Fishing Black Lake

AKA: Black Lake State Forest

Popular Fish Species
Black Lake Fishing Video
Available Fish Species
Amenities
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Boat Launch Ramps
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Black Lake, MI

Popular Fish Species Black Lake, MI

Northern Pike Fishing

Thriving in the cool waters of Black Lake, northern pike are a very popular target for local anglers. This year they are being caught in good quantity, and some mighty big sizes. April and May are the best months of the year for northern pike fishing here. Summer is spotty but pike can be caught all summer long. Fall can also be good sometimes stretching into October. Large, flashy lures that mimic the bait they prey upon are great lures for northerns. Effective lures include spoons, spinners, and crankbaits, particularly those with bright colors or metallic finishes to attract the pike's attention. Additionally, big flies, soft plastic swimbaits and jerkbaits can be successful, especially when retrieved erratically to mimic wounded prey. Trolling along weed edges can often entice strikes. When the lake has safe ice in winter, ice fishing for northern pike can be quite thrilling. Use GPS to locate spots you normally find northern pike holding during summer. Portable fish finders can be a big help.

Walleye Fishing

Thanks to good fisheries management, a healthy population of walleye are now thriving in the waters of Black Lake this year. They are eager to feed throughout the lake, but tend to concentrate around structure on points, flats and ledges off the river channels. 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. A proven method for catching walleye here is trolling with spinners tipped with live bait, or trolling with long-billed, deep diving crankbaits. However casting live bait, jigs, worms and spoons also works well at times. 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 Fishing

Fishing for Muskellunge in Black Lake could provide a trophy fish on any given cast. Giant musky roam these waters and are aggressive eaters. Muskie fishing can bring some exciting moments to your fishing day, as big muskies are spectacular, and strong fighters. 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, same baits you would use for bass but in larger sizes. 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. Use GPS to locate spots you normally find muskie during summer.

Black Lake Fishing Video

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.

Musky, northern pike, walleye, bass and perch are the favorite fish species at Black Lake, a 10,000-acre lake at the northern tip of the lower peninsula. This large body of water has 19 miles of shoreline and exceptionally clear water.

In winter, ice fishing for walleye and perch is quite popular and catches of other species is common. Check out fishing reports for popular species at this lake. While the lake does not have a marina or rental boats, other amenities like bait, restaurants, camping, convenience stores and lodging are all at or close by the lake.

Primary fish species residing in Black Lake

Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.

Black Lake Amenities

Marina: NO
Boat Rental: NO
Boat Launch Ramp: YES
Campgrounds: YES
RV Hookups: YES
Lodging: YES
Convenience Store: YES
Bait & Tackle: YES
Restaurant: YES

Today's Weather & Forecast

Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings

Black Lake Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, on the south side of the lake, off Bonz Beach Highway, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Black Lake State Forest Campground Boat Ramp
Located in the northeast section of the lake, off Eisen Trail, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and gravel parking.

Public Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the southeast section of the lake, off County Road 489, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and gravel parking.