I've never fished your area but will prime the pump a bit anyway. I fished for salmon in Lake Michigan a lot at that time of year. I hope that there may be a little similarity in what your salmon like.
At that time of year, land locked salmon switch over from dodger/fly and crank baits lures to spoons. The very light NorthPort Nailer type lures did well but they might be a little difficult to fish from a canoe as they will take trolling weights to get them down below the thermocline (probably 25-30 feet). Silver/blue Rattle Spoons with silver willow leaf flippers would be my next choice.
I suggest fishing where the thermocline hits the bottom. In other words, if the thermocline is 30 feet down, fish in 30 foot depths anywhere that would hold bait fish. The salmon will cruise the bottom hugging, warm water bait fish and travel up into the stinky warm water 10 feet or more to get a meal. The best choice would be to run a single downrigger with black/green Nailer-like lures at a controlled depth from 25-90 feet depending on where they are located.
You're lacking both the ability to fish on the breezy days with a "salmon chop" and the ability to have a lure trailing behind in your prop wash. Down riggers and paddling could be a nuisance, I would use a grey ghost streamer or an actual sewn on smelt, just sayin.
I've never fished your area but will prime the pump a bit anyway. I fished for salmon in Lake Michigan a lot at that time of year. I hope that there may be a little similarity in what your salmon like.
At that time of year, land locked salmon switch over from dodger/fly and crank baits lures to spoons. The very light NorthPort Nailer type lures did well but they might be a little difficult to fish from a canoe as they will take trolling weights to get them down below the thermocline (probably 25-30 feet). Silver/blue Rattle Spoons with silver willow leaf flippers would be my next choice.
I suggest fishing where the thermocline hits the bottom. In other words, if the thermocline is 30 feet down, fish in 30 foot depths anywhere that would hold bait fish. The salmon will cruise the bottom hugging, warm water bait fish and travel up into the stinky warm water 10 feet or more to get a meal. The best choice would be to run a single downrigger with black/green Nailer-like lures at a controlled depth from 25-90 feet depending on where they are located.
You're lacking both the ability to fish on the breezy days with a "salmon chop" and the ability to have a lure trailing behind in your prop wash. Down riggers and paddling could be a nuisance, I would use a grey ghost streamer or an actual sewn on smelt, just sayin.
Answers (4)
I've never fished your area but will prime the pump a bit anyway. I fished for salmon in Lake Michigan a lot at that time of year. I hope that there may be a little similarity in what your salmon like.
At that time of year, land locked salmon switch over from dodger/fly and crank baits lures to spoons. The very light NorthPort Nailer type lures did well but they might be a little difficult to fish from a canoe as they will take trolling weights to get them down below the thermocline (probably 25-30 feet). Silver/blue Rattle Spoons with silver willow leaf flippers would be my next choice.
I suggest fishing where the thermocline hits the bottom. In other words, if the thermocline is 30 feet down, fish in 30 foot depths anywhere that would hold bait fish. The salmon will cruise the bottom hugging, warm water bait fish and travel up into the stinky warm water 10 feet or more to get a meal. The best choice would be to run a single downrigger with black/green Nailer-like lures at a controlled depth from 25-90 feet depending on where they are located.
Good luck!
Not the most instructive of his, but did you by chance catch last years post on the topic by the late Mr. Merwin?
www.fieldandstream.com/blogs/honest-angler/2012/06/fishing-indigenous-sa...
You're lacking both the ability to fish on the breezy days with a "salmon chop" and the ability to have a lure trailing behind in your prop wash. Down riggers and paddling could be a nuisance, I would use a grey ghost streamer or an actual sewn on smelt, just sayin.
With sinking line
Post an Answer
I've never fished your area but will prime the pump a bit anyway. I fished for salmon in Lake Michigan a lot at that time of year. I hope that there may be a little similarity in what your salmon like.
At that time of year, land locked salmon switch over from dodger/fly and crank baits lures to spoons. The very light NorthPort Nailer type lures did well but they might be a little difficult to fish from a canoe as they will take trolling weights to get them down below the thermocline (probably 25-30 feet). Silver/blue Rattle Spoons with silver willow leaf flippers would be my next choice.
I suggest fishing where the thermocline hits the bottom. In other words, if the thermocline is 30 feet down, fish in 30 foot depths anywhere that would hold bait fish. The salmon will cruise the bottom hugging, warm water bait fish and travel up into the stinky warm water 10 feet or more to get a meal. The best choice would be to run a single downrigger with black/green Nailer-like lures at a controlled depth from 25-90 feet depending on where they are located.
Good luck!
Not the most instructive of his, but did you by chance catch last years post on the topic by the late Mr. Merwin?
www.fieldandstream.com/blogs/honest-angler/2012/06/fishing-indigenous-sa...
You're lacking both the ability to fish on the breezy days with a "salmon chop" and the ability to have a lure trailing behind in your prop wash. Down riggers and paddling could be a nuisance, I would use a grey ghost streamer or an actual sewn on smelt, just sayin.
With sinking line
Post an Answer