Shore Fishing Tips and Techniques

Fishing the Lake Michigan Shoreline, Surf, and Harbors

Lake Michigan has a surface area of 22,300 square miles and 1,660 miles of shoreline. There are more than a hundred cities and towns on its banks. Access areas for fishing the Lake Michigan Shore include: harbors, piers, break walls, power plants, city parks, river mouths and scenic shorelines. During the fall salmon spawning runs thousands of fishermen will take advantage of the many piers, breakwaters, harbors and river mouths. Spring will see many of the same fishermen in the same areas fishing for Brown Trout, Steelhead and spring Coho Salmon. Summer fishing from shore targets perch, smallmouth bass and other fish. Summer fishing at night is a good time to try for salmon and trout that cruise the shorelines under the cover of darkness.

Shore fishing for trout and salmon on Lake Michigan is an art, employing a great variety of tips and techniques depending on the time of year and species of fish sought. Fishing tips and techniques for Salmon, trout, steelhead, coho, chinook, lake trout, brown trout, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, perch and walleye, northern pike and other species that inhabit Lake Michigan are generic in nature and can be modified and applied to any location. Some techniques which are unique to the Great Lakes have been adjusted and used in saltwater fishing in Europe and the Pacific Coast of North America from California North to Alaska. River and creek mouths, power plants, warm water discharges are areas that will attract and hold fish at certain times of the year. Harbor, piers, breakwaters are natural areas to attract fish. In some states the hatchery raised salmon and trout are released directly into harbors and they will return there year after year. Wind direction also has a direct relation to fish locations. During the summer months winds blowing offshore can push the warm surface water away from the shore allowing the cool water to backfill the void, this cycle will bring bait fish with trout and salmon near shore. There is no one technique that will guarantee fish each time you fish Lake Michigan. Plan to learn, use and master several techniques to become a better fisherman. When fishing the shore of Lake Michigan most will soon realize that 10 percent of the fishermen usually catch 90 percent of the fish. These fishermen usually will employ a variety of tips and techniques to be successful.

The different types of fishing tips, articles and techniques located in the website are logically separated into several major topic categories:

General Fishing Tips, Techniques and Information

Shore, Surf, Harbor Fishing Access Locations

Shore and Harbor Fishing Tips and Techniques

Surf Fishing Tips and Techniques

Ice Fishing Tips and Techniques

Species Specific tips and information

Specific techniques and tips related to each type of fishing can be found in the different categories. Salmon, trout, steelhead and other species of fish fishing articles are also included.

General Fishing Tips, Techniques and Information:

Fish Identification: General information about identifying the various species of fish present in Lake Michigan.

The Fish of Lake Michigan by Wisconsin Sea Grant
Wisconsin Fish Identification Script and App
Trout and Salmon Identification by GLSFC

Fishing Regulations: General information and links to the different fishing rules and regulations for each of the four states that border Lake Michigan: Indiana, Illinois, Michigan and Wisconsin.

Illinois Department of Natural Resources
Indiana Department of Natural Resources
Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

Fishing in Lake Michigan: General information about the different types of fishing available:

Hook Sharpening: A technical sheet from Luhr Jensen that details hook sharpening techniques.
Maps and Books: Information about various maps and books about Lake Michigan.
Online Maps: Links to several Online Map companies.
Using Salmon and Trout Eggs or Spawn for Bait Information about the different Great Lakes trout, steelhead and salmon; techniques for tying spawn sacks or spawn bags; tips on how to gather salmon eggs and spawn; how to cure and store salmon and trout eggs, spawn, roe and skein for use as fishing bait.

Collecting Salmon and Trout Eggs Technique for collecting single or loose salmon or trout eggs for fish bait.
Removing Salmon and Trout Skein Technique for removing skein or roe from salmon and trout for fish bait.
Curing Salmon and Trout Eggs, Technique 1 How to use commercial salmon and trout egg cures to preserve the spawn.
Curing Salmon and Trout Roe, Technique 2 Technique on how to use commercial salmon egg cures for curing salmon roe.
Curing Salmon and Trout Skein for Egg Clusters Technique on how to use commercial salmon egg cures for curing salmon or trout skein to make egg clusters.
Air Curing Trout Skein for Egg Clusters Technique on how to air cure trout roe or skein, primarily used for Ice and Still fishing.
Homemade Salmon and Trout Egg Cures How to make your own egg cures for preserving salmon and trout spawn for use as fishing bait in spawn sacks, single eggs and egg clusters.
Adding Krill Scent to Salmon and Trout Eggs How to add krill scent to cured salmon eggs.
Adding Krill Scent to Salmon Roe How to add krill scent to salmon roe berries.
How to make Spawn Sacks How to make your own spawn sacks with salmon and trout eggs for use as bait.
How to use a spawn sac machine Using a spawn sac machine can help simplify making spawn sacs.
Freezing Spawn Sacs An angler friend Bill, freezes spawn sacs using uncured eggs.
Adding Spawn Sac Floaters Adding Spawn Sac Floaters to make spawn sacs more bouyant.
How to suspend Spawn Sacks How to suspend spawn sacks off the bottom using drift balls
Imitation Dough Bait Egg Clusters How to use a Troutberry Dough Bait Press to mold Imitation Trout or Salmon Egg Clusters.

