With the nickname “the Great Lakes State”, you would think that lakes figure prominently in Michigan’s history and culture. And you would be right. With over 11,000 inland lakes, and as the only state to border four of the five Great Lakes, Michigan’s ties with these bodies of water go beyond words.
Even in the dead of winter when frigid temperatures and fierce snowstorms bring all other outdoor activities to a screeching halt, ice fishing remains a popular pastime. Whether you’re thinking of trying it for the first time or just looking for a new spot, these are the best ice fishing lakes in Michigan.
1. Crystal Lake
Crystal Lake is not just a popular ice fishing lake in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula but is one of the top go-to spots in the entire state. Located in Benzie County, Crystal Lake sits inland from Lake Michigan and stretches out for over 10,000 acres.
What You Need to Know About Ice Fishing at Crystal Lake
Crystal Lake is a popular year-round destination and offers anglers some of the best lake ice fishing in Michigan. There is a variety of other fish to target at Crystal Lake during Michigan’s winter months, including these angler favorites:
- Lake trout – Crystal Lake is stocked with 60,000 lake trout every year and this is a big target (as in up to 20 pounds) for anglers during Michigan’s ice fishing season. Experienced ice fishermen will tell you that jigging with spoons or baiting tip-ups with smelt are the ways to go.
- Rainbow trout – this is another species that is restocked every year (20,000 fish annually). Rainbow trout in Crystal Lake can get up to 10 pounds making this another popular target in the winter. Spawn and minnows dropped through the ice near creek mouths are the best strategy.
- Other ice fishing targets include lake whitefish, northern pike, rock bass, smallmouth bass, and yellow perch.
Beulah boat launch sits a short walk from Cold Creek, which is Crystal Lake’s largest tributary. Fish are known to be active here in the winter so if you’re ice fishing Crystal Lake for the first time, this is a good place to get started.
2. Hamlin Lake
Just inland from the eastern shore of Lake Michigan sits Hamlin Lake, one of the best ice fishing spots on the Lower Peninsula. Measuring about 12 miles long from end to end and spreading out over 5,000 acres, Hamlin Lake is an average-sized body of water as far as Michigan’s countless number of lakes go.
But make no mistake, there is nothing average about the ice fishing action at Hamlin Lake. This is as good as it gets in Michigan, especially if you’re into panfish and walleye.
What You Need to Know About Ice Fishing at Hamlin Lake
As with every other fishing spot at any time of year, local knowledge is extremely helpful to have a successful day of ice fishing at Hamlin Lake. For instance, which fish are more active at first ice, and which ones are better targeted later in the season? It may be worth picking a few brains at the local bait shop.
Here is a sampling of the fish species you can expect to target during the winter season at Hamlin Lake:
- Bluegill thrive in Hamlin Lake and tend to be larger than average here. For best results, use a light rod with a one-pound test fishing line and a bobber. A good place to start is Hamlin Lake’s northeastern shoreline.
- Crappie is another panfish that can be found in abundance in Hamlin Lake. A light, nimble setup is your safest bet for landing this species. Locals can be found night fishing for crappie on the drop-offs all around the upper half of the lake.
- Pike can be found at the lower half of the lake early on in Michigan’s ice fishing season and they gradually work toward the upper part of Hamlin Lake as winter progresses.
- Walleye is a very popular target at Hamline Lake. Locals seem to prefer the northern half of the lake when ice fishing for walleye and jigging is the go-to method for pulling them up through the ice. Tip-ups are another good way to go.
Any experienced angler will tell you that location is everything. Knowing where particular species like to gather and at what depth will help you plan your day on the ice. Many locals prefer the small inlets along Hamlin Lake’s northeastern shore. Another hotspot is where the upper lake narrows into the lower end.
3. Houghton Lake
Here’s an impressive number for you – at 22,000 acres, Houghton Lake is the largest of Michigan’s 11,000 inland lakes. That’s a lot of water and there’s plenty of fish in it all year round. This is particularly true during the frigid winter months and Houghton Lake is one of Michigan’s most popular ice fishing spots.
What You Need to Know About Ice Fishing at Houghton Lake
There are seven points to access Houghton Lake spread around its vast shoreline. If you are expecting to explore different fishing spots on foot, you might want to think twice. Anglers familiar with ice fishing on Houghton Lake have advised that you’ll need some form of motorized transportation to get around.
As far as fish species you can target, here’s an idea of what you can expect:
- Houghton Lake supports a diverse population of fish species, all of which can be caught during Michigan’s ice fishing season.
- Fish you can target include bluegill, crappie, largemouth and smallmouth bass, northern pike, perch, pike, and walleye.
- For walleye in particular, stick to the shallow areas of the lake as they tend to gather around the steps and bumpy features along the bottom.
One thing to keep in mind when ice fishing at Houghton Lake (or at any time of the year for that matter) is that it is not very deep. With a maximum depth of around 20 feet or so, Houghton Lake’s bottom has a lot of vegetation, namely weeds, where fish like to hang out.
4. & 5. Lake Cadillac & Lake Mitchell
At 1,150 acres, Lake Cadillac in northwestern Michigan is a popular ice fishing spot for anglers from all over the state. One of the biggest reasons is that with an average depth of just under 12 feet, Lake Cadillac is usually one of the first inland lakes to freeze over.
For an added bonus, just a quarter-mile to the west of Lake Cadillac sits another prime ice fishing destination, Lake Mitchell. Slightly larger than Lake Cadillac at about 2,500 acres, Lake Mitchell is also a relatively shallow body of water with an average depth of 15 feet.
Together, Lakes Cadillac and Mitchell form a dynamic duo in Michigan’s ice fishing scene.
