Lake Huron Fishing
Michigan launches, harbors, bays, limits and charters on Lake Huron.
Pick for walleyePiscifun Viper X spinning reel50% OFFSale $39.99 Photo: Ken Lund, CC BY-SA 2.0
Lake Huron: size, ports and fish
Lake Huron is the Great Lake along the eastern Lower Peninsula from the Straits of Mackinac to Port Huron, including Saginaw Bay and Thunder Bay. Boats target walleye in Saginaw Bay, lake trout, Atlantic and Chinook salmon, yellow perch and smallmouth bass.
The EPA gives the whole lake 23,000 square miles of water, an average depth of 195 feet and a maximum of 750 feet. Counties along it include Alcona County, Alpena County, Arenac County, Bay County, Cheboygan County and Chippewa County and others. This page counts 37 public launches, 26 harbors, 91 named bays, 113 river mouths and 15 charter listings on the Michigan side.
EPA Physical Features of the Great Lakes (whole lake), USGS GNIS, MDNR layers.
For the walleye herePiscifun AlumiX spinning reel46% OFFSale $64.99 Launch sites along Lake Huron
Boat ramps reaching Lake Huron
- Harrisville Boat Access6 lanes, 106 trailer spaces, courtesy pier, toilet, Recreation Passport, Alcona County
- Harrisville State Parkboat ramp, Recreation Passport, Alcona County
- Alpena Marina8 lanes, 45 trailer spaces, courtesy pier, toilet, fish cleaning station, Recreation Passport, Alpena County
- Rockport Boat Access4 lanes, 32 trailer spaces, courtesy pier, toilet, Recreation Passport, Alpena County
- Snug Harborboat ramp, Recreation Passport, Alpena County
- Singing Bridge Boat Accessboat ramp, 15 trailer spaces, toilet, Recreation Passport, Arenac County
- Coggins Road Boat Access1 lane, 8 trailer spaces, Recreation Passport, Bay County
- Finn Road Park3 lanes, 70 trailer spaces, courtesy pier, toilet, Recreation Passport, Bay County
- Pinconning Park2 lanes, 22 trailer spaces, courtesy pier, toilet, Recreation Passport, Bay County
- Mackinaw City Municipal Marina1 lane, 54 trailer spaces, courtesy pier, toilet, Cheboygan County
- Straits State Harbor3 lanes, 72 trailer spaces, courtesy pier, Recreation Passport, Cheboygan County
- Cedarville Harbor2 lanes, 14 trailer spaces, courtesy pier, toilet, Recreation Passport, Chippewa County
- DeTour Passage Boat Access2 lanes, 17 trailer spaces, courtesy pier, toilet, Recreation Passport, Chippewa County
- Maxton Bay Boat Access1 lane, 23 trailer spaces, courtesy pier, toilet, Recreation Passport, Chippewa County
- Prentiss Bay Boat Accessboat ramp, 2 trailer spaces, Chippewa County
- Bay Port Boat Access2 lanes, 48 trailer spaces, courtesy pier, toilet, Recreation Passport, Huron County
- Eagle Bay Boat Accessboat ramp, 2 trailer spaces, toilet, Recreation Passport, Huron County
- Filion Road Boat Access2 lanes, 43 trailer spaces, courtesy pier, toilet, Recreation Passport, Huron County
- Grindstone City Boat Access2 lanes, 46 trailer spaces, courtesy pier, toilet, Recreation Passport, Huron County
- Harbor Beach Municipal6 lanes, 96 trailer spaces, courtesy pier, toilet, Recreation Passport, Huron County
- Port Austin State Harbor4 lanes, 76 trailer spaces, courtesy pier, toilet, Recreation Passport, Huron County
- Stafford County Park2 lanes, 30 trailer spaces, courtesy pier, toilet, Recreation Passport, Huron County
- Sumac Island Boat Access2 lanes, 20 trailer spaces, courtesy pier, toilet, Recreation Passport, Huron County
- East Tawas Boat Access on Lake Huron4 lanes, 69 trailer spaces, courtesy pier, toilet, Recreation Passport, Iosco County
- Bois Blanc Boat Accessboat ramp, Mackinac County
