Photo by Pete Maina

Over the past couple of decades the Michigan Department of Natural Resources has worked hard to improve muskie angling opportunities throughout our state. Thousands of muskie fingerlings have been stocked, and many waters are now producing both good numbers and sizes of this powerful predator.

Though not common, trophy-class muskies exceeding 50 inches and weighing more than 35 pounds have been caught in Michigan. Last year's Master Angler Awards speak volumes about Michigan's muskie lakes and rivers. According to the records, several waters yielded qualifying fish of 45 inches or better. Many of these fish were released back into waterways unharmed to provide anglers with more tackle-busting battles in the future.

So whether you want to catch a mess of muskies or one trophy fish for the wall, Michigan has something for everyone.

SKEGEMOG LAKE
"The best muskie lakes in my area are Skegemog, Elk, Torch, Six Mile and Intermediate," said Todd Kalish, fisheries biologist with the Central Lake Michigan Management Unit in Traverse City. "We have documented Great Lakes muskies in all of these lakes, and they all have a good forage base of white suckers and perch. I receive reports of muskies being caught in these lakes nearly every year ranging in size from 30 to 50 inches."

According to Kalish, these lakes are all excellent prospects for producing big muskies. They provide the diverse habitat preferred by this toothy predator. There are shallow, weedy bays for spawning and feeding, and deep water for refuge, thus rounding out what muskies are looking for. Skegemog Lake covers 1,460 acres and is connected by a wide channel to deeper Elk Lake. Skegemog is less than 30 feet deep.

"Some of the more popular fishing spots are the Torch River and the eastern portion of Skegemog," said Kalish.

The Torch River flows into the lake on the north end and is joined by several others, including Copeland, Barker, Desmond, Vargason and Chaney creeks. Several old cars were dropped into the lake along the shoreline in the late 1950s to enhance the lake's structure.

Public ramps are available off Hoiles Drive on the southwestern shore and on the Torch River off Wood Trail.

For more information, contact the Central Lake Michigan Management Unit at (231) 922-1853. Trip planning assistance can be found by contacting the Elk Rapids Chamber of Commerce at (231) 264-8202.

ELK LAKE
Part of the Elk River Chain of Lakes along with Skegemog, Elk may not have large numbers of muskies, but there are some trophy fish.

"The fishing spot in Elk is in the southern portion of the lake due to the abundance of submerged logs and vegetation," said Kalish. "Muskie anglers also target the channel connecting Elk and Sekgemog lakes."

The channel to Skegemog is really just a narrows dividing the lakes on the southeast end of Elk.

Anglers will find plenty of room to roam on the lake's 7,730 acres. The lake is deep, extending downward to more than 190 feet. The southern section is shallower, thus where the muskies will be found.

In addition to the perch and white suckers, lake herring add flavor to the muskie's snack list in Elk.

Kalish recommends targeting muskies with large stickbaits, spinners, buzzbaits and live suckers. The most popular colors on Elk are crayfish, green, perch, brown and black.

Ramps are available off Park Road on the southwest shore, near Elk Lake Road on the northeast side and two in shallower Spencer Bay off Cairn Highway and River Shores Drive.

Additional fishing information can be obtained by calling the Central Lake Michigan Management Unit at (231) 922-1853. The Elk Rapids Chamber of Commerce can be reached at (231) 264-8202.