Salmon Fishing in Wisconsin

Salmon Fishing Lakes In Wisconsin

Lake Michigan and Lake Superior are the primary waters for salmon fishing around Wisconsin. The tributaries flowing into these lakes also contain salmon at varying times of the year, especially during the spawn. Lake Michigan was home to the Wisconsin state records for chinook salmon, coho salmon and pink salmon.

The Pacific Salmon Family

Pacific Salmon are born in and remain in freshwater streams for the early years of life. The number varies by specie. Afterward they migrate to the Pacific Ocean waters where they bulk up and prepare for their once in a lifetime spawning run up the freshwater stream where they were born. They will instinctively return to their birthplace, spawn and die. They are found in the streams which into the ocean and adjoining ocean waters of Northern California, Oregon and Washington. They have also been stocked in the Great Lakes with some success however the programs require continual stocking.

Coho Salmon
Oncorhynchus kisutch

Growing to a size in the 15 pound range, the coho salmon lives for three years in their journey to continue the propagation of their species. Average catch is in the 8 to 12 pound range.

Salmon Fishing

Salmon fishing is at it's best during the salmon runs which can occur as early as May in the north to July as you move southward. Often a late run may happen as late as October.

The preferred method for catchin salmon is fly fishing. Depending on the activity level, salmon may be caught on wet or dry flies. For more details check here for articles about fly fishing for salmon in Wisconsin.

Salmon Organizations

Atlantic Salmon Federation
Atlantic Salmon Trust
Atlantic Salmon Museum
Atlantic Salmon Watch Program
Pacific Salmon Commission
Pacific Salmon Foundation

Wisconsin Salmon Fishing

Look here for tips, recommended tackle, techniques and more. We want to help you make your salmon fishing trips more successful.

See an overview of fishing in Wisconsin.

The purpose of the page is to provide specific information about fishing for Salmon in Wisconsin. Find information on basic trends and seasonal patterns of salmon here in the state of Wisconsin. Look here for tips, recommended tackle, techniques and more. We want to help you make your salmon fishing trips in WI more successful.

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WI Salmon Fishing -
All About Fishing for Salmon in Wisconsin.

33 lbs - 7 oz

26 lbs - 2 oz

Spends part of its life in the ocean and the remainder in streams and rivers which drain into the ocean.