Author Topic: SW Michigan Walleye lakes (Read 4798 times) oboy110. The best time to fish Holloway is at the beginning of season, trolling withcrankbaitsand inlineplanerboards. The best species to stock are brook and rainbow trout. You also can reel in walleye, smallmouth bass, pan fish and pike. Print; Pages: [1] | Go Down. Michiganders will find lots of great walleye action this year. 28 were here. Avoid stocking brown trout as they are difficult to catch and as they grow they will eat other trout making it difficult to restock your pond. As avid anglers, we review tackle gears and share with you our fishing secrets for big catches. You can also try angling using jigs with leeches or crawlers, single blade spinners, and crawler harnesses. Best Glide Bait: Clam Tikka Mino. The results are normally highly variable with plants of this type and were likely to be very low, but it worked so well in Lake Leelanau and Long Lake that walleye populations in the lakes are now self-sustaining. We will have updated fishing report in Northern Michigan along with photos.. Best Spinner: Northland Baitfish Float'n Spin. Features quick-change barrel system. Nate Torres, 13, sent the . I hope to share with others my love for Michigan because for some unusual reason with all the traveling I have done thus far in my old age of 27, I keep on coming back to this great state! The Bay of Quinte, just off Lake Ontario in eastern Ontario, is arguably the best walleye fishery in the world for consistently large fish -- in any season, but especially after Labor Day. 2/23/2023 Below are a list of lakes that have been stocked in Southwest Michigan in the last couple weeks: Gun Lake (Barry Co) Sessions Lake (Ionia Co) Lincoln Lake (Kent Co) St. Joseph River (Berrien Co) Coldwater Lake (Branch Co) White Lake (Muskegon Co) Klinger Lake (St . Climb to the top of a lighthouse. The new fishing rules apply from April 1 until March 31, 2023. 7. Your choice of fishing method will depend on the season and the region of the fish youre angling at. Most standard fishing methods will work if youre catching Walleye fish during the post-spawning season. Give a Gift This lake covers 17,000 acres and is the fifth largest lake in the State of Michigan. This is a reservoir lake that covers 1200 acres and is located in mostly Oakland County and partly in Livingston County. Please use caution and keep off the pier during storms, icy conditions or high waters. Here are some of them for you to consider: In general, the method youll be using to catch Walleye depends on when and where you go fishing. Big walleyes and big small mouth bass. The experienced staff at Sea Hawk Charters are experts at catching fish in Lake Michigan and the St. Joseph River. In general, crankbait, live bait spinner rigs, and swimbaits are the most popular trolling baits. The vegetation in this lake also makes it hard to navigate and fish with ease. For maps, bait and tackle, contact Fish & Hunt Shop at (877) 586-9531, or online at fishandhuntshop.com. The types of fish most frequently caught include perch, trout, salmon, whitefish and catfish. This,combined with structures well-suited for trolling, make it easy to locate and catch big walleye. As such, you need to be patient and skillful if you choose to fish for Walleyes in Portage Lake. Bluegill, bass and walleye are the most valuable catches, and most of them canbe caught with nothing more than earthworms in the summer months. The ice fishing Michigan board sponsored by: Sponsor this board. This fish also has relatively fewer bones than most fish and offers a satisfactory amount of meat. In this episode I'm linking up with Kaitlin and Josh Woodward (http://www.woodwardfishing.com) to do some trolling for walleye in the legendary fishery aroun. Planer boards are also common. Do you have a story or a tip to share? The state is home to four Great Lakes, a few major rivers, and a lot of amazing inland lakes and rivers that hold healthy populations of Walleye. Use the fishing reports and forecasts below to help you plan for fishing success! Washtenaw and Wayne counties' 1,270-acre Belleville Lake is an impoundment of the Huron River that's more noted for it black crappies and largemouth bass, but it a sleeper for walleyes according to Braunscheidel. What a welcome youll receive at each stop along the way in Berrien County as we pop wine corks, tap beer kegs and whiskey barrels, and pour flights for you and your friends. Coldwater Lake is a fisherman's dream! But what if you don't live near one of the Great Lakes or you don't have a vessel that will handle the big water? Or challenge your teens to laser tag. "The best walleye lakes in this neck of the woods are Burt and Hubbard," said Northern Lake Huron Management Unit fisheries biologists Tim Cwalinski. In early fall, mid-September through October, anglers are more likely to catch salmon, smallmouth bass, walleye and lake whitefish. Its hard to picture a fishing trip to Lake Erie without targeting its superstar catch. 