Michigan is a fantastic destination for crappie fishing, offering a variety of lakes known for their excellent crappie population. Michigan crappie fishing lakes provide ample opportunities for experienced and beginner anglers to reel exciting fish.

Crappies are usually small to medium in size and have a silvery color with dark spots on their sides. They like to hide around structures like fallen trees or underwater plants.

Types of Crappie Found in Michigan

In Michigan, you can find two types of crappie: black crappie and white crappie.

Black Crappie

Black crappie have a darker coloration with scattered speckles on their bodies.

White Crappie

White crappie have lighter bodies with distinct vertical bars or stripes, and you can find them in the lakes of Michigan.

Best Weather to Catch Crappie in Michigan

The best weather to catch crappie in Michigan is typically during the spring and fall seasons when the water temperatures are cooler.

Early morning and late evening hours and overcast or cloudy days can provide ideal conditions for successful crappie fishing.

9 Best Michigan Crappie Fishing Lakes

Michigan’s crappie fishery offers a variety of lakes where most anglers can find good crappie fishing, with crappies stacking up in these productive locations. Now, explore the productive Michigan crappie lakes.

1. Lake St. Clair

Lake St. Clair is a big lake that stretches over 430 square miles and even crosses into Canada. While the average depth is shallow at 11 feet, a shipping channel is deeper and not ideal for fishing.

However, the lake’s large shoreline makes it great for fishing without a boat. Crankbaits and topwater lures can be effective during spring, especially in Fisher Bay and Bouvier Bay, which are good fishing spots in Clair Lake St.

If you want to find the best places to go crappie fishing near you, try searching for “best crappie fishing near me.”

2. Whitmore Lake

Whitmore Lake, a small and secluded spot with much fishing pressure, is a notable destination for crappie fishing. What makes this lake appealing is its peaceful atmosphere and fewer crowds compared to other fishing spots.

Techniques like casting with small jigs or live bait such as minnows can effectively attract crappie bites. State records for black and white crappie have been set in Michigan, attracting many anglers.

Besides fishing, you can also enjoy a bike trail and visit nearby restaurants with your family. While a boat ramp is available, fishing along the shoreline is recommended to catch crappie in this lake.

3. Ford Lake

This 975-acre lake in Washtenaw County has a reputation for its healthy crappies population. During the winter months, ice fishing is a popular method for targeting crappie in Ford Lake, Michigan,

In this east lake of Michigan, both the north and south sides can offer good opportunities for crappie fishing. Areas near drop-offs, channels, or points can also attract crappie.

It’s always a good idea to consult with local anglers or check with bait shops in the area for the most up-to-date information on the best fishing spots in Ford Lake.

Crappie fishing is a memorable adventure for your fishing career, and you can master angling crappie by reading our guide on How to Crappie Fishing: Tips and Techniques.

4. Union Lake

Union Lake in Michigan is famous for its impressive bluegill, bass, and walleye catches, but its crappie fishing in Michigan is often overlooked.

Despite the lake’s deep areas, there are shallow spots, around 10 feet deep, where crappie gather to spawn in the spring.

Local knowledge suggests focusing on the south and east sides of the lake, which are also productive during winter for crappie fishing.

Live minnows, worms, grubs, and small spoons can yield success. Live bait is preferred for ice fishing, and artificial lures like grubs and spoons work well during spring.

5. Belleville Lake

Belleville Lake is highly regarded among anglers as one of the best crappie lakes in Michigan. Spanning 1270 acres, it offers ample opportunities with its abundance of trees, weeds, and underwater structures, making it an ideal fishing spot, especially in spring.

While this south lake of Michigan is relatively shallow, reaching a maximum depth of approximately 20 feet, there is plenty of accessible land for those without boats.

However, if you prefer a kayak or canoe, you must check with local authorities regarding access points.

Michigan also offers outstanding spring crappie fishing in its entire Huron River system, unlike Belleville Lake, known for its crappie hotspots.

Weed beds and shallow bays along the Huron River Drive are ideal haunts for spring crappies fish, attracting both crappie and walleye anglers.

6. Island Lake

With a 377-acre surface, the Island Lake provides plenty of room for anglers to target crappie. Crappies can be finicky, so presentation is important in this lake. Hitch them through the lips or just below the dorsal fin to keep them lively when using live minnows.

If you’re using jigs or lures, try a slow and steady retrieve or jigging motion to imitate a wounded baitfish.

Use a depth or fish finder to locate the depth in the lake where white and black crappie are holding.

West Lake and the seven lakes also provide good crappie fishing opportunities, with moderately sized fish and suspended crappies.

7. Otter Lake

With its beautiful scenery, Otter Lake boasts a vast surface spanning 890 acres, providing anglers ample space to explore and experiment with various fishing techniques.

The lake is home to various fish, such as trout, walleye, and crappie, making it a great place to go fishing all year round.

You can fish from the shore or use a boat to reach more lake areas and have a better chance of catching fish.

If you’re looking for the latest updates on crappie fishing in Michigan, the Michigan Crappie Fishing Report provides valuable information.

8. Houghton Lake

Houghton Lake, Michigan’s largest natural inland lake at over 22,000 acres, offers excellent crappie fishing opportunities.

Even though it is a shallow lake and has many plants, it’s the perfect home for black crappie and white crappie. You can go fishing in different places there, like boat access points and canals.

In Houghton Lake, you can find many crappie Michigan around 10 to 12 inches long, and sometimes even bigger ones up to 17 inches.

9. Kent Lake

Kent Lake is the perfect choice to catch many crappie without worrying about their size.

The fish there aren’t very big, but you can catch plenty of 8 to 10-inch crappie that tastes delicious.

Kent Lake is in Kensington Metropark and is easy to get to. However, many other people also fish there. In the spring, try fishing in the coves, channels, and bays on the lake’s north and east sides.

Finding lakes for catching crappie near your location is easy. A quick search for “crappie lakes near me” will provide you with a list of nearby lakes.

Is a Fishing License required to Catch Crappie in Michigan?

If you’re 17 or older and want to go crappie fishing in Michigan, you must have a fishing license.

It’s like special permission you need to get from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources or places they trust before you can go fishing. Following this rule and getting your license before fishing for crappie in Michigan is essential.

Conclusion

Michigan offers a variety of crappie-fishing waters, from shallow lakes like Whitmore Lake to the Huron River system, which provides an ideal habitat for crappie. Hamlin Lake and Goose Bay are popular among Michigan anglers, while South Manistique Lake holds black crappie populations.

Anchor Bay and Groveland Mine Ponds have well-defined river channels, and Lake Michigan offers deep-water fishing. Michigan’s crappie fishing opportunities, from the Upper Peninsula to Ann Arbor, are diverse and rewarding.