Secure your Michigan fishing license before you go to any of its famous fishing areas. All adults 17 years and older must have an MI fishing permit to fish in inland waters or the Great Lakes. This is your first step to enjoying some great fishing in the Midwest.
Whether you’re visiting the famous Two Hearted River or some remote creek, this article gives you the best places for fishing in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
Why the Upper Peninsula is a Fishing Paradise
The U.P. region invites you to go outside and enjoy nature. With many beautiful lakes, long rivers, streams, and stretches of the Great Lakes shoreline, it is one of the least populated areas in North America.
Due to the many different regions, anglers can fish for many kinds of fish: walleye; smallmouth and largemouth bass; northern pike; yellow perch; brook, brown, and rainbow trout; lake trout; Chinook, coho, and pink salmon; steelhead; and Atlantic salmon.
In spring, anglers enjoy steelhead fishing; summer brings bass and walleye; fall has salmon, and winter has ice fishing.
Top Lakes to Fish in the U.P.
1. Lake Gogebic
- Location: Western U.P. (Ontonagon & Gogebic Counties).
- Best For: Walleye, Jumbo Perch, smallmouth bass.
- Access: Multiple public boat launches; bait shops in Bergland & Marenisco.
The biggest inland lake in the U.P. (Lake Gogebic), covering more than 13,000 acres, is a favorite for walleye fishing. The bays filled with weeds, rocky areas, and deep parts of the lake make it favorable for perch and pike. If you love walleye, try to come to Winnipeg in spring or autumn, but if ice fishing sounds much more exciting, come during wintertime.
2. Lake Michigamme
- Location: Marquette & Baraga Counties.
- Best For: Pike, walleye, smallmouth, and muskie.
- Access: Van Riper State Park; multiple public launches.
Lake Michigamme is an expansive lake with forests, serving those seeking solitude while fishing. This habitat is great for aquatic species, especially northern pike and smallmouth bass. Take a boat or kayak to look at all the rocky shelves beneath the surface and their deep falloffs. You should try topwater fishing in the morning and troll near weed beds in the evening.
3. Big Bay de Noc
- Location: Delta County (Lake Michigan).
- Best For: Smallmouth bass, perch, and walleye.
- Access: Public ramps in Garden & Nahma.
Partially located in northern Lake Michigan, Big Bay de Noc is known for being shallow, which makes it great for fishing smallmouth bass. Fish gather near the shore in the springtime, when they are breeding. You should consider it for catching the perch and walleye later.
Best Rivers for Angling Adventures
1. Two-Hearted River
- Location: Luce County (Lake Superior drainage).
- Best For: Brook trout, steelhead, salmon.
- Best Techniques: Fly fishing, light spinning.
Because of Ernest Hemingway, the Two Hearted River is known as one of the most famous fishing spots in the U.P. Brook trout like to feed in the summer, but steelhead and salmon can be seen in spring and fall. Patience, wandering, and having a sense of adventure help a lot.
2. Escanaba River
- Location: Delta & Marquette Counties.
- Best For: Walleye, bass, and brown trout.
- Best Techniques: Spinning, drift fishing.
Resting right in the city, the Escanaba River is an easy place to catch fish from early to late in the year. At the bottom, there are mostly walleye and smallmouth bass, while the higher sections are home to trout. Pick up your fishing from the sports board or the beach or hoof it into the solid stretches near Gladstone and Escanaba.
3. St. Mary’s River
- Location: Sault Ste. Marie (Lake Superior outlet).
- Best For: Atlantic salmon, steelhead, lake trout, and walleye.
- Best Techniques: Trolling, jigging, and shore casting.
Lake Superior flows into Lake Huron through the St. Marys River, forming an unusually unique fishery in Michigan. Its high-speed channels and deep areas are great for the fish in the Great Lakes. This region is best known for its Atlantic salmon, but fishing for steelhead and lake trout is permitted, too. You can fish at the Soo Locks or book a charter in deeper parts of the water.
Hidden Gems Worth Exploring
1. Blind Sucker River
- Location: Luce County.
- Best for: Brook trout.
- Access: Requires hiking or ORV.
On the east side of the Two Hearted, the Blind Sucker River is a less talked about stream that’s ideal for fly fishing or spinning with very light equipment.Brook trout can be found everywhere in clear and chilled waters.
2. Crooked Lake
- Location: Schoolcraft County.
- Best For: Pike, bass, panfish.
- Access: Canoe/kayak launches.
A calm, shallow lake vacation spot located in the woods. Try using a little boat or a kayak to look for bass and pike under lily pads and logs in the water.
3. Fumee Lake
- Location: Dickinson County (near Iron Mountain).
- Best For: Bluegill, perch, and largemouth bass.
- Access: Footpath; no motorized boats.
Since the lake is quiet and doesn’t have engines, it’s a good option for people just starting or anyone wanting a rest. Use a bobber to fish for panfish or throw small soft plastics near big trees for bass.The trail that circles Fumee Lake makes it a convenient spot for families and anglers to hike when they want to.
Conclusion
Remember to have your Michigan fishing license, pack your equipment, and get excited for great freshwater fishing in Canada. The U.P., from its rushing rivers to peaceful bays, is available for those who want to fish, and the catching is good.
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