1. "The inland lakes down here really took a step back because of VHS," stated Southern Lake Michigan Management Unit fisheries supervisor Jay Wesley. For example, Walleye tend to be more aggressive and much hungrier during spawning season, so you can experiment with various types of bait. The most appropriate fishing method to use at this time is long-lining or casting with crankbaits. The tri-county area of Southwest Michigan is home to hundreds of inland lakes as well as hundreds of miles of additional rivers and streams. Use trolling crankbaits during Summer and drift using slip bobbers with leeches at night. Staudemeyer's Four Seasons Resort. MorrisRoadBridge. Paddle-tail plastics and split-tail minnow are also popular, along with certain live bait. Ice fishing for Walleye in Michigan is a treat for many anglers, residents, and visitors alike. Have you ever been Walleye fishing in Michigan? Wilson Lake was originally built for flood control, but today it is also a popular recreation lake. But other lakes where savvy anglers can enjoy great fishing include Norfork . St. Clair River Walleye anglers use one-ounce jigs, along with and jigs to maintain contact with the bottom due to quick currents. If youre angling at night, try shallow sandy bottoms where the Walleyes are looking for food. Even though this isnt a lake that is known for big walleye, it is still a good place to fill yourlivewell. Cass Lake is one of the most popular lakes in Michigan to fish any time of the year. One popular place on this lake is the slopping flats on the south side of the lake. Although both the Leelanau lakes are great fishing points for Walleye fish, North Lake Leelanau has a larger population of this fish. Night fishing is another good way to find relaxed walleye feeding. We're pretty much dependent on plants. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Everyone knows that the Keystone State is blessed with beautiful forests and state parks. For one of these trips, you have to book EARLY! Walleyes from plants made in 1,610-acre Coldwater Lake half a decade ago should be fat 18- to 22-inch fish by now. Lake Michigan is known for its wealth of fishing opportunities including Chinook and Coho salmon, steelhead, trout, perch and walleye. The . Great points to fish in this lake include the shallow waters of Bullhead Bay and Maple Bay. The National Wild Turkey Federation's mission to conserve wild turkey and preserve hunting heritage is still going strong after a half-century. If winter fishing isnt your thing, enjoy the spawning season during the spring months, when these fish are especially hungry. The lake is self-sustaining and a perfect habitat for walleye, because of the abundance of forage and insects. There are also multiple city and community parks all along the river that provide access for fishing. This is because these fish are low energy following high spawning activities and dont fight back as much. * * *. The Walleye fish in this lake are sustained through natural reproduction and can grow up to 18 inches in length. Located in northwestern Wisconsin, this is the perfect place to fish if you are looking for one of the best ice fishing in the entire state. And they won't have to tackle the big water to do it. "We've had issues with cormorants in the past, but what it all goes back to is natural reproduction.". This page directs you to hours of fun. Nearby. Ice fishing in Michigan is a time-honored tradition, and anglers from all over the [], For hundreds of years, Walleye have been a staple of freshwater fishing all across the Upper Midwest and Canada. Jigging spoons or minnows work best when the ice is around 4-5 inches thin. Conditions can change daily, so you might want to check the weather in advance and head out with a local guide. This is because, unlike its counterpart, North Lake Leelanau has better spawning conditions and numerous protein-rich weeds. "Planting huge amounts of tiny fry doesn't work in all situations," said Kalish, "but Lake Leelanau and Long Lake were perfect because they have