UTERJanuary
Ice walleye and pike
Houghton Lake.
The inland lakes and trout rivers
Michigan freshwater fishing
What's biting in Michigan freshwater in October: smallmouth bass, black crappie and yellow perch at their peak, with largemouth bass, bluegill and flathead catfish around too. Fish Scouter's season calendar follows 20 fish here month by month, from Au Sable River to Manistee River.
Browns run up the rivers
Eleven thousand inland lakes for walleye, pike, bass and panfish, the Au Sable and Pere Marquette trout rivers, and the Great Lakes' runs (see the lake guides).
Au Sable RiverPere MarquetteHoughton LakeLake St. ClairBurt LakeManistee River
Updated
Now · October
Browns run up the rivers
Streamers.
WalleyeYellow perchNorthern pikeSmallmouth bassBrown troutMuskellunge (muskie)
This month here
From the season calendar, best firstPeakPeakPeakPeakPeakPeakPeakPeakSpawningSpawningSpawningAroundAroundAroundAroundAroundAroundAroundAroundAround
Smallmouth bass
Black crappie (speck)
Yellow perch
Walleye
Northern pike
Muskellunge (muskie)
Channel catfish
Rainbow trout
Brown trout
Big browns run up from the lakes
Brook trout
Lake trout (mackinaw, togue)
Largemouth bass
Bluegill
Flathead catfish
Brown bullhead
White bass
Freshwater drum (sheepshead)
Common carp
Longnose gar
Bowfin (mudfish)
The water
Structure that matters
LakeReservoirRiverCreek / streamPond / pitDock / pilingsBridgeBoat ramp
Month by month
What's happening, and what to throwFebruary
Ice panfish
Small jigs.
March
Last ice
Canals and bays.
April
River runs; inland seasons closed
Steelhead and walleye in the rivers.
May
Opener: walleye and pike
Jig and minnow.
June
Hex hatch and bass beds
Au Sable at night.
July
Summer walleye and smallmouth
Weed edges.
August
Muskie and bass
Lake St. Clair.
September
Fall pike and walleye
Rock reefs.
October · now
Browns run up the rivers
Streamers.
November
Late fall
Steelhead in the rivers.
December
First ice
Shallow bays.
Fish guides for Michigan freshwater
When, where and what to use, fish by fishFish it with the tide in your pocket
Fish Scouter scores every species for this hour on this water, draws every reef and wreck near you, and keeps your spots. $9.99 a month, 14 days free.
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