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.

3–10 lbs, 18–28"

Typical size

32 lbs 10 oz

Michigan record

Fall (September–November)

Best season

Listed lakes

Full stocking history & restocking forecasts with Fishing+

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🏆 Michigan record 32 lbs 10 oz ·Elaine Bender ·Lake Michigan ·Mason County ·1981 All records →

📅 Best Times to Fish Atlantic Salmon

Jan

None

Feb

None

Mar

Fair

Apr

Fair

May

Fair

Jun

Fair

Jul

Fair

Aug

Fair

Sep

Good

Oct

Excellent

Nov

Good

Dec

None

🛡 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.

🌊 Where to Catch Atlantic Salmon in Michigan

Lake	County	Population
Bear Lake 3,350 acres	Manistee	Good
Black Lake 10,130 acres	Cheboygan	Good
Burt Lake 17,120 acres	Cheboygan	Good
Charlevoix Lake 17,260 acres	Charlevoix	Good
Cheboygan harbor, Lake Huron	Cheboygan	Good
Croton Pond 1,605 acres	Newaygo	Good
Crystal Lake 9,854 acres	Benzie	Good
Douglas Lake 3,400 acres	Cheboygan	Good
Elk Lake 7,793 acres	Antrim	Good
Elk Lake 7,793 acres	Antrim	Good
Fletcher Pond 8,600 acres	Montmorency	Good
Fremont Lake 1,700 acres	Newaygo	Good
Glen Lake 4,944 acres	Leelanau	Good
Hamlin Lake 5,000 acres	Mason	Good
Hardy Pond 4,025 acres	Newaygo	Good
Higgins Lake 9,600 acres	Roscommon	Good
Houghton Lake 20,044 acres	Roscommon	Good
Lake Cadillac 1,141 acres	Wexford	Good
Lake Erie	Monroe	Good
Lake Huron, Harrisville	Alcona	Good

Michigan Fishing DNR Stocking Record Verified Data

SpeciesAtlantic Salmon

Quantity23,378 fish

StockedMay 29, 2025

Size at stocking6.0"

Lake St. Marys River, Chippewa Co.

📋 Atlantic Salmon Stocking Events by Lake

Date	Lake	County	Quantity	Size
13 more recent stocking events available with Fishing+ See what's been stocked recently, including lake, quantity, and size. Fishing+ — $4.99/mo
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

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Full stocking history across all 19 lakes, plus a forecast of which waters are due for restocking this season.

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📋 Quick Atlantic Salmon Facts

Common name: Atlantic Salmon
Scientific name: Salmo salar
Typical size: 3–10 lbs, 18–28"
Michigan record: 32 lbs 10 oz
Best season: Fall (September–November)
Listed in: 63 Michigan lakes
Consumption: Safe to eat

🔗 Resources

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

💡 Angler Tips for Atlantic Salmon

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