Hunting & Fishing at Pictured Rocks

Fall colors along Alger County Road H-58.

The shortening days of fall bring with them the transformation of green leaves to crimson and gold, the first frost, lines of waterfowl winging southward across the sky, and thoughts of past hunting trips in the north country.

Hunting is permitted within the national lakeshore in accordance with federal migratory bird laws and federal and State of Michigan regulations. Along with fishing, hunting is an activity specifically allowed by the Congress of the United States when it authorized Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in 1966.

Hunting Opportunities

With its varied topography, lakes, streams, and mixed coniferous and hardwood forest, Pictured Rocks provides habitat for a variety of game animals. Most hunting activities are for white-tailed deer, grouse, woodcock, bear, and snowshoe hare. Whether the method is archery, muzzle loading, or firearms, hunters find ample hunting opportunities from grown-over farm fields to backcountry cedar swamps.

The hunting season begins with bear and grouse in September and continues through the winter with snowshoe hare. Refer to your "Michigan Hunting Guide" for specific dates and bag limits. A Michigan hunting license is required, and is available in local communities. Appropriate waterfowl stamps (state and federal) may also be required.

Hunting dogs are permitted during legal hunting seasons when accompanied by a licensed hunter, and may travel unrestrained in all backcountry and non-developed areas of the lakeshore.

When not actively engaged in hunting, dogs must be restrained on a six-foot leash. State hunting regulations apply in the use of dogs for hunting. Please review information concerning pets at the lakeshore.

Regulations

All hunting within the Lakeshore follows Michigan Department of Natural Resources regulations.

- No person may discharge a firearm or bow and arrow within a safety zone of 450 feet from an occupied dwelling, building, cabin, camp, or campground.

- By federal law, trapping is not permitted within the lakeshore.

- Motor vehicles are allowed only on designed roads within the lakeshore. Designated roads are those that are open to the general public and access visitor use areas.

- While in a vehicle, firearms must be unloaded and enclosed in a case or unloaded and in the trunk. Arrows must be in the quiver when afield outside legal hunting hours.

- Bait must be placed only on the ground. Unused bait must be stored in a sealed animal-proof container inside a hard-sided vehicle.

- Tree stands, hunting platforms, steps, and ladders must be portable, and cannot be affixed or attached to any tree by nails, screws, or bolts. Screw-in steps are not allowed.

- Ground blinds must be identified with the owner's name and must be removed at the end of the hunting season. Natural materials may be used but only of dead and down branches.

- Camping is allowed with a valid permit in designated sites.

- National Park Rangers and Michigan Department of Natural Resources Conservation Officers are authorized to enforce hunting and fishing regulations within the lakeshore.

 

Fishing at Pictured Rocks

With its many streams, inland lakes, and Lake Superior, the park offers a variety of fishing opportunities. Common cool water game fish include smallmouth bass, northern pike, walleye, yellow perch, whitefish, menominee, and smelt. Trout species include brook trout, rainbow trout, lake trout, and coho salmon.

An easy place for all to access during summer is the wheelchair-accessible fishing dock at Grand Sable Lake. The dock is installed during the summer months at the east end of the lake. Parking is along Alger County Road H-58.

Regulations

All fishing within the park follows Michigan Department of Natural Resources regulations.

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

You can purchase a Michigan fishing license online, through a licensed agent (check Michigan DNR website for locations) or at DNR customer service centers.

Ice Fishing

Ice fishing at the park is done mostly in the frozen nearshore areas of Munising Bay just off Sand Point Beach. Since Sand Point Road is plowed all winter, this area is the easiest frozen water body to access. Those ice fishing should ensure safe ice conditions before venturing out. Currents and wave action can affect ice formation, and the thickness of the ice can vary dramatically from one area to another. The responsibility to determine that ice is safe lies solely with the angler.

Anglers accessing Munising Bay from the Sand Point area are required to park in designated parking spaces only. The loading zone may be used temporarily to unload equipment and ice shanties. Watch for park snow plow operators in the area.

Grand Sable Lake and other inland lakes are accessible only by snowmobile in winter. Snowmobiles are permitted on designated roads, and on Grand Sable Lake and Lake Superior.

Fish Consumption Advisory

The Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) recommends that you use caution when eating certain kinds and sizes of fish from Michigan's lakes and rivers. Some fish have chemicals in them that can be harmful to human health if they are eaten too often.

The Michigan Eat Safe Fish Guides show you which fish are okay to eat in your region and how often they can be eaten. Guides are available at Eat Safe Fish Guides (michigan.gov)

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.

Exotic Aquatic Species

Anglers and resource managers across the U.S. are concerned about invasive species that threaten aquatic systems. 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.
Several occur here at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore and in nearby waters. With your help, the impact of these invaders on our lakes and rivers can be minimized.

• Boats must be clean and dry before launching into national lakeshore waters. It's Michigan law!

• Drain water from the motor, live well, bilge, and transom wells while on land before leaving the lake area.

• Inspect your boat, trailer, and boating equipment (anchors, centerboards, rollers, axles) and remove any plants or animals that are visible.

• Allow your boat and all fishing equipment to completely dry before going to another lake or river.

• Never release live bait into a water body, or release aquatic animals from one water body into another. Dispose of worms in the trash, not on land.

• Learn what these organisms look like (at least those you can see). If you suspect a new infestation of an exotic plant or animal, report it to park staff.

Additional Rules and Safety Tips

• Only electric motors are permitted on Beaver Lake and Little Beaver Lake.
• On Grand Sable Lake, horsepower is limited to 50.
• All other inland lakes are accessible only by carrying your canoe or kayak.
• Your personal floatation device won't do you any good if it is inaccessible. Wear it!
• Before venturing out, get an updated marine weather forecast and be aware of quick changes in weather and sea conditions. For Lake Superior, the only safe harbors are Munising Bay and Grand Marais Bay on either end of the national lakeshore.
• Anglers wishing to leave their boats unattended longer than 24 hours at designated stream mouths may do so with written permits from the park superintendent.

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.

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