- Hessel Boat Access2 lanes, 6 trailer spaces, courtesy pier, toilet, Recreation Passport, Mackinac County
- St. Ignace Boat Access4 lanes, courtesy pier, toilet, fish cleaning station, Recreation Passport, Mackinac County
- Hammond Bay Boat Accessboat ramp, 3 trailer spaces, Recreation Passport, Presque Isle County
- Hammond Bay State Harbor2 lanes, 16 trailer spaces, courtesy pier, toilet, Recreation Passport, Presque Isle County
- Presque Isle State Harbor2 lanes, 44 trailer spaces, courtesy pier, toilet, Recreation Passport, Presque Isle County
- Rogers City Municipal Boat Access6 lanes, 100 trailer spaces, courtesy pier, toilet, fish cleaning station, Recreation Passport, Presque Isle County
- Lexington Boat Access6 lanes, 72 trailer spaces, courtesy pier, toilet, fish cleaning station, Recreation Passport, Sanilac County
- Port Sanilac Boat Access4 lanes, 74 trailer spaces, courtesy pier, toilet, fish cleaning station, Recreation Passport, Sanilac County
- Port Sanilac Village Rampboat ramp, Shiawassee County
- Allen Cut Boat Accessboat ramp, Tuscola County
- Belgian Drain Boat Accessboat ramp, Tuscola County
- Clark Road Boat Accessboat ramp, Tuscola County
Marina harbors along Lake Huron
- Alpena Municipal MarinaAlpena County, grant in aid
- Au Gres State HarborArenac County, DNR managed (state owned)
- Bay Port Harbor of RefugeHuron County, Federal
- Bois Blanc Island MarinaMackinac County, grant in aid
- Caseville MarinaHuron County, grant in aid
- Cedarville MarinaMackinac County, grant in aid
- Cheboygan County MarinaCheboygan County, grant in aid
- Cheboygan Municipal MarinaCheboygan County, grant in aid
- De Tour State HarborChippewa County, DNR managed (state owned)
- East Tawas State HarborIosco County, DNR managed (state owned)
- Hammond Bay State HarborPresque Isle County, DNR managed (state owned)
- Harbor Beach MarinaHuron County, grant in aid
- Harrisville Municipal MarinaAlcona County, grant in aid
- Hessel (Clark Township) MarinaMackinac County, grant in aid
- Lexington State HarborSanilac County, DNR managed (state owned)
- Mackinac Island State HarborMackinac County, DNR managed (state owned)
- Mackinaw City Municipal MarinaCheboygan County, grant in aid
- Oscoda Harbor of RefugeIosco County, Federal
- Port Austin State HarborHuron County, DNR managed (state owned)
- Port Huron Fort Street MarinaSt. Clair County, grant in aid
- Port Sanilac HarborSanilac County, grant in aid
- Presque Isle State HarborPresque Isle County, DNR managed (state owned)
- Rogers City MarinaPresque Isle County, grant in aid
- Sebewaing MarinaHuron County, grant in aid
- St. Ignace MarinaMackinac County, grant in aid
- Straits State HarborCheboygan County, DNR managed (state owned)
Piers and shore sites on Lake Huron
- Alpena, AlpenaShore, pier, boat
- City of St. Ignace, MackinacPier, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, fee: No
- Hessel, Cedarville, MackinacPier, boat, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, fee: Yes
- Au Gres, ArenacShore, pier, boat, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, fee: Yes, Rec Passport
- Pinconning, BayShore, pier, boat, Dawn until dusk, fee: Yes
- Hume township, HuronShore, pier, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., fee: Yes, Rec Passport
- Unionville, Akron Township, TuscolaShore, pier, boat, Dawn until dusk, fee: Yes
- Mackinaw City, CheboyganPier, 24 hours, fee: No
- Lake Huron (Thunder Bay) fishing site, Alpenafishing pier
- Lake Huron fishing site, City of St. Ignacefishing pier
MDNR boat access sites, MDNR harbors layer, MDNR fishing sites, checked October 2026.
