Michigan's Great Lakes and inland waters are home to many species of fish, including trout. Northern Michigan has many streams and rivers ideal for fly fishing and the Great Lakes have deep water at temperature levels trout like. An all-species Michigan fishing license is required for trout fishing, available at bait shops, sporting goods stores and online to residents for $28 and nonresidents for $42 (as of July 2010).
Types
Brook trout are Michigan's state fish and are native to the state. They have long, streamlined bodies with a large mouth extending past the jaw, worm-like markings on the back and a square tail. They are olive, blue-gray or black on top with red spots sometimes surrounded by blue halos on the sides. Their orange fins have a white front edged with black. Brown trout are golden-brown to silver with red and black spots, a broad, square tongue and a dozen teeth. Lake trout are dark gray with light spots and a forked tail. Rainbow trout are silver with black spots and a pink to reddish band down the side..
Geography
Trout live in the Great Lakes and northern Michigan lakes, streams and rivers including the Manistee, Au Sable, Ontonagon, Platte, Betsy and Jordan Rivers. They often shelter under rocks, logs and overhanging banks. Troll with blue, green and purple spoons in 90 to 150 feet of water during hot summer months in northwest lower Michigan locations such as Petoskey, Charlevoix, Manistee, Pentwater and Traverse City's west bay. Catch trout with live bait, cut bait, spoons, bombers and body baits in northeast Michigan areas including Oscoda, Harrisville, Rogers City and Rockport in 85 to 120 feet of water suspended 10 to 20 feet from the bottom.
Features
You can fly fish for trout or troll by boat using artificial, live or cut bait. Some areas, however, restrict use of bait to artificial flies and lures. Trout eat insects, crustaceans and other fish. You can find the trout by finding out when and where different kinds of flies hatch. Fly fish in rivers, streams and creeks, setting the hook by feel, not sound.
Expert Insight
According to state fisheries biologists, more trout are found in Lake Huron than in Lake Michigan. Lake Huron's consistent plants, natural reproduction and lamprey control contribute to healthy trout populations while fewer trout were planted in Lake Michigan in an attempt to produce naturally occurring trout populations.
Warning
Northern Michigan has trout and salmon fishing regulations and gear restrictions for several areas, and more areas are under review. Gear and fishing methods are restricted to protect trout populations and include a ban on snagging, the use of artificial flies and lures in some areas. Some locations are designated for catch and release only. Gear restrictions and regulations for trout fishing are listed on pages 22 through 36 of the Michigan Fishing Guide that is available when you purchase your Michigan fishing license (page numbers are accurate for the 2010 guide).
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