Fishing near Ann Arbor, Michigan
Washtenaw County, population 123,851.
- 2 milesto nearest lake
- 2launches nearby
Pick for walleyePiscifun Viper X spinning reel50% OFFSale $39.99 Photo: Dwight Burdette, CC BY 3.0
Where to fish from Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor is a city in Washtenaw County that counted 123,851 residents in 2020. The quickest lake trip runs 2 miles east to Geddes Pond. Ford Lake, Washtenaw County is the largest lake in the list below at 958 acres. For a ramp, try Belleville Lake West Boat Access, 11 miles from town.
For walleye, 3 lakes around town have records, Geddes Pond the closest of them. The Huron River, Washtenaw County, 8 miles off, is the closest trout stream page. Huron River (Gallup Park) fishing site, Ann Arbor gives bank access about 2 miles away.
For the walleye herePiscifun AlumiX spinning reel46% OFFSale $64.99 The nearest lakes to Ann Arbor
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Launches | Satellite clarity | Trout Type | Fish on record |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Geddes Pond | 2 miles east | 195 | 0 | 9.1 ft (2023) | catfish, bluegill, largemouth bass | |
| Barton Pond | 3 miles northwest | 192 | 0 | 9.1 ft (2023) | ||
| Huron River near Ypsilanti, Washtenaw County, 100 acres | 4 miles east | 100 | 0 | 7.6 ft (2023) | bluegill | |
| Huron River near Ypsilanti, Washtenaw County, 54 acres | 5 miles east | 54 | 0 | 7.3 ft (2023) | black bullhead, black crappie, bluegill | |
| Ford Lake, Washtenaw County | 8 miles southeast | 958 | 1 | 4.6 ft (2023) | black bullhead, black crappie, bluegill | |
| Independence Lake | 10 miles north | 190 | 1 | 10.1 ft (2023) | largemouth bass, sunfish, northern pike |
Flowing water near Ann Arbor
- Huron River, Washtenaw County8 miles, Type 1, Type 4
- Saline River12 miles
- Mill Creek, Washtenaw County13 miles
- Lower River Rouge15 miles
- Middle River Rouge19 miles
Straight-line distances from the Census point for Ann Arbor; EGLE lake layer, MDNR Fish Atlas and trout regulation Types.
Mapped: fishing around Ann Arbor
- Belleville Lake West Boat AccessBelleville Lake, 11 miles
- Whitmore Lake Boat AccessWhitmore Lake, 11 miles
Shore fishing spots by Ann Arbor
- Huron River (Gallup Park) fishing site, Ann ArborHuron River (Gallup Park), 2 miles
- Huron River-Gallup Park/Geddes Pond fishing site, Ann ArborHuron River-Gallup Park/Geddes Pond, 2 miles
- Rolling Hills County Park – Spring Pond fishing site, Ypsilanti TownshipRolling Hills County Park – Spring Pond, 8 miles
- Mill Creek fishing site, Village of DexterMill Creek, 8 miles
- Ford Lake fishing site, YpsilantiFord Lake, 9 miles
- Independence Lake fishing site, Webster TownshipIndependence Lake, 10 miles
USGS stream data around Ann Arbor
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Huron River At Ann Arbor, Mi | 199 cfs, 12.07 ft gage height | Oct 23 4:15 am |
| Malletts Creek At Ann Arbor, Mi | 3 cfs, 3.13 ft gage height | Oct 23 3:15 am |
| Huron River At Zeeb Rd At Scio, Mi | 221 cfs, 6.76 ft gage height | Oct 23 3:30 am |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Oct 23, 2026 4:32 am ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
Help for anglers in Ann Arbor
Live bait and lures near Ann Arbor
- Sierra, 215 N Maple Rdbait and tackle shop, Ann Arbor, 3 miles
- Schultz Outfittersbait and tackle shop, Ypsilanti, 6 miles
- Bass N Sportbait and tackle shop, Ypsilanti, 8 miles
- Kathy Hourihanmarina, Superior Charter Township, 9 miles
- The Painted Troutbait and tackle shop, Dexter, 9 miles
- Rick's Bait Shackbait and tackle shop, Whitmore Lake, 11 miles
- Mac's Marina Incmarina, Whitmore Lake, 11 miles
