Fishing Report For Lake Charlevoix, MI

By Rick Seaman

March 3, 2025

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

Fishing Report Lake Charlevoix, MI

Fishing Reports

Popular Fish Species Lake Charlevoix, MI

Smallmouth Bass

Current Report:Good
Outlook: Good To Very Good

Lake Charlevoix is considered a good smallmouth bass fishery. Locals report Horton Bay and Oyster Bay are popular smallmouth areas, as well as many other areas of the lake with shallow weeds and cover. Topwater is a good way to cover lots of water, especially from mid Spring to Fall. Mornings and early evenings can be great. Tube baits, mimicking crawfish always deliver when the bass move off the bank, or are just being stubborn. The fishing is often good on cold, windy, cloudy and rainy days.

Walleye

Current Report: Fair To Good
Outlook: Good

The numbers for walleye are down in Lake Charlevoix, but there are still some quality walleye to be caught. Walleye like to slow cruise around flats and structure close to deep water. They primarily feed close to the bottom. Locals report spoons, deep-diving crankbaits, gigs tipped with minnows or nightcrawlers, and worm harness spinners are catching walleye while trolling, drifting or casting.

Yellow Perch

Current Report: Good
Outlook: Good To Very Good

Very small jigheads tipped with minnows, nightcrawlers, wax worms and plastics are catching yellow perch through the ice. These lures will continue to catch these fat perch once the ice is gone and Spring arrives. From Spring through Fall, bouncing these baits along the bottom, or adding a bobber both well. A healthy population of yellow perch resides here, providing a steady food source for larger, predator fish, plus it is a fun fishing opportunity for anglers, as well as tasty table fare.

Smallmouth Bass Fishing Video

Fish species to fish for...

Guide to fishing for smallmouth bass, channel catfish, black crappie, walleye, rainbow trout, brown trout, lake trout, bluegill, pumpkinseed sunfish, rock bass, yellow perch and northern pike at Lake Charlevoix in Michigan.

Lake Charlevoix is a 17,200-acre lake with 56 miles of shoreline. This is home to smallmouth bass, walleye, northern pike, muskie, and panfish. Access to shore for fishing is available at parks, campgrounds and public areas. In winter, enjoy ice fishing for trout, perch, walleye, pike and sunfish.

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 available at this lake.

Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings

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Marinas

Click here for marinas 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".