50 public waters in the Northern Lower Peninsula region — 35 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.
Houghton Lake (20,000 ac) — Michigan's largest inland lake, a shallow, weedy, fertile bowl in the north-central Lower Peninsula. Walleye, Northern Pike, smallmouth and Largemouth Bass, jumbo Bluegill and Yellow Perch, Black Crappie, and Muskellunge. The 'Tip-Up Town' winter festival is on the ice here; the summer Walleye and Bluegill fishing is a Michigan institution.
Higgins Lake (10,000 ac) — one of the clearest lakes in the state (Secchi to 30 ft). Lake Trout, Splake, stocked rainbow and Brown Trout, plus Smallmouth Bass, Rock Bass, jumbo Yellow Perch, and Cisco. Deep, cold, spring-fed; the Trout fishing is a downrigger game.
Lake Saint Helen, a 2,415-acre lake in Roscommon 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 Roscommon and Missaukee Counties, Michigan, Dead Stream Flooding Lake is a 567-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.
This 451-acre impoundment in Roscomwood County's Northern Lower Peninsula offers solid panfish and pike opportunities in a shallow, productive setting. Largemouth bass and bluegill dominate the catch, while northern pike add excitement for anglers seeking bigger predators.
Little Mud Lake, a 423-acre lake in Roscommon 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.
Backus Lake Flooding, a 374-acre lake in Roscommon 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.
This 340-acre Roscommon County flooding delivers straightforward northern Michigan bass and pike action in a scenic Northern Lower Peninsula setting. Largemouth bass and northern pike are the primary targets, with yellow perch adding panfish options.
Roscommon County, Michigan — Backus Creek Flooding Lake is a 309-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.
Backus Lake occupies 280 acres of Roscommon County water in Michigan's Northern Lower Peninsula, known for its northern pike and largemouth bass alongside panfish staples bluegill and pumpkinseed. The lake attracts pike chasers and casual panfish families in equal measure.
Marl Lake (238 acres) sits in Roscommon 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.
Denton Creek Flooding Lake, a 236-acre lake in Roscommon 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.
Backus Lake (185 acres) sits in Roscommon County, Michigan, managed by State Fish and Wildlife. 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 James, a 177-acre lake in Roscommon 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.
Wraco Lodge Lake (130 acres) sits in Roscommon 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 Roscommon and Missaukee Counties, Michigan, Bear Creek Lake is a 127-acre lake, managed by Michigan Department of Natural Resources. 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 Roscommon County, Michigan, Russell Lake is a 119-acre lake, managed by State Department of Natural Resources. 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 Roscommon County, Michigan, Robinson Creek Flooding is a 79-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.
Lake Four, a 59-acre lake in Gladwin and Roscommon 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.
Roscommon County, Michigan — Rollway Lake is a 54-acre lake, managed by Private: 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.
Denton Creek Flooding (38 acres) sits in Roscommon 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.
Roscommon County, Michigan — Beaver Lake Flooding is a 33-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.
Barney Lake (26 acres) sits in Roscommon County, Michigan, managed by State Fish and Wildlife. 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.
Doyle Lake, a 22-acre lake in Roscommon 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 Roscommon County, Michigan, Boyce Lake is a 22-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 Roscommon County, Michigan, Ryan Lake is a 19-acre lake, managed by Private. 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 Co-Be-Ac (15 acres) sits in Roscommon County, Michigan, managed by Private. 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.
Little Frost Lake, a 15-acre lake in Ogemaw and Roscommon 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.
Campbell Lake, a 15-acre lake in Roscommon 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.
Bambi Lake (11 acres) sits in Roscommon County, Michigan, managed by Private. 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.
Townline Creek Lake (11 acres) sits in Roscommon 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 Roscommon County, Michigan, Leith Lake is a 7-acre lake, managed by Private. 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.
Roscommon County, Michigan — Slide Lake is a 6-acre lake, managed by Private: 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.
Roscommon County, Michigan — Coan Millpond Lake is a 5-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.
Little Headquarters Lake, a 5-acre lake in Roscommon 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 Newaygo, Mecosta, Osceola and 3 more counties in Michigan, Muskegon River is a 320 km river or creek. 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.
South Branch Au Sable River runs 78 km through Roscommon and Crawford Counties, Michigan: 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.
Gladwin and Roscommon Counties, Michigan — Sugar River is a 37 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.
Roscommon County, Michigan — The Cut River is a 25 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.
Dead Stream River (19 km) flows through Missaukee and Roscommon 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 Gladwin and Roscommon Counties, Michigan, West Branch Tittabawassee River is a 19 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.
Roscommon County, Michigan — Backus Creek is a 12 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.
Beaver Creek (17 km) flows through Crawford and Roscommon 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.
Haymarsh Creek (14 km) flows through Missaukee and Roscommon 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 Clare and Roscommon Counties, Michigan, Town Line Creek is a 12 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.
Hudson Creek runs 7 km through Roscommon 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.
Denton Creek runs 14 km through Roscommon 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.
Robinson Creek (8 km) flows through Roscommon 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.
South Creek (8 km) flows through Roscommon and Ogemaw 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 Roscommon County, Michigan, North Branch Denton Creek is a 6 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.
Across its mapped waters, Roscommon County holds 30 species on PiscaMaps, including Smallmouth Bass, Northern Pike, Bluegill, Largemouth Bass, 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.