What You Need to Know About Ice Fishing at Lake Cadillac and Lake Mitchell
Lake Cadillac and Lake Mitchell aren’t just situated close to each other, they are actually connected by a canal. With their shallow depths, both lakes have vegetation-rich bottom features that give a variety of fish species the perfect habitats in which to thrive.
This is music to the ears of ice fishing enthusiasts and to have two prime spots right next to each other is a dream situation. Here are the top fish species to target when ice fishing at Lake Cadillac and Lake Mitchell:
- Bluegill – one of the most popular fish species to target during ice fishing season. A light rod with a small jig is a solid setup for bluegill and other panfish at both lakes.
- Crappie – this is another species that usually bites on smaller jigs and is fairly active in the morning hours. At Lake Cadillac, good spots for panfish are the dock and boat launch areas. At Lake Mitchell, head to Big Cove and Little Cove on the western end of the lake.
- Pike – both lakes have been known to produce pike upwards of 40” but as many anglers know, this is one finicky species so be sure to pack your patience.
One important bit of local knowledge when ice fishing at Lakes Cadillac and Mitchell is that in the early morning hours, many fish will strike at jigs bouncing on the bottom. But as the day progresses, the fish tend to move up to mid-depths so be sure to adjust your lines accordingly.
6. Lake St. Clair
One of Michigan’s best ice fishing lakes is located just a short drive from its largest city, Detroit. Around six miles from the Motor City lies Lake St. Clair, proving that you don’t need to travel far from urban areas to access fantastic ice fishing.
What You Need to Know About Ice Fishing at Lake St. Clair
Lake St. Clair straddles the border between the U.S. and Canada and lies between Lake Huron and the St. Clair River to the north and the Detroit River and Lake Erie to the south. This shallow body of water is an angler’s paradise all year round, including Michigan’s winter season.
Locals like to refer to Lake St. Clair as the Sixth Great Lake and judging from the diverse population of fish species that call it home, they could have a point. Here is a sampling of the fish you can target ice fishing at Lake St. Clair:
- Of all the fish species that can be found in Lake St. Clair, one of the most popular among anglers during ice fishing season is yellow perch. This species is plentiful in Lake St. Clair and is best targeted in shallow areas along the shoreline.
- Another big target at Lake St. Clair is northern pike. This species famously puts up a big fight and the reward is a fantastic story to share with friends and family, along with a fish dinner you won’t soon forget. Anchor Bay on the northern end of the lake is your best bet for northern pike.
- Other popular species for ice fishing at Lake St. Clair include walleye, largemouth and smallmouth bass, and several trout species.
If you’re planning a trip to Lake St. Clair, the best spots to try are The Channels on the northern side of the lake, St. Clair Shores on the western side, and Mitchell’s Bay on the eastern side.
7. Munising Bay
Nestled along the southern shoreline of Lake Superior, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is a year-round haven for outdoor enthusiasts. It is within this national park that you’ll find Munising Bay, one of Michigan’s premier ice fishing destinations.
What You Need to Know About Ice Fishing at Munising Bay
The best ice fishing at Munising Bay can be found around Sand Point Beach. Because it is such a popular staging area for ice fishing, the main access road is regularly plowed. There is no need to venture too far from shore to target nearly a dozen fish species, including:
- Brook trout
- Coho salmon
- Lake trout
- Menominee
- Northern pike
- Rainbow trout
- Smallmouth bass
- Smelt
- Walleye
- Whitefish
- Yellow perch
Because of its proximity to Lake Superior, ice fishing at Munising Bay is not without its hazards. Keep in mind that weather conditions can turn nasty without warning. Pack extra clothing and always let someone know where you are going and when you expect to be back.
8. Muskegon Lake
Just inland from the eastern side of Lake Michigan lies Muskegon Lake. At 4,150 acres and with a maximum depth of around 80 feet, Muskegon Lake provides diverse habitats supporting a variety of fish species including those that thrive in shallow, weedy waters and others that prefer colder depths.
What You Need to Know About Ice Fishing at Muskegon Lake
No matter what species you like to fish for, Muskegon Lake has action for you. These are the most popular species for ice fishing at Muskegon Lake:
- Bluegill are plentiful in Muskegon Lake and can grow to above-average sizes. The Snug Harbor area is a favorite spot among locals and dropping your line to a depth of around 10 feet will put you prime position to get good strikes.
- Of all the species that call Muskegon Lake home, the one that most anglers target in the winter is perch. Not only does this fish make for a fine mid-winter meal, but it also puts up a terrific fight. Use slightly larger bait fish like minnows and drop your line near weed beds in shallow waters.
- Pike is another prime target at Muskegon Lake. Head toward the northern end of the lake for your best chance of landing one. Tip ups work well for pike here.
According to locals, mornings and evenings are the best times for ice fishing at Muskegon Lake.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to ice fishing, Michigan is an angler’s winter paradise. With so many lakes to choose from, deciding where to try your luck can be a difficult task. These eight lakes may not be as famous or impressive as the Great Lakes, but they are havens for ice fishing.
SOURCES:
https://www.michigan.org/ice-fishing
https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/things-to-do/winter/ice-fish
https://www.visitpentwater.com/stories/ice_fishing_on_hamlin_lake
https://visithoughtonlake.com/fish.shtml
https://www.cadillac-mi.net/382/Lake-Cadillac
https://cadillacmichigan.com/project/lake-and-river-fishing/
https://fishingbooker.com/blog/lake-st-clair-fishing/
https://www.nps.gov/piro/planyourvisit/fishing.htm
https://www.gameandfishmag.com/editorial/fishing_icefishing-fishing_mi_0109_01/242533
