E-News Signup
Blog
A person in a boat happily holds a large fish against a backdrop of the vast waters of Lake Superior under a clear blue sky, conveying excitement and achievement.
shelbykilibarda

Fishing the U.P. Your Way

The Upper Peninsula isn’t just about what you catch; it’s about how you fish. With access from shore, small watercraft, charter boats and ice, anglers can tailor every trip to their comfort level, available watercraft and preferred peaceful location.

Angler stands in a river, wearing waders and a fishing pack, holding a rod and net. Autumn trees line the bank under a clear blue sky.

Shore Fishing & Wading

Many U.P. lakes, rivers, and harbors offer excellent shore and wade fishing. Rivers like the Two Hearted, Fox, Carp, and Whitefish are favorites for trout and steelhead, while Great Lakes harbors and inland lakes provide easy access to perch, bass, and panfish.

Fishing - Travel Marquette

Kayaks, Canoes & Small Boats

Quiet waters reward small-craft anglers. Inland lakes and sheltered bays are perfect for kayaks and canoes targeting walleye, pike, bass, and panfish. Lakes like Fanny Hooe, Gogebic, and Michigamme offer launch points and varied structure without big-water conditions.

woman holding a huge fish on Lake Superior

Charter Boats & Big Craft

For open-water fishing, nothing compares to a chartered day on the Great Lakes. Lake Superior, Lake Michigan, and Lake Huron support trolling for salmon, lake trout, splake, and whitefish, with experienced captains handling navigation, gear, and strategy.

A woman ice fishing inside a fishing shack in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan

Ice Fishing Access

In winter, lakes and bays become walk-on fishing destinations. Ice anglers access prime spots on foot, by snowmobile, or with portable shelters, targeting cold-water favorites across the region.

Where To Fish the Upper Peninsula

With thousands of lakes, miles of rivers, and three Great Lakes shorelines, the U.P. offers year-round fishing for everything from panfish to trophy trout and salmon.

  • Man smiling proudly holds a large silver fish against a cloudy sky and choppy sea. He's wearing a dark jacket and cap, exuding excitement.

    Lake Superior – Legendary cold-water fishery for lake trout, salmon, splake, whitefish, steelhead, and northern pike, with rugged shorelines and remote bays.

    Lake Michigan – Salmon, trout, perch, and bass thrive in bays and harbors like Big and Little Bay de Noc and Escanaba.

    Lake Huron – Quiet waters around the Les Cheneaux Islands, Munuscong Bay, and Drummond Island produce walleye, pike, perch, salmon, and trout.

  • A woman fishes from a boat on a calm Lake Gogebic under a partly cloudy sky. She wears sunglasses and a hoodie, surrounded by lush green trees.Lake Michigamme – Walleye, pike, smallmouth bass, and whitefish near Marquette.

    Lake Gogebic – A go-to for walleye, jumbo perch, smallmouth bass, and ice fishing.

    Big Manistique Lake – Large, accessible lake with steady walleye, pike, perch, and panfish action.

    Lake Antoine – Easy-access fishing for bass, walleye, pike, perch, and panfish near Iron Mountain.

    Fortune Chain of Lakes – Clear, connected lakes with bass, walleye, pike, perch, and panfish.

    Lake Fanny Hooe – Convenient Copper Harbor lake with trout, splake, walleye, bass, and perch.

  • A woman fly-fishes in a river near Escanaba surrounded by autumn trees under a clear blue sky. The water reflects the warm hues, creating a serene, focused atmosphere.Two Hearted River – Iconic trout, steelhead, and salmon water, best in spring and fall.

    Escanaba River – Diverse fishing for trout, walleye, and bass.

    Fox River – Spring-fed brook trout stream near Seney.

    Whitefish River – Steelhead in spring, brook trout through summer.

    Carp River – Quiet stretches for brook trout and seasonal steelhead.

Get Ready to Fish the U.P.

Before you cast, do this:

A person sits on a wooden dock at the Black River Harbor at sunset, petting a fluffy dog beside fishing gear and a cooler. Another person stands nearby, surrounded by trees. The scene feels peaceful and relaxed.

Free Fishing Weekends

Michigan’s Free Fishing Weekends invite anyone to get on the water without buying a license. For two days in winter and two in summer, residents and visitors can fish inland and Great Lakes waters for any species, with all regulations still in place.

Man proudly holds a rack of large fish outside a rustic "Fish House." He's smiling, wearing casual clothes, with greenery in the background.

Fishing Charters

No gear? No boat? No problem. The Upper Peninsula is home to some of Michigan’s best fishing charters, with expert guides, top-tier equipment and unforgettable days on the water. View our fishing charters below to learn more and book your trip today.

Book Your Stay

Whether you are after a trophy catch or a quiet day on the water, the Upper Peninsula offers plenty of ways to fish by boat, from shore or on ice. Stay at a rustic campground, a lakeside bed and breakfast or a comfortable hotel, then unwind with a meal at a local restaurant and restock gear or advice at a nearby tackle shop. 

Book Your Stay