How to catch bait fish with Sabiki Rigs Using sabiki rigs to catch fresh bait fish is a popular technique. Sabiki rigs are multi-hook jigging rigs for catching herring, smelt, alewife, shad and other small bait fish.
How to make salted Minnows Salting minnows and small bait fish is a popular preservation technique.
How to catch and collect Nightcrawler worms Collecting and catching nightcrawler worms in spring is relatively easy.
How to store nightcrawler worms. Properly stored nightcrawler worm can be kept alive for several weeks.

Shore, Surf and Harbor Fishing Access Locations and Articles:

Shore fishing access locations Lake Michigan has a surface area of 22,300 square miles and 1,660 miles of shoreline. There are dozens of tributary creeks, streams and rivers that provide excellent fishing. Some of our favorite access areas.
Shore Fishing Article from the Indiana DNR A PDF article from the State of Indiana DNR with access maps, species facts, seasonal fishing opportunities and fishing information for shore and tributary fishing. (requires Adobe reader)
Michigan Shore Anglers Guide From the State of Michigan DNR with detailed access maps; seasonal fishing opportunities and recommended fishing tactics for the different shore fishing locations.

Shore and Harbor Fishing Tips and Techniques:

Shore Fishing Etiquette: Simple things and ideas that will make shore fishing more enjoyable for every fishermen.
Fishing Crank Baits for Trophy Great Lakes Brown Trout: Using crank baits to catch large trophy Brown Trout is a deadly fishing technique. Older browns will not waste much energy chasing small lures. They are looking for a meal, not a snack.
Tube Jigging for Trout and Salmon Technique: Using tube jigs under a slip bobber is a deadly fishing technique when used shore fishing in harbors for trout and salmon. This technique can be used in all open water seasons.
Berkley Powerbait Micros for Trout Techniques: Using Berkley Powerbait Micros fishing from shore in harbors for trout. This technique can be used in all open water seasons.
Floating Spawn Sacks and Eggs for Steelhead Fishing Technique: Floating spawn sacks and eggs for Steelhead and Rainbow Trout is an effective technique. This technique can be used in all open water seasons.
A-Just-a Bubble Rainbow Trout and Steelhead Fishing Technique: Using an A-Just-a Bubble float for light weight bait casting for Rainbow Trout and Steelhead. This technique can be used in all open water seasons.
How to determine the depth to set your float from shore: When using a slip float, determining the proper depth to set your bait in most harbors or from shore can be challenging.
Using Berkley Gulp Trout Dough Bait Fishing Technique Video: Video showing techniques for using Berkley Gulp Trout Dough Bait.
Luhr Jensen Technical Reports: (requires Adobe reader)

Click to download the Adobe Reader
Casting Spoons and Spinners A technical article with tactics and techniques for casting spoons and spinners.
Jigging for Trout A technical article with tactics and techniques for jigging spoons and lures.

Surf Fishing Tips and Techniques:

Lake Michigan Surf Fishing Equipment used:

How to make Sand Spikes or Rod Holders for Surf Fishing Sand spikes or Surf Rod Holders are a requirement when fishing the surf. There is nothing that will destroy or ruin a fishing reel quicker than laying the fishing rod on a sandy beach.

Waders and Boots for fishing the Surf The surf fishing is done in a a wet environment, waders or boots are required unles you plan on getting wet.
Tackle Storage and general tackle used surf fishing A five gallon bucket with a lid makes the best universal tackle storage for surf fishing. See what tackle is generally put in a typical surf fishing bucket.
Landing fish when Surf Fishing Landing fish when surf fishing can be done with or without a net.
Fishing Reels for Surf Fishing Fishing reel and line recommendations for surf fishing.
Fishing Rods for Surf Fishing Fishing rods used for surf fishing.

Lake Michigan Surf Fishing Tips and Techniques:

Basic Bottom Fishing Rig Setups used when Surf Fishing There are numerous basic bottom fishing rig setups typically used by fishermen surf fishing. Three of the more popular setups are described.
Cutting bait chunks and strips for surf fishing Surf fishing with whole, cut chunks, or strip baits made from bait fish is an effective technique. There are a variety of bait fish that can be used in the Great Lakes.
How to rig whole, chunk, and strip baits for surf fishing How to rig whole, chunk, and strip baits for Trout and Salmon when surf fishing.
Surf Fishing for Brown Trout after Dark Surf fishing for Brown Trout after dark with glow in the dark spoons can be very productive.