North Bay Houghton Lake

Houghton Lake is the largest lake in the state of Michigan. The lake offers a variety of attracts and accommodations for anglers and other water recreationists alike. Ice fishing is popular, and walleye, northern pike and panfish all attract attention from anglers. Many resorts offer ice house rentals and maintain plowed roads on the lake for thousands of anglers each year. The Houghton Lake Chamber of Commerce hosts a popular ice fishing festival annually. During past road constructions, sand was taken from the lake basin to provide fill. Approximately 76 depressions were formed that ranged in depth from 10 to 20 feet and 200 to 300 feet wide. Most of the holes are within 500 feet of shore. Locals refer to these depressions as “Sandsucker Holes”.

Spottail shiner, common shiner, fathead minnow and bluntnose minnow are common. Walleye and northern pike prey heavily on perch.

There is a significant movement of spawning northern pike up The Cut and other weedy areas with muck bottom in early spring. Spawning walleye move into Denton Creek, The Cut and into a number of smaller inlets in early spring.