Today, we share with you the top 6 big fish in the Great Lakes, based on experiences and the latest scoop. Trust me, these aren’t your average pond dwellers – we’re talking about some real whoppers!
Before we cover the top 6 big fish in the Great Lakes, let’s look at a fact: the largest fish ever caught in the Great Lakes was a lake sturgeon weighing a whopping 310 pounds! Can you imagine hauling that beast into your boat? It’d be like trying to wrestle a small car! Now that I’ve got your attention, let’s get into the nitty-gritty of these amazing species.
1. Lake Sturgeon: The Living Fossil
Alright, first up on our list is the lake sturgeon. These guys are like the granddaddies of the Great Lakes – they’ve been around for over 100 million years! That’s right, these fish were swimming around when dinosaurs were still stomping about. Pretty wild, huh?
Characteristics and Size
Lake sturgeon are absolute units. They can grow up to 7 feet long and weigh over 200 pounds. To put that in perspective, that’s about the size of a big ol’ grizzly bear! These prehistoric-looking fish have a unique appearance with armor-like scales and a shark-like tail. The first time I saw one up close, I thought I’d stumbled upon some kind of aquatic alien!
Where to Find Them
If you’re itching to catch a glimpse of these living fossils, your best bet is to hit up Lake Michigan or Lake Huron. They tend to hang out in deep, rocky areas and near river mouths. I remember this one time on Lake Michigan, I was fishing near a river outlet when my line suddenly went taut. I thought I’d snagged the bottom, but nope – it was a sturgeon! Talk about a surprise!
Fishing Tips
Now, if you’re planning on trying your luck with sturgeon, listen up. These aren’t your average fish, so you’ll need to gear up accordingly:
- Use heavy tackle and strong line – trust me, you don’t want to lose your gear to one of these behemoths.
- For bait, nightcrawlers, crawfish, or cut bait work best. I’ve had the most luck with big, juicy nightcrawlers.
- Here’s the most important tip: practice catch-and-release. Sturgeon are a threatened species, so it’s crucial we do our part to conserve them.
I remember this one time I hooked a sturgeon that must’ve been pushing 100 pounds. It took me nearly an hour to reel it in, and by the end, I was exhausted but exhilarated. After a quick photo op, I released it back into the water. Watching it swim away was just as rewarding as catching it.
2. Chinook Salmon: The Great Lakes King
Next up, we’ve got the Chinook salmon, also known as King Salmon. And let me tell you, they’ve earned that royal title! These are hard fighting fish that deserve to be on the big fish in the Great Lakes list!
Characteristics and Size
These beauties can reach lengths of 3 feet and weights over 30 pounds. They’re silver-colored with black spots and a blue-green back – truly a sight to behold when you pull one out of the water. I’ll never forget the first King I caught; it was like reeling in a bar of silver!
Prime Locations
If you’re after Chinook, you’ll want to focus on Lake Michigan and Lake Ontario. These lakes are hotspots for some seriously big Kings. During the summer months, they tend to hang out in deep, open waters. I’ve had some of my best luck trolling the deep basins of Lake Michigan in late July.
Fishing Techniques
Here’s how to up your chances of landing one of these beauties:
- Trolling with spoons or plugs is highly effective. I prefer bright colors like chartreuse or orange – they seem to really get the Kings’ attention.
- Downriggers are your friend here. They’ll help you reach those deep-dwelling fish that are often holding in cooler water.
- Time your trips right. The best fishing times are usually early morning or late evening. I’ve had some incredible catches just as the sun was coming up over the lake.
One summer, I took my nephew out for his first salmon fishing trip. We were trolling near a drop-off when his rod suddenly bent double. The look on his face as he fought that 25-pound King was priceless – pure joy and determination. It’s moments like those that remind me why I love fishing so much.
3. Lake Trout: The Deep Water Dweller
Alright, moving on to the lake trout. These guys are the true natives of the Great Lakes, and they’re tough as nails.
Characteristics and Size
Lake trout can live up to 40 years and grow to 4 feet long. They’re usually dark green to grayish in color with light spots. I once caught a 20-pounder that was easily older than me – talk about respect for your elders!
Habitat Preferences
These fish like it cold and deep. You’ll find them in the deepest parts of all five Great Lakes, where the water is cold and well-oxygenated. I remember this one trip to Lake Superior where we were fishing in nearly 200 feet of water. It felt like we were trying to catch fish from another planet!
Angling Strategies
Here’s how to target these deep-dwelling giants:
- Jigging in deep water can be very productive. I like to use heavy jigs tipped with cut bait.
- Fish-imitating lures or live bait work well too. Cisco or smelt are lake trout favorites.
- Don’t forget about ice fishing! Some of my biggest lake trout have come through the ice in the dead of winter.
I’ll never forget this one January day on Lake Huron. It was so cold my eyelashes were freezing, but I was determined to catch a laker. After hours of jigging, I finally hooked into a monster. It was a 30-pound lake trout, the biggest I’ve ever caught. Let me tell you, that fish made the freezing temperatures worth it!
