5 Best Fishing Lakes in Michigan
Last Updated on July 17, 2024 by Boatsetter Team
From vast Great Lakes to secluded inland waters, Michigan boasts an abundance of prime fishing spots. While fishing is possible year-round, late spring through early fall generally provides the most favorable conditions.
Michigan waters have produced numerous record-breakers, including the world record brown trout, weighing a staggering 41 pounds 7 ounces, caught in the Manistee River in 2009. Whether you’re after trophy walleye, monster muskies, or hard-fighting salmon, these Michigan’s lakes are the best for anglers of all levels.
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1. Lake St. Clair
Lake St. Clair, often referred to as the “Muskie Capital of the World,” is a shallow, fertile body of water connecting Lake Huron to Lake Erie. This 430-square-mile lake is renowned for its exceptional muskie fishing, but it’s also a haven for smallmouth bass, walleye, and yellow perch.
The lake’s extensive weed beds and drop-offs create perfect habitats for a variety of fish species. Spring and fall offer prime muskie fishing, while summer is ideal for bass. Interestingly, Lake St. Clair’s unique geography creates a “figure-eight” current, which concentrates bait fish and game fish in predictable areas, giving savvy anglers a distinct advantage.
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2. Lake Michigan
As one of the five Great Lakes, Lake Michigan offers a fishing experience on a grand scale. This vast freshwater sea is home to a diverse array of fish species, including salmon, trout, walleye, and yellow perch.
The lake’s sheer size provides ample opportunity for both nearshore and deep-water fishing. Spring and fall are excellent for salmon and trout, while summer brings great perch fishing. Lake Michigan has been the stage for numerous fishing milestones, including the capture of a 61.5-pound carp in 2010, which shattered the previous state record by over 11 pounds.
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3. Mullett Lake
Mullett Lake, part of Michigan’s Inland Waterway, is a 17,360-acre gem known for its excellent walleye fishing. This deep, clear lake also supports healthy populations of yellow perch, smallmouth bass, and northern pike.
The lake’s varied structure, including weed beds, rocky points, and deep basins, provides diverse fishing opportunities. Spring and fall are prime for walleye, while summer offers great bass fishing. A unique feature of Mullett Lake is its “thermocline fishing” during summer, where anglers target the narrow band of water where warm surface water meets the colder depths, often yielding impressive catches.
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4. Saginaw Bay
Saginaw Bay, an arm of Lake Huron, is renowned for its world-class walleye fishery. This shallow, productive bay also offers excellent fishing for yellow perch, smallmouth bass, and channel catfish.
The bay’s extensive flats and weed beds create ideal habitats for walleye and perch. Spring and fall provide peak walleye action, while summer is great for perch. Saginaw Bay has been at the forefront of conservation efforts, with its walleye population making a remarkable comeback after near collapse in the 1940s, thanks to stringent management practices and habitat restoration.
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5. Houghton Lake
As Michigan’s largest inland lake, Houghton Lake offers 20,044 acres of prime fishing waters. It’s particularly known for its excellent walleye and pike fishing, but also supports healthy populations of bass, bluegill, and crappie.
The lake’s diverse structure, including weed beds, drop-offs, and sunken islands, provides varied fishing opportunities. Spring and fall are prime for walleye, while summer offers great panfish action. Houghton Lake made headlines in the fishing world when it hosted the first-ever “Catch & Cook” fishing tournament in 2018, where anglers competed not only in catching fish but also in preparing their catch, merging the worlds of sport fishing and culinary arts.
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Whether you’re after trophy walleye, hard-fighting muskies, or tasty panfish, book a fishing rental or look for guided fishing experience and explore the best fishing lakes in Michigan.
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