Many people come up north to enjoy a bevy of summertime activities, and fishing is right at the top of the list! The following bodies of water are popular locations to go fishing in and around the Indian River area. To legally participate, you must purchase a fishing license, which can be bought locally at Pat and Gary’s party store in downtown Indian River.
1. Burt Lake
A popular swimming and fishing lake during the summer, Burt Lake has two easy-to-access areas from Indian River: DeVoe Beach and the state park. Largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, channel catfish, black crappie, white crappie, walleye, rainbow trout, brown trout, bluegill, green sunfish, pumpkinseed sunfish, rock bass, yellow perch, muskie, northern pike, and sturgeon can be caught in the lake depending on the time of year.
You can find plenty of fishermen off of Veteran’s Pier at DeVoe Beach, as it is a popular spot after its renovation. You can also find plenty of fishing boats out on the lake, and it is encouraged in order to find the perfect quiet spot away from the bustle near the shore.
2. Mullett Lake
With shoreline access in Topinabee and access off of the Indian River, Mullett Lake has fewer types of fish compared to Burt Lake, but it’s often quieter. Smallmouth bass, white crappie, walleye, rainbow trout, brown trout, bluegill, pumpkinseed sunfish, rock bass, yellow perch, muskie, northern pike, and sturgeon can all be caught here, again depending on the time of year.
3. Indian River
Connecting Burt and Mullett Lake, the Indian River is home to multiple types of bass as well as sturgeon, suckers, sunfish, and perch. There are plenty of spots to fish from the shore including the Green Dock, the Veteran’s Pier, and Hideaway Park. As it is busier during the day, early morning or late evening fishing could be more rewarding.
4. Cheboygan River
Feeding right into Lake Huron, the Cheboygan River contains myriad types of fish, including carp, catfish, pike, multiple types of bass, sucker, sunfish, walleye, and perch. The river itself is busy but you can still fish along the riverbank in several locations including the DNR boat launch by the dam. As you are also close to Cheboygan, you have access to plenty of amenities such as restaurants, bait and tackle shops, and boat access.
5. Sturgeon River
Cutting through Indian River and flowing into Burt Lake, the Sturgeon River is a fast-flowing river that is difficult to navigate by boat and is best suited for the experienced angler who knows how to navigate all of the tree limbs submerged in parts of the river. Be prepared to lose some lures trying to grab trout and steelheads, but the risk is worth the reward — we have had several guests happily share their stories of reaching their daily limit while cleaning and preparing the fish on our fish cleaning station.
While there are some places to sneak some lines in while in town, it is recommended to find other locations, such as the end of Fisher Woods Dr. As always, please be cautious as the river is incredibly fast and dangerous, especially if the water levels run higher than normal.
Fishing Reports & Licensing
You can sign up to receive regular weekly reports on fishing conditions in the area, or check the Michigan DNR’s fishing reports database. You can also call them at (855) 777-0908.
Want to come up and drop a line? Give us a call at 231-238-9370 or visit waterwayinnir.com to make a reservation. We have plenty of room for boats and a fish cleaning station available to clean your catch!
