best walleye fishing in southwest michigan
Although this lake doesnt offer the greatest number of Walleyes, anglers will never miss making a catch. BEST PRICE In AREA! This is because the structure, weeds, and sands at the bottom of this lake favor the natural reproduction of Walleye fish. There is an excellent paved ramp located off CR-643 on the lake's west side along The Narrows. Top Locations for Ice Fishing in Wisconsin. The best time to fish Holloway is at the beginning of season, trolling withcrankbaitsand inlineplanerboards. We try to do a lot of stocking when we can. At 60 miles long and 30 miles wide, it's one of the largest lakes in the whole of the United States. 1. Spoiling any Walleye enthusiast looking to fish in Michigan is the easiest thing ever. Have you ever been Walleye fishing in Michigan? Fish feel vibrations and can be scared away if you are haveloud equipment or footsteps. Other lakes require regular plants to maintain walleye populations. Walleyes are a popular choice for anglers in this lake as they are both numerous and large. Try the weed pockets close to M-18 and M-55 in Prudenville at this point in the year. Where are the biggest walleyes? Public access is available above and below the dam. If youre fishing at these points, you should use jigs with minnows, leeches, or crawlers at the tip. 7. 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. Southwest Michigan grows a cornucopia of fruits, vegetables, herbs and flowers. Most standard fishing methods will work if youre catching Walleye fish during the post-spawning season. This is usually on the last Saturday of April. Almost twice the size of Hubbard Lake at 17,260 acres, Burt Lake is popular with walleye anglers. Since Walleye move a lot, trolling is one of the most productive ways to catch them. Following are eight Michigan walleye fishing spots that you'll want to add to your list of favorite waters for 2012. Other than a good structure, this lake has enough baitfish and weeds, river channels, turbid water, and flats. Ken Vitale with Buck Knives chats with Game & Fish Editorial Director Adam Heggenstaller about two new hunting knives for 2023the purpose-built Alpha and PakLite series. Both South Lake Leelanau and Long Lake received megaplants of between 5 million and 6 million walleye fry for several consecutive years back in the 1980s to see if they (the DNR) could jumpstart the walleye fisheries. Theyll make their way back to the shallows in the late season, getting more and more aggressive each day. From $325 to $425. Cass Lake: Covering a healthy 1,280 acres, Cass Lake offers a wide variety of fishing species and quality ice fishing. When you launch your boat from the New Buffalo City Boat Launch, back straight out of the dock area and make a right to head up the river. Longline trolling is a popular fishing method among anglers in this lake but you can use other methods too. The Model 336 is expected to be launched soon; the Model 1894 should launch this spring. "The lakes are totally dependent on natural reproduction now, but the two lakes represent the kind of desired results that can be achieved from megaplants of walleye fry.". This is attributed to the fact that the lake has abundant forage and vegetation cover that supplies the fish with plenty of food. The best time to fish the rivers is either spring or fall, although early-season fishing can be solid until early summer. Gun Lake is one of Michigan's best lakes for walleye fishing. Even so, this lake continues to have a surplus supply of Walleye fish. Located along Lake Michigan, Southwest Michigan is a prime fishing destination. It is not as large as some of the others mentioned but it makes up for that with its wide variety of fish. Lake Michigan, White sandy beaches, rides for kids, volley ball nets, jetty for fishermen, lighthouse, amenities. Personal defense in the hunting woods could involve taking down a charging bear. Southwest Michigan is a four-season paradise with Lake Michigan and a countryside peppered with scenic rivers, inland lakes and verdant hills. To get here, from old US-31 in downtown Berrien Springs, take Mechanic Street to Fish Ladder. Ohio's best walleye fisheries: Lake Erie, Westbranch Reservoir, Maumee River, Sandusky River, Ohio River (saugeye), Pymatuning Lake, Clear Fork, Indian lake, Buckeye Lake, Berlin Lake, Wells Creek, Mosquito Creek. "Big Manistique Lake goes through its ups and downs," chided Eastern Lake Superior Management Unit fisheries supervisor Steve Scott. "We've had issues with cormorants in the past, but what it all goes back to is natural reproduction.". In this section, well talk about the most popular techniques to catch Walleye in Michigan. 7. Game & Fish Editorial Director Adam Heggenstaller gets more info from Hawke's Paige Shipe at SHOT Show 2023 in Las Vegas. That's why you'll find walleyes on a shallow reef on a bright day if it's windy. If fishing from a boat, ease in to areas and use an electric engine. When planning a fishing trip to the Great Lake State, you might wonder which species youll come across. Choose an appropriate time of the day and season to fish for Walleyes. 