an excellent forage base of gray and blue shiners and mayflies, which predators can feed on. This lake is mostly known as a popular recreational spot in Barry County. This increases anglers chances of having a great catch. Clareis one of the most inland options, but what it may lack in Great Lakes access is made up for with great shore and dock fishing. Which lures, baits, colors are currently performing best. Which lakes and rivers contain the fish species you are interested in. Wilson Lake; Russell & Lincoln Counties. You can also get a good catch if you fish at night when the Walleye fish are more relaxed and out to hunt. Lots of bait helps other predators grow big, too. Inthis location,using crankbaits and stickbaits onsummer evenings almost guarantees a catch. Plenty of inland lakes in Michigan have great walleye fishing too. Because both are now sustained by natural reproduction, VHS has not had an effect on the fisheries. Effective fishing methods to use in Gun Lake include trolling and casting using spinners and crankbaits. Remember, being silent is just as important on land as it is on the water. Lake Hurons Saginaw Bay is 60 miles long and 30 miles wide, offering excellent Walleye fishing in Michigan. Another favorite place to cast is from the rocks in the harbor at the New Buffalo City Beach. April, May, and June are great times to seek . What depths various fish species are currently active in Lake Michigan. Anglers have two choices: fish deep using finesse techniques during daylight hours or wait until after dark when the walleyes move shallow. Another hotspot is off Shawnee Shoals and the irregular breaklines that can be found there. To make it easier on yourself to get out early in the morning and fish into the evening consider booking a night or two at one of our conveniently located hotels. Trolling with spinners and worms behind 1 to 2 oz. Perch move about in schools, often numbering in the hundreds. But you dont have to stay in that area to get a good bite. By silversailor370. The Model 336 is expected to be launched soon; the Model 1894 should launch this spring. Thats because Michigans rich waters dont disappoint even during the winter months, with 11,000 lakes in Michigan waiting to be explored. "Ford Lake does have some natural reproduction. The wind creates waves, and waves cut down on light penetration. Both lakes also have a healthy zooplankton population, which is what the fry feed on, and good spawning habitat once they reach adulthood.". The spring spawning runs in April and May is considered to be the best time to go jigging for Walleye in the Bay. 7. I spend a majority of my time promoting professional bass anglers and helping local businesses sprout. "You don't hear about the Hubbard walleye fishing. During post-spawning season, usually on the last Saturday of April, you can easily catch Walleyes in shallow waters. This is due to boating policies and restrictions. Robbins Bay at the Southwest point in the northwest part of Gun Lake is very deep and has a constant supply of Walleye fish at midday. Open to Public. Pier 1000 Marina, Tiscornia Park, Silver Beach County Park, Sea Hawk Charters, New Buffalo Beach, Southwest Michigans Empty Nesters Freedom Tour, proper safety equipment and follow best boating practices. Studio 106, 106 Mill St, Northport, MI 49670. Keep lures in a 30-foot vertical band, some as much as 20 feet above the thermocline. Subscriber Services. Salmon were hitting on a variety of spoons, flies and meat rigs while lake trout were hitting yellow spin-glo's on the . This is usually on the last Saturday of April. Burt Lake. Although this lake attracts a fair number of recreational boating and activities, its expansive waters allow anglers to fish with little interference. During the post-spawn season which occurs after May 15th, Walleye frequent most of the lakes bays during the day. Few Arkansas waters produce better walleye fishing than Greers Ferry, Bull Shoals and Ouachita. We have been in the live bait business since 1949 when Earl Buchner founded the company in the small town of Interlochen, MI where we are still located. Both South Lake Leelanau and Long Lake received megaplants of between 5 million and 6 million walleye fry for several consecutive years back in the 1980s to see if they (the DNR) could jumpstart the walleye fisheries. PortageLakeis a consistent producer of big walleyes that remain active throughout the summer, partially because it can be tricky to pull fish out of the dense vegetation and structure of