Things to do / Travel Guide
If you are a fishing fanatic, northern Michigan is the place to beat all in the Northern Hemisphere for fishing trips. Northern Michigan ranks among the best freshwater fishing spots in the world: Michigan has more coastline than any other state in the continental U.S.; Lake Superior is the largest freshwater lake in the world; and the northern Michigan region is home to literally thousands of inland glacier lakes.
Deep-sea charters on the Great Lakes abound and during the spring and summer months anglers in rubber waders can be seen fly fishing in the regions' multitudinous fresh water locations. For those ready to brave the winter cold, northern Michigan provides ideal locations for ice fishing as well.
Lake trout, brown trout, walleye, salmon, steelhead, and bass are just a few of the species populating region's waters. For an excellent and regularly-updated guide of where and when your favorite fish can be caught, check out Buc's Fishing Report.
All Michigan fishing zones require a valid Michigan fishing license. Some places, the Sylvania Wilderness among them, have special fishing regulations including catch-and-release rules. For specific fishing licenses and regulations, contact Michigan's Department of Natural Resources, Fisheries Division.
The following are some promising and recommended fishing trip locations:
- Grayling in the northeastern Lower Peninsula, boasts some of the best trout fishing in the Midwest, some say the best in the nation.
- The Au Sable River, in the Grayling area, with its spring-fed water and gravel river bottom, is also a superb sight for trout fishing. Fly fishermen from throughout the U.S. travel to the area on a regular basis. Oscoda, which sits on the shores of Lake Huron at the mouth of the Au Sable River, is a major sport-fishing center and a great sight for Chinook salmon and lake and brown trout.
- The Fox River in the Upper Peninsula yields unusually large brook trout; anglers reel in fifteen to twenty-inch-long catches on a regular basis.
- The Bays De Noc in the Upper Penninsula has been rated one of Midwest Outdoors Magazine's Top Fishing Spots. Little Bay de Noc has over thirty thousand acres of water and the Big Bay de Noc has over ninety-thousand acres of water; the area has frequently been referred to as a fisherman's paradise. The Bays de Noc are known for trophy walleyes in the fall, but excellent fishing for a number of species is available throughout the year, including wintertime. The secret to catching walleyes in these bodies of water, experts say, is to plan your excursion several hours before dark.
- Lake Gogebic near the Wisconsin border is the U.P.'s largest inland lake, regularly stocked with walleye and other game fish. This is a great fishing location even for novices.
Ice Fishing
Ice fishing is a popular northern Michigan sport. During the coldest winter months, December through February, when the lakes have frozen solid, rainbows, splake, northerns, perch, walleye, and crappie are regularly caught. Several outfitters in northern Michigan can set travelers up with the gear: poles, tip-ups, shelters, heaters, sleds and anything else you'll need. Permanent, heated ice-shanty rentals are available and usually require a $100 deposit, returned after the ice fishing season.
Marquette County in the central Upper Peninsula of Michigan is reputed to be the best place for ice fishing. The area has several small inland lakes that are generally less windy and offer a variety of fish.
Little Bay de Noc in northern Lake Michigan offers the best walleye ice fishing in the Midwest.
The Pinecrest Resort at Republic is a favored resort for a top-quality ice fishing adventure. Juncob Lake provides excellent crappie, northern and bluegill fishing. The resort has cabins that accommodate up to 10 people and even a sauna to chase the cold from the bones after a long day in the shanty.
Great Lakes, Traverse City, Upper Peninsula, Mackinac Island, Northern Michigan
Fishing
Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park Beach - Michigan
Frankfort Beach - Michigan
Ludington Beach State Park - Michigan
Oscoda Public Beach - Michigan
Tawas Point State Park Beach - Michigan
Sleeper State Park Beach - Caseville, Michigan
|
|
|