Salmon are present in Wisconsin waters, primarily within the Great Lakes basin. While not native to Wisconsin’s inland waters, various salmon species have become established populations in the state’s Great Lakes system through long-term fisheries management efforts.
Common Salmon Species
Several salmon species inhabit Wisconsin’s Great Lakes waters. Chinook salmon, also known as King salmon, are among the largest, displaying an iridescent green to blue-green back with silvery sides. They have grey or black mouths, including black gums, and a squared tail with spots across both halves. They can reach lengths of 20 to 35 inches and weigh between 5 and 35 pounds.
Coho salmon, also known as Silver salmon, have steel-blue to green backs, silver sides, and white bellies. Unlike Chinook, Coho salmon have a gray or black mouth with white gums surrounding their teeth, and their slightly forked tail usually has spots only on the upper half. These fish grow to 18-21 inches and weigh 2-3 pounds.
Atlantic salmon are also found in Wisconsin, primarily maintained through stocking programs. They exhibit black spots on their head and body, with two or three large spots on the gill cover, and their caudal fin usually lacks spots. Unlike Pacific salmon, Atlantic salmon do not die after spawning and can return to the sea.
Origin and Current Habitats
Their establishment traces back to stocking programs initiated by fisheries management agencies in the mid-20th century. The primary goal of introducing Pacific salmon, such as Chinook and Coho, was to control the invasive alewife population causing ecological imbalances in Lake Michigan.
Initial attempts to introduce Coho salmon into the Great Lakes date back to 1873, but success began in 1966 with stocking efforts by Michigan. Wisconsin followed with its own stocking programs in the late 1960s, releasing fingerlings into streams flowing into Lake Michigan. These efforts have resulted in established populations inhabiting Lake Michigan, from Kenosha north to Sturgeon Bay and into Green Bay.
While some natural reproduction occurs in certain Great Lakes tributaries, the populations of Chinook and Coho salmon in Wisconsin are largely sustained by continued hatchery stocking. Lake Superior also supports Coho and Chinook populations, with some self-sustaining runs occurring in specific rivers.
Recreational Opportunities
Salmon in Wisconsin’s Great Lakes offer recreational fishing opportunities. These fish are valued as game fish due to their size and fighting ability. Chinook and Coho salmon are popular targets.
Fishing for salmon occurs year-round in the lakes, with peak opportunities during specific seasons and locations. During spring and summer, anglers target salmon in the open waters of Lake Michigan and Lake Superior. As autumn approaches, salmon migrate into tributary rivers to spawn, creating popular river fishing opportunities. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources maintains stocking programs to support these fisheries, annually releasing hundreds of thousands of Coho and Chinook salmon.