best walleye fishing in southwest michigan

Show prices. Even so, this lake continues to have a surplus supply of Walleye fish. While Michigan has enough lakes to accommodate nearly any sizeboat, fishing isnt just for those out on the open water. The best time to fish the rivers is either spring or fall, although early-season fishing can be solid until early summer. Try these spots: Borealis Gallery, 109 E Nagonaba St, Northport, MI 49670. February 10, 2023. Like any sport worth its name, fishing for Walleyes requires a tactful approach. Both will also interest the giant smallmouths and surreal bluegills that the lake is famous for. In general, crankbait, live bait spinner rigs, and swimbaits are the most popular trolling baits. Post-spawn activity is high earlier on in the season in these two fishing spots. Jigging spoons or minnows work best when the ice is around 4-5 inches thin. There is also access to shore fishing at these locations. Also look for walleyes to congregate near the outflows of the Indian and Sturgeon rivers. A change of only 5 feet in depth or of bottom composition is likely to hold fish. Trailing crawler harnesses behind bottom-bouncers and slip-bobbers with leeches are proven tactics. In the video above, Matt Willson of Ruger highlights the features with Game & Fish's John Taranto. 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. If youre fishing at these points, you should use jigs with minnows, leeches, or crawlers at the tip. It is also frequented by kayakers and canoers, and you'll find great locations for hiking and camping along the river. The ban on walleye planting was lifted in 2011 and so lakes that were once prolific walleye producers should be booming again soon. Lighthouses. The best setup is a long rod, sensitive, but with a strong backbone to jerk those wall hangers above any weeds and brush they could use to snap your line. "Coldwater Lake is so dependant on stocking that the impact of VHS was huge. But you dont have to stay in that area to get a good bite. Experts suspect that the flowing waters of Holloway Reservoir hold more walleye per surface acre than anywhere else inMichigan. The depth and variety of terrain make downriggers andplanersinvaluable on this lake. In this video, it will help you to know how to choose fishing baits for spring walleye fishing.Subscribe Piscifun here: https://www.youtube.com/PiscifunSumme. "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. Kalish admitted that the initial plants of walleyes in the lakes were a unique experiment. The edges of new-growth weeds on the Northern point of the lake are also good fishing points for Walleyes. The NWTF is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. Growing up in the backwoods of Hell, Michigan I have always been a lover of the outdoors. One popular place on this lake is the slopping flats on the south side of the lake. "It can handle the pressure," declared Scott. Have you ever been Walleye fishing in Michigan? Keep lures in a 30-foot vertical band, some as much as 20 feet above the thermocline. 09 of 10. Lasalle The Spring season, late March through the end of May has probably the best walleye fishing in the world! Most are good-sized bodies of water, but are very fishable in a small boat if you use common sense. Coldwater Lake is a fisherman's dream! This lake also has a natural river channel, which holds a lot of walleye. Use a depth finder to locate outside bends in the current, and drop a minnow-tipped jig ( oz jigs,1/8 oz jigs,1/16 oz jigs). This lake is a popular Walleye fishing point as it has conducive conditions that favor the reproduction and growth of the fish. Anglers will find good access in Maple Bay and at Burt Lake State Park on the south end of the lake. Finding Walleye almost always presents a healthy challenge, no matter where you go. This is a reservoir lake that covers 1200 acres and is located in mostly Oakland County and partly in Livingston County. Eric Lundgren of Ruger, which now owns Marlin, highlights the features of both rifles with Game & Fish Editorial Director Adam Heggenstaller at SHOT Show 2023 in Las Vegas. Because Burt Lake is a large body of water, trolling is the best option for presenting your lure to the maximum number of walleyes. The 2,860-acre Long Lake is a myriad of structure and islands that shouts, "Walleyes!" Locals suggest using paddle-tails while jigging in off-color waters where the clarity is limited. Even so, the fish can be found almost anywhere in the lake. If winter fishing isnt your thing, enjoy the spawning season during the spring months, when these fish are especially hungry. The Buffalo is a popular river for fly fishing, too, and it has many areas that are perfect spots for the sport. MI.gov; DNR; Fishing Tournaments Home; Contact DNR; Report All Poaching 800-292-7800; Additionally, there are a wealth of locations where you can fish from shore, docks or piers. "The boat ramps were packed this past summer," said Scott. When