In the upper Midwest, a mitten of land lies neatly ensconced within 5 of the most fascinating freshwater bodies of water in the United States: the Great Lakes. Forming the largest group of freshwater lakes on the entire Earth, Lakes Ontario, Huron, Erie, Michigan and Superior are also great fishing lakes, home to many different species of fish for varying tastes and angling pleasure.
The Great Lakes were formed at the conclusion of the last Ice Age when melted ice water filled glacially formed basins. These waters were crucial to the survival of several Native American tribes that lived along the shorelines, as fish was an important dietary factor. Catching of whitefish, trout and sturgeon was performed in bark canoes using nets in warm weather, and spear fishing through the ice in winter. Fishing not only continued but increased in ensuing years by settlers of all nationalities as the Great Lakes developed into a commercial 
fishing arena. Due to the eventual over fishing, water pollution, destruction of valuable shoreline habitats and assorted invasive species introduced into the Lakes, commercial fishing is now a bygone era, lingering only in limited amounts in the United States, although Canada avidly pursues commercial fishing on Lake Erie.
Recreational fishing of the Great Lakes, however, flourishes today. While the great sturgeon is now a rarity in the waters, a result of the over fishing phenomenon, a variety of other species are plentiful. Each one of the Lakes showcases its own predominant species of fish, with Lake Erie being the most productive of the fishing lakes. Lake Superior is probably the most “superior” in fishing prowess, providing a home for lake whitefish, smelt, herring and yellow perch. Lake whitefish is also a great catch in Lake Huron, along with yellow perch, walleye and salmon. For Lake Ontario, catches of salmon, smallmouth bass, yellow perch and trout are touted as the mainstay.
Fly fishing on the Great Lakes is a favorite activity of many anglers. Lake St. Clair, a major contributor to the Great Lakes chain, provides some of the best fly fishing opportunities in the state, with catches of smallmouth and largemouth bass, muskie, northern pike, carp, bullhead, steelhead, sturgeon, perch, salmon and walleye attracting anglers from miles around. Charter boat companies abound in this area to meet the demanding needs of the many who seek to fish this bountiful lake joining Lakes Huron and Erie.
Aside from the lakes themselves, many tributaries from the Great Lakes provide ample fishing opportunities, offering up catches of bluegill, perch, pike and bass, both smallmouth and largemouth. Smelt dipping in early spring is an annual event eagerly anticipated by many who line up armed with nets and buckets along river tributaries from Lake Superior and Lake Michigan.
The varied species of fish and the lengthy fishing season of April to December are just two of the factors that make the Great Lakes such good fishing lakes. The added bonus is to simply enjoy the beauty and mystery of the Great Lakes.
