TOPIC:

When do kings typically  start  staging on the sout end.been fishing wi il state line & I have been catching  kings that stating  to turn dark  already. Thx in advance 

Beginning of aug 15- sept 7th is typically prime time out front here.

Let's hope! Lol 

Last year we first got on them on August 20 and were the only ones fishing for them.  They were bronzed up by then already.

How deep are you getting them? Planning on heading that way on Friday, thanks

Never say never, but August 15th is somewhat early, but it's not unusual to have numbers available by August 25th or so. Some years there are few fish around until the first week of September. Also, that's "the early push."  There are kings that come in close to shore right on through September and into October. I've had numerous good trips in late September and early October.  

At East Chicago, the early "push" of kings usually starts a bit later - maybe a week or so. Also, since there isn't a stream for them to swim up to spawn, the run lasts longer since they basically swim around befuddled because there isn't a stream.  

There's no "sure thing" when it comes to pre-spawn kings. The best day of the season and the worst day of the season can be back to back. They aren't feeding and their moods change for no apparent reason. My goal when I head out in Aug/Sept/Oct is to catch a fish. If that happens, my goal is to catch another fish, etc.  

 

Great information! Thank you!

Hey BN, just wondering since I've never fished in the latter part of the year on the big pond- when the fish come back in late August, Sept and October - what deprhs are you targeting? I'll be using downriggers and dipsys mostly , and trying to get my pump handle/TX 44 board combo going.  I'm going to assume it's still spoons and F/F.  I also figure to be going around 2.5mph but that's just a guess.  Just wondering if I'm on the right path, thanks

Here's some creel data that might help inform you. Lots of noise in here since obviously the chinook fishery has changed immeasurably over the past 20 years, and each season is different due to environmental conditions, amount of adult chinooks, etc. 

But in general, nearshore chinook catches ramp up in the 3rd week in august and then start declining rather steadily after the first 10 days of September, and wind down by the end of September. If you had to stare at this graph and circle a time period, it'd be August 21- Sept 10


 

Good information, thank you!