Atlantic Salmon fishing
Salmo salar. Silvery flanks with black spots on the upper body and a forked tail; unlike brown trout, no spots on the adipose or tail fin.
Atlantic Salmon fishing uses a smelt-imitating stickbait or a smelt on 6 to 8 lb line. Landlocked Atlantic salmon growth depends on healthy smelt populations, and growth is reported to suffer in lakes without enough forage to support them.
Published by Fishypedia · Sources last checked September 19, 2026
Drafted by AI from the cited sources and checked before publishing.
- Active times
- –
- Line
- 6–8 lb
- Hook sizes
- Size 8 hook when jigging a small smelt
- Stocked in
- 2 states
- Peak in MI
- April
Identification
- Silvery flanks with black spots on the upper body and a forked tail; unlike brown trout, no spots on the adipose or tail fin.
- Small X-shaped markings along the back and upper sides, a trait shared with the sea-run form of the same species.
- Landlocked adults typically run 16-18 inches and 1 to 1.5 pounds, with 3-5 pound fish considered a good catch.
- Spawning males develop a hooked lower jaw called a kype, the same feature seen in sea-run Atlantic salmon.
Sources: fisheries.noaa.gov, accessed September 19, 2026 , maine.gov, accessed September 19, 2026
Top lures
Trolled with lead-core line or a downrigger to reach 30-60 feet in summer.
Cast or trolled near shoals and shoreline structure in spring and fall.
Fished on a fly rod in spring around shoals, reefs, and shoreline rock outcroppings.
Top baits
Still-fished or trolled near the surface in spring and fall, or within 15 feet of the surface through the ice.
Fished within the first 15 feet below the ice in winter.
Line & tackle
- Line
- 6–8 lb
- Rod power
- Lead-core line or a downrigger outfit for deep summer trolling
- Hook sizes
- Size 8 hook when jigging a small smelt
Depth by season
Spring
Fish feed near the surface and close to shore as ice-out water is still cold.
Summer · 30–60 ft
Fish descend to 30-60 feet as surface water warms past their roughly 55°F comfort zone.
Fall
Fish return to feeding near the surface and close to shore as the water cools.
Sources: maine.gov, accessed September 19, 2026 , vtfishandwildlife.com, accessed September 19, 2026
Stocked behavior
Landlocked Atlantic salmon growth depends on healthy smelt populations, and growth is reported to suffer in lakes without enough forage to support them. Maine maintains landlocked salmon fisheries across more than 300 lakes through stocking, and fish follow a predictable seasonal depth pattern, shallow in spring and fall, 30-60 feet in summer, and shallow again under the ice in winter.
Common mistakes
- Landlocked salmon descend to depths of 30 to 60 feet in summer and are frequently caught within the first 15 feet below the ice.
- Rainbow smelt are the principal forage for landlocked salmon in Maine lakes.
- A depth finder is key for locating deep-water salmon, and downriggers and lead-core or wire lines are critical for reaching the proper depths while trolling.
Best time to fish Atlantic Salmon
Most commonly stocked in April in Michigan, based on 139 stocking events on record.
Most commonly stocked in May in New York, based on 829 stocking events on record.
Where it's stocked
25 locations shown. Tap a pin for details. · Open this area in Google Maps
New York
State records
| State | Weight | Angler | Water | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Idaho | 13.25 lbs | Garrett Buffington | Deadwood Reservoir | 1995 |
| Michigan | 32.62 lbs | – | Lake Michigan, Mason County | 1981 |
| New York | 24 lb. 15 oz. | Mike Dandino | Lake Ontario, Wayne Co. | 1997 |
| Washington | 14.38 lbs | Ron Howard | Green River, King County | 1999 |
| Wisconsin | 23 lbs. 15 oz. | – | Lake Michigan, Milwaukee County | 1980 |
Common questions
What lures work for Atlantic Salmon?
Smelt-imitating stickbait, a crankbait in silver, copper, and gold. Trolling spoon, a spoon in silver, copper, and gold: Trolled with lead-core line or a downrigger to reach 30-60 feet in summer. Smelt-mimicking streamer fly, a fly in white, silver, and blue: Cast or trolled near shoals and shoreline structure in spring and fall. Weighted nymph, a fly in brown and olive: Fished on a fly rod in spring around shoals, reefs, and shoreline rock outcroppings.
What bait works for Atlantic Salmon?
Smelt (dead or alive): Still-fished or trolled near the surface in spring and fall, or within 15 feet of the surface through the ice. Jig: Fished within the first 15 feet below the ice in winter.
Where do Atlantic Salmon hold?
Spring: Fish feed near the surface and close to shore as ice-out water is still cold. Summer: 30 to 60 ft. Fish descend to 30-60 feet as surface water warms past their roughly 55°F comfort zone. Fall: Fish return to feeding near the surface and close to shore as the water cools. Winter: 0 to 15 ft. Ice anglers do best within the first 15 feet below the ice.
How big do Atlantic Salmon get?
The Idaho record is 13.25 lbs from Deadwood Reservoir in 1995. The Michigan record is 32.62 lbs from Lake Michigan, Mason County in 1981. The Washington record is 14.38 lbs from Green River, King County in 1999. 2 more state records are on this page.