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Great Lake

Lake Huron

U.S. shoreline: Michigan

Lake Huron is the second-largest Great Lake by area. Michigan holds the U.S. shoreline, from the Straits of Mackinac and Drummond Island down through Thunder Bay, Saginaw Bay and the Thumb to Port Huron. Saginaw Bay is one of the best walleye fisheries in the country, and the main lake holds lake trout, Atlantic and chinook salmon, steelhead and smallmouth bass.

N
Lake outline: Natural Earth (public domain). Red dots are U.S. boat launches.
Weather and marine forecast for Lake Huron (National Weather Service) ↗
Surface area14,724,480 acres
Max depth750 ft
Shoreline3,827 miles (U.S. and Canada, with islands)
U.S. launches listed81

Species

Fishery rating out of 5.

Walleye●●●●●

Saginaw Bay and Thunder Bay are top walleye waters

Lake Trout●●●●○

Strong wild population on reefs and deep structure

Smallmouth Bass●●●●○

Rocky shorelines, Les Cheneaux and Drummond Island

Yellow Perch●●●●○

Saginaw Bay, harbors and the Les Cheneaux Islands

Steelhead●●●○○

Tributary runs spring and fall

Chinook Salmon●●○○○

Smaller fishery than in past decades; best near stocking ports

Atlantic Salmon●●●○○

Near-shore trolling from Alpena to Port Huron

Northern Pike●●●○○

Weedy bays and the Les Cheneaux

Boat launches

81 public boat ramps and launches on the U.S. shoreline, from the Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota DNR boating access lists (official state data) and OpenStreetMap. Tap a state to open its list. The list may be incomplete, and fees, hours and conditions change, so confirm before you go.

