Thread: Lake Michigan

Looking for info, we are on vacation first part of July an my son wants to fish lake Michigan and what I want to know is where in Indiana is the best place to go to access the lake? Another question that I have will my Indiana license be ok?

Michigan City has two launches. One at Washington Park all the way at the end of S.R. 421/Franklin St. The other at the east end of 7th street and its junction with E. Michigan Blvd./S.R. 35. I use this one due to facilities, there. In East Chicago I go to Pastrick Marina on. S.R. 912/Cline Ave. The one in Portage is off S.R. 249.
I recommend a Salmon stamp if you want in on that fishery. Otherwise your IN license is OK.

Thanks for the info and the quick reply!

To be Safe, pick up a "Trout Stamp" to add to your License(s) !

Go to patrick,portage or hammond to me pastrick is the best to launch.

If you've never fished the big pond, keep a sharp eye on the weather...July should be a scorcher...happy skamania time.

Hey guys thanks for all the info.

Is there any good smallmouth bass fishing close by any of those launches? I usually go to St Clair Michigan for smallies but they jacked the price of out of state lincense to $76. Would like to stay closer and in IN if I can. Any info would be great. Thanks!

Thats Coast Guard water so it would be best to have the Coast Guard Auxiliary do a boat check for you. It is FREE and they will give you a sticker to apply to the console showing the boat has passed. Their not there to beat you up on items, just to keep you safe. They would rather help you now rather than have to find you later. Items like fire ext and it is bolted down, life vest and a horn,paddle. Radio, hand held flaires, All battery post covered,,. Rope and anchor, ect.. If they see the sticker they wont mess with you on the water, unless you really mess up.
..Your indiana license are good for the lake, just dont enter another state coves or canals. If the winds have been out of the north for a few days, it will take a couple of days for the waves to ease up. South winds are your friend on this water, unless you break down. I wouldnt think of fishing the shipping lanes unless you use the buddy system with another boat. There is a lot of good suspended fish in the lanes mid summer.
.. Rip rap on shore will hold the smallies but not like on the Clair. There is a lot of concrete off shore if you have the side scan to find it.
..USe caution on this body of water, she can get pi$$ed very quickly

wow sounds like a lot of extra stuff to do to the boat. i have never put my boat in there, but i didnt realize all that! how far into the rivers do those regulations go? can you fish the mouth of a river under normal boat regulations?