Geography

• The majority of salmon fishing in Michigan is focused on the Great Lakes: Lake Erie, Lake Huron, Lake Michigan and Lake Superior. Lake Erie is 9,910 square miles, located on the southeast corner of the state. Lake Huron covers Michigan's eastern border and is 23,000 square miles with more than 3,000 miles of shoreline. Lake Huron has the longest shoreline of all the Great Lakes. Lake Michigan borders both the western side of Michigan's main body, and the southern side of the upper peninsula. Lake Michigan is 22,400 square miles. Along the northern border of Michigan's upper peninsula you can find Lake Superior, with 31,820 square miles. Lake Superior is the world's largest freshwater lake.
  
  

Time Frame

• The best time for salmon fishing depends somewhat on location. In the north the salmon runs occur around May. Moving south, these runs may not happen until July or even as late as October. Chinook salmon can be found feeding near river mouths between July and September. Anglers have their best opportunity to catch them here just before dawn. Another place to try is the wave troughs which can be found parallel to the lake shore in many locations. These are anywhere from six to 12 feet deep and usually filled with schools of baitfish. Salmon can be found feeding here.
  
  

Types

• The Atlantic salmon is often referred to as the king of the game fishes. Atlantic salmon are stocked in Lake Michigan and Lake Huron. There are five types of Pacific salmon that can be found in Michigan's lakes. These are Chinook salmon, chum salmon, pink salmon, sockeye salmon and coho salmon. All of the varieties of Pacific salmon are regularly stocked in the Great Lakes. Pink salmon is most commonly found near the upper peninsula. Lake Michigan is frequently stocked with Chinook and coho salmon. Lake Superior is famous for its abundant Chinook salmon, soho salmon and pink salmon.
  
  

Function

• One of the most common methods for salmon fishing is fly fishing using both wet and dry flies. In areas around Lake Michigan, the best depth for salmon fishing is around 80 feet. Near Grand Haven, Chinook salmon can be found as deep as 150 feet. Chinook salmon prefer water with temperatures below 45 degrees. King and coho salmon can be found both close to shore and in waters as deep as 100 feet. Lures in yellows, oranges, greens and blues have had the best success with king salmon. Coho salmon are most frequently caught using orange, red and yellow lures.
  
  

Considerations

• In Michigan, the state's record Chinook salmon was found in the Grand River. The record Atlantic salmon was found in Lake Michigan, and the record coho salmon was found in the Platte River. The Clinton River produced the record kokanee salmon. In Lake Michigan, the record Chinook salmon weighed 32.75 pounds, and the record coho salmon weighed in at 16.25 pounds. For inexperienced fishers, a guided fishing trip may produce the best results as these educated guides can quickly lead them to some of the best fishing spots.