Salmon fishing is a popular pastime in Michigan, which borders four of the five Great Lakes. Chinook and coho salmon migrate from the Great Lakes into Michigan’s rivers and tributaries each year providing anglers with excellent fishing opportunities. But when exactly is salmon season in Michigan? This complete guide will cover everything you need to know about salmon fishing seasons across Michigan.
An Overview of Salmon in Michigan
There are two main species of salmon that are found in Michigan – Chinook salmon and coho salmon.
Chinook salmon, also known as king salmon, are the largest salmon species in Michigan They can grow over 30 inches long and weigh over 30 pounds. Chinook salmon were first introduced into the Great Lakes in the 1960s and have flourished since.
Coho salmon are smaller than Chinook, averaging around 5-15 pounds. However, they are aggressive fighters and provide lots of fun for anglers. Coho salmon were also introduced into the Great Lakes in the late 1960s.
Both Chinook and coho salmon are anadromous, meaning they hatch in rivers and streams, migrate out to the Great Lakes to feed and grow, and then return to freshwater rivers and tributaries to spawn.
Salmon Seasons in Michigan
The salmon fishing seasons in Michigan generally run from late spring through early fall. However, the exact timing depends on the species and location. Here are the key details:
Chinook Salmon Season
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Early summer – Some early runs of Chinook salmon start entering rivers in June, Prime locations are the Muskegon River and major Lake Michigan tributaries
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July – September – The peak of the Chinook salmon run happens in late summer and early fall. This is the best time to target trophy-sized king salmon over 20 pounds. Fish the Manistee River, Pere Marquette River, and ports on Lake Michigan.
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Fall – As water temperatures cool in October, Chinook salmon runs start to wind down. Some fish will still be entering rivers to spawn.
Coho Salmon Season
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July – Early runs of coho salmon start in July, particularly on Lake Superior tributaries. Fish the Ontonagon River and other northwestern Michigan streams.
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August – October – From late summer through fall, coho salmon fishing is in full swing across Michigan. Major runs happen on the Manistee River, Pere Marquette River, and Muskegon River.
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November – A few late-running coho salmon can still be caught in November before the season ends. Try the Platte River and Betsie River for late fish.
Best Places to Catch Salmon in Michigan
Here are some of the top salmon fishing rivers and ports in Michigan:
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Manistee River – One of the most popular salmon fishing destinations, known for its runs of Chinook, coho, and steelhead.
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Pere Marquette River – A scenic salmon stream flowing into Lake Michigan near Ludington. Prime for coho, Chinook, and steelhead.
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Muskegon River – Large runs of salmon and trout visit this expansive river system emptying into Lake Michigan.
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Platte River – Smaller stream with excellent coho salmon fishing opportunities in the fall season.
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Betsie River – Famed for its coho and Chinook salmon runs near Frankfort on Lake Michigan.
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Ontonagon River – One of the top spots to catch coho salmon in the Upper Peninsula.
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Traverse City – Salmon fishing charters launching out of Traverse City can access excellent Chinook and coho fishing on Lake Michigan.
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Ludington – A major salmon and trout port on Lake Michigan, known for its proximity to the Pere Marquette River.
Salmon Fishing Tips and Techniques
To maximize your success when salmon fishing in Michigan:
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Use casting or drifting with skein (salmon eggs), crankbaits, spoons, and spinners
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Pay attention to river conditions and fish during periods of ideal flow
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Look for deeper holes and pools where salmon hold before moving upstream
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Fish near river mouths and harbors when salmon are staging to enter rivers
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Don’t be afraid to try different techniques until you figure out what’s working
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Be prepared to deal with other anglers at popular salmon fishing locations
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Consider hiring a fishing charter to take advantage of local expertise
Regulations for Salmon Fishing in Michigan
Make sure to consult the Michigan DNR’s yearly fishing guide for the most up-to-date regulations for salmon fishing. Key regulations include:
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No harvest of Atlantic salmon (catch and release only)
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Seasons and daily limits for Chinook and coho salmon depending on location
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Single hooks only allowed when fishing for salmon in rivers
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Special regulations on certain streams, be sure to check before fishing
For salmon fishing enthusiasts, Michigan provides world-class opportunities to catch these hard-fighting fish. Paying attention to the seasonal runs and honing techniques like casting skein or crankbaits will help you achieve success. With its access to the Great Lakes and numerous trout and salmon streams, Michigan is guaranteed to provide adrenaline-filled action when targeting salmon.
