Fishing in Lake Michigan

Lake Michigan is the third-largest of the Great Lakes and the eighth-largest lake in the world. It is home to a wide variety of freshwater fish, many of which you can harvest year round. Trolling and down rigging are popular methods of fishing the lake from a boat, and there are approximately 1,660 miles of sand and rocky shoreline from which to cast.

Fish

Steelhead, rainbow trout, lake and brown trout, coho and chinook salmon, yellow perch and walleye, pike, muskellunge, and large and smallmouth bass are all available in Lake Michigan. Lake trout are the largest native trout available in the Great Lakes; you may find them at depths of 10 to 15 feet in the spring or fall, but in the summer they will retreat to deeper areas of the Lake. The state maintains chinook and coho salmon populations by stocking the Lake Michigan's streams annually. Pike and muskellunge are the lake's biggest predators, lurking in and around weed beds. Largemouth bass like to inhabit shallow waters among reeds and other vegetation; smallmouth bass prefer cool areas of the lake where the bottom is rock or gravel.

Bait and Tackle

Fish in the lake can vary in size from less than a pound to 40 lbs. or more; versatile fishing gear will allow you to catch a wide variety of fish. If your primary targets are pike, muskie, chinook or other large fish, bring a heavy-action rod with 15- to 20-lb. test line. If you plan to troll for these and other fish, bring a longer rod; 9 feet should suffice. Jigs, spoons, spinners and crankbaits can all be effective lures when casting from shorelines or from your boat. Minnows and worms are popular baits.

Seasons, Bag Limits and Size Restrictions

Among states bordering Lake Michigan (Michigan, Indiana, Illinois and Wisonsin) daily bag limits and size restrictions are similar. Michigan has the largest coastline on the lake, and it allows fishing all year for all fish except small and largemouth bass, harvested between Memorial Day and December 31. Bass harvested must be 14 inches or longer. Harvested pike must be 24 inches or longer and walleye kept must be at least 15 inches. You can catch five combined bass, pike and walleye per day, but only two of these may be pike. You may harvest up to 50 yellow perch, sunfish and whitefish per day with no size restrictions. You can catch five combined salmon and trout per day, but each fish kept must be 10 inches or longer.

Gear Restrictions

You can use hand nets and a gaff to land legally caught fish. If not hooked in the mouth, fish must be released immediately. You can not use more than three lines at a time.

Licenses and Fees

You will require a fishing license to fish in Lake Michigan; fishing licenses in the four bordering states are similar. A fishing license for the state of Michigan for the 2010 season is $28 for residents and $42 for non-residents. A 24-hour license is available to both residents and non-residents for $7. Seniors 65 or older can purchase a license for $3; youth under 17 fish for free. You are required to carry your fishing license and the ID you used to purchase it while you are fishing.