Lake Michigan

Overview

Lake Michigan is the only Great Lake entirely within the United States, bordered by Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois and Indiana. Chinook and coho salmon, lake trout, steelhead and brown trout are the main open water targets. Michigan DNR's port guide lists brown trout and coho in spring at southern ports such as New Buffalo, St. Joseph and South Haven, and Chinook and coho salmon, lake trout and steelhead through summer and fall at ports from Grand Haven and Muskegon north to Ludington, Manistee, Frankfort and Charlevoix. In southern Lake Michigan, Indiana DNR says spring trolling from March to mid May mostly happens within two miles of shore, where coho make up most of the catch, before trout and salmon move to deep offshore water for the summer. Chinook and coho return to the streams from late August to early November, and stocked steelhead run the tributaries, including Indiana's summer run Skamania strain. Illinois anglers fish Chicago's harbors and lakefront for yellow perch, coho in spring, and king and coho salmon, brown trout and steelhead in fall. In northern Green Bay, the Bays de Noc are known for walleye, smallmouth bass and yellow perch. Wisconsin DNR calls Lake Michigan the state's most frequently visited water and calls king salmon a staple of the fishery.

Regulations

Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois and Indiana each set their own Lake Michigan seasons and limits, and Indiana DNR notes that you need that state's license when you fish Illinois or Michigan waters. There are no Canadian waters on Lake Michigan. Check the current regulations for the state whose water you are fishing.

Stocking history

Likely species (watershed)

Muskellunge, Ninespine Stickleback, Popeye Shiner, Silver Lamprey

Likely species come from USGS Aquatic GAP ranges for the whole watershed (HUC8). They show what may be here, not a count of this water.

Waters near Muskegon, MI

• Muskegon River1.9 miles · MI
• Muskegon Lake2.1 miles · MI
• Mona Lake3.8 miles · MI
• Grand River12.2 miles · MI
• White Lake12.4 miles · MI
• Big Blue Lake15.4 miles · MI