Milwaukee Fishing Lake Michigan Salmon Report 6/23/09
By Capt. Jim Hirt
Late June the action on Lake Michigan out of Milwaukee has moved offshore. The surface temperature is up to 61 degrees and the fish are deeper and scattered. Go deep and fish for Chinook, Coho, Rainbow and Lake Trout.
Patterns and program under 45 feet
Around the harbor break wall gaps as the water clears after the recent storms anglers are taking Coho Chinook and Browns. This is a all spoon bite for Chinook and Browns on downriggers. Run them long behind the ball and staggered every 10 feet from top to bottom. The Coho are coming on Church Walleye Planner Boards with OO dodgers or 6-inch flashers and medium blue or green flies are my go to bait for Coho. Our best spoons have been the blue and green Magnum Reaper Peacock or the Reaper Magnum Fish n Chip. When the wind and waves keep you in, the near shore will produce. Water temp are up to 63 degrees or more on top in most areas look for the 52-degree temps down for best action.
Patterns and program 200 to 275 feet
Out in the deeper water northeast of Milwaukee is the best fishing for Chinook, Rainbow, Lake Trout and Coho. Good numbers on all species with the best action on Coho. I start off the Water Filtration Plant in 175 feet of water and work north and east.
Our fish came on Magnum Reaper spoons for Chinook and Lake Trout on downriggers or leadcores 15 to 60 down or OO dodgers or 6-inch flashers and medium blue or green flies for Coho. Experiment with lengths of the fly leader to the dodger or flasher. Start with 2 times the length of the attractor. The standard presentation for Coho is Church Walleye Planner Boards with 25-foot leads and 1-ounce weight.
The water is very clear and you must run the spoons 50 to 100 behind the downrigger weight 50 to 120 down to get Lakers. The Rainbows have been 15 to 45 down in 240 feet of water on regular size Vulcan or Reaper spoons.
Some of our best producing spoons have been Reaper Magnum Peacock Silver and Magnum Fish n Chip on sunny days. Try the Reaper Magnum Glow spoons on overcast cloudy days. For small spoons the Vulcan Dolphin Green Silver and combinations of silver spoons with green or blue accent colors. Run the boat speed at 1.9 to 2.3 MPH. Vulcans, Nestor Wobblers and Reapers are sold only on the web at http://www.badgertackle.com Have a great fishing season. Let's go fishing!! Jim charters out of Milwaukee, WI. with Blue Max Charters. He can be reached at 414-828-1094 or visit his web site at http://www.bluemaxcharters.com Copyright© 2009, James J. Hirt, All Rights Reserved. Photo is Debbie Boettchel with a 19.5 pound Chinook.
