Gear & Tackle

Lakes & Reservoirs

Spin, Cast & Bait

Grand Traverse Bay Fishing Guide

Michigan

A large bay of northern Lake Michigan where the DNR lists lake trout, Chinook and coho salmon, and smallmouth bass as summer targets.

Trip at a Glance

Anglers come to Grand Traverse Bay for lake trout, chinook salmon, coho salmon and smallmouth bass. October is off-peak for the main species here. There are 9 shops within 25 miles (2 fly, 7 bait and tackle); the closest is The Northern Angler Fly Shop And Outfitters in Traverse City, about 14 mi away. Lake Michigan (Frankfort) is about 39 mi away if you want to make a trip of it.

Season at a Glance

Lake Trout
Chinook Salmon
Coho Salmon
Smallmouth Bass
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What You'll Catch

Grand Traverse Bay Species

Lake Trout

Lake Trout

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Best: Jun to Aug

Chinook Salmon

Chinook Salmon

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Best: Jun to Aug

Coho Salmon

Coho Salmon

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Best: Jun to Aug

Smallmouth Bass

Smallmouth Bass

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Best: Jun to Aug

Images: Timothy Knepp, USFWS; Michael Humling, USFWS; Duane Raver, USFWS. Public domain.

Plan by Month

What to Use

Month
Fish

5 picks for October.

  • Ned Rig 2.5 to 3 in

    Lure

    Finesse · Smallmouth Bass

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  • Suspending Jerkbait 4 to 5 in

    Lure

    Hard Bait · Smallmouth Bass

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  • Paddle-Tail Swimbait 3 to 5 in

    Lure

    Soft Plastic · Lake Trout · Jigged deep.

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  • Tube Jig 3 to 4 in

    Lure

    Soft Plastic · Smallmouth Bass

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  • Casting Spoon 1/4 to 1 oz

    Lure

    Spoon · Lake Trout · Shallow after ice-out.

    Shop This Lure

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Rod & Reel

Recommended Setups

Lake Trout

Fly 8 to 9 wt rod with a full-sink line when fish are shallow after ice-out.

Spin / Cast 7 ft medium-heavy spinning or baitcasting rod, 20 to 30 lb braid with a fluorocarbon leader, or downrigger trolling gear.

Chinook Salmon

Fly 10 ft 9 or 10 wt rod, sink-tip line, 15 to 20 lb leader.

Spin / Cast 9 to 10.5 ft medium-heavy casting rod, line-counter or levelwind reel, 20 to 30 lb line.

Coho Salmon

Fly 9 to 10 ft 8 wt rod, sink-tip line, 12 lb leader.

Spin / Cast 8.5 to 9 ft medium rod, 3000 spinning reel, 10 to 15 lb line.

Smallmouth Bass

Fly 9 ft 6 or 7 wt rod, floating line, 10 to 12 lb leader. Crayfish patterns, Clousers, and poppers.

Spin / Cast 7 ft medium spinning rod, 2500 reel, 8 lb braid to a 6 to 8 lb fluorocarbon leader.

Matched to These Species

Gear for Grand Traverse Bay

Rods

Ugly Stik Bigwater Trolling Rod

A long, forgiving trolling rod for downriggers and planer boards.

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Spinners

Mepps Aglia Inline Spinner

A classic spinner for trout, bass, and salmon in moving water.

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Soft Plastics

Yamamoto Senko 5 in

The original salted stick bait. Fish it weightless or wacky rigged.

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Rods

St. Croix Triumph Spinning Rod

A sensitive, lightweight rod for finesse plastics and jigs.

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Nets & Tools

Frabill Rubber Mesh Landing Net

A fish-friendly rubber net that does not tangle hooks.

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Rod & Reel Combos

Ugly Stik GX2 Spinning Combo

Nearly unbreakable and sensitive enough for most freshwater fishing. A safe first combo.

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Reels

Shimano Sedona Spinning Reel

A smooth, durable reel in sizes for trout through inshore saltwater.

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Reels

Pflueger President Spinning Reel

Light and smooth for its price. A favorite for finesse and panfish rods.

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Within 25 Miles

Shops Near Grand Traverse Bay

Within 25 Miles

Guides and Charters Near Grand Traverse Bay

Make It a Trip

Nearby Water

Lakes & Reservoirs · Michigan · About 39 mi

Lake Michigan (Frankfort)

Lake Michigan off Frankfort, where the DNR lists browns, lake trout, and steelhead in winter and spring and salmon from summer into fall.

Chinook Salmon · Coho Salmon · Lake Trout

Lakes & Reservoirs · Michigan · About 43 mi

Little Traverse Bay

The Lake Michigan bay at Harbor Springs and Petoskey, where the DNR lists Chinook and coho salmon, lake trout, and smallmouth bass in summer.

Chinook Salmon · Coho Salmon · Lake Trout

Rivers & Streams · Michigan

Au Sable River

Birthplace of Trout Unlimited. Holy Water dries and night-time Hex hatches.

Brown Trout · Brook Trout

Rivers & Streams · Michigan

Manistee River

A big river below Tippy Dam with heavy salmon and steelhead runs.

Steelhead · Chinook Salmon · Brown Trout

Rivers & Streams · Michigan

Pere Marquette River

A wild, free-flowing river with salmon in fall, steelhead in winter and spring, and resident browns.

Steelhead · Chinook Salmon · Brown Trout