Free Fishing Weekends

The State of Michigan offers two free fishing weekends every year, in February and June. In 2020, the weekends are February 15 & 16 and June 13 & 14. For two days, all fishing license fees are waived, though regulations are still in effect. It gives everyone the opportunity to try this great outdoor sport.

Ice Fishing Tournaments

Monster Pike Ice Fishing Tournament on Pere Marquette Lake
Pere Marquette Expeditions of Ludington sponsors the Monster Pike Tournament January 25, 2020. Entry fee is $10, and the longest fish wins.

Pentwater Lake Perch Fishing Tournament
The Pentwater Lake Perch Fishing Tournament is part of Winterfest in Pentwater.

Osborn's Big Ice Fishing Contest
Osborn's Sport Shop, Bear Lake, sponsors its annual Big Ice Fishing Tournament February 8 & 9, 2020.

Gettin' Jiggy Ice Fishing Tournament
Pere Marquette Expeditions sponsors the Gettin' Jiggy Ice Fishing Tournament February 15, 2020 and coincides with the Free Fishing Weekend in Michigan.

Finny Slam Fishing Tournament
Also sponsored by Pere Marquette Expeditions is the Finny Slam Fishing Tournament, to be held March 14, 2020.

Summer Fishing Tournaments

Ludington Offshore Fishing Classic on Lake Michigan
The biggest tournament of the summer is the Ludington Offshore Classic, with cash and prizes given away. This year's event will be held July 13-19, 2020 and includes a Ladies Pro/Am, Youth Classic, a Big Fish Contest and the Classic Big Boys Contest. In the afternoon as the boats make their way in, hundreds head to Ludington's Waterfront Park to watch the weigh-in. The size of some of the fish are quite incredible.

Fall Fishing Salmon Run

Autumn fishing in West Michigan is the best around--and you don't have to fight the crowds to catch the big one. The fall salmon run at the Hamlin Dam within the Ludington State Park is the place to be, or try for brown trout and salmon in Pere Marquette Lake. From Big Sable Point down to Little Sable Point, the salmon and steelhead are there for the taking.

Manistee County Fishing Tournaments
With so many area lakes as well as Lake Michigan right in our backyards, area fishermen have a variety of Manistee County Fishing Tournaments to take part in each year in Manistee County, sponsored and hosted by different organizations.

More Fishing in the Ludington Area...

For more activities & attractions, check out these additional links for Things to Do in West Michigan:

Ludington Activities & Things to Do -- Play on a beautiful beach, take a tour at Historic White Pine Village, or explore the barn quilt trail, murals or sculptures in the county--Ludington offers many fun things to do for the entire family!
Have Fun in Manistee, Michigan -- Explore Manistee's historic downtown district and riverwalk, hike the Manistee National Forest, canoe on the Manistee River, and more.
Hamlin Lake -- Just 4 miles north of Ludington, Hamlin Lake is a great destination for boating, fishing and climbing dunes! The Hamlin Lake shoreline is also part of the Ludington State Park.
Silver Lake Sand Dunes -- Visiting the Silver Lake Sand Dunes makes for a terrific vacation because you can take your off-road vehicle for a spin on the scenic sand dunes overlooking Lake Michigan and Silver Lake.
Things to Do in Pentwater, Michigan -- Nothing is quite like the quaint, artsy, harbortown village of Pentwater. Don't miss the popular Charles Mears State Park beach on Pentwater's Lake Michigan shoreline.
Lots of Activities in Scottville, Michigan -- Explore the Riverside Park along the National Scenic Pere Marquette River.
Canoeing or Fishing on the Pere Marquette River -- Many boat liveries offer canoe rentals.
Also, check out West Michigan Guides and our locally produced WestMichigan.MichBiz.com directory for our largest lists of Things to Do in West Michigan.