Houghton Lake

Houghton Lake

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Size
17,608ac
Boat Launch
Yes
Carry-in Launch
No
Toilet
Yes
Boat Dock
No
Species in Houghton Lake
Walleye
Walleye
Largemouth bass
Largemouth bass
Perch
Perch
Crappie
Crappie
Smallmouth bass
Smallmouth bass
Northern pike
Northern pike
Bluegill
Bluegill
Spotted bass
Spotted bass
Striped Bass
Striped Bass
White bass
White bass

Overview

Houghton Lake Map

Features

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”.

Forage

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

Seasonal Movements

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.
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Fish Species

Bluegill
fish
No survey data
Abundance (CPUE)
No abundance data
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
No Survey Data
Crappie
fish
No survey data
Abundance (CPUE)
No abundance data
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
No Survey Data
Largemouth bass
fish
No survey data
Abundance (CPUE)
No abundance data
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
No Survey Data
Northern pike
fish
No survey data
Abundance (CPUE)
No abundance data
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
No Survey Data
Perch
fish
No survey data
Abundance (CPUE)
No abundance data
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
No Survey Data
Smallmouth bass
fish
No survey data
Abundance (CPUE)
No abundance data
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
No Survey Data
Spotted bass
fish
No survey data
Abundance (CPUE)
No abundance data
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
No Survey Data
Striped Bass
fish
No survey data
Abundance (CPUE)
No abundance data
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
No Survey Data
Walleye
fish
No survey data
Abundance (CPUE)
No abundance data
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
No Survey Data
White bass
fish
No survey data
Abundance (CPUE)
No abundance data
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
No Survey Data

Nearby Lakes

waterbodys

Houghton Lake Flats Flooding

Size: 10 acres

Fish Species: 2

Boat Launch: No

waterbodys

North Bay Houghton Lake

Size: 2473 acres

Fish Species: 6

Boat Launch: No

waterbodys

Lake Co-Be-Ac

Size: 15 acres

Fish Species: NA

Boat Launch: No

Backus Creek

Size: NA

Fish Species: 9

Boat Launch: No

waterbodys

Lake James

Size: 182 acres

Fish Species: 2

Boat Launch: No

waterbodys

Ryan Lake

Size: 15 acres

Fish Species: NA

Boat Launch: No

The Cut

Size: NA

Fish Species: 4

Boat Launch: No