If you are interested in river fishing, Waybrant suggests trying the lower Tahquamenon River in the spring and the middle reaches of the river in the summer. A bonus muskie is a possibility when you fish this darkly stained river. For the latest on fishing the waters of this management unit, give the DNR a call at (906) 293-5131.

NORTHERN
LAKE MICHIGAN
Good numbers of big pike are found in the southern Upper Peninsula. Located in the northwest corner of Mackinac County, Big Manistique Lake spreads into Luce County. Even though it covers more than 10,000 acres, it is quite shallow, averaging 10 feet in depth, and has great northern pike habitat. Many submerged humps and small islands with adjacent weedbeds provide good cover for pike to ambush prey.

Several boat launches on the north, south and east shores offer access to the lake. The ramp on the southwest side off Curtis Road is paved with substantial parking room.

Biologist Mike Herman recommends Greenwood Reservoir, an impoundment of the upper middle branch of the Escanaba River. It is located about six miles southwest of Ishpeming and has a public boat launch at the southern end off County Road 478.

Little Bay de Noc is best known for its walleye fishery, but it is also hard to beat for good-sized northerns. In addition to native minnows, alewives and smelt provide excellent forage. Three rivers flow into this northern Lake Michigan bay in Delta County. Concentrating your efforts around the weedbeds near the mouths of the Days, Rapid and Whitefish rivers is a good plan. For more information, call the DNR at (906) 786-2351.

NORTHERN
LAKE HURON
The Northern Lake Huron management unit covers both the southeastern part of the Upper Peninsula and the northeastern section of the Lower Peninsula. The prime pike fishery above the straits in this region is the St. Mary’s River and bays.

DNR biologist Neal Godby said the fishery is down some because low water has dried up parts of the spawning marshes, but you can still find good pike numbers in the lower river and Munuscong and Raber bays. Raber offers the better chance to tangle with a big pike. There are launch ramps at the mouth of the Munuscong River and in the town of Raber.

In the Lower Peninsula, Godby recommends concentrating on three large bodies of water.

Fletcher’s Pond, an impoundment of the south branch of the Thunder Bay River 15 miles west of Alpena, is loaded with numerous average-sized pike.

If you prefer looking for trophy pike, plan to spend time on Otsego Lake, a few miles south of Gaylord.

Nearby Black Lake’s pike fishery yields more fish than Otsego but not as many trophy fish. You can reach Godby and other DNR biologists at (989) 732-3541 for more information.