LAKE MICHIGAN
Coho Salmon
Big chinooks are not the only salmon that head for the shallows at the end of summer. Lake Michigan's other salmon species -- coho salmon -- is also gearing up for its spawning run. Coho salmon only live for three years (compared with four years for kings), so they don't get quite as large as their cousins. However, don't think the cohos are anything like the 2-pounders you caught in the spring. Fall cohos can run as large as 8 or 10 pounds (or even bigger), and they don't give up without a fight!

One of the streams that the DNR stocks with coho salmon is the Little Calumet River (also fed by Salt Creek and Coffee Creek). Lake Michigan trolling anglers should concentrate on the area where the Little Calumet enters the big lake via Burns Waterway (or Burns Ditch as it is known locally).

The mouth of the Little Calumet River is located near Portage, and most boaters who fish there launch their boats at one of the marinas on Burns Ditch. It is only a short boat ride down the ditch to the lake, so anglers can prepare their tackle and tie on their lucky lures while they are waiting.

At Portage, the cohos often tend to gather near the creek mouth and then stage for a while. It's hard to say whether they are waiting for the creek temperature to be just right or if they're just waiting for a good rainfall to boost the creek's current flow. In any case, trollers who ply the waters anywhere from the creek mouth all the way over to the reef in front of the Port of Indiana's outer breakwall can catch them.

When asked where he likes to fish for bass when the weather starts to cool down, he immediately pointed to the lake's weedbeds.

Dodger-and-fly combinations, and spoons, are the best lures for the mature cohos when they first arrive. Many anglers will use dodger-and-fly combos exclusively. Bright orange dodgers and clown-colored dodgers (chartreuse with red dots) are the most productive attractors, but good tinsel fly colors can span the spectrum. Blue-green-gold is a perennial favorite.

Although fall cohos can reach double-digit weights before entering the creek to spawn, most range in size from 5 to 7 pounds. Occasionally, a real monster can be caught here. Several years ago, one lucky angler caught an 18-pounder on Mike Schoonveld's charter boat Brother Nature; call Capt. Mike at (219) 285-2123 for more information on this fine fishery.

BROOKVILLE LAKE
Channel Catfish
Brookville Reservoir can be found in southeastern Indiana's Franklin and Union counties, not far from the town of Brookville. This sprawling impoundment covers a total of 5,260 acres and provides tremendous opportunities for fishermen to pursue their favorite species of fish -- whether they are walleyes, crappies, bass or catfish. One of the most popular species is catfish, and more specifically, channel catfish.

Like many reservoirs, Brookville has an excellent population of channel catfish. According to fisheries biologist Rhett Wisener, Brookville's catfish are really thriving. "Channel catfish are the predominant catfish species in Brookville, and one of the most abundant fish in the lake," he said. Since Brookville is loaded with shad, there is plenty of food for them to eat, too.