Little traverse bay

[slaminsalmon]

Heading to Indian River for vacation in the middle of July and planning on heading to the big lake a couple of the days. I usually fish the south end where water depth is no more than 70'. What is the standard set up for salmon up there? Really don't want to target lakers but would like to find some nice Kings. Just looking for general guidance on lures and depth of water to start in. Also if you know of any fishing reports up there.

Thanks guys

[ultimatefishing]

I report on these (and many other waters) so I'll stab at this one. So far this year, the Lake Trout have been pretty thick in Bays of Traverse thus far. Not to say there are no silver fish, but they are a bit rarer. Depending on how your boat is set up, and how many rods you can run, I would keep a couple dodger/flies or magnum spoons low to keep your crew entertained with lakers or the occasional deep salmon. Then I would use boards to run 3-5 color rigs with body baits or even a j-plug up higher. Whatever equipment you have to get into that 15-40 ft depth.

After that, keep rotating some colors and depths until you zero in, and watch for reports in the meantime.

[slaminsalmon]

I have a small boat but usually manage to get 6 rods out(weather permitting). I see there is a lot of bottom structure up there, unlike on the southern end, does that hold fish or is water temperature still the key? Also when you say down is that 5' off the bottom in 200 fow or?

I appreciate the help, we just don't have these variables in Indiana water!! (60 fow everywhere here)

[ultimatefishing]

Sorry to be so vague. Most of the bay reports are guys fishing in 60-120 FOW. As a rule of thumb, you will get more Lake trout near the bottom, but your silver fish will suspend where bait fish are (usually at the temp break).

That said, most people don't have the means to ever fish deeper then 100-150 feet. And that's not to say you will never catch a suspended lake trout or a bottom hugging king, it's just working the probability.

With six rods, use your riggers to get LOW. If you have lead cores, try to get one out on each side on a board. Then from the back corners, angle dipsies and vary the line length to work 25-60 ft down.

There is a free report site you can get some good lake info on at
www.ultimatemichiganfishing.com

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[slaminsalmon]

Very good thanks for the help!