Michigan · Fishing
Fishing in Michigan
Michigan's fishing runs deep, and with 306 active listings across the state, the options can feel overwhelming until you start narrowing by what you actually want to catch and where you want to sit.
200 spots9 townsUpdated dailyFree to access
View on mapFishing · 200 spots
Featured spots
riverWild TroutFly fishing
Boardman River - Brown Bridge Area
East Bay Township, MI
brown trout, brook trout
riverWild TroutFly fishing
Manistee River - Upper Reaches
Henderson Township, MI
brown trout, brook trout
Pier fishing
Bass Lake Campsite
MI
Pier fishing
Bear Lake Campsite
MI
River fishing
Bowman Bridge
Lake Township, MI
All spots · 200
Lake fishing
A Pool
Germfask Township, MI
Lake fishing
Alice Lake
Plainfield Township, MI
Lake fishing
Alma Lake
Grant Township, MI
Lake fishing
Anderson Lake
Crystal Falls Township, MI
Lake fishing
Anderson Lake
Colfax Township, MI
Lake fishing
Arc Lake
Stambaugh Township, MI
Lake fishing
Arc Lake
Stambaugh Township, MI
Lake fishing
Ashegun Lake
Grant Township, MI
riverWild TroutFly fishing
Au Sable River - Mainstream
Beaver Creek Township, MI
brown trout, brook trout
Lake fishing
Avaunt Pond
Iron River Township, MI
Lake fishing
Baldwin Kiln Lake
Negaunee Township, MI
Lake fishing
Bar Lake
Munising Township, MI
Lake fishing
Bar Lake Swamp
Manistee Township, MI
Lake fishing
Barb Lake
Marenisco Township, MI
Lake fishing
Bass Lake
Mathias Township, MI
Lake fishing
Bass Lake
Stambaugh Township, MI
Lake fishing
Bass Lakes
Briley Township, MI
Lake fishing
Bassett Lake
Yankee Springs Township, MI
Lake fishing
Baxter Lake
Blue Lake Township, MI
Lake fishing
Bearpaw Lake
Stambaugh Township, MI
Lake fishing
Beaver Pond
Houghton Township, MI
Lake fishing
Beavertown Lakes
Mcmillan Township, MI
Lake fishing
Bertraud Lake
Forsyth Township, MI
River fishing
Bessemer Ranger District
MI
Michigan's fishing runs deep, and with 306 active listings across the state, the options can feel overwhelming until you start narrowing by what you actually want to catch and where you want to sit. The Upper Peninsula leans heavily toward remote lake fishing — places like Bearpaw Lake near Stambaugh Township, Langford Lake and Kerr Lake near Watersmeet Township, and the Munising Ranger District near Munising offer the kind of quiet water that rewards patience and early starts. The Lower Peninsula mixes accessible suburban lakes like Pine Lake near West Bloomfield Charter Township and Grass Lake near Highland Township with serious moving water, most notably the Au Sable River Mainstream near Beaver Creek Township, a moderate fly fishing run at 1,135 feet elevation that holds brown trout, brook trout, and rainbow trout. Pier options like Lake Nineteen Campsite near Inwood Township and Camp Cook Campsite near Garden Township give anglers without a boat a legitimate shot at good water. Whether you're hauling a canoe into a backcountry lake or pulling up to a township access point with a spinning rod, Michigan's variety is the real draw — the challenge is picking a starting point.
Frequently asked questions
What species can I target on the Au Sable River Mainstream?
The Au Sable River Mainstream near Beaver Creek Township holds brown trout, brook trout, and rainbow trout. It's rated moderate difficulty for fly fishing, so anglers comfortable with reading moving water and making accurate casts in current will get the most out of it. A Michigan fishing license with a trout/salmon stamp is required for trout fishing on inland streams.
Do I need a boat to fish most of these Michigan listings?
Not at all. Pier fishing sites like Lake Nineteen Campsite near Inwood Township and Camp Cook Campsite near Garden Township are specifically set up for shore-based anglers. Many of the lake listings also have public access points or campsite-adjacent shorelines where you can fish without launching a boat.
When is the best time of year to fish Michigan lakes?
Late spring through early summer is productive on most lakes as water temperatures rise and fish move shallow to feed. Fall is strong for trout on rivers like the Au Sable. Ice fishing is also popular on lakes like Lost Lake near Merrill Township and others in the UP, typically from late December through February depending on ice conditions that year.
Are the Upper Peninsula lakes like Kerr Lake and Langford Lake near Watersmeet Township accessible by car?
Most UP lakes in the Watersmeet area are reachable via forest roads, but road conditions vary seasonally and some require high-clearance vehicles after spring thaw or heavy rain. It's worth checking with the Ottawa National Forest before you go, especially if you're towing a trailer.
What license do I need to fish in Michigan?
You need a valid Michigan fishing license, available through the Michigan DNR. If you're targeting trout or salmon on inland streams or rivers like the Au Sable, you'll also need a separate trout and salmon stamp. Licenses can be purchased online, at DNR offices, or at many local bait shops near popular fishing areas.
