Lake Michigan, Algoma Area Salmon Fishing Report

This was my first time fishing for Lake Michigans salmon and lake trout thanks to Ken and his son Cory. We got on the water and fished between 7:00pm-9:00pm on 7/14/04. Downriggers, flashers and trolling flies was our starting point for the evening.

Ken set up the flies 18" to 24" behind the flashers which were placed 30 feet behind the downrigger ball and started lowering the ball and baits.

These fish really fight and with 130-230 feet of line out it is very easy to have hundreds of feet of line out to reel in after the salmon makes it’s first few runs. This photo’s is of Cory fighting a reel burner. We were using downriggers and fishing water anywhere between 80 and 200 feet deep with flies and spoons.

As hard as that fish fought it couldn’t put the slip on Cory. He would make some headway then the fish would battle back and take a little more line eventuly to be worn down and brought to the net. These are some beautiful fish. We fished from 8:00 am untill noon and again from 6:00 pm-9:30 pm on 7/15/04. All fish came on flies with zero fish or hits on the spoons.

Ken caught the last fish of the evening and it was another dandy. I was amazed at the quality and the quantity of these beautifuf fish that we caught. I really appreciate the offer from Ken to meet him and Cory at the campground for a couple of days of big water fishing for big fish. If you have never tried fishing for Salmon or Lake Trout you owe it to yourself to give it a try. Lake Michigan is a great fishery just remember it is a very large lake and could get nasty in a hurry.Make sure your rig is running good and have a radio, and all safety equiptment on board. I will be giving it another try once fall arrives. Big Lake Campground was very nice and had all the facilities that were needed (showers,fish cleaning table with grinder,hoses cutting boards even freezer service).