June is a time of change on Lake Michigan. Surface temperatures will be in the mid 50’s June 1, and high 60’s to low 70’s by the 4th of July. The whole Lake isn’t available to Sportfish any more. (See May for a discussion on “Preferred Temperature Zones”) Skamania can still feed up high, but Kings and Lake Trout would get Temperature Stressed in 65 degree water. The Thermocline is beginning to set up in water over 70’ deep.

The Thermocline ia a Dense Band of water that forms a Lid on the 39 degree water on the bottom of the Lake. It holds Zoo Plankton the natural forage for Alewives and other Baitfish in Lake Michigan. Our Sportfish won’t “Stray Far From The Dinner Table” So if you find Baitfish (In the Right Temperature Zone), you’ll find Kings, Lake Trout, and Skamania.

Nice 20# Female Lake Trout. We catch a lot of Lake Trout in June. NICELY DONE!!!

The Fishing Program is changing along with the Environment in Lake Michigan. The Fin Nailer is equipped with the SubTroll 900 This is a Temperature/Speed Probe attached to the Down Rigger Ball. It transmits Temp/Speed information up the Cable to a Display installed in the Stern. It gives us Temp/Speed at whatever Depth we drop the Ball to. It’s an indispensable tool.

This is how we would use the Temp. Probe to determine our “Fishing Zones”. Lets say we’re in 90’ of water, surface temp. is 68. I drop the Probe to 32’ and the Temp. is 65 degrees. I know this is the Top of the Zone for Skamania. I drop the Probe lower and find 55 degrees at 53’. I know this is the Ideal Depth for my Middle Zone. I find 47 degree water at 72’ Ideal for the Bottom Zone. I’ll set up the Program between 32-72’ down.

Bear in mind, I’m on the Lake Every Day, “I Know The Pulse of The Lake.” I’ll have a Good idea what Species has been available & biting. I’ll use the Rods that are available to me (3 per Angler) to set the Program to it’s Maximum Fish Catching Potential.

If Kings & Skamania have been biting Early, I might dedicate 15 of 18 Rods to them for the “Early Bite.” Then change up later in the Morning to Lean on the Lake Trout.

Skamania Steelhead are Planted in the St. Joseph River System by the Tens of Thousands. Originally Imported from the West Coast, Skamania River in Washington State. These Fish Instinctively “Run the River” during Summer, not Fall as our resident Steelhead. It is believed by most Experts that the vast majority of these Fish migrate to the Middle of Lake Michigan to Feed after Spawning in April.

During June large schools of Skamania will begin showing up in 90-130’ of water. They Feed at the Thermocline with the Kings. In 2006 they were Thick in 95-108’. From June 15 through July 23 we always had a few Beautiful Skamania in the box. One day in July 2006, 13 of our 22 Fish were Skamania. When they’re Biting like that I get the Program off Lake Trout, and really Lean on the Kings, and Skamania.

Nice Catch of Kings, Steelhead & Lake Trout - June 2005

The Catches we had from June 15 through July 23, 2006 were the Largest Catches of the Year “Fish for Fish.” Catches like fourteen 3 & 4 yr old Kings, 8 Skamania, and 6 Good Trout. I’m talking “Hey Guys we’re out of room in the Box. Can’t Close the Lid. If you want to Catch More, you better loose the Pop in your Cooler and Make Room!

Yes,...Jeff Kirby’s Daughter Really Caught This King. GOOD JOB!!!

This Nice Skamania gave this Young Man the Thrill of a Lifetime. Tim was Very Proud.

Charter Fishing is a Great Family Outing. For many Clients it’s the “Highlight of the Family Vacation.” St. Joseph has so much good Summer Fun to offer. Many Families will Fish the Morning, spend the Afternoon on Beautiful Silver Beach, then get a Great Dinner at Shu’s Restaurant overlooking the Bluff Above Silver Beach, or The Spinnaker Restaurant/Sports Bar Downtown St. Joseph. It really makes for an unforgettable day.

The Kids just love the whole experience. The Ride Out Across Lake Michigan, all the Rods Working, the Anticipation of the Bite, and Catching These Big Fish. For most these are the Biggest Fish they’ve ever caught. I had one 15yr old Boy on the boat in 2005 that Caught the 3 Biggest Fish He’d Ever Caught in His Life. The 2nd was bigger than the 1st, ect. ect. you know what I mean. He did not want to stop. After we Fish, we can let the Kids go for a swim around the boat. Put a Life Jacket on them and let them bob around. The Experience is Good for Everyone. It’s a lot of Fun, and a Great Time to Bond through the Success We All Feel From Catching Big Fish!!

GO FISHING!! HAVE FUN!!

With Lake Michigan warming up, and the Thermocline developing a Good Blow can create Special Opportunities. It can suck the Nearshore 65 degree Warm Water out, and replace it with the Colder 54 degree Outside Water. I call this “Turning the Lake Over” An edge will form between these two different bodies of water I call a “Break.” Bait fish will leave the Warmer Outside Water and move into the Colder Inside Water. The Sportfish will follow. “They don’t Stray far from the Dinner Table.” Quite often there will be a concentration of Bait and Sportfish along these “Breaks”

After a Good Blow I’m always looking for these “Breaks” You can see them on the Surface. Usually a “Scum Line” develops. It looks like a “Scum Line.” There will be a Color change in the water, maybe some Weeds, Dead Bugs, White Foamy Looking Stuff. When I spot one I’ll take the time to investigate. If we Mark Bait & Sportfish on the Fishfinder, or I’ll drop the Probe to check the actual “Temperature Differential.” If we find good signs of activity we’ll set up the Appropriate Program and Troll Along these Edges “Breaks” Fishing the “Break” can be Amazing. You have to know what to look for and how to work them. FISH ON!!!

See Guys, I Told You They’d Be Here!! Fishing on These Breaks can be Amazing