Baldwin, Michigan, is the county seat of Lake County, an inland county in the eastern part of the state's lower peninsula. Its population at the last census was 1,107. It also is on the banks of the Pere Marquette River, which is a "Blue Ribbon" fishery. That means it has all-round excellence in water quality, accessibility, reproduction capacity and angling pressure.
The River
Chinook salmon in the Pere Marquette River reach 30 pounds. The river also has top-rated trout and steelhead fishing, and a large section near Baldwin is reserved for fly-fishing only. August and September are peak salmon fishing months on the Pere Marquette. The river is divided into three sections; the upper section, which is upstream from Gleason's; the middle section, which is Gleason's to Walhalla; and the lower section, which is Walhalla to Scottville. Salmon are in the lower two sections of the river, especially downstream from Walhalla.
The Lakes
Lake County is aptly named, because there are 115 lakes in the county, and most have salmon. Check with the MIchigan Department of Natural Resources and Environment site in References for information about the lakes in Lake County, as well as for general information about fishing licenses and seasons.
The Tips
Local fly fishermen favor the lower section of the Pere Marquette, using chuck-n-duck rigs. Glo bugs work well while the salmon are spawning. Favored flies are black spey flies, black stoneflies, marabou streamers and hex flies. In both river and lake, salmon seek structure in dark water. When they are striking, they strike aggressively; when they are not striking, you can't put the bait in their mouths. If you are having no luck, fish for something else for a few hours, then try again.
The trails
Serious hikers enjoy the river and lakes around Baldwin for the clean water and unspoiled terrain. In addition to the canoe trails on the river, there is a meshwork of hiking and bike trails. For the intrepid ice fisherman, there are also cross-country ski/snowshoe trails and snowmobile trails.
The Town
Baldwin has few people, and many of them make their living working with fishermen, The town has several shops specializing in fishing equipment and lures. Each summer, Baldwin hosts a trout tournament, called Trouterama, and a bicycle confab called Blessing of the Bikes. If you are looking for a guide in Baldwin, you can choose from Baldwin Creek Fishing Guide Service, Marsh Ridge River Guides, Jon's Guide Service or Michigan Fly Fishing Ventures. Rent a canoe from Baldwin Canoe Rental or Ivan's Canoe Rental. There are three motels and four fishing lodges.
Member Comments