Gear & Tackle

Lakes & Reservoirs

Spin, Cast & Bait

Lake Michigan (Michigan City) Fishing Guide

Indiana

Indiana's Lake Michigan shore at Michigan City, with a pier and ramp, a spring coho run near the shoreline, and lake trout and salmon offshore in summer.

Trip at a Glance

Anglers come to Lake Michigan (Michigan City) for brown trout, lake trout, steelhead, chinook salmon, coho salmon and yellow perch. October is off-peak for the main species here. There are 7 shops within 25 miles; the closest is Chief's Bait Shop in Michigan City, about 1 mi away. Lake Michigan (St. Joseph) is about 34 mi away if you want to make a trip of it.

Season at a Glance

Brown Trout
Lake Trout
Steelhead
Chinook Salmon
Coho Salmon
Yellow Perch
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What You'll Catch

Lake Michigan (Michigan City) Species

Brown Trout

Brown Trout

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

Best: Mar to May

Lake Trout

Lake Trout

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

Best: Jun to Aug

Steelhead

Steelhead

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

Best: Mar to Aug

Chinook Salmon

Chinook Salmon

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

Best: Mar to Aug

Coho Salmon

Coho Salmon

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

Best: Mar to Aug

Yellow Perch

Yellow Perch

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

Best: May to Sep

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

Plan by Month

What to Use

Month
Fish

6 picks for October.

  • Suspending Jerkbait 4 to 5 in

    Lure

    Hard Bait · Brown Trout

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  • Paddle-Tail Swimbait 3 to 5 in

    Lure

    Soft Plastic · Lake Trout · Jigged deep.

    Shop This Lure

  • Casting Spoon 1/4 to 1 oz

    Lure

    Spoon · Lake Trout · Shallow after ice-out.

    Shop This Lure

  • Crappie Jig 1/32 to 1/8 oz

    Lure

    Jig · Yellow Perch

    Shop This Lure

  • Nightcrawlers Whole or half

    Bait

    Live Bait · Yellow Perch

  • Live Minnows 1 to 3 in

    Bait

    Live Bait · Yellow Perch

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Rod & Reel

Recommended Setups

Brown Trout

Fly 9 ft 5 or 6 wt rod, floating line for dries and nymphs, sink-tip with 0X to 2X for streamers.

Spin / Cast 6.5 to 7 ft light spinning rod, 2500 reel, 6 to 8 lb line. Jerkbaits and inline spinners.

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.

Steelhead

Fly 11 to 13 ft 7 or 8 wt spey or switch rod with a Skagit head and sink tips, or a 10 ft 8 wt single hand rod with an indicator rig.

Spin / Cast 8.5 to 10.5 ft medium-light rod, 3000 spinning reel, 8 to 12 lb line. Float and jig or drift rigs.

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.

Matched to These Species

Gear for Lake Michigan (Michigan City)

Spinners

Mepps Aglia Inline Spinner

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

Check Price

Rods

Ugly Stik Bigwater Trolling Rod

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

Check Price

Rigs

Mack's Lure Wedding Ring Spinner

Small spinners tipped with corn or maggots for kokanee and perch.

Check Price

Nets & Tools

Frabill Rubber Mesh Landing Net

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

Check Price

Rod & Reel Combos

Ugly Stik GX2 Ultralight Spinning Combo

Light enough to feel crappie bites and cast small spinners for trout.

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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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Line

Berkley Trilene XL Monofilament

Limp, easy-casting mono for spinning reels and general fishing.

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Hard Baits

Rapala X-Rap Jerkbait

A suspending jerkbait that shines in cold, clear water.

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Within 25 Miles

Shops Near Lake Michigan (Michigan City)

Within 25 Miles

Guides and Charters Near Lake Michigan (Michigan City)

Make It a Trip

Nearby Water

Lakes & Reservoirs · Michigan · About 34 mi

Lake Michigan (St. Joseph)

Lake Michigan off St. Joseph and Benton Harbor, where the DNR lists salmon and steelhead through most of the year and yellow perch in summer and fall.

Chinook Salmon · Coho Salmon · Steelhead

Lakes & Reservoirs · Illinois · About 35 mi

Lake Michigan (Chicago)

Harbors and lakefront structure along Chicago with spring coho, summer kings, and perch.

Coho Salmon · Chinook Salmon · Yellow Perch

Rivers & Streams · Indiana

St. Joseph River

A Lake Michigan tributary with steelhead and salmon runs into South Bend and Mishawaka.

Steelhead · Chinook Salmon · Smallmouth Bass

Lakes & Reservoirs · Indiana · About 67 mi

Lake Wawasee

Indiana's largest natural lake with weedy flats for largemouth and big bluegill.

Largemouth Bass · Bluegill