Michigan Great Lakes
Pick for coho salmonPiscifun Viper X spinning reel50% OFFSale $39.99 $79.99
Lake Michigan Fishing
Michigan launches, harbors, bays, limits and charters on Lake Michigan.
Pick for coho salmonPiscifun Viper X spinning reel50% OFFSale $39.99 Photo: Sandysphotos2009, CC BY 2.0
Michigan Great Lakes
Meet Lake Michigan
Lake Michigan is the only Great Lake entirely inside the United States, washing the western Lower Peninsula from New Buffalo to the Straits and the southern Upper Peninsula shore. The catch here centers on Chinook and coho salmon, lake, brown and rainbow trout, yellow perch, and walleye and smallmouth in Little and Big Bay de Noc and Grand Traverse Bay.
By EPA measure the lake spans 22,300 square miles with 279-foot average and 925-foot maximum depths. Counties along it include Allegan County, Antrim County, Benzie County, Berrien County, Charlevoix County and Delta County and others. Our Lake Michigan directory holds 35 launches, 33 harbors, 87 named bays, 164 river mouths and 60 charters.
35public launches
33harbors
22,300square miles (whole lake)
164river mouths
EPA Physical Features of the Great Lakes (whole lake), USGS GNIS, MDNR layers.
For the coho salmon herePiscifun AlumiX spinning reel46% OFFSale $64.99 Launches
Ports to fish out of on Lake Michigan
Trailer ramps onto Lake Michigan
- Elk Rapids Boat Access4 lanes, courtesy pier, toilet, Antrim County
- Nine Mile Point Boat Accessboat ramp, 3 trailer spaces, Recreation Passport, Charlevoix County
- Aronson Island Boat Accessboat ramp, Delta County
- Farmers Dock Boat Access2 lanes, 16 trailer spaces, courtesy pier, toilet, Recreation Passport, Delta County
- Fayette Historic State Park1 lane, 5 trailer spaces, courtesy pier, toilet, Recreation Passport, Delta County
- Ford River Mouth Boat Access2 lanes, 35 trailer spaces, courtesy pier, toilet, Recreation Passport, Delta County
- Garden Bay Boat Access1 lane, 15 trailer spaces, courtesy pier, toilet, Recreation Passport, Delta County
- Gladstone Marinaboat ramp, Delta County
- Kipling Boat Access2 lanes, 38 trailer spaces, courtesy pier, toilet, Recreation Passport, Delta County
- Nahma Boat Access2 lanes, 35 trailer spaces, courtesy pier, toilet, Recreation Passport, Delta County
- North Shore Boat Access on Lake Michiganboat ramp, Delta County
- Portage Bay State Forest Campground Boat Access1 lane, 3 trailer spaces, Recreation Passport, Delta County
- Portage Marsh Boat Access1 lane, 2 trailer spaces, Delta County
- Rapid River Mouth Boat Access2 lanes, 40 trailer spaces, courtesy pier, toilet, Recreation Passport, Delta County
- Sand Point Boat Accessboat ramp, Delta County
- Cross Village Boat Access1 lane, Emmet County
- Josephine D. Ford Park2 lanes, 33 trailer spaces, courtesy pier, toilet, Recreation Passport, Emmet County
- Petoskey Municipal Boat Access2 lanes, 41 trailer spaces, courtesy pier, Recreation Passport, Emmet County
- Wilderness State Park1 lane, 16 trailer spaces, courtesy pier, toilet, Recreation Passport, Emmet County
- Bowers Harbor2 lanes, 39 trailer spaces, courtesy pier, toilet, Recreation Passport, Grand Traverse County
- Clinch Memorial Boat Access2 lanes, courtesy pier, Recreation Passport, Grand Traverse County
- East Arm Boat Access on Lake Michigan2 lanes, 32 trailer spaces, courtesy pier, toilet, Recreation Passport, Grand Traverse County
- Sayler Park1 lane, courtesy pier, toilet, Recreation Passport, Grand Traverse County
- Elmwood Township Marina7 lanes, courtesy pier, fish cleaning station, Recreation Passport, Leelanau County
- Leland Township Marina2 lanes, 19 trailer spaces, courtesy pier, toilet, Recreation Passport, Leelanau County
- Northport G. Marsten Dame Marina2 lanes, 12 trailer spaces, courtesy pier, Recreation Passport, Leelanau County
- Suttons Bay Marinaboat ramp, Leelanau County
- West Arm Boat Access on Lake Michigan2 lanes, 33 trailer spaces, courtesy pier, toilet, Recreation Passport, Leelanau County
- Naubinway Marina1 lane, courtesy pier, toilet, Recreation Passport, Mackinac County
- Loomis Street Boat Access8 lanes, 146 trailer spaces, courtesy pier, toilet, fish cleaning station, Recreation Passport, Mason County
- Menominee Municipal Boat Access2 lanes, 28 trailer spaces, courtesy pier, toilet, Recreation Passport, Menominee County
- Railroad Dock Boat Access2 lanes, 19 trailer spaces, courtesy pier, toilet, Menominee County
