Hey there, fellow anglers! Artificial Lure here with your Lake Michigan fishing report for March 12, 2025.

First off, let's talk weather. It's a chilly one today with temps hovering around 40°F and partly cloudy skies. Winds are coming in from the northeast at about 10-15 mph, so bundle up if you're heading out. Sunrise was at 6:07 AM and sunset will be at 5:54 PM, giving us just under 12 hours of daylight.

Now, Lake Michigan doesn't have tides like the ocean, but we've got a slight northeast swell of about 1-2 feet. Water temps are still pretty cold, sitting around 38°F near the shore.

Fish activity has been picking up lately as we're getting into that early spring transition. Coho salmon have been the stars of the show, with anglers reporting good catches in the 2-5 pound range, with a few larger ones mixed in. We're also starting to see some early season brown trout action, especially near warm water discharges.

For lures, bright-colored spoons like Little Cleos in orange or chartreuse have been hot for salmon. Don't forget about those trusty J-plugs either - they're always a good bet this time of year. If you're targeting browns, try slow-trolling some medium-sized crankbaits or suspending jerkbaits.

Bait fishermen have been having luck with spawn sacs for salmon, while nightcrawlers or cut bait are working well for browns and the occasional laker.

As for hot spots, Montrose Harbor has been producing some nice catches, especially early in the morning. The mouth of the Calumet River is another area worth checking out, particularly for those targeting brown trout.

Remember, fishing's been best within that first mile from shore, so you don't need to venture too far out to get into some action.

That's all for now, folks. Stay safe, tight lines, and don't forget to pick up your new 2025 fishing license if you haven't already!