Where streams meet Lake Huron
- Huron BayAlpena County
- Huron BayChippewa County
- Saginaw BayBay County
- Tawas BayIosco County
- Thunder BayAlpena County
Further bays: Alaska Bay, Albany Bay, Albany Harbor, Bass Cove, Beaver Tail Bay, Big Shoal Cove, Big Stone Bay, Birdsong Bay, Blind Pass, Bosely Channel, Boxcar Cut, Bush Bay, Canoe Bay, Carlton Bay, Cecil Bay, De Tour Passage, DeTour Reef, Dudley Bay, Duncan Bay, Dynamite Cut, Eagle Bay, East Entrance, East Moran Bay, El Cajon Bay, Fairview Cove, False Detour Channel, Fisher Island, Forest Bay, Grass Bay, Griffin Cove, Gut Port, Haldimand Bay, Hammond Bay, Hammond Bay Harbor, Harbor Beach, Hessel Bay, Isaacson Bay, Island Harbor, Knight Bay and Lincoln Bay.
Inflowing streams of Lake Huron
- Albany CreekChippewa County
- Au Gres RiverArenac County
- Au Sable RiverIosco County
- Beaver Tail CreekMackinac County
- Bell RiverPresque Isle County
- Benhke CreekSanilac County
- Big Creek, Arenac CountySanilac County
- Big Creek, Arenac CountyArenac County
- Big Gully CreekSanilac County
- Birch CreekSt. Clair County
- Bird CreekHuron County
- Black Mallard RiverPresque Isle County
- Black River, Sanilac CountyAlcona County
- Brevoort RiverMackinac County
- Browns BrookMackinac County
- Buckley CreekHuron County
- Burtch CreekSt. Clair County
- Caribou CreekChippewa County
- Carp Lake RiverEmmet County
- Cheboygan RiverCheboygan County
- Cherry Creek, Ontonagon CountySanilac County
- County Line CreekSanilac County
- Cranberry CreekAlpena County
- Crawford CreekSanilac County
- De Witt DrainArenac County
- Dead CreekIosco County
- Devils RiverAlpena County
- Diamond CreekHuron County
- Dickenson CreekChippewa County
- Dime DrainArenac County
- Doe CreekSt. Clair County
- East Branch Au Gres RiverArenac County
- Elk CreekSanilac County
- Elm CreekHuron County
- Forester CreekSanilac County
- Grace CreekPresque Isle County
- Grand Lake OutletPresque Isle County
- Grant CreekHuron County
- Grass CreekAlpena County
- Greene CreekCheboygan County
- Gregory DrainBay County
- Griggs RiverSanilac County
- Hammell CreekArenac County
- Herron CreekSanilac County
- Hoban CreekMackinac County
- Indian CreekSanilac County
- Joe Straw CreekChippewa County
- Johnson DrainBay County
- Kawkawlin RiverBay County
- Kitchens CreekMackinac County
- Liens CreekSanilac County
- Little Black RiverCheboygan County
- Lone Pine CreekPresque Isle County
- Long Lake CreekAlpena County
- Martell CreekSanilac County
- Mason CreekIosco County
- McKenzie CreekSanilac County
- Mill Creek, St. Clair CountyAlcona County
- Mill Creek, St. Clair CountyCheboygan County
- Mill Creek, St. Clair CountySanilac County
- Mill Creek, St. Clair CountySanilac County
- Miller CreekSanilac County
- Milwaukee CreekSt. Clair County
- Moran RiverMackinac County
- Mud CreekHuron County
- Mulligan CreekPresque Isle County
- Nagels CreekPresque Isle County
- New RiverHuron County
- Norwegian CreekAlpena County
- Ocha CreekHuron County
USGS GNIS bays and stream mouths assigned to the nearest Michigan Great Lakes assessment unit.
Gauge readings around Lake Huron
NOAA CO-OPS Great Lakes water levels reading for Mouth of the Black River (IGLD85), recorded October 22, 2026; retrieved October 22, 2026. Values are provisional.
