Betsie Lake
Betsie Lake sits on the Lake Michigan shore at Frankfort and Elberta in Benzie County. It is known for smallmouth bass, northern pike, perch and trout and salmon passing through from Lake Michigan.
Species
Fishery rating out of 5.
Smallmouth Bass
Grow faster than the state average
Northern Pike
Grow faster than the state average, natural reproduction
Yellow Perch
Main panfish along with rock bass
Brown Trout
Stocked by the DNR, best in spring
Chinook Salmon
Run through the lake in August to October
Walleye
Few fish, likely migrants from other waters
Boat launches
4 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.
- Frankfort municipal boat launchRampNorth side of the lake, Frankfort. Municipal marina.Directions ↗
- Elberta MarinaRampSoutheast corner of the lake. Public boat ramp.Directions ↗
- Frankfort Green Space and Elberta Waterfront ParkPublicPublic fishing piers.Directions ↗
- More public accessPublicSee the Michigan DNR or lake website for all ramps and feesDirections ↗
Size & creel limits
Minimum size and daily limit for each species in Betsie Lake are published by the state. Look up the current size and creel limits for this lake directly: Michigan Department of Natural Resources ↗
Bait & tackle nearby
Closest shops to the lake and its boat launches. Call ahead for live bait and hours.
- Frankfort Tackle BoxNearby903 Main St, Frankfort, MI 49635Directions ↗
Local tips
- Fish the shallows. About 80 percent of the lake is under 10 feet deep.
- Troll or cast from the piers for trout and steelhead in spring.
- Target salmon from August through October, and bass and pike in summer.
View on interactive map
Zoom and pan on a street, satellite or terrain map. Red pins are boat launches.
More Michigan lakes
Torch Lake (Antrim County) Lake Charlevoix Burt Lake Mullett Lake Lake Gogebic Manistique Lake Black Lake Crystal Lake All Michigan lakes →
Always wear a life jacket and check your state's current regulations before you fish.