Lake Michigan Fishing Report Indiana

Fishing report update MAR 03 2011 03:27 P.M. For lake Michigan in Indiana.
 

  Pat Elkins

 
 

Fish

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: Nightcrawlers, squid
Depth: 4' down to bottom
Comments about fish:

A couple of coho salman have been caught by shore anglers fishing the harbor of Michigan City over the past week or two. Anglers stated that nightcrawlers & pieces of squid accounted for the fish.

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: Shrimp, spawn bags, spinners
Depth: Creek: Deeper holes and runs
Comments about fish:

With water temps hovering in the mid 30's F, stream anglers need to present their offerings low & slow. Try bouncing spawn sacs, skein, nightcrawlers or pieces of shrimp just off the bottom through the deepest holes. Looks as if we had some steelhead movement with the recent warm up earlier in the week. Several fresh steelhead have been caught in the harbor of MC this week. Lucky anglers were fishing shrimp anywhere from 5-9' below a bobber.

Comments about body of water:

Upper & middle reaches of Trail Cr are exhibiting ideal water conditons for spring steelhead. Water visibility in the lower reaches is around 8-10". Water conditions are still above average along the western tribs with water visibility ranging from 10-12" in the upper reaches of Salt Cr to a couple of inches in the lower sections of the E Branch. Water temp in the harbor of MC is 37 F.