Michigan is quickly earning a reputation as one of the top walleye destinations in America, largely because of the phenomenal growth of the Saginaw Bay, Lake St. Clair, and Lake Erie fisheries.
Results from the Department of Natural Resources' Master Angler Award Program give a pretty clear picture of the situation, with so many walleyes entered during the last few years that the DNR has been forced to raise the minimum entry size from 9-11 pounds.
Those records, which show where, when, and by what method trophy walleyes were taken in the state, read like a Chamber of Commerce advertisement for Saginaw Bay: Some years, almost half the trophy walleyes caught in the state come from the Bay or its tributaries. Based on that information, it's possible to conclude that there are only a few Michigan hotspots for trophy walleyes.
But Saginaw Bay is not the only place in Michigan to prospect for big walleyes. Some excellent opportunities are available on inland lakes as well--and not just the big-name waters like Houghton Lake and Lake Gogebic. Lakes in every corner of the state have populations of big walleyes that remain mostly overlooked, even by local anglers who fish the same waters for panfish, pike, and other fish and are sometimes not even aware that walleyes are present.
The five lakes profiled below are not likely to give up many limit catches of walleyes. They're lakes better known for other species, and walleyes, when they're caught, are often taken accidentally. But for fishermen willing to explore and experiment, each of these lakes offers a good chance to catch walleyes of five to twelve pounds, and that seems reason enough to get to know them better.
Duck Lake, Calhoun County--Situated in southcentral Michigan, this 629-acre lake is not often mentioned as a walleye fishery. It's a popular ice fishing destination, but primarily for bluegills and crappies. Yet DNR biologists say that a recent test-netting of the lake produced a 10-pound, 30-inch walleye, and that the lake should be given closer attention by walleye specialists looking for oversize fish. While the population of walleyes in the lake is not large, an unusually high percentage of the fish present are oversized.
Until recently walleye plantings in the lake had been limited to fry. The high mortality rate of the tiny planters kept the population from becoming dominant, although there was enough evidence of natural reproduction to give biologists hope. Recent plantings of fingerlings should be good news for the future of the walleye fishery in the lake.
The shoals out from the public access site on the west shore give up some good-sized walleyes, during both day and night. Also try the large point on the southwest shore and the bay behind it.
Holloway Reservoir, Lapeer and Genesee counties--This large impoundment on the Flint River was originally built to create a source of drinking water for the city of Flint. Following a 1971 reclamation project it became a good producer of game fish, and in the past decade or so it has continued to get better and better. The reason? Fisheries biologists credit the expansive "green belt" of undeveloped shoreline for maintaining exceptionally fine water quality and helping to make the reservoir highly productive for many game fish, including crappies, bluegills, perch, and northern pike.
Since the early 1980s, local anglers have been taking home excellent catches of very large walleyes. Plantings of fry and fingerlings and a good rate of natural reproduction in the reservoir and the river upstream have resulted in a dependable population of walleyes, with a fair number of Master Angler Awards going to fish as heavy as 12 pounds.
Access is available at a public access site and picnic area at the west end. Try fishing the old river channel near the access site, at the lower, deeper end of the reservoir, or try the east end, near the rock piles in the inlet above Mt. Morris Road, and upstream.
Manistee Lake, Manistee County--So many big walleyes have been taken from this shoreline lake in the city limits of Manistee that it nearly qualifies for the same high status given Saginaw Bay and Lake St. Clair. The list of Master Angler Award winners since the mid-1980s is too long to reproduce here, but numerous 8- to 11-pound fish are taken each year by anglers using many of the same tactics that work in Saginaw Bay and other walleye hotspots.
The lake's steep drop-offs are productive, as are various shoals and areas of sunken debris throughout the lake.
Lake Bellaire, Antrim County--Located at the western end of a chain of lakes that includes Elk, Skegemog, Torch, and Clam lakes, Lake Bellaire is part of a system well known for fine fishing. The lakes aren't particularly well known for walleyes, however, and it is often something of a surprise when anglers tangle with 10- to 12-pounders.
Fisheries biologists say Lake Bellaire's walleye population, while not large, reproduces naturally and contains a high percentage of large fish. They rate the lake "difficult" to fish because of its extremely clear water and the rich forage base of minnows and smelt. The abundance of forage means game fish don't have to work very hard to survive, making them perhaps less willing to chase an angler's offerings. The best tactic is to use light line and be patient. Most anglers focus their attention off the east shore, near the public access sites found there.
South Manistique Lake, Mackinac County--An abundance of natural food makes this another tough spot to fool game fish, but DNR biologist Steve Scott of Newberry says the lake supports plenty of big walleyes. He points out that trophy walleyes are difficult to come by in the eastern Upper Peninsula because local lakes get "pounded" hard by anglers and at present there are no special regulations to protect the walleye populations.
Nonetheless, test netting shows South Manistique Lake supporting an excellent population of large walleyes overlooked by most anglers because most of the area walleye fishing is concentrated in much larger Big Manistique Lake, just to the north. Scott says anyone willing to accept the challenge of seeking the walleyes in the smaller, forage-rich lake might be in for a pleasant surprise.
Access is available at public sites on the west and east shores and at the community park in Curtis at the north end. In a addition, a state forest campground is located on the west shore.
Anglers visiting Michigan for walleye fishing would do well to take the time to visit some of its lesser-known waters. There are trophy walleyes waiting for them.
Copyright (c) 1996 Jerry Dennis. All rights reserved.
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