Photo: Recreation.gov (RIDB) / public domain

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.

428 spots9 townsUpdated dailyFree to access

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Fishing · 200 spots

Featured spots

riverWild Trout

Fly fishing

Boardman River - Brown Bridge Area

East Bay Township, Michigan

brown trout, brook trout

Stocked

Photo: Recreation.gov (RIDB) / public domain

Pier fishing

Bear Lake Campsite

Michigan

River fishing

Bowman Bridge

Lake Township, Michigan

Photo: Recreation.gov (RIDB) / public domain

Pier fishing

Chicago Lake Campsites

Michigan

Surf fishing

Chimney Loop Campground

Big Creek Township, Michigan

All spots · 200 of 428 spots

Lake fishing

A Pool

Germfask Township, Michigan

Lake fishing

Aleck Lake

Michigan

Lake fishing

Aleck Lake

Michigan

Lake fishing

Alice Lake

Plainfield Township, Michigan

Lake fishing

Alma Lake

Grant Township, Michigan

Lake fishing

Anderson Lake

Colfax Township, Michigan

Lake fishing

Anderson Lake

Crystal Falls Township, Michigan

Lake fishing

Arc Lake

Stambaugh Township, Michigan

Lake fishing

Arc Lake

Stambaugh Township, Michigan

Lake fishing

Ashegun Lake

Grant Township, Michigan

riverWild Trout

Fly fishing

Au Sable River - Mainstream

Beaver Creek Township, Michigan

brown trout, brook trout

Lake fishing

Avaunt Pond

Iron River Township, Michigan

Lake fishing

Baldwin Kiln Lake

Negaunee Township, Michigan

Lake fishing

Banana Lake

Michigan

Lake fishing

Banner Lake

Michigan

Lake fishing

Bar Lake

Munising Township, Michigan

Lake fishing

Bar Lake Swamp

Manistee Township, Michigan

Lake fishing

Barb Lake

Marenisco Township, Michigan

Lake fishing

Bass Lake

Mathias Township, Michigan

Lake fishing

Bass Lake

Michigan

Lake fishing

Bass Lake

Stambaugh Township, Michigan

Pier fishing

Bass Lake Campsite

Michigan

Lake fishing

Bass Lakes

Briley Township, Michigan

Lake fishing

Bassett Lake

Yankee Springs Township, 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. 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.

Keep exploring — more waters worth the drive

Little Lake

~12 min drive

A worthwhile stop near Wisconsin.

Schwartz Lake

~60 min drive

A worthwhile stop near Wisconsin.

Marsh Lake

~1h 6m drive