Ludington, MI


Salmon & Trout Fishing

Fishing is very popular out of this port.  Anglers target chinook salmon, coho salmon, lake trout, steelhead and brown trout in the waters of Lake Michigan.  Salmon and trout also move into the Pere Marquette River, Pere Maquette Lake and Hamlin Lake seasonally.

Smallmouth Bass Fishing

Some anglers target smallmouth bass on Lake Michigan, however, salmon and trout are what most anglers fish for here on the big lake.  Hamlin Lake and Pere Marquette Lake are a couple of options for targeting smallmouth bass here as well.  Bass fishing is definitely secondary here compared to the trout and salmon.

Perch Fishing

Perch are available to the anglers that want to target them.  Some anglers target the bigger perch out on Lake Michigan, but you can also find some perch in Hamlin Lake and Pere Marquette Lake.

Hamlin Lake

Hamlin Lake is just south of the city of Manistee.  This lake gives anglers another option to fish in the Manistee County area.  In this lake, fish include tiger muskie, northern pike, walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, perch, crappie and bluegill.  Lake Michigan salmon and steelhead are seasonally plentiful at the dam site within the Ludington State Park.  The Pere Marquette River connects Hamlin Lake to Lake Michigan.

Pere Marquette Lake

The fishing can be very good on this lake, especially in the fall when the chinook salmon get ready to move up the river to spawn.  Seasonally, you may catch salmon and trout. Largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, walleye, perch, bluegill and crappie are in the lake year-round.

Pere Marquette River

This river connects Hamlin Lake to Lake Michigan.  The fishing can be very good for salmon and trout in the spring and fall months as these fish run up the river to spawn.