Guide To Fishing On Lake Michigan
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.
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.
082724*
Lake Michigan
Fishing for trout, salmon, walleye, bass, muskie, perch and other fish species in the Great Lakes