Size
NA
Boat Launch
Carry-in Launch
Toilet
No
Boat Dock
Species in Elk River
Overview
A wide variety of species are available. Anglers target lake trout, smallmouth bass, perch and rainbow smelt. 125 square miles
Elk River Map
Features
Traverse City and the Grand Traverse Bay area has been one of Michigan's most popular tourist destinations for many years. In addition to fishing, pleasure boating, golfing, biking, sightseeing, camping and hiking are also popular. There are numerous motels, hotels, resorts and cottages that offer lodging. A wide range of tourist attractions and family activities are available in the area. Special fishing regulations apply to Grand Traverse Bay and the Boardman River. Most notably, there is a 24-inch minimum size limit on lake trout and a shorter season that runs from May 1 to Labor Day. Check the current regulations booklet for details on the fish refuge near the Boardman River weir. Tribal(Native American) fishing rights are exercised in the waters of Grand Traverse Bay north of the 45th parallel. Gill netting is the primary means of harvest.
Forage
Smelt, alewife, spottail shiner and emerald shiner.
Weather
62°Feels like 62°
70°
54°
70°54°6:54 AM
8:33 PM
9 mph
Northwest
0 in
Rain
29.94 inHg
Falling
MondayMo
70° / 54°
TuesdayTu
79° / 61°
WednesdayWe
80° / 62°
ThursdayTh
74° / 58°
FridayFr
73° / 55°
SaturdaySa
77° / 63°
Moon Phase
August 24, 2026
87% Illumination
waxing gibbous, getting brighter
MondayMo08/24
TuesdayTu08/25
WednesdayWe08/26
ThursdayTh08/27
FridayFr08/28
SaturdaySa08/29
SundaySu08/30
Get Your Line in the Right Water
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Top Fish Species
Brown trout
No survey data
Abundance (CPUE)
Understanding Abundance
Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time
Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.Species Lengths
