Casting a Wide Net: Fishing in Michigan

Teaching the next generation of fishers in Detroit

When Detroit native Tracey Webb took her grandson to Lake Muskoday on Belle Isle, she had one simple goal: catch a few fish. What she didn't expect was to turn around and find a cluster of curious kids watching from the bank.

"They asked me, 'Can I fish?' and I said, 'Sure, go get your mom,'" Webb recalls. "There were about 15 little kids by the water that day." She snapped some photos and sent them to her photographer sister – and when those images went viral and caught the attention of one of Tracey's online fishing groups, something bigger took shape. We Fixin' to Fish was born.

 
"We hosted our first event with seven kids, and since then, we've taught over 7,000 about fishing," says Webb. "Anyone who can hold a rod – as young as 3 years old – is welcome." Powered by social media and partnerships with local organizations, the group now hosts several public and private events every year. The word has spread fast, introducing thousands of Detroit-area children to fishing and, for many, sparking a lifelong passion.

"A few years into it, I met a teenager on a school trip to Belle Isle, and she recognized herself from one of my original photos," says Webb. "She said she's been fishing ever since that day." It's a story that captures exactly what Webb hopes to offer: the tranquility of being in nature, the building of problem-solving skills and the quiet pride that comes with pulling in your first catch of the day.

The Detroit area is rich with places to wet a line – both independently and with a guide. Walleye and muskie populate the Detroit River, while Belle Isle Park offers spots like the South Fishing Pier and Blue Heron Lagoon. Come May and June, Elizabeth Park and Lake St. Clair see peak runs of silver bass.

Cast a line in the waters of northern Michigan

You can't talk about fishing in Michigan without turning your eyes north. From the upper reaches of the Lower Peninsula to the farthest corners of the Upper Peninsula, Michigan is world-renowned for its access to the Great Lakes, as well as tens of thousands of inland lakes, and thousands of miles of rivers and streams.

For Josh Greenberg, who owns Gates Au Sable Lodge in northern Michigan's Grayling with his wife, Katy, fly-fishing is practically in his blood. Originally from Ohio, his family had long identified Michigan as a favorite destination when Greenberg began working at the lodge as a teenager – and he remained. "Michigan has the advantage of being surrounded by water, so there's fishing in every direction," he says. "There are at least eight main rivers and two Great Lakes I can drive to in under an hour and a half."

The professional fishing guides at Gates Au Sable Lodge have an intimate knowledge of the Au Sable and Manistee rivers, and they offer a variety of guided excursions for guests and groups. From leisurely fly fishing lessons for first-timers to “trophy hunting” for more experienced anglers, they can explore all the rivers’ branches aboard Au Sable riverboats as well as float trips in drift boats. 

 
Fly-fishing sets itself apart from traditional angling in both philosophy and technique – using an ultralightweight fly designed to mimic what fish are eating and a specialized casting method to deliver the nearly weightless line. Far from being an elitist pursuit, Greenberg sees it as one of the most accessible sports around. "Fly-fishing is accessible to a wide range of people, from kids to the elderly and people who have mobility issues," he says.

He also describes fly-fishing as "a house with many rooms" – one that invites people in through tying flies, collecting vintage gear or losing themselves in the sport's rich literary tradition. "People can enjoy it on their own terms, and they don't have to be a die-hard fish catcher to enjoy the sport."

For those starting out or simply exploring a new stretch of water, Greenberg recommends stopping into a local shop for intel on where to go and which flies to use. Prime catches shift

throughout the year, from early spring steelhead on Great Lakes–connected rivers, to the spring and summer resident trout fishing, to autumn runs of coho and Chinook salmon. Guided trips – ranging from half-day sessions to multiday group excursions – offer a natural entry point for beginners and a social occasion for seasoned anglers alike.

Fostering community and healing through fly fishing

One group making the most of the social spirit of fishing is the Flygirls™ of Michigan, Inc., a 30-plus-year-old organization that brings together new and experienced anglers to learn, grow and connect. Joy Lind, a longtime Flygirl, came to the sport through fly-tying – learning the craft from her father and later inheriting his materials. "The kind of fish, the weather and the season all play into the kind of fly you use, so you want to 'match the hatch,'" she explains.

At Flygirls retreats, preloaded rods and waders are ready to go the moment participants reach the water. Guides lead the group to a river launch, fish for a few hours while drifting downstream, and find a scenic spot for a midday break before heading back to the lodge for dinner and campfire conversation. 

 
The Flygirls also work alongside Casting for Recovery of Michigan, which offers free retreats to women in treatment or recovery from breast cancer – teaching fly-fishing over the course of a weekend. "It's very therapeutic, between the water, the natural scenery and just the feeling of positivity around other women," she says.

That spirit – of openness, community and the quiet power of being near water – runs through every corner of Michigan fishing. Whether you're a grandmother teaching her grandson to cast on Belle Isle, a newcomer finding your footing on the Au Sable River, or a woman rediscovering joy on a riverside retreat, Michigan's waters have a way of meeting people exactly where they are. There's a version of this sport for everyone. You just have to show up.