Houghton Lake in 3-D at today's water level. Spot 1 (upper arm) is open for everyone; the other 3 come with LakeScope PRO. Full screen
Houghton Lake today
Michigan · 31.0 sq mi · updated
Clear water, 44°F water, level steady, near normal, calm this morning.
Where to stay near Houghton Lake
- Beachfront HotelHotel · by the waterSee prices
- Houghton Lake State Forest CampgroundCampground · by the waterSee prices
- Lagoon Resort and MotelMotel · by the waterSee prices
- Quality InnHotel · about 0.5 mi from the waterSee prices
- Super 8 by Wyndham Houghton LakeMotel · about 0.7 mi from the waterSee prices
- American Inn And SuitesHotel · about 0.7 mi from the waterSee prices
Prices and availability come from booking partners; we may earn a commission at no cost to you.
Water temperature map
6 places to stay on the map. Tap one for prices, or see the list and map.
Surface water temperature, .
Where the fish are today
49% Fair chance for northern pike today · 2–20 ft deep
- Water 44°F on top, much colder than they like, so they move slowly and stay deep.
- Best water today is 2–20 ft deep, mostly on channel edges.
- The lake is mixed top to bottom, so fish can use many depths.
- North wind at 10 mph pushes bait onto the south shore: try the wind-blown banks.
Best zone: channel edge, about 9% of them, 8–20 ft deep (the fish on the map above).
See the fish in 3-D Every fish, every zone and the heat map: LakeScope PRO.
Fishing spots
- 1Upper arm · about 25 ft deep today
The lake narrows toward the incoming river or creek; moving water carries food.
- 2
- 3
- 4
3 more spots with LakeScope PRO: fish, depth band, water temperature, best time and bait for each.
Picked from the shape of the lake bed. A guide, not a promise.
Best fishing times
Friday Good
- 7:00 am – 9:15 amsunrise · wind 10 mph
- 3:30 pm – 5:15 pm bestsunset, moon overhead · wind 10 mph
Saturday Fair
- 3:45 pm – 5:45 pm bestsunset, moon overhead · wind 15 mph
Based on sun and moon times and the wind forecast. A guide, not a promise. The app shows the whole week.
What's biting
- GoodWalleye
Good cool-water bite, best at dusk and after dark.
- GoodNorthern pike
Prime range. Weed edges and shallow bays.
- SlowLargemouth bass
Cold and sluggish. Fish slow and deep near steep banks.
- SlowBluegill and sunfish
Cold. Deep and hard to tempt. Use tiny baits.
From the water temperature and the season. A guide, not a promise.
Water level
Steady over 7 days. 0.4 ft below normal for this time of year.
Latest reading .
Clarity and algae
Clear water No algae seen
Last clear view from above: . Clouds hid the lake on 1 recent pass.
Water temperature
At the surface, seen .
Ice
Open water
Estimate from weather and satellite, not a measurement. Check the ice yourself before going on it.
Weather and wind
Sunrise 7:32 am · sunset 5:13 pm · waxing crescent moon (lake time).
Recent catches
Shared by anglers in the LakeScope app. Spots are shown to about half a mile.
Get LakeScope on your phone
The whole week of bite times, lake alerts, the depth map and the 3-D view of Houghton Lake.
