FishKillFlea No matter where you stand in Michigan, you are never more than 6 miles from a body of water, or 85 miles from a Great Lake. An affordable $26 Michigan fishing license opens up Lake Michigan salmon trolls, Saginaw Bay walleye drifts, Au Sable river fly fishing, and Upper Peninsula wilderness brook trout.
The Great Lakes
| Spot | Region | Species | Why Famous |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Michigan (Ludington/Manistee) | West Coast | Chinook, Coho, Steelhead | The "King Salmon" capital of the Midwest! |
| Saginaw Bay (Lake Huron) | East Coast | Walleye, Perch | Incredible walleye factory — epic ice fishing too. |
| Lake St. Clair | Metro Detroit | Smallmouth Bass, Musky | Consistently ranked top 5 bass lakes in America |
| Lake Superior (Keweenaw/Munising) | Upper Peninsula | Lake Trout, Coho | Wild, deep-water trolling on the "Big Lake" |
Legendary Trout Rivers
| Water | Region | Species | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Au Sable River | Northern MI (Grayling) | Brown, Brook, Rainbow | The Holy Water — birthplace of Trout Unlimited! |
| Pere Marquette River | West MI (Baldwin) | Steelhead, Brown Trout | National Wild and Scenic River — epic runs |
| Manistee River (Below Tippy Dam) | West MI | Salmon, Steelhead | Combative, incredible fall salmon runs |
Seasonal Guide
| Season | Best Targets | Prime Spots | Tips |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (Mar–May) | Steelhead Run, Walleye | Grand River, Saginaw River | Spring steelhead fishing is a Michigan religion |
| Summer (Jun–Aug) | Lake Michigan Salmon, Bass | Ludington, Lake St. Clair | Charter a boat for August "Kings" |
| Fall (Sep–Nov) | Salmon River Runs, Fall Steelhead | Manistee River, Pere Marquette | Watch the giant Kings push into the rivers! |
| Winter (Dec–Feb) | Ice Fishing | Houghton Lake, Saginaw Bay | Houghton Lake Tip-Up Town USA! |
Neighboring: Ohio for Lake Erie walleye, Wisconsin for Lake MI western shore, Indiana for southern Lake Michigan.
An MI All-Species license is $26. review all MI license costs or find out where to buy your MI license.