The Great Lakes are freshwater inland seas -- five interconnected bodies of water holding 21% of the world's surface fresh water. For anglers, they represent the most diverse and productive freshwater fishery system on the planet. Lake Erie's walleye population numbers in the tens of millions. Lake Michigan's salmon and trout fishery is a multi-billion-dollar economic engine. Lake Superior holds native lake trout in water cold and deep enough to feel oceanic. Lake Huron and Lake Ontario round out a system where you can catch warm-water species in sheltered bays and cold-water species trolling offshore within sight of the same shoreline.
The Great Lakes fishery is defined by its introduced Pacific salmon program, which began in the 1960s when chinook and coho salmon were stocked to control invasive alewife populations. What started as biological management became one of the greatest sport fisheries in history. Today, charter boats troll the open lakes from April through October, targeting chinook salmon that can exceed 30 pounds, steelhead, lake trout, and coho in waters hundreds of feet deep. The tributary rivers that feed the lakes host spawning runs of these same species, creating a river-fishing season that extends from September through April.
But the Great Lakes are much more than salmon. The warm, shallow bays and river mouths harbor outstanding smallmouth and largemouth bass fisheries. Perch, walleye, and whitefish are pursued through the ice in winter. Musky inhabit weedy bays on Lakes St. Clair, Huron, and Michigan. And the tributary streams -- from the Au Sable in Michigan to the Salmon River in New York -- offer some of the best river fishing in the eastern half of the continent. The scale of the Great Lakes means a lifetime of exploration would barely scratch the surface of what these waters have to offer.
Lake Erie is the walleye capital of the world, with a population estimated at over 100 million fish. The western basin spring fishery and the central basin trolling in summer are legendary. Saginaw Bay on Lake Huron and Green Bay on Lake Michigan also hold excellent walleye populations.
The Great Lakes grow the biggest smallmouth bass in the world. Lake Erie, Lake St. Clair, Georgian Bay on Lake Huron, and the Door County waters of Lake Michigan all produce trophy-class smallmouth over 5 pounds with regularity.
Steelhead run the tributaries of all five Great Lakes from October through April, providing river fishing through the winter months. Lake-run steelhead can exceed 15 pounds and fight with extraordinary power. The Salmon River (NY) and Pere Marquette (MI) are premier destinations.
Found in the weedy bays, marshes, and river mouths around all five lakes. The St. Lawrence River, Green Bay, and Saginaw Bay hold particularly strong pike populations. Ice fishing for pike with tip-ups is a Great Lakes winter tradition.
Lake St. Clair between Lakes Huron and Erie is the premier musky fishery in the Great Lakes system. Green Bay and the St. Lawrence River also hold trophy muskies that can exceed 50 inches.
Stocked throughout the Great Lakes and their tributaries. Brown trout thrive in the nearshore waters and run the tributaries in fall. Lake Michigan's Wisconsin shoreline and Lake Ontario's south shore produce trophy browns over 20 pounds.
The shallowest and warmest of the Great Lakes, making it the most biologically productive. Home to the world's best walleye fishery in the western basin, outstanding smallmouth bass on the central basin reefs, and excellent steelhead fishing in the tributary streams of Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York.
The third-largest Great Lake with diverse fishing from the salmon-rich deep water to the smallmouth-filled Door County peninsula. The Milwaukee, Ludington, and Manistee areas are premier charter destinations for chinook salmon, steelhead, and lake trout.
A relatively small but incredibly productive lake between Lakes Huron and Erie. Consistently produces the biggest smallmouth bass and muskies in the Great Lakes region. The extensive weed flats, shipping channels, and river mouths create diverse habitat.
The premier steelhead and salmon tributary on Lake Ontario, flowing through Pulaski, NY. Fall chinook salmon runs draw anglers from across the country, followed by steelhead fishing from November through April. Public access and catch-and-release regulations support a healthy fishery.
A Michigan river flowing into Lake Michigan near Ludington. Famous for its steelhead, chinook salmon, and brown trout runs. One of the original catch-and-release fly-fishing-only waters in the Midwest. Scenic float fishing through forested river corridors.
A large bay on the western side of Lake Michigan spanning Wisconsin and Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Exceptional walleye fishing on the reef complex, plus outstanding smallmouth bass, northern pike, and musky. The bay's productivity rivals Lake Erie's.
