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Michigan · Fishing
Grant Township sits in Mason County in northwestern lower Michigan, and the fishing here runs the range from quiet inland lakes to open Great Lakes surf.
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Grant Township sits in Mason County in northwestern lower Michigan, and the fishing here runs the range from quiet inland lakes to open Great Lakes surf. The township's inland options — Ashegun Lake, Lake Sixteen, Alma Lake, and the lake access at Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness via the Nurnberg Trailhead — are typical west Michigan glacial lakes, meaning you can expect warmwater species like bass, bluegill, and perch alongside pike depending on the lake. The Nordhouse Dunes access is worth noting separately: it sits inside a federally designated wilderness area, so motorized boats are out and foot traffic to the water is part of the deal. For something completely different, Lake Michigan at Manistee puts you on surf fishing for salmon and steelhead, particularly during fall runs when fish stage near river mouths. That's a different style of fishing than anything the inland lakes offer — longer casts, heavier gear, reading wave action and current seams rather than structure. Grant Township isn't a destination that draws crowds the way named trout rivers do, which is part of the appeal. The inland lakes see light pressure outside of summer weekends, and the Nordhouse stretch of Lake Michigan shoreline stays quieter than public access points with parking lots.
Ashegun Lake, Lake Sixteen, and Alma Lake are warmwater glacial lakes, so largemouth bass, bluegill, and yellow perch are the most consistent targets. Northern pike are present in many west Michigan lakes of this type as well. None of the listings here are designated gold medal or wild trout waters, so don't plan the trip around trout.
Nordhouse Dunes is a federally designated wilderness area, which means no motorized vehicles or watercraft are allowed. You're hiking in to reach the Lake Michigan shoreline, so pack light and plan for a walk. Once there, you're surf fishing the big lake, which means salmon and steelhead are realistic targets during fall runs, but it's a very different setup than fishing the inland lakes.
Bowman Bridge
~8 min drive
A worthwhile stop near MI.
Sand Lake Campground
~39 min drive
A worthwhile stop near MI.
Schultz Lake
~15 min drive
A worthwhile stop near MI.
Nichols Lake South Campground
~16 min drive
A worthwhile stop near MI.
Muskegon River - Croton Dam Tailwater
~46 min drive
Moderate
Gleasons Landing
~8 min drive
A worthwhile stop near MI.
Lake Michigan At Manistee
~49 min drive
A worthwhile stop near MI.
Bush Lake
~16 min drive
A worthwhile stop near MI.
Manistee River - Upper Reaches
~57 min drive
Moderate
Pines Point Campground
~38 min drive
A worthwhile stop near MI.
Sis Lake
~21 min drive
A worthwhile stop near MI.
Bowman Lake Area
~8 min drive
A worthwhile stop near MI.
Also worth it near here
Fall is the prime window for surf fishing Lake Michigan near Manistee, when Chinook salmon and steelhead move toward river mouths and stage along the shoreline. Early morning and evening low-light periods are generally most productive for surf fishing. Spring can also produce steelhead action, but fall draws the most consistent activity.
For the inland lakes, a medium spinning setup in the 6- to 7-foot range handles bass and panfish without overcomplicating things. Lake Michigan surf fishing is a different animal — you'll want a longer rod, typically 9 to 11 feet, heavier line, and spoons or spawn sacks depending on what's running. Bringing two separate setups is the practical move if you're hitting both.
Yes, a Michigan fishing license is required for anyone 17 or older fishing any of these waters. The Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness area falls under federal land managed by the Huron-Manistee National Forests, so it's worth checking both Michigan DNR regulations and any specific wilderness area rules before your trip. For current season dates, size limits, and bag limits, go directly to the Michigan DNR website rather than relying on secondhand information.
