Salmon Fishing - Betsie River

While on the northern Michigan posting train, I wanted to share another activity I usually do once a year...river fishing for king salmon.

We always return to the same spot, the Betsie River up in Benzonia, MI.  Every year the salmon begin their run from Lake Michigan, into the mouth of the Betsie.  The run usually begins late summer, and goes into late fall.  There are weeks where you will find very few fish navigating the river...and others when the fish literally are bumping into your legs as you stand there...this is the time for great fishing.

Pictured above is a fish I caught and released last fall.  It was foul hooked in the tail, and by DNR rules, you must release.  Only fairly hooked fish in the mouth are allowed to be kept.

This darker fish is also near the end of its life.  I never keep fish like this for 2 reasons:

1. They are probably on their last journey up the river to spawn and die.  

2. The meat of these fish is not as desirable as a fish with brighter silver colors.

Below is a shot I took of the Homestead Dam.  This is the final goal of all the salmon.  They must make 2 leaps up into the spawning pond...this is their final challenge.  It is amazing as you can sit and watch the fish make their jumps.  Some get it on their first try, some take several attempts...and others never make it due to being too weak.  It gives you a good feeling to see these huge fish make a successful jump.