- Stoney Point Boat Access2 lanes, 5 trailer spaces, courtesy pier, toilet, Recreation Passport, Menominee County
- Seul Choix Pointe Boat Access1 lane, 13 trailer spaces, courtesy pier, toilet, Recreation Passport, Schoolcraft County
- Thompson Creek Boat Accessboat ramp, toilet, Recreation Passport, Schoolcraft County
Harbors on Lake Michigan
- Arcadia Veterans Memorial MarinaManistee County, grant in aid
- Beaver Island MarinaCharlevoix County, grant in aid
- Boyne City F. G. Moore Municipal MarinaCharlevoix County, grant in aid
- Cedar River State HarborMenominee County, DNR managed (state owned)
- Charlevoix City MarinaCharlevoix County, grant in aid
- East Jordan City MarinaCharlevoix County, grant in aid
- Elk-Rapids Edward C. Grace Memorial HarborAntrim County, grant in aid
- Escanaba Municipal MarinaDelta County, grant in aid
- Fayette Historic State Park Snail Shell HarborDelta County, DNR managed (state owned)
- Frankfort Municipal MarinaBenzie County, grant in aid
- Gladstone MarinaDelta County, grant in aid
- Grand Haven Municipal MarinaOttawa County, grant in aid
- Greilickville Elmwood Twp. MarinaLeelanau County, grant in aid
- Harbor Springs Municipal MarinaEmmet County, grant in aid
- Holland Harbor of RefugeOttawa County, Federal
- Leland Township MarinaLeelanau County, grant in aid
- Ludington Harbor ViewMason County, Other
- Ludington Municipal MarinaMason County, grant in aid
- Manistee MarinaManistee County, grant in aid
- Manistique MarinaSchoolcraft County, grant in aid
- Menominee MarinaMenominee County, grant in aid
- Naubinway Garfield Township MarinaMackinac County, grant in aid
- New Buffalo MarinaBerrien County, grant in aid
- Northport G. Marsten Dame MarinaLeelanau County, grant in aid
- Pentwater Municipal MarinaOceana County, grant in aid
- Petoskey MarinaEmmet County, grant in aid
- Portage Lake Harbor of RefugeManistee County, Federal
- Saugatuck Harbor of RefugeAllegan County, Federal
- South Haven Municipal MarinaVan Buren County, grant in aid
- South Manitou Island Harbor of RefugeLeelanau County, Federal
- St. Joseph West Basin MarinaBerrien County, grant in aid
- Suttons Bay MarinaLeelanau County, grant in aid
- Traverse City Duncan L. Clinch MarinaGrand Traverse County, grant in aid
Walk-out piers along Lake Michigan
- Holland/Park Township, OttawaPier, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., fee: Yes, Rec Passport
- Park Township, OttawaShore, pier, 5 a.m. to 10 p.m., fee: No
- Grand Haven, OttawaPier, boat, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, fee: Yes, Rec Passport
- Arcadia, ManisteePier, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, fee: No
- Charlevoix, CharlevoixPier, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, fee: No
- Cedar River, MenomineeShore, pier, boat, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, fee: Yes, Rec Passport
- Manistique, SchoolcraftShore, pier, boat, fee: No
- Frankfort/Elberta, BenzieShore, pier, boat, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, fee: No
- Boyne City, CharlevoixShore, pier, boat, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, fee: No
- Petoskey, EmmetShore, pier, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, fee: No
- Manistee, ManisteeShore, pier, boat, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, fee: No
- Hamlin Township, MasonShore, pier, boat, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, fee: Yes, Rec Passport
- Ludington, MasonShore, pier, boat, Dawn until dusk, fee: No
- Hamlin Township, MasonShore, pier, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, fee: Yes, Rec Passport
- Muskegon, MuskegonShore, pier, boat, Dawn until dusk, fee: Yes, Rec Passport
- Traverse City, Grand TraverseShore, pier, boat, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, fee: No
- Traverse City, Grand TraverseShore, pier, boat, Dawn until dusk, fee: No
- Menominee, MI and Marinette, WI (boundry waters), MenomineeShore, pier, boat, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, fee: No
- Elmwood, LeelanauPier, 8am – 10pm Daily, fee: No
- Lake Michigan fishing site, Holland/Park Townshipfishing pier
- Lake Michigan – Bar Lake Outlet fishing site, Manistee Townshipbank fishing area
MDNR boat access sites, MDNR harbors layer, MDNR fishing sites, checked October 2026.