NOAA CO-OPS Great Lakes water levels reading for Fort Gratiot (IGLD85), recorded October 22, 2026; retrieved October 22, 2026. Values are provisional.
NOAA CO-OPS Great Lakes water levels reading for Harbor Beach (IGLD85), recorded October 22, 2026; retrieved October 22, 2026. Values are provisional.
NOAA CO-OPS Great Lakes water levels reading for Essexville (IGLD85), recorded October 22, 2026; retrieved October 22, 2026. Values are provisional.
NOAA CO-OPS Great Lakes water levels reading for Alpena (IGLD85), recorded October 22, 2026; retrieved October 22, 2026. Values are provisional.
NOAA CO-OPS Great Lakes water levels reading for Mackinaw City (IGLD85), recorded October 22, 2026; retrieved October 22, 2026. Values are provisional.
NOAA CO-OPS Great Lakes water levels reading for De Tour Village (IGLD85), recorded October 22, 2026; retrieved October 22, 2026. Values are provisional.
Limits and seasons on Lake Huron
| Species | Where | Limit | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Largemouth and smallmouth bass | All waters except Lake St. Clair, St. Clair River and Detroit River (and the Beaver Island Archipelago waters in Note 2) | 5 in any combination; minimum 14 inches | Possession: Sat. before Memorial Day – Dec. 31; catch-and-immediate-release open all year |
| Walleye | Upper Peninsula Great Lakes and inland waters, and St. Marys River | 5; minimum 15 inches | May 15 – March 15 |
| Walleye | Lower Peninsula Great Lakes (except as noted) | 5; minimum 15 inches | Open all year |
| Walleye | Lake Huron waters of MH-4 including Saginaw Bay and the lower Saginaw River and tributaries (Bay and Saginaw Cos.) up to the West Center Street (Dougl | 8; minimum 13 inches | Open all year |
| Northern pike | Upper Peninsula Great Lakes and inland waters, and St. Marys River | 2; minimum 24 inches | May 15 – March 15 |
| Northern pike | Lower Peninsula Great Lakes, Lake St. Clair, St. Clair River and Detroit River | 2 (up to 5 pike 24 inches or greater on Lake St. Clair, St. Clair R. and Detroit R.) | Open all year |
| Flathead catfish | Statewide | 5; minimum 15 inches | Open all year |
| Channel catfish | Statewide | 10; minimum 12 inches | Open all year |
| Muskellunge (including tiger muskellunge) | All Great Lakes and inland waters and St. Marys River | Only 1 per angler per license year (April 1 – March 31); mandatory harvest registration within 24 hours; minimum 42 inches (46, 50 or 38 inches on listed waters | Possession: 1st Sat. in June – March 15; catch-and-immediate-release open all year |
| Yellow perch | Statewide (except as noted) | 25 | Open all year |
| Sunfishes (black and white crappie, bluegill, green and hybrid sunfish | Statewide | 25 in any combination of the listed species | Open all year |
| White bass | Great Lakes, Lake St. Clair, St. Marys River, St. Clair River and Detroit River | 25 | Open all year |
| Cisco, lake whitefish, round whitefish | Great Lakes, connecting waters and Type F lakes | 10 in any combination (Lake Superior: up to 10 additional round whitefish) | Open all year |
| Smelt | Statewide | 2 gallons | Open all year (see General Netting Regulations) |
| Burbot | Statewide | 5 | Open all year |
