Leelanau

Leelanau County sits at the tip of Michigan's Little Traverse Bay, a peninsula that juts into Lake Michigan with some of the state's most distinctive water. The county's character comes from its mix of deep, cold lakes inland and the big water of the bay itself—each with different fish and different seasons. Whether you're targeting walleye in the smaller lakes, smallmouth bass along rocky shorelines, or lake trout in deeper water, Leelanau offers variety that rewards anglers who understand what each body of water holds.

These articles cover the practical questions that come up when you fish here: which lakes hold what species, how seasons change the bite, where to find structure that holds fish, and how the geography of the peninsula shapes your approach. You'll learn what makes Leelanau's waters distinct from other Michigan fisheries and how to read the conditions that matter most.