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.
Lake Macatawa, a 1,808-acre lake in Ottawa 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.
Ottawa and Muskegon Counties, Michigan — Spring Lake is a 810-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 Black Lake (235 acres) sits in Muskegon and Ottawa 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 Ottawa County, Michigan, Pettys Bayou Lake is a 195-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.
Cranberry Lake (118 acres) sits in Ottawa and Kent Counties, 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.
Ottawa County, Michigan — Crockery Lake is a 104-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.
In Ottawa County, Michigan, Stearns Bayou is a 100-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 Ottawa County, Michigan, Cedar Lake East is a 96-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.
Lloyd's Bayou (86 acres) sits in Ottawa 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.
Pigeon Lake, a 77-acre lake in Ottawa 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.
Cedar Lake West, a 66-acre lake in Ottawa 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.
Ottawa County, Michigan — Fennessy Lake is a 62-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.
Georgetown Park Lake (43 acres) sits in Ottawa 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.
Ottawa County, Michigan — Rushmore Lake is a 41-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.
In Ottawa County, Michigan, Millhouse Bayou is a 40-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.
Eastmanville Bayou (35 acres) sits in Ottawa 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.
Apio Lake (35 acres) sits in Ottawa 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 Ottawa County, Michigan, Maplewood Lake is a 33-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.
Kenowa Lake, a 27-acre lake in Ottawa 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 Ottawa County, Michigan, Elmwood Lake is a 26-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.
Ripps Bayou, a 19-acre lake in Ottawa 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.
Stafford Lake (15 acres) sits in Ottawa 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 Ottawa County, Michigan, Little Pigeon Creek Lake is a 10-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.
Grand River (322 km) flows through Ionia, Kent, Ottawa and 3 more counties in 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.
Crockery Creek (45 km) flows through Muskegon, Ottawa, Newaygo and 1 more county in 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 Ottawa County, Michigan, Sand Creek is a 20 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 Ottawa, Muskegon and Kent Counties, Michigan, North Branch Crockery Creek 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.
South Branch Macatawa River runs 19 km through Allegan and Ottawa 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.
Macatawa River runs 34 km through Ottawa 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.
North Branch Macatawa River (15 km) flows through Allegan and Ottawa 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 Ottawa and Muskegon Counties, Michigan, Deer Creek 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.
Ottawa County, Michigan — Bass Creek is a 15 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.
Muskegon and Ottawa Counties, Michigan — Norris Creek is a 13 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.
Ottawa and Kent Counties, Michigan — Rush Creek is a 2 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.
East Branch Rush Creek (7 km) flows through Kent and Ottawa 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.
Rio Grande Creek (11 km) flows through Ottawa and Muskegon 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 Ottawa County, Michigan, Little Bass 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.
Ten Hagen Creek runs 7 km through Ottawa 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.
Across its mapped waters, Ottawa County holds 25 species on PiscaMaps, including Smallmouth Bass, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Walleye, Black Crappie, Rock Bass 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.