Chinook salmon or king salmon

Members of the pacific salmon family, the chinook or king salmon and the coho salmon can be found in Lake Michigan and its tributaries in northern Indiana. Pacific salmons do not feed during spawning, but will strike a lure during their runs. Cohos will spawn in the fall in their third year of life and die, while chinooks will spawn in the fall, winter or spring in the fifth year of life, allowing them to grow larger. The chinook or king salmon teeth are set in dark gums, with black spots on the back and both lobes of the square caudal fin. The chinook or king salmon has 15-17 anal fin rays and averages 30 pounds though some can reach over 100 pounds.

Bait: Spoons; Dodger & fly combinations
Depth: Water depths up to 100 FOW

Comments about fish:

Anglers fishing out of East Chicago & Michigan City reported several kings caught over the past week. See the coho report.

 

Coho salmon

Members of the pacific salmon family, the chinook or king salmon and the coho salmon can be found in Lake Michigan and its tributaries in northern Indiana. Pacific salmons do not feed during spawning, but will strike a lure during their runs. Cohos will spawn in the fall in their third year of life and die, while chinooks will spawn in the fall, winter or spring in the fifth year of life, allowing them to grow larger. The teeth of the coho salmon are set in light color gums. The coho salmon has black spots on the upper lobe of a slightly forked caudal fin with 12-15 anal fin rays.

Bait: Lake: Dodger & Flies, spoons
Depth: Water depths to 100 FOW

Comments about fish:

Anglers are reporting good action for coho salmon out of the EC Marina & Michigan City. Areas NE of the gong in water depths up to 78 FOW have been very productive. MC anglers reported action N to NE of the lighthouse in water depths to 100 FOW. Spoons & dodger & fly combinations have been the most effective lures. Bring along a wide color assortment because feeding preferences change almost on a daily basis.

 

Rainbow or steelhead trout

Ever popular among Indiana anglers is the trout family, which includes the brown, lake and rainbow or steelhead trout. Many fisherman can be spotted on the shores during spawning season when the trout begin their runs into the tributaries. Rainbow or steelhead trout have a white mouth, teeth and gums and small black spots on their backs, sides, and caudal and dorsal fins. The caudal fin margin of the rainbow or steelhead trout is square and the fish has 9-12 anal fin rays.

Bait: Harbor & tribs: shrimp, nightcrawlers, spinners, spoons, spawn bags
Depth: Tribs: deeper holes and runs

Comments about fish:

Only a couple of steelhead were caught by anglers fishing off the pier in MC according to the creel clerks. Action should pick up in the coming weeks. Top baits include shrimp, nightcrawlers & alewifes 4-8 ft. under a float. Wobbler type spoons (blue/chrome, green/chrome, orange) can also be effective at times. Also, try large spinners with orange blades. Anglers reported a few steelhead caught in the lower & middle reaches of Trail Ck & the lower reaches of the E Branch & Salt Ck over the past week. Productive baits & lures this time of year include shrimp or nightcrawlers under a float, spinners with black, brass or orange blades & finally, small jigs tipped with waxworms.

Smallmouth bass

Sunfishes include some of the best-known fish in Indiana. Bluegill, redear sunfish, black and white crappie, largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass are all members of the sunfish family. The last rays on the dorsal fin of the smallmouth bass are separated from the rest of the fin. Also, the upper jaw does not extend beyond back of eye, as it does with the largemouth bass. The smallmouth bass commonly reaches 3-4 pounds.

Bait: Tube jigs, crankbaits, live bait
Depth: Up to 20 FOW

Comments about fish:

Majority of the action is taking place out of the EC Marina. Anglers have stated that action is occurring along the Inland Steel Wall, the rip rap outside the EC Marina & over at Gary's Light. Other good areas to try include the rip rap on the north side of Hammond Marina & the submerged breakwater as well. Look for SMB to congregate on man-made structure or rocky rip rap. Action around Burns harbor has picked up as well. Try fishing around the outer breakwalls with tube jigs & deep diving crankbaits. Tube jigs that resemble gobies & crankbaits have been the most effective. At times, live bait offerings such as minnows have been extremely effective for bronzebacks. Smallmouth bass have been averaging around 2 pounds.

Yellow perch

Description:

Indiana anglers have long since sought perch for their tasty flavor. The yellow perch, walleye and sauger are members of this popular family. The yellow perch ranges from 6 to 12 inches long and up to one or two pounds.

Bait: Minnows
Depth: Up to 37 FOW

Comments about fish:

Hammond boat anglers reported action at Calumet Park in 13-20 FOW. Good action also reported around Navy Pier. EC anglers reported action outside the marina entrance, along the Inland Steel Wall, Indiana Shoals area & over at Gary's Light in water depths ranging from 19-30 FOW. Portage anglers reported action outside the "ditch", near the doughnut & outfront of Indiana Dunes SP in water depths to 31 FOW. MC anglers reported action outfront of Mt. Baldy/Blacks Ditch & in front of the cooling tower in 23-33 FOW. Limits were also taken from in front of the condos. Shore anglers fishing off the fishing platform in EC and the Port of Indiana reported a number of YP harvested over the past week. YP have been averaging between 9-11 inches.

Comments about body of water:

Surface water temp in the harbor of Trail Creek was 69 F as of this morning. Area tribs are exhibiting average flows with good visibility. Creek conditions may change midweek as showers are predicted for the region. Water temp in Trail Creek at Friendship Garden was 62 F this morning. The stream closures on the lower sections of both Trail Creek & the East Branch of the Little Calumet River have been lifted.

www.in.gov/dnr