Lake Michigan and Lake Huron are on opposite sides of Michigan's Lower Peninsula separated in the northern part of the state by the Straits of Mackinac. Known to anglers all over the world for their excellent freshwater fishing, these two Great Lakes are home to many species of fish, including salmon.
Geography
Lake Michigan, the fifth-largest freshwater lake in the world, has a large alewife population that attracts salmon from surrounding waters. The reduced alewife population in the world's third-largest lake, Lake Huron, caused fewer salmon to inhabit its waters, but salmon are still caught in some areas. Salmon are found in waters with temperatures around 55 degrees.
Types
Coho and Chinook salmon are the species found in Lake Huron and Lake Michigan. Coho, or silver salmon are silver with small spots on the back and upper tail. Males turn bright red when spawning. Adults are 17 to 38 inches long and weigh an average of 8 lbs. They have medium-size sharp teeth with white gums. Chinook or king salmon are silver with large, long spots on an iridescent green to brown back with a spotted tail. Adults are 20 to 35 inches long and weigh an average of 12 to 14 lbs. They have large, sharp teeth in a black mouth. Both species have hooked snouts.
Fishing Methods
Many anglers fly fish for salmon while others fish from boats or piers using lead or copper core line and divers to take the bait into deep water. Fishing for salmon with down riggers and planer boards is common on Lake Michigan and Lake Huron. Since salmon usually eat insects, small crustaceans and other fish such as alewives, live bait and artificial bait that resembles their normal food source work well. Use spoons, large plugs, spinner baits, cut bait rigs, bags of spawn, flies or squid behind flashers or dodgers.
Features
Lake Huron salmon are smaller than those caught in Lake Michigan, and Coho salmon are smaller than Chinook salmon. Presque Isle is one of Lake Huron's best salmon fishing ports. Notable Lake Michigan salmon fishing spots include St. Joseph and Platte Bay in the early spring, Ludington from mid-May to June and mid-July through September and Charlevoix and Harbor Springs in late summer and early fall.
Time Frame
The best time to catch Coho salmon in Lake Michigan and Lake Huron is March through May, while more Chinook salmon are caught during May and from the middle of July through September. Hot summer weather causes salmon to move to deeper waters, so they are easier to catch before dawn and at dark.
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