Bays
The bays of Lake Michigan
- Big Bay de NocDelta County
- East Arm Grand Traverse BayGrand Traverse County
- Grand Traverse BayGrand Traverse County
- Green BayDelta County
- Green BayMenominee County
- Little Bay de NocDelta County
- Little Traverse BayEmmet County
- Sturgeon BayCharlevoix County
- Sturgeon BayEmmet County
- Suttons BayLeelanau County
- West Arm Grand Traverse BayGrand Traverse County
Lesser bays include Arthur Bay, Baltimore Bay, Bells Bay, Bomways Bay, Bowers Harbor, Cable Bay, Cat Head Bay, Christmas Cove, Donegal Bay, Dutchmans Bay, Epoufette Bay, Fisherman Bay, French Bay, Garden Bay, Garden Island Harbor, Gillnet Haven, Goadreaus Harbor, Good Harbor Bay, Goose Bay, Goully Harbor, Greenes Bay, Hall Bay, Hayward Bay, High Island Bay, Horton Bay, Indian Bay, Indian Harbor, Ingalls Bay, Inland Harbor, Iron Ore Bay, Jensen Harbor, Kates Bay, Kenyon Bay, Kregg Bay, Lacomb Bay, Larsen Harbor, Little Bayou, Little Harbor, Little Sand Bay and Loeb Bay.
Mouths of rivers on Lake Michigan
- Acme CreekGrand Traverse County
- Antrim CreekAntrim County
- Bailey CreekMenominee County
- Bakers CreekGrand Traverse County
- Bark RiverDelta County
- Bear RiverEmmet County
- Beattie CreekMenominee County
- Belangers CreekLeelanau County
- Betsie RiverBenzie County
- Big RiverDelta County
- Big Sable RiverMason County
- Big Sucker CreekEmmet County
- Birch CreekSchoolcraft County
- Bis CreekMenominee County
- Black River, Sanilac CountyVan Buren County
- Black River, Sanilac CountyMackinac County
- Boardman RiverGrand Traverse County
- Borgstrom CreekMackinac County
- Bowens CreekManistee County
- Boyne RiverCharlevoix County
- Brandywine CreekVan Buren County
- Brown CreekCharlevoix County
- Bulldog CreekSchoolcraft County
- Bursaw CreekSchoolcraft County
- Carver DrainAllegan County
- Cataract RiverMackinac County
- Cedar Creek, Muskegon CountyLeelanau County
- Cedar River, Menominee CountyMenominee County
- Chanda CreekCharlevoix County
- Cooper CreekMason County
- Crystal RiverLeelanau County
- Cut RiverMackinac County
- Davenport CreekMackinac County
- Dead Horse CreekSchoolcraft County
- Deer Creek, Ontonagon CountyMenominee County
- Deerlick CreekVan Buren County
- Dry CreekSchoolcraft County
- Duck Creek, Ionia CountyMuskegon County
- Dunham CreekManistee County
- Dyer CreekCharlevoix County
- East Branch Black RiverMackinac County
- East Branch Mitchell CreekGrand Traverse County
- East Mile CreekMackinac County
- Elk RiverAntrim County
- Ennis CreekLeelanau County
- Escanaba RiverDelta County
- Fishdam RiverDelta County
- Fivemile CreekCharlevoix County
- Flower CreekMuskegon County
- Ford RiverDelta County
- Fowler CreekMenominee County
- Galien RiverBerrien County
- Garden CreekDelta County
- Gierke CreekSchoolcraft County
- Glenn CreekAllegan County
- Grand RiverOttawa County
- Granskog CreekDelta County
- Gulliver Lake OutletSchoolcraft County
- Gurney CreekMason County
- Hansen CreekManistee County
- Hay CreekMenominee County
- Herring Lake OutletBenzie County
- Hog Island CreekMackinac County
- Horton CreekCharlevoix County
- Hudson CreekMackinac County
- Inwood CreekCharlevoix County
- Iron Ore CreekCharlevoix County
- Johnson Creek, Iosco CountyMenominee County
- Jordan RiverCharlevoix County
- Jordan RiverCharlevoix County
USGS GNIS bays and stream mouths assigned to the nearest Michigan Great Lakes assessment unit.
