36 public waters in the Northern Lower Peninsula region — 15 lakes/reservoirs and 21 rivers. Every one is public water fishable on a Michigan licence.
See every public fishing venue in Michigan on the map, with boat ramps, camping, parking and full rules for each one.
Lake Huron and Saginaw Bay — Saginaw Bay is one of the best Walleye fisheries in the country (a stunning recovery), plus Yellow Perch, Smallmouth Bass, pike and Catfish. The main lake off Alpena, Rogers City and the Thumb runs Chinook and Atlantic Salmon, Steelhead, brown and Lake Trout, and the Les Cheneaux Islands are a classic pike-and-Perch fishery.
Fletcher Pond, a 6,845-acre lake in Alpena and Montmorency Counties, Michigan, managed by Michigan Department of Natural Resources (public boating access): A large inland Michigan lake (Houghton, Burt, Mullett, Gogebic, Manistique, Hubbard, Black, Fletcher's Pond) — Walleye and Smallmouth Bass are the headline fishery, with largemouth, Northern Pike, Muskellunge, jumbo Yellow Perch, Bluegill, Crappie, and Cisco or Whitefish where it's deep and cold. Big-water tactics; ice fishing is huge.
In Presque Isle and Alpena Counties, Michigan, Long Lake is a 5,347-acre lake, managed by Michigan Department of Natural Resources (public boating access). A northern-Michigan inland lake — cool, clear glacial water. Smallmouth and Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Walleye, Yellow Perch, Bluegill and Pumpkinseed, Rock Bass, Black Crappie, and Muskellunge or Cisco in the bigger and deeper ones. Most have a DNR or township boating access site; many have a slot or minimum on bass and Walleye.
Fletcher Pond, Alpena/Montmorency Co, 8,970 acres, created 1930 by Alpena Power Company. Shallow (avg ~5ft) with abundant vegetation, standing timber and stumps -- one of Michigan's premier panfish/pike/bass destinations.
Montmorency and Alpena Counties, Michigan — Turtle Lake is a 842-acre lake, managed by Michigan Department of Natural Resources (public boating access): A northern-Michigan inland lake — cool, clear glacial water. Smallmouth and Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Walleye, Yellow Perch, Bluegill and Pumpkinseed, Rock Bass, Black Crappie, and Muskellunge or Cisco in the bigger and deeper ones. Most have a DNR or township boating access site; many have a slot or minimum on bass and Walleye.
Alpena County, Michigan — Devils Lake is a 808-acre lake, managed by Michigan Department of Natural Resources (public boating access): A northern-Michigan inland lake — cool, clear glacial water. Smallmouth and Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Walleye, Yellow Perch, Bluegill and Pumpkinseed, Rock Bass, Black Crappie, and Muskellunge or Cisco in the bigger and deeper ones. Most have a DNR or township boating access site; many have a slot or minimum on bass and Walleye.
Lake Winyah, a 739-acre lake in Alpena County, Michigan, managed by Michigan Department of Natural Resources (public boating access): A northern-Michigan inland lake — cool, clear glacial water. Smallmouth and Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Walleye, Yellow Perch, Bluegill and Pumpkinseed, Rock Bass, Black Crappie, and Muskellunge or Cisco in the bigger and deeper ones. Most have a DNR or township boating access site; many have a slot or minimum on bass and Walleye.
In Alpena County, Michigan, Beaver Lake is a 676-acre lake, managed by Michigan Department of Natural Resources (public boating access). A northern-Michigan inland lake — cool, clear glacial water. Smallmouth and Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Walleye, Yellow Perch, Bluegill and Pumpkinseed, Rock Bass, Black Crappie, and Muskellunge or Cisco in the bigger and deeper ones. Most have a DNR or township boating access site; many have a slot or minimum on bass and Walleye.
In Alpena County, Michigan, Lake Besser is a 366-acre lake, managed by Michigan Department of Natural Resources (public boating access). A Michigan 'two-story' lake — cool oxygenated depths stocked with rainbow and Brown Trout over a warm-water bass, pike and Panfish fishery up top. Fish the Trout deep in summer, the bass and Bluegill in the shallows, and both through the ice.
