This page was last updated on FEB 16 2012 12:57 P.M.
Lake Michigan
For more information about the lake please click on the lake name above.
Description:
N/A
Fish
Brown trout
Description:
Ever popular among Indiana anglers is the trout family, which includes the brown, lake and rainbow or steelhead trout. Many fisherman can be spotted on the shores during spawning season when the trout begin their runs into the tributaries. The brown trout has a white mouth, teeth and gums and some orange or red spots on its sides. This trout also has some spots enriched with light blue and a caudal fin margin that is square with no spots on the upper or lower lobe.
Bait: Golden roaches, nightcrawlers, wobbler type spoons
Depth: On or near the bottom
Comments about fish:
Shore anglers have been catching brown trout off the MC Lighthouse Pier. Most of the fish have been caught on the bottom; however, it’s a good idea to suspend some bait as coho salmon & steelhead are also in the area. Top producing baits include shiners & nightcrawlers. Wobbler type spoons have also been producing at times. Action reported off the breakwall at Stateline Energy as well.
Coho salmon
Description:
Members of the pacific salmon family, the chinook or king salmon and the coho salmon can be found in Lake Michigan and its tributaries in northern Indiana. Pacific salmons do not feed during spawning, but will strike a lure during their runs. Cohos will spawn in the fall in their third year of life and die, while chinooks will spawn in the fall, winter or spring in the fifth year of life, allowing them to grow larger. The teeth of the coho salmon are set in light color gums. The coho salmon has black spots on the upper lobe of a slightly forked caudal fin with 12-15 anal fin rays.
Bait: Shore: Shrimp, N/C, spawn Boat: Crankbaits
Depth: Shore: Throughout the water column
Comments about fish:
MC shore anglers are reporting decent coho action off the Lighthouse Pier & also inside the harbor. Anglers have stated that a variety of baits have been catching fish including shrimp, N/C & spawn fished anywhere from 2’ below the surface to right on the bottom. Wobbler type spoons & bass sized crankbaits have also been effective at times. Boat anglers report action out front of MC, the “ditch†& also around Gary’s Light. Anglers report lures such as Thin Fins & Rapalas have been producing.
Rainbow or steelhead trout
Description:
Ever popular among Indiana anglers is the trout family, which includes the brown, lake and rainbow or steelhead trout. Many fisherman can be spotted on the shores during spawning season when the trout begin their runs into the tributaries. Rainbow or steelhead trout have a white mouth, teeth and gums and small black spots on their backs, sides, and caudal and dorsal fins. The caudal fin margin of the rainbow or steelhead trout is square and the fish has 9-12 anal fin rays.
Bait: Pier: Shrimp, nightcrawlers, skein Tribs: Spawn sacs, shrimp, spinners
Depth: Deeper holes & runs
Comments about fish:
Anglers continue to catch small numbers off the piers & harbor areas of Trail Cr. Top bait is shrimp susupended under a bobber. As for the tribs, anglers report slow action. Steelhead are scattered throughout Trail & Salt Creek's. Fish are mainly found in the lower reaches of the E Br Little Cal. Spawn sacs are the top producing bait with shrimp a distant second. Keep your offerings bouncing on the bottom in the deepest holes. Also, try to keep your bait or lures as close to woody debris as possible. Winter time steelhead tend to hold tight to cover.
Comments about body of water:
Surface water temp in the harbor of MC was 38°F as of this morning. Indiana's tribs are running higher than average with visibilities less than 12". Keep an eye on the USGS gauging stations for updates on stream discharges. Water temp of Trail Cr at Friendship Gardens was 36° F as of this morning. We ask that all anglers who accidently catch stocked trout & salmon fingerlings to play them quickly & gently release them. These fingerlings are the future lake & stream fishery.