| All other species | Statewide (species not listed, not trout or salmon, not threatened or endangered) | No possession limit | Open all year |
| Trout and salmon (Atlantic, Chinook, coho and pink salmon; brook, brow | Great Lakes, Lake St. Clair, St. Marys River, St. Clair River and Detroit River | 5 total in any combination; no more than 3 of any one species, except up to 5 coho, Chinook or pink salmon. St. Marys River: 5 additional pink salmon from last | Open all year (lake trout and splake by management unit) |
| Lake trout and splake (combined) | Lake Huron management unit MH 1 (DeTour, Cedarville, St. Ignace, Mackinaw City, Cheboygan, Rogers City) | 3; minimum 15-inch minimum | Jan. 1 – Sep. 30 |
| Lake trout and splake (combined) | Lake Huron management unit MH-2 (Presque Isle, Rockport, Alpena, Black River) | 3; minimum 15-inch minimum | Jan. 1 – Sep. 30 |
| Lake trout and splake (combined) | Lake Huron management unit MH 3-6 (Harrisville, Tawas, Grindstone, Harbor Beach, Lexington) | 3; minimum 15-inch minimum | Open all year |
Lake trout seasons by unit, Lake Huron
| Unit | Ports | Season | Daily | Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MH 1 | DeTour, Cedarville, St. Ignace, Mackinaw City, Cheboygan, Rogers City | Jan. 1 – Sep. 30 | 3 | 15-inch minimum |
| MH-2 | Presque Isle, Rockport, Alpena, Black River | Jan. 1 – Sep. 30 | 3 | 15-inch minimum |
| MH 3-6 | Harrisville, Tawas, Grindstone, Harbor Beach, Lexington | Open all year | 3 | 15-inch minimum |
The MDNR maps these lake trout refuges: Lake Huron (North end) and Lake Huron (6 Fathom Bank).
Districts used in MDNR reports: MH-1, MH-2, MH-3, MH-4, MH-5 and MH-6.
One Michigan all-species license covers the Great Lakes and connecting waters too: $26 a year for residents, $76 for nonresidents or $10 for a single day.
2026 Michigan Fishing Regulations (April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027), Great Lakes and connecting waters tables. All Michigan limits.
Recent fish plants in Lake Huron
Plants in Lake Huron: 87 events, 3,040,955 fish (2024 to 2026).
| Species | Plants | Fish |
|---|---|---|
| Lake trout | 37 | 1,439,083 |
| Rainbow trout | 26 | 451,537 |
| Chinook salmon | 3 | 333,135 |
| Walleye | 1 | 312,525 |
| Coho salmon | 6 | 276,542 |
| Atlantic salmon | 6 | 129,940 |
| Splake | 7 | 95,492 |
| Lake whitefish | 1 | 2,701 |
Freshest stocking rows, Lake Huron
| Date | Species | Strain | Avg length | Number |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 17, 2026 | Lake trout | Seneca Lake | 17.7 in | 49 |
| June 17, 2026 | Lake trout | Big (Parry) Sound | 17.8 in | 483 |
| June 17, 2026 | Lake trout | Big (Parry) Sound | 17.7 in | 49 |
| June 14, 2026 | Lake trout | Seneca Lake | 18.5 in | 35,741 |
| June 14, 2026 | Lake trout | Seneca Lake | 18.8 in | 35,736 |
| June 14, 2026 | Lake trout | Big (Parry) Sound | 18.4 in | 35,683 |
| June 13, 2026 | Lake trout | Big (Parry) Sound | 18.9 in | 38,822 |
| June 13, 2026 | Lake trout | Big (Parry) Sound | 19 in | 38,836 |
| June 13, 2026 | Lake trout | Big (Parry) Sound | 17.9 in | 35,234 |
| June 11, 2026 | Lake trout | Seneca Lake | 18.7 in | 38,745 |
MDNR Fish Stocking Report table (state, federal and tribal plants), January 2024 to October 2026.