Michigan 81 launches
  • Alpena County Fairgrounds Boat LaunchMI
    Boat ramp · OpenStreetMapDirections ↗
  • Alpena Municipal MarinaMI
    City of Alpena · 8 lanes · 45 trailer spaces · Recreation Passport required · 989-354-1734 · Michigan DNRDirections ↗
  • Au Gres River MouthMI
    Tawas Point State Park · 8 lanes · 150 trailer spaces · Recreation Passport required · on the Au Gres River · 989-362-5041 · Michigan DNRDirections ↗
  • Au Sable River MouthMI
    Tawas Point State Park · 10 lanes · 114 trailer spaces · Recreation Passport required · on the Au Sable River · 989-362-5041 · Michigan DNRDirections ↗
  • Bay PortMI
    Sleeper State Park · 2 lanes · 48 trailer spaces · Recreation Passport required · 989-856-4411 · Michigan DNRDirections ↗
  • Black River MouthMI
    Alcona Township · 2 lanes · 27 trailer spaces · on the Black River · 989-727-3788 · Michigan DNRDirections ↗
  • Bois BlancMI
    Bois Blanc Township · Michigan DNRDirections ↗
  • Carp River Mouth Boat LaunchMI
    Boat ramp · OpenStreetMapDirections ↗
  • Caseville DockMI
    City of Caseville · 2 lanes · 47 trailer spaces · Recreation Passport required · on the Pigeon River · 989-856-4411 · Michigan DNRDirections ↗
  • Cedar Lake Public Boat LaunchMI
    Boat ramp · OpenStreetMapDirections ↗
  • CedarvilleMI
    Clark Township · 2 lanes · 14 trailer spaces · Recreation Passport required · 906-484-2672 · Michigan DNRDirections ↗
  • Cheboygan DamMI
    Cheboygan Field Office · 2 lanes · 54 trailer spaces · Recreation Passport required · on the Cheboygan River · 231-627-9011 · Michigan DNRDirections ↗
  • Coggins RoadMI
    Bay City State Park · 1 lane · 8 trailer spaces · Recreation Passport required · 989-684-3020 · Michigan DNRDirections ↗
  • De Tour PassageMI
    DeTour State Harbor · 2 lanes · 17 trailer spaces · Recreation Passport required · 906-297-5947 · Michigan DNRDirections ↗
  • De Tour VillageMI
    DeTour State Harbor · 2 lanes · 39 trailer spaces · Recreation Passport required · on the Saint Marys River · 906-297-5947 · Michigan DNRDirections ↗
  • Devil's RiverMI
    Hoeft State Park · 1 lane · 12 trailer spaces · Recreation Passport required · on the Devils River · 989-734-2543 · Michigan DNRDirections ↗
  • Dock #3 Park Boat LaunchMI
    fee · OpenStreetMapDirections ↗
  • Dumbar Boat LaunchMI
    Boat ramp · OpenStreetMapDirections ↗
  • Eagle BayMI
    Port Crescent State Park · 2 trailer spaces · Recreation Passport required · 989-738-8663 · Michigan DNRDirections ↗
  • East TawasMI
    Tawas Point State Park · 4 lanes · 69 trailer spaces · Recreation Passport required · 989-362-5041 · Michigan DNRDirections ↗
  • Eleventh Avenue Boat LaunchMI
    Boat ramp · OpenStreetMapDirections ↗
  • Fillion RoadMI
    Sleeper State Park · 2 lanes · 43 trailer spaces · Recreation Passport required · 989-856-4411 · Michigan DNRDirections ↗
  • Finn Road ParkMI
    Hampton Township · 3 lanes · 70 trailer spaces · Recreation Passport required · Michigan DNRDirections ↗
  • Grindstone CityMI
    Port Crescent State Park · 2 lanes · 46 trailer spaces · Recreation Passport required · 989-738-8663 · Michigan DNRDirections ↗
  • Hammond BayMI
    Cheboygan Field Office · 2 lanes · 16 trailer spaces · Recreation Passport required · 231-627-9011 · Michigan DNRDirections ↗
  • Hammond PointMI
    Hoeft State Park · 3 trailer spaces · Recreation Passport required · 989-734-2543 · Michigan DNRDirections ↗
  • Harbor Beach RampMI
    City of Harbor Beach · 6 lanes · 96 trailer spaces · Recreation Passport required · 989-479-9707 · Michigan DNRDirections ↗
  • Harbor Street Boat RampMI
    Boat ramp · OpenStreetMapDirections ↗
  • HarrisvilleMI
    Harrisville State Park · 6 lanes · 106 trailer spaces · Recreation Passport required · 989-724-5126 · Michigan DNRDirections ↗
  • Harrisville State ParkMI
    Harrisville State Park · Recreation Passport required · 989-724-5126 · Michigan DNRDirections ↗
  • Hessel MarinaMI
    Clark Township · 2 lanes · 6 trailer spaces · Recreation Passport required · 906-484-2672 · Michigan DNRDirections ↗
  • Jones RoadMI
    Hampton Township · 1 lane · 19 trailer spaces · on the Underwood Drain · 989-893-7541 · Michigan DNRDirections ↗
  • Lexington State HarborMI
    Lakeport State Park · 6 lanes · 72 trailer spaces · Recreation Passport required · 810-327-6224 · Michigan DNRDirections ↗
  • Mackinaw City Municipal MarinaMI
    Village of Mackinaw City · 1 lane · 54 trailer spaces · 231-627-9578 · Michigan DNRDirections ↗
  • Maxton BayMI
    DeTour State Harbor · 1 lane · 23 trailer spaces · Recreation Passport required · 906-297-5947 · Michigan DNRDirections ↗
  • North Raber Boat RampMI
    Boat ramp · OpenStreetMapDirections ↗
  • North Riverfront ParkMI
    City of Alpena · 2 lanes · 22 trailer spaces · Recreation Passport required · on the Thunder Bay River · 989-354-1734 · Michigan DNRDirections ↗
  • Ocqueoc River MouthMI
    Hoeft State Park · 1 lane · 20 trailer spaces · Recreation Passport required · on the Ocqueoc River · 989-734-2543 · Michigan DNRDirections ↗
  • PinconningMI
    Bay County · 2 lanes · 22 trailer spaces · Recreation Passport required · 989-879-5050 · Michigan DNRDirections ↗
  • Pine RiverMI
    Straits State Park · 2 lanes · 30 trailer spaces · Recreation Passport required · on the Pine River · 906-643-8620 · Michigan DNRDirections ↗
  • Pine River MouthMI
    Bay City State Park · 2 lanes · 27 trailer spaces · Recreation Passport required · on the Pine River · 989-684-3020 · Michigan DNRDirections ↗
  • Port AustinMI
    Port Crescent State Park · 4 lanes · 76 trailer spaces · Recreation Passport required · 989-738-8663 · Michigan DNRDirections ↗
  • Port SanilacMI
    Lakeport State Park · 4 lanes · 74 trailer spaces · Recreation Passport required · 810-327-6224 · Michigan DNRDirections ↗
  • Prentiss BayMI
    Public · 2 trailer spaces · 906-635-5281 · Michigan DNRDirections ↗
