☰

Fishing in Michigan

Click a region to explore top fishing spots, species, and local tips.

Michigan has over 11,000 lakes larger than 5 acres — including 1,148 over 100 acres and 10 over 10,000 acres. Bordered by four Great Lakes (Michigan, Huron, Superior, and Erie), Michigan offers world-class fishing for trout, salmon, walleye, bass, pike, muskellunge, and panfish across six distinct regions.

Topographic map — click to view full size

Upper Peninsula

Lake Superior, Isle Royale, Tahquamenon River, inland trout lakes -- Lake Trout, Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout, Walleye, Northern Pike

Northern Lower Peninsula

Au Sable River, Manistee River, Torch Lake, Traverse Bay -- Lake Trout, Salmon, Steelhead, Smallmouth Bass, Walleye

Western Michigan & Lake Michigan Coast

Lake Michigan, Grand River, Pere Marquette, Muskegon River -- Chinook Salmon, Coho Salmon, Steelhead, Smallmouth Bass, Walleye

Central Michigan

Houghton Lake, Higgins Lake, Chippewa River, Lake St. Helen -- Walleye, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Yellow Perch, Bluegill

Saginaw Bay & Thumb Region

Saginaw Bay, Lake Huron, Cass River, Port Austin -- Walleye, Yellow Perch, Smallmouth Bass, Northern Pike, Lake Trout

Southeast Michigan & Detroit Area

Lake Erie, Detroit River, Lake St. Clair, St. Clair River -- Walleye, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Muskellunge, Yellow Perch