Fishing Frankfort for salmon and trout offers an exciting and dynamic season, with opportunities to target different species throughout the year. Here’s a season-by-season rundown:
Spring (April–June)
• Lake Trout: Early spring kicks off with excellent lake trout fishing in 50–150 feet of water. They’re found near the bottom, and trolling with spoons or cowbells is effective.
• Brown Trout & Steelhead: Brown trout and steelhead are active closer to shore in shallow water, often near the pier heads, river mouths and the rivers.
Spring (April–June)
• Lake Trout: Early spring kicks off with excellent lake trout fishing in 50–150 feet of water. They’re found near the bottom, and trolling with spoons or cowbells is effective.
• Brown Trout & Steelhead: Brown trout and steelhead are active closer to shore in shallow water, often near the pier heads, river mouths and the rivers.
Summer (July–August)
• Chinook Salmon: As summer progresses, Chinook (King) salmon become the primary target. They stage in deeper water (80–150 feet) and are caught using downriggers with flasher-and-fly setups, meat rigs, and magnum spoons.
• Steelhead: Steelhead remain active, often near temperature breaks or higher in the water column. Bright-colored spoons are effective for these acrobatic fish.
• Lake Trout: Lake trout fishing remains strong in deeper water, especially near structure like humps and ridges.
• Chinook Salmon: As summer progresses, Chinook (King) salmon become the primary target. They stage in deeper water (80–150 feet) and are caught using downriggers with flasher-and-fly setups, meat rigs, and magnum spoons.
• Steelhead: Steelhead remain active, often near temperature breaks or higher in the water column. Bright-colored spoons are effective for these acrobatic fish.
• Lake Trout: Lake trout fishing remains strong in deeper water, especially near structure like humps and ridges.
Late Summer (August–September)
• Staging Salmon: By late August, Chinook and Coho salmon begin staging near the pier heads and river mouths as they prepare to spawn. Trolling J-plugs, meat rigs, or magnum spoons in the pre-dawn hours can produce big bites.
• Nearshore Action: Fishing heats up near the harbor, offering opportunities for anglers to catch fish without venturing far from shore.
• Staging Salmon: By late August, Chinook and Coho salmon begin staging near the pier heads and river mouths as they prepare to spawn. Trolling J-plugs, meat rigs, or magnum spoons in the pre-dawn hours can produce big bites.
• Nearshore Action: Fishing heats up near the harbor, offering opportunities for anglers to catch fish without venturing far from shore.
Fall (September–October)
• River Runs: Salmon move into the rivers to spawn, and the action shifts to the Betsie River and nearby tributaries. Anglers use casting and drifting techniques to target these hard-fighting fish.
• Steelhead: Fall steelhead begin to arrive in the rivers, providing incredible action for anglers drifting beads, spawn, or egg flies.
• River Runs: Salmon move into the rivers to spawn, and the action shifts to the Betsie River and nearby tributaries. Anglers use casting and drifting techniques to target these hard-fighting fish.
• Steelhead: Fall steelhead begin to arrive in the rivers, providing incredible action for anglers drifting beads, spawn, or egg flies.
Winter (November–March)
• Fishing slows on the big lake, but the Betsie and Platte Rivers provide opportunities for winter steelhead, offering a chance for die-hard anglers to stay on the fish year-round.
Frankfort’s harbor and access to the open waters of Lake Michigan make it one of the best locations for multi-species action. The combination of diverse fishing opportunities, stunning scenery, and a historic port town atmosphere ensures a memorable fishing experience every season.
• Fishing slows on the big lake, but the Betsie and Platte Rivers provide opportunities for winter steelhead, offering a chance for die-hard anglers to stay on the fish year-round.
Frankfort’s harbor and access to the open waters of Lake Michigan make it one of the best locations for multi-species action. The combination of diverse fishing opportunities, stunning scenery, and a historic port town atmosphere ensures a memorable fishing experience every season.