Captains who run Lake Huron
- Trout Scout V Fishing Charterscharter, Alpena, (989) 657-2681
- Termar Charter Servicecharter, Au Gres, (989) 876-8318
- Northbay Charterscharter, Casco, (586) 727-4991
- Running Deep Fishing Charterscharter, Cheboygan, (231) 818-7183
- rockin and reelin sportsfishingcharter, Cheboygan, (231) 203-4102
- lake St Clair Fishing Guide Servicecharter, Goodells, (810) 531-2191
- MFM Sport Fishing Charter and Guide Servicecharter, Indian River, (231) 290-0975
- Michigan Honey Hole Fishing Charterscharter, Lexington, (810) 242-2495
- Emma J Sport Fishing Charters Best price Tournament winnerscharter, Mackinaw City, (248) 421-0487
- Fin-Lander Sportfishing Charterscharter, Port Austin, (810) 404-1875
- Trophy Sport Fishing Charterscharter, Port Austin, (989) 738-7603
- J-Lyn Charterscharter, Port Hope, (989) 428-3130
- Blue Heron Charterscharter, Sault Sainte Marie, (906) 635-5134
- Thumbs Up Charter Servicescharter, Sebewaing, (810) 513-6073
- Emma J Sportfishingcharter, millersburg, (989) 370-6967
Marina listings around Lake Huron
- Sassy MarinaAlgonac
- Eds Auto & Boat ServiceAllenton
- Dodge Marine & StorageAlpena
- Thunder Bay Shores MarinaAlpena
- Au Gres MarineAu Gres
- Northport StationAu Gres
- Bay Harbor MarinaBay City
- Liberty Harbor MarinaBay City
- Pier 7 MarinaBay City
- Skipper BudsBay City
- Sunset Shores Yacht ClubBay City
- Wheelers LandingBay City
- Bayshore MarinaBay Port
- Brush's MarinaBay Port
- Burt Home MaintenanceBrutus
- Beadle Bay MarinaCaseville
- Mariner's Cove MarinaCaseville
- Saginaw Bay Marina Repair ShopCaseville
- Cheboygan Village MarinaCheboygan
- Duncan Bay Boat ClubCheboygan
- Mullet Lake Marina IncCheboygan
- Walstrom Marine- CheboyganCheboygan
- Cuthbertson MarineClay
- Jerry's MarinaEast Tawas
- Anderson's Service Center-Marine DivisionEssexville
- Knight Harbor MarinaEssexville
- Mayea MarinaFair Haven
- Lindy's SalesFairgrove
- Long Lake Marine ServiceHale
- Harbor Beach MarinaHarbor Beach
Yellow Pages listings; charters matched by name or shore county.
More Great Lakes pages beyond Lake Huron
- Lake Superiorgreat lake
- Lake Michigangreat lake
- Lake Eriegreat lake
- Lake St. Clairconnecting water
- St. Marys Riverconnecting water
- St. Clair Riverconnecting water
- Detroit Riverconnecting water
Piscifun reels worth packing for Lake Huron
Piscifun and Amazon links are affiliate links; the site earns a commission on qualifying purchases.
Fish an angler meets at Lake Huron
Photo: Knepp Timothy, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Public domain
Photo: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Public domain
Photo: Bureau of Land Management Oregon and Washington, Public domain
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Photo: USFWS Midwest Region, Public domain
What to know ahead of a day at Lake Huron
What license is needed on Lake Huron?
One Michigan all-species license covers the Great Lakes and connecting waters too: $26 a year for residents, $76 for nonresidents or $10 for a single day.
Which launches put boats onto Lake Huron?
37 public launches and 26 harbors are listed on this page, busiest counties Huron and Presque Isle.
Which species draw boats to Lake Huron?
Walleye in Saginaw Bay, lake trout, Atlantic and Chinook salmon, yellow perch and smallmouth bass.
Which streams reach Lake Huron?
113 stream mouths are listed, among them Albany Creek, Au Gres River and Au Sable River.
Do any fishing guides work Lake Huron out of Michigan ports?
15 charter listings, mostly out of Alpena, Au Gres and Casco.
What walleye rules apply on Lake Huron?
8; minimum 13 inches; Open all year.
How high is Lake Huron right now?
7 level stations on this page show dated readings from NOAA or the Corps of Engineers.
Which species does the MDNR plant in Lake Huron?
87 plants from 2024 to 2026 are on file, mostly lake trout, rainbow trout and splake.
What lake trout bag applies on Lake Huron?
It depends on the unit: MH 1 3 a day (jan. 1 – sep. 30); MH-2 3 a day (jan. 1 – sep. 30); MH 3-6 3 a day (open all year).
Book a day on Lake Huron
Check the level and the rules, then launch.