Grass Lake, a 337-acre lake in Alpena County, Michigan, managed by Michigan Department of Natural Resources (public boating access): A northern-Michigan inland lake — cool, clear glacial water. Smallmouth and Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Walleye, Yellow Perch, Bluegill and Pumpkinseed, Rock Bass, Black Crappie, and Muskellunge or Cisco in the bigger and deeper ones. Most have a DNR or township boating access site; many have a slot or minimum on bass and Walleye.
Middle Lake (239 acres) sits in Alpena County, Michigan, managed by Michigan Department of Natural Resources (public boating access). A northern-Michigan inland lake — cool, clear glacial water. Smallmouth and Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Walleye, Yellow Perch, Bluegill and Pumpkinseed, Rock Bass, Black Crappie, and Muskellunge or Cisco in the bigger and deeper ones. Most have a DNR or township boating access site; many have a slot or minimum on bass and Walleye.
In Alpena County, Michigan, Mud Lake is a 187-acre lake, managed by Michigan Department of Natural Resources (public boating access). A northern-Michigan inland lake — cool, clear glacial water. Smallmouth and Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Walleye, Yellow Perch, Bluegill and Pumpkinseed, Rock Bass, Black Crappie, and Muskellunge or Cisco in the bigger and deeper ones. Most have a DNR or township boating access site; many have a slot or minimum on bass and Walleye.
Fourmile Pond (90 acres) sits in Alpena County, Michigan, managed by Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Lakes and reservoirs across this region typically hold walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, largemouth and smallmouth bass, and panfish such as bluegill, crappie and pumpkinseed, with muskellunge present in some larger lakes -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
In Alpena County, Michigan, Muskrat Farm Lake is a 23-acre lake, managed by Michigan Department of Natural Resources (public boating access). A northern-Michigan inland lake — cool, clear glacial water. Smallmouth and Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Walleye, Yellow Perch, Bluegill and Pumpkinseed, Rock Bass, Black Crappie, and Muskellunge or Cisco in the bigger and deeper ones. Most have a DNR or township boating access site; many have a slot or minimum on bass and Walleye.
Fitzgerald Lake, a 20-acre lake in Alpena County, Michigan, managed by Michigan Department of Natural Resources: Lakes and reservoirs across this region typically hold walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, largemouth and smallmouth bass, and panfish such as bluegill, crappie and pumpkinseed, with muskellunge present in some larger lakes -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
In Alpena and Montmorency Counties, Michigan, Thunder Bay River is a 124 km river or creek. A warmwater Michigan river (the Kalamazoo, Huron, Raisin, Shiawassee, Cass, Flint, Thornapple, Rogue, Looking Glass, Red Cedar) — smallmouth and Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Walleye, Rock Bass, Bluegill, channel and Flathead Catfish, and Crappie in the slow water. Wade or float; access at DNR sites, county parks and bridges.
Upper South Branch Thunder Bay River runs 59 km through Alpena, Oscoda and Montmorency Counties, Michigan: A warmwater Michigan river (the Kalamazoo, Huron, Raisin, Shiawassee, Cass, Flint, Thornapple, Rogue, Looking Glass, Red Cedar) — smallmouth and Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Walleye, Rock Bass, Bluegill, channel and Flathead Catfish, and Crappie in the slow water. Wade or float; access at DNR sites, county parks and bridges.
Alpena and Alcona Counties, Michigan — Lower South Branch Thunder Bay River is a 52 km stream: A warmwater Michigan river (the Kalamazoo, Huron, Raisin, Shiawassee, Cass, Flint, Thornapple, Rogue, Looking Glass, Red Cedar) — smallmouth and Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Walleye, Rock Bass, Bluegill, channel and Flathead Catfish, and Crappie in the slow water. Wade or float; access at DNR sites, county parks and bridges.
Wolf Creek runs 20 km through Alpena County, Michigan: A warmwater Michigan river (the Kalamazoo, Huron, Raisin, Shiawassee, Cass, Flint, Thornapple, Rogue, Looking Glass, Red Cedar) — smallmouth and Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Walleye, Rock Bass, Bluegill, channel and Flathead Catfish, and Crappie in the slow water. Wade or float; access at DNR sites, county parks and bridges.