What is the best season to go fishing in Michigan?
| Species | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chinook Salmon | Weak | Weak | Weak | Weak | Good | Good | Great | Great | Good | Weak | Weak | Weak |
| Coho Salmon | Weak | Weak | Good | Great | Great | Good | Weak | Good | Great | Great | Weak | Weak |
| Atlantic Salmon | Weak | Weak | Weak | Weak | Weak | Good | Great | Great | Good | Great | Great | Good |
| Steelhead/Rainbow Trout | Great | Great | Good | Good | Great | Great | Weak | Weak | Weak | Good | Great | Great |
| Lake Trout | Good | Good | Great | Great | Great | Great | Good | Good | Great | Great | Great | Good |
| Brown Trout | Good | Good | Great | Great | Good | Good | Weak | Weak | Good | Good | Good | Good |
| Walleye | Good | Good | Good | Great | Great | Great | Great | Great | Good | Good | Good | Good |
| Perch | Good | Good | Good | Great | Great | Good | Good | Good | Great | Great | Good | Good |
| Smallmouth Bass | Good | Good | Good | Good | Great | Great | Great | Good | Great | Great | Good | Good |
| Muskellunge | Weak | Weak | Good | Good | Good | Great | Great | Great | Good | Great | Good | Good | Northern Pike | Good | Good | Good | Great | Great | Great | Good | Good | Great | Great | Good | Good |
For those looking to experience the Great Lakes, and catch their fill of all the amazing fish that inhabit these waters, summer is the best time to go fishing in Michigan. Whether it’s Walleye, Chinook, Coho Salmon, or most of the other species you’ll find out here, they’ll all be biting between June and September.
Summertime is also the peak season on many other lakes you’ll find in Michigan. For example, Lake St. Clair features fantastic Muskie action when the waters are warm. Meanwhile, Manistee and Maple rivers can put you on some of the best Trout fishing around. Whichever way you go during the summer, you’ll be in for a productive time on the water.
With this in mind, you can fish Michigan’s waters no matter when you visit. It’s just that the period between December and March is usually reserved for ice fishing. If you’re interested in knowing more about what each month has on offer, take a look at our breakdown below. Or, check out what’s biting in Michigan right now.
It’s deep winter in the Mitten State, with many of its waters completely frozen over. For anglers brave enough to tackle the frigid weather, this means only one thing – ice fishing. In Michigan, this type of fishing is a time-honored tradition and a popular pastime both for visitors and locals.
There are many different spots you can visit throughout the state. Among them, Lake Huron’s Saginaw Bay is a popular destination during Michigan’s ice fishing season. In winter, fishing here will net you one of the tastiest catches out there – Walleye. Other lakes, such as Hamlin, Cadillac, or Mitchell Lake are full of Crappie, Bluegill, as well as Northern Pike, and Walleye. Finally, Crystal Lake is a great choice if you want to reel in some Lake Trout.
Compared to summertime, ice fishing trips in Michigan do have their fair share of logistics attached to them. You’ll need shanties, augers, ice fishing gear, as well as transportation to the prospective lakes. While you can bring or rent the equipment, the best option is to pair up with one of the many ice fishing guides in Michigan. Besides knowing where the bite is, they’ll supply you with all the necessary equipment to make your trip comfortable.
While many inland lakes are frozen at this time of year, large rivers such as Manistee or Muskegon will still be flowing. In them, you’ll find plenty of Trout, as well as Steelhead, the supercharged migratory version of Rainbow Trout. Of course, you’ll have to make sure you’re equipped to handle the cold because the average temperatures range from about 20 to 30 F.
The ice fishing conditions are largely the same as in January. In Saginaw Bay, you’ll see some Perch and Walleye take your bait. Lake Gogebic is another spot renowned for its Perch fishing. On other lakes, you’ll get the chance to reel in some Bluegill and Crappie, Northern Pike, Trout, and more.
What anglers said about fishing in Michigan
In Michigan, the first half of March is still rather chilly, with plenty of the state’s waters still encased in ice. With this in mind, it’s smart to check the ice fishing reports or ask a local bait shop whether the ice is thick enough to fish on. If so, you can expect the same kind of action January and February offer, with Walleye, Perch, Pike, and Trout being the main targets depending on where you go.
Towards the latter half of March, you’ll start seeing the first signs of spring. As the waters warm up in rivers such as the Pere Marquette near Ludington, or Muskegon and Manistee, Steelhead will be making their spring run. These fish are some of the best freshwater fighters you can hope to encounter, worth braving the cold for.
As springtime finally arrives in the Wolverine State, Steelhead will be making their run along the state’s various rivers. The earliest runs usually take place on the Pere Marquette and the White River, with Muskegon, Manistee, and others joining soon after. For those among you who’ve been itching to wrestle some Steelies, this is your chance to do so.
