Atlantic Salmon Fishing in the Detour Passage and Drummond Island Area

The waters surrounding Detour Passage, Drummond Island, and the mouth of the St. Marys River offer one of the most exciting and unique Atlantic Salmon fisheries in the Great Lakes. Every year during the last two weeks of June, massive schools of baitfish, strong current flow, and ideal water temperatures combine to create incredible opportunities for anglers targeting aggressive, open-water Atlantic Salmon in northern Lake Huron.

At Fish With Jim Outfitters, this fishery has become one of our favorite destination trips of the season.

Fishing the Detour area is all about covering water and targeting suspended fish that are constantly moving between the mouth of the St. Marys River and the open waters of Lake Huron. Unlike slower trolling fisheries, Atlantic Salmon here are extremely active and often require high trolling speeds to trigger reaction strikes. Most days we troll between 3.2 and 4 mph, allowing us to efficiently search large areas of water while creating the aggressive lure action these fish respond to.

One of the keys to success is running a versatile trolling spread that covers multiple depths and distances from the boat. High lead core setups are a major producer in this fishery, especially when salmon are feeding high in the water column chasing bait. These presentations allow us to target aggressive fish without spooking them in the ultra-clear waters surrounding Drummond Island and Detour Passage.

We also rely heavily on high downriggers and slide divers to cover suspended fish throughout the water column. Many anglers are surprised at just how high these Atlantic Salmon can be feeding, especially during low-light periods or when baitfish are concentrated near the surface. Running downriggers high and divers out to the sides allows us to present a wide spread while searching for active schools.

When it comes to lure selection, spoons dominate this fishery. Some of our top producers include Dreamweaver Super Slims, Standard Stingers, and Silver Streak spoons in both Mini and Jr Streak sizes. These smaller-profile spoons imitate the baitfish Atlantic Salmon feed on throughout the region and produce an erratic action at higher trolling speeds that often triggers violent strikes.

Color patterns can change daily depending on water clarity, sunlight, and baitfish location, but bright metallic finishes, UV patterns, and high-contrast colors are often extremely productive in the clear waters of northern Lake Huron.

One of the most exciting aspects of this fishery is the variety of species anglers encounter while targeting Atlantic Salmon. It is not uncommon to hook into King Salmon, Steelhead, Walleye, and Lake Trout throughout the day. Every pass through productive water has the potential for multiple species, making this one of the most action-packed trolling trips of the season.

The scenery surrounding Drummond Island and Detour Passage only adds to the experience. The combination of rocky shorelines, massive open water, freighters moving through the St. Marys River system, and the possibility of multiple trophy fish species creates a destination unlike anywhere else in the Great Lakes.

Experience the Detour Atlantic Salmon Fishery with Fish With Jim Outfitters

Fishing this unique Atlantic Salmon bite requires specialized trolling equipment, high-speed presentations, local knowledge, and the ability to constantly adapt to changing fish movement. For anglers who don’t own the equipment, don’t have experience fishing the area, or simply want to learn the techniques that make this fishery so productive, Fish With Jim Outfitters offers fully guided destination trips during the peak bite in the last two weeks of June.

We provide the boat, rods, trolling equipment, lead core setups, electronics, tackle, and proven spoon spreads needed to target Atlantic Salmon in the Detour and Drummond Island region. Our trips are designed for anglers of all skill levels, whether you are an experienced Great Lakes troller or someone looking to experience Atlantic Salmon fishing for the very first time.

This is one of the premier summer trolling fisheries in the Great Lakes, and our guide service makes it accessible for everyone. If you’re ready to experience screaming drags, high-speed trolling action, and the opportunity to catch multiple trophy species in one of Michigan’s most scenic destinations, book a Detour Passage destination trip with Fish With Jim Outfitters and experience Atlantic Salmon fishing at its finest.