According to the Department of Natural Resources, the state of Michigan has more than 3,000 miles of Great Lakes coastline, 11,000 inland lakes and 3,600 miles of rivers and streams. The waters of Michigan's Lower Peninsula, which is the mitten-shaped part of the state between Lake Michigan and Lake Huron south of the Mackinac Bridge, hold many species of fish.
Features
Michigan has laws and regulations specifying fishing methods, sizes and species of fish that are allowed and the time of year you're allowed to fish for them. You can fish in Lower Michigan from boats, piers, docks, or from the shore on Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, Lake Erie and a number of inland lakes, rivers, streams, ponds and creeks.
Types
Lake Michigan contains many king and silver salmon that eat the alewife that live there. Lake Huron is known for a large trout population, including brown trout, steelhead, brook trout and lake trout. Salmon and trout are also found in rivers and streams that connect the Great Lakes. Walleye, perch, pike, bluegill, crappie, catfish, bass, sturgeon, smelt, cod, whitefish and muskellunge inhabit Lake Erie, Lake Michigan, Lake Huron and most inland bodies of water.
Fishing Methods
The type of fish and the area you're fishing determine the method and type of bait that will bring you success. Catfish, walleye, perch, bluegill, crappie and other sunfish go after night crawlers, insects or minnows on jigs. Artificial bait such as bottom divers and spinners work well for bass, and they also go after night crawlers or bait fish on hooks. You need larger artificial bait, such as magnum spoons, large plugs or spinner baits, when trolling for salmon and trout. Many anglers fly fish for trout and salmon, hand-line with lures for walleye, or use crawler harnesses for many species of Lower Michigan fish.
Regulations
Anglers age 17 years and older must purchase a fishing license available at bait shops, sporting good stores and online to residents and nonresidents. A booklet listing laws and regulations for Michigan waters is issued with the license. When fishing you have to carry your fishing license and the identification you used to buy it. Unless you buy a 24- or 72-hour license, your fishing license is valid from March 1 through March 31 of the following year. Fish must be hooked in the mouth or be released immediately. Each angler is allowed no more than three lines with six hooks.
Hatcheries
Four of Michigan's six hatcheries are on the west side of the Lower Peninsula. They provide anglers with abundant amounts of healthy salmon, trout, pike, walleye, muskellunge and lake sturgeon. The Harrietta and Oden State Fish Hatchery rear trout, while the Platte River Hatchery raises salmon. Wolf Lake State Fish Hatchery is the only fishery to raise sturgeon, and it rears a number of other species as well.
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