Salmon are present in Lake Michigan, supporting a significant sport fishery. These fish are not native to the Great Lakes but were intentionally introduced. Their presence has profoundly shaped the lake’s ecological balance and recreational opportunities.
Salmon Species Found
Several salmon species thrive in Lake Michigan. Chinook salmon, or King salmon, are the largest and most sought-after, often weighing 10-20 pounds, with some exceeding 30 pounds. They have a silvery body with black spots on their back and tail, and black gums. Coho salmon, also known as Silver salmon, are smaller, usually 2-6 pounds, identifiable by their silver body, dark blue-green back, and black spots on their back and upper tail fin.
Atlantic salmon are rarer in Lake Michigan. They have black spots primarily on their head and body, often with two or three large spots on the gill cover. Pink salmon, the smallest Pacific salmon, are not commonly stocked but sometimes appear, particularly in odd-numbered years.
Why Salmon Were Introduced
Salmon were introduced into Lake Michigan to address an ecological imbalance caused by the invasive alewife population. Alewives, a species of herring, had exploded by the 1960s, leading to widespread die-offs and outcompeting native fish.
Fisheries managers in the mid-1960s introduced Pacific salmon as a biological control. Coho salmon were first stocked in 1966, followed by Chinook salmon in 1967. The goal was to provide a predator for the abundant alewife and establish a sport fishery. This effort successfully reduced alewife numbers.
Their Ecological Role
Salmon play a significant role in the Lake Michigan ecosystem by managing the alewife population. Chinook and Coho salmon rely heavily on alewives as their main food source. This predatory relationship helps control invasive alewife numbers.
Maintaining the balance between salmon and their prey is a focus of fisheries management. As alewife populations fluctuate, agencies adjust salmon stocking levels to maintain a healthy predator-prey ratio. This effort supports the lake’s food web and sustains the recreational fishery.
Fishing for Salmon
Fishing for salmon in Lake Michigan is popular, with opportunities available throughout much of the year. Trolling is a common technique, especially during summer when salmon are in deeper, cooler waters. Shore and pier fishing are productive during spring and fall, as salmon move closer to shore or into tributary rivers for spawning.
Chinook salmon fishing peaks from late July through September, coinciding with their annual run towards river mouths for spawning. Coho salmon are often targeted in spring when nearshore, and again during their fall run in September and October. Popular fishing locations include major ports like Ludington, Manistee, and St. Joseph, and the mouths of rivers such as the Pere Marquette and St. Joseph rivers.