  • Presque IsleMI
    Hoeft State Park · 2 lanes · 44 trailer spaces · Recreation Passport required · 989-734-2543 · Michigan DNRDirections ↗
  • Quanicassee RiverMI
    Bay City State Park · 2 lanes · 51 trailer spaces · Recreation Passport required · on the Quanicassee River · 989-684-3020 · Michigan DNRDirections ↗
  • RockportMI
    Hoeft State Park · 4 lanes · 32 trailer spaces · Recreation Passport required · 989-734-2543 · Michigan DNRDirections ↗
  • Rogers City RampMI
    City of Rogers City · 6 lanes · 100 trailer spaces · Recreation Passport required · 989-734-3808 · Michigan DNRDirections ↗
  • Saginaw River MouthMI
    Bay City State Park · 8 lanes · 123 trailer spaces · Recreation Passport required · on the Saginaw River · 989-684-3020 · Michigan DNRDirections ↗
  • Sebewaing Municipal RiverMI
    Village of Sebewaing · 4 lanes · 49 trailer spaces · Recreation Passport required · on the Sebewaing River · 989-883-9558 · Michigan DNRDirections ↗
  • Singing BridgeMI
    Tawas Point State Park · 15 trailer spaces · Recreation Passport required · 989-362-5041 · Michigan DNRDirections ↗
  • Snug HarborMI
    Hoeft State Park · Recreation Passport required · 989-734-2543 · Michigan DNRDirections ↗
  • St IgnaceMI
    City of St. Ignace · 4 lanes · Recreation Passport required · 800-338-6660 · Michigan DNRDirections ↗
  • Stafford County ParkMI
    Huron County · 2 lanes · 30 trailer spaces · Recreation Passport required · Michigan DNRDirections ↗
  • Straits State HarborMI
    Cheboygan Field Office · 3 lanes · 72 trailer spaces · Recreation Passport required · 231-627-9011 · Michigan DNRDirections ↗
  • Sumac IslandMI
    Sleeper State Park · 2 lanes · 20 trailer spaces · Recreation Passport required · 989-856-4411 · Michigan DNRDirections ↗
  • Tawas Lake Boat LaunchMI
    Boat ramp · OpenStreetMapDirections ↗
  • U.S. Coast Guard - Station Port HuronMI
    Boat ramp · OpenStreetMapDirections ↗
  • Wild Fowl Bay State Wildlife Area Boat LaunchMI
    Boat ramp · OpenStreetMapDirections ↗
  • Public boat rampMI
    Unnamed in OpenStreetMap; open the map for the exact spot · OpenStreetMapDirections ↗
  • Public boat rampMI
    Unnamed in OpenStreetMap; open the map for the exact spot · OpenStreetMapDirections ↗
  • Public boat rampMI
    Unnamed in OpenStreetMap; open the map for the exact spot · OpenStreetMapDirections ↗
  • Public boat rampMI
    Unnamed in OpenStreetMap; open the map for the exact spot · OpenStreetMapDirections ↗
  • Public boat rampMI
    Unnamed in OpenStreetMap; open the map for the exact spot · OpenStreetMapDirections ↗
  • Public boat rampMI
    Unnamed in OpenStreetMap; open the map for the exact spot · OpenStreetMapDirections ↗
  • Public boat rampMI
    Unnamed in OpenStreetMap; open the map for the exact spot · OpenStreetMapDirections ↗
  • Public boat rampMI
    Unnamed in OpenStreetMap; open the map for the exact spot · OpenStreetMapDirections ↗
  • Public boat rampMI
    Unnamed in OpenStreetMap; open the map for the exact spot · OpenStreetMapDirections ↗
  • Public boat rampMI
    Unnamed in OpenStreetMap; open the map for the exact spot · OpenStreetMapDirections ↗
  • Public boat rampMI
    Unnamed in OpenStreetMap; open the map for the exact spot · OpenStreetMapDirections ↗
  • Public boat rampMI
    Unnamed in OpenStreetMap; open the map for the exact spot · OpenStreetMapDirections ↗
  • Public boat rampMI
    Unnamed in OpenStreetMap; open the map for the exact spot · OpenStreetMapDirections ↗
  • Public boat rampMI
    Unnamed in OpenStreetMap; open the map for the exact spot · OpenStreetMapDirections ↗
  • Public boat rampMI
    Unnamed in OpenStreetMap; open the map for the exact spot · OpenStreetMapDirections ↗
  • Public boat rampMI
    Unnamed in OpenStreetMap; open the map for the exact spot · OpenStreetMapDirections ↗
  • Public boat rampMI
    Unnamed in OpenStreetMap; open the map for the exact spot · OpenStreetMapDirections ↗
  • Public boat rampMI
    Unnamed in OpenStreetMap; open the map for the exact spot · OpenStreetMapDirections ↗
  • Public boat rampMI
    Unnamed in OpenStreetMap; open the map for the exact spot · OpenStreetMapDirections ↗
  • Public boat rampMI
    Unnamed in OpenStreetMap; open the map for the exact spot · OpenStreetMapDirections ↗
  • Public boat rampMI
    Unnamed in OpenStreetMap; open the map for the exact spot · OpenStreetMapDirections ↗
  • Public boat rampMI
    Unnamed in OpenStreetMap; open the map for the exact spot · OpenStreetMapDirections ↗

Size & creel limits

Each state sets its own seasons, size limits and daily limits for its part of Lake Huron, and Great Lakes waters often have rules that differ from inland lakes. Look up the current rules for the state you fish:

Rules change, so confirm current limits with the state agency before you fish. A fishing license is required from the state whose waters you fish.

Bait & tackle nearby

Bait and tackle shops near ports on the U.S. shore. Call ahead for hours and what live bait is in stock.

Michigan

Search more bait shops near Lake Huron ↗

Local tips

  • Saginaw Bay walleye move from the shallows in spring to deeper reefs by summer; follow the fleet and the forecast.
  • Shallow bays get rough quickly when the wind turns; plan a sheltered fallback.
  • The Les Cheneaux Islands near Hessel and Cedarville offer protected water for perch, pike and smallmouth.
  • Great Lakes conditions change fast. Wear a life jacket, check the marine forecast, and carry a VHF radio when you run offshore.

View on interactive map

Zoom and pan on a street or satellite map. Red pins are boat launches; tap a pin for directions.

More Great Lakes

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Always wear a life jacket and check your state's current regulations before you fish.

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