Water level
Water height on Lake Michigan
578.77 ftwater level, Lake Michigan-Huron
US Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District (CWMS) reading for Lake Michigan-Huron (IGLD85), recorded October 21, 2026; retrieved October 22, 2026. Values are provisional.
579.04 ftwater level, Ludington
NOAA CO-OPS Great Lakes water levels reading for Ludington (IGLD85), recorded October 22, 2026; retrieved October 22, 2026. Values are provisional.
579.03 ftwater level, Holland
NOAA CO-OPS Great Lakes water levels reading for Holland (IGLD85), recorded October 22, 2026; retrieved October 22, 2026. Values are provisional.
578.94 ftwater level, Menominee
NOAA CO-OPS Great Lakes water levels reading for Menominee (IGLD85), recorded October 22, 2026; retrieved October 22, 2026. Values are provisional.
578.75 ftwater level, Port Inland
NOAA CO-OPS Great Lakes water levels reading for Port Inland (IGLD85), recorded October 22, 2026; retrieved October 22, 2026. Values are provisional.
Limits
Harvest rules on Lake Michigan
| 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 |
| Largemouth and smallmouth bass | Lake Michigan within one-half mile of Beaver, Garden, High and Hog islands (Charlevoix Co.) | 5 in any combination; minimum 14 inches | Possession: July 1 – 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 |
| 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 Michigan management unit MM 1-5 (Menominee, Escanaba, Manistique, Harbor Springs, Charlevoix, Elk Rapids, Traverse City, Northport, Leland, Frank | 2; minimum 15-inch minimum | Jan. 1 – Sep. 30 |
| Lake trout and splake (combined) | Lake Michigan management unit MM 6-8 (Arcadia, Manistee, Ludington, Grand Haven, Holland, New Buffalo) | 3; minimum 15-inch minimum | Open all year |
Lake Michigan lake trout units
| Unit | Ports | Season | Daily | Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MM 1-5 | Menominee, Escanaba, Manistique, Harbor Springs, Charlevoix, Elk Rapids, Traverse City, Northport, Leland, Frankfort, Platte Bay | Jan. 1 – Sep. 30 | 2 | 15-inch minimum |
| MM 6-8 | Arcadia, Manistee, Ludington, Grand Haven, Holland, New Buffalo | Open all year | 3 | 15-inch minimum |
Refuge polygons: Lake Michigan (North part) and Lake Michigan (Mid lake).
Statistical districts here: MM-1, MM-2, MM-3, MM-4, MM-5, MM-6, MM-7 and MM-8.
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.
Stocking
The plant history of Lake Michigan
Lake Michigan received 7,594,545 fish in 183 plants, 2024 to 2026.
| Species | Plants | Fish |
|---|---|---|
| Lake trout | 104 | 5,963,116 |
| Walleye | 30 | 997,937 |
| Brown trout | 42 | 493,815 |
| Chinook salmon | 1 | 99,960 |
| Lake whitefish | 3 | 20,267 |
| Rainbow trout | 3 | 19,450 |
Last plants logged for Lake Michigan
| Date | Species | Strain | Avg length | Number |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| July 2, 2026 | Walleye | Bay De Noc | 3.8 in | 59,825 |
| July 1, 2026 | Walleye | Bay De Noc | 3.7 in | 23,317 |
| June 30, 2026 | Walleye | Bay De Noc | 3.7 in | 125,310 |
| June 25, 2026 | Walleye | Bay De Noc | 4.5 in | 9,882 |
| June 3, 2026 | Lake trout | Big (Parry) Sound | 17.7 in | 63,432 |
| June 3, 2026 | Lake trout | Seneca Lake | 18.4 in | 63,472 |
| June 1, 2026 | Lake trout | Lewis Lake | 17.9 in | 64,412 |
| June 1, 2026 | Lake trout | Seneca Lake | 18.5 in | 64,510 |
| May 30, 2026 | Lake trout | Lewis Lake | 17.8 in | 63,394 |
| May 30, 2026 | Lake trout | Lewis Lake | 18.1 in | 63,396 |
MDNR Fish Stocking Report table (state, federal and tribal plants), January 2024 to October 2026.
