Michigan, known as the Great Lakes State, is a paradise for anglers. With over 11,000 inland lakes and 3,000 miles of Great Lakes shoreline, Michigan offers a diverse range of fishing opportunities for both residents and visitors.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore some of the best fishing spots in Michigan and provide essential information on fishing licenses to ensure you have a fantastic and legal fishing experience. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a beginner, get ready to discover world-class fishing destinations that will make your heart race and your reel sing!
Why Michigan is a Top Destination for Anglers
Michigan boasts an abundance of freshwater resources, making it an ideal destination for fishing enthusiasts. The state is home to a variety of fish species, including:
- Salmon (Chinook, Coho, and Atlantic)
- Trout (Brook, Brown, and Rainbow/Steelhead)
- Bass (Largemouth, Smallmouth, and White)
- Walleye
- Northern Pike
- Muskellunge
- Panfish (Bluegill, Crappie, and Perch)
With such a diverse array of fish species, Michigan offers year-round fishing opportunities for anglers of all skill levels.
Top Fishing Spots in Michigan
1. Lake St. Clair
Located just northeast of Detroit, Lake St. Clair is renowned for its world-class smallmouth bass fishing. The lake’s shallow waters and abundant vegetation provide the perfect habitat for these hard-fighting fish. Anglers can also target muskie, walleye, and panfish in Lake St. Clair.
The Metro Detroit area is a great spot for shore fishing, especially near the shallow waters of Lake St. Clair or on the nearby Detroit River. Fishing from a boat is also popular, with many anglers targeting the lake’s abundant smallmouth bass population.
Charter fishing is a great option for those new to the area or looking to maximize their chances of success. Local guides have intimate knowledge of the lake and can put you on the fish quickly.
Metro Beach Metropark
- Address: 31300 Metro Parkway, Harrison Township, MI 48045
- Fish Species: Smallmouth bass, walleye, muskellunge, yellow perch, bluegill, crappie
- Fishing Facilities: Fishing piers, shore fishing access, boat launches, restrooms
- Best Times: Spring and fall for bass and walleye, summer for panfish
St. Clair Shores Memorial Park
- Address: 32400 Jefferson Ave, St Clair Shores, MI 48082
- Fish Species: Smallmouth bass, walleye, muskellunge, yellow perch
- Fishing Facilities: Fishing pier, shore fishing access, restrooms
- Best Times: Spring and fall for bass and walleye
Fishing License Requirements
- Canadian License Required: When fishing the Canadian side of Lake St. Clair, anglers must have a valid Ontario fishing license. One-day licenses can be purchased online at the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources website.
2. Grand Traverse Bay
Situated on the northeast shore of Lake Michigan, Grand Traverse Bay is a popular destination for salmon and trout fishing. The bay’s deep, cold waters attract large numbers of Chinook and Coho salmon, as well as lake trout and steelhead. Anglers can fish from shore, book a charter, or launch their own boats to access the bay’s productive waters.
The best time to target salmon in Grand Traverse Bay is from mid-August through September. During this time, the bay’s waters are teeming with Chinook and Coho salmon, as well as lake trout and cisco. Trolling with downriggers or planer boards is a highly effective technique for targeting these species.
For those without a boat, there are several shore fishing opportunities around the bay. The Elk Rapids Marina and the Old Mission Peninsula DNR Boat Ramp are popular spots for shore-bound anglers.
Clinch Park Marina
- Address: 111 E Grandview Pkwy, Traverse City, MI 49684
- Fish Species: Chinook salmon, coho salmon, lake trout, steelhead, brown trout
- Fishing Facilities: Fishing pier, fish cleaning station, restrooms
- Best Times: Spring and fall for salmon, summer for lake trout
Elk Rapids Dam & Fishing Park
- Address: 301 S Dexter St, Elk Rapids, MI 49629
- Fish Species: Chinook salmon, coho salmon, steelhead, brown trout, smallmouth bass
- Fishing Facilities: Shore fishing access, restrooms
- Best Times: Spring and fall for salmon, summer for bass
3. Saginaw Bay
Saginaw Bay, an arm of Lake Huron, is known for its excellent walleye fishing. The bay’s shallow waters and abundant forage make it a prime spot for targeting these tasty fish. In addition to walleye, anglers can also catch perch, bass, and catfish in Saginaw Bay.
