Lake Michigan Fishing Resources

Capt. John checked conditions before every trip. These are the kinds of resources he linked on MichiganSportsman.com for Lake Michigan anglers.

Water temperature

• NOAA Great Lakes CoastWatch: satellite surface temperature charts. John used these to find temperature breaks before running offshore. Fish usually hold on the cold side of a break.

Wind, waves and buoys

• National Data Buoy Center: live wind, wave and water temperature readings from Lake Michigan buoys.
• National Weather Service marine forecasts: nearshore and open lake forecasts.
• NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Lab: Great Lakes forecasts and research.

Rivers

• USGS water data: river flow and level gauges. Rising water brings fresh Steelhead and salmon in from the lake.

Regulations

• Michigan DNR: fishing licenses, regulations and fishing reports.

How Capt. John used conditions

• East wind in spring: harbors and the mud line load with Kings.
• North wind in summer: cold water pushes bait and Kings into harbors and onto the beach.
• South/southwest wind in summer: builds a deep thermocline that concentrates Kings on the shelf.

More: Lake Michigan Trolling Guide · Fishing Calendar