Charters
Charter captains and guides near Lake Michigan
- Line Dancer Sportfishingcharter, Benton Harbor, (734) 216-9021
- Golden Eye Charterscharter, Berrien Center, (269) 471-7162
- Talon Sport Fishing Charterscharter, Beulah, (248) 542-1563
- Fishwish Inccharter, Cedar, (231) 228-4746
- Watta Bite Charter Fishingcharter, Cedar, (231) 228-7417
- Torch Time Charters Northcharter, Central Lake, (231) 590-1949
- Salmon Slayer Charter Fishing & Guide Servicecharter, Custer, (269) 377-1313
- Michigan Fishing Charterscharter, Douglas, (616) 836-5736
- Fire Plug Charterscharter, Eastlake, (231) 398-9073
- Intimidator Fishing Charterscharter, Elberta, (231) 651-9995
- Caddis Shack Guide Servicecharter, Escanaba, (906) 280-8791
- Sara K Sport Fishing Charterscharter, Frankfort, (248) 444-3984
- Last Cast Charterscharter, Fruitport, (231) 557-9582
- Watta Bite Charter Fishingcharter, Glen Arbor, (231) 409-0963
- D-Ann Marie Charterscharter, Grand Haven, (616) 846-3700
- It-Il-Do Fishing Charterscharter, Grand Haven, (616) 844-6599
- Nelson Charters LLCcharter, Grand Haven, (616) 846-4344
- Bachelor One Charterscharter, Holland, (616) 399-6782
- Bending Limits Sportfishingcharter, Holland, (989) 464-6546
- Deep V Sportfishing Charterscharter, Holland, (616) 836-9306
- Fish n Fin Charter Servicescharter, Holland, (269) 543-3474
- JJ Sportfishing Charterscharter, Holland, (616) 399-9273
- Tangled Mess Charters LLCcharter, Holland, (616) 889-6603
- Fishtown Charter Servicecharter, Leland, (231) 256-9639
- Mariah and Pier Pressure Charter Fishingcharter, Leland, (231) 883-2146
- Annie Mac Charterscharter, Ludington, (231) 845-8659
- Fish-Hook Charterscharter, Ludington, (517) 270-5314
- For Petes Sake Charterscharter, Ludington, (231) 843-8755
- Free Style Charterscharter, Ludington, (231) 845-1779
- Katch Me Charterscharter, Ludington, (231) 510-2072
- Michigan Charterscharter, Ludington, (248) 875-2576
- Black Pearl Sportfishingcharter, Macatawa, (517) 449-5543
- Fish With Jim Outfitterscharter, Mancelona, (248) 252-1277
- Fire Plug Charterscharter, Manistee, (231) 690-3937
- Fish Are UScharter, Manistee, (231) 723-7910
- Freddie B Manistee Fishing Charterscharter, Manistee, (248) 670-2479
- Michigan Sport Fishing Companycharter, Manistee, (517) 745-0738
- Our Reel Heroes charterscharter, Manistee, (989) 429-7678
- Rods-N-Regs Charterscharter, Manistee, (866) 803-7380
- Sue-Lee Charterscharter, Manistee, (231) 723-4025
- Princess Bel Charterscharter, Montague, (231) 894-5437
- Great Lakes Guide Servicecharter, Muskegon, (231) 638-5752
- RUN-N-GUN CHARTERS LLCcharter, Muskegon, (231) 740-7697
- Rack Em Up Sport Fishingcharter, Muskegon, (231) 557-2368
- steelheadcharterscharter, Muskegon, (231) 329-2117
- J Margie Charterscharter, Norton Shores, (231) 799-2229
- Sandpiper III Charter Fishingcharter, Onekama, (231) 889-4258
- Sandpiper Sportfishing Charterscharter, Onekama, (231) 633-9631
- Sportsmen Charterscharter, Pentwater, (231) 206-2820
- Plumber's Helper Charter Servicecharter, Petoskey, (231) 357-1513
- Big Bird Charterscharter, Saint Joseph, (269) 243-0633
- Come Sail Away Charterscharter, Saint Joseph, (269) 932-8400
- Dustins Dream Fishing Charterscharter, Saint Joseph, (269) 266-2281
- Fish Stalker Charterscharter, Saint Joseph, (269) 425-8651
- Gold Coast Fishing Co.charter, Saint Joseph, (269) 548-7304
- Reel Addiction Charterscharter, Saint Joseph, (574) 876-6456