Spring is one of the best times to fish Saginaw Bay, as walleye move into the shallows to spawn. Vertical jigging with minnows or soft plastics near the river mouth or along the shipping channel edges can be highly productive. As the water warms, trolling with crankbaits or spinner rigs becomes more effective.
Shore fishing is also popular on Saginaw Bay, with many anglers targeting walleye and perch from the numerous public access points along the shoreline. The Finn Road DNR access site and the Bay City State Park are two popular shore fishing locations.
Bay City State Park
- Address: 3582 State Park Dr, Bay City, MI 48706
- Fish Species: Walleye, yellow perch, channel catfish, freshwater drum
- Fishing Facilities: Fishing pier, shore fishing access, boat launch, fish cleaning station, restrooms
- Best Times: Spring and fall for walleye, summer for perch and catfish
Quanicassee River Public Access
- Address: 6573 Ringle Rd, Fairgrove, MI 48733
- Fish Species: Walleye, yellow perch, northern pike, smallmouth bass
- Fishing Facilities: Shore fishing access, boat launch
- Best Times: Spring and fall for walleye, summer for perch and bass
4. Lake Michigan
As one of the five Great Lakes, Lake Michigan offers a wide range of fishing opportunities. The lake’s vast expanse and diverse underwater structure provide habitat for salmon, trout, bass, and more. Popular fishing spots along the Michigan coast include Ludington, Manistee, and Frankfort.
Salmon and trout are the primary targets for most anglers on Lake Michigan. Chinook and Coho salmon, along with steelhead and lake trout, can be caught throughout the year. In the spring and fall, anglers target these species near river mouths and harbors as they migrate to and from spawning grounds.
Trolling is the most common technique used on Lake Michigan, with anglers using downriggers, planer boards, and lead core line to reach the desired depths. Lures such as spoons, plugs, and flies are all effective for targeting salmon and trout.
Ludington State Park
- Address: 8800 W M-116, Ludington, MI 49431
- Fish Species: Chinook salmon, coho salmon, steelhead, lake trout, brown trout
- Fishing Facilities: Fishing pier, shore fishing access, boat launch, fish cleaning station, restrooms
- Best Times: Spring and fall for salmon, summer for lake trout
Grand Haven State Park
- Address: 1001 S Harbor Dr, Grand Haven, MI 49417
- Fish Species: Chinook salmon, coho salmon, steelhead, lake trout, brown trout
- Fishing Facilities: Fishing pier, shore fishing access, fish cleaning station, restrooms
- Best Times: Spring and fall for salmon, summer for lake trout
5. Houghton Lake
Houghton Lake, located in the northern Lower Peninsula, is Michigan’s largest inland lake. This shallow, productive lake is known for its excellent panfish, bass, and walleye fishing. Ice fishing is also popular on Houghton Lake during the winter months.
| Species | Best Time to Fish | Techniques |
|---|---|---|
| Panfish (Bluegill, Crappie, Perch) | Spring, Summer, Fall | Bobber fishing with live bait, jigging with small plastics or spoons |
| Bass (Largemouth, Smallmouth) | Late Spring, Summer, Early Fall | Casting or trolling with crankbaits, spinnerbaits, or soft plastics |
| Walleye | Spring, Fall | Trolling with crankbaits or spinner rigs, vertical jigging with minnows or plastics |
| Northern Pike | Spring, Summer, Fall | Casting or trolling with spoons, crankbaits, or live bait |
Houghton Lake’s shallow waters and abundant weed growth make it an ideal habitat for a variety of fish species. Anglers can fish from shore, launch their own boat, or hire a local guide to explore this expansive lake.
