Fishing Hardy Dam Pond

Hardy Dam Pond delivers exceptional Walleye fishing with a completely self-sustaining population that hasn't been stocked since 1966. The 2021 survey found 173 Walleye with consistent year classes, though growth is slow with fish reaching the 15-inch legal size by age 5. Despite slower growth, abundant legal-sized fish were present up to 21 inches. Yellow Perch fishing is heavily utilized and well-known, with good keeper-sized fish between 7-12 inches growing above state average. The area immediately below Rogers Dam produces extremely fast-growing Yellow Perch with a +2.3 growth index. Largemouth Bass have surged in recent years, now comprising 68.5% of tournament weigh-ins compared to 31.5% Smallmouth Bass, likely due to climate change favoring warmer water species. Rock Bass are extremely abundant with good numbers up to 10 inches. Hardy Dam Pond is emerging as a Muskellunge destination, with anglers reporting catches including a 48-inch, 38-pound fish, likely migrants from upstream DNR stocking efforts that began in 2012. The lake is famous for trophy Quillbacks, producing four consecutive Michigan state records between 2012-2015, with the most recent state record caught in 2020 weighing 9 pounds 15 ounces. Fishing depths are limited by dissolved oxygen, which remains suitable for fish only to 21 feet despite the impoundment exceeding 100 feet deep near the dam. The substrate consists mainly of sand, organic muck in coves, and gravel upstream near Rogers Dam, with extensive submerged stumps and woody debris providing fish cover throughout the 25.1-mile reach. Recent blue-green algae blooms producing harmful microcystin toxin have been problematic during summer months.