Alcona and Alpena Counties, Michigan — Little Wolf Creek is a 20 km stream: A warmwater Michigan river (the Kalamazoo, Huron, Raisin, Shiawassee, Cass, Flint, Thornapple, Rogue, Looking Glass, Red Cedar) — smallmouth and Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Walleye, Rock Bass, Bluegill, channel and Flathead Catfish, and Crappie in the slow water. Wade or float; access at DNR sites, county parks and bridges.
King Creek runs 20 km through Alpena County, Michigan: A warmwater Michigan river (the Kalamazoo, Huron, Raisin, Shiawassee, Cass, Flint, Thornapple, Rogue, Looking Glass, Red Cedar) — smallmouth and Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Walleye, Rock Bass, Bluegill, channel and Flathead Catfish, and Crappie in the slow water. Wade or float; access at DNR sites, county parks and bridges.
Bean Creek runs 16 km through Alpena County, Michigan: A warmwater Michigan river (the Kalamazoo, Huron, Raisin, Shiawassee, Cass, Flint, Thornapple, Rogue, Looking Glass, Red Cedar) — smallmouth and Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Walleye, Rock Bass, Bluegill, channel and Flathead Catfish, and Crappie in the slow water. Wade or float; access at DNR sites, county parks and bridges.
Alpena and Montmorency Counties, Michigan — Truax Creek is a 18 km stream: A warmwater Michigan river (the Kalamazoo, Huron, Raisin, Shiawassee, Cass, Flint, Thornapple, Rogue, Looking Glass, Red Cedar) — smallmouth and Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Walleye, Rock Bass, Bluegill, channel and Flathead Catfish, and Crappie in the slow water. Wade or float; access at DNR sites, county parks and bridges.
McGinn Creek (14 km) flows through Alcona, Alpena and Oscoda Counties, Michigan. A warmwater Michigan river (the Kalamazoo, Huron, Raisin, Shiawassee, Cass, Flint, Thornapple, Rogue, Looking Glass, Red Cedar) — smallmouth and Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Walleye, Rock Bass, Bluegill, channel and Flathead Catfish, and Crappie in the slow water. Wade or float; access at DNR sites, county parks and bridges.
South Branch Devils River runs through Alpena and Alcona Counties, Michigan: A warmwater Michigan river (the Kalamazoo, Huron, Raisin, Shiawassee, Cass, Flint, Thornapple, Rogue, Looking Glass, Red Cedar) — smallmouth and Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Walleye, Rock Bass, Bluegill, channel and Flathead Catfish, and Crappie in the slow water. Wade or float; access at DNR sites, county parks and bridges.
Alpena County, Michigan — Fall Creek is a 9 km stream: A warmwater Michigan river (the Kalamazoo, Huron, Raisin, Shiawassee, Cass, Flint, Thornapple, Rogue, Looking Glass, Red Cedar) — smallmouth and Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Walleye, Rock Bass, Bluegill, channel and Flathead Catfish, and Crappie in the slow water. Wade or float; access at DNR sites, county parks and bridges.
In Alpena County, Michigan, North Branch Devils River is a river or creek. A warmwater Michigan river (the Kalamazoo, Huron, Raisin, Shiawassee, Cass, Flint, Thornapple, Rogue, Looking Glass, Red Cedar) — smallmouth and Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Walleye, Rock Bass, Bluegill, channel and Flathead Catfish, and Crappie in the slow water. Wade or float; access at DNR sites, county parks and bridges.
Alpena County, Michigan — McLary Creek is a 9 km stream: A warmwater Michigan river (the Kalamazoo, Huron, Raisin, Shiawassee, Cass, Flint, Thornapple, Rogue, Looking Glass, Red Cedar) — smallmouth and Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Walleye, Rock Bass, Bluegill, channel and Flathead Catfish, and Crappie in the slow water. Wade or float; access at DNR sites, county parks and bridges.