The largest, deepest, and coldest of the Great Lakes. Home to native lake trout populations and brook trout streams along the North Shore. The Apostle Islands and Isle Royale offer wilderness fishing experiences. Lake Superior steelhead and coho provide tributary action.
Michigan's most famous trout stream, flowing through the northern Lower Peninsula to Lake Huron. The Holy Waters catch-and-release section harbors wild brown trout. Below Mio Dam, the river hosts runs of steelhead, salmon, and walleye from the lake.
Ice fishing is the primary activity on bays and smaller connected lakes. Perch, walleye, and pike are the main targets through the ice on Saginaw Bay, Green Bay, and sheltered areas of Lake Erie. Steelhead fishing continues in Lake Ontario and Lake Erie tributaries during thaws.
Peak ice fishing season with safe ice across most bays and harbors. Perch fishing on Lake Erie and Saginaw Bay is outstanding. Steelhead fishing on open tributaries provides a break from the ice. Lake trout can be jigged through the ice on deeper nearshore areas.
Ice-out begins on southern bays and tributaries. Early-season walleye runs develop on Lake Erie tributary rivers. Steelhead fishing peaks in many tributaries as warming water activates fish. The transition from ice to open water creates excellent shore-fishing opportunities.
Spring fishing explodes. Lake Erie walleye fishing in the western basin is at its annual peak. Smallmouth bass begin moving shallow. Steelhead are still running in tributaries. Coho salmon appear in nearshore waters of Lake Michigan. Brown trout cruise the shoreline.
One of the best months on the Great Lakes. Walleye fishing remains strong. Smallmouth bass are in pre-spawn on rocky reefs and are at their most aggressive. Salmon trolling begins in earnest on Lake Michigan and Ontario. Warm-water species in bays become active.
Summer fishing patterns establish. Offshore salmon trolling is at its peak on Lake Michigan. Smallmouth bass fishing on Lake Erie, St. Clair, and Door County is world-class on drop-shot and tubes. Walleye shift to deeper structure. Perch fishing picks up in the harbors.
Peak summer fishing. Chinook salmon trolling is outstanding on all the upper lakes. Smallmouth bass are aggressive on deep rock structure. Walleye are on mid-lake reefs and humps. Perch fishing is consistent in shallow warm water. Musky become active in Lake St. Clair weed beds.
Continued excellent salmon and trout trolling. King salmon begin staging near tributaries ahead of the fall spawn. Smallmouth bass fishing remains strong. Perch fishing peaks on Lake Erie and Saginaw Bay. Walleye are consistent trollers' targets on the central basin.
The fall migration begins. Chinook salmon enter tributaries from Lake Michigan, Huron, and Ontario. King salmon fishing in rivers like the Salmon, Pere Marquette, and Manistee is outstanding. Smallmouth bass feed aggressively ahead of winter. Walleye fishing improves with turnover.
Peak fall fishing across the system. Salmon runs are in full swing in tributaries. Steelhead begin appearing in rivers. Brown trout spawn in nearshore areas and tributaries. Walleye and perch fishing is excellent as fish school for winter. Musky fishing peaks on Lake St. Clair.
Late fall offers trophy fishing. Steelhead runs build in Lake Erie and Ontario tributaries. Lake trout spawn in shallow rocky areas and are accessible from shore. Whitefish concentrate nearshore. Walleye fishing remains strong until ice-up. Last chance for open-water musky.
Transition to winter. Early ice fishing begins on protected bays and harbors. Steelhead fishing continues in tributaries during open-water windows. Lake whitefish fishing through early ice is a Great Lakes tradition. Walleye and perch move to winter staging areas.
The Great Lakes create their own weather. Lake-effect snow and rain bands influence conditions throughout the region, and water temperatures on the lakes lag significantly behind air temperatures in both spring and fall. Surface water temperatures range from near freezing in winter to the low 70s in late summer, with a thermocline that develops in June and breaks down in October. Wind and wave conditions can change rapidly on these open-water bodies -- 4-6 foot waves are common, and storms can produce dangerous 10+ foot seas. Fog is frequent in spring when warm air moves over cold water.
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