Trout fishing is big business in Michigan, and its trout fishery is among the finest in the Midwest region. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) maintains six fish hatcheries in the state and stocks millions of trout into lakes and streams across the state each year. Brown, brook and rainbow trout are caught in many lakes and streams and lake trout are favorite targets of Great Lakes fishermen. Lake-run rainbow trout, called steelhead trout are very popular with fishermen and large numbers of these fish are caught in the Great Lakes surrounding the state and during the early fall spawning runs up Great Lakes tributaries.
Brown Trout
Brown trout are found in streams and rivers all over the state, and a 41.45 lb. monster caught in the Manistee River is the current world record for this species.
Brown trout tolerate a fairly wide range of conditions, and will thrive in some rivers and streams too warm for other species. Nearly any stream or river in the state north of Manistee will support brown trout, and these fish may be found in some rivers in the southern half of the Lower Peninsula as well. Large brown trout also may be caught in Lakes Michigan and Huron. The Muskegon River is the second largest river in the state and produces many nice fish. This river is a favorite of anglers in the southern part of the state and its diverse insect population makes it a hotbed for brown as well as rainbow and steelhead trout.
Rainbow and Steelhead Trout
Rainbow trout are found throughout the state in all but the slowest and warmest streams and rivers. These trout thrive in the cool, clear fast moving streams in the northern parts of the Lower Peninsula and the Northern Peninsula. Many streams and rivers have native trout which stay there year-round, but the true monsters are the lake-run rainbow trout, or steelhead as they are called. This variety of rainbow trout spend most of their time in the Great Lakes and run up rivers and streams in the early fall to spawn. Steelhead trout reach a very large size, and the current state record is 26.5 lbs, according to MDNR records. Many steelhead are caught during the summer fishing season on Lakes Michigan and Huron.
Brook Trout
Brook Trout are a favorite amongst anglers wishing a challenge because they are the most elusive of all Michigan trout. Prized for their delicious flesh as well as their beautiful markings, brook trout are found in many smaller streams too small for other species of trout. These fish do not reach the sizes attained by some of their larger cousins, but provide a good fight for their size, nonetheless. Brook trout, like brown trout will tolerate water conditions too slow or too warm for some other species.
Lake Trout
Lake Trout are actually the only trout species native to the Great Lakes. These trout reach huge sizes, especially in the cold, deep waters of Lake Superior, although good catches can be had in Lakes Michigan and Huron. These trout spend their entire lives in the big lakes, and are not found in streams or rivers. The current state record, according to the MDNR, is a whopping 61.5 lb. fish caught in Lake Superior in 1997. These beautiful fish are known for their green, spotted coloring and spirited fighting.
Notable Trout Streams and Rivers
Many fine trout streams, some amongst the finest in the world can be found in Michigan, especially in the northern Lower Peninsula and Upper Peninsula. Southern Lower Michigan has some streams and rivers that produce trout, but generally, the waters in this part of the state are too warm for thriving trout populations. The Pere Marquette is nationally known as a top-notch trout stream and is home to all the trout species found in Michigan's rivers. The Manistee River, Little Manistee River, White River, Muskegon River and Au Sable Rivers are some of the Lower Peninsula's best trout waters. The Black River, Sturgeon River, Pigeon River and Rogue Rivers also are prime trout waters in the Lower Peninsula. Michigan's Upper Peninsula is home to many fine trout streams as well. The Tahquamenon River, Two Hearted River, Fox River, Manistique River are just a few. The Menominee River and the Ontoganon Rivers and their tributaries are prime trout waters as well.
Techniques
Trout fishermen in Michigan use a number of techniques to angle for trout. While some purists prefer fly fishing, trout may be caught by nymphing, a bottom fishing technique, with streamers on a dip line, and spawn bags. Many anglers catch trout with spinners and Rapala lures on standard spinning gear. Trout even maybe caught with good old fashioned worms. Trout on the Great Lakes are normally caught on spoons and plugs placed in deep water with downriggers, mechanisms that lower heavy weights called cannonballs to deep depths where the fish are commonly found. The fishing lines are attached to these weights in such a way that they release from the weight when a fish strikes the lure. Lake trout in Lake Superior are often caught by bobbing, a technique where the angler slowly drifts along, bouncing a bait or lure near the bottom.
Trout Fishing Regulations and Seasons
Michigan's trout season opens on the last Saturday in April. Many different regulations apply to different waters, and it is recommended that anyone planning to fish for trout in Michigan consult the current year's fishing guide. The resource section has links that lead to information on Michigan Fishing Licenses and a downloadable version of the current fishing guide.
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