Not a whole lot has changed out on Lake Michigan since last week’s report, but we are finally starting to see a few more king salmon bites show up, which is always good to see heading into July.

The biggest change this week is the lake trout have slid a little farther north and are now setting up in the clay off Claybanks in 120-140 feet of water.

The trout program has stayed pretty simple. A chrome Bechhold Fish Catcher with a chrome Spin-N-Glo run right on bottom has been hard to beat. Just be careful because we’ve been picking up quite a bit of debris on bottom lately. It doesn’t take much to foul a presentation, so make sure you’re checking rods often. 

One thing I really like about this setup is you don’t have to slow way down to catch trout. We’ve been trolling these presentations at 2.4-2.7 mph with no issues and still catching plenty of lake trout. That also keeps you right in the correct speed range for salmon, which makes it a great program this time of year when you’re trying to put together a mixed bag.

If you want to learn more about how we target lake trout this time of year, check out our Lake Michigan Trout Fishing Guide.Chrome Spin-N-Glo and chrome fish catcher flasher used for lake trout fishing on Lake Michigan near Whitehall, Michigan.

 

King Salmon Update

We’re finally seeing a few more king bites mixed in, and most of these fish are coming on meat rigs fished near bottom in that same 120-200 feet of water.

The amount of bait out there right now is honestly impressive. There are huge pockets of it all throughout the area, but most of it is absolutely glued to the bottom. If your electronics aren’t showing it, that doesn’t mean it isn’t there.

This is where having good sonar makes a huge difference. We rely heavily on our Airmar TM150 because it does an excellent job separating bait from bottom. A lot of times you can barely tell the difference between the two, but if you can find the bait, chances are the fish aren’t far away.

White Lake Update

Not much has changed on White Lake either. The bluegills are still on the beds and continue to provide some excellent action for families and kids looking to bend a few rods.

The walleye bite also remains solid. We’re still catching fish on slow death rigs pulling crawlers behind bullet weights in 14-21 feet of water. Keeping your speed around .5-.6 mph has been key.

If you’re looking to put together a mixed bag or simply want some steady action, White Lake continues to be a great option right now.

Looking Ahead

As we move into July, I’d expect the king salmon bite to keep getting better. The bait is here, the trout fishing remains excellent, and things are setting up nicely for the weeks ahead.

If you missed last week’s report, you can check it out below.

Whitehall Salmon & White Lake Fishing Report – June 22, 2026

As always, thanks for following along and I appreciate everyone who reads and shares these reports. Hopefully they help you put a few more fish in the boat.

Where are the lake trout near Whitehall right now?
Most of the lake trout have moved north and are setting up in the clay off Claybanks in 120-140 feet of water.
What is the best lake trout setup right now?
A chrome Bechhold Fish Catcher paired with a chrome Spin-N-Glo fished right on bottom has been our best producer.
Are king salmon showing up yet?
Yes. We’re finally starting to see a few more king salmon bites, and we expect that bite to continue improving as we move into July.
What depth are the king salmon being caught?
Most of the kings we’ve been seeing are coming from 120-200 feet of water and are relating closely to bait near bottom.
Why is good sonar important on Lake Michigan?
Right now a lot of the bait is glued to the bottom and can be difficult to see. Good sonar helps separate bait from bottom and makes finding fish much easier.
Is late June a good time to fish out of Whitehall?
Absolutely. Late June offers a great mix of lake trout action and the beginning of the summer king salmon bite.
What fish can you catch on a Whitehall fishing charter this time of year?
Anglers can catch king salmon, lake trout, steelhead, coho salmon, and also enjoy some great inland fishing opportunities on White Lake.
What is the best speed for walleye on White Lake right now?
We’ve been catching our walleye pulling slow death rigs with crawlers behind bullet weights at roughly .5-.6 mph in 14-21 feet of water.
What speed should I troll for lake trout and salmon near Whitehall?
We’ve been running our chrome Fish Catcher and Spin-N-Glo setups at 2.4-2.7 mph and still catching plenty of lake trout while staying in the ideal speed range for salmon. That’s one of the reasons this program works so well this time of year when you’re trying to put together a mixed bag.