Over a million Michigan fishing licenses are sold each year: this shows how big the fishing industry is in the Great Lakes State. That is because Michigan offers an outstanding fishing experience with various fishable waters and top species available for catching. 

The walleye is the king of Michigan lakes, and every angler who visits here loves to see them bite on their hook. This fish is quite feisty and aggressive, and it can provide an exciting catch to anglers of all levels. When you visit the state for walleye, you have a high chance of catching one weighing an average of three pounds. But if you want to go bigger, you should stop by Lake Erie in the summer, and you will possibly snag a ten-pounder. Trout is another staple in Michigan, and you can catch different varieties of it in any body of water in this state, all year round. Steelhead and rainbow trout are the most common trout varieties that you may find here, and you can show off your skills in trolling to catch them in a mid-section of a water column. Next, you will surely snag a salmon too. With Michigan being a freshwater wonder, it’s hard to imagine that this prolific fishery will run out of salmon. Chinook, Atlantic, coho, and pink salmon are some varieties you will see in Michigan waters. Chinook and coho salmon are prominent in Lakes Huron and Michigan, while Atlantic and pink salmon are in excellent numbers in St. Marys River. 

Bass fishing is also something you won’t want to miss when you are in Michigan. The Great Lakes State offers a first-class bite from these monsters. Smallmouth bass and largemouth bass are the most common in the Great Lakes, while white bass flocks the Detroit area the most. Moreover, you won’t be able to enjoy your Michigan fishing to the fullest without hunting the predators, such as the Northern pike and muskellunge. Their long bodies and sharp teeth make them a coveted catch for skilled anglers. You may find many of them in the Great Lakes and Houghton Rivers. But, if you want a more challenging muskie, going to Lake St. Clare will give you that. 

Aside from these A-list fish species, you may find different types of fishing in Michigan entrancing. Fly fishing in this state is perfect for passionate anglers. Michigan offers excellent fly fishing opportunities that it has become known globally. Brown trout, brook trout, and rainbow bass are abundant in its waters because of the many fly hatches in this state. The hex hatch that happens every late July to early June is the make of the peak fly fishing season here in Michigan. Manistee, Pere Marquette, and Au Sable are all premier fly fishing destinations that you should visit. 

Ice fishing is also one of the main activities here in the Great Lakes State, and it even got the nickname “Water Winter Wonderland.” Thanks to its geographical situation, Michigan offers many of the best ice fishing destinations in the United States. This type of fishing can last up to five months, from December to April, and crappie and northern pike are some of the best fishes to catch during this season. Lake St. Clair is the best destination for crappie fishing, while Cadillac Lake is excellent for northern pike ice fishing.