2022. It covers 8850 acres and has a long history of being a great spot for catching Walleye fish. One popular place on this lake is the slopping flats on the south side of the lake. Michigan fishing map feature. For deeper daytime Walleye, consider using bottom-bounce rigs with a crawler harness. That said, it is known to have some of the best walleye fishing in all of Michigan. ELD-X Precision Hunter). Ruger's popular American bolt-action rifle has been a hit with hunters for years. All Rights Reserved. Night fishing is another good way to find relaxed walleye feeding. Anglers have two choices: fish deep using finesse techniques during daylight hours or wait until after dark when the walleyes move shallow. In the video above, Matt Willson of Ruger highlights the features with Game & Fish's John Taranto. While Lake Superior, Lake Huron, Lake Erie, and Lake Michigan are all at your disposal, the list of potential spots doesnt end here. All rights reserved. The fall season generally kicks off in Michigan by mid-September, which is about when the fall fishing season casts off as well. These "Sailboat . "Ford Lake does have some natural reproduction. While out on Lake Michigan be sure to periodically check the weather conditions as they can change quickly on the big water. Top 10 Michigan Walleye Lakes. Cass Lake Michigan. Table of Contents show. We will have updated fishing report in Northern Michigan along with photos.. Theres a table ready for you. A few walleye and steelhead are being caught. 2023 Outdoor Sportsman Group. 27 Best Lake Michigan Beaches Upper Peninsula Northern West Southwest. Browning's Rafę Nielsen shares details on the new X-Bolt Pro LR McMillan hunting rifle with Game & Fish Editorial Director Adam Heggenstaller at SHOT Show 2023 in Las Vegas. You can change to spinning rigs, metallic spinners, and worms as the season advances. Avoid stocking brown trout as they are difficult to catch and as they grow they will eat other trout making it difficult to restock your pond. Source: Ethan Denton / shutterstock. These two fish species can also be stocked together. The forage and structure of this lake also offer the Walleyes protection from anglers, thus, allowing them to grow large. Covering 465 acres, Union Lake is only the tenth largest and third deepest in the county. "It's probably as good or better than Hubbard Lake and provides access to Mullet Lake, too.". Spring fishing in Lake Michigan is good between the middle of April and May. Recent surveys resulted in good catches up to 23 inches, with the largest at 28 inches. Look for spring walleyes to cluster in the shallow confines of Maple Bay and Bullhead Bay where the Maple River and Crooked River enter the lake. This lake covers 17,120 acres and is located in Cheboygan County, Michigan. Walleyes from 5 to 9 pounds are very common, with several reaching 11 and 12 pounds. This will help prevent spooking the Walleye fish. And theres a whole bunch of locations in Michigan where you can fish for Walleye. There are several humps, which rise to within 10 feet of the surface, that walleyes consistently relate to. But you dont have to stay in that area to get a good bite. Several good reefs are on the west end of the lake, averaging about 12 feet deep and surrounded by areas that drop to 40-60 feet. Catfish, largemouth, bluegill and even a turtle may grace your line if youre using live bait. 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. There are several factors to consider, such as seasons and times. Another favorite place to cast is from the rocks in the harbor at the New Buffalo City Beach. June marks the beginning of the high season on the Great Lakes. LAKE ERIE. This, therefore, makes them a popular game fish. Anglers will find good access in Maple Bay and at Burt Lake State Park on the south end of the lake. When fishing with live bait, anglers go for minnows on a light line, leeches suspended under a slip bobber, and nightcrawlers drifted along the bottom. 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? "Upper Belleville Lake can be very good right after the opener," he said. "Coldwater Lake is so dependant on stocking that the impact of VHS was huge. Growing up in the backwoods of Hell, Michigan I have always been a lover of the outdoors. Nate Torres, 13, sent the . Inthis location,using crankbaits and stickbaits onsummer evenings almost guarantees a catch. South Haven Lighthouses. The Arboretum features a walkway along the river and railings which are convenient for resting your rods against. As avid anglers, we review tackle gears and share with you our fishing secrets for big catches. For example, you can use stick baits, rattles on lures, or lightweight jigs. Lake Superior also offers plenty of Salmon and Trout action, while Lake Erie traditionally features the hottest Walleye fishing. Use metallic spinners early on, and experiment with bright colored blades as the water warms. The combination of being very clear and the fact that the lake is a favorite of power boaters means that the best walleye fishing on Coldwater Lake takes place early and late in the day, at night or when weather forces the water zealots to stay home. Keep lures in a 30-foot vertical band, some as much as 20 feet above the thermocline. Located along Lake Michigan, Southwest Michigan is a prime fishing destination. Brown is a destination walleye fishery. 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. Perch caught in this lake can range between 8 to 12 inches in length. Lake Gogebic has never had a stocking of Walleye fish. Plenty of inland lakes in Michigan have great walleye fishing too. Park at either Silver Beach County Park or at Tiscornia Park, both have paved walkways and are partially wheelchair accessible. Here are a few areas in southwest Ohio anglers may want to visit. This lake covers 12,800 acres and is the largest of all Upper Peninsula Lakes. Water temperatures have been in the high 30s and low 40s. 