UTERLake trout fishing in Lake Huron
In Lake Huron, lake trout peak April–August and October and are around year-round, spawning in October, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. April: River walleye and steelhead; catch-and-release smallmouth on Lake St. Clair.
Fall perch, steelhead, and St. Clair's big muskie. Perch rigs on the bay; spawn in the rivers; big muskie on St. Clair.
Lake trout in Lake Huron, month by month
- JanuaryAround
- FebruaryAround
- MarchAround
- AprilPeakSpring run peaks on the rivers; St. Clair smallmouth pre-spawn. River walleye and steelhead; catch-and-release smallmouth on Lake St. Clair.
- MayPeakBay walleye trolling begins; lake trout shallow off Alpena. Crawler harnesses on the Saginaw Bay flats; lakers on the Thunder Bay reefs.
- JunePeakSmallmouth beds on Drummond and Les Cheneaux; St. Clair muskie opens. Tubes on the gravel for smallmouth; big bucktails on the St. Clair weed edges.
- JulyPeakSummer walleye and St. Clair muskie. Troll Saginaw Bay's outer reefs; Atlantic salmon and pinks at the St. Marys Rapids.
- AugustPeakWalleye on the bay, lake trout deep, kings stage. Downriggers off Harrisville and Oscoda for kings and lakers.
- SeptemberAround
- OctoberSpawningFall perch, steelhead, and St. Clair's big muskie. Perch rigs on the bay; spawn in the rivers; big muskie on St. Clair.
- NovemberAround
- DecemberAround
Where to fish lake trout near Saginaw Bay, Bay City, Port Austin
Saginaw Bay — one of the great walleye and perch fisheries in the country — the rocky Thunder Bay and Drummond Island shoals for lake trout and smallmouth, the Au Sable and Rifle river runs, and Lake St. Clair, the shallow weedy world-class water for muskie and smallmouth between Huron and Erie.
Fish Scouter charts 324 lake, 86 reservoir spots in the Lake Huron & Lake St. Clair map area — the kinds lake trout hold on.
What to use for lake trout
- Minnows (fatheads, shiners)Hooked lightly through the lips or behind the dorsal on a #6 to #2 hook under a slip bobber for crappie, perch and walleye; a big golden shiner on a 2/0 to 4/0 for largemouth, pike and stripers.
- Leader10–20 lb fluorocarbon
- Hook#2–3/0
- Jig head1/8–1/2 oz
- Braid10–30 lb
Feeds in 34–60°F water, best at 44–54°F.
Questions anglers ask
When is the best time to catch lake trout in Lake Huron?
Peak season is April–August and October, with fish spawning in October (often a closed or catch-and-release window — check the rule). Lake trout are here year-round.
Where do lake trout hold in Lake Huron?
Look on lake — around Saginaw Bay, Bay City, Port Austin, Oscoda, Alpena, Rogers City.
What is the best bait for lake trout in Lake Huron?
Live bait: minnows (fatheads, shiners). Minnows (fatheads, shiners): Hooked lightly through the lips or behind the dorsal on a #6 to #2 hook under a slip bobber for crappie, perch and walleye; a big golden shiner on a 2/0 to 4/0 for largemouth, pike and stripers. Tackle: leader 10–20 lb fluorocarbon, hook #2–3/0, jig head 1/8–1/2 oz, braid 10–30 lb.
Fish it with the tide in your pocket
Fish Scouter scores lake trout for this hour on this water, draws every reef, wreck and access point near you, and keeps your spots. $9.99 a month, 14 days free.
Start 14 free daysMore
All about lake trout · Lake Huron & Lake St. Clair, the whole year