Manistee is a small city in Manistee County, Michigan, located on the shore of Lake Michigan where the Big Manistee River flows into Manistee Lake and then on into Lake Michigan. The waters around this town have become a hot spot for salmon fishing in Michigan. King or chinook salmon and coho salmon are caught in large numbers near Manistee, both in Lake Michigan and in the Big Manistee River.
Salmon Species
Several species of salmon are caught in Lake Michigan, including king or chinook salmon, coho, Atlantic, chum, kokanee, sockeye and pink salmon. However, in the Manistee area, the vast majority of salmon caught are from two species--king or chinook salmon and coho salmon. These two species are highly sought after as they are two of the largest salmon species caught in the Great Lakes and connecting waters.
Salmon Fishing Seasons
Salmon may be taken year-round from Lake Michigan, but weather and ice conditions confine the season to a period roughly from April to October. Salmon are caught near Manistee throughout this period, coho primarily in the early spring and again in the fall and king salmon primarily in the late summer. Anglers catch fish throughout the year, but these are the peak times. King salmon spawn in late summer, coho in the fall and as late as October in the Big Manistee River. During these spawning runs, the fish gather in large numbers offshore near the river mouth and then begin to run upstream. Boats take many fish in Lake Michigan, and anglers lining the pier and riverbanks catch many salmon as well.
Techniques
Most salmon fishing done in Lake Michigan near Manistee is done the same way as it is done all over the Great Lakes: trolling with downriggers. Downriggers are devices that lower the fishing line with a lure down to great depths using a heavy weight called a cannon ball. The fishing line is attached to the downrigger using a plastic clip or small rubber band that separates when a fish strikes, allowing the angler to set the hook and fight the fish. Shore and pier fishing is commonly done by casting with medium or heavy spinning tackle or with fly fishing gear, especially on the Big Manistee River.
Lures and Baits
Most anglers pursuing salmon in the Manistee area rely on a set of tried and true lures and baits. Various plugs and spoons are used for trolling on Lake Michigan. Old favorites like J-plugs, Southport Slammers and Northport Nailers still take many fish. Thousands of different plugs and spoons for trolling for salmon are on the market. Check with local anglers, charter captains or tackle shops for the current "hot" lure. Shore and pier fishermen use many of the same spoons and plugs used for trolling, but there are other spoons more suited for casting that are common also. Spawn bags are another popular offering; they are the only common natural bait used for salmon. Fly fishermen use a variety of flies, both wet and dry, to catch salmon in the Manistee River.
Other Considerations
Fishing for salmon in the Manistee area requires a Michigan Fishing License. Information on licenses is provided by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Energy (MDNRE), and licenses may be purchased at many local retailers.
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