Lake Michigan is one of the best places in the world to catch salmon. Every year, anglers flock to its shores in search of hard-fighting Chinook, Coho, and even the occasional Atlantic salmon.
With over 1500 miles of shoreline spread across four states, there is no shortage of salmon fishing opportunities However, to be successful, you need to understand the salmon’s habits and migrations This complete guide will teach you everything you need to know to catch more salmon on Lake Michigan.
Salmon Species in Lake Michigan
The most common salmon species in Lake Michigan are:
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Chinook Salmon – Also known as king salmon, Chinook are the largest salmon in the lake, sometimes reaching over 40 pounds. They prefer cold water between 40-65°F and can be found from the surface down to 200 feet deep. The best time to target them is late summer and fall when they stage near river mouths before spawning.
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Coho Salmon – Known as silver salmon, coho are smaller than Chinook but put up an excellent fight for their size. They prefer 40-65°F water and are often found higher in the water column. Fish for coho in early spring near shore and in late summer/fall as they migrate to spawn.
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Atlantic Salmon – A rare prize, Atlantic salmon are present in Lake Michigan in small numbers. They run larger than coho but smaller than Chinook, averaging 15-25 pounds. Target them in late summer and fall near river mouths.
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Pink Salmon – Pinks show up once in a while, mostly in the northern part of the lake in early fall. Expect fish in the 4-5 pound range.
Best Times and Locations
Salmon location depends on time of year and water temperature. Here are some top spots:
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Spring – Target coho along southern shoreline areas like New Buffalo, St Joseph, South Haven, Saugatuck, and Grand Haven where warmer water brings in baitfish.
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Early Summer – Action is slower but some salmon remain near Fairport and Manistique.
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Late Summer – Chinook start staging near river mouths along the western shore such as Manistee, Ludington, and Frankfort. Fish mid-lake off Shelboygan for a mix of salmon.
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Fall – Peak time for salmon running up rivers to spawn Hit major tributaries like the Muskegon, Platte, Manistee, and Betsie Rivers Racine, Kenosha, and Milwaukee harbors hold salmon waiting to move inland.
Fishing Methods and Gear
Trolling is the number one technique for catching Lake Michigan salmon. Use a boat to drag lines rigged with bait, spoons, and plugs to cover water and find active fish. Target different depths with downriggers, dipsy divers, and lead core lines.
Casting and jigging works well when salmon are staged near piers and river mouths. Use heavy spinning tackle and try bright colored spoons, spinners, and crankbaits.
Drift fishing shines for river mouth salmon. Use a drift sock and bounce egg sacks, beads, or flies along the bottom.
Fly fishing streamers will take the occasional salmon in harbor areas. Use an 8-10 weight rod and sink tip line.
Gear essentials: medium-heavy salmon rods in the 8-10 foot range, quality reels with smooth drags, 15-25 lb test mono or braid, assortment of salmon spoons, plugs, and crankbaits, downriggers and dipsy divers for trolling offshore.
Regulations and Licenses
You’ll need a fishing license from the state you’ll be fishing in. License fees vary but short-term non-resident licenses can often be bought for 1-7 days.
Salmon regulations change, so be sure to check the latest rules. Most states have a daily limit of 5 salmon but size restrictions vary.
A salmon stamp may be required in some states so check regulations carefully before fishing.
More Salmon Fishing Tips
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Start early, salmon bite best at first light. Afternoons can also be productive.
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Pay attention to water temperature and fish in the zone salmon prefer (40-65°F).
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Follow the baitfish – salmon gang up wherever alewives and smelt are concentrated.
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Vary lure colors until you find what’s working. On any given day salmon may favor a particular color or lure type.
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Be mobile and don’t get stuck in one area. Finding where salmon are holding each day is key.
With thousands of miles of shoreline and no shortage of salmon, Lake Michigan offers world-class salmon fishing. Follow this guide and you’ll be hooked up with the lake’s hard-fighting salmon in no time!
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Specific techniques and tips related to each type of fishing can be found in the different categories. Salmon, trout, steelhead and other species of fish fishing articles are also included.
- Shore fishing access locations Lake Michigan has a surface area of 22,300 square miles and 1,660 miles of shoreline. There are dozens of tributary creeks, streams and rivers that provide excellent fishing. Some of our favorite access areas.
- Shore Fishing Article from the Indiana DNR A PDF article from the State of Indiana DNR with access maps, species facts, seasonal fishing opportunities and fishing information for shore and tributary fishing. (requires Adobe reader)
- Michigan Shore Anglers Guide From the State of Michigan DNR with detailed access maps; seasonal fishing opportunities and recommended fishing tactics for the different shore fishing locations.
How to Catch Salmon From Shore Chicago Illinois Lake Michigan Salmon Fishing tips to catch fish now
FAQ
What bait to use for salmon in Lake Michigan?
Going deeper, let’s talk diving crankbaits. Bass and walleye guys love crankbaits, and so do Lake Michigan salmonids. Who doesn’t have a Shad-Rap or a Flicker Shad? Both are great trout and salmon baits!
What is the best month for salmon fishing on Lake Michigan?
The best time to target Chinook salmon on Lake Michigan is from July 4th through the 3rd week of August. This is when we boat our most Chinook. The Coho salmon bite does get more numbers of fish caught but the Chinook bite gets the size. Mature Chinooks run between 12 and 20 pounds but some Kings get to 30 plus pounds.
Can you catch salmon in Lake Michigan?
Yes, you can catch salmon in Lake Michigan.
How to fish for salmon in a lake?
One of the most common approaches to Salmon fishing, drifting involves casting your line and letting it drift in a current or flowing water. Adding a sinker is especially helpful to keep your bait underneath the surface. You can do the same without flowing water with a method known as plunking.
How do you catch salmon in Lake Michigan?
There are two ways to target salmon in Lake Michigan. The first is by boa,t where you can target the lake’s deep waters or troll near shore. You can also fish from shore using a variety of techniques ranging from fly fishing to spin fishing with lures or baits. Multiple hookups are not uncommon when on a Charter with Fire Plug Charters
Can you fish salmon on your own in Lake Michigan?
Many anglers who own boats want to try salmon fishing on their own in Lake Michigan. While this is possible, it is important to do your homework, as salmon fishing requires different tackle and techniques than other types of species.
What is salmon fishing in Lake Michigan?
Salmon fishing in Lake Michigan is one of the most thrilling angling opportunities in North America. The lake is bordered by Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, and Wisconsin, and anglers come from all over to seek out the Chinook salmon (kings), coho salmon (silvers), and the occasional pink salmon and Atlantic salmon that come to Lake Michigan waters.
What fish can you catch in Lake Michigan?
Incidental Catches: Steelhead, Brown Trout, Lake Trout. Lake Michigan is full of fish, and other species can be caught while salmon fishing. In addition, salmon anglers hook up with steelhead and migratory brown trout, lake trout, rainbow trout, drum, carp, and other species like pike or bass.
Can you catch king salmon on Lake Michigan?
Pat Kalmerton is part of the Wolf Pack Charter Service and provides some great insights onto the king salmon fishing on Lake Michigan, head quartering out of Sheboygan, Wisconsin. “What makes this time unique is that you can catch salmon off the docks and piers. You can use small boats or even kayaks.
What is the best time to catch salmon in Lake Michigan?
Atlantic salmon are found in colder water near the shorelines of Lake Michigan. They have a silver bodies with black spots on their fins. The best time to catch Atlantic salmon is from June to September. Pink salmon are small salmon that were accidentally introduced into Lake Michigan and Lake Superior.