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. Hornady's Seth Swerczek goes in depth about the new cartridge with Game & Fish Editorial Director Adam Heggenstaller at SHOT Show 2023 in Las Vegas. Learn more in the video above, with Remington's Joel Hodgdon and Game & Fish Editorial Director Adam Heggenstaller at SHOT Show 2023 in Las Vegas. The Galien River is a good place to fish for brown trout, northern pike, large or smallmouth bass, catfish, crappie or sunfish. Fishing for Walleye on the greatest watershed in the world. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. From traditional favorites, to hidden . | Vertical jigging using light line, small jigs and live bait will take walleyes during the day in water as deep at 60 feet. The launch ramps are about 3,500 feet from Lake Michigan so you can be in open water in 10 minutes. For a listing of Michigan public boating access sites visit the Department of Natural Resources website. LaRue's Ethan Alexander talks about the Siete's features with Game & Fish's Adam Heggenstaller at SHOT Show 2023 in Las Vegas. Trolling with plugs, spoons, or spinners is effective as the season progresses. Because both are now sustained by natural reproduction, VHS has not had an effect on the fisheries. As for the lures, locals prefer deep diving crankbaits, spinners, and jerkbaits, along with crawler harnsesses, plastic worms, and spoons. The edges of new-growth weeds on the Northern point of the lake are also good fishing points for Walleyes. These are just a handful of amazing locations within our great state where you can test your skills. This lake covers 17,120 acres and is located in Cheboygan County, Michigan. Gun Lake is relatively smaller than other lakes and covers 2680 acres. 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. Local clubs make an effort to stock fall fingerlings; 80,000 spring fingerlings that we planted a few years ago provided a fishery the last few years, but it was almost entirely for adult fish last year. The lake holds a healthy population of non-stocked walleye that maintains itself. A change of only 5 feet in depth or of bottom composition is likely to hold fish. At 22,000 acres, this is Michigan's biggest inland lake. Nearby. Lots of bait helps other predators grow big, too. Provided Coho on southern Lake Michigan, as well as some steelhead, lake trout, brown trout and ongoing perch action, lead this sprawling raw-file Midwest Fishing Report. Youll want to fish deep for Walleye if youre on the water during the daytime hours. The spring spawning runs in April and May is considered to be the best time to go jigging for Walleye in the Bay. As such, you will find most of the Walleye fish in dense pockets of this lake. Using different fishing techniques during different seasons will help you with your catch. This lake was originated when lumbermen dammed the Big Sable River to make a pond for the upstream trees. In peak season, you'll find big walleye hiding out in the 30-38 inch range. Study the lakes layout to understand where you locate high populations of fish. Like most fish species, walleye are often found near structure. Locate depressions and manmade structure and experiment withcrankbaitsand jigs ( oz jigs,1/8 oz jigs,1/16 oz jigs)depending on the time of day and season. Few Arkansas waters produce better walleye fishing than Greers Ferry, Bull Shoals and Ouachita. For maps, bait and tackle, contact Fish & Hunt Shop at (877) 586-9531, or online at fishandhuntshop.com. Casting or trollingcrankbaitsacross the reefs is a good way to hone in on active fish, starting close to the bottom and working towards the surface. Or a myriad of restaurants and sweets shops many proudly serving locally raised ingredients. Public use of the North and South Pier is allowed at your own risk. 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. Ohio offers many fantastic locations for the public to fish, including 124,000 acres of inland water, 7,000 miles of streams, 2.25 million acres of Lake Erie water, and 481 miles of the Ohio River. Thats why some of the regions finest artists, writers, musicians, history-makers and performers call this home. Jigs ( oz jigs,1/8 oz jigs,1/16 oz jigs) withlivebaitare good in the post-spawn, particularly around Churchill Point and Doctors Point. The Manistee River steelhead fishing is starting to heat up. The Weekly Fishing Report has been temporarily suspended until we begin to receive more reports. 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. I KNOW WHERE THE FISH ARE BITING IN MICHIGAN. The Buffalo Butte Ranch. Use trolling crankbaits during Summer and drift using slip bobbers with leeches at night. . 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. Being close to a college community, there are a lot of new anglers testing the waters from the banks. 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. 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. The experienced staff at Sea Hawk Charters are experts at catching fish in Lake Michigan and the St. Joseph River. Drink in our makers art and bring home your favorites. 