Michigan is bordered by four of the five Great Lakes, has over 3,000 miles of Great Lakes coastline and has more than 11,000 inland lakes, 36,000 miles of rivers and streams and a number of ponds, creeks and reservoirs that are home to many species of fish. Michigan fishing is regulated by the Department of Natural Resources and Environment (DNRE). According to the DNRE, more than 1.5 million anglers fish in Michigan.
Types
Michigan is well known for its sport-fishing industry, including Lake Michigan salmon fishing, Lake Huron trout fishing and walleye fishing in the Great Lakes, inland lakes and rivers. Bass, steelhead, sturgeon, catfish and muskie occupy Michigan lakes, rivers and streams, and pan fish, including perch, crappie, bluegill and other sunfish, are found in most of the state's bodies of water.
Regulations
Michigan's DNRE requires all anglers except those under 17 to purchase and carry a valid Michigan fishing license along with the identification used to buy it. Fishing licenses can be purchased at bait shops, retail stores, sporting good stores or online, and fees vary according to the type of license bought. An annual fishing license is valid from March 1 through March 31 of the next year. Anglers must hook fish in the mouth or immediately return it to the water.
Fishing Methods
The DNRE reports that Michigan has about 154 kinds of fish with 30 species sought after by anglers and others used as fish food or to balance the ecosystem. Many different methods are used to catch these fish. Fishermen cast from shore, bridges, docks, break walls, piers or boats. They fly fish for salmon, trout, bass, steelhead or pan fish. They jig for walleye, perch, crappie and other pan fish. They troll or drift in boats using minnows or crawler harnesses with planer boards, down riggers with spoons, spinners and plugs or hand line with lures or soft plastic baits. They use nets to dip for smelt.
Geography
Fish are found in different locations at different times of the year. They follow food, water temperatures and spawning areas they like. You should fish in rivers and streams in spots where the fish feed outside of bends, on drop-offs or under waves where fast water meets slower moving water. Fish can also be found hiding from predators under overhanging trees, rocks, bushes and logs as well as in weed beds and undercuts in riverbanks.
Conservation Efforts
Michigan's DNRE ensures that anglers catch healthy fish by stocking lakes, rivers, streams, creeks, reservoirs and ponds with fish raised and monitored by biologists in state hatcheries. The DNRE studies Michigan waters to watch for pollution, invasive species, water levels and overfished and underfished areas. The department takes nominations suggested by anglers for waters that require further regulating.
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