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Michigan · Fishing
Forsyth Township sits in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, and its fishing scene is built around a handful of inland lakes that reward anglers who take the time to learn them.
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Forsyth Township sits in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, and its fishing scene is built around a handful of inland lakes that reward anglers who take the time to learn them. Perch Lake, Bertraud Lake, Dollar Lake, and MacGregor Lake are the four fishable waters in the township, and as the names suggest, warm-water panfish species are a reasonable expectation here. These are quiet, smaller UP lakes — not destination trophy waters with stocking programs you can look up by name, but the kind of places where locals fish from aluminum boats and shore anglers can find a productive spot without a crowd. Access points and boat launch conditions vary by lake, so it's worth calling the Marquette County road commission or checking with a local bait shop in Gwinn before you load up the truck. Fishing pressure stays low compared to lakes closer to Marquette, which is part of the appeal. If you're driving up from downstate or planning a longer UP loop, these lakes fit naturally into a morning or afternoon stop rather than a dedicated multi-day trip. Bring a versatile setup, check your Michigan DNR license requirements before you go, and keep expectations calibrated to small UP inland lakes rather than the big named fisheries nearby.
The lake names and classifications here point toward warm-water panfish as the most likely catch, with perch being a reasonable expectation given Perch Lake's name. Smaller UP inland lakes like these commonly hold bass and pike as well, but specific stocking records or survey data for Bertraud, Dollar, and MacGregor Lakes should be confirmed through the Michigan DNR Fish Stocking Database before your trip.
Late spring through early fall is the most productive window for open-water fishing on inland UP lakes. Ice fishing is also viable in winter once ice thickness is safe, typically December through February in this part of Michigan, though you should verify local ice conditions before heading out.
Council Lake Campsites
~59 min drive
A worthwhile stop near MI.
Grand Island Cabins
~1h 2m drive
A worthwhile stop near MI.
West Zone
~44 min drive
A worthwhile stop near MI.
Dollar Lake
~1 min drive
A worthwhile stop near MI.
Rapid River/ Manistique Ranger District
~53 min drive
A worthwhile stop near MI.
Bertraud Lake
~4 min drive
A worthwhile stop near MI.
Perch Lake
~5 min drive
A worthwhile stop near MI.
MacGregor Lake
~7 min drive
A worthwhile stop near MI.
Hawkins Ponds
~25 min drive
A worthwhile stop near MI.
Dorsey Lake
~26 min drive
A worthwhile stop near MI.
Pelissier Lake
~26 min drive
A worthwhile stop near MI.
Kidney Lake
~26 min drive
A worthwhile stop near MI.
Early morning and the hour or two before sunset are consistently the most active periods on small inland lakes, when panfish and bass move shallower to feed. Midday in summer tends to push fish deeper, so if you're arriving late in the morning, focus on shaded structure or deeper drop-offs.
Yes, a valid Michigan fishing license is required for anyone 17 or older. Size and bag limits for species like bass, pike, and perch are set by the Michigan DNR and apply statewide unless a specific lake has special regulations listed. Check the current year's Michigan Fishing Guide on the DNR website before your trip, as regulations can change annually.
A light to medium spinning setup covers most situations on small UP inland lakes — 6 to 8 pound monofilament or fluorocarbon handles panfish and bass without overcomplicating things. Small jigs, live bait rigs, and inline spinners are practical choices. If you plan to target pike, add a medium-heavy rod and a short wire leader to your kit.
