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Guide To Fishing On Lake Michigan

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Lake Michigan Fishing

Third largest of the Great Lakes, by surface area, Lake Michigan is a phenomenal fishery. Fishing guides, fishing charters, fishing tournaments and individual anglers all enjoy great success for a wide variety of fish species. With over 22,000 square miles of surface area, and 1,640 miles of shoreline, one can always find their own piece of paradise to wet a line. Trout, salmon, steelhead, bass and walleye draw anglers from across the globe to enjoy this spectacular fish factory.

Fish species* residing in Lake Michigan

Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.

Largemouth bass Smallmouth bass Channel catfish Walleye Sauger Rainbow Trout Brook Trout Brown trout Lake trout Steelhead Fishing Bluegill Green Sunfish Pumpkinseed Sunfish Rock Bass White Bass White Perch Yellow Perch Atlantic Salmon Chinook Salmon Coho Salmon Pink Salmon Muskie Northern Pike

Click the images and links above for species details.

*Species covered in this website

Fishing for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, channel catfish, walleye, sauger, rainbow trout, brook trout, brown trout, lake trout, steelhead, bluegill, green sunfish, pumpkinseed sunfish, rock bass, white bass, white perch, yellow perch, Atlantic salmon, chinook (king) salmon, coho salmon, pink salmon, muskie and northern pike in Lake Michigan.

Big-water boating experience is necessary if you wish to spend time on Lake Michigan. Fishing guides and charter services have the equipment and know-how to improve the safety of boating on this massive water. Additionally, these guides and charters know where the best schools of fish hang out, and where they move throughout the season. These are just a few options to consider.

Great Lakes Fishing Adventures
Lake Michigan’s premier fishing charter service, fishing include coho, kings, steelhead, lake trout and brown trout.
Washington Park Marina
200 Heisman Harbor Drive
Michigan City, Indiana 46360
219 898-8282


Access from Illinois

Captain Slayer Fishing Charters - 773 501-5559

Full Circle Charters - 630 215-8801

Storm Warning Chicage Fishing Charters - 630 332-0706

Fishing Boat Rentals

Nautical Chicago Boat Rentals
Rentals: Fishing boats
312 448-8100


Access from Indiana

Brother Nature Charter Fishing - 877 725-6665

Cloud Nine Fishing Charter - 219 879-7852

M&M Charters - 219 395-4049

Fishing Boat Rentals

Miller's Marine
Rentals: Fishing boats, kayaks, canoes and powerboats
219 762-8767

Marinas

Marina Shores At Dune Harbor
6159 S Dune Harbor Dr
Portage, IN 46368
219 762-5700

Sammie L. Maletta Public Marina
1200 Marina Way
Portage, IN 46368
219 763-6833

Trail Creek Marina
700 E Michigan Blvd
Michigan City, IN 46360
219 879-4300


Access from Michigan

Action Salmon Charters - 231 329-2117

RodMaster Fishing Charters - 517 712-8709

Watta Bite Charter Fishing - 231 409-0963

Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings

Burnham Skate Park Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the southwest section of the lake, off E 31st Street, this is a three-lane, concrete ramp with docks and paved parking.

Church Street Power Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the southwest section of the lake, off Dheridan Road, this is a four-lane, concrete ramp with docks and paved parking.

Lake Forest Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the southwest section of the lake, off Lake Road, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with docks and paved parking.

Lloyd Park Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the southwest section of the lake, off Sheridan Road, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and limited parking.

Non-Motorized Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the southwest section of the lake, off E Hayes Drive, this is a portage area with paved parking.

Park Avenue Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the southwest section of the lake, off Park Avenue, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Waukegan North Harbor Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the southwest section of the lake, off E Madison Street, this is a eight-lane, concrete ramp with docks and paved parking.

