Fishing Betsie Lake

Betsie Lake delivers exceptional northern pike fishing with fish growing 1.6 inches above state average and reaching 31 inches, while smallmouth bass also exceed state growth rates by 1.3 inches with fish to 20 inches. The 289-acre drowned rivermouth attracts migratory Lake Michigan fish including walleye that were growing well above average despite low numbers, likely post-spawn adults from other systems taking advantage of abundant forage. Rock bass dominate the catch at 41% by number, with eight year classes present, while yellow perch offer decent fishing with 52% exceeding nine inches. The lake's 80% shallow water (under 10 feet) concentrates fish, though the western end gets dredged every 5-10 years for navigation. Spring brings excellent trolling for brown trout and steelhead migrating through the lake, while August through October provides outstanding salmon fishing as Chinook and coho stage before heading up the Betsie River. Gizzard shad provide excellent forage for predators, though they compete with juvenile gamefish. The lake supports diverse habitat from the marshy southeastern shoreline near the Betsie River inlet to the more developed western areas near Lake Michigan. Water quality has dramatically improved since the polluted 1960s-70s, with Secchi depths doubling from 2-4.5 feet to 5-7 feet by 2007. The annual stocking of 15,000-20,000 brown trout maintains the reputation as one of the better Lake Michigan brown trout fisheries, while natural salmon reproduction occurs in the connecting Betsie River system.