- Seacrete Charterscharter, Saint Joseph, (269) 208-2015
- Silver King Sportfishing Chartercharter, Saint Joseph, (269) 983-7816
- Always on Sport Fishing Charterscharter, Saugatuck, (616) 836-8452
- Can't Miss Charter Servicescharter, Saugatuck, (616) 292-3757
Shore marinas for Lake Michigan
- Marooners' Rock MarinaAlanson
- Glassman Marine ServicesAlden
- Beaver Island MarinaBeaver Island
- Beaver Island Yacht DockBeaver Island
- DeWitt Marine IncBellaire
- Lake Effect Power SportsBenton Harbor
- Pier 1000 MarinaBenton Harbor
- Bay MarinaBoyne City
- Harborage MarinaBoyne City
- Walloon Central Power Sports & MarinaBoyne Falls
- Walloon Lake Marina, 4069 M 75 NBoyne Falls
- Maple Bay MarineBrutus
- Paradise Lake MarinaCarp Lake
- Northern Michigan Docks IncCentral Lake
- Dry Harbour MarineCharlevoix
- Foster Boat Works AssociationCharlevoix
- Irish Boat ShopCharlevoix
- Ironton Cove Landings & MarinaCharlevoix
- Lyons Marine ConstructionCharlevoix
- Marina Bluff AssociationCharlevoix
- Northwest Marine Yacht BasinCharlevoix
- Park Avenue ManagementCharlevoix
- Pine Lake AssociationCharlevoix
- Safe Harbor Tower MarineDouglas
- Tower MarineDouglas
- Clear Water MarinaDowagiac
- The Lakes MarinaDowagiac
- Four Seasons Marina IncEast Jordan
- Mobile Marine ServicesEast Jordan
- Somday Sailing Inc SwanEast Jordan
Yellow Pages listings; charters matched by name or shore county.
Great Lakes
Great Lakes and connecting waters past Lake Michigan
- Lake Superiorgreat lake
- Lake Hurongreat lake
- Lake Eriegreat lake
- Lake St. Clairconnecting water
- St. Marys Riverconnecting water
- St. Clair Riverconnecting water
- Detroit Riverconnecting water
Piscifun
Piscifun reels worth packing for Lake Michigan
Piscifun and Amazon links are affiliate links; the site earns a commission on qualifying purchases.
Photographs
Lakes and streams near Lake Michigan, pictured
Photo: Ken Lund, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Notorious4life ( Uploads ), CC0 1.0
.jpg){kind=link}
Photo: gabe popa, CC BY 2.0
.jpg){kind=link}
Photo: Dwight Burdette, CC BY 3.0
Answers
Things to settle before fishing Lake Michigan
Do I need a separate license for Lake Michigan?
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.
How many public ramps serve Lake Michigan?
35 public launches and 33 harbors are listed on this page, busiest counties Delta and Leelanau.
What does Lake Michigan hold?
Chinook and coho salmon, lake, brown and rainbow trout, yellow perch, and walleye and smallmouth in Little and Big Bay de Noc and Grand Traverse Bay.
Where are the river mouths on Lake Michigan?
164 stream mouths are listed, among them Acme Creek, Antrim Creek and Bailey Creek.
Who runs charters on Lake Michigan?
60 charter listings, mostly out of Benton Harbor, Berrien Center and Beulah.
How many walleye can I keep from Lake Michigan?
See the limit table above; the statewide Great Lakes rows apply.
Which stations track the level of Lake Michigan?
5 level stations on this page show dated readings from NOAA or the Corps of Engineers.
What does the MDNR plant in Lake Michigan?
183 plants from 2024 to 2026 are on file, mostly lake trout, brown trout and walleye.
What lake trout bag applies on Lake Michigan?
It depends on the unit: MM 1-5 2 a day (jan. 1 – sep. 30); MM 6-8 3 a day (open all year).
Head for the shore of Lake Michigan
Choose a harbor, then read the limit table.