The Great Lakes aren’t lakes – they’re inland seas. Containing 20% of the world’s surface freshwater, these five connected bodies of water create fishing opportunities that rival any saltwater destination. And the stories that come from these waters are as big as the fish themselves.
A Brief History of Great Lakes Fishing
The Great Lakes fishery has lived several lives. Native peoples harvested lake trout, whitefish, and sturgeon for thousands of years. Commercial fishing peaked in the early 1900s. Then came disaster – sea lampreys invaded through the St. Lawrence Seaway, devastating native trout populations. By the 1960s, many people believed Great Lakes fishing was finished.
What happened next was one of the most successful fishery rehabilitation projects in history. Salmon from the Pacific were introduced. Lamprey control programs reduced predation. And today, the Great Lakes support a world-class sport fishery that attracts anglers from around the world.
The Species That Built Legends
Chinook Salmon
Pacific salmon have thrived in the Great Lakes since their introduction in the 1960s. Lake Michigan chinook, in particular, have become legendary, with fish commonly exceeding 20 pounds and occasional monsters topping 40. The spring and fall salmon runs draw thousands of anglers to ports along all five lakes.
Lake Trout
The native apex predator of the Great Lakes, lake trout have made a remarkable comeback from near-extinction. Modern lake trout fishing involves deep trolling in summer and jigging through ice in winter. Fish over 30 pounds are caught regularly, with rare giants exceeding 40.
Steelhead
Great Lakes steelhead may not match their Pacific cousins in average size, but they make up for it in abundance and fight. Tributary streams host excellent run fisheries in spring and fall, while open-water trolling produces fish throughout the year.
Walleye
Lake Erie’s walleye fishery is considered the best in the world. The eastern basin, in particular, produces staggering numbers of fish, with limits coming quickly during peak periods. Spring trolling and fall jigging are both productive techniques.
Smallmouth Bass
Great Lakes smallmouth grow big, fight hard, and provide excellent fishing from late spring through fall. Lake St. Clair and the numerous bays and islands of the lakes hold trophy-class bronzebacks that attract bass specialists from across the country.
Five Lakes, Five Personalities
Lake Superior
The largest, coldest, and deepest of the Great Lakes, Superior retains the most wilderness character. Its waters hold native lake trout, coaster brook trout, and some of the most pristine fishing environments in the region. The North Shore of Minnesota and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula offer exceptional access.
Lake Michigan
The king salmon capital of the Great Lakes. Michigan’s chinook fishery is legendary, with multiple ports hosting major tournament circuits. The lake also produces excellent trout, coho, and warmwater species in its many bays and harbors.
Lake Huron
Often overlooked, Huron offers diverse fishing from world-class Atlantic salmon opportunities in the St. Marys River to excellent walleye and bass fishing in Georgian Bay. The lake’s many islands create protected waters that fish well even in challenging conditions.
Lake Erie
The walleye factory. Erie’s relatively shallow, warm waters produce prolific walleye populations that support one of the most active charter fleets in North America. The lake also hosts excellent smallmouth bass and steelhead fishing, particularly in the eastern basin and tributaries.
Lake Ontario
The eastern anchor of the Great Lakes produces excellent salmon fishing, with both chinook and Atlantic salmon available. The lake’s deep waters also hold trophy lake trout, and its tributaries host strong steelhead runs.
Stories from the Deep
The Kewaunee Giant
In 1994, angler John Carlson was trolling for chinook salmon off Kewaunee, Wisconsin, when something grabbed his downrigger bait and headed for Canada. The fish turned out to be a 44-pound chinook – still the largest officially recorded from Lake Michigan. “It felt like I’d hooked a submarine,” Carlson recalled.
The Erie Walleye Blitz
Every spring, when conditions align perfectly, Lake Erie’s walleye go on feeding frenzies that have to be seen to be believed. Boats limit out in hours. Tournament winning weights require fish averaging over 8 pounds. Old-timers speak of legendary blitzes where every cast produced a fish.
The Coho Revolution
When Howard Tanner introduced coho salmon to the Great Lakes in 1966, nobody knew what would happen. The fish thrived beyond anyone’s expectations, and within years, the Great Lakes had transformed from ecological disaster to fishing paradise. That bold experiment saved a fishery and created memories for millions of anglers.
Great Lakes Fishing Techniques
Trolling
The dominant technique for open-water Great Lakes fishing. Modern trolling involves sophisticated electronics, downriggers, planer boards, and complex presentations. Charter captains have refined these techniques over decades, and the learning curve for DIY trollers is steep but rewarding.
Tributary Fishing
During salmon and steelhead runs, Great Lakes tributaries offer excellent bank and wade fishing. Float fishing, centerpin techniques, and traditional fly fishing all produce fish when runs are active.
Ice Fishing
When the shallower sections of the lakes freeze, excellent ice fishing opportunities emerge. Perch, walleye, and lake trout all bite through the ice, extending the fishing season into winter months.
Pier Fishing
Great Lakes piers provide access to salmon, steelhead, and panfish without the need for a boat. During runs, pier fishing can be remarkably productive and serves as a gateway to Great Lakes fishing for many newcomers.
Planning Your Great Lakes Trip
To make the most of Great Lakes fishing:
- Choose your target species first – Different lakes and seasons favor different fish
- Consider a charter – The learning curve for Great Lakes trolling is significant; a good captain accelerates your education dramatically
- Monitor conditions – These are big waters that can turn dangerous quickly; respect weather forecasts
- Research tributary regulations – Different states have different rules for salmon and steelhead streams
- Plan around run timing – Spring and fall runs concentrate fish and anglers; plan accordingly
The Future of Great Lakes Fishing
The Great Lakes fishery faces ongoing challenges – invasive species, changing climate, and management debates about stocking levels and wild fish production. But the foundation built over sixty years of rehabilitation remains strong, and the commitment to maintaining this world-class fishery continues.
For anglers willing to learn the big water, the Great Lakes reward with fish and experiences that rival any destination in North America. These inland seas have written fishing history for generations, and they continue writing new chapters every day.
