Salmon Fishing in Milwaukee is just as good as it gets. From early season Coho to trophy Kings, consistency is the key on the beautiful waters of Lake Michigan, Milwaukee Harbor, and its tributaries. When the season comes, there is always a hot bite from one species or another!

When to catch Salmon in Milwaukee

Mid-summer is the peak of Chinook ‘King’ Salmon fishing. They return to Milwaukee Harbor in late August and early fall, ready to run to the rivers to spawn. While Kings are on vacation in the entryways to the harbor before they move upstream, you can test your angling skills and catch a healthy dose of your very own Salmon. If a trophy Chinook is something you are after, this is the prime time. Before the run settles down by October, you can still target immature Kings.

From mid-spring until June you can enjoy fast-paced action for Coho ‘Silver’ Salmon. Cohos are most active in May, and you can expect to land a dozen or two on your day out. Come September, and they follow the Kings to the Harbor to get ready for spawning.

November is the last chance to search for Salmon before winter. Catch your Silver Salmon before they move to the rivers!

Milwaukee Salmon fishing techniques

When it comes down to landing the hardest fighting fish in Lake Michigan, Milwaukee, it’s important to follow your guide’s instructions. Your Milwaukee fishing guide will keep in mind the right type of lure, the color of the water, the high levels of presentation, and the behavior of Salmon.

If you want to get your hands on Coho Salmon, you will need to get a good night sleep. Silvers are ferocious fighters so prepare to get your arms sore - Salmon are known for their brute strength! Battle your Salmon in warmer waters full of baitfish. Get ready for steady action that will increase the numbers in the cooler!

When you’ve found large schools of baitfish, you can also target Chinook Salmon. They are usually very hungry and respond well to bait. Unlike Silvers, King Salmon can hang out in both colder and warmer waters.

During the summer months, Salmon’s location will depend on wind patterns. You just have to locate cool water or bait or head offshore to waters 150’ deep. Troll with downriggers - it’s one of the oldest and most productive methods on the Great Lakes. Apart from downriggers, you can troll with planer boards.

Since Salmon hunt by sight, you can troll with spoons to get their attention when fishing in deeper waters.

Salmon Season

In May, as the waters continue to warm, Cohos and Kings can be found nearshore on the shallow structures. But since it’s the month of transition, Salmon move offshore and can also be found there. By the end of June, Chinook can make up the bulk of your catch.

The summer months are the prime time to catch Salmon before they return to the Harbor to spawn. The action for pre-spawning Cohos and giant Kings continues until October when they head upstream to spawn.