The waters from Racine to Milwaukee currently rate as some of the best brown trout fishing found anywhere in the Great Lakes. Stocking efforts are part of the reason the fishing in these waters for brown trout is so good, but southern Lake Michigan also has nearly perfect brown trout habitat.
How do you catch brown trout in Lake Michigan?
What is the best bait for brown trout in a lake?
The best baits are live nightcrawlers, minnows, and spawn on a #4 hook or smaller. Get some weight above your hook, such as a split shot or an egg sinker (depending on the conditions), to keep your bait in the strike zone. Let it move through the water like an easy target.
What is the best time to fish for brown trout?
Conventional wisdom suggests that late spring is the best time to catch trout, especially if you’re looking for larger fish. The warmer it gets, the more fishing pressure from other anglers, the thicker the grass and brush surrounding their habitats and the lower the water levels.
How big do brown trout get in Lake Michigan?
Lake Michigan Brown Trout Fishing The brown trout is a medium-sized fish, growing to 20 kg (44 lb) or more and a length of about 100 cm (39 in) in some localities, although in many smaller rivers, a mature weight of 1.0 kg (2.2 lb) or less is common.
How fast do you troll for brown trout?
Ideal trolling speeds for brown trout range from 1.8 to 2.5 mph but 2.2 mph is a common starting speed. Early season browns hang in 20 to 30 feet of water along structure and drop offs.
How do you catch the Great Lakes brown trout?
What is the Michigan state record for brown trout?
The standing Michigan record is a 36.81-pound brown trout caught in 2007 in the Lake Michigan waters of Frankfort Harbor. For reference, the Wisconsin brown trout record is a 36-pound, 9-ounce fish caught in Lake Michigan off Kewaunee County in 2004.
How big do lake trout get in Lake Michigan?
Lake trout become sexually mature at 6 or 7 years of age. The average adult weighs 9 to 10 pounds but some individuals weigh up to 50 pounds (state record is 61 pounds, 8 ounces). Their life-span may exceed 25 years.
Are brown trout bottom feeders?
Trout are not bottom feeders like carp or catfish. But, they do feed predominantly near or just off the bottom. Trout prefer to wait and cruise in the bottom 2-3 feet of water to intercept any food that drifts by.
What spinners do brown trout like?
MEPPS AGLIA The red bead in the butt, is a great final attractor for a trout that is investigating this lure spinning through the water. The hooks are very good quality and appropriately sized for the lures.
What colors do brown trout like?
Here is a summary of some of the key points regarding the importance of color when trout fishing: In clear water when fishing on the surface the reds and the oranges often are best. Chartreuse and white or red and white produce the most contrast and are the best combinations under any light.
Do trout like shallow or deep water?
Lake trout prefer cold deep water lakes, and it’s crucial to get your bait or lure to the depth the trout is feeding. During mid-spring, fish at a depth of 20-30 inches. In late spring, fish at a depth of 30-45 inches deep.
What month is best for trout fishing?
It’s also year-round in most areas. Normally, the best months to target trout are July to Early September when the waters are at their warmest and many insects are hatching. Because of this, dry fly fishing becomes incredibly effective.
What depth do trout feed at?
3-4 split shots should get your bait down 5-8 ft. from the surface. During the warmer months, Trout are at-least 15 ft. deep and can even get down to 160 ft.
How old is a 15 inch brown trout?
On average, it can be said that river-dwelling brown trout reach an approximate length of 5 to 8 inches after two years and 10 to 15 inches after 3 to 4 years, which is when they mature.
What do lake run brown trout eat?
These trout came from a deep glacial lake in the Bavarian Alps, and are known to grow up to 40 pounds and live 12 to 15 years. Seeforellen browns have gargantuan appetites and a predisposition to feed on baitfish like alewives, smelt, herring, and shiners.
What is considered a large brown trout?
Within the few park streams inhabited by brown trout, individual fish typically range from 7 to 14 inches in total length with exceptional individuals approaching 20 inches. The largest brown trout in Virginia occupy large dam outflow habitats and large reservoirs where waters are cooler.
How far behind the boat should I troll?
Bait Position and Distance Behind Boat Proper distance for most boats will be anywhere from 20 feet to 150 feet behind your boat. Whether you have inboard diesel or outboard gas engines, your power dictates the distance you troll your baits and lures.
How far do you have to be behind a boat to troll for trout?
Trolling is one of the easiest, yet most effective ways to catch trout (bass too). You cover a lot of water and your chances of locating the fish are much better. A lure is cast behind the boat while the boat is moving, at a very slow speed. Ideally the lure should be 75 to 100 feet behind the boat.
How much line should you let out when trolling?
Let out 50 feet of line and clip into the release. If that’s not enough distance to prevent your lake’s wary walleyes from seeing the ball…then let out 150 feet of line! Just remember, the flat-line diving depth of your crankbait still applies behind the ball!
Can you fish Lake Michigan in March?
March-April These months are great for the spring Steelhead spawning run, with these large silver bullets exposing themselves for some great sight fishing on gravel. Fishing darker pools and fish awaiting to spawn are eager to hop on your line.
Are there brown trout in the Great Lakes?
In the Great Lakes, brown trout can offer outstanding sports in the early spring – often before other species begin to bite – to anglers who wade, fish from piers with live bait or artificial lures, or who troll in largely inshore water with imitation minnows or other plugs.
Are king salmon in Lake Michigan?
Chinook (King) Salmon Chinook Salmon also known as King Salmon are the most sought after species in Lake Michigan. People of all ages travel across the globe to find these amazing fighters. The King Salmon is native to the Ocean and was introduced to the Great Lakes in the 1960’s.
What is the biggest fish in Lake Michigan?
1. The biggest ever? The largest verified lake sturgeon on record was caught in Lake Michigan. It weighed 300 lbs.