38 public waters in the Southwest Michigan region — 23 lakes/reservoirs and 15 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.
In Berrien County, Michigan, Paw Paw Lake is a 920-acre lake, managed by Michigan Department of Natural Resources (public boating access). A southern-Michigan inland lake — warmer, more fertile, often ringed with cottages. Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Bluegill and shellcracker, Black Crappie, Yellow Perch, Rock Bass, Channel Catfish, and Common Carp. Bass and Panfish are the bread and butter; the bigger lakes hold pike and the occasional Muskie.
Lake Chapin (488 acres) sits in Berrien County, Michigan, 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.
In Berrien County, Michigan, Pipestone Lake is a 115-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.
Dayton Lake, a 114-acre lake in Berrien 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 Berrien County, Michigan, Little Paw Paw Lake is a 101-acre lake, managed by Michigan Department of Natural Resources (public boating access). A southern-Michigan inland lake — warmer, more fertile, often ringed with cottages. Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Bluegill and shellcracker, Black Crappie, Yellow Perch, Rock Bass, Channel Catfish, and Common Carp. Bass and Panfish are the bread and butter; the bigger lakes hold pike and the occasional Muskie.
Little Indian Lake (75 acres) sits in Berrien County, 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.
Grand Mere Lakes, a 68-acre lake in Berrien County, Michigan, managed by Michigan Department of Natural Resources (public boating access): A southern-Michigan inland lake — warmer, more fertile, often ringed with cottages. Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Bluegill and shellcracker, Black Crappie, Yellow Perch, Rock Bass, Channel Catfish, and Common Carp. Bass and Panfish are the bread and butter; the bigger lakes hold pike and the occasional Muskie.
Berrien County, Michigan — Madron Lake is a 59-acre lake, managed by City Land: A southern-Michigan inland lake — warmer, more fertile, often ringed with cottages. Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Bluegill and shellcracker, Black Crappie, Yellow Perch, Rock Bass, Channel Catfish, and Common Carp. Bass and Panfish are the bread and butter; the bigger lakes hold pike and the occasional Muskie.
Berrien and Cass Counties, Michigan — Brush Lake is a 54-acre lake, managed by Michigan Department of Natural Resources (public boating access): A southern-Michigan inland lake — warmer, more fertile, often ringed with cottages. Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Bluegill and shellcracker, Black Crappie, Yellow Perch, Rock Bass, Channel Catfish, and Common Carp. Bass and Panfish are the bread and butter; the bigger lakes hold pike and the occasional Muskie.
Webster Lake, a 52-acre lake in Berrien County, Michigan, managed by State Fish and Wildlife: A southern-Michigan inland lake — warmer, more fertile, often ringed with cottages. Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Bluegill and shellcracker, Black Crappie, Yellow Perch, Rock Bass, Channel Catfish, and Common Carp. Bass and Panfish are the bread and butter; the bigger lakes hold pike and the occasional Muskie.
Steinbauer Lake, a 36-acre lake in Berrien 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.
Yellow Lake, a 34-acre lake in Berrien 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 Berrien and Cass Counties, Michigan, Curtis Lake is a 33-acre lake, managed by Michigan Department of Natural Resources (public boating access). A southern-Michigan inland lake — warmer, more fertile, often ringed with cottages. Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Bluegill and shellcracker, Black Crappie, Yellow Perch, Rock Bass, Channel Catfish, and Common Carp. Bass and Panfish are the bread and butter; the bigger lakes hold pike and the occasional Muskie.
Berrien County, Michigan — Rowe Lake is a 30-acre lake, managed by City Land: 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.
Riggins Lake, a 29-acre lake in Berrien 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.
Berrien County, Michigan — Singer Lake is a 26-acre lake, managed by City Land: 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.
Weaver Lake, a 26-acre lake in Berrien 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 Berrien County, Michigan, Boyle Lake is a 25-acre lake, managed by Michigan Department of Natural Resources (public boating access). A southern-Michigan inland lake — warmer, more fertile, often ringed with cottages. Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Bluegill and shellcracker, Black Crappie, Yellow Perch, Rock Bass, Channel Catfish, and Common Carp. Bass and Panfish are the bread and butter; the bigger lakes hold pike and the occasional Muskie.
Berrien County, Michigan — Harris Lake is a 20-acre lake, 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 Berrien County, Michigan, Jarvis Lake is a 19-acre lake, 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.
Bernhart Lake, a 19-acre lake in Berrien 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.
South Clear Lake (17 acres) sits in Berrien County, Michigan, managed by Michigan Department of Natural Resources (public boating access). A southern-Michigan inland lake — warmer, more fertile, often ringed with cottages. Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Bluegill and shellcracker, Black Crappie, Yellow Perch, Rock Bass, Channel Catfish, and Common Carp. Bass and Panfish are the bread and butter; the bigger lakes hold pike and the occasional Muskie.
In Berrien County, Michigan, Shady Lake is a 16-acre lake, 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.
Berrien, St. Joseph, Calhoun and 3 more counties in Michigan — Saint Joseph River is a 222 km stream: A Lake Michigan or Lake Huron tributary that runs salmon and Steelhead (the Grand, Muskegon, Manistee, Pere Marquette, St. Joseph, Betsie, Platte, Little Manistee, White, Boardman) — a fall Chinook and coho run, spring and fall Steelhead ('chromers'), a winter brown-Trout fishery, and resident smallmouth and pike in the warmer reaches. Drift-boat and wade water.
Van Buren and Berrien Counties, Michigan — Paw Paw River is a 103 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.
Berrien County, Michigan — Galien River is a 50 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.
Hickory Creek (32 km) flows through Berrien 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.
Cass, Berrien and Van Buren Counties, Michigan — Dowagiac River is a 38 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.
Pipestone Creek runs 17 km through Berrien 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.
Blue Jay Creek runs 9 km through Berrien 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 Berrien County, Michigan, Big Meadow Drain River is a 15 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.
In Berrien County, Michigan, Blue Creek is a 13 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.
East Branch Galien River runs 11 km through Berrien 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.
Dowling Creek runs 10 km through Berrien 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.
Berrien County, Michigan — Ox Creek is a 10 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.
Lemon Creek runs 7 km through Berrien 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.
Shuler Drain River runs through Berrien 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.
McKinzie Creek (7 km) flows through Cass and Berrien 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.
Across its mapped waters, Berrien County holds 25 species on PiscaMaps, including Smallmouth Bass, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Black Crappie, Rock Bass, Walleye and Yellow Perch.
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.