Fishing

New Hunting and Fishing Resources Available for Michiganders

September 18, 2012

With four Great Lakes, 11,000 inland lakes and thousands of acres of state and private hunting land, it’s no wonder that hunters and anglers take to the woods and waters each year in Michigan in search of that trophy buck or record breaking King.

We’re excited to announce that we recently teamed up with Outdoor Hub to launch two all new tabs on our Facebook page geared specifically towards Michigan sportsmen. The Pure Michigan hunting and fishing tabs will provide resources, tips and inside information on these activities to ensure your next trip is a memorable one.

Updates will include information hunting and fishing seasons, the best spots to hunt and fish, what to bring on your trip and more. We’ll also be sharing photos, videos and breaking local news.

Be sure to “Like” Pure Michigan on Facebook to check out the hunting and fishing tabs. You can click on the links directly or visit the Hunting and Fishing thumbnails next to our Free Photo Downloads gallery.

Take a look and let us know what you’d like to see featured here in the future! You can also join the conversation on Twitter by using the hashtags #PureMichiganFish and #PureMichiganHunt.

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From Our Community: Fishing in Pure Michigan

April 19, 2012

in Fishing

With four Great Lakes, 11,000 inland lakes and hundreds of rivers and streams, there’s no end to the places to cast your line during your Pure Michigan fishing experience.

Yesterday on our Facebook page, we asked fans “Where do you like to go fishing in Michigan?” and received some great responses. Here’s a round-up of suggestions.

“Off the Grand Haven Pier or from a kayak on Spring Lake ” – Grand Haven Area Convention & Visitors Bureau

“Off the dock on the canal in front of our place in Ludington with my husband & grandchildren. Our grandson loves to catch bluegill!” – Diana Lynn Beck

“Little Bay De Noc on Lake Michigan…the best Walleye fishery in the WORLD!!” - Liz Creed Holmquist

“Lake Leelanau..Summer and Winter” – Ken Willis

“Higgins….but don’t tell anyone!” – Robert A. Grimes

“Tan lake in Oxford!!!!” – Jillian Maresco

“Anywhere on the water in Michigan is spectacular and beautiful for fishing!!! Love this great state!” – Jennifer Leonard

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Ice Fishing in Pure Michigan

January 5, 2012

in Fishing,Outdoors,Snowsports

Bob Fisher is a lifelong avid Michigan sportsman. In addition to his love of the outdoors, Bob Fisher was also co-founder and co-owner of Baldwin Bait and Tackle, located in Baldwin. He answered a few of our questions about ice fishing. You can also check out this ice fishing article on michigan.org for more.

Q: Besides the ice, how is ice fishing different from regular fishing?

A: Ice fishing offers many different positive aspects compared to “regular” or conventional open water fishing. First, everyone has access to an entire lake. With open water fishing, one needs access to a boat to access the entire lake. Once ice forms a hard surface, anyone can simply walk to any part of the lake they desire to fish. Large lakes will require an ATV or snowmobile to access far reaches, if the ice thickness is safe enough to accommodate the weight of the machines.

Ice fishing is typically inexpensive compared to other styles of fishing. While fly fishing or big lake trolling can be more expensive endeavors, with ice fishing all one needs is some basic gear that can be purchased for less than $30 all together and a bucket to sit upon.

Q: Are there different types of fish you can catch in Michigan when you are ice fishing vs. regular fishing?

A. There are numerous fish species that ice fishermen target. The list varies from large northern pike and lake trout to the tiny smelt. Typically, ice fishermen target fish for table fare. The most common fish that ice fishermen seek are pan fish such as bluegill, perch and crappie. Northern pike are often sought using tip-up’s and jigging for walleye is very common and popular. One should check the fishing regulations since several species of fish have closed seasons during certain times of the year.

Q: Is there any special equipment you need?

A: For starting out with basic ice fishing, one would need a small rod and reel, designed specifically for ice fishing. These can be very economical setups that can be purchased for less than $10 and they typically come with the fishing line already spooled on. One will also need either an ice auger to drill a hole through the ice or an ice spud to chip open an existing hole, an ice skimmer to remove ice that forms once the hole is open, some bait, some small jig “lures” and a five gallon bucket to carry your gear in and to sit upon while fishing. Warm clothing and boots are also typically needed.

If on the more serious side, some ice fishermen design elaborate ice shantys, complete with heaters, furniture, stoves to cook fish on, and even TV’s.

Q: Where are some good areas to ice fish in Michigan?

A: The beauty of ice fishing is that nearly every lake that offers good fishing in the Summer months can offer good fishing during the Winter months. A notable event is Tip Up Town USA, among the top 10 winter events in the nation, which is a large ice fishing carnival attracting 10,000′s of people to the Houghton Lake area every winter.

Q: Where can people get more information about ice fishing?

A: Local fishing stores usually offer the best local advice. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has very good information on ice fishing and also has weekly fishing reports. The Department of Natural Resources also offers a free fishing weekend, where no fishing license is required, so anyone can try their hand at ice fishing without buying a license.

Please note-while ice fishing is a fun Winter activity, one must always use caution and common sense whenever venturing out on any ice.

