Fishing

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Tips and tricks on how you can become a safe and successful Junior Ranger Angler.

 
 
People fish along the sides of a river.

What comes to mind when you think about fishing? Patience, relaxation, challenge, and memories are often associated with fishing. You will find all that and a sense of stewardship, conservation, and preservation on this page. We want you to have an enjoyable time during your visit, and for those who come after you to fish. Take time to explore, learn what the park has to offer and learn your responsibilities before casting a line or flicking a fly.

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore allows fishing as a means of providing for public enjoyment, and customary and traditional use, and regulates fishing to ensure that it is managed in a manner that avoids unacceptable impacts to park resources.

Junior Ranger Angler

Fishing is a great way to enjoy the park and enjoy the outdoors. It is a fun activity that can be done at any age. Check out our calendar for Junior Ranger Angler events like pop-can fishing and more! Visit Junior Ranger Let's Go Fishing! - Fish & Fishing (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov) to find parks with fish, check on regulations, and more. Also check out our video below for some tips and tricks on how you can be a safe and successful Junior Ranger Angler.


Licenses

A valid Michigan fishing license is required to fish in the park, and fees vary. Children under 17 years of age do not require a license. Visitors fishing within Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore must follow the fishing license requirements in accordance with the laws and regulations of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.


Regulations

Unless otherwise provided for, fishing regulations apply to all finfish found in the park.  Other taxa, including amphibians, mollusks and crustaceans (e.g. waterdogs, crayfish) are not considered “fish” for the purpose of NPS fishing regulations and are addressed by NPS regulations governing “wildlife” (36CFR2.2). 

These fishing regulations apply, regardless of land ownership, on all lands and waters within the park that are under the legislative jurisdiction of the United States.

Fishing regulations for Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore follow those set by the State of Michigan (36CFR7). However, commercial fishing methods allowed under State law are not included within the scope of this authorization.

For state fishing regulations, please visit the Michigan Department of Natural Resources website.

For more information on how NPS fishing regulations work, go to the regulations page on the NPS Fish and Fishing website (https://www.nps.gov/subjects/fishing/how-regulations-work.htm).

The following are prohibited, as per National Park Service natural resource protection regulations:

  • Introducing wildlife, fish or plants, including their reproductive bodies, into a park area ecosystem. This includes the discarding and/or dumping of bait and bait buckets.

  • The use or possession of fish, wildlife or plants for ceremonial or religious purposes, except where specifically authorized by Federal statutory law, or treaty rights.

The following additional regulations apply only within Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore:

  • Fishing is permitted from the public docks on the Manitou Islands providing it does not interfere with the safe and orderly landing of vessels or the safe and orderly management of other authorized activities.

  • The use of a powered ice auger for ice fishing requires a free ice auger permit which can be obtained from the visitor center in Empire or from any law enforcement park ranger.

  • The following lakes are designated for use of an ice auger or power engine: Lake Michigan, Loon Lake, School Lake, Bass Lake (Leelanau County) and Tucker Lake.

Where to Fish

There are several small inland lakes to fish in the Lakeshore. On the southern part of the park, you will find Loon Lake along the Platte River. There is a boat launch just off M-22 for Loon Lake. Otter Lake is near Trail's End road, but the boat launch is made for canoes and will not accomodate trailers. On the northern end of the park, Bass Lake and School Lake offer good fishing. There is a boat launch for School Lake on County Rd. 669.

For some excellent small mouth bass fishing, try Lake Manitou on North Manitou Island. The island has some additional fishing regulations: artificial lure only and 18 inch minimum size.


Ice Fishing

Ice fishing is popular throughout the Lakeshore during the winter months. The use of a powered ice auger requires a permit, and they are only allowed on Lake Michigan, Loon Lake, School Lake, Bass Lake (Leelanau County) and Tucker Lake. Pick up your free ice auger permit from the visitor center in Empire or from any law enforcement park ranger.


Fish Consumption Advisories in National Park Waters

The Environmental Protection Agency, states, territories, and tribes provide advice on fish and shellfish caught in the waters in their jurisdiction to help people make informed decisions about eating fish. Advisories are recommendations to limit your consumption of, or avoid eating entirely, certain species of fish or shellfish from specific bodies of water due to chemical or biological contamination.

Fish is part of a healthy balanced diet, but eating wild fish and shellfish caught in park waters is not risk free. Parks are “islands”, but the much larger “ocean” that surrounds them affects the natural resources inside a park. Other aquatic toxins are the result of natural biological processes. Also, chemical contaminants that originate outside of park boundaries can come into parks.

Mercury is an example of a toxin originating outside a park that can find its way into a park. Mercury exists naturally in some rocks, including coal. When power plants burn coal, mercury can travel in the air long distances before falling to the ground, usually in low concentrations. Once on the ground, microorganisms can change this elemental mercury to methyl mercury. This type of mercury can build up in animal tissues, and it can increase in concentration to harmful levels. This high concentration can occur in large predatory fish - those often pursued and eaten by anglers. Studies have shown that fish in some National Park System waters have mercury levels that may be a concern to people who regularly eat a lot of fish.

To learn more about this topic, the National Park Service maintains information about Fish Consumption Advisories and Mercury and Toxins in Nature.


Aquatic Invasive Species

Imagine your favorite fishing spot and the wonderful memories. Things may look fine but underneath the surface there is a serious threat. Everything you remembered is now cemented together in a sharp, smelly mess. Invaders have wiped out the fish species you used to catch.

Aquatic invasive species are not native to an ecosystem. Their introduction causes, or is likely to cause, harm to the economy, the environment, or to human health. Aquatic invasive species are a growing risk to parks and their values. In the United States alone, there are more than 250 non-native aquatic species.

For many centuries, humans have contributed to spreading non-native species around the globe. You can make a difference. To learn more about Aquatic Invasive Species in the National Park Service, visit the Fish & Fishing website.

How You Can Help – Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers


Fishing Throughout the National Park Service

We invite you to visit the Fish and Fishing website for more information about fish and fishing in the National Park Service. You will learn about conservation, different fish species, and parks that offer fishing.


 
A female park ranger in uniform stands on an outdoor stage with visitors sitting on benches and is talking to the audience in front of a large tv screen with a drawing of a fish on the screen and "Junior Angler with ranger Dana" written.
Find out about the fun of fishing at a Junior Ranger Anger program.

NPS Photo

 

Last updated: October 6, 2022

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