The Fish of Lake Michigan

To see a graphic of the fish just click on the name!

Coho (Oncorhynchus kisutch)

The coho salmon, AKA: silver salmon, can be distinguished by the fine dark spots on the back and upper lobe of the tail fin, the long anal fin and gray gums.

Coho feed primarily on alewives, smelt, and other small fish. In Lake Michigan, cohos attain an average weight of five to six pounds before spawning at 3 years of age, but sometimes live to the age of four and weigh around 20.

Coho account for up to 75% of the salmon caught annually in the Illinois portion of Lake Michigan. Shoreline fishermen are generally successful fishing for this species using power lines, and pole and line baited with night crawlers, small alewives or strips of larger alewives and small spoons (cleo, wobbler, kastmaster). Coho prefer water temperatures between 52-59 degrees, with the peak feeding temperature at 54 degrees. Because these fish die after spawning an annual stocking program is conducted in the spring with the introduction of 5-6 inch fish. Another interesting point is that coho are generally found closer to the surface than the chinook although they prefer the same water temperature.

Chinook (Oncorhynchus tschawytscha)

Chinook salmon, AKA: king salmon can be distinguished by dark spotting on the back and usually on both lobes of the tail, a long anal fin and teeth set in black gums. They primarily feed on alewives and smelt. Their average life span is four years before they return to spawn and die. Some may return earlier (reached sexual maturity) between the ages of 2 of 4 and average between 2-15 pounds. Some live longer than four years and reach 40 pounds or more. Chinook tend to prefer the same temperatures as the Coho, but seem to be more light sensitive and harder to catch. The bank fishermen's catch of the Chinook is restricted to early fall, casting with plugs and spoons (cleo, wobbler, krocs and sometime flatfish). The chinook run usually peaks before the coho run. The chinook population is maintained by annual stocking of 2-3 inch long fingerlings each spring.

Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

The rainbow trout, AKA: steelhead trout is an attractive game fish that strike aggressively, fight valiantly and are an angler's joy. It is distinguished by its white mouth, black spots on the back and entire tail and its 12 or fewer anal fin rays. There is some confusion about the rainbow and steelhead, they are the same species, differing only in spawning behavior. The rainbow spends its entire life in streams, whereas the steelhead is anadromous (lives in the ocean or large lake and returns to spawn). The average rainbow is about five pounds with some reaching 16 pounds by age six. The record rainbow in Illinois weighed 31.7 pounds.

Rainbow trout feed on insects and fish. Rainbow prefer water temperatures of 55-60 degrees F. Bank fishermen catch rainbows in the spring, casting small lures or using bait such as small alewives, nightcrawlers and spawn sacs. Winter fishing for rainbow is good around the power plant warm water discharges and they are occasionally taken while ice fishing in harbor.

Brown Trout (Salmo trutta)

Brown trout are distinguished by large black and sometimes reddish-orange spots with a pale border on the sides of the fish. These spots are modified Xs when the fish is large. They grown rapidly and may live to an age of six years and reach weights of eight to ten pounds. Some may reach 30 pounds in Lake Michigan. They are among the wariest of fish, feeding usually at dusk or at night, so fishermen are the adult brown's chief predator. In many localities, surf casting for brown trout is popular. Brown trout prefer water temperatures between 55 degrees and 65 degrees F. and are typically found along the shoreline and at warm water discharges. This wary fish can be taken more readily in early morning and twilight hours. Light line is in order using conventional lures or natural baits. Shore fishing methods are similar to the rainbow trout.

Lake Trout (Salvelinus namaychush)

Lake trout, AKA: laker, are long-lived and do not reach sexual maturity until 6-8 years of age. While the average lake trout in Lake Michigan today weighs around seven pounds, some of the larger trophy fish are three feet long and weigh as much as 25 pounds.

Lake trout are usually found on the bottom between depths of 90 to 250 feet, but may be found at lesser depths when the water temperature is near 48 degrees F. Generally, lake trout are caught only from boats in Illinois. During the spring months, lake trout can be taken in the upper layers of warmer water, but as the season progresses and water temperatures go above 48 degrees F., lake trout are normally taken near the bottom. During the summer months (July-September) they tend to occur near the bottom where temperatures are between 45 and 50 degrees. During the fall months mature lake trout move into shallow waters and reef areas in search of spawning areas. Shiny metal spoons are successful lake trout lures when fished properly. Lake trout feed on alewives, smelt, chubs and sculpins.

Yellow Perch (Perca flavescens)
Length:6 to 10 inches
Weight:6 to 16 ounces
Coloring: bright green to olive to golden brown on back; yellow-green, yellow on sides; grey to milk-white below
Common Names: perch, lake perch, American perch

Perch are not scrappy adversaries like trout, but these full-bodied, large-finned pan fish are a favorite and relatively easy target for breakwater anglers. Perch are especially esteemed for their "inner qualities" -- a flesh that is white, flaky and delicious. Best times to fish are May-June and Aug-Sep (through ice in winter; closed season in July). Areas to fish include harbors and rocky shorelines (summer), harbors and through ice in the winter. Best baits are red worms, minnows, crayfish, spinners and jigs, grubs and maggots.

There are a few other fish worth a brief discussion. One is the Pink or Humpbacked Salmon which has been taken in the Illinois waters of Lake Michigan; they prefer water temperature of about 54 degrees. Next is the Brook Trout commonly called "coasters" and normally found in shallow water where their preferred temperature is in the upper 50 degrees. They and the Lake Trout are the only trout native to Lake Michigan. Thirdly, there is the Rainbow Smelt (Osmerus mordax) which looks like an oversized minnow reaching a maximum length of 16 inches and averaging a little more than one ounce. Lastly, the Rock Bass (Ambioplites rupestris) identified by their red-eyes and brassy body color. Averaging between 1/4 and 1/2 pounds they can reach a weight of one pound and are fun to catch on ultra-light fishing gear when there is nothing else catch.

To see a graphic of all the above side-by-side with more description, click here!

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All graphics and some information are courtesy of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans