"Because southern Michigan lakes are so dependent on plants, they were all impacted by the VHS disease and the lack of walleye fry and fingerlings," stated Lake Erie Management Unit fisheries biologist Jeff Braunscheidel. Great fishing spots to consider are Hastings and Murphys Points which are at the center of the Lake. "The inland lakes down here really took a step back because of VHS," stated Southern Lake Michigan Management Unit fisheries supervisor Jay Wesley. Trolling is the best fishing technique to use in Burt Lake. While the Michigan fishing menu is impressive, one fish species definitely stands out. This lake has a surplus of protein rich forage, allowing walleye to grow big quickly. Which lakes and rivers contain the fish species you are interested in. Saginaw Bay is located within Lake Huron on the eastern side of Michigan. In this video, it will help you to know how to choose fishing baits for spring walleye fishing.Subscribe Piscifun here: https://www.youtube.com/PiscifunSumme. What a welcome youll receive at each stop along the way in Berrien County as we pop wine corks, tap beer kegs and whiskey barrels, and pour flights for you and your friends. Gun Lake is relatively smaller than other lakes and covers 2680 acres. The new fishing rules apply from April 1 until March 31, 2023. You can launch smaller boats as well into the shallow water. Although this is a manmade lake, Kent Lake is the second most fished lake in Michigan. The SW Michigan walleye topic is a great one. We pulled together more than a dozen itineraries to kickstart your planning. This lake covers 17,120 acres and is located in Cheboygan County, Michigan. Burt Lake has never been planted. We have been in the live bait business since 1949 when Earl Buchner founded the company in the small town of Interlochen, MI where we are still located. Best Spinner: Northland Baitfish Float'n Spin. The hungry post-spawn walleye respond to a variety of baits and methods, while jigging along edges becomes one of the most popular techniques later in the season. 2022. The Buffalo is a popular river for fly fishing, too, and it has many areas that are perfect spots for the sport. "I'd say South Lake Leelanau and Long Lake are the best walleye lakes in the region," stated Central Lake Michigan Management Unit fisheries biologist Todd Kalish. Because Hubbard Lake has clear water, catching Walleye fish in this lake can be hard. Unlike in the Detroit River, Lake Erie Walleye anglers usually go for trolling. All anglers 17 years old and older are required to have a fishing license. Information on amenities and bait shops near Coldwater Lake can be obtained by contacting the Branch County Tourism Bureau, 28 W. Chicago St. Suite 1C, Coldwater, MI 49036; (800) 968-9333, or (517) 278-0241; or online at www.discover-michigan.com. We try to do a lot of stocking when we can. Clareis one of the most inland options, but what it may lack in Great Lakes access is made up for with great shore and dock fishing. You can also try angling using jigs with leeches or crawlers, single blade spinners, and crawler harnesses. This reservoir is over 1800 acres big and is found on the Flambeau River. You can catch fish on the shore, pier, or by boat. Paddle-tail plastics and split-tail minnow are also popular, along with certain live bait. A deep hole inRobbinsBay, in the southwest portion of the lake, holds walleye throughout the middle of the day. This lake covers 12,800 acres and is the largest of all Upper Peninsula Lakes. Being close to a college community, there are a lot of new anglers testing the waters from the banks. Here, youll need heavier jigs. The fish ladder allows salmon and steelhead to migrate upstream in the fall and back to Lake Michigan in the spring. The experienced staff at Sea Hawk Charters are experts at catching fish in Lake Michigan and the St. Joseph River. Advertisement. You can also use jigging spoons and teardrops. Burt Lake. The shallows on the east side of the lake, around theCutRiver, are supposed to be good this time of year. It is also frequented by kayakers and canoers, and you'll find great locations for hiking and camping along the river. It is also used for wildlife management. We continued to stock Belleville with 100,000 walleye fingerlings. Spring fishing. 1.46 Acre Cabin Lot 20 Minutes to Pigeon Forge & Dollywood, or Wears Valley Perfect Location For Your Log Cabin with Incredible Views Priced To Sell FAST! "We've been fishing Lake Namakagon for quite a few years now and this was our 3rd consecutive year staying at the Four Seasons Resort.". The ice fishing Michigan board sponsored by: Sponsor this board. Go here for slab bluegills, smallmouths, and walleye - tons of walleye, thanks to a combination of stocking and natural reproduction. Although its known as a recreational lake, its still possible to catch a lot of walleye if you adjust for the activity of non-anglers. "Burt Lake gets more fishing pressure than the other large lakes in the area," said Cwalinski. Low-light periods produce the best fishing and anglers who are on the water when lake residents are eating breakfast or dinner will do the best. These lakes represent some of the most robust Walleye populations and inland Walleye fisheries in Michigan and they occur primarily in the western Upper Peninsula and a few in the northern Lower Peninsula such as Houghton Lake, Burt Lake, Elk Lake, Lake Charlevoix, and Lake Leelanau. Top Ten Walleye Lakes in Michigan. Have you ever been Walleye fishing in Michigan? Unlike most of the lakes in this list, Holloway Reservoir is a man-made lake. I KNOW WHERE THE FISH ARE BITING IN MICHIGAN. Covering 465 acres, Union Lake is only the tenth largest and third deepest in the county. Because both are now sustained by natural reproduction, VHS has not had an effect on the fisheries. If you choose to fish after dark, you might want to try trolling crankbait along break lines by shallow flats. Because Burt Lake is a large body of water, trolling is the best option for presenting your lure to the maximum number of walleyes. Cass Lake Michigan. 2023 Outdoor Sportsman Group. Anglers in this lake prefer trolling with 1- or 2-ounce warms and spinners. Cass Lake: Covering a healthy 1,280 acres, Cass Lake offers a wide variety of fishing species and quality ice fishing. Burt Lake is another popular walleye lake, but not necessarily for ones that are large in size. Even though this isnt a lake that is known for big walleye, it is still a good place to fill yourlivewell. The Walleyes in Big Manistique Lake offers smaller fish compared to other lakes. Kalish admitted that the initial plants of walleyes in the lakes were a unique experiment. Another of the inner bay's best walleye spots are the orange buoys lettered A through F that mark a sailboat race course off the town of Linwood. Because Lake Leelanau and Long Lake are self-sustaining and were not affected by the moratorium on walleye planting, fishing remains excellent for walleyes and anglers will find several good year-classes of walleyes between 15 and 28 inches. Trolling with plugs, spoons, or spinners is effective as the season progresses. For example, you should use jigs with live bait during the post-spawn season. Nearby. Key features include muzzle velocities of 2,215-2,400 fps. Union Lake received a plant of 94, 214 walleye fingerlings in 2005 and another 98,537 walleyes in 2011. This lake also has a natural river channel, which holds a lot of walleye. You can also find Walleyes near the Sturgeon and Indian Rivers and the Colonial Point. Local anglers practically revere Walleye fishing in Michigan. Connect with me on Instagram and Twitter @me_eichstead to follow my fishing adventures and more! Downriggers, divers and lead core excel then. While targeting Walleye along the bottom, especially in the summer and during the middle of the day, a lot of anglers prefer jigging and drop-shotting with live bait. Since Walleye move a lot, trolling is one of the most productive ways to catch them. Anglers who cast leadhead jigs adorned with white twistertails often take limits of walleyes that will average 16 to 20 inches. You should use the trolling technique to fish for Walleyes when the weed is still short. Although its shallower than most lakes in Michigan, Portage Lake produces one of the largest and heaviest Walleye fish in the State. The fact that theres hardly any restaurant in North America that doesnt have Walleye fish on its menu is evidence of how popular it is. Cwalinski said the most recent fishery studies conducted on Hubbard Lake show that the lake has very good age structure with regard to walleyes, with fish up to age 12, although the walleyes are growing slightly below the state average. "Upper Belleville Lake can be very good right after the opener," he said. A few walleye and steelhead are being caught. Brown Reservoir (Clark County) - Stocked annually since 1975 with fingerling walleye, C.J. The Model 336 is expected to be launched soon; the Model 1894 should launch this spring. This guide will cover all you need to know about Walleye fishing in Michigan. Because Union Lake is deep and clear, anglers need to use finesse techniques to score consistently on the lake's walleyes. This lake covers 17,000 acres and is the fifth largest lake in the State of Michigan. Smallmouth, too, are prominent in both places. The primary weapon is casting stick baits such as the Northland Rumble B. Jigging ( oz jigs,1/8 oz jigs,1/16 oz jigs) is the just about the only way to get a hook in front of Portage Lake walleye once the vegetation comes in. At 60 miles long and 30 miles wide, it's one of the largest lakes in the whole of the United States. Below are a list of lakes that have been stocked in Southwest