The most important thing about kayak fishing the Indiana portion of Lake Michigan is to check the weather and wave forecast prior to making the trip. This lake is very unpredictable and can change for the worse very quickly. Ideally, you are looking for winds light and variable, but this is seldom the case. Stronger South winds are generally ok and can be tolerable as long as they are not over 15-20 miles an hour and you remain near shore. North winds over 5-10 miles an hour are bad news for kayak anglers and I don't recommend making the trip.
This link provides a quick and visual way to check predicted wave heights and direction:
Do not put too much stock in predicted wave heights out more than 24 hours. Check this forecast the day of your trip to make sure conditions still look good before going. Also make sure to check the wave forecast for the duration of your trip as you do not want to be caught on the water with suddenly building waves.
Check the weather, have a plan, and stay safe.
Spring Coho Salmon and Brown Trout
Springtime on southern Lake Michigan can be an absolute blast! Feisty Coho Salmon and massive Brown Trout can be found close to shore where kayak anglers can easily get to them. The Indiana section of the lake stays warmer all winter and warms quickly in the spring. In addition, we have numerous warm water discharges that keep parts of the lake open in even the harshest winters. All of this warm water draws bait fish and the Trout and Salmon that feed on them near shore.
Steelhead
I know most of these pictures weren't taken with a kayak anywhere in sight, but Steelhead are absolutely one of my favorite fish to target! They display speed, power, agility, and acrobatics that few fish can match. These are some of my favorite pictures and represent an untold number of hours on the water. These fish were caught using various methods and lures. These fish were all caught in Indiana tributaries to Lake Michigan.
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