Alternatively, Walleye fishing on the Detroit River is absolutely on fire in April. Their fishing season in Michigan generally begins as soon as the ice thaws. Early during the Walleye run, you’ll have the chance to reel in trophy-sized fish. Later on, the fishing gets more and more consistent, with anglers often hitting limits of smaller fish.
Also, Walleye fishing in the Saginaw River reopens on the last Saturday in April, right after the spawning season ends. At this time, you can expect to enjoy some of the finest, most bountiful Walleye action in this part of Michigan. If you can’t visit during summer, this is the ideal time to catch your share of these delicious fish.
By May, most charter boats will be offering fishing trips on the four Great Lakes surrounding Michigan. Starting around the middle of the month, you’ll get the chance to fish Lake Michigan for Coho Salmon and Trout, as well as Bass. If you visit Lake Superior instead, you’ll get to fish for Brown Trout, Cisco, as well as early-season Coho and Chinook Salmon.
Another excellent place to fish around this time of year is Lake Erie’s western basin. Launch from Monroe, and you’ll get the opportunity to reel in plenty of delicious Walleye. Alternatively, the Tittabawassee River is also a great option if you want to catch some ‘Eyes.
On the other hand, if you’re in the mood for some panfish, try making your way to Union Lake or the Portage Chain-of-Lakes. Around this time, big Bluegill should be hanging out in the shallows, along with some Crappie. Strawberry Lake in particular is known for the chubby Bluegill swimming through its waters.
June marks the beginning of the high season on the Great Lakes. On Lake Michigan, you’ll get to target Steelhead and Lake Trout, as well as Coho and even Chinook Salmon. Lake Superior also offers plenty of Salmon and Trout action, while Lake Erie traditionally features the hottest Walleye fishing.
Other options for Walleye anglers are the Detroit River, St. Clair River, and Lake St. Clair. All three will be teeming with these delicious fish during the month of June. On Lake St. Clair, you’ll also get the chance to reel in some Smallmouth Bass, as well as the elusive Muskellunge.
However, if you’re looking for the most diversity, there’s no better choice than to visit Lake Huron. It offers amazing Walleye action in places such as Saginaw Bay and Thunder Bay. In addition to that, there’s also an assembly of Lake Trout, Rainbow Trout, Coho, and even Atlantic Salmon elsewhere on the lake. The number of species you can catch on Lake Huron ensures you’ll never get tired of these waters.
One last thing to note regarding June fishing in Michigan is the hex hatch. The hatch marks the high time for fly fishermen to hit the waters as Trout will be swimming near the surface, looking to feed. Visit rivers such as Au Sable, Manistee, Pere Marquette, or Grand River for some of the best fly fishing in the whole Michigan state.
The fishing only gets better in July. For those interested in battling the famed Chinook Salmon, now’s the time to hit Lake Michigan, Lake Superior, or Lake Huron. Also known as King Salmon, these fish are some of the finest fighters out there. The Salmon season in Michigan is arguably the most exciting time to go fishing in the state, so make sure you join in on the action.
If you somehow end up catching your limits of Salmon early during your trip, you’ll be glad to know there are other fish to catch on those three lakes. In fact, they all provide habitat for plenty of Lake and Brown Trout, which are always fun to chase after. Finally, you might even hook into some leftover Coho Salmon, though the fishing usually drops off in July.
Of course, it’s peak season pretty much everywhere else in Michigan, too. Lake Erie anglers are consistently catching limits of Walleye, even if they don’t spend a full day on the water. On Lake St. Clair, the Smallmouth Bass fishing is absolutely on fire. Adding to that, there are also Muskellunge hiding around it, giving you the opportunity to land the “Fish of a Thousand Casts.”
Finally, if you’re itching to add Atlantic Salmon to the mix, St. Marys River is a great place to do so in July. Kings will also be biting, and you’ll sometimes even hook into Walleye. All in all, it’s worth checking out.
The amazing King Salmon fishing July brings only continues in August. If you’re keen on catching some on Lake Michigan, Traverse City and the nearby towns will serve as great starting points. Otherwise, head to Lake Superior or Lake Huron and reel in your share of these freshwater superstars.
For anglers, Lake Erie is pretty much synonymous with Walleye fishing, which holds true during this time of year as well. The fishing is extremely consistent, with limits of Walleye being the standard, rather than the exception. We are talking about the finest Walleye fishery on the planet, after all.