Michigan in the last couple weeks: Gun Lake (Barry Co) Sessions Lake (Ionia Co) Lincoln Lake (Kent Co) St. Joseph River (Berrien Co) Coldwater Lake (Branch Co) White Lake (Muskegon Co) Klinger Lake (St . While Michigan has enough lakes to accommodate nearly any sizeboat, fishing isnt just for those out on the open water. In no particular order, here is Fish'n C PortageLakeis a consistent producer of big walleyes that remain active throughout the summer, partially because it can be tricky to pull fish out of the dense vegetation and structure of this shallow lake. The Huron River impoundments represent a good alternative when Lake Erie is too rough to fish, or if you have a small boat. Awesome Mittens Guide to Exploring Seney National Wildlife Refuge, 19 BEST Independent Michigan Bookstores for a New Read, 15 Native American Museums in Michigan for Cultural Education, 27 BEST Things to Do in Lansing Michigan All Year, 35 Exciting Michigan Spring Festivals & Events. The Buffalo Butte Ranch. Most walleyes will average 15 to 18 inches. Despite being one ofMichigans most heavily fished lakes, it continues to produce considerable numbers of walleye, partially because a speed limit for boats helps keep walleye calm and relaxed. For more information, visit michigan.gov/dnr. When planning a fishing trip to the Great Lake State, you might wonder which species youll come across. Bluegill, bass and walleye are the most valuable catches, and most of them canbe caught with nothing more than earthworms in the summer months. 2022. Let us know in the comments below. While Lake Superior, Lake Huron, Lake Erie, and Lake Michigan are all at your disposal, the list of potential spots doesnt end here. ELD-X Precision Hunter). Pitching a jig tipped with a worm or leech into a weed pocket and twitching it until it settles to the bottom is one effective technique. The lakes formerly barren featureless bottom is now populated with manmade cover and structure like brush and logs the locals have sank to give the walleye and anglers someplace to go. If winter fishing isnt your thing, enjoy the spawning season during the spring months, when these fish are especially hungry. This season is, however, characterized by an increase in the growth of weeds which make it hard to fish. More Good Fishing. This is usually on the last Saturday of April. If the conditions allow, you can go ice fishing during the winter months. Many of these provide boat launches or access sites. This fish also has relatively fewer bones than most fish and offers a satisfactory amount of meat. Before you head to the waters, remember anyone over age 17 is required to purchase a Michigan State Fishing License.Enjoy a Free Fishing Weekend, June 11th & 12th, when the Michigan DNR will waive fishing fees and state park entry will not require a Recreation Passport. "Ford Lake does have some natural reproduction. Wilson Lake was originally built for flood control, but today it is also a popular recreation lake. When using this method, use in-line boards to move the lure from the boat. This isMichigans largest inland lake and despite fishing pressure and recreational boating, it still provides the opportunity to catch a lot of walleye. The most appropriate fishing method to use at this time is long-lining or casting with crankbaits. Whether youre a beginner or an experienced angler, we always have something new to offer in this blog. All types of fish are caught here, from bass to bluegill to trout and pike, usually using minnows or artificial bait. The 2022 license year goes into effect on April 1. This increases anglers chances of having a great catch. Best Places to Fish in Michigan: Location 1. In spite of the slow growth, Big Manistique Lake is blessed with lots of rock and cobble that provides ideal spawning habitat for walleyes. This,combined with structures well-suited for trolling, make it easy to locate and catch big walleye. Water temperatures have been in the high 30s and low 40s. IceShanty Rookie; Posts: 8; SW Michigan Walleye lakes on: Jan 10, 2013, 04:05 PM What lakes in southwest michigan are best for walleye fishing? After the weeds get thick, pitching a jig ( oz jigs,1/8 oz jigs,1/16 oz jigs) orslip bobbertipped with a leech into weed pockets is your best bet. Water warms up during springtime and fishing is getting better. Other hot spots include places with circulating water, like theMt. These two fish species can also be stocked together. * A Michigan fishing license is required to fish on Michigan lakes and waterways. Later in the summer, walleyes will concentrate along the deeper river channel and anglers who know how to use their electronics and are able to follow the river contours make big catches of walleyes by either trolling, jigging or casting. Its hard to picture a fishing trip to Lake Erie without targeting its superstar catch. A typical jigging flow here looks like this: your boat is naturally drifting downstream with the current, while your captain prepares heavy jigs for some vertical jig action. 