![]() I set out to find out more about why anglers are fascinated with the king of all salmon by planning a several-day trip out of Manistee, Michigan. The Little Manistee River is closest to where we are based and where salmon will be staging.įishing Lake Michigan from Manistee Michigan This is when the salmon migrate from upper Lake Michigan into rivers to reproduce. The king salmon (Chinook) is a bucket-list species for many anglers, and Manistee, Michigan is one of the best places to target them in the early fall, starting in late July and August. These types of efforts in the states that surround Lake Michigan underscore its importance as a sought-after recreational salmon fishing lake, and the willingness of anglers to travel to catch the fish of a lifetime. The collected eggs are sent to state fish hatcheries, where they grow into fingerlings and are eventually released into Michigan's lakes, rivers, and streams. ![]() The egg-take and salmon harvest facility divert steelhead in the spring and Chinook salmon in the fall to collect eggs as the fish make their way from Lake Michigan to spawn in the cool, clear river water. The state of Michigan has the Little Manistee River Weir egg-take facility, which operates out of Manistee. ![]() Little Manistee River Weir | Photo Copyright: Anietra Hamper The state of Illinois raises and stocks about 750,000 advanced fingerling salmon and trout annually in harbors and at boat launches across the state's 63 miles of shoreline through the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. These programs help maintain fish population levels that make Lake Michigan a world-class salmon fishery. Salmon are not native to Lake Michigan, but they can naturally reproduce in the rivers due to the surrounding states' robust fish population management programs. While Chinook and coho salmon are the most frequently pursued species, anglers also target other salmonid species in Lake Michigan, including steelhead (migratory rainbow trout), brown trout, and the native lake trout. The author, Anietra Hamper, with a beautiful Lake Michigan king salmon | Photo Copyright: Eric Hensley The lake is bordered by Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, and Wisconsin, and anglers come from all over to seek out the Chinook salmon (kings), coho salmon (silvers), and the occasional pink salmon and Atlantic salmon that come to Lake Michigan waters. Salmon fishing in Lake Michigan is one of the most thrilling angling opportunities in North America. Author Anietra Hamper is an avid angler who has spent time landing great catches on Lake Michigan.
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