Fishing Hamlin Lake

Hamlin Lake's bluegill fishery ranks among Michigan's best, with 75% of fish exceeding 6 inches and a Schneider Index of 5.5 between Good and Excellent ratings. The 2010 survey found bluegill averaging 7.0 inches and growing 0.2 inches faster than state average, maintaining the lake's reputation that dates back decades. Rock bass dominate by numbers at 18% of the catch, while pumpkinseed sunfish also show above-average growth at 7.3 inches average. This 5,350-acre impoundment supports excellent bass fishing with largemouth bass serving as the keystone predator, though they're growing 0.3 inches below average. Northern pike growth dropped dramatically from 1.4 inches above average in 2004 to 2.3 inches below in 2010, possibly due to the return of the 24-inch minimum size limit protecting stocked muskellunge. The walleye fishery depends heavily on stocking despite natural reproduction, with seven year classes represented in 2010 and 92% exceeding the 15-inch legal size. Muskellunge stocking resumed in 2005 to restore the native Great Lakes strain that historically inhabited this drowned river mouth lake. Yellow perch growth remains problematic at 1.0 inches below state average, with only 24% reaching legal size. The lake features two distinct basins separated by a narrows - the deeper western basin reaching 80 feet and the shallower eastern basin at 34 feet with heavy aquatic vegetation. Shoreline armoring covers 48.7% of the perimeter due to the 12-foot artificial water level raise, but the lake maintains excellent woody structure with 56.6 submerged trees per kilometer. Winter drawdowns of two feet occur annually from late October through ice-out to protect riparian infrastructure. The Big Sable River flows through the lake, with upstream trout populations and downstream Lake Michigan access creating a unique fishery ecosystem. Annual chemical vegetation treatments target problem areas, particularly in the upper basin and bayous where dense plant growth can impair fishing access.