New to shore fishing Hammond area. Have Questions.

[geonjules]

I usually fish ponds and small lakes but I'd thought I'd try Lake Michigan this year.
Any tips on when and where, and what to use for shore/pier fishing would be appreciated. I live in the Hammond area.
Also, when do the salmon runs take place thur the Michigan City creeks? Ive never caught a salmon or trout.....I hear its a blast.

[rh149]

In the fall.

[jgesox]

Geon--
What to use depends on what you are fishing for. Perch are taking minnows right now but will switch to softshell crayfish when the water warms. Salmon/trout can be caught casting spoons, spinners and crankbaits or with spawn bags, shiners, or nightcrawlers below a bobber or on the bottom. Smallmouth bass can be caught on jigs with soft plastics, crankbaits, and spinnerbaits. The best time to go is also dependent on what you want to catch. If the lake were not so stirred up by the wind, you could catch any of the above right now. Later, as the water warms up, the salmon head offshore but you can still catch perch and smallmouth from shore. Later in the fall, the salmon come back in for their spawning run. Call Miklurch (7025 Indianapolis Blvd Hammond IN 46324,
[phone]) for current fishing reports. Hope that helps.

JGESox

[geonjules]

Thanks for all the good info, JGESox.