Fishing Elk Lake

AKA: Elk River Lake

Popular Fish Species
Elk Lake Fishing Video
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Elk Lake, MI

Popular Fish Species Elk Lake, MI

Smallmouth Bass Fishing

Smallmouth bass are a plentiful and a favorite of many locals at Elk Lake, particularly during spring and summer months. Fishing for smallmouth bass is good anytime they are shallow - in spring, during high water, mornings in summer and during warmer fall afternoons. Use shallow crankbaits around rip rap, and around grass use worms, jigs, topwater and spinnerbaits. In winter, spend your time on deeper structure with small worms, jigs and spoons.

Yellow Perch Fishing

Elk Lake has for decades, supported a healthy population of yellow perch. They are a favorite species for locals who enjoy fishing at Elk Lake. Fishing for yellow perch is simple, their primary diet consists of minnows and other small fish, insects and worms. Yellow perch tend to gather in small groups and hang out on relatively deep structure, near cover and/or drop-offs. Use a small hook and sinker. Bait a small hook with minnows, worms or small jigs using 6 to 10 pound line. They make for an excellent fish fry, are a food source for many of the larger predator fish in the lake, and they are fun to catch in winter when ice fishing.

Lake Trout Fishing

Fishing for lake trout in Elk Lake has been good for anglers properly rigged to get to them in the depths of Elk Lake. These large trout can be caught from as shallow as 15 to 30 feet in Spring and Fall, to as deep as 150 feet or more during Summer and Winter. Good electronics are a big help in locating lake trout. They feed on baitfish, so jigs rigged to imitate their prey often work well straight down under the boat. Trolling with numerous set-ups can also produce good catches. It is a monumental help to use fish finders to locate lake trout. When the lake freezes over, ice fishing for big lake trout with spoons can deliver some great catches.

Elk Lake Fishing Video

Fish species to fish for...

Guide to fishing for smallmouth bass, black crappie, walleye, rainbow trout, lake trout, bluegill, rock bass, yellow perch, muskie and northern pike at Elk Lake in Michigan.

Like the proverbial deep blue sea, Elk Lake is over 200 feet deep and has a healthy population of lake trout. About 9 miles long and mile and a half wide, the lake has 7,700 surface acres. Located in the northwest part of the lower peninsula, at Elk Rapids, the lake sports 28 miles of shoreline for recreation and fishing. The lake is known for decent populations of lake trout, rainbow trout, brown trout, smallmouth bass, and panfish. Check out fishing reports for popular species at Elk Lake. While most of the shore is lined with homes and boat docks, there are sections of the lake available to anglers who prefer to fish from the bank.

Primary fish species residing in Elk Lake

Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.

Elk Lake Amenities

Marina: YES
Boat Rental: YES
Boat Launch Ramp: YES
Campgrounds: YES
RV Hookups: YES
Lodging: YES
Convenience Store: YES
Bait & Tackle: YES
Restaurant: YES

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