Fishing Report For Higgins Lake, IL

By Rick Seaman

January 2, 2025

Popular Fish Species Reports
Higgins Lake Fishing Video
Available Fish Species
Today's Weather & Forecast
Fishing Boat Rentals
Marinas
Boat Launch Ramps
Get A Michigan Fishing License
Map
Contact Info

Fishing Report Higgins Lake

Fishing Reports

Popular Fish Species Higgins Lake, MI

Lake Trout

Current Report: Good
Outlook: Very Good

Lake trout thrive in deep, cold water. Higgins Lake has water depths over 120 feet where these lake trout often hold. Trolling here with flashy spoons and bucktail jigs is popular. Good catches have been reported in the channels around the islands, and in the narrows between the two lake bowls.

Rainbow Trout

Current Report: Fair To Good
Outlook: Good To Very Good

Locals report catching rainbow trout in weedy areas around the islands and Detroit Point. Casting and trolling are both catching fish. Panther Martin, and other similar spinners, work well for both methods.

Smallmouth Bass

Current Report: Good
Outlook: Very Good

Higgins Lake is a decent smallmouth fishery. The Michigan B.A.S.S. Nation 2024 State Championship was won with a 10-fish limit weighing over 35 pounds. Anywhere you find rocks or rip-rap is a good place to fish here. Crawfish are a primary food source for smallies and they live amongst the rocks. Fishing next to drop-offs can also enhance your chances. Mid-range crankbaits, like the Rapala DT-6, are a good way to cover lots of water and the smallmouth here are prone to strike them aggressively.

Fish species to fish for...

Guide to fishing for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, channel catfish, walleye, rainbow trout, brook trout, brown trout, lake trout, bluegill, rock bass and yellow perch at Higgins Lake in Michigan.

Higgins Lake is a 10,000-acre lake in the northeast part of the lower peninsula. Improved roads circle the lake giving anglers access to some of the 21 miles of shoreline for fishing from the bank. Ice fishing for perch and lake trout is very popular in winter.

Primary fish species to catch

Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.

Today's Weather & Forecast

Fishing Boat Rentals

Click here for fishing boat rentals at this lake.

Marinas

Click here for marinas available at this lake.

Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings

Click here for boat ramps available at this lake.

Click here for a Michigan Fishing License.

Higgins Lake, MI 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".