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Milwaukee Fishing Lake Michigan Salmon Report 10/24/09

By Capt. Jim Hirt

Gale force winds will change everything. The water temperature will be the key to finding fish on your next trip out. As of Sunday morning the warm water is in and the fish were out. A temperature break was in 100 to 140 feet of water. The best action for Chinooks was 55 to 120 down. Magnum spoons the best option for all size fish. Jeff and Andy Georgin of Cincinnati had a great morning with some nice Chinooks.

Patterns and program for the harbor and gaps.

The areas around the harbor break walls and gaps have been improving and the best is yet to come. Fish them at first and last light of the day for a few Chinook and Brown Trout. Shore and boat anglers are getting some fish with Vulcan magnum size Glow spoons and j-plugs before sunrise.

Patterns and program 110 to 140 feet

The temperature break to 52 degrees is at least 100 feet down. The deepest we have caught fish is 125 feet down with the majority of our fish coming 75 to 110 feet down. This is my recommendation for location after the gale force wind. Head out 60 degrees from the north gap and set up in 40 feet of water. Check the down temperature and key on 52 degrees. Use Fish Fry Magnum Glow Spoons at first light working lines at all depths.

You will find action on mostly Rainbows with five, six, eight and ten color leadcore with Badger Tackle Vulcan and Reaper Magnum spoons. Downriggers 65 to 120 down are taking all size Chinooks. I use Church Walleye Planner Boards for all my lead cores.

Some of our best producing spoons have been Vulcan Magnum Silver Lizard, Reaper Magnum Pea**** Silver, and Magnum Fish n Chip. For small spoons the Vulcan Dolphin Green Silver and combinations of silver spoons with green or blue accent colors. Run the boat speed at 1.6 to 2.1 MPH. Vulcans, Nestor Wobblers and Reapers are sold only on the web at