Best Fishing Spots in Metro Detroit

Story by Leslie Cieplechowicz

With summer painting the sky a brilliant azure dotted with puffs of white, and scenting the air with fresh-cut grass and flowery fragrance, what better way to spend the day than dipping a line into the water to catch a shimmery fish? Located throughout the Detroit area are several excellent fishing sites accessible from the shore. These places are great spots to relax and kick your feet up, whether at the break of dawn or the beginning of twilight. So grab your gear and head out to enjoy the whispers of the waters and their scaly residents.

Wayne County

Newburgh Lake

39399 Edward N Hines Dr, Livonia

Access: Two fishing piers off Hines Drive on north side of lake. Shore fishing along most of north shore. Paddleboat and row boat rental available. Canoe or carry-in boat access at central parking and pier location.

Types of fish present: Largemouth bass, bluegill, catfish, and northern pike.

Contact: Wayne County Division of Parks at 734-261-1990; or e-mail DNR-Fisheries@michigan.gov or call 517-284-5830 or visit MDNR Fishing.

Detroit River

Access:
Belanger Park at 1 Belanger Park Dr, River Rouge off Jefferson Avenue south of Rouge River and east one mile to Detroit Edison River Rouge Power Plant. Parking, restrooms, boat launch and 600 foot of shoreline fishing access.

Belle Isle at 99 Pleasure Dr., Detroit, on the shores of Lake Muskoday and Blue Heron Lagoon.

Delray Park at 1301 Springwells Ct., Detroit with shore fishing access just north of Zug Island.

Types of fish present: Largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, perch, crappie, northern pike, walleye, catfish, and muskellunge.

Contact: Email DNR-Fisheries@michigan.gov or call 517-284-5830 or visit MDNR Fishing.

Oakland County

Pontiac Lake State Recreation Area

7800 Gale Rd, Waterford Township

Access: Pontiac Lake State Recreation Area, Williams Lake Rd., north of M-59, four miles west of Pontiac. Boat launch and fishing piers in recreation area.

Types of fish present: Catfish, walleye, bluegill and largemouth bass.

Contact: Pontiac Lake State Recreation Area at 248-425-7217; or email DNR-Fisheries@michigan.gov or call 517-284-5830 or visit MDNR Fishing.

Highland Recreation Area
5200 Highland Road, White Lake

Access: Two fishing piers are available in the park, one located on Alderman Lake and one on Lower Pettibone Lake. Shore fishing is very popular near dam sites and on all lakes in the recreation area.

Types of fish present: Bluegill, walleye, smallmouth bass, rock bass, perch, and occasional pike.

Contact: Highland Recreation Area at 248-889-3750; or email DNR-Fisheries@michigan.gov or call 517-284-5830 or visit MDNR Fishing.

Holly Recreation Area

8100 Grange Hall Road, Holly

Access: Fishing piers are available on Valley and Heron lakes, while shoreline fishing is available on Heron, Valley and Wildwood lakes.

Types of fish present: Bluegill, largemouth bass, northern pike, and crappie.

Contact: Holly Recreation Area at 248-634-8811; or email DNR-Fisheries@michigan.gov or call 517-284-5830 or visit MDNR Fishing.

Macomb County

Stony Creek Metropark

4300 Main Park Dr, Shelby Township

Access: Stony Creek provides a public boat launch and shore fishing around much of Stony Creek Lake.

Types of fish present: Walleye, largemouth bass, catfish, and some large crappie also present.

Contact: Stony Creek Metropark
at 586-781-4242; email DNR-Fisheries@michigan.gov or call 517-284-5830 or visit MDNR Fishing.

Algonac State Park

8732 River Road, Marine City

Access: The park's shoreline on the St. Clair River is well known for excellent walleye fishing. The Marine City and Algonac North Channel Boating Access Sites are close to the park.

Types of fish present: Walleye, perch, white bass, largemouth bass, and northern pike.

Contact: Algonac State Park
at 810-765-5605; email DNR-Fisheries@michigan.gov or call 517-284-5830 or visit MDNR Fishing.

Lake St. Clair Metropark

31300 Metro Parkway, Harrison Township

Access: Extensive shoreline with shore fishing access on the Black Creek canals and Lake St. Clair. Shore fishing platforms near the eastern end of the park on Lake St. Clair, Harrison Township.

Types of fish present: Walleye, perch, white bass, largemouth bass, and northern pike.

Contact: Lake St. Clair Metropark at 586-463-4581; email DNR-Fisheries@michigan.gov or call 517-284-5830 or visit MDNR Fishing.