Whether you are interested in fishing one of the Great Lakes that border Michigan on the east, west and north shores, or prefer to try your angling skills in one of the many smaller inland lakes, rivers, ponds or streams, you will appreciate Michigan's numerous barrier-free and handicapped-accessible fishing sites.
The Michigan Fishing and Hunting License Act allows for disabled youth and adults with mental retardation, as well as individuals residing in long-term care facilities, to fish without a license. Unlicensed fisherman should be accompanied by an adult who carries a valid Michigan fishing license.
Northern Michigan
You will find barrier-free fishing throughout Northern Michigan. In the Charlevoix area, disabled anglers will find a barrier-free fishing pier in the city of East Jordan, located on Lake Charlevoix. In the town of Charlevoix, barrier-free fishing walkways can be found both on Lake Michigan, as well as at the Lake Charlevoix outlet.
Arenac County barrier-free fishing sites include the pier at Singing Bridge in AuGres, located on the shores of Lake Huron, for anglers wanting to test the waters of the East Branch of the AuGres River.
Bay County handicapped-accessible fishing sites include sites in both Pinconning and Bay City. Pinconning provides a flat grassy area, considered easy access/barrier free for Lake Huron fishing. In Bay City, the Riverwalk Pier located on the Saginaw River, provides an excellent barrier-free fishing site.
Southern Michigan
Calhoun, Genessee, and Cass Counties all provide barrier-free fishing sites for Southern Michigan anglers. Calhoun County sites include the Historic Bridge Park in Battle Creek, which provides a limited-mobility fishing site on Dickenson Creek. Another Calhoun County LM fishing site is located on Rice Creek, in downtown Marshall. A well-known brown trout fishing location, the Rice Creek Fishing Access, can be found on the site of the former Marshall Dam.
The Fred Russ Forest Park provides limited-mobility (LM) fishing access on the Dowagiac Creek, in Cass County. You will find this site located off Mckinzie Road. Also in Cass County, two LM sites can be found on the Dowagiac River; one at the Meander Restoration, the other below the Pucker Street Dam.
In the city of Flint, barrier-free fishing can be found at the Flint River Walkway, as well as at the Tail-water Platform and the fishing pier, in the Genessee County Park. The Genessee County Park also offers barrier-free shoreline access for fishing the Mott Resevoir.
Eastern Michigan
The Lake Erie Metropark, located in Brownstown, provides easy-access shoreline and bridge fishing opportunities on either Lake Erie or the Detroit River. This park also loans free fishing poles to visiting anglers.
Iosco County provides barrier-free and limited-mobility fishing at River Bend Park, located of off River Road in Oscoda. The Ausable River Whirlpool, located west of Oscoda, on the River Road Scenic Byway, also provides a barrier-free fishing access site.
In the city of Alpena, a barrier-free roofed platform at the Ninth Street Impoundment provides an accessible fishing site. Also in the city of Alpena, South Riverfront Park provides a barrier-free walkway for fishing on the Thunder Bay River. A barrier-free platform at the Ninth Street Improvement Tail-water also provides fishing opportunities on the Thunder Bay River.
Western Michigan
Barrier-free and limited-mobility fishing sites are scattered throughout Western Michigan. Berrien County provides four barrie- free platforms in Benton Harbor, on the St. Joseph's River. In Buchanon anglers will find barrier-free fishing at the St. Joseph River Impoundment, and another at the Tail-water Access.
Traverse City offers a wide selection of barrier-free fishing sites including a boardwalk along Boardman River, and a pier on the shores of Lake Michigan. The State Forest Campground in Traverse City offers barrier-free fishing on the Dubonnet River. Also in Traverse City, Open Space Park provides barrier-free fishing on the west arm of the Grand Traverse Bay.
Upper Peninsula
Michigan's upper peninsula provides many opportunities for anglers of all ages and abilities. In the Iron Mountain area a barrier-free fishing pier is provided for visitors at the Lake Antoine Senior Citizens Park.
Delta County provides numerous sites for barrier-free fishing in the upper peninsula. Rapid River, Nahma, Gladstone and Escanaba all offer various barrier-free and limited-mobility fishing sites along the shores of Lake Michigan. Delta County visitors can also find barrier-free fishing on the Escanaba River located on main street in the town of Wells.
Chippewa County visitors will find Andrus Lake barrier-free fishing at the State Forest Campground in Paradise. The U.S. Forest Service Campground in Brimley provides barrier-free fishing access for Monacle Lake. In Sault St. Marie, the Soo Edison Power Plant provides a walkway for barrier-free fishing on the St. Mary's River.
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