Big River Salmon

I love to be down by the river when an un-expecting angler hooks their first big river salmon. The

Spring Anglers 2013

expression on their face as the mighty freshwater fighter runs line off the reel is priceless.

These sport fish offer up a fantastic fight, around Port Huron they can be caught from shore or boat. If you are limited to shore fishing, then you can try throwing a Blue Cleo down by the mouth of the Black River, or where the lake canal flows into Black River by Northgate Ford. They bite well into the summer, and readily bite on minnows, plugs, spoons, spinners, and leader harnesses. A net is a necessary piece of equipment if you want to land these fish.

The salmon population has grown in the Great Lakes, thanks to a great stocking program by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Their abundance provides the local fishery yet another wonderful sport fishing opportunity.

There are catches of these fish through the ice, but that normally occurs at Lexington Harbor, during the winter. They can be caught all year long in St. Clair River, if the ice is not an issue.

Most people who fish for salmon from the bank, use heavy rods and 1 pound sinkers north of the Black River, along the County building break wall, Pine Grove Park break wall, and the Edison Parkway break wall. When fishing for salmon from a boat, most sportsmen opt for a downrigger setup, I have caught Salmon, long lining a Rebel behind a boat just beyond the sandbars in the lake, early morning and evening!

Regardless of what type of gear you choose, these fish will provide you with the fight of a lifetime, and leave you wanting to come back for more!

Coho Salmon-courtesy of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources pg. 42,                        http://bit.ly/1luWdIh