7. Luckily, Walleye are known to eat virtually anything they can catch. Gun Lake is one of Michigan's best lakes for walleye fishing. 09 of 10. It is right across the street from the New Buffalo City Beach and has multiple ramps and docks as well as plenty of trailer parking. Walleyes in the wind can and does produce walleyes and sometimes the best walleye fishing comes when it is windy. During the heat of summer, walleyes will suspend 20 to 25 feet down over 40 to 50 feet of water. Walleyes in the 25 to 32-inch range and caught each week and a couple times during the summer some lucky fisherperson will bring in a giant Walleye between 33 and 36-inches. This lake covers 17,120 acres and is located in Cheboygan County, Michigan. Try the weed pockets close to M-18 and M-55 in Prudenville at this point in the year. but the lake is tough to fish because it is so clear. Also look for walleyes to congregate near the outflows of the Indian and Sturgeon rivers. Walleyes will move shallow in the evenings and anglers can score then by casting crankbaits and stickbaits. The wind creates waves, and waves cut down on light penetration. For information on inland lake walleye opportunities in southeast Michigan, contact the MDNR Lake Erie Management Unit at (248) 359-9040. Anglers will find good access in Maple Bay and at Burt Lake State Park on the south end of the lake. Walleyes are a popular choice for anglers in this lake as they are both numerous and large. 6. April 15, 2023 to April 15, 2023 . Its important to be especially careful when planning an ice fishing trip for Walleye, even if youre heading out with a guide. This lake covers 20,044 acres and is the largest lake in Michigan. We have compiled a list of the best walleye fishing spots in Michigan in this article. Continue to 9 of 10 below. Conditions can change daily, so you might want to check the weather in advance and head out with a local guide. Locals suggest using paddle-tails while jigging in off-color waters where the clarity is limited. You should, therefore, take advantage of the season before the weeds become too tall. Other than a good structure, this lake has enough baitfish and weeds, river channels, turbid water, and flats. Note that the Detroit River is also an international boundary with Canada. As the seasons change from Spring to Summer, the Walleyes tend to move to the reefs, usually on the Western end of the lake. We handle all kinds of live bait in season and we are WHOLESALE ONLY. Justa short drive southyoull find Hubbard Lake home to perch, bass, pike and more whichhas become a hot spot for family vacations with dock fishing right at the camp sites. For more information on Coldwater Lake and other southwest Michigan walleye fisheries, contact the MDNR's Southern Lake Michigan Management Unit at (269) 685-6851. CX Outfitter, 180 gr. Whether you plan your vacations weeks in advance or spur of the moment, this twice-monthly e-newsletter will keep you in-the-know about Southwest Michigan. The warmer the water gets, the deeper the fish go, holding to reef areas across the lake. The fish start their spawning in spring, migrating into feeder streams during this time or seeking out shallow bars, weeds, and shoals. Baitfish areattracted to the water movement, which draws large, aggressive walleye. All rights reserved. Early summer finds schools of walleyes patrolling the dropoffs near Colonial Point and along the entire east side of the lake. Even so, this lake continues to have a surplus supply of Walleye fish. Deerfield Park off M20 offers a pond and river system that is open year-round for reeling in crappie, walleye, bass and pike. 7. Walleye C.J. But how do you access the Big Lake in Southwest Michigan? Located halfway between Harrisville and Alpena in central Alcona County, 8,850-acre Hubbard Lake has a long history of walleye fishing and management. Hamlin lake is located 4 miles north of Ludington. Use a depth finder to locate outside bends in the current, and drop a minnow-tipped jig ( oz jigs,1/8 oz jigs,1/16 oz jigs). Where are the biggest walleyes? Table of Contents show. West Michigan is an angler's paradise! 5. This is the same Lake Erie that is considered the best walleye lake in the world, and one of the top smallmouth waters in the country. If youre after quality Walleye jigging, this river is arguably the best place in the region. Some places simply make you happy. Anglers can catch brown trout, lake trout, yellow perch, walleye, and coho salmon during this time of the year. Big walleyes and big small mouth bass. The best brook trout fishing is found in the Tahquamenon's East Branch with its blue-ribbon water beginning at Strong's Corner and continuing downstream for about 20 miles.