TOPIC:

I am looking for opportunities to get back into fishing walleye on inland lakes and it looks like central/northern Michigan might be closest to my Northern MN roots. I'd really like to be able to work in some ice fishing this winter as well as open water this fall and next spring. I'm hoping to find a couple of lakes that I can reach from Chesterton for day trips, but I'm also interested in heading up to the UP for longer weekends.

Who has some experience they're willing to share. Where are they?

Jay

 Hi J.  Last year a buddy and I drove over to Sterling State Park in Monroe Mi. mid June. We fished three days and stayed two nights.  Was a great trip, 31/2 hours to get there and caught our limit all 3 day's. tried to make that trip again this year but Covid and a family emergency cancelled us last minute. the boat launch and cleaning station was top shelf.Check the Walley community websites for Monroe Mi. Lake Erie.  Lots of good dayly info. Great campground if you can do an overnighter.  If you are looking for a fellow fishermen to make a trip, Im sure you would get a lot of interest.  Myself included.  Keep us posted.I do have a contact up by Kalamazoo that's my go to fishing buddy for inland fishing.  I'll give him a call for info

I know it isn't an inland lake and not sure how you feel about river fishing, but the St Joe from Berrien Spring out to the lake has a good population of 'eyes and it is close enough for day trips.

I keep forgetting about the river. I used to fish the St Louis River in MN (drains into the tip of Lake Superior) so it shouldn't be too different.

Thanks

Lake of the Woods outside of Bremen would be an option too - well stocked with walleye and a nice public access

Day trips for reliable walleye ice fishing from Chesterton might be challenging no matter the state. There are not a lot of "walleye factory" lakes in NW Indiana or SW Michigan

The St. Joe River (both in Michigan and Indiana) is going to be the best walleye fishing around. But obviously not an option for ice fishing

SW Michigan lakes don't have the best reliable walleye action, but Diamond, Magician, Paw Paw, Lake Of the Woods (Decatur MI) are stocked. 

Lake of Woods (Bremen IN), Maxincuckee, and Bass  would be options in IN within daytrip range of Chesterton


For overnight ice fishing trips in Michigan, if you have the means, big water like St. Clair, Brest Bay of Erie, Saginaw Bay, Bays De Noc, etc are obvious choices.  Or one of lots of northern Lower Peninsula or UP lakes

I am happy to see I'm not the only Minnesotan hanging around here (grew up near Rochester, but spent a lot of time in northern Minnesota).  I also can't speak too much on Michigan walleyes, but I can definitely help with northern Indiana walleyes. 

As many others have said the St Joe (all streches) has some of the best walleye fishing locally.  The Michigan stretches seems to be the most balanced for size vs quantity.  Michigan boarder to Twin Branch has some quality fish, but less numbers. Twin Branch to Elkhart has great numbers, but harder to find bigger fish.  6 span (east of Elkhart) has fewer fish, but good size.  I live on the Twin Branch to Elkhart stretch so I would be happy to help with more specifics.  I've had 100 fish days in my boat on that strech so it can be very good.  If you're fishing from shore each of the dams hold fish year round and especially in the spring.  I've seen pictures of some monsters (12+ lbs) caught in the spring below the dams.

Lake of the Woods in Bremen is also very good.  It does get busy on the weekends during the summer so spring/fall and during the week is best there.  My biggest Indiana walleye came from there at 7.5 lbs.

I think the best lake for consistently good walleye fishing in the area is Winona Lake in Warsaw.  I've fished it many times in different seasons and always seem to do well.  There is a good population of 3-6 lbs fish there.

My favorite dark horse candidate in the area is Big Turkey Lake in Stroh.  It can have some great Spring fishing with good size.

if you need any further pointers on any of these just let me know, I'm always happy to help.
 

Thanks for the info.  Really appreciate it. 

That's great information! I really appreciate it! I've got and old 16ft walkthrough V Bottom boat that I fixed up in 2006 then went through divorce and staph infection in my knee so I lost interest but hearing about all this great fishing peaks my interest. My son has been talking about getting around so maybe we'll make that happen. We can also use it for near shore fishing on lake Michigan and lake Erie!

Thanks again for all the information!

Hey Absolutzero273- Any hp restrictions on Winona? Also do you think I'd have any problems launching my 21ft Starcraft deep v? Thanks