Michigan’s top bass lakes

Six of Michigan's amazing bass fisheries made Bassmaster Magazine's 100 Best Bass Lakes of 2014 list.

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Six of Michigan’s amazing bass fisheries made Bassmaster Magazine’s 100 Best Bass Lakes of 2014 list. The lakes — including one that made the Top 10 — and their rankings follow.
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Lake Charlevoix
Michigan
Previous Rankings- 2013: #40 | 2012: #3717,200 acres
This is another Michigan lake that’s turned hot. It seems smallmouth in this state could grow big in a ditch.

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Mullet Lake

Michigan
Previous Rankings- 2013: Not Ranked | 2012: Not Ranked17,360 acres
This northern Michigan fishery is twin sister to Burt Lake and has little pressure. This likely is the reason it produces absolute monster smallmouth.

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Thunder Bay, Lake Huron

Michigan
Previous Rankings- 2013: Not Ranked | 2012: Not Ranked448 square miles

Here, shipwrecks abound. Some are from the 19th century, others from just several years back. That said, all hold giant smallies.

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Burt Lake

Michigan
Previous Rankings- 2013: #81 | 2012: Not Ranked17,120 acres
This longtime secret smallmouth factory is starting to get its just desserts.

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Lake St. Clair

Michigan
Previous Rankings- 2013: #1 | 2012: #13430 square miles
Although this lake came in No. 1 last year, its production of quality smallmouth has dropped pretty dramatically. That said, there are tons of fish in this lake, including quality largemouth. It remains one of the best smallmouth lakes in the country and looks to be on the rebound to make it another Top 10 lake next year.

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Grand Traverse Bay, Lake Michigan

Michigan
Previous Rankings- (entire lake) 2013: #29 | 2012: #3432 miles long, 10 miles wide
Smallmouth more than 7 pounds come from this section of Lake Michigan every year. Bassmaster Opens pro Chris Noffsinger guides here and believes it will produce the next state record smallie. And don’t be surprised if you have 50-fish days.