this shallow lake. However, anglers can catch them pretty much throughout the year, even during winter. The early morning or evening hours, aroundtwo hours before dark, are usually the best times to fish on the Muskegon Pier or Muskegon Lake. There is an excellent paved ramp located off CR-643 on the lake's west side along The Narrows. And theres a whole bunch of locations in Michigan where you can fish for Walleye. Two great fishing spots in Hubbard Lake are Churchill Point or Doctor Point. Anglers prefer targeting trophy Walleye anytime from late evening to early morning, although you can go for smaller fish throughout the day. The Arboretum features a walkway along the river and railings which are convenient for resting your rods against. This is attributed to the fact that the lake has abundant forage and vegetation cover that supplies the fish with plenty of food. Although its shallower than most lakes in Michigan, Portage Lake produces one of the largest and heaviest Walleye fish in the State. Anglers traveled up to Sault Ste. Water warms up during springtime and fishing is getting better. Thats why some of the regions finest artists, writers, musicians, history-makers and performers call this home. Catfish, largemouth, bluegill and even a turtle may grace your line if youre using live bait. Great fishing spots to consider are Hastings and Murphys Points which are at the center of the Lake. All Rights Reserved. Theres not one but four Great Lakes in the state, hence its iconic shape. Gun Lake is relatively smaller than other lakes and covers 2680 acres. Ken Vitale with Buck Knives chats with Game & Fish Editorial Director Adam Heggenstaller about two new hunting knives for 2023the purpose-built Alpha and PakLite series. Key features include muzzle velocities of 2,215-2,400 fps. The Walleye fish in Hubbard Lake has a great age structure, reaching up to 12-year-old fish. Those fish should grow quickly and begin contributing to the fishery in 2013. Gun Lake is one of Michigan's best lakes for walleye fishing. | Leelanau might be one of the best areas in Michigan to go walleye fishing. Houghtonis home to Otter Lake Dam, which offerssome great bank fishing. Fishing for Walleye on the greatest watershed in the world. Cass Lake Michigan. While it doesn't give up big numbers of trophy fish, Burt Lake can usually be counted on to provide enough walleyes for a fish fry. During late spring and early summer, look for walleyes in the shallows of East Bay and adjacent Churchill Point. Walleye C.J. The launch ramps are about 3,500 feet from Lake Michigan so you can be in open water in 10 minutes. Other than their voracious personality, walleye fish is popular for its great taste. For more information on Coldwater Lake and other southwest Michigan walleye fisheries . In the fall, its all about the Walleye mania, with anglers taking advantage of hungry fish. For bait, tackle and lake maps in the Traverse City area contact the Gander Mountain store at 3500 Market Place Circle, Suite B, Traverse City, MI 49684; (231) 929-5590 or go online at gandermountain.com. It's more known for its jumbo perch," said Cwalinski, "and the people who are catching them don't talk much.". . At night, drifting with aslip bobberand leeches can be effective. #7 Best Value of 20 Fishing Resorts in Wisconsin. Weeds and small drop offs are the only structure this lake has to offer, causing walleye to collect in dense pockets. That plant kind of jumpstarted the fishery. The vibrancy and beauty of Lake Michigan, the serenity of our countryside and the rich stories of our past fill this land with creative inspiration. You can also try using , 1/8- or 1/16-ounce jigs with minnows. Both will also interest the giant smallmouths and surreal bluegills that the lake is famous for. "It can handle the pressure," declared Scott. 27 Best Lake Michigan Beaches Upper Peninsula Northern West Southwest. Where are the biggest walleyes? Visitors can also rent a watercraft or hire a charter boat. 8 Great Places For Michigan Walleye Fishing Fish . Southwest Michigan is one of them. This lake provides enough protection from anglers and other fish, as well as a plentiful food source, to allow many of them to reach trophy size. Opportunities abound for a relaxing and successful day of fishing in Southwest Michigan. Look for them along the contours found directly out from the boat launch and Pearl Beach on the northwest end of the lake. Trailing crawler harnesses behind bottom-bouncers and slip-bobbers with leeches are proven tactics.