- Mac's Marina Motor Sportsmarina, South Lyon, 13 miles
Guided trips on Ann Arbor
- Charters by Gregcharter, Belleville, (734) 796-4948
Registered tournaments in the county around Ann Arbor
| Date | Event | Water | Fish |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027-07-01 | Tnt | Halfmoon Lake | Bass |
| 2027-07-11 | River Rats | Portage Lake | Bass |
| 2027-09-23 | Tnt | Halfmoon Lake | Bass |
| 2026-10-11 | Sunday funday opens | Portage Lake | Bass |
| 2026-09-27 | Sunday funday opens | Halfmoon Lake | Bass |
| 2026-09-12 | Jcba Jack N Jill League Classic | Portage Lake | Bass |
| 2026-09-06 | Sunday funday opens | Halfmoon Lake | Bass |
| 2026-08-23 | Breaking Water Bass Club | Halfmoon Lake | Bass |
| 2026-08-01 | Katchem league – 1 on 1 ! | Portage Lake | Bass |
| 2026-07-11 | Yankee Div | Halfmoon Lake | Bass |
MDNR Fishing Tournament Information System, public registrations for Washtenaw County, checked October 2026.
What anglers around Ann Arbor may keep
| Species | Limit | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Largemouth and smallmouth bass | 5 in any combination; minimum 14 inches | Possession: Sat. before Memorial Day – Dec. 31; catch-and-immediate-release open all year |
| Walleye (Lower Peninsula) | 5; minimum 15 inches | Last Sat. in April – March 15 |
| Northern pike (Lower Peninsula) | 2; minimum 24 inches | Last Sat. in April – March 15 |
| Muskellunge | 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 | 25 | Open all year |
| Sunfish and crappie | 25 in any combination of the listed species | Open all year |
| Channel catfish | 10; minimum 12 inches | Open all year |
| Flathead catfish | 5; minimum 15 inches | Open all year |
| White bass | 10 | Open all year |
| Cisco and whitefish | 5 in any combination | Open all year |
| Burbot | 5 | Open all year |
| Trout in unclassified lakes | 5, no more than 3 of which may be 15 inches or greater; minimum 8 inches | Open all year |
2026 Michigan Fishing Regulations; walleye and pike rows for the Lower Peninsula. Lake pages show trout Types and any exception.
Close by Ann Arbor
Overnight stops close to Ann Arbor
- Barton Hills3 miles
- Ypsilanti6 miles
- Saline7 miles
- Dexter9 miles
- Whitmore Lake10 miles
Where Ann Arbor sits by county
- Washtenaw Countyseat: Ann Arbor
A Piscifun setup for a day on Ann Arbor
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Fish an angler meets at Ann Arbor
Photo: USFWS Mountain Prairie, Public domain
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Photo: Fredlyfish4, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: USFWS Mountain Prairie, Public domain
Photo: BenitoJuarez98, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answers for a Ann Arbor fishing base
Which Michigan lake page is the nearest to Ann Arbor?
Geddes Pond, 2 miles east.
Which ramp lies nearest Ann Arbor?
Belleville Lake West Boat Access, about 11 miles off.
Which bank site is handiest for Ann Arbor?
Huron River (Gallup Park) fishing site, Ann Arbor, 2 miles away.
Where do anglers in Ann Arbor buy gear?
Sierra is closest at 3 miles.
Are there walleye lakes around Ann Arbor?
Geddes Pond, 2 miles away, is the nearest with walleye on record.
Which county are Ann Arbor addresses in?
Washtenaw County; its page lists every launch there.
Does Ann Arbor have MDNR trout water close by?
The Huron River, Washtenaw County, about 8 miles, Type 1, Type 4.
When do walleye and pike open near Ann Arbor?
The Lower Peninsula opener applies: Last Sat. in April.
Which Michigan license fits a short stay in Ann Arbor?
A daily all-species license is $10; a nonresident year costs $76.
Pick a Michigan lake near Ann Arbor
Lake pages list fish on record, launches and trout Types.