Welcome to the World of Angling & Boating in Lake Michigan!

We share information, guidance, and advice covering all aspects of interest for the angling communities and fishing enthusiasts in Lake Michigan. As an angling enthusiast, we always want to provide the latest trends and fishing spots in Lake Michigan where you can enjoy and get a memorable experience. We offer a range of information from Fishing reports, tips & techniques, boat charter tours, fishing spots & regulations, recommended gears, and much more to give you a great experience out there in waters.

Best Fish Species & Opportunities in Lake Michigan

Type of Fish	How to Fish	Best Time of Year	Average Fish Size
Coho Salmon	pier boat	mid February / March to May	2 - 3 lbs.
Coho Salmon	stream	Sept. / Oct.	3 - 4 lbs.
Chinook Salmon	pier boat	May; mid-July to September	7 - 12 lbs.
Chinook Salmon	stream	Sept. / Oct.	7 - 12 lbs.
Steelhead (Skamania)	pier boat	mid-June to mid-Aug.	7 - 10 lbs.
Steelhead (Skamania)	stream	July - February	7 - 10 lbs.
Steelhead (Michigan or Winter-run)	pier stream	late October to March	7-10 lbs.
Lake Trout	boat	mid June to August; mid-Oct. to Nov.	8 - 12 lbs.
Yellow Perch	pier boat	June to mid-September	8.0 - 10.0 inches
Smallmouth, Largemouth and other Sunfish species	pier boat	June to September	10-16 inches 6-8 inches

State-wise Fishing Reports & Guide:

With the surface area of 22,404 square miles, Lake Michigan is a premier destination for anglers and sports fishing. It shares shoreline with four states namely Michigan (13,237 square miles), Wisconsin (7,358 square miles), Indiana (234 square miles), & Illinois (1,576 square miles). The lake is home to over 100 aquatic species of varying varieties, including salmon, trout, walleye, perch and various types of suckers. You can fish at piers, or from boats in deep water.

Indiana

Indiana’s Lake Michigan border is the smallest of the four states bordering the lake, with 43 miles of shoreline and 224 square miles of water. It also has limited facilities for boaters and anglers, but there are some great fishing opportunities. There are plenty of boating slips and many local attractions.

Indiana DNR Fishing Regulations (2022 Version)

Fishing License:

The Indiana Department of Natural Resources requires an individual to obtain a license to fish in public lakes, streams, rivers, tributaries, and boundary waters in Indiana.

How to Purchase a License

Online: Visit on IN.gov/INHuntFish and purchase license fee.
In Person: There are about 500 listed retailers in the State of Indiana to get the license or visit the DNR Customer Service Center from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday.
By Mail: You can send a check or money order (payable to DNR) or credit card info to:
Licenses DNR Customer Service Center
402 W. Washington St., W160 Indianapolis, IN, 46204
To Know More Click the Link below,
https://www.in.gov/dnr/

Indiana’s Statewide Fishing Size & Bag Limits

Species	Daily Bag Limit	Minimum Size
Bluegill	None	None
Redear Sunfish	25	None
Black Bass: largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass (in lakes)	5, any combination of largemouth, smallmouth, or spotted bass	14 inches
Black Bass: largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass (in rivers and streams)	5, any combination of largemouth, smallmouth, or spotted bass	No fish 12 to 15 inches may be kept, and no more than two fish over 15 inches may be kept.
Black Bass: largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass (in Lake Michigan)	3, any combination of largemouth, smallmouth, or spotted bass	14 inches
Yellow Bass	None	None
White Bass, Hybrid Striped Bass	12, any combination of white bass or hybrid striped bass	No more than two fish may exceed 17 inches
Striped Bass	2	None
Rock Bass	25	None
Crappie	25	None
Walleye, Walleye-Sauger Hybrid (Saugeye), Sauger	6, any combination of walleye, walleye-sauger hybrid, and sauger	For Walleye: 14 inches south of SR 26; 16 inches north of SR 26 For sauger and saugeye: No size limit
Muskellunge and Tiger Muskellunge	1 muskellunge or 1 tiger muskellunge	36 inches2
Northern Pike	33	24 inches; no more than one 30 inches or longer
Yellow Perch	None	None
Catfish: Channel, Blue, Flathead (in streams)	None	13 inches; no more than one blue or one flathead catfish 35 inches or longer, and no more than one channel catfish 28 inches or longer may be kept
Catfish: Channel, Blue, Flathead (in lakes, reservoirs)	105	None
Bullhead	None	None
Lake Whitefish	12	None
Shovelnose Sturgeon	None	25 inches

Best Fishing Sites in Lake Michigan Indiana shoreline

The Michigan City pier, basin, and adjoining ramp.
Trail Creek (Trail Creek Marina).
A public fishing site for shoreline anglers exists next to the Michigan City DNR building (handicap accessible).
Port of Indiana.
Burns Waterway.

Check Out the Ports & Marinas in Lake Michigan, Indiana

West Side of Lake Michigan

https://www.lakemichiganangler.com/pages/west-side-of-the-lake

East Side of Lake Michigan

https://www.lakemichiganangler.com/pages/east-side-of-the-lake

Illinois

Illinois’ Lake Michigan coast includes three distinct watersheds namely Pike-Root watershed, the Chicago River watershed, and the Little Calumet-Galien watershed. Pike-Root watershed which stretches from southeastern Wisconsin into Illinois covers 32 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline. The Chicago River watershed covers 29 miles of Lake Michigan lake shore and the southernmost part of the Illinois Coastal Zone includes the Little Calumet-Galien watershed covering 2 miles of the lake shoreline.

