Spinners
Mepps Aglia Inline Spinner
A classic spinner for trout, bass, and salmon in moving water.
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Lakes & Reservoirs
Spin, Cast & Bait
Lake Michigan (St. Joseph) Fishing Guide
Michigan
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.
Trip at a Glance
Anglers come to Lake Michigan (St. Joseph) for brown trout, lake trout, steelhead, chinook salmon, coho salmon and yellow perch. In October, steelhead, chinook salmon, coho salmon and yellow perch are in season, and Suspending Jerkbait, Paddle-Tail Swimbait and Casting Spoon are a good place to start. There are 6 shops within 25 miles; the closest is Great Lakes Tackle in Benton Harbor, about 2 mi away. Lake Michigan (Michigan City) 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 (St. Joseph) Species
Brown Trout
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Best: Jan to May
Lake Trout
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Best: Jan to May
Steelhead
Prime NowJ
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Best: Jan to Oct
Chinook Salmon
Prime NowJ
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Best: Apr to Oct
Coho Salmon
Prime NowJ
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Best: Jan to Oct
Yellow Perch
Prime NowJ
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Best: Jun to Oct
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. marks species in season in October.
Suspending Jerkbait 4 to 5 in
LureHard Bait · Brown Trout
Shop This LurePaddle-Tail Swimbait 3 to 5 in
LureSoft Plastic · Lake Trout · Jigged deep.
Shop This LureCasting Spoon 1/4 to 1 oz
LureSpoon · Lake Trout · Shallow after ice-out.
Shop This LureCrappie Jig 1/32 to 1/8 oz
LureJig · Yellow Perch
Shop This LureNightcrawlers Whole or half
BaitLive Bait · Yellow Perch
Live Minnows 1 to 3 in
BaitLive Bait · Yellow Perch
Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.
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 (St. Joseph)
Rods
Ugly Stik Bigwater Trolling Rod
A long, forgiving trolling rod for downriggers and planer boards.
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Mack's Lure Wedding Ring Spinner
Small spinners tipped with corn or maggots for kokanee and perch.
Check PriceNets & Tools
Frabill Rubber Mesh Landing Net
A fish-friendly rubber net that does not tangle hooks.
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Ugly Stik GX2 Ultralight Spinning Combo
Light enough to feel crappie bites and cast small spinners for trout.
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Pflueger President Spinning Reel
Light and smooth for its price. A favorite for finesse and panfish rods.
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Berkley Trilene XL Monofilament
Limp, easy-casting mono for spinning reels and general fishing.
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Rapala X-Rap Jerkbait
A suspending jerkbait that shines in cold, clear water.
Check PriceSome links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.
Within 25 Miles
Shops Near Lake Michigan (St. Joseph)
Within 25 Miles
Guides and Charters Near Lake Michigan (St. Joseph)
Charter
Fish Napper Charters
St Joseph, Michigan· 1 mi
220 Anchors Way 269-208-9660
Per their website: Half-Day Trips, Full-Day Trips
Charter
Originator Fishing Charter
Saint Joseph, Michigan· 1 mi
250 Anchors Way 269-207-2551
Per their website: River Trips
Charter
Coldwater Charters
St. Joseph, Michigan· 1 mi
690 Fishermans Rd 517-617-0282
Per their website: Full-Day Trips
Charter
SeaHawk Fishing Charters
Benton Harbor, Michigan· 2 mi
1000 Riverview Dr 269-208-3923
Per their website: Lake Trips, River Trips
Charter
Line Dancer Sportfishing
Benton Harbor, Michigan· 2 mi
1000 Riverview Dr 734-216-9021
Per their website: Half-Day Trips
Make It a Trip
Nearby Water
Lakes & Reservoirs · Indiana · About 34 mi
Lake Michigan (Michigan City)
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.
Coho Salmon · Chinook Salmon · Steelhead
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 · Illinois · About 56 mi
Lake Michigan (Chicago)
Harbors and lakefront structure along Chicago with spring coho, summer kings, and perch.
Coho Salmon · Chinook Salmon · Yellow Perch
Lakes & Reservoirs · Indiana · About 64 mi
Lake Wawasee
Indiana's largest natural lake with weedy flats for largemouth and big bluegill.
Largemouth Bass · Bluegill
Lakes & Reservoirs · Michigan · About 67 mi
Lake Michigan (Grand Haven)
Lake Michigan off Grand Haven, where the DNR lists Chinook and coho salmon, lake trout, and steelhead as summer targets.
Chinook Salmon · Coho Salmon · Lake Trout