Marinas

MWR Great Lakes Marina
2910 Ziegemeier St
Great Lakes, IL 60088
847 688-5417

North Point Marina
701 North Point Dr
Winthrop Harbor, IL 60096
847 746-2845

Spring Brook Marina
1559 S Lake Shore Dr
Chicago, IL 60605
866 418-6696

Waukegan Harbor & Marina
55 S Harbor Pl
Waukegan, IL 60085
847 244-3133


Access from Wisconsin

Nicky Boy Charter Fishing - 877 896-5500

Silver King Charters - 414 460-1467

Willie Bee Charters - 920 973-9452

Fishing Boat Rentals

Wave Club Water Sports
Rentals: Pontoon boats
231 873-3700

Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings

Bender Park Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, west side, off E Ryan Road, this is a six-lane, concrete ramp with paved parking.

City of Algoma Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the northwest section of the lake, off Steele Street, this is a four-lane, concrete ramp with docks and paved parking.

Ellison Bay Public Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the northwest section of the lake, on the northeast side of Green Bay, off Mink River Road, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with docks and limited parking.

Lily Bay Park Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the northwest section of the lake, off Glidden Drive, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and gravel parking.

McKinley Marina Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, west side, off N Lincoln Memorial Drive, this is an eight-lane, concrete ramp with docks and paved parking.

Metro Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the northwest section of the lake, at the south end of Green Bay, off Bay Beach Road, this is a ten-lane, concrete ramp with docks and paved parking.

Nicolet Bay Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the northwest section of the lake, on the northeast side of Green Bay, off Shore Road, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Pershing Park Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, west side, off 6th Street, this is a twelve-lane, concrete ramp with docks and paved parking.

Port Washington Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, west side, off Lake Street, this is a seven-lane, concrete ramp with docks and paved parking.

Riverfront Launching Site
Located mid lake, west side, off E Bruce Street, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Rowleys Bay Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the northwest section of the lake, off County Road ZZ, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with docks and paved parking.

Marinas

Baileys Harbor Town Marina
8132 WI-57
Baileys Harbor, WI 54202
920 839-9778

Harbor Centre Marina
821 Broughton Drive
Sheboygan, WI 53081
920-458-6665

Hi Seas Marina
1711 Harbor Road
Oconto, WI 54153
920 834-2565

Manitowoc Marina
425 Maritime Drive
Manitowoc, WI 54220
920 682-5117

Port Washington Marina
106 N. Lake Street
Port Washington, WI 53074
262 284-6606

Reefpoint Marina
2 Christopher Columbus Causeway
Racine, WI 53403
262-633-7171

Seagull Marina
1400 Lake St
Two Rivers, WI 54241
920 794-7533

Southport Marina
21 56th Street
Kenosha, WI 53140
262 657-5565


Lake Michigan Map

States with access to Lake Michigan

Illinois
Indiana
Michigan
Wisconsin

Lake Michigan Contact Information

Great Lakes Fishery Commission
2200 Commonwealth Blvd., Suite 100
Ann Arbor, MI, 48105
734 662-3209

 

Fishing lakes in each state.

AL Fishing Lakes AR Fishing Lakes AZ Fishing Lakes CA Fishing Lakes CO Fishing Lakes CT Fishing Lakes DC Fishing Lakes DE Fishing Lakes FL Fishing Lakes GA Fishing Lakes HI Fishing Lakes IA Fishing Lakes ID Fishing Lakes
IL Fishing Lakes IN Fishing Lakes KS Fishing Lakes KY Fishing Lakes LA Fishing Lakes MA Fishing Lakes MD Fishing Lakes ME Fishing Lakes MI Fishing Lakes MN Fishing Lakes MO Fishing Lakes MS Fishing Lakes MT Fishing Lakes
NC Fishing Lakes ND Fishing Lakes NE Fishing Lakes NH Fishing Lakes NJ Fishing Lakes NM Fishing Lakes NV Fishing Lakes NY Fishing Lakes OH Fishing Lakes OK Fishing Lakes OR Fishing Lakes PA Fishing Lakes
RI Fishing Lakes SC Fishing Lakes SD Fishing Lakes TN Fishing Lakes TX Fishing Lakes UT Fishing Lakes VA Fishing Lakes VT Fishing Lakes WA Fishing Lakes WI Fishing Lakes WV Fishing Lakes WY Fishing Lakes