4. Muskellunge (Muskie): The Elusive Predator
Now we’re getting into the stuff of legends – the mighty muskie. They don’t call it the “fish of 10,000 casts” for nothing!
Characteristics and Size
Muskies can grow to 5 feet long and weigh over 60 pounds. They’ve got a long, torpedo-shaped body with some seriously sharp teeth. The first time I saw a big muskie up close, I thought I was looking at a freshwater barracuda!
Best Spots to Hunt Muskies
If you’re after a trophy muskie, Lake St. Clair is the place to be. It’s famous for producing some absolute giants. But don’t overlook the other Great Lakes – I’ve had some great muskie action in the weed beds of Lake Michigan and near structures in Lake Huron.
Fishing Tactics
Catching a muskie is all about patience and persistence. Here’s what I’ve learned over the years:
- Go big or go home with your lures. Large bucktails or crankbaits are the way to go.
- Focus on casting near weed edges or trolling along drop-offs. Muskies love to ambush their prey from these spots.
- Be prepared for long days with no action. But when that muskie finally hits, it’ll all be worth it!
Lake St. Clair is a great place to muskie fish, located just north of the Detroit River. It is a shallow, round bowl type lake that is relatively shallow compared to the waters around it. It is full of weeds and muskie!
5. Walleye: The Prized Catch
Ah, the walleye – probably the most sought-after fish in the Great Lakes, and for good reason! Walleye make great table fare and are the top fish to catch in the Great Lakes.
Characteristics and Size
Your average walleye runs about 2-3 pounds, but they can reach up to 20 pounds on the West Coast. They’ve got this beautiful golden-olive color and large, glassy eyes that seem to glow in low light. It’s those eyes that give them their excellent night vision – and make them such great targets for night fishing!
Walleye Hotspots
If you’re after walleye, you’ve gotta hit up Lake Erie. They don’t call it the “Walleye Capital of the World” for nothing! But don’t sleep on Lake Huron and parts of Lake Michigan – I’ve had some great walleye fishing there too.
Fishing Methods
Here’s how to get on those tasty walleyes:
- Night fishing can be incredibly productive. I’ve had some of my best catches under a full moon.
- Jigs tipped with live bait or nightcrawlers are my go-to. There’s something about that slow, bouncing action that walleyes just can’t resist.
- When fishing open water, try trolling with crankbaits. I like to use deep-diving lures that mimic local baitfish.
I’ll never forget this one night on Lake Erie. It was pitch black, and we were drifting with jigs. Suddenly, my rod bent double, and I knew I had a good one. After a great fight, we netted a 12-pound walleye – my personal best! The taste of fresh walleye fillets the next day made it even sweeter.
6. Northern Pike: The Aggressive Fighter
Last but certainly not least, we’ve got the northern pike. These guys are like the linebackers of the fish world – aggressive, powerful, and always ready for a fight! They are known as apex predators in the waters they inhabit. This fish makes the list of top 6 big fish in the Great Lakes.
Characteristics and Size
Pike can grow to 4 feet long and weigh over 30 pounds. They’ve got this long, slender body with a duck-bill snout that’s packed with razor-sharp teeth. Trust me, you don’t want to get your fingers anywhere near those chompers!
Where to Target Pike
You can find pike in shallow, weedy areas in all the Great Lakes, but they’re particularly abundant in Lake Superior and Lake Huron. I’ve had some of my best pike fishing in the back bays of Lake Huron, where the weeds grow thick and the water’s nice and warm.
Angling Approaches
Here’s how to target these toothy critters:
- Always use a steel leader. Pike have no problem biting through regular line with those teeth of theirs.
- Large spoons, spinners, or live bait all work well. I’m a big fan of using big, flashy spoons – the more commotion, the better!
- Cast into weed pockets or along the edges of vegetation. Pike love to ambush their prey from these hiding spots.
I remember this one time on Lake Superior, I was casting a big silver spoon along a weed edge when suddenly, a massive pike came flying out of the water, completely clearing the surface as it attacked my lure. It was like something out of a nature documentary! That fish put up one heck of a fight, but man, was it worth it.
Wrapping It Up
Well, folks, there you have it – the top 6 big fish you can find in the Great Lakes. From the prehistoric lake sturgeon to the lightning-fast northern pike, these waters are truly a paradise for us fishing enthusiasts. Each of these species offers its own unique challenge and reward, and that’s what makes fishing the Great Lakes so darn exciting.
Remember, though, that these impressive species aren’t just there for our entertainment. They play crucial roles in their ecosystems, and it’s up to us to fish responsibly. Practice catch-and-release when you can, especially with threatened species like the lake sturgeon. And always follow local regulations – they’re there to ensure we’ll have great fishing for years to come.
So, next time you’re near one of the lakes, keep your eyes peeled for big fish in the Great Lakes. You never know when you might spot one of these aquatic giants breaking the surface. And if you’re feeling that itch to cast a line, well, what are you waiting for? The big ones are out there, just waiting to give you the fight of your life.