Fishing Report For Black Lake, MI

By Rick Seaman

January 29, 2025

Popular Fish Species Reports
Black Lake Fishing Video
Available Fish Species
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Fishing Report Black Lake, MI

Fishing Reports

Popular Fish Species Black Lake, MI

Northern Pike

Current Report: Fair To Good
Outlook: Good

At Black Lake, local anglers report catching the most northern pike during the peak season of April and May. Fishing for northern pike fishing can be decent during Fall, sometimes as late as October. Locals are catching nice northerns on bright, flashy lures. Effective lures include spoons, spinners, and crankbaits, particularly those with bright colors or metallic finishes to attract the pike's attention. Trolling along weed edges also draws them out to attack. In winter, there are numerous reports of nice pike being caught ice fishing.

Walleye

Current Report: Good To Very Good
Outlook: Very Good

Deep-diving crankbaits, like the Bandit, continue to catch nice walleye at Black Lake. The lake is only 50 feet deep at the deepest areas, look for shallower flats next to drop-offs into this deep water. On bright, sunny days walleye move deeper off these ledges. Generally walleye like to hang around structure on points, flats and ledges. Look for flats and points that drop from 10 or 15 feet on top, to around 30 feet deep as these are always a great attraction for walleye. The west side of the lake offers several of these structures. When the lake freezes over in winter, ice fishing for walleye can be very productive. Use GPS to locate spots you normally fish during other times of the year.

Muskie

Current Report: Good
Outlook: Good To Very Good

Muskellunge are being caught in Black Lake with a wide variety of lures and baits. Glide baits and spinner setups are popular with muskie anglers, especially in bright colors. Locals report that the chance of catching a monster muskie is available on any given cast or troll, Use a strong rod in medium- to medium-heavy action, with heavy line - 20# or heavier. Because of their sharp teeth, steel leaders are highly recommended. Muskie have a big mouth so use big baits. Topwater, spinnerbaits, crankbaits and jerkbaits all work well for hungry muskie. The best time of year to chase these big fish is Spring, and then again in Fall as the water temperature starts cooling. When the lake freezes over in winter, ice fishing for musky can be very exhilarating.

Fish species to fish for...

Guide to fishing for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, channel catfish, black crappie, walleye, bluegill, rock bass, yellow perch, longnose gar, muskie and northern pike at Black Lake in Michigan.

Black Lake is a 10,000-acre lake at the northern tip of the lower peninsula, with 19 miles of shoreline and exceptionally clear water. Musky, northern pike, walleye, bass and perch are the favorite fish species here, In winter, ice fishing for walleye and perch is quite popular and catches of other species is common.

Primary fish species to catch

Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.

Today's Weather & Forecast

Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings

Click here for boat ramps available at this lake.

Fishing License

Click here for a Michigan Fishing License.

Map - Fishing & Access

Rick Seaman is a fishing enthusiast with over five decades of fishing experience, a retired tournament fisherman, author of numerous published articles on fishing, and co-author of the book "Bass Fishing - It's not WHAT you throw, It's WHERE you throw it".