Best Fishing Spots in Michigan Every Angler Should Visit

Quick Take

• One river on this list once produced a brown trout so massive it held a world record, though it is not the spot most Michigan anglers talk about first. Manistee River trout fishing →
• A Detroit River current secretly dictates where bass hide in one of Michigan's Great Lakes, and knowing it changes exactly where you cast. Bass fishing near Detroit →
• Michigan's largest inland lake has a shoreline access trap that catches most visiting anglers off guard before they ever wet a line. Houghton Lake shoreline access →
• One spot on this list straddles two countries and draws professional bass tournament circuits, yet many people have never heard of it. Lake St. Clair tournaments →

A Michigan fishing trip is a must-do on every angler’s bucket list. People from all across the country come to fish in Michigan’s lakes and rivers for bass, salmon, walleye, and trout, among others. With world-class tournament fishing and diverse fish species, it’s no wonder the state is one of the top fishing destinations in North America. Read on to check out some of the best fishing spots in Michigan.

1. Lake Michigan

The first location on our list of the best fishing spots is Lake Michigan. Lake Michigan ranks first place in the 2026 best U.S. fishing lake rankings according to FishingBooker. Some of the target species are Chinook salmon, coho salmon, trout, yellow perch, and bass. Fishing access for Lake Michigan is available through public harbors, river mouths, and piers, with top locations including the St. Joseph River, Saugatuck South Pierhead, and South Haven. The state also has over 1,000 boating access sites that are maintained by state and local governments. You can find public boat launchers here.

2. Lake St. Clair

Lake St. Clair is a world-class freshwater fishery, especially for smallmouth bass. It covers 430 square miles between southeast Michigan and southwestern Ontario, Canada. In addition to bass, the lake is famous for trophy-sized muskellunge, walleye, sturgeon, and yellow perch. The lake regularly hosts professional bass tournaments such as Bassmaster and Major League Fishing.

3. Manistee River

The Manistee River in northern Michigan is known for prime trout fishing in its upper sections and world-class salmon and steelhead fishing in its lower sections. Most of the best fishing is generally located in the tailwaters below Tippy Dam. The river is home to a former world-record-holding brown trout that weighed over 40 pounds. The river is annually stocked with 60,000 brown trout, 84,000 steelhead, and 100,000 coho salmon.

4. Lake Erie

Lake Erie, one of the Great Lakes, is another top spot for fishing. The section of Lake Erie that borders Michigan is the shallower western basin near Monroe. This area is known for smallmouth bass, walleye, and yellow perch. Some of the popular access points include Lake Erie Metropark at the mouth of the Detroit River and Bolles Harbor near Monroe. According to experts, the current from the Detroit River flowing into Lake Erie typically keeps bass in shallow water less than 12 feet deep.

5. Saginaw Bay

Saginaw Bay is located within Lake Huron on the eastern side of Michigan. It is famous for its walleye, yellow perch, and smallmouth bass fisheries. Most walleye fishing in the bay is done by trolling, where fishers drag a bait lure behind a slow-moving boat. Saginaw Bay is also a popular place for ice fishing during the colder months, with shanty rentals and snowmobile transport available out of popular access points like Linwood.

6. Houghton Lake

Houghton Lake is Michigan’s largest inland lake, covering around 22,000 acres in Roscommon County in northern Lower Michigan. It is a popular multi-species destination throughout the year for both open water and ice fishing. The lake is relatively shallow, making it a prime spot for walleye, bass, pike, and bluegill. Popular launching areas include the DNR public launch on the West Shore and the Denton Township public launch on the East Bay. Most of the 30 miles of shoreline is private property, so public piers like those found at Lakeview Park and Trestle Park are your best bet for shoreline fishing.

7. Burt and Mullet Lakes

Burt Lake and Mullett Lake are two interconnected lakes in Cheboygan County, Michigan. Covering around 17,000 surface acres, Burt Lake is known for its lake sturgeon. Smallmouth and largemouth bass are also abundant, as well as channel catfish, walleye, muskie, northern pike, sunfish, rock bass, bluegill, trout, and crappie. Indian River links Burt Lake to Mullett Lake. Mullett Lake is roughly 16,600 acres. It is best known for trophy smallmouth bass, landlocked steelhead/rainbow trout, and walleye.