Atlantic Salmon
🔬 Salmo salar
Atlantic Salmon are stocked in select Lake Ontario and Lake Superior tributaries in Michigan. A prized sport fish known for spectacular runs and aerial leaps, they are less abundant than Pacific salmon species in Michigan waters.
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Bite this month
Good
Best season
Fall (September–November)
Keeper size
15" at ~4 yrs
Regulations
15" min · limit 5 (combined trout/salmon)
Where to Catch Atlantic Salmon in Michigan
| Lake | County | Population |
|---|---|---|
|
Bear Lake
3,350 acres
|
Manistee | |
|
Black Lake
10,130 acres
|
Cheboygan | |
|
Burt Lake
17,120 acres
|
Cheboygan | |
|
Charlevoix Lake
17,260 acres
|
Charlevoix | |
| Cheboygan harbor, Lake Huron | Cheboygan | |
|
Croton Pond
1,605 acres
|
Newaygo | |
|
Crystal Lake
9,854 acres
|
Benzie | |
|
Douglas Lake
3,400 acres
|
Cheboygan | |
|
Elk Lake
7,793 acres
|
Antrim | |
|
Elk Lake
7,793 acres
|
Antrim | |
|
Fletcher Pond
8,600 acres
|
Montmorency | |
|
Fremont Lake
1,700 acres
|
Newaygo | |
|
Glen Lake
4,944 acres
|
Leelanau | |
|
Hamlin Lake
5,000 acres
|
Mason | |
|
Hardy Pond
4,025 acres
|
Newaygo | |
|
Higgins Lake
9,600 acres
|
Roscommon | |
|
Houghton Lake
20,044 acres
|
Roscommon | |
|
Lake Cadillac
1,141 acres
|
Wexford | |
| Lake Erie | Monroe | |
| Lake Huron, Harrisville | Alcona |
Atlantic Salmon Conservation Status
Michigan requires a minimum length of 15" to keep. The daily bag limit is 5 (combined trout/salmon).
Atlantic Salmon Habitat & Behavior
Cold, clear rivers and Great Lakes tributaries. Prefer cool, well-oxygenated water similar to Brown Trout habitat. Most accessible during fall spawning runs in select Lake Ontario tributaries. DNR records show Atlantic Salmon present in 63 Michigan water bodies. Highest stocking activity on record is in Chippewa, Antrim and Kalamazoo counties. Bite activity rates Good or better in Sep, Oct and Nov.
Best Atlantic Salmon Techniques
Drift fishing with egg sacs, swinging flies, or spoons during fall river runs — similar approach to steelhead fishing
Best Atlantic Salmon Baits
Spawn sacs, egg flies, spoons, small spinners, streamers
Atlantic Salmon Fishing Regulations in Michigan
15"
Minimum size
5 (combined trout/salmon)
Daily limit
10 (combined trout/salmon)
Possession limit
Year-round in Great Lakes; tributaries vary
Season
Counted within the combined trout/salmon daily limit of 5 fish. On the Great Lakes the minimum size drops to 10". Inland lake regulations vary by lake type — open all year on Great Lakes; inland waters follow trout season dates. Always verify with the DNR Fishing Guide for your specific water.
⚠️ 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.
Michigan DNR Atlantic Salmon Stocking Records
Atlantic Salmon Stocking Events by Lake
| Date | Lake | County | Quantity | Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
13 more recent stocking events available with Fishing Pro
See what's been stocked recently, including lake, quantity, and size.
|
||||
| May 29, 2025 | St. Marys River | Chippewa | 12,447 | 8.0" |
| May 29, 2025 | St. Marys River | Chippewa | 12,295 | 8.1" |
| May 29, 2025 | St. Marys River | Chippewa | 25,258 | 8.2" |
| May 29, 2025 | St. Marys River | Chippewa | 23,378 | 6.0" |
| May 15, 2025 | Au Sable River | Crawford | 11,828 | 6.6" |
| May 15, 2025 | Au Sable River | Oscoda | 13,450 | 6.6" |
| May 15, 2025 | Au Sable River | Oscoda | 11,828 | 6.6" |
| May 15, 2025 | Au Sable River | Crawford | 13,450 | 6.6" |
| May 14, 2025 | Thunder Bay River | Alpena | 15,000 | 7.0" |
| May 14, 2025 | Thunder Bay River | Alpena | 10,000 | 6.9" |
| May 14, 2025 | Thunder Bay River | Montmorency | 15,000 | 7.0" |
| May 14, 2025 | Thunder Bay River | Montmorency | 10,000 | 6.9" |
Most valuable for Atlantic Salmon anglers
See where Atlantic Salmon will be stocked next
Full stocking history across all 19 lakes, plus a forecast of which waters are due for restocking this season.
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Historical stocking events
19
Lakes stocked
Apr
Next likely stocking window
Peak Stocking Months
May
Apr
Jun
Top Stocked Lakes
See the top 5 lakes most likely to be stocked with Atlantic Salmon next season.
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Forecast based on historical DNR stocking patterns. Not a guarantee of future stocking. Verify with the Michigan DNR.
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Estimated Mature Atlantic Salmon — September
See Which Lakes Have Mature Atlantic Salmon Right Now
Based on DNR stocking records from 2021–2023, we estimate which Michigan lakes likely hold Atlantic Salmon at keeper size (15") today.
Best Times to Fish Atlantic Salmon
Angler Tips for Atlantic Salmon
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