Whether you are an avid fly fisherman or baiting your first hook fishing the lakes along the I-69 Recreational Heritage Route offers a little something for everyone and you are never more than a stone's throw from a great fishing hole.
The last weekend in April marks the trout season opener for inland lakes, rivers, and streams. By late spring, small and largemouth bass, bluegills and other panfish begin staging their beds in the near-shore waters of our inland lakes. With bass season opening for most Great Lakes and Michigan waters the Saturday before Memorial Day, late spring smallmouth and largemouth bass round out a spring of fishing anticipation!
In Michigan more than 1 million anglers purchase fishing licenses with the purpose of finding that perfect fishing spot, wetting a line, and pursuing their fish of choice. Economically, these sport fisheries contribute roughly $4 billion to the Great Lakes regional economy annually. Fishing licenses purchased and Federal excise taxes on fishing equipment provide the primary funding for aquatic resource and fisheries management conducted by resource agencies.
