This page was last updated on JUL 27 2012 03:34 P.M.
Lake MichiganFor more information about the lake please click on the lake name above.
Description:
N/A
Fish
Chinook salmon or king 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 chinook or king salmon teeth are set in dark gums, with black spots on the back and both lobes of the square caudal fin. The chinook or king salmon has 15-17 anal fin rays and averages 30 pounds though some can reach over 100 pounds.
Bait: Spoons, Dodger & Fly combos
Depth: 95-125 FOW
Comments about fish:
Boat anglers pursuing salmon are reporting good action, especially out of Michigan City & Portage. Good numbers of kings & cohos have been caught in water depths ranging from 95-125 FOW north of their respective port. Anglers have had their best luck trolling spoons or dodger and fly combos anywhere from 75-100' down. Chinooks up to 21 lbs have been caught this week; however, most of the kings have been averaging around 16 lbs.
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: Dodger/Fly combos & spoons
Depth: 95-125 FOW
Comments about fish:
See chinook salmon report.
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, N/C, spoons Tribs: Spawn sacs, shrimp, spinners
Depth: Deeper holes & runs
Comments about fish:
Nearshore waters have warmed significantly along the southern shorelines of LM; therefore, pushing the STT off to deeper, cooler waters. No shore action to report this past week. Stream: Bait presentations continues to be the most effective way to catch steelhead. According to the clerks, shrimp has been the most effective bait used by anglers on the creeks; however, steelhead have also been caught on N/C & spawn bags floated just off the bottom through the deepest holes & runs.
Smallmouth bass
Description:
Sunfishes include some of the best-known fish in Indiana. Bluegill, redear sunfish, black and white crappie, largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass are all members of the sunfish family. The last rays on the dorsal fin of the smallmouth bass are separated from the rest of the fin. Also, the upper jaw does not extend beyond back of eye, as it does with the largemouth bass. The smallmouth bass commonly reaches 3-4 pounds.
Bait: Jigs, crankbaits, live bait (minnows, N/C)
Depth: Up to 20 FOW
Comments about fish:
SMB anglers continue to report good action along the southern shorelines of LM. Boat anglers should concentrate their efforts along rocky rip rap that is prevalent along the outside of the Port of Indiana breakwall as well as from the city of Gary W to Hammond. As far as lures, anglers have had good success with crankbaits, small spinnerbaits & tube jigs that resemble gobies. If you like to use live bait, one cannot beat a lively minnow under a bobber. SMB in the 14-18 inch range are abundant in LM with some fish up to 6 lbs caught every year.
Yellow perch
Description:
Indiana anglers have long since sought perch for their tasty flavor. The yellow perch, walleye and sauger are members of this popular family. The yellow perch ranges from 6 to 12 inches long and up to one or two pounds.
Bait: Minnows
Depth: Up to 24 FOW
Comments about fish:
Anglers targeting yellow perch are reporting small numbers over the past week in southern LM. Michigan City anglers caught perch out-front of Black�s Ditch/Beverly Shores area in water depths to 24 FOW. Portage anglers had some luck out-front of the �ditch� & west to Ogden Dunes in water depths to 21 FOW. Minnows were the top producing bait fished just off the bottom. No reports out of East Chicago or Hammond Marina�s this past week.
Comments about body of water:
Water temp in the harbor of MC next to the DNR building was 78�F this morning. Despite all the rainfall NW IN received over the past couple of days, Trail Cr continues to run low & clear. The E Br is running at average levels with stained/muddy water conditions. Salt Cr is exhibiting average flows with stained water visibility. If you are planning a trip to the creeks, check out the US Geological Survey Water Resources for IN web page. Water temp of Trail Cr at Springland Ave was 70�F as of this morning.
