As Michiganders, we are incredibly fortunate to have an abundance of high-quality fishing opportunities right in our backyard. From our blue-ribbon trout streams to the mighty king salmon, the Michigan angler is admittedly spoiled. Yet, one fish seems to lead the charge no matter where in the state you find yourself, and that fish is the walleye. 

I believe the primary reason for this popularity boils down to table fare. If you ask ten anglers to name their favorite fish to eat, at least nine of them will choose walleye over almost any other species. While they may not be the hardest-fighting fish in our waters, they can be caught year-round, and their adaptability means they thrive all across the state. 

Chasing them on a pristine Upper Peninsula lake is about as good as it gets. The U.P. boasts world-class destinations like Big and Little Bay de Noc, the St. Marys River, and Drummond Island, all of which draw passionate anglers year after year. Heading south into the Lower Peninsula, the opportunities only multiply. Inland waters like Burt and Mullett lakes offer phenomenal fisheries, as do Lake Mitchell and Lake Cadillac. 

While you can certainly find walleye on the west side of Michigan, most veteran anglers know that if you want to truly get into the numbers, the east side has it all. The northeast region offers great options from Alpena down to Oscoda, but once you hit Saginaw Bay, hold on. Saginaw Bay draws crowds from every corner of our state, offering a highly productive fishery all twelve months of the year. Further south, Lake Erie is teaming with walleye, and even though you may occasionally cross into Ohio waters, the sheer volume of fish caught there is staggering. But for many Michigan anglers, the true mecca of the walleye world remains the Detroit River. 

Every spring, hundreds of thousands of anglers migrate to the Detroit River for the annual spawning run. Starting in April, virtually every hotel room in the area is booked solid. With the rise of short-term rentals like Airbnb and VRBO, entire neighborhoods transform into bustling fish camps for weeks on end. 

The primary method for targeting these river run walleyes is vertical jigging. Mastering boat control here is a true test of skill as you fight both heavy current and unpredictable winds, not to mention navigating around the hundreds of other boats drifting right alongside you. However, once you dial in the technique, it is an incredibly effective way to fill a cooler. Another traditional method that maintained immense popularity for decades is handlining. While this technique requires specialized gear and comes with a steeper learning curve, the folks who have mastered it can often secure their limits before the boat even settles into the water. 

Ultimately, each region of our state offers the walleye angler a completely different experience, though a few universal truths remain. If peace, seclusion, and getting away from the crowds are more important to you than a guaranteed limit, head north and explore the quiet waters of the Upper Peninsula. If cutting down on windshield time sounds appealing, the inland lakes of the northern Lower Peninsula will fit your needs perfectly. If a smaller boat on inland water is your preferred speed, your options are virtually limitless. And if sheer numbers and filling the freezer are what drive you, Saginaw Bay and the Detroit River are unmatched. 

No matter where you choose to catch them, and no matter which technique you employ, one final truth binds us all together. A fresh plate of walleye is as good as it gets, right here in Michigan’s Out-of-Doors. 

 

To view the article in the online 2026 Summer Partners Magazine, click here.