The Fish Are Still Here!

The horizon was void of boats. As Paul and I made our way out of the Baileys Harbor Marina I scanned the water. There was a small sailboat attempting to fill her sails in the bay and one or two pleasure boats near the county beach to the north. That was it. It seemed not too long ago that when we headed out for an afternoon of salmon fishing, we would be joined by scores of fishing craft teaming with expectant anglers. Of course, that was during the heady days of July. It is then that many anglers plan their vacations to coincide with peak times for targeting salmonids on Lake Michigan. The license plates on the rigs parked around town testify to the popularity of Baileys Harbor as a fishing destination. Anglers from all over the Midwest and beyond trailer their boats here each year for the opportunity to hook into a Chinook Salmon or Rainbow Trout. They come in big numbers from Minnesota, Iowa, the Dakotas, Missouri, Illinois, Nebraska. There are plenty of Wisconsin anglers as well. Many of these boats become familiar annual visitors. Others engage one of our local charter boats for a fishing outing. The First Choice, Silver Strike, and Take Five are just a few of the charter boats ferrying eager anglers in the pre-dawn hours and late into the evening. July is also when some of the largest salmon tournaments happen. The K/D Salmon Tournament and the Salmon-O-Rama draw thousands of anglers seeking to cash in on the tens of thousands of dollars in prize money. Not to mention bragging rights. During the peak of these tournaments, it is not unusual to see forty or fifty boats on the waters surrounding Baileys Harbor from Cana Island to Cave Point. 

That was then, this is now. And now is August. Paul and I motored past the charter boats still moored in the marina as we headed out. Not as many paying customers in August. The tourist anglers have used up their vacation time leaving a few locals and weekend anglers. On a typical weekday in August, you can have virtually all of Lake Michigan to yourself. One might assume that this dearth of anglers must mean that the fish are gone as well. As many of the local anglers know, that is far from the truth. August can be a very productive time for salmonids. However, you must be prepared to change your tactics as the nature of the fishery changes come the “dog days” of August. The surface temperatures on the lake hover in the mid-seventies, not comfortable conditions for salmonids. Here is where a good temperature probe comes in handy. Most anglers who regularly fish the lake have a depth and temperature probe attached to a downrigger so they can determine the water temperature profile. Smaller portable units are also available. Paul and I use both. We have found that water temperatures around 50°F is a good place to start fishing.  It is not unusual to have to get your lures down a hundred feet or more to find active fish. However, you need to be prepared to adapt to the fish. Fish need to eat. They will be where the food is, and the forage base is different in August. Many of the large schools of alewife are gone having been targeted by voracious salmon all summer. Changes in the water temperature may have caused the non-native alewife to move out of the area or even die-off as evidenced by the number of silvery fish washed up on local beaches. The remaining prey will be scattered, meaning the predators will be scattered. Late summer anglers need to be prepared to cover a lot of water. 

These were the challenges Paul and I confronted as we prepared for a late afternoon of trolling. The lake conditions were excellent with a light south wind. The water surface temperature was 71°F. We started our hunt in 180 FOW. Paul immediately dropped the temperature probe and discovered that we had to go down to a depth of seventy feet to find the desired water temperatures. Paul set the rods while I maneuvered to boat to troll with the wind to our backs. Paul set two down riggers between 75 and 65 feet. Two rods with Dipsey Divers brought those lures to the desired depth. Finally, we ran planner boards connected to outfits equipped with copper wire and lead weights. We had six lines all running in water that we hoped would hold fish. Our efforts were rewarded. We boated four Chinook Salmon. The salmon ran small, three were “shakers” about 17” long and one 26-inch “jack” salmon. We also boated a 23” Rainbow. We had one or two other hits. August often produces smaller fish. The larger 3 and 4-year-old fish are starting to move back to areas they were planted in preparation for the Fall spawning run. The younger fish are still out on the lake feeding. We returned one of the shakers to the lake, but we still returned with four fish in the box that will make excellent meals. We fished until sunset, which is now before 8PM. Once at the marina, we experienced another advantage of August fishing. With few anglers out on the lake, the cleaning station was empty, and we made quick work of fileting our catch. It was a very pleasant evening of fishing.

Two days later found us at it again. Conditions had stayed stable. We found a very light and balmy south breeze and surface water in the mid-70s. We set the six rods just as we had the last time out. In the next three and half hours we boated eight fish and lost two others.  Five of the fish were Steelhead between 33 and 22 inches. These fish performed some spectacular aerobatics, often leaping completely out of the water. We also boated three small salmon, two of which we released. It turned out to be one of our better trips of the summer. We were also treated to a beautiful sunset at the end of outing. Another day in paradise. 

After spending my life fishing, I still have a lot to learn. One thing I know for sure is that if you don’t go fishing, you won’t catch any fish. Time on the water is the biggest factor in fishing success. Another general rule is that a lot of anglers, does not equate to a lot of fish being caught. Sometimes the fish just are not there. Finally, as August fishing in Door County illustrates, just because the anglers leave, does not mean the fish are gone. Paul and I know, the fish are still there. 

So Long, and Thanks for All the Fish, Bruce

Questions or comments to bsmith733@gmail.com