The diverse number of species Michigan fishing has to offer is way beyond the scope of one article. So I will divide and conquer by writing about four areas of angling, trout, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and walleye, and finally the Great Lakes.
To write about trout in Michigan one has to start with the Au Sable River in the central-east of the state. One of the finest trout streams in the country it has been designated a Blue Ribbon Trout Stream by the Department of Natural Resources. With 146 miles of water counting its eminently fishable branches the Au Sable offers easy wading, major hatches, and adequate access. Every fly fisherman should fish the Au Sable at least once in his life. Other notable streams are Bear Creek, Manistee River, Pere Marquette River, and Pine River on the Lower Peninsula. On the Upper Peninsula some great rivers to fish are Ontonagon River both the East and Middle Branch, Paint River, West Branch of the Sturgeon River, and the East Branch of the Tahquamenon. Hatches start about 1 to 2 weeks later on the Upper Peninsula. So if you have a favorite hatch you can fish it twice, once on the Lower Peninsula then follow it on up to the Upper Peninsula
Michigan has some outstanding lakes for largemouth bass but the place to start is Fletcher’s Pond. There you can cast for some real lunkers. Try a Mepps, a Rapala, or my favorite a Red Devil spoon. The water in Fletcher’s pond is not deep so deep-running lures will snag often. You should fish around the stumps of dead trees for the best chance of catching a scale tipper. Other good lakes you should fish largemouth are Black Lake, Houghton Lake, Long Lake, Elk Lake and Manistique Lake.
An excellent place to fish for smallmouth bass and walleye is the headwater of the Au Sable River. Especially in the spring when they are on the move to spawning grounds is good. You should use a crawdad-imitating lure for walleye and a small black jig for smallmouth. Fish in slower, deeper pools and on the bottom. Traditional lake fishing for both species is numerous in Michigan. Some excellent lakes are Mullet Lake, Stanford Lake, Lake Michigamme, Lake Gogebic, Grand Lake and Brevoort Lake.
The Great Lakes are an excellent fishery. You can troll for salmon 250′ down or fill your live box with crappie from a crappie hole. As well as fishing for salmon and crappie, you can fish for trout (steelhead, browns and lake), bass (largemouth, smallmouth and stripers), walleye, catfish, sturgeon, and bluegill. For salmon, steelhead, and lake trout it is best to have a boat equipped with a downrigger but bass and walleye can be caught near shore.
By: Craig Petersen
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Michigan Fishing Has Never Been Better
March 10th, 2010Saltwater Flies For Freshwater Fishing And Freshwater Flies For Saltwater Fishing
March 9th, 2010
I have been fly fishing for over forty years now and have over the years discovered that some of my saltwater fly fishing flies work well in fresh water and that some of my freshwater flies work well in saltwater. The more fly fishing I do the more I come to realize that both saltwater fish and freshwater have a lot in common.
I have caught trout, bass and pan fish on what are traditionally considered saltwater fishing flies. There are several different saltwater fly patterns that I use to catch freshwater fish. The Clouser’s minnow and Lefty’s deceiver minnows are a great choice when bass fishing and in the smaller sizes large pan fish. I have come to believe that both of these flies simulate small minnows that are prevalent in all environments where we fish. It is the color choice that is most important, and that choice will be dictated by the clarity of the water and the color of the natural minnows that exist where you are fishing. One of my favorite saltwater flies for large pan fish is the bonefish special tied in a little smaller size. I have also caught large crappie bass using Crazy Charlie flies in yellow and chartreuse colors, and try red, yellow or pink Crazy Charlie flies for large pan fish. In cloudy water on a sunny day try a kryatal Flash Charlie for pan fish and a Kryatal flash for bass and crappie.
You can also catch saltwater species of fish with what are traditionally considered bass flies. In a previous article I chronicle a trip to the N.C. coast when the fishing was unbelievable and I exhausted all of my saltwater flies. I resorted to bass flies and continued to catch fish. I have caught saltwater trout, bluefish, tarpon, redfish and more with flies that are supposed to be for bass fishing. For tarpon, stripers, snook and bluefish try Rabbit Strip Divers, Mega Divers, Zonker and Bass Buggers. If you are after sea trout or redfish you might want to try Woolly Buggers in either a chartreuse or olive color. Again, I think color is most important and I recommend you stick to chartreuse, yellow or olive for redfish and trout. For stripers, and bluefish and tarpon just about any color with some flash will work.
If you fish saltwater and freshwater I would suggest that you take a large variety of you flies with you and do not be afraid to experiment. You will be surprised at what you catch and learn.
Thanks and good fishing
By: Brian Smith
