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.
Fishing Regulations
- Inland waters = all waters except Great Lakes and connecting waters (St. Marys, St. Clair, Detroit rivers, Lake St. Clair).
- Great Lakes and inland waters have different rules - check the digest.
- Many waters have exceptions listed by county (Exceptions to General Regulations by County).
- Report marked/tagged fish through Eyes in the Field; do not remove tags from lake sturgeon.
- Great Lakes steelhead/trout often have adipose fin clips (coded-wire tags).
9 species limits are shown per spot in the CatchTales app.
Pick a region below to explore its fishing spots.
Central Michigan Region
Houghton Lake Inlet, Higgins Lake, Chippewa River, Lake St. Helen
40 spots
Northern Lower Peninsula Region
Au Sable River Inlet, Manistee River, Torch Lake, Traverse Bay
37 spots
Saginaw Bay & Thumb Region Region
Saginaw Bay Inlet, Lake Huron, Cass River, Port Austin
36 spots
Southeast Michigan & Detroit Area Region
Lake Erie Inlet, Detroit River, Lake St. Clair, St. Clair River
43 spots
Upper Peninsula Region
Lake Superior Inlet, Isle Royale, Tahquamenon River, inland trout lakes
51 spots
Western Michigan & Lake Michigan Coast Region
Lake Michigan Inlet, Grand River, Pere Marquette, Muskegon River
49 spots
Get CatchTales
Ready to start bragging? Download the app and hit the water.