Michigan fishing
Dec 25, 2021 11:28:39 #
Dec 25, 2021 13:06:29 #
There isn't any. People in Michigan are tight-lipped about where and how to fish. It seems as if it is becoming a survival issue and not a sport. Besides, depending upon where you are located, Michigan is in a transition stage from no ice to some questionable ice.
If you are thinking about fishing on the Great Lakes, there is a wide variety of fish and fishing techniques. For the most part, the fishing is somewhat different in the inland lakes and streams, and different techniques must be employed. There is good fishing if you now where to go and are able to get on the water safely.
Merry Christmas and good luck fishing.
If you are thinking about fishing on the Great Lakes, there is a wide variety of fish and fishing techniques. For the most part, the fishing is somewhat different in the inland lakes and streams, and different techniques must be employed. There is good fishing if you now where to go and are able to get on the water safely.
Merry Christmas and good luck fishing.
Dec 25, 2021 14:18:35 #
Mgiven
Loc: Michigan
Wish I had a report. Temps have finally made me winterize the boat. Work and wind Didn't cooperate to get me out lately. Waiting for ice so I can put a couple tipups out. Didn't get on the ice last year but hope to fish some Clare county lakes this winter.
Dec 25, 2021 19:57:34 #
I was pondering your question and instead of writing a short novel let me see if I can do some justice to this in a fairly brief way. Since I am not sure what species you are after my comments will be generalized.
If you enjoy the preliminary aspect of researching places, I would suggest acquiring a spiral bound paper book from the folks at Sportsmansconnection.com. The State of MI is divided up into 7 regions in these books...so pick up the ones in areas you plan to fish a lot. About $25.00 per book. Although the fish stocking data is vintage, the contour maps, public access points and general write up are worth the price. This relates mostly to lakes.
Secondly, as far as trout streams, the group known as "Trout Unlimited" has published beautiful, professional quality booklets on all of the major "blue ribbon" streams. Public access points are important to know, and help you stage a wade or float in a canoe, kayak, mini pontoon or drift boat.
Of course these publications only showcase a small portion of what is available in MI. Many great places to fish are not shown or discussed in any of these books. Utube can be a good resource if you type in specific inquiries, but many will keep the actual places somewhat guarded...and other times not. A classic case is fishing in the St. Clair or Detroit Rivers for walleye. You can tell where people are just by watching the background scenery.
The above 2 suggestions will be mostly regarding "inland" fisheries. If you like to "figure out" good places to try, then what you glean from the publications will be very useful to you. When you are successful, then the reward is much sweeter because you learned where to go...or where not to go. When it comes to the Great Lakes themselves, you can still work shorelines in non motorized craft...or a boat...and just work the waters when the conditions are suitably safe. Sometimes the fish population or location will be seasonal, and other times it is steady all year long.
We often assign finicky qualities to fish that make them seem "uncatchable". If you can locate fish, and approach them without spooking, you will catch them on most any logical lure or bait most of the time.
An often overlooked strategy is to try and fish where most people would "pass by" and ignore a place. This could be a small creek, pond, lake or river that is hard to access, and may not be easy to fish. If you have patience, the rewards can be terrific. Michigan, for the most part, is highly developed, and the numerous obvious and simple places to go get extremely high pressure. Big name rivers and lakes have thousands of people pounding the same waters, day after day, and your chances of catching a ton of fish in those places is not as good as trying the less "famous" waters. If you do get off the beaten path, be sure to scout enough for safety and public access. If going alone, be sure to advise somebody where you plan to go.
I've been fishing Michigan waters for over 50 years, and have only barely scratched the surface of places to go. I try to fish a lot of different waters every season to keep it interesting...even when I discover "honey spots", I do not give them my sole attention, but instead just keep trying new places and making new discoveries. There are places I like to fish...just because I like the lake or river and want to be there more for that aspect than fishing. Much of this starts to boil down to why you fish at all...but in a nutshell, there is a ton of great water to be found in MI. The more remote the better...but even near "civilization" you can find great spots.
There are always exceptions to what I have mentioned above, but in general, I hope the suggestions can springboard you on your way to fishing in MI.
Welcome to the Forum, and on future posts perhaps share more about what you are seeking (fish species) and then folks can assist more specifically with some knowledge. All the best to you!
If you enjoy the preliminary aspect of researching places, I would suggest acquiring a spiral bound paper book from the folks at Sportsmansconnection.com. The State of MI is divided up into 7 regions in these books...so pick up the ones in areas you plan to fish a lot. About $25.00 per book. Although the fish stocking data is vintage, the contour maps, public access points and general write up are worth the price. This relates mostly to lakes.
Secondly, as far as trout streams, the group known as "Trout Unlimited" has published beautiful, professional quality booklets on all of the major "blue ribbon" streams. Public access points are important to know, and help you stage a wade or float in a canoe, kayak, mini pontoon or drift boat.
Of course these publications only showcase a small portion of what is available in MI. Many great places to fish are not shown or discussed in any of these books. Utube can be a good resource if you type in specific inquiries, but many will keep the actual places somewhat guarded...and other times not. A classic case is fishing in the St. Clair or Detroit Rivers for walleye. You can tell where people are just by watching the background scenery.
The above 2 suggestions will be mostly regarding "inland" fisheries. If you like to "figure out" good places to try, then what you glean from the publications will be very useful to you. When you are successful, then the reward is much sweeter because you learned where to go...or where not to go. When it comes to the Great Lakes themselves, you can still work shorelines in non motorized craft...or a boat...and just work the waters when the conditions are suitably safe. Sometimes the fish population or location will be seasonal, and other times it is steady all year long.
We often assign finicky qualities to fish that make them seem "uncatchable". If you can locate fish, and approach them without spooking, you will catch them on most any logical lure or bait most of the time.
An often overlooked strategy is to try and fish where most people would "pass by" and ignore a place. This could be a small creek, pond, lake or river that is hard to access, and may not be easy to fish. If you have patience, the rewards can be terrific. Michigan, for the most part, is highly developed, and the numerous obvious and simple places to go get extremely high pressure. Big name rivers and lakes have thousands of people pounding the same waters, day after day, and your chances of catching a ton of fish in those places is not as good as trying the less "famous" waters. If you do get off the beaten path, be sure to scout enough for safety and public access. If going alone, be sure to advise somebody where you plan to go.
I've been fishing Michigan waters for over 50 years, and have only barely scratched the surface of places to go. I try to fish a lot of different waters every season to keep it interesting...even when I discover "honey spots", I do not give them my sole attention, but instead just keep trying new places and making new discoveries. There are places I like to fish...just because I like the lake or river and want to be there more for that aspect than fishing. Much of this starts to boil down to why you fish at all...but in a nutshell, there is a ton of great water to be found in MI. The more remote the better...but even near "civilization" you can find great spots.
There are always exceptions to what I have mentioned above, but in general, I hope the suggestions can springboard you on your way to fishing in MI.
Welcome to the Forum, and on future posts perhaps share more about what you are seeking (fish species) and then folks can assist more specifically with some knowledge. All the best to you!
Dec 26, 2021 21:27:46 #
I lived in Grass Lake, between Jackson and Ann Arbor. Chain of Lakes plenty bass, north of Chelsea is a few small lakes, lots of yellow perch, and large blue gill. Much like fishyaker, I fished a lot of places. At the very tip of the lower, I stopped fishing, so many caught that day, both lm and sm bass. Between 1-5lbs. Floated the River Raisin, lots of trout. Good luck
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