49 public waters in the Southwest Michigan region — 33 lakes/reservoirs and 16 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 Michigan's 6.1-million-acre expanse across Southwest Michigan supports one of the Great Lakes' premier salmon and trout fisheries. Chinook and Coho Salmon, Steelhead, and Brown Trout dominate the offshore and tributary action, while Lake Trout and Lake Whitefish thrive in deeper waters. Smallmouth Bass and Yellow Perch provide solid inshore and near-shore opportunities throughout the season.
Portage Lake, a 2,115-acre lake in Manistee 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.
Bear Lake (1,873 acres) sits in Manistee 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.
Wexford and Manistee Counties, Michigan — Hodenpyl Dam Pond is a 1,793-acre lake, managed by Michigan Department of Natural Resources (public boating access): A Michigan impoundment or flowage (the Au Sable River flowages, Fletcher's Pond, Lake Hudson, the Manistee and Muskegon river reservoirs, the Menominee and Michigamme flowages) — Walleye, Northern Pike, smallmouth and Largemouth Bass, Muskellunge, Crappie, Bluegill and Catfish. Stump-and-weed water with fluctuating levels.
Tippy Dam Pond (1,230 acres) sits in Manistee County, Michigan, managed by Michigan Department of Natural Resources (public boating access). A Michigan impoundment or flowage (the Au Sable River flowages, Fletcher's Pond, Lake Hudson, the Manistee and Muskegon river reservoirs, the Menominee and Michigamme flowages) — Walleye, Northern Pike, smallmouth and Largemouth Bass, Muskellunge, Crappie, Bluegill and Catfish. Stump-and-weed water with fluctuating levels.
Manistee County, Michigan — Manistee Lake is a 1,062-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.
Bar Lake Swamp (965 acres) sits in Manistee 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 Manistee County, Michigan, Arcadia Lake is a 243-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.
Bar Lake (240 acres) sits in Manistee 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 Manistee County, Michigan, Pine Lake is a 168-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.
Chief Lake, a 117-acre lake in Manistee 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 Manistee County, Michigan, Petes Bayou Lake is a 51-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.
Manistee County, Michigan — Healy Lake is a 42-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.
Lemon Lake, a 36-acre lake in Manistee 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.
Canfield Lake, a 35-acre lake in Manistee 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.
Manistee County, Michigan — Butcher Lake is a 29-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.
Manistee County, Michigan — Dickson Lake is a 28-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.
Copemish Dam Pond (27 acres) sits in Manistee County, Michigan, managed by City Land. A Michigan impoundment or flowage (the Au Sable River flowages, Fletcher's Pond, Lake Hudson, the Manistee and Muskegon river reservoirs, the Menominee and Michigamme flowages) — Walleye, Northern Pike, smallmouth and Largemouth Bass, Muskellunge, Crappie, Bluegill and Catfish. Stump-and-weed water with fluctuating levels.
In Manistee County, Michigan, Glover Lake is a 25-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 Manistee County, Michigan, Glovers Lake is a 24-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.
Claybank Lake (23 acres) sits in Manistee County, Michigan, managed by Forest Service. 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.
Manistee and Mason Counties, Michigan — Tainer Lake is a 22-acre lake, managed by Forest Service: 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.
Dorner Lake (20 acres) sits in Manistee County, Michigan, managed by Forest Service. 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.
Shingle Mill Lake (20 acres) sits in Manistee and Mason Counties, 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.
Manistee County, Michigan — King Lake is a 19-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.
Adamson Lake (19 acres) sits in Manistee 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.
Man Made Lake (16 acres) sits in Manistee 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 Manistee County, Michigan, Chittenden Lake is a 15-acre lake, managed by Forest Service. 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.
Manistee County, Michigan — Gordon Lake is a 15-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 Eleanor (14 acres) sits in Manistee County, Michigan, managed by City Land. 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 Manistee County, Michigan, Lake Salma is a 14-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.
Star Lake (10 acres) sits in Manistee 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.
Fish Hatchery Lake, a 6-acre lake in Manistee 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.
The Manistee River — the upper river above Tippy Dam is a blue-ribbon wild-Trout fishery (browns, brookies, stocked rainbows), the CCC Bridge to Sharon stretch a classic float. Below Tippy Dam the lower Manistee is one of the best salmon and Steelhead rivers in the state, running huge numbers of Chinook, coho and Steelhead up to the dam.
In Lake, Manistee and Mason Counties, Michigan, Little Manistee River is a 101 km river or creek. The Au Sable or upper Manistee River — the birthplace of Trout Unlimited and the model for river Trout management. Wild brown and Brook Trout, stocked rainbows, the famous Hex and drake hatches, plus a fall Chinook and Steelhead run in the lower reaches below the last dam. The 'Holy Water' between Burton's Landing and Wakeley Bridge is flies-only, no-kill.
Betsie River (90 km) flows through Benzie, Manistee and Grand Traverse Counties, Michigan. 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.
Bear Creek (14 km) flows through Manistee County, Michigan. A Michigan Blue Ribbon Trout stream — the state's best cold-water rivers for wild and stocked brown, brook and Rainbow Trout, with special regulations (flies-only, artificial-only, no-kill or trophy sections). The Au Sable Holy Water, the upper Manistee, the Pere Marquette flies-only, the South Branch, the Sturgeon, and the UP's Fox, Escanaba and Two Hearted.
Slagle Creek (18 km) flows through Wexford and Manistee 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.
In Manistee County, Michigan, Pine Creek is a 16 km river or creek. A Michigan Blue Ribbon Trout stream — the state's best cold-water rivers for wild and stocked brown, brook and Rainbow Trout, with special regulations (flies-only, artificial-only, no-kill or trophy sections). The Au Sable Holy Water, the upper Manistee, the Pere Marquette flies-only, the South Branch, the Sturgeon, and the UP's Fox, Escanaba and Two Hearted.
Peterson Creek (12 km) flows through Wexford and Manistee 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.
Lemon Creek (12 km) flows through Manistee 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 Manistee County, Michigan, First Creek is a 10 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.
Hinton Creek runs 10 km through Wexford and Manistee 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.
In Manistee and Benzie Counties, Michigan, Dutchman 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.
Gurney Creek (8 km) flows through Mason and Manistee 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.
Little Bear Creek runs 7 km through Manistee County, Michigan: A Michigan Blue Ribbon Trout stream — the state's best cold-water rivers for wild and stocked brown, brook and Rainbow Trout, with special regulations (flies-only, artificial-only, no-kill or trophy sections). The Au Sable Holy Water, the upper Manistee, the Pere Marquette flies-only, the South Branch, the Sturgeon, and the UP's Fox, Escanaba and Two Hearted.
Manistee County, Michigan — Bowens 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.
Schimke Creek (7 km) flows through Manistee 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.
Pine River runs 89 km through Lake, Manistee, Wexford and 1 more county in Michigan: A Michigan Blue Ribbon Trout stream — the state's best cold-water rivers for wild and stocked brown, brook and Rainbow Trout, with special regulations (flies-only, artificial-only, no-kill or trophy sections). The Au Sable Holy Water, the upper Manistee, the Pere Marquette flies-only, the South Branch, the Sturgeon, and the UP's Fox, Escanaba and Two Hearted.
Across its mapped waters, Manistee County holds 27 species on PiscaMaps, including Smallmouth Bass, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Walleye, Black Crappie, Yellow Perch and Rock Bass.
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.