White River

White Lake is one of several “river lakes”(others include Muskegon, Manistee and Pere Marquette) along the eastern shoreline of Lake Michigan. The movement of trout, salmon, perch and walleye from Lake Michigan into White Lake via the White River offers anglers the chance to catch big-water fish within the shelter and safety of a small lake. The upper end of the lake, north of the narrows, is a no-wake zone. Boat traffic from several marinas and boat landings in this area can be heavy, especially in summer.

Gizzard shad, spottail shiner, emerald shiner, and juvenile perch provide the primary forage for gamefish throughout the year. Lake Michigan alewife move into White Lake in early summer and remain until the end of July. Most gamefish rely on alewife during this six-week period each year. Insect larvae and crayfish also contribute to the food chain.

Steelhead move into White Lake from Lake Michigan in both spring and fall. Steelhead can be found in White Lake as early as ice-out in mid-March all the way up until the end of May. Another run occurs in fall from mid-October until freeze up. There is a migration of chinook salmon from Lake Michigan into White Lake and up the White River. The chinook run usually starts in mid-September and lasts throughout the fall. Walleye migrate up the White River in spring beginning in March. After spawning, these fish move back downstream and disperse throughout the lake.