a small streamer fly about a foot in front of it. Then, dip the whole thing in Alewife. The notorious bait fish has a unique scent that is irresistible to Salmon.
Lake Michigan Salmon Fishing Seasons
We mentioned seasons when it comes to Chinook Salmon, so let’s make sure you’re in the know.
These monsters tend to enter the lake’s deep waters anywhere from May to early June. But the hottest time for Chinook chasing is usually between late July–September. This is the time of the year when the salmon run happens! The fish are busy moving through the lake to get to the Muskegon River.
The fish aren’t just plentiful – they’re also huge and aggressive, so they’re the perfect angling opponent. Their annual run continues into October, with the season usually cooling off in November.
Like Chinook Salmon, there are times of the year when there are a lot more Coho Salmon in Lake Michigan. They spawn during spring and fall, with October–November being especially fish-filled months. You’ll also be able to target a huge number of Coho from May–early June. They can be found in slightly shallower waters than Chinook.
Where When & How To Catch Salmon In The River / Tips For SALMON FISHING IN MICHIGAN RIVERS
What is the best salmon fishing in Michigan?
From its scenic rivers to expansive lakes, the best salmon fishing in Michigan boasts a diverse range of fishing destinations that bring anglers from around the world. Michigan’s wealth of lakes and rivers ensures that anglers have access to some of the finest salmon fishing in the country.
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.
Can you go salmon fishing in Michigan?
Salmon fishing charters are one of the best ways to experience salmon fishing on Michigan lakes, but anglers with suitable boats and the right gear for the big lake can do very well on their own. The state of Michigan has Lake Huron on its east, lake Michigan on its west, and Lake Huron to the north, and all areas have good salmon fishing.
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.