Doug Iles and his clan enjoyed a family fishing charter off Ludington, one of the best trout and salmon ports on the Great Lakes, where typical catches in summertime include chinook salmon, lake trout and steelhead. More than 50 charter boats call the port home and families can book a half- or full-day charter for a reasonable price. Photo by Mike Gnatkowski.

There's nowhere in the United States where the recent economic downturn has hit harder than Michigan. Michigan's economic welfare is largely dependent on the automotive industry, and we all know how well that segment of the business world has been doing. Michigan residents are experiencing some tough times, for sure. Some have left their beloved state to find work elsewhere. Others have managed to hang on but are doing some serious belt-tightening.

Maybe this year your angler's belt is going to get tightened up a notch or two, as well. Perhaps you're not going to be able to make that annual family fishing trip to Canada or another state.

Instead, you'll stay home and re-discover the great family fishing opportunities right here in Michigan. And if you're really looking for a cut-rate family fishing vacation, you might want to consider saving even more money by camping at one of Michigan's beautiful state campgrounds. Michigan has some of the most incredible state parks and campgrounds in the country. Many of them are located on Michigan's best fishing lakes. Combine the two and you can still enjoy some great fishing at bargain vacation rates!

STERLING STATE PARK
Fishing heats up on the Michigan portion of Lake Erie sometime in May and continues until the water warms and the walleyes head east in mid- to late July. Until then, it's not too difficult to catch a limit of walleyes. Walleyes are the perfect fish for youngsters to reel in, and they are great table fare.

Catching walleyes in early summer on Lake Erie is fairly simple. The walleyes are hungry after spawning and their metabolism is in high gear as the lake heats up in June.

Many anglers troll for walleyes in Lake Erie. Trolling allows anglers to cover water, fish multiple lines and cover a variety of depths. Crankbaits are the lure of choice, although spoons are gaining a big following. Small mini-spoons fished behind divers have become the hot ticket for Erie 'eyes. The rigs are set up on shallow-set downriggers and with weights behind planer boards. Crankbaits still take fish and some anglers mix spoons and cranks with good success. If you're content to catch fish at a little slower pace but have the rod in your hand, you can drift with a bottom-bouncer, a 'crawler harness or a jig. Each of these methods is sure to land you your share of Lake Erie walleyes.

During early summer, the hottest action takes place in Brest Bay and LaPlaisance Bay near Monroe. The walleyes can be found suspended or on bottom in anywhere from 6 to 18 feet of water. Try a variety of depths until you hit a productive combination.

Walleye reproduction has not been good the last couple of years on Lake Erie, but good-sized fish remain from the fabulous walleye hatch in 2003, and enough smaller fish are around to make things interesting for everyone. Limits are the norm. Boat access is available at Bolles Harbor, Luna Pier, Monroe and Sterling State Park.