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Salmon Fishing in Pure Michigan

November 15, 2011

in Fishing,Outdoors

Did you know that there are about 146 kinds of fish that can be found in Michigan? Bass, walleye, pike, perch and more fill the waters of the state all year and today, the focus is on salmon, which can be found in the tributaries of the Great Lakes virtually all year long.

Take a look below to learn more about four different types of salmon in Michigan. For tips on catching fish, along with more information on fishing regulations, records and reports, check out the fishing section at Michigan’s Department of Natural Resources Web site.

Atlantic Salmon:
Originally from the North Atlantic Ocean, Atlantic salmon are known for their leaping and fighting ability. There is a fishery in Torch Lake, where flyfishers find success fishing at the mouths of tributaries as they prepare for spawning. However, the primary place for Atlantic salmon fishing is the St. Marys River. The salmon begin spawning in mid-summer and flyfishers pursue the fish in the fast-flowing rapids of the river.

Chinook Salmon:
The Chinook are the largest of the Pacific salmon, and have been stocked in the Great Lakes for more than 130 years. Because they generally prefer cooler temperatures, Chinook are caught in deeper waters. Chinooks begin their upstream migration in late summer and are usually present in catchable numbers by mid August. Lake Michigan is your best bet for Chinook salmon, with anything in excess of 20 pounds being considered a good-size fish.

Coho Salmon:
According to the Department of Natural Resources, Coho salmon is “the fish that really started the Great Lakes salmon fishery.” You can catch Coho in Lake Michigan throughout the year, though the best fisheries on the lake’s east side occur in early spring and again in late summer and early fall. Coho can also be found around the Platte River in northern Michigan much of the year, and migrating fish are caught in the St. Joseph River as late as Christmas.

Pink Salmon:
The smallest of the Pacific salmon (the state record for a pink salmon is a little more than eight pounds), pink salmon established themselves in Lake Huron in the 1950s. The best places for pink salmon are the Lake Huron tributaries, in the Carp River in the southeastern Upper Peninsula and the St. Marys River. Fun fact: the pink salmon ordinarily spawn every two years, but enough one and three-year-old salmon spawn to make spawning runs an annual occurrence, with the largest runs occurring during odd-numbered years.

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Pure Michigan Fly Fishing with Matt Supinski

October 27, 2011

in Fishing,Guest Blogger,Outdoors

Matt Supinski is a fly fishing expert from Newaygo, Michigan. He has been fly fishing since the age of seven and was kind enough to answer a few of our questions. Earlier this year, Field and Stream magazine selected Michigan as the top state for fly fishing.

Q: What is different about fly fishing compared to traditional fishing?
A: More books, articles and magazines have been written about flyfishing since 1493 than any other sport. It is an art form of precision, elegant and artistic presentation that differs from traditional fishing. The line and the rod casts the fly. Many think it is very difficult, but it isn’t. The flies are tied with natural animal furs and feathers along with synthetic materials to imitate insects, baitfish and everything a fish could feed on.

Q: Why is Michigan considered a great fly fishing location?
A: The state of Michigan has more miles of rivers and lakes to fly fish than anywhere in the United States – no wonder it was voted best fly fishing state by Field and Stream and many other magazines!

Q: Where are the best places in Michigan to fly fish?
A. Trout: The whole state from southern parts to the northern U.P are loaded with brown, brook, rainbow and lake trout. Some of the more historic streams are the Au Sable, Manistee, Pere Marquette, Muskegon, Rogue, Jordan, Sturgeon, Escanaba and thousands more. Virtually every county, even the Detroit area, has trout in their lakes and streams.

Almost every lake imaginable, including Lake St. Clair, the Detroit River, Grand, St. Joseph, Kalamazoo and the Great Lakes abound with bass, walleye, pike, perch, carp and more.

Salmon/Steelhead: These west coast transplants could be found in virtually all four of Michigan’s Great Lakes tributaries all year long.

Q: What items/gear do you need to hit the streams?
A: All you need are waders, some flies, a fly rod, reel and line and some knowledge and you are ready to hit the water!

Q: What types of fish are commonly found it Michigan’s streams?
A: As mentioned, Michigan streams are a trout, salmon and steelhead rainbow trout wonderland. We fish 12 months a year and though all seasons- that is the beauty of the Great Lakes vast intertwining systems of streams and tributaries. The first brown trout was brought to America in 1883 and planted in the Pere Marquette. The first rainbow trout were brought to the east coast and Midwest and planted in the Au Sable River in 1876. The brook trout and lake trout, along with Grayling, were indigenous to Michigan.

Michigan currently holds the world record brown trout taken out of the Manistee at 43 pounds, and I and my client caught the world record Landlocked Atlantic Salmon last year in Torch Lake. Michigan, as you see, is a land of records! Its Great Lakes Salmon run as big as 40 pounds.

Q: Where can people learn more about fly fishing?
A: To learn more about Michigan fly fishing, there are lots of books, blogs and web sites out there. Bob Linsenman wrote “Michigan Trout Streams“ and “Michigan Blue-Ribbon Fly-Fishing Guide.” I wrote “Steelhead Dreams,” and “Pere Marquette (River Journal),” and many Web sites have great information. Check out my site: www.graydrake,com and my blog: www.graydrakelodgeandoutfitters.blogspot.com/

For more information, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Web site at www.michigan.gov has a lot of great information.

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