Spring Salmon Fishing: Catching Lake Michigan Coho

Chasing Chrome on Lake Michigan: Spring Coho Chaos

Imagine this: A brisk April morning, rods ready, the hum of trolling motors cutting through glassy water, and a glint of silver beneath the surface. You’re not dreaming—you’re fishing spring coho on Lake Michigan. And if you’re lucky enough to ride along with walleye pro Scott Duncan and his lifelong fishing buddy Perry Schwagerman, well, buckle up. Things are about to get chrome-plated wild.

This isn't your average “grab a rod and see what bites” type of fishing trip. This is old-school meets high-tech, where tried-and-true rigs from the '80s still slap and a state-of-the-art Lund 2175 Pro-V makes running and gunning a breeze.

From Walleye to Silver Bullets: A Full-Circle Moment

For over 20 years, Scott Duncan has made a name for himself on the walleye tournament circuit. But before he was chasing marble-eyed monsters, he was cutting his teeth on salmon out of Waukegan, Illinois. This stretch of Lake Michigan isn’t just water to him—it’s home. It’s where bloody decks, tangled lines, and teenage freedom all collided into a lifelong obsession.

Now, after a two-decade hiatus, he’s back. Not with a massive charter rig, but with a nimble Lund that’s just as at home in a salmon chop as it is on a walleye flat.

The Setup: Simple, Effective, and Proven

Let’s talk tactics. You won’t find fancy new-school flash here—just straight-up fish-catching science that’s stood the test of time.

• Planer Boards: Running short leads (15–20 feet) with red dodgers and tinsel flies. Close to the boat, easy to maneuver, deadly effective.
• Dipsy Divers: Three of them. One rigged with dodger-and-fly, the others with spoons like the Confusion UV from Salmon Candy. A touch of nostalgia with 30-year-old divers still getting the job done.
• Lines and Leaders: 25 lb FireLine for no-stretch responsiveness, snubbers for shock absorption, and six-foot leaders for ease—not invisibility.

This spread is designed for speed and flexibility. Fish not biting at 45 feet? Swing it around. Hit a pod at 38 feet? Loop back and ride the wave.

The Bite: Blink and You’ll Miss It

When coho are on, they’re ON. Like chrome torpedoes, they strike fast and furious, turning your spread into a synchronized dance of rods bucking and clickers screaming.

But this isn’t nonstop mayhem. Spring coho fishing requires patience—and maybe a little stubbornness. One minute, you’re staring at empty boards. The next, you're tangled in a double-header, grinning like a kid in a candy store.

Scott and Perry found their sweet spot in 35 to 39 feet of water, often within 12 feet of the surface. With water temps hovering near 47°F and baitfish starting to mark on sonar, the stage was set. The key? Stay mobile. Stay alert. Stay optimistic.

The Fish: Small but Savage

Coho in spring are cookie-cutter size—think 2 to 5 pounds—but they’ve got more fight than their weight class suggests. They’ll tangle your gear, test your reflexes, and launch aerial acrobatics like they’ve got something to prove.

One fish popped off, another got wrapped in the sun’s glare. But every hook-up was a win. And sometimes, the best trophy isn’t size—it’s the sheer fun of fooling aggressive fish with dusty old gear and a good friend at your side.

The Boat: A Versatile Weapon

Scott’s Lund 2175 Pro-V isn’t just a boat—it’s a mobile fish-hunting command center. Designed to fish big water but easy enough to trailer and launch, it's the Swiss army knife of freshwater fishing.

Features like:

• Autopilot bow mount steering (no more babysitting the wheel)

• Efficient rod storage and gear lockers (hello, “hot box” for magic lures)

• Dual livewells and a cooler for those much-needed beverages

Whether he’s chasing coho on Lake Michigan or jigging for walleyes on Erie, this boat’s built to adapt and conquer.

Back to Where It All Began

Scott’s voice cracks with nostalgia as he talks about his dad, the old 16-foot boat, and the countless weekends spent out in this same water. “We fished bloody decks,” he laughs. “If I could get to the lake, I could take the boat.”

By age 15, he was running a 24-footer with his buddies, trying to keep pace with the charters. That experience lit the fire—one that eventually led to a captain’s license, a stint chasing the dream, and now, a full-circle return to the lake that raised him.

This isn’t just a fishing trip—it’s a tribute. To family. To friendship. To never losing that childlike thrill when a rod bends and a fish runs.

Why You Need to Chase Spring Coho

If you’ve got a walleye setup, a little know-how, and a hunger for action, spring coho fishing on Lake Michigan should be on your radar. It’s accessible, it’s exciting, and best of all—it’s a total blast.

Don’t let the simple setups fool you. There’s magic in that red dodger. There’s legacy in that old dipsy. And there’s pure joy in hearing your buddy yell “Fish on!” as another silver bullet tears across the surface.

FAQs

Q: What’s the best time to fish spring coho on Lake Michigan?

A: Mid-April through late May is prime. Cooler water keeps fish close to shore and concentrated.

Q: Do I need fancy salmon gear to fish for coho?

A: Nope! Walleye rods, basic trolling gear, and a few spoons or flies will get you in the game.

Q: How fast should I troll for coho?

A: Between 2.5 to 2.7 mph is the sweet spot, but be ready to adjust with changing conditions.

Q: What depth were the fish holding?

A: Most bites came in 35 to 39 feet of water, with lures running around 12 feet deep.

Q: Why use FireLine over mono for dipsies?

A: FireLine offers less stretch, giving better control and ensuring your dipsy will release—even at deeper depths.