Lake Michigan offers some of the best steelhead, Coho salmon, rainbow trout, brown trout, walleye, and smallmouth bass fishing in the entire Midwest. 

Many of the tributary rivers and streams that flow into Lake Michigan provide excellent fishing as well. Of all the great lakes, Lake Michigan, and its tributary rivers may provide the best fishing in the entire Midwest. 

Lake Michigan is the third largest of the great lakes and the sixth largest lake in the world. Believe it or not, Lake Michigan is bordered by four states; Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, and Wisconsin. 

Being bordered by four states, means that each state has their own fishing regulations, so depending on which state you may be fishing in, you'll need to review the individual fishing regulations.

Lake Michigan has over 1600 miles of shoreline and there are more than 100 cities located on its banks. Along these 1600 miles of shoreline, there are dozens of tributary streams and rivers that flow into Lake Michigan and provide excellent fishing. 

A favorite technique in many of these bodies of water is to use a set of gang hooks and various baits, to entice trout and smallmouth bass. Whether you enjoy fishing from the comfort of a boat or in the comfort of a good pair of waders, Lake Michigan and its surrounding waters have something for you.

With this many states surrounding Lake Michigan, and the excellent fishing opportunities that the lake provides, guide services abound. There are many guide services that are more than willing to take you out for a great day of fishing. 

If you prefer to fish from the comfort of a boat, hiring a guide service for a day or two is a great idea. There's no better way to get the lay of a lake than through enlisting the help of a guide. You could even hire a guide for just 1 day, get some local tips and techniques, and then strike out on your own. 

As a matter of fact, if you have no experience fishing in Lake Michigan, this is a wonderful idea. 
For the amount of time and aggravation a guide will save you, it really pays for itself.

The bottom line is that if you're looking for large fish, even trophies, in a variety of different species, Lake Michigan has them. Lake Michigan also provides the angler with the ability to fish from the comfort of a boat, with or without a guide service, and also excellent fishing in the tributary rivers and streams that flow into the lake. 

So whether you prefer a boat or a pair of waders with Lake Michigan fishing, you've got it, and with 1600 miles of shoreline, if you like sitting on the bank of a lake and still fishing,

Lake Michigan offers the opportunity to catch true trophies in this manner as well.

No matter what type of angling you enjoy the most, Lake Michigan and the waters that flow into it offers excellent angling opportunities for everyone.

About the Author

Trevor Kugler is co-founder of JRWfishing.com and an avid angler. 
He has more than 20 years experience fishing for all types of fish, 
and 15 years of business and internet experience. 

He currently raises his three year old daughter in the heart of trout fishing country... Montana!