There is nothing better than getting out on a warm afternoon downrigger fishing for salmon on the mighty St. Mary’s River in Sault Ste Marie. The St. Mary’s River, once dubbed “the finest trout fishing in the world!” by Ernest Hemmingway has a main channel which is dredged to a mostly uniformed 30 foot depth. Along with most species of trout, the St. Mary’s River also offers some of the best salmon fishing, in this writer’s opinion, in the world as well. Thousands of salmon venture in the river every year. Salmon species include Chinook, Coho, Pink, and even Atlantic, and the fishing is great!

The main equipment needed is a larger boat in the 20 ft. plus range, downriggers, booms, cable, and medium to heavy action rods and reels with 10-30 lb. test line. Fishing with downriggers on the St. Mary’s River requires safety, attention, and utilization of all proper navigational charts. Fishing for Salmon and Rainbow/Steelhead trout generally entails trolling with spoons and/or plugs.

For us at FishingNorthernOntario.com, downrigger fishing for salmon on the St. Mary’s River today involves the use of Tasmanian Devil Fishing Lures. Our successes have included the colors of Pink Panther, Fireball Luminous Pink, Luminous Chartreuse and Predator. The Tasmanian Devil Lures all placed in the forward (winged) position at a slow troll speed, and at an average of 18-20 feet yielded numerous Chinook Salmon in the 8-15lb range.

In closing, myself and my staff have found the Tasmanian Devil Lures in the above mentioned colors and sizes as well as others proved to be a successful combination for salmon fishing on the St. Mary’s River, one of the top fishing rivers of Northern Ontario Outdoors!

Remember to practice safe and friendly fishing,

Kraig Edwards
Editor and President

www.fishingnorthernontario.com