East Bay Park
- Address: 1020 E Houghton Lake Dr, Prudenville, MI 48651
- Fish Species: Walleye, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch
- Fishing Facilities: Fishing pier, shore fishing access, boat launch, restrooms
- Best Times: Spring for walleye and pike, summer for panfish, winter for ice fishing
Houghton Lake State Forest Campground
- Address: 9961 W Houghton Lake Dr, Houghton Lake, MI 48629
- Fish Species: Walleye, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch
- Fishing Facilities: Shore fishing access, boat launch
- Best Times: Spring for walleye and pike, summer for panfish, winter for ice fishing
6. Au Sable River
The Au Sable River, flowing through the northern Lower Peninsula, is a premier destination for trout fishing. The river’s cold, clear waters support healthy populations of brown, brook, and rainbow trout. Fly fishing is a popular technique on the Au Sable, with anglers targeting rising trout during the famous Hexagenia mayfly hatch in June and July.
The Au Sable River is divided into three main branches: the Main Branch, the North Branch, and the South Branch. Each branch offers unique fishing opportunities, with the Main Branch being the most popular among anglers.
Some of the best access points along the Au Sable River include:
- Burtons Landing
- Wakeley Bridge
- Stephan Bridge
- McKinley Bridge
When fly fishing the Au Sable, anglers typically use dry flies, nymphs, and streamers to imitate the river’s abundant insect life. The Hexagenia mayfly hatch is a particularly exciting time, as anglers can target rising trout with large dry flies during the evening hours.
Foote Dam
- Address: 16940 Powerhouse Rd, Oscoda, MI 48750
- Fish Species: Chinook salmon, coho salmon, steelhead, brown trout, rainbow trout
- Fishing Facilities: Shore fishing access, restrooms
- Best Times: Spring and fall for salmon, summer for trout
Wakeley Bridge
- Address: Wakeley Bridge Rd, Grayling, MI 49738
- Fish Species: Brown trout, brook trout, rainbow trout
- Fishing Facilities: Shore fishing access
- Best Times: Spring through fall for trout
Michigan Fishing Licenses
Before wetting a line in Michigan waters, anglers must obtain a valid fishing license. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) offers several types of fishing licenses to cater to different needs:
- Annual Fishing License: Valid for all species, this license covers fishing from April 1 through March 31 of the following year.
- Resident: $26
- Non-Resident: $76
- Senior (65+ or legally blind, MI residents only): $11
- 24-Hour Fishing License: Perfect for short-term fishing trips, this license is valid for 24 hours from the time of purchase.
- Resident & Non-Resident: $10
- 72-Hour Fishing License: Ideal for weekend getaways, this license allows fishing for 72 consecutive hours.
- Resident & Non-Resident: $30
- Annual All-Species Youth Fishing License (Voluntary): Available to residents and non-residents under the age of 17.
- Youth: $2
Anglers can purchase fishing licenses online through the Michigan DNR website, at DNR customer service centers, or from licensed retailers across the state. It’s essential to carry your fishing license with you while fishing and to familiarize yourself with the state’s fishing regulations, including size and catch limits for various species.
Supporting Conservation through Fishing Licenses
By purchasing a fishing license, anglers directly contribute to the conservation and management of Michigan’s fisheries. The funds generated from license sales support:
- Fish stocking programs
- Habitat restoration projects
- Public access improvements
- Fisheries research and management
- Aquatic education programs
Through these initiatives, the Michigan DNR works to ensure sustainable and thriving fish populations for current and future generations of anglers to enjoy.
Conclusion
Michigan’s abundant freshwater resources and diverse fishing opportunities make it a top destination for anglers from around the world. Whether you prefer casting for bass on Lake St. Clair, trolling for salmon in Lake Michigan, or fly fishing for trout on the Au Sable River, Michigan has something to offer every angler.
By obtaining a valid fishing license and following the state’s regulations, you can enjoy a memorable and responsible fishing experience in the Great Lakes State. So grab your gear, purchase your license, and head out to discover the best fishing spots Michigan has to offer!
