Tough question - lots of variables, including season, time of day, weather and wind conditions, and location - it's a big coast with big water.

I normally stop into a local tackle shop close to the waters I plan to fish. They can tell you whether to fish the piers, the harbor, or the rivers depending on what is happening at the time.

Here's a good link:

http://www.lakemichiganangler.com/tips/shore/shore_fishing.htm

I don't know Alex but where you been? I thought you kicked the bucket.

Have you seen the episode of survivor man where he spends the entire week fishing for Arctic Char from shore with Extremely limited success? I fear that fishing from shore at the great lakes may be even less successful, but I hope that I am wrong and you land some nice ones. I LOVE salmon fishing. Good luck to you.

I used to fish Lake Michigan a LOT but moved from there about a decade ago... Salmon are more finicky about lure and color than any other fish you will ever go for. In the Spring, the Little Cleo in silver and blue will be your best bet and it is always good from the shore because you can really cast it well. Dip the lure in elewive (the little shad like bait fish you will find along the shore) if you can. It will increase your odds more than double. Their sense of smell is unusually high and it does excite strikes. Also, at some times, if you tie a small streamer fly about a foot ahead of your lure, it really helps. Fish from the Jetties if you can. I forget the spoon name right now (maybe a Clark spoon) but their is one that is heavier, longer and slimmer than the Little Cleo that has flouresent green paint on it. Just before sun up and after dusk, this is the best... you use a camera flash attachment to flash the lure and light up the flouresent glow. It really works... for shore fishing salmon there, be sure to sharpen your hooks to the point where they scratch your finger nails as you drag them over. Salmon have a real soft mouth and will eventually through your hook unless it penetrates deep into their jaw. Also test all your knots because the fish can be big and they hit a spoon at over 20 mph and pull like few fish you catch in fresh water. If you just have those two spoons, you will have something good to start with. Others work and the local tackle shops are good to check however, many are good at spotting a novice and will gladly sell you the whole tackle shop as "must have' equipment. See what everyone else is using at the jetty too and be ready to change to what works. Good luck and get your hiney to Waukegan by the middle of May if not sooner. I've nailed a lot at Meggs field and the aquarium too this time of year but they should already be heading north along the shoreline by now. Good luck..

Good answer DakotaMan and + 1 for you sir!!!