W WRAP UP P GONE FISHING Drop a line in local waters BY KYLE DOWLING In order to regale your buddies with that tall tale of the one that got away, you first have to actually go fishing. The Greater Lansing region has plenty of fishing locales to help lure you in, but we picked a few of our favorite not-so-secret fishing holes. Before you drop a line into the water, anyone over the age of 18 must obtain a fishing license. Licenses are available at most bait shops and sporting goods stores or through the Michigan Department of Natural Resources website. Each fishing area has limits and size restrictions, which are free to download from their websites or to pick up in print from bait shops. Be sure to do your research before heading out with your pole.
Sleepy Hollow State Park Located 18 miles northeast of Lansing, Sleepy Hollow State Park is a great place to take the family or get some summertime fishing in. You can both fish and canoe on the river, which winds its way through the park’s forest. There are also many picnic shelters along the trails where you can take a break and relax. The campground inside the park has 181 sites that have electricity and restrooms, making it a great place to camp not too far away from Lansing.
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Lake Lansing Lake Lansing is a natural lake located in East Lansing. While you can fish off the shore, there is foliage around the shoreline in the summer making fishing difficult. A boat is recommended to reach better fishing waters toward the lake’s interior. Boat rentals can be found at Lake Lansing Park, along with a fishing dock, swimming beach and picnic shelters. In the winter, many people come out to ice fish on Lake Lansing.
Grand River The Grand River has many fish species, including smallmouth bass, walleye and catfish. In the spring and fall, trout, steelhead and salmon run through the river. There are many places off the Lansing River Trail that you can fish from, along with nearby parking. If you have an interest in flycasting, the section of the river downstream from the Fitzgerald Dam in Grand Ledge is a great place for trout. The Grand River joins the Red Cedar River that runs through Michigan State University, which is also a fantastic fishing spot.
Hawk Island Park The boardwalk around the lake at Hawk Island Park is a great place to take kids who would like to try fishing. When fishing, all bass must be released back into the water, but all other fish may be taken as long as the limits are followed. Unmotorized boats are allowed on the lake, but there is no boat ramp, so such crafts must be carried to the water and must stay off the island in the lake.
Burchfield Park At the Burchfield fishing pond, you must take what you catch. Because the pond is fed fish, there are limits to what you can catch, such as an 8-inch minimum size limit and only five trout daily. No more than three of those trout should be bigger than 15 inches. The limit on panfish is much more relaxed at 25. Like Hawk Island’s lake, the pond is surrounded by a boardwalk along with a fishing dock.
