Lake Michigan Salmon & Trout Fishing - Sheboygan, WI
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The Best Salmon & Trout Fishing
on Lake Michigan
Why Sheboygan?
Sheboygan has a few things going for it beyond the miles of pristine public beaches and beautiful lakefront. It’s home to some of the BEST Salmon Fishing in the Midwest!
Two main reasons why, Sheboygan offers a longer prime time fishing season, and generally boasts larger fish!
Sheboygan is situated on the East Shore of Lake Michigan, halfway between Milwaukee and Green Bay, WI. This location is part of the reason Sheboygan rises to the top when searching for Chinook Salmon and also Coho Salmon for a few reasons.
Water depth and, mid-lake currents are two main factors that make Sheboygan GREAT.
Sheboygan has deeper water than the southern parts of Lake Michigan, meaning cooler water mid summer when Chinook Salmon start aggressively feeding. Sheboygan’s midway location also means that as fish start to migrate up the shoreline in spring following ideal water temperatures, Chinook fishing picks up sooner than it does North of Sheboygan. Chinook and Coho Salmon can be found in respectable numbers as early as mid May, all the way through September. Sheboygan and Port Washington see some of the largest Coho Salmon, especially greater numbers of larger 12+ pound Coho, as well as many Chinook “King” Salmon up to or over 30 pounds.
Other Areas of Lake Michigan:
Areas south of Sheboygan can see good numbers of smaller Coho and a decent number of Chinook, earlier than we do in Sheboygan, but by early summer water temperatures are generally too warm to strictly target these fish especially in Southern Lake Michigan. Some Fishing Guides actually start their season in the Winthrop Harbor, Racine, and Kenosha areas before relocating to more northern ports such as Algoma or Sturgeon Bay. Fishing for spring Coho starts much earlier in Southern Lake Michigan, generally mid to late April, with limit catches of 2-6 pound fish sometimes common.
Areas of Northern Lake Michigan generally don’t see many Coho Salmon at all, and Chinook or “King” Salmon can be hard to come by until water temperatures rise above 45 degrees in mid to late June. During the 2022 season, some Fishing Charters from northern ports such as Manitowoc and Two Rivers, actually Relocated to Sheboygan for the first month of their season because of poor fishing in those areas. Fishing these waters can have good results, especially for Chinook in the Sturgeon Bay or Baileys Harbor area, but many times its hit or miss and very dependent on specific conditions.
Besides World Class Fishing, Why Sheboygan?
- Sheboygan has one of, if not The Best Lakefront in Wisconsin
- Miles of Public Beaches
- Beautiful Riverfront Boardwalk
- Two Public Access Piers
- Two Boat Launch Sites and Dock Rentals
- Blue Harbor Resort & Water Park
- Affordable Rates
- Charter trips cost less than other “touristy” ports
- Hotel Rates less than bigger ports
- Low cost of living = cheaper prices
- Better / More Dining & Lodging Options
- More Hotel / Lodging Options
- More Local Dinning Options
- High Quality Restaurants all the way to Hole in the Wall Spots.
- Other Area Entertainment Options
- P1 Mercury Offshore Racing
- World Class Golfing
- Road America Race Track
- Blue Harbor / Breaker Bay
- Summer Concerts / Events
- State Parks & Scenic Areas
- Art Galleries
- Located near Milwaukee / Green Bay
All of this Makes Sheboygan a Top Destination
Why Sheboygan?
Sheboygan has a few things going for it beyond the miles of pristine public beaches and beautiful lakefront. It’s home to some of the BEST Salmon Fishing in the Midwest!
Two main reasons why, Sheboygan offers a longer prime time fishing season, and generally boasts larger fish!
Sheboygan is situated on the East Shore of Lake Michigan, halfway between Milwaukee and Green Bay, WI. This location is part of the reason Sheboygan rises to the top when searching for Chinook Salmon and also Coho Salmon for a few reasons.
Water depth and, mid-lake currents are two main factors that make Sheboygan GREAT.
Sheboygan has deeper water than the southern parts of Lake Michigan, meaning cooler water mid summer when Chinook Salmon start aggressively feeding. Sheboygan’s midway location also means that as fish start to migrate up the shoreline in spring following ideal water temperatures, Chinook fishing picks up sooner than it does North of Sheboygan. Chinook and Coho Salmon can be found in respectable numbers as early as mid May, all the way through September. Sheboygan and Port Washington see some of the largest Coho Salmon, especially greater numbers of larger 12+ pound Coho, as well as many Chinook “King” Salmon up to or over 30 pounds.
Other Areas of Lake Michigan:
Areas south of Sheboygan can see good numbers of smaller Coho and a decent number of Chinook, earlier than we do in Sheboygan, but by early summer water temperatures are generally too warm to strictly target these fish especially in Southern Lake Michigan. Some Fishing Guides actually start their season in the Winthrop Harbor, Racine, and Kenosha areas before relocating to more northern ports such as Algoma or Sturgeon Bay. Fishing for spring Coho starts much earlier in Southern Lake Michigan, generally mid to late April, with limit catches of 2-6 pound fish sometimes common.
Areas of Northern Lake Michigan generally don’t see many Coho Salmon at all, and Chinook or “King” Salmon can be hard to come by until water temperatures rise above 45 degrees in mid to late June. During the 2022 season, some Fishing Charters from northern ports such as Manitowoc and Two Rivers, actually Relocated to Sheboygan for the first month of their season because of poor fishing in those areas. Fishing these waters can have good results, especially for Chinook in the Sturgeon Bay or Baileys Harbor area, but many times its hit or miss and very dependent on specific conditions.