Alcona and Alpena Counties, Michigan — Indian Creek is a 11 km stream: A warmwater Michigan river (the Kalamazoo, Huron, Raisin, Shiawassee, Cass, Flint, Thornapple, Rogue, Looking Glass, Red Cedar) — smallmouth and Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Walleye, Rock Bass, Bluegill, channel and Flathead Catfish, and Crappie in the slow water. Wade or float; access at DNR sites, county parks and bridges.
Berlinski Creek (10 km) flows through Alpena County, Michigan. A warmwater Michigan river (the Kalamazoo, Huron, Raisin, Shiawassee, Cass, Flint, Thornapple, Rogue, Looking Glass, Red Cedar) — smallmouth and Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Walleye, Rock Bass, Bluegill, channel and Flathead Catfish, and Crappie in the slow water. Wade or float; access at DNR sites, county parks and bridges.
In Montmorency and Alpena Counties, Michigan, Anchor Creek is a 9 km river or creek. A warmwater Michigan river (the Kalamazoo, Huron, Raisin, Shiawassee, Cass, Flint, Thornapple, Rogue, Looking Glass, Red Cedar) — smallmouth and Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Walleye, Rock Bass, Bluegill, channel and Flathead Catfish, and Crappie in the slow water. Wade or float; access at DNR sites, county parks and bridges.
Alcona and Alpena Counties, Michigan — North Branch Black River is a 8 km stream: A warmwater Michigan river (the Kalamazoo, Huron, Raisin, Shiawassee, Cass, Flint, Thornapple, Rogue, Looking Glass, Red Cedar) — smallmouth and Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Walleye, Rock Bass, Bluegill, channel and Flathead Catfish, and Crappie in the slow water. Wade or float; access at DNR sites, county parks and bridges.
In Alpena and Alcona Counties, Michigan, Widner Creek is a 8 km river or creek. A warmwater Michigan river (the Kalamazoo, Huron, Raisin, Shiawassee, Cass, Flint, Thornapple, Rogue, Looking Glass, Red Cedar) — smallmouth and Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Walleye, Rock Bass, Bluegill, channel and Flathead Catfish, and Crappie in the slow water. Wade or float; access at DNR sites, county parks and bridges.
Alpena County, Michigan — Gaffney Creek is a 8 km stream: A warmwater Michigan river (the Kalamazoo, Huron, Raisin, Shiawassee, Cass, Flint, Thornapple, Rogue, Looking Glass, Red Cedar) — smallmouth and Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Walleye, Rock Bass, Bluegill, channel and Flathead Catfish, and Crappie in the slow water. Wade or float; access at DNR sites, county parks and bridges.
Long Lake Creek runs 7 km through Alpena County, Michigan: A warmwater Michigan river (the Kalamazoo, Huron, Raisin, Shiawassee, Cass, Flint, Thornapple, Rogue, Looking Glass, Red Cedar) — smallmouth and Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Walleye, Rock Bass, Bluegill, channel and Flathead Catfish, and Crappie in the slow water. Wade or float; access at DNR sites, county parks and bridges.
Alpena County, Michigan — Jewett Creek is a 8 km stream: A warmwater Michigan river (the Kalamazoo, Huron, Raisin, Shiawassee, Cass, Flint, Thornapple, Rogue, Looking Glass, Red Cedar) — smallmouth and Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Walleye, Rock Bass, Bluegill, channel and Flathead Catfish, and Crappie in the slow water. Wade or float; access at DNR sites, county parks and bridges.
Across its mapped waters, Alpena County holds 24 species on PiscaMaps, including Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Walleye, Black Crappie, Rock Bass and Channel Catfish.
Ramps, put-ins and species for every water — plus the carp layer no other US app has.
Open the Michigan map Join PiscaMapsOne Michigan DNR all-species fishing licence covers every public water in the state, trout and salmon included — the resident annual is about $26, the non-resident annual about $76, with 1-day and 3-day licences sold. Michigan folded the old trout/salmon stamp into this base licence in 2014, so there is no separate stamp for inland trout or the Great Lakes salmon fishery. Michigan residents 65 and older buy a reduced senior licence, and anglers under 17 fish free. Buy at Michigan.gov/DNRLicenses.