The salmon run in Michigan is a natural event each fall, involving various salmon species migrating from the Great Lakes into freshwater tributaries. This annual migration is popular for both wildlife observation and angling.
Understanding the Salmon Run Cycle
Salmon migrate from the Great Lakes into rivers to reproduce. These fish, primarily Pacific salmon species, spend most of their adult lives in the Great Lakes before returning to freshwater to spawn. Environmental cues like cooling water temperatures, increased river flows, and changes in daylight trigger this upstream journey.
Pacific salmon, including Chinook and Coho, were introduced to the Great Lakes in the 1960s to manage the invasive alewife population and establish a sport fishery. Once in the rivers, adult salmon cease feeding, focusing all energy on finding suitable gravel beds, known as redds, for laying eggs. After spawning, most Pacific salmon species typically die, contributing nutrients back to the ecosystem.
Prime Times for Michigan Salmon Species
The timing of the salmon run in Michigan varies by species and can shift slightly each year due to environmental factors like water levels and temperature. Generally, the main run occurs throughout the fall, from late August through October, with peak activity between September and early October.
Chinook salmon, also known as King salmon, begin their upstream migration in late summer, with catchable numbers present by mid-August. Their run generally peaks in September and continues through October. Coho salmon, often called Silver salmon, start their run after Chinooks, usually in September, and can extend into November, sometimes as late as Christmas.
Pink salmon runs, while less common, occur primarily in odd-numbered years, typically from late August to early September, peaking in late September. Pink salmon generally spawn every two years, though some one and three-year-old fish contribute to runs in even years. Atlantic salmon, found in localized areas, generally begin their fall run in late September, with numbers increasing through October and continuing into December.
Key Locations for Observation
Michigan offers numerous locations for observing the annual salmon run, particularly in river systems feeding into the Great Lakes. The Manistee River is well-known for its substantial runs of Chinook and Coho salmon, with popular access points including Tippy Dam. The Pere Marquette River provides good salmon runs and is recognized for its scenic beauty and public access.
Other significant rivers include the Muskegon River, which peaks in mid-October, and the Betsie River. The Grand River, flowing through Grand Rapids, offers an urban viewing experience, with Fish Ladder Park being a prime spot to see salmon jumping, especially around Labor Day. Dams like the Sixth Street Dam in Grand Rapids and Homestead Dam near Benzonia are also locations where salmon congregate.
The St. Marys River in the Upper Peninsula is notable, particularly for Pink and Atlantic salmon, where fish from both Lake Michigan and Lake Huron converge. Smaller tributaries like the Carp River and Bear River also support salmon runs. Weirs operated by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources on rivers like the Little Manistee and Platte provide concentrated viewing points.
Participating in the Salmon Run
Participating in the Michigan salmon run, whether through fishing or observation, requires understanding common practices and regulations. Anglers employ various methods to target salmon, including trolling in the Great Lakes, especially for Chinook and Coho before they enter rivers. Once salmon are in the rivers, popular techniques include float fishing, fly fishing with nymphs and streamers, and casting lures like spoons or crankbaits.
For anglers, a Michigan fishing license is required for anyone aged 17 or older. Licenses are available online through the Michigan Department of Natural Resources website or at retail locations. While specific regulations vary, it is important to respect private property and practice responsible fishing to conserve fish populations.