Illinois DNR Fishing Regulations (2022 Version)

Fishing License

ILLINOIS RESIDENTS: A resident sport fishing license may be obtained by anyone who has been a resident of Illinois 30 days prior to purchase. Sport fishermen under 16 years of age, and persons declared legally disabled or blind, may fish without a license. Owners or tenants may fish in waters on or flowing over their lands without a license.
NON-RESIDENTS: Non-residents of Illinois may purchase sport fishing licenses to fish waters of the state. Non-resident sport fishermen under 16 years of age may fish without a license. All other non-resident sport fishermen must purchase sport fishing licenses before fishing in Illinois.
To Know more visit, https://ifishillinois.org/

Illinois Statewide Fishing Size & Bag Limits

Species	Daily Bag Limit	Minimum Size
LARGEMOUTH BASS, SMALLMOUTH BASS, SPOTTED BASS	6	None
MUSKELLUNGE, NORTHERN PIKE AND THEIR HYBRIDS	1 muskellunge & 3 northern pike may be taken per day	36˝ in total length or longer
CRAPPIE (WHITE, BLACK OR HYBRID CRAPPIE)	None	None
BLUEGILL, REDEAR SUNFISH, OTHER SUNFISH	None	None
PADDLEFISH	Daily harvest limit is 2 paddlefish.	None
ALLIGATOR GAR	Harvest limit is 1 alligator gar per 24 hours.	None
STRIPED BASS (OCEAN ROCKFISH), WHITE BASS, YELLOW BASS AND HYBRIDS	3	less than 17˝ in total length
TROUT AND SALMON	Daily harvest limit is 5 trout or salmon
WALLEYE, SAUGER OR THEIR HYBRID	6	must be 14˝ in total length

Check Out the Ports & Marinas in Lake Michigan, Illinois,

https://www.lakemichiganangler.com/pages/west-side-of-the-lake

Wisconsin

Wisconsin is bordered to the East by Lake Michigan covering 7,358 square miles of shoreline forming the largest freshwater lake entirely positioned in the United States. More than 1.6 million Wisconsin citizens get their drinking water from Lake Michigan. More than 250,000 anglers enjoy their sport fishing opportunities and their harbors and marinas support a $9.4 billion dollar a year recreational boating industry.

Wisconsin DNR Fishing Regulations (2022 Version)

Fishing License

In Wisconsin, you can fish without a license if you’re under 16 years old and if you’re born before the year 1927. Individuals with below criteria need to possess license:

If you are a first-time buyer and don't fish Wisconsin or returning to fish after at least 10 years without a license.
For anglers who want to give Wisconsin fishing a try for one day only.
Active-duty military on furlough or leave who are Wisconsin residents and veterans.

Wisconsin Statewide Fishing Size & Bag Limits

Species	Daily Bag Limit	Minimum Size
Trout And Salmon	5	None
Largemouth and Smallmouth bass	5	None
Walleye, Sauger and hybrids	5	None
Northern Pike	5	None
Muskellunge	None	None
Catfish	25	None
Panfish	25	None

Best Places to Fish in Lake Michigan, WI

Marinette
Oconto River
Green Bay
Door County - North
Door County - Middle
Door County - South
Ahnapee River - Kewaunee
Kewaunee River - Kewaunee
East and West Twin Rivers - Two Rivers
Manitowoc/Branch River - Manitowoc
Fischer Creek - Manitowoc
Pigeon River - Sheboygan
Sheboygan River - Sheboygan
Sauk Creek - Port Washington
Milwaukee River
Menomonee River - Milwaukee
Root River - Racine
Pike River - Kenosha

Check Out the Ports & Marinas in Lake Michigan, Wisconsin

https://www.lakemichiganangler.com/pages/west-side-of-the-lake

Michigan

Michigan is loaded with lakes, sandy beaches, quaint lighthouses, majestic waterfalls and even historic shipwrecks. It spans the entire west coast of Michigan’s lower peninsula covering 13,237 square miles of the shoreline.

Michigan DNR Fishing Regulations (2022 Version)

Fishing License

You must purchase a license if you are 17 years of age or older. If you are under 17, you may fish without a license, but you are required to observe all fishing rules and regulations.
Your annual fishing license is valid from March 1 of a given year through March 31 of the following year.

For Purchasing Fishing License you must have:

Michigan Driver's License; or
Michigan Identity Card ; or
Driving license from your state of residency; or
A DNR Sportcard (issued by license dealers).

Fishing License Eligibility:

Need to be a permanent resident within the boundaries of the state
Should be a full-time student at a Michigan college or university, and reside in Michigan.

Learn more at https://www.michigan.gov/dnr

Michigan Statewide Fishing Size & Bag Limits

Species	Daily Bag Limit	Minimum Size
Largemouth Bass Smallmouth Bass	5	14"
Walleye	5	15"
Northern Pike	2	24"
Flathead Catfish	5	15"
Channel Catfish	10	12"
Muskellunge	1	42"
Yellow Perch	25	None
Sunfishes	25	None
White Bass	25	None