How to Catch Salmon in Lake Michigan

Salmon fishing in Lake Michigan can be an extremely rewarding experience for anglers of all skill levels. With proper preparation and technique, landing one of these hard fighting fish is an achievable goal. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know to catch salmon in Lake Michigan.

Where to Find Salmon in Lake Michigan

• Salmon will be found in the open waters of Lake Michigan during most of the year though they migrate to tributaries to spawn in the fall.

• Focus efforts in areas with currents and structure like drop-offs reefs and river mouths. Salmon often relate to temperature breaks.

• During the spring and summer look for salmon suspended in deeper water out from river mouths. Try trolling spoons and plugs between 50-100 feet down over depths from 60-200 feet.

• In the fall, salmon move near shore and into rivers to spawn. Casting spoons, spinners, and streamers can be effective.

Best Times to Catch Salmon

• Early spring after ice-out is a prime time to catch salmon in shallow water and along shorelines.

• Late summer through fall is peak fishing for most salmon species as they stage and enter tributaries to spawn.

• After spawning in the fall, salmon also make a false spawning run back to the lake providing additional opportunities.

• Low light periods around dawn and dusk are often most productive.

Top Lures and Baits for Salmon

• Spoons like KO Wobblers, Little Cleo’s, and Moonshine Spoons are classic salmon baits. Go with bright colors and heavier sizes.

• Plugs like jointed Rapala’s, Bombers, and Thundersticks work well. Firetiger patterns are consistent producers.

• Spinners like Mepps and Blue Fox also catch salmon. Opt for larger sizes like #4-5 blades.

• Meat rigs tipped with cut bait fish can be trolled or fished under a float. Use alewife or gizzard shad for best results.

• Flies and streamers like woolly buggers, egg sucking leeches, and conehead muddlers work well when cast for visible fish.

Proper Salmon Fishing Technique

• When trolling, use downriggers and dipsy divers to get lures down to fish. Run 1-3 colors of leadcore off planer boards to cover water.

• For casting, use 6-8 foot medium action rods with baitcast or spinning reels loaded with 10-15 lb. mono or braid.

• When salmon are surface feeding, cast ahead of the boil and slowly retrieve lures back. Jerk plugs and spoons erratically.

• From piers and shore, cast out from the structure and slowly retrieve lures to imitate wounded baitfish.

• Pay close attention to your electronics and water temperature to find subtle structure changes that hold bait and salmon.

Helpful Salmon Fishing Tips

• Use bright colored baits in stained water. Switch to more natural baits and patterns in clear water.

• Pay attention to other boats that are catching fish and mimic their tactics. Network at launches.

• Carry a variety of lure sizes, weights, and colors to adapt to changing conditions.

• Run lines directly off the rods rather than the boat to avoid tangling when fishing multiple rods.

• Use fluorocarbon leaders for low visibility line around clear offshore salmon. Heavy mono near piers.

Key Salmon Fishing Takeaways

• Equip yourself with a variety of casting and trolling tackle to be versatile in approaching salmon.

• Focus efforts near river mouths and tributaries during the spring and fall spawning runs.

• Look for structure, temperature breaks, and baitfish schools offshore to find salmon in the summer.

• Learn to read your electronics to discover subtle spots that hold bait and salmon.

With the right game plan and techniques, Lake Michigan’s salmon will provide memorable fishing experiences and tasty meals. Just be sure to sustainably harvest your catch and support fisheries conservation efforts.