St. Marys River remains a prolific Salmon fishery in the summertime. It drains Lake Superior into Lake Huron, offering some of the best fishing you can find in either. By August, Chinook Salmon should be biting throughout the river. Otherwise, fish near the mouth of Tahquamenon River for some Perch, Walleye, and Bass.
You can still enjoy plenty of King Salmon action in the first half of September. They’ll be getting ready to head upriver to spawn, which means you’ll often find them staging close to lake shores. Of course, you’ll also get to reel in Coho Salmon on Lakes Michigan, Huron, and Superior.
If you turn to Lake Erie instead, Walleye will naturally still be biting. However, September also marks the start of the fall Perch season. During this time, you’ll get the chance to reel in larger specimens of these delicious fish, and supplement your Walleye haul with even more catch.
On other lakes, such as Lake St. Clair, it’s once again a great time to catch some Smallmouth Bass. On the nearby Detroit River, Walleye fishing is still going wrong. And, of course, there’s always Brown Trout swimming along Michigan’s various rivers.
By now, fall is in full swing in Michigan. On Lake St. Clair, the Muskellunge bite will pick up again as the water temperatures settle into the 40s. This usually happens in the latter half of the month, making it a great time to fish for trophy Musky.
Late October also marks the return of the beloved Steelhead. These overgrown Trout haven’t exactly been to the ocean, causing some anglers to put their moniker to doubt. However, they look and fight the same as the ones you’d find on the West Coast, which is enough for us to call them Steelhead.
During the fall fishing season in Michigan, you’ll find Steelhead along rivers such as the Pere Marquette, Manistee, Au Sable, Platte, and Muskegon. Whether you’re fishing conventional or on the fly, this is the best time to visit these waters, as the fish will definitely be biting.
Finally, October is typically the last month you’ll get to hop on a charter boat and fish the Great Lakes. By the end of the month, most captains will be preparing their boats for the oncoming winter.
Even though the waters will be getting cold by November, the Steelhead fishing season will still be at its hottest throughout Michigan. We’ve already mentioned a few rivers where you can catch these fish in our October writeup. So this time, you should know that there’ll also be some Salmon still in the waters in early November.
By the middle of the month, you can expect Whitefish fishing to pick up. There’s plenty of Smallmouth Bass to catch as well. They’ll be scattered throughout the various Michigan lakes, including Skegemog, Upper Herring, Lake Leelanau, and numerous others. The Lake St. Clair Musky bite is usually great as well during the first half of November.
Other fish, such as Northern Pike, Brown Trout, and Walleye will be biting throughout the inland lakes and rivers. Occasionally, you’ll even find Great Lakes charter guides offering some of their last trips of the season during the first days of November.
Even though winter is here, big rivers such as Manistee, Muskegon, or Pere Marquette are in no danger of freezing over. Instead, they offer steady Steelhead and Trout fishing for anyone eager to still get out there. With fewer anglers fishing, the waters are under less pressure, leaving you to enjoy them all by yourself.
On the other hand, you can expect many smaller lakes to start accumulating ice. Since it’s only the start of winter, make sure to check with the locals whether the ice on the lake you want to fish is thick enough. If so, you’re in for a treat, as fish ranging from Perch and Walleye to Bluegill, Northern Pike, and Trout will be biting.
If you can manage to get on Lake St. Clair during the first half of December, you might still get to reel in some Musky. Later during Michigan’s winter fishing season, this lake will also freeze over, so you’ll need to bring the ice fishing equipment or hire a guide.
Salmon Life Cycle on Lake Michigan
FAQ
FAQ
What time of year do salmon run in Michigan?
The main salmon run occurs every fall. There is no set start date, but you can usually start to see fish in the river in early September, and expect the run to be pretty much done by the end of October. A lot of this depends on the weather.
How many salmon are you allowed to catch in Michigan?
| Lake Michigan & Tributaries Sizes and Limits | ||
|---|---|---|
| Species | Daily Bag Limit | Minimum Size |
| Atlantic Salmon | 5 total salmon and trout No more than 3 may be lake trout | 14 inches for Lake Michigan, streams, and St. Joseph River |
| Chinook Salmon | ||
| Coho Salmon |
Where is the best salmon fishing in Michigan?
The Chinook salmon are nicknamed “kings” as they are typically over 20 pounds. The most popular areas to fish Chinook salmon are Lake Michigan piers, the streams along the Lake Michigan coast, and inland in Manistee, like the Tippy Dam, Pere Marquette, and St. Joseph rivers.
What month is best for salmon fishing in Lake Michigan?
May-June. May and June are excellent months for both river and lake fishing.