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