Best fishing lakes in Michigan: 12 lakes and what bites

The lakes at a glance

1. Lake St. Clair

At 275,000 acres of water, Lake St. Clair is a huge piece of water. The fish here are muskie, smallmouth bass, walleye and yellow perch. The deepest water is around 27 ft. Its bed shows two point drop-offs and an upper arm worth a first look.

Lake St. Clair today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

2. Houghton Lake

At 20,100 acres, Houghton Lake is a big lake. Expect walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass and bluegill. It goes down to about 22 ft. On the 3-D map the bed has three steep ledges and an upper arm: good places to start.

Houghton Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

3. Mullett Lake

Mullett Lake spreads over some 17,400 acres. It lies near Indian River. The fish here are walleye, smallmouth bass, northern pike and muskie. The deepest water is around 148 ft. On the 3-D map the bed has four steep ledges: good places to start. Mullett Lake is part of Michigan's Inland Waterway and drains to Lake Huron via the Cheboygan River; a remnant native lake sturgeon population still lives there.

Mullett Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

4. Devils Lake

Devils Lake covers 1,300 acres. It lies next to Manitou Beach-Devils Lake. It holds largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, white bass and walleye. At about 63 ft deep, it stays cooler below the surface well into summer. The lake bed gives you three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves to work. Devils Lake is the largest lake in Lenawee County and supports a diverse warmwater and stocked coldwater fishery.

Devils Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

5. Burt Lake

Burt Lake spreads over 17,100 acres. It lies next to Indian River. Walleye, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass and northern pike are the draw. The deepest water is around 73 ft. On the 3-D map the bed has three steep ledges and an upper arm: good places to start. Burt Lake is Michigan's fourth-largest inland lake and is part of the Inland Waterway chain of lakes and rivers linking Lake Huron to Lake Michigan.

Burt Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

6. Gun Lake

Gun Lake is a natural lake of 2,680 acres. The lake is about 6.5 miles northwest of Wayland. It holds largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike and walleye. The deepest water is around 66 ft. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves worth a first look. Gun Lake, mostly in Barry County, is a popular southwest Michigan recreational and fishing lake known for its bass and panfish.

Gun Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

7. Torch Lake

Torch Lake covers 18,800 acres. The lake is about 1.8 miles south of Rapid City. It holds smallmouth bass, walleye, lake trout and trout. At about 285 ft deep, it stays cooler below the surface well into summer. Its bed shows three steep ledges and an upper arm worth a first look. Torch Lake is Michigan's deepest inland lake and is famous for its turquoise, Caribbean-like clear water. It is a clear lake, so long casts and a quiet approach pay off.

Torch Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

8. Black Lake

At 10,100 acres, Black Lake is a big lake. The lake is about 7.6 miles northwest of Cheboygan. The fish here are walleye, smallmouth bass, northern pike and muskie. At about 50 ft at its deepest, it warms quickly in spring. Black Lake is renowned for its native lake sturgeon population and hosts a strictly regulated winter spear-fishing season for the species.

Black Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

9. Big Manistique Lake

Big Manistique Lake is a natural lake of some 10,100 acres. It lies about 12 miles northeast of Newberry. The fish here are walleye, smallmouth bass, northern pike and muskie. The deepest water is around 20 ft. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and an upper arm: good places to start. Big Manistique Lake is a shallow Upper Peninsula lake that is part of the Manistique Lakes chain, which drains into the Manistique River.

Big Manistique Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

10. Lake Charlevoix

Lake Charlevoix covers 17,200 acres of water. It lies right by Charlevoix. Smallmouth bass, walleye, lake trout and trout are the draw. The deepest water is around 122 ft. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and an upper arm worth a first look. Lake Charlevoix is Michigan's third-largest inland lake and connects to Lake Michigan via the Pine River and Round Lake at the town of Charlevoix.

Lake Charlevoix today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

11. Crystal Lake

Crystal Lake covers 9,850 acres of water. You will find it next to Beulah. Expect smallmouth bass, lake trout, trout and northern pike. At about 165 ft deep, it stays cooler below the surface well into summer. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and an upper arm: good places to start. Crystal Lake in Benzie County is Michigan's ninth-largest inland lake and is noted for its deep, clear water and steep drop-offs near shore. The water is known for being clear: lighter line and natural colours help.

Crystal Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

12. Portage Lake

Portage Lake is a natural lake of some 9,640 acres. You will find it right by Dollar Bay. It holds walleye, smallmouth bass, northern pike and trout. It goes down to about 54 ft. On the 3-D map the bed has four steep ledges: good places to start. Portage Lake lies on the Keweenaw Peninsula and forms part of the Keweenaw Waterway, a channel that cuts across the peninsula to link Lake Superior on both sides.

Portage Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

Which lake for which fish

Lakes listed for a fish are the ones on this page where it is on record or typical for the lake.

• Bass: Lake St. Clair, Houghton Lake, Mullett Lake and Devils Lake
• Walleye: Lake St. Clair, Houghton Lake, Mullett Lake and Devils Lake
• Trout: Mullett Lake, Devils Lake, Torch Lake and Lake Charlevoix
• Crappie: Mullett Lake, Devils Lake, Burt Lake and Gun Lake
• Pike and muskie: Lake St. Clair, Houghton Lake, Mullett Lake and Devils Lake
• Catfish: Mullett Lake, Devils Lake, Black Lake and Portage Lake

When to go

• Spring: walleye are usually at their best. Prime range. Low light is best, on reefs and weed edges.
• Summer: walleye are usually fair. Warm surface. They go deep in the day; try evenings.
• Fall: walleye are usually at their best. Prime range. Low light is best, on reefs and weed edges.
• Winter: walleye are usually fair. Cold. Slow jigs on deep structure.

Before you go

Buy a Michigan fishing licence before the trip and read the state's rules for each lake: seasons, size and bag limits change from water to water. Each lake page on LakeScope shows today's water temperature, the wind, the best bite times and a 3-D view of the bed, so check it the morning you go.