May Fishing Report

Lake Michigan and Tributaries

May 13 Conditions & Outlook

Lake Michigan

Spring salmon fishing is beginning to improve as baitfish move toward the shoreline. Most fish are still being caught inside the two mile shoreline band.

What’s Biting

Coho salmon
Steelhead
Lake trout
Early skamania
Smallmouth bass

Productive Areas

Michigan City Harbor
Port of Indiana
Burns Ditch
East Chicago breakwalls
Hammond shoreline

Best Techniques

Troll dodger and fly combos in the top 20 to 30 feet
Orange and chartreuse spoons
Spawn sacs under floats
Ned rigs and soft plastics near rocks and breakwalls

Conditions

Cold water continues to slow the bite somewhat, but improving bait presence has anglers optimistic for the coming weeks.

Trail Creek

A few early skamania steelhead are beginning to move into the creek systems.

Best Baits

Spawn sacs
Bright spoons
Float rigs

Outlook

Numbers remain light, but patient anglers covering water are finding fish.

Little Calumet River

Bass and catfish action continues to improve as water temperatures rise.

Effective Presentations

Swimbaits
Jerkbaits
Cut bait for catfish
Night fishing around slower pools

St. Joseph River

One of the stronger multi species fisheries in northern Indiana right now.

What’s Biting

Walleye
Smallmouth bass
Pike
Channel catfish
Crappie

Productive Tactics

Jig and minnow combinations
Swimbaits in current seams
Nightcrawlers and cut bait for catfish

Hotspots

Twin Branch Dam
Elkhart stretches
Backwater pools

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