For the avid angler, Michigan is one of the best spots in the country for freshwater fishing, with northern pike topping the list as one of the most abundant species. Surrounded by the Great Lakes---Huron, Erie, Michigan, Superior, and Ontario---Michigan is home to more than 11,000 lakes, channels, and rivers in and around the state. The predatory pike haunts shallow waters, so you don't need special equipment to catch a boatload of this tasty fish.
Saginaw Bay at Lake Huron
According to "Michigan Sporstman," which publishes an annual Pike forecast, Saginaw Bay is at the top of the 2010 list. Nestled in the area that separates the thumb from the rest of the mitten-shaped state, Saginaw Bay is one of the gems of southeast Michigan, serving as a gateway to Lake Huron. Its waters are home to many species of game fish, such as walleye, but baitfish like perch and bluegill, the mainstay diet of the northern pike, are also found in the weed beds just offshore. Chances are, if you go fishing for baitfish, you're sure to hook more than one northern pike.
The Great Lakes
When you see anglers casting lines off the piers of any of the Great Lakes surrounding Michigan, chances are they're looking for northern pike. Shallow areas with weed beds along the coasts are home for baitfish, and most piers extend out to water that is at least 8 to 15 feet deep where pike tend to feed. Pier fishing extends the fun of hooking a fighting pike to the whole family by offering easy access to the sport without having to invest in special equipment.
Hamlin Lake
Located on the west coast of Michigan in Mason County, Hamlin Lake is an inland lake fed by Lake Michigan and a great place to catch northern pike. Inland lakes tend to have a weedy bottom where baitfish hide and are more shallow than the Great Lakes. This combination offers a perfect habitat for northern pike, allowing them to grow large enough to mount. The downside of Hamlin Lake is that it is also home to the similar looking muskie, so anglers need to pay close attention to what is on their line.
Muskallonge Lake
Muskallonge Lake in Michigan's Upper Peninsula is fed by the icy waters of Lake Superior and houses an abundance of small fish and underwater vegetation that pour in through the tangle of rivers and channels that connect the Great Lakes. For the patient and lightning quick northern pike, this habitat is prime hunting ground for food, making this lake a prime fishing spot for pike anglers. The best way to spot pike here is to look for murky waters where the fish have stirred the bottom with a whiplash-like snap as they catch their prey, causing the locals to nickname the Muskallonge "Mud Lake."
Portage Lake
Houghton County is home to Portage Lake, another favorite of pike anglers. Spanning 9,500 acres, Portage Lake offers plenty of baitfish for pike to feed on and plenty of room for them to grow. Michigan has a 12-inch law, so anything caught under that length mush be released, but many fishermen have reported snagging northern pike that measure 40-plus inches in the waters of Portage Lake. Located in the Upper Peninusla, the huge lake splits the Keweenaw Peninusla into northern and southern halves, creating perfect coastlines to find pike.
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