Fishing in Michigan

PiscaMaps covers 5,459 public fishing venues across Michigan in 5 regions — 4,054 lakes and reservoirs and 1,364 rivers. The largest is Lake Michigan, at 6,138,000 acres. Grand River is the longest mapped river, running 322 km. Upper Peninsula has the most venues on file, with 2,170. 563 venues are documented trout waters.

The most commonly recorded species across Michigan's public waters are Smallmouth Bass, Northern Pike, Bluegill, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Rock Bass, Yellow Perch and Walleye — the exact mix varies by water type and region. 1,367 venues have a real boat ramp on file, 859 have nearby camping, and 1,607 have mapped parking — sourced from OpenStreetMap and recreation.gov's federal facilities database (RIDB) where available.

Fishing Regions in Michigan

Michigan's public fishing venues are spread across 5 regions on PiscaMaps:

Upper Peninsula · 2,170 Northern Lower Peninsula · 1,145 Southwest Michigan · 950 Mid-Michigan & Thumb · 911 Southeast Michigan · 242

Species Recorded in Michigan

The most frequently recorded species across Michigan's public venues on PiscaMaps:

Smallmouth Bass · 5,299 Northern Pike · 5,282 Bluegill · 5,214 Largemouth Bass · 5,206 Black Crappie · 4,243 Rock Bass · 4,132 Yellow Perch · 4,028 Walleye · 3,925 Channel Catfish · 3,802 Pumpkinseed · 3,418

Fishing Licence in Michigan

Anyone 17+ needs a Michigan DNR fishing licence — the resident annual all-species licence is about $26, the non-resident annual about $76, and 1-day and 3-day all-species licences are sold. Michigan folded the old separate trout/salmon stamp into the base all-species licence in 2014, so one licence covers everything including trout, salmon and the Great Lakes; there is no separate stamp. Michigan residents 65 and older buy a reduced-price senior licence, and anglers under 17 fish free. Buy from the DNR at Michigan.gov/DNRLicenses. A Michigan all-species fishing licence covers navigable rivers and the Great Lakes. Lake Erie's western basin is fished on a Michigan or Ohio licence in the reciprocal zone; the Menominee and other border waters on a Michigan or Wisconsin licence. Designated trout streams carry their own seasons.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many public fishing venues are there in Michigan?+

PiscaMaps covers 5,459 public fishing venues across Michigan in 5 regions — 4,054 lakes and reservoirs and 1,364 rivers. The largest is Lake Michigan, at 6,138,000 acres. Grand River is the longest mapped river, running 322 km. Upper Peninsula has the most venues on file, with 2,170. 563 venues are documented trout waters.
Do I need a fishing licence in Michigan?+

Anyone 17+ needs a Michigan DNR fishing licence — the resident annual all-species licence is about $26, the non-resident annual about $76, and 1-day and 3-day all-species licences are sold. Michigan folded the old separate trout/salmon stamp into the base all-species licence in 2014, so one licence covers everything including trout, salmon and the Great Lakes; there is no separate stamp. Michigan residents 65 and older buy a reduced-price senior licence, and anglers under 17 fish free. Buy from the DNR at Michigan.gov/DNRLicenses. A Michigan all-species fishing licence covers navigable rivers and the Great Lakes. Lake Erie's western basin is fished on a Michigan or Ohio licence in the reciprocal zone; the Menominee and other border waters on a Michigan or Wisconsin licence. Designated trout streams carry their own seasons.
Are there boat ramps and camping near Michigan's fishing lakes?+

1,367 venues have a mapped boat ramp and 859 have nearby camping on PiscaMaps, sourced from OpenStreetMap and the federal RIDB database.