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Pink Salmon Introduced

🔬 Oncorhynchus gorbuscha

The smallest Pacific salmon. Males develop a distinctive humped back during spawning, earning the nickname "humpy." Odd-year runs dominate in most Michigan waters -- 2025, 2027, etc. Return in large numbers to Lake Superior and Lake Huron tributaries in late summer. Provide exciting fishing on light tackle and are excellent smoked.

3-5 lbs, 20-24 inches
Typical size
7 lbs 15 oz
Michigan record
Late Summer, Fall
Best season
16
Listed lakes

Full stocking history & restocking forecasts with Fishing+

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🏆 Michigan record 7 lbs 15 oz ·Dan Perrin ·Lake Michigan ·Benzie County ·1976 All records →

📅 Best Times to Fish Pink Salmon

Jan
None
Feb
None
Mar
None
Apr
None
May
None
Jun
None
Jul
Fair
Aug
Excellent
Sep
Excellent
Oct
Fair
Nov
None
Dec
None

🛡 Pink Salmon Conservation Status

Introduced Pink Salmon was introduced to Michigan and is now an established part of the fishery. Native to Pacific drainages. Accidentally established in Lake Superior from a 1956 Ontario stocking experiment. Now self-sustaining with strong odd-year runs in Lake Superior, Lake Huron, and some Lake Michigan tributaries. Not managed with stocking -- the population sustains itself through natural reproduction. The daily bag limit is 5.

🌿 Pink Salmon Habitat & Behavior

Great Lakes open water; returns to rivers and streams in August-September to spawn. Lake Superior and Lake Huron tributaries host the strongest Michigan runs. Odd-year runs far outnumber even-year runs in most Michigan streams. DNR records show Pink Salmon present in 16 Michigan water bodies. Bite activity rates Good or better in Aug and Sep.

🎣 Best Pink Salmon Techniques

Small pink or chartreuse spoons and spinners, egg sacs, and small jigs drifted naturally in river current during spawning runs. Light trout spinning gear is ideal.

🪱 Best Pink Salmon Baits

Small spoons, flies, spawn sacs, small spinners

📋 Pink Salmon Fishing Regulations in Michigan

5
Daily limit
10
Possession limit
Year-round in Great Lakes
Season

Runs occur in odd-numbered years only in most Lake Michigan tributaries (2025, 2027, etc.).

⚠️ Regulations shown are general statewide guidelines for 2025. Rules vary by water body and change annually. Always verify current regulations in the official Michigan DNR Fishing Guide before you fish.

🌊 Where to Catch Pink Salmon in Michigan

Lake County Population
Brevoort Lake
4,179 acres
 Mackinac Good
Carp River Mackinac Good
Falls River Baraga Good
Huron River Baraga Good
Indian Lake
8,689 acres
 Schoolcraft Good
Lake Gogebic
13,380 acres
 Gogebic Good
Lake Michigamme
4,149 acres
 Marquette Good
Millecoquins Lake
1,680 acres
 Mackinac Good
Muskallonge Lake
768 acres
 Luce Good
North Br Carp River Mackinac Good
Nunns Creek Mackinac Good
Ozark Creek Mackinac Good
South Br Carp River Mackinac Good
St. Marys River Chippewa Good
Taylor Creek Mackinac Good
Thunder Bay, Alpena Harbor Alpena Good
Most valuable for Pink Salmon anglers
See where Pink Salmon will be stocked next
Full stocking history across all 16 lakes, plus a forecast of which waters are due for restocking this season.
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📋 Quick Pink Salmon Facts

🔗 Resources

🐟 All Fish Species 🎣 MDNR Sport Fishing 🔬 MDNR Fish ID Guide 🪪 Buy a Michigan Fishing License 🎣 Log a catch

💡 Angler Tips for Pink Salmon

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