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I grew up in Northern MN and cut my fishing teeth on Walleye in the BWCAW, St. Louis River, and many lakes north of Duluth. I've taken my kids back up a couple of times and they quickly fell in love with the fishing as well. I've been trying to find a good location in MI that we can hit either on a day trip or quick overnight and get into some eater Walleye. I know Erie isn't as far as it seems and my brother and I have been talking about a trip there as well.

Anyone willing to share areas or strategies? Maybe some good sources of information? I've thought about trying the lakes and bay in the Frankfort/Traverse City region.

Thanks!

Although there are walleye present in the Frankfort and Traverse City areas I do not know anyone that goes there to target them, salmon-yes walleye-no. I do know a couple of inland lakes that can produce from time to time in the area but they are hard to come by on open water a little more plentiful during hard water season if you know where to go. If it were me and I was traveling from NWI specifically Portage where we used to call home I would go to Saginaw Bay for good eater size walleye. The stocking program they have had over there has really exploded the last couple years and there seem to be a lot of eaters available and I think they raised the catch limit for this year. I have never fished it myself but that is where I hear from friends and family is the place to go for eaters. I have not had much time to explore the new area we are moving to but read in a welcome flyer last week there are 235 inland lakes in the county where we are buying our house and stocking data through the DNR provides has indications there are some decent walleye fisheries not to far away from the new digs. From portage to Saginaw is about 4 1/2 hrs, Houghton Lake is about 4 hrs and I have caught Walleye, Pike, and Smalllies there. Cadillac has a walleye population on lakes Mitchell and Cadillac and is about 3 1/2 hrs. Muskegon River specifically Croton and Hardy ponds are about 3 hrs. All have areas to camp or hotel/motel and are relatively easy drives with catchable eater walleye, if you want trophy hogs go to Erie or the river, about 4-4 1/2 hr drive from Portage.

Thanks, Jeff! Great info. Appreciate it.

What about the st joe river thought I read something about there being walleye there ( I think)

There are walleye in the St Joe and some good ones from things I hear. Mostly a winter and spring fishery from my understanding but I do not have much knowledge on the system as I have never fished it or know many that do. I gave information that I have experience in or know people directly that do and can say I trust. Those are just my suggestions, it a big state and lots of fishing holes, it's good to be home, lol. If you decide on an area and need some specifics give me a shoot and I will try to help you out more. Oh and don't take it wrong about Frankfort and Traverse City they are both beautiful places that I spent most of my younger life in and have never really left as we are moving back now to be closer to family and the old fishing holes.

We spent most of our time fishing on Erie before moving this way. Early spring to early June is the oak harbor OH or by Davis besse the nuclear plant as temps warm the fish head east towards Kelly's island, middle bass, put in Bay over to Canadan water. There is a public launch on Catawba that will get you close to where you need to be this time of year. There is also a bait shop that talks to lots of charters that they use to post accurate fishing reports it's called happy hooker in oak harbor. Hope this helps.

GREAT INFO!

Thank You

Lake Erie is the spot to go. You can fish walleye all fall right up to ice up.In the fall from Cedar Point park east to the city of Huron. Huron has super nice ramps. Average walleye in the fall from huron is in the 5-6lb. size with fish in the 8-10lb size common. The night trolling bite is good and that s when the real big ones come out to play. Fish will be in 10 to 17ft. area. Speeds in the fall are around 1.6 to 2.0