As the Great Lakes State, Michigan offers some of the best salmon fishing opportunities in the country. Its expansive lakes and scenic rivers see huge annual runs of king, coho, pink, and Atlantic salmon – a angler’s paradise!
But with so many options, it can be overwhelming to decide where exactly to head out to catch these prized sportfish. That’s why I’ve put together this guide to the top salmon fisheries in Michigan, to help you plan an epic salmon fishing adventure.
The Mighty Manistee
One of the most popular and productive salmon rivers in Michigan is undoubtedly the Manistee, This majestic river flows into Lake Michigan and sees massive runs of Chinook and coho salmon every fall,
The prime fishing area is below Tippy Dam, where salmon stack up in the thousands waiting to move upstream. The best time to fish the Manistee for kings and cohos is from mid-September through November. Try casting spoons, spinners, and drifted egg sacks in the deeper pools and runs.
The Manistee also has great shoreline access, so you don’t need a boat to catch salmon here. Just be prepared for some crowds during peak season.
Legendary Pere Marquette
The Pere Marquette River, located in Western Michigan, is another legendary salmon stream. It is known for its wild, free-flowing character and gorgeous scenery.
Salmon runs on the “PM” take place from late August through October with the peak weeks in September. Swinging streamers, drifting egg sacks and casting crankbaits can all be effective when the fish are in.
The Pere Marquette has excellent fly water in its upper reaches, so bring your fly rod if you want to hook a salmon on the long line Access points like Rainbow Rapids and Walhalla Road Bridge are great spots to target migrating salmon.
Lake Michigan: The Salmon Factory
Giant Lake Michigan serves as the nursery for most of the salmon running Michigan’s rivers. From mid-summer through early fall, salmon are abundant in the deep, cold waters of the lake.
Trolling with downriggers is the most popular and effective technique for targeting salmon on Lake Michigan. Hot spots include Frankfort, Manistee, Ludington, and Benton Harbor. Look for surface temperatures in the 50s near river mouths.
Chartering a salmon fishing boat out of one of the many ports surrounding the lake is a great option if you want to get into a lot of fish without having to learn the nuances of trolling yourself.
Underrated Au Sable
While known primarily for its trout, the Au Sable River also sees impressive runs of Atlantic salmon and Great Lakes strains of Chinook and coho. The prime time is from mid-September through October.
The best access point on the Au Sable is Rea Road Bridge, which sits just downstream from Foote Dam. Casting plugs, spinners, and drift fishing with egg sacks is the way to go.
Spend some time sight fishing with streamers if you can. Hooking a chrome bright king salmon on the fly is an experience every angler should have at least once!
Urban Salmon Fishing on the Clinton
You don’t have to drive Up North to get into salmon in Michigan. Right in metro Detroit, the Clinton River gets heavy runs of salmon and trout every fall. The most popular spot is Yates Dam, where salmon hold up before moving upstream.
Fishing can be incredible below Yates Dam from mid-September through October. You can catch plenty of salmon right in the heart of the suburbs! River Bends Park downstream from Yates is another good stretch that doesn’t see as much pressure.
Sleeping Bear Platte
Tucked into the spectacular Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, the Platte River is a gorgeous and productive salmon stream. From the mouth upstream to Platte River Campground, salmon stack up from September through October on their journey to spawn.
Drifting egg sacks is deadly during peak season. But you can also hook plenty of salmon on spinners and casting plugs. Don’t be afraid to cover water to find where salmon are holding each day.
The Platte is a special place, surrounded by incredible natural beauty while also offering outstanding salmon fishing. If you visit in the fall, be sure to spend some time walking the magnificent dunes overlooking Lake Michigan. Pure Michigan!
More Epic Options
Beyond the rivers highlighted above, Michigan has no shortage of places to catch salmon. The Muskegon, St. Joseph, Grand, and Betsie are all excellent salmon rivers in their own right.
Massive Saginaw Bay also holds plenty of salmon that move in and out of its various river systems. Towns like Oscoda and Alpena on Lake Huron see great salmon fishing as well.
No matter what part of Michigan you’re visiting, there is likely a stream or lake nearby that offers a shot at hooking one of these hard-fighting fish. Grab your tackle box and go explore the endless salmon fishing opportunities that the Great Lakes State has to offer!
Salmon Species in Michigan
When you go fishing for Salmon in Michigan, you’ll be spoiled for choice. With four out of five Great Lakes at your disposal, as well as hundreds of miles of other lakes, rivers, and streams to explore, the whole state is a veritable Salmon treasure trove. Depending on where you go, you could hook into four different Salmon species. Let’s see what they are.
Atlantic Salmon – Unlike Any Other
We spoke plenty about the Pacific superstars, now let’s talk about Atlantic Salmon – local fighters that will impress you with their acrobatics. Just like their distant Pink family, these Salmon choose rivers and streams as their home and hunting ground. This species can grow to be anywhere from 2–6 pounds.
Atlantic Salmon like to move around in search of the perfect water temperature, so you’ll find them in different sections of the water column throughout the year. In spring, they’ll be closer to the surface and shore, until warm summer days chase them further away. They usually spawn in July, which marks the beginning of their high season that sometimes lasts until December.
As these fish make their way up the rivers, fly fishermen wait excitedly for them to show up. Lake Huron and St. Marys River boast excellent Atlantic Salmon action, as well as sections of St. Clair and Au Sable Rivers. Some bodies of water, like Thunder Bay River and Torch Lake, are also stocked with Atlantic Salmon to encourage the further improvement of the population.
Fly fishing for Atlantic Salmon is fun and often successful, but if you prefer a more traditional approach, trolling and drift fishing work well. Any of the options is a good idea for anglers looking to land a feisty tasty fish like Atlantic Salmon.
Where When & How To Catch Salmon In The River / Tips For SALMON FISHING IN MICHIGAN RIVERS
FAQ
Where is the best place to fish for salmon in Michigan?
For the best salmon fishing in Michigan, focus on Lake Michigan and its tributaries, especially the Manistee and Pere Marquette rivers. Lake Michigan is a prime location for Chinook (King) and Coho salmon.
What month 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.
Are salmon in the rivers yet in Michigan?
The best available Michigan Salmon Fishing Dates are from early September through late October. King Salmon migrate into the rivers first, then Coho Salmon and Fall Steelhead. December offers some of the best Fall and Winter Steelhead fishing that Michigan has to offer.
Where do salmon live in Michigan?
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.