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. This site has a launch fee but season passes are available. Most serious anglers know that Michigan walleye fishing in the Great Lakes has been on fire in recent years. Which lures, baits, colors are currently performing best. You can also try angling using jigs with leeches or crawlers, single blade spinners, and crawler harnesses. "You don't hear about the Hubbard walleye fishing. The depth and variety of terrain make downriggers andplanersinvaluable on this lake. Light feet create big bites! Wherever you go, chances are youll come back with a Walleye or two! If you are looking for a public boat launch, the Benton Harbor Public Boat Launch is also on Riverview Drive along the St. Joseph River, right by Pier 1000. Joppich's Bay Street Art Gallery, 109 Bay St, Northport, MI 49670. Experts suspect that the flowing waters of Holloway Reservoir hold more walleye per surface acre than anywhere else inMichigan. From early September until freeze-up in late December, the fishing just gets better and better. During the summer months, fish suspend in the water, making them difficult to locate. Hubbard Lake was last planted in 1991. Walleye hang out by the bottom, so your captain might slow troll at a variety of depths. While Michigan has enough lakes to accommodate nearly any sizeboat, fishing isnt just for those out on the open water. During the heat of summer, walleyes will suspend 20 to 25 feet down over 40 to 50 feet of water. Continue reading. Bring your boat, kayak, canoe, or waders to take advantage of our many boat launches and access sites. Another Galien River access point is on Red Arrow Highway just north of U.S. 12 near New Buffalo. Both will also interest the giant smallmouths and surreal bluegills that the lake is famous for. Marble Lake Located in Quincy, Michigan, Marble Lake is known for its shallow water that's perfect to catch . Ice fishing for Walleye in Michigan is a treat for many anglers, residents, and visitors alike. This reservoir is over 1800 acres big and is found on the Flambeau River. You should use the trolling technique to fish for Walleyes when the weed is still short. On a nice day, youll find locals crowded all the way from the walkway to the dam. This,combined with structures well-suited for trolling, make it easy to locate and catch big walleye. Best Cold-Water Crankbait: Rapala Husky Jerk. We continued to stock Belleville with 100,000 walleye fingerlings. The deepest point of Cass Lake is approximately 120 feet. Best Spinner: Northland Baitfish Float'n Spin. Fishing Reports and Forecasts. If you have a cold-water pond, you can stock trout. This lake also has a natural river channel, which holds a lot of walleye. 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 . The tri-county area of Southwest Michigan is home to hundreds of inland lakes as well as hundreds of miles of additional rivers and streams. Towards mid-season Walleye can move offshore, so youll need to look for them around reefs and rock piles. With the ban on planting lifted, Coldwater Lake got three plants of walleye fingerlings totaling more than 80,000 in 2011. Remember, being silent is just as important on land as it is on the water. Do you have a story or a tip to share? All types of fish are caught here, from bass to bluegill to trout and pike, usually using minnows or artificial bait. 6. Both lakes also have a healthy zooplankton population, which is what the fry feed on, and good spawning habitat once they reach adulthood.". Unlike in the Detroit River, Lake Erie Walleye anglers usually go for trolling. You can find Walleyes in plenty along the edges of weedy deep holes and rocky drop-offs in Summer. Show prices. Effective fishing methods to use in Gun Lake include trolling and casting using spinners and crankbaits. This is due to boating policies and restrictions. Luckily, Walleye are known to eat virtually anything they can catch. The Bay of Quinte, just off Lake Ontario in eastern Ontario, is arguably the best walleye fishery in the world for consistently large fish -- in any season, but especially after Labor Day. The majority of Michigan Walleye guides gladly fish with younger anglers. The Grand Blanc angler hauled in 65 pounds of the prized game fish this month to snag a big prize: $83,259. Located halfway between Harrisville and Alpena in central Alcona County, 8,850-acre Hubbard Lake has a long history of walleye fishing and management. I live right on the St. Joe/Kalamazoo county border so I fish waters in that area. The best species to stock are brook and rainbow trout. Most anglers don't chase walleye for their powerful fight. Facebook. The Buffalo River is in northwest Arkansas . Washtenaw and Wayne counties' 1,270-acre Belleville Lake is an impoundment of the Huron River that's more noted for it black crappies and largemouth bass, but it a sleeper for walleyes according to Braunscheidel. Also look for walleyes to congregate near the outflows of the Indian and Sturgeon rivers. Although this lake doesn't offer the greatest number of Walleyes, anglers will never miss making a catch. Go here for slab bluegills, smallmouths, and walleye - tons of walleye, thanks to a combination of stocking and natural reproduction. Please use caution and keep off the pier during storms, icy conditions or high waters. Here are a few tips we hope will help with your next Walleye catch; EatThatFish In all reality, this is one of the few times of the year that you can catch walleyes from shore just as effectively as you can from a boat. To opt-in for your free subscription, enter your email address below, then submit. The results are normally highly variable with plants of this type and were likely to be very low, but it worked so well in Lake Leelanau and Long Lake that walleye populations in the lakes are now self-sustaining. Although this lake occasionally receives small plants, the Walleye population in the lake is sustained through natural reproduction. 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.