Fishing on Lake Michigan Wisconsin

Fishing on Lake Michigan, Wisconsin, offers a diverse range of opportunities with species like salmon, trout, bass, and perch. Here’s a guide to fishing Lake Michigan effectively:

Target Species & Techniques:

Chinook (King) Salmon

• Where to Fish: Chinook salmon are often found in deeper waters (100-300 feet) during summer, but they move into harbors and rivers during fall to spawn.
• Best Techniques:
  • Trolling: Troll with spoons, flashers, and flies in deeper water. Use downriggers to get your bait down to the salmon’s depth.
  • Cut Bait and Flashers: Running cut herring or alewives behind flashers is a common setup for catching big kings.
  • Casting Spoons from Shore: In fall, Chinook move into harbors and rivers to spawn, making them accessible to shore anglers casting spoons.

Coho Salmon

• Where to Fish: Coho are more commonly found closer to shore in spring, especially near harbors and river mouths, and they spread out into deeper waters in summer.
• Best Techniques:
  • Trolling in Shallow Water: In spring, Coho can be caught trolling in 20-60 feet of water using spoons or small crankbaits.
  • Dodgers and Flies: Dodger-and-fly rigs work well for Coho when trolling in both shallow and deep water.

Rainbow Trout (Steelhead)

• Where to Fish: Steelhead are found throughout the water column, but they tend to stay in shallower waters (30-60 feet) during spring and fall, and move deeper in summer.
• Best Techniques:
  • Trolling Spoons: Use brightly colored spoons, especially orange or red, while trolling near the surface.
  • Harbor and River Fishing: In fall, steelhead move into harbors and rivers, making them accessible to shore anglers with spawn sacks, spinners, or crankbaits.
  • Pier Fishing: Spring pier fishing with live bait or spawn sacks can also produce good catches.

Lake Trout

• Where to Fish: Lake trout are commonly found in deeper waters (100-200 feet), especially during the summer.
• Best Techniques:
  • Trolling Deep: Use downriggers or lead-core lines to get spoons or flashers down to the lake trout’s preferred depth.
  • Jigging: Vertical jigging with large spoons or soft plastics in deep water can also be productive, especially in the spring and fall.

Brown Trout

• Where to Fish: Brown trout are often found closer to shore in spring and fall, particularly near river mouths, harbors, and piers.
• Best Techniques:
  • Casting from Shore: During spring and fall, cast spoons or crankbaits from piers, breakwaters, or shorelines near river mouths.
  • Trolling: Troll in 10-40 feet of water with spoons or crankbaits. Brown trout prefer cooler water, so they can often be found in shallow waters during colder months.

Smallmouth Bass

• Where to Fish: Smallmouth bass are found around rocky structures, harbors, and breakwalls along the shoreline of Lake Michigan.
• Best Techniques:
  • Drop Shotting and Tubes: Use natural-colored tube jigs or drop-shot rigs near rocky areas and underwater structures.
  • Crankbaits: Medium-diving crankbaits fished along drop-offs and rock piles are also effective.

Yellow Perch

• Where to Fish: Perch can be found near shorelines and harbors, particularly in the spring and fall. Schools of perch move deeper in the summer.
• Best Techniques:
  • Minnows or Worms: Use live minnows or worms on a simple bottom rig or jig to target schools of perch.
  • Ice Fishing: Perch are a popular target during winter ice fishing in nearshore areas.

Seasonal Fishing Patterns:

• Spring: Coho salmon and brown trout are near shore, making them accessible for trolling and casting. Smallmouth bass also become active around harbors and rocky areas.
• Summer: As the water warms, Chinook salmon, lake trout, and steelhead move deeper, requiring downriggers and trolling in 100-200 feet of water.
• Fall: Salmon (Chinook and Coho) and trout (brown and steelhead) move into rivers and harbors for spawning, providing great shore and pier fishing opportunities.
• Winter: Ice fishing for perch and brown trout in harbors and nearshore areas is popular, while lake trout can still be found in deep water.

Popular Fishing Locations:

• Milwaukee Harbor: Great for spring and fall salmon and trout fishing from shore, piers, or trolling nearshore.
• Kenosha: Excellent pier and shore fishing for Coho salmon and brown trout, especially in spring.
• Sheboygan: Offers deep water access for summer trolling for lake trout and salmon.
• Port Washington: A top location for trolling for salmon, lake trout, and steelhead. The nearby Ozaukee Reef is a hot spot.

Tackle Recommendations:

• Trolling Setup: Use heavy-duty rods with downriggers or lead core lines for trolling. Spoons, flashers, and flies are the most commonly used baits.
• Shore Fishing Setup: A medium to heavy-action rod with a spinning reel spooled with 10-20 lb test line is suitable for casting spoons or crankbaits from shore.
• Pier Fishing: For pier fishing, a similar setup with live bait or spawn sacks works well for trout and salmon.

Lake Michigan offers incredible opportunities for anglers of all levels.

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Fishing on Lake Michigan Wisconsin