fishing with live bait, anglers go for minnows on a light line, leeches suspended under a slip bobber, and nightcrawlers drifted along the bottom. "It's probably as good or better than Hubbard Lake and provides access to Mullet Lake, too.". "Big Manistique Lake goes through its ups and downs," chided Eastern Lake Superior Management Unit fisheries supervisor Steve Scott. MorrisRoadBridge. Paddle-tail plastics and split-tail minnow are also popular, along with certain live bait. Spring fishing. The deepest point of Cass Lake is approximately 120 feet. Southwest Michigan is a four-season paradise with Lake Michigan and a countryside peppered with scenic rivers, inland lakes and verdant hills. Or challenge your teens to laser tag. Additionally, be sure to have the proper safety equipment and follow best boating practices. Leelanaumight be one of the best areas in Michigan to go walleye fishing. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Piers, docks, and shoreline riprap are all key areas to target. Winter steelhead fishing. Get a taste of several drinks in one place in Southwest Michigans social districts. Note that the Detroit River is also an international boundary with Canada. Thats why some of the regions finest artists, writers, musicians, history-makers and performers call this home. Working light jigs ( oz jigs,1/8 oz jigs,1/16 oz jigs) along the flats has also been known to be productive early in the season. We're pretty much dependent on plants. Those lakes have suffered in recent years because of the moratorium on walleye planting due to the outbreak of VHS disease. The types of fish most frequently caught include perch, trout, salmon, whitefish and catfish. Walleye hang out by the bottom, so your captain might slow troll at a variety of depths. 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. Note that there might be minimum size and bag limits for Walleye in different waterways. 1.46 Acre Cabin Lot 20 Minutes to Pigeon Forge & Dollywood, or Wears Valley Perfect Location For Your Log Cabin with Incredible Views Priced To Sell FAST! 7. 2022. Try the weed pockets close to M-18 and M-55 in Prudenville at this point in the year. 7. For more information on Coldwater Lake and other southwest Michigan walleye fisheries, contact the MDNR's Southern Lake Michigan Management Unit at (269) 685-6851. The lakes formerly barren featureless bottom is now populated with manmade cover and structure like brush and logs the locals have sank to give the walleye and anglers someplace to go. To get here, from old US-31 in downtown Berrien Springs, take Mechanic Street to Fish Ladder. The ice fishing Michigan board sponsored by: Sponsor this board. For one of these trips, you have to book EARLY! 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. Walleye C.J. The fish from the 2005 plant should provide great fishing this year. 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. During the post-spawn season which occurs after May 15th, Walleye frequent most of the lakes bays during the day. In the spring, before there are many weeds, trolling the shallows withcrankbaitsprovides the most bang for your buck. Winchester's new Big Bore ammo, available in 10 mm, .44 Mag., .357 Mag., and .45 Colt, is specifically designed for big bears in bear country. The new 7mm Precision Rifle Cartridge from Hornady is available in three loads (160 gr. The rig is likely to interest walleyes and the jumbo perch the lake is known for. Unlike in the Detroit River, Lake Erie Walleye anglers usually go for trolling. Planer boards are also common. If fishing from a boat, ease in to areas and use an electric engine. These lures are all versatile baits that I've personally tested to cover the most common walleye fishing conditions. Whether you plan your vacations weeks in advance or spur of the moment, this twice-monthly e-newsletter will keep you in-the-know about Southwest Michigan. Cass Lake: Covering a healthy 1,280 acres, Cass Lake offers a wide variety of fishing species and quality ice fishing. "The inland lakes down here really took a step back because of VHS," stated Southern Lake Michigan Management Unit fisheries supervisor Jay Wesley. Standing tall at the west end of the south pier, this red lighthouse has stood guard over the harbor for many, many. The lake covers 4,990 acres (20.2 km2). This lake has plenty of sloping banks and bays for fish to gather in, so . Also known as the Great Manistique, this lake covers 10,130 acres and among the largest lakes in the Upper Peninsula. Even though this isnt a lake that is known for big walleye, it is still a good place to fill yourlivewell. Visit hotel website. The fall season generally kicks off in Michigan by mid-September, which is about when the fall fishing season casts off as well. 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! Cass Lake Michigan. We handle all kinds of live bait in season and we are WHOLESALE ONLY. 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