Photo by Todd and Brad Reed Photography
Posted by Department of Natural Resources (DNRE) of Michigan —Bluegill fishing was consistent in the upper lake with 10-20 fish per trip when floating worms in 6 to 10 feet. Bass fishing has slowed which many believe is due to the large algae bloom on in the lake.Water temperatures were 62 degrees.
Posted by Department of Natural Resources (DNRE) of Michigan —Bluegill fishing was steady in the upper lake with boats getting 10-25 fish per trip. Most were using worms in 7 to 10 feet in front of Indian Pete’s Bayou. Pike fishing was decent though most were on the small side. Walleye fishing was slow.
Posted by Department of Natural Resources (DNRE) of Michigan —Those targeting bluegill did well in 7 to 12 feet when floating worms. Bass anglers caught largemouth along with the occasional smallmouth or pike per trip. No walleye to report. Water temperatures were near 67 degrees.
Posted by Department of Natural Resources (DNRE) of Michigan —Fishing was slow, but the bluegill fishing was starting to pick up on the upper lake. Bass fishing was decent on the lower lake. Water temps were 64 to 66 degrees.
Posted by Department of Natural Resources (DNRE) of Michigan —Fishing was still tough because of the warm water and weeds. Some did manage a couple walleye per trip in 20 to 40 feet with a crawler harness or body bait. Bass anglers did fair. Some found fish in shallow water near shore when it was calm, while others found them in 15 to 20 feet. Most were largemouth, but a couple nice smallmouth were caught in front of the dunes and on the east side of Lower Hamlin.
Posted by Department of Natural Resources (DNRE) of Michigan —Had slow fishing as the water is very dirty especially in Upper Hamlin. There are a lot of weeds both floating and submerged. Anglers did manage to get a walleye or two with a crawler harness or body bait right on the bottom in 20 to 40 feet. Bass were caught in less than 20 feet in Lower Hamlin. The panfish action was extremely slow even in deep water. With all the freshwater drum, some anglers are enjoying the action as these fish can put up a good fight.
Posted by Department of Natural Resources (DNRE) of Michigan —Overall fishing was slow. Those targeting bluegill had a tough time with only six keepers per trip. Same story with perch and crappie, lucky to get 10 keepers per trip. Bass fishing was fair. Walleye fishing on the south end was slow. Though most anglers are complaining about them there are plenty of freshwater drum to be caught. Water temperatures were up to 79 degrees which is playing a part in the slow fishing.
Posted by Department of Natural Resources (DNRE) of Michigan — Bluegill and sunfish are on their beds, but fishing was slow as the number caught was in the single digits. Bass fishing remains good with 2-4 pound largemouth caught. Walleye fishing was slow. Water temperatures were about 68 degrees.
Posted by Department of Natural Resources (DNRE) of Michigan — The bluegill and sunfish action finally picked up as good numbers of fish were taken when drifting or still-fishing with a worm and bobber in front of Barnhart’s Restaurant. Bluegills are on the beds now and have not yet spawned. Bass anglers are still doing very well with good size largemouth and the occasional smallmouth taken. A couple walleye were caught in the lower lake by those drifting or trolling. Crappie fishing slowed down but a few were caught by those targeting bluegills.
Posted by Department of Natural Resources (DNRE) of Michigan — Crappie were caught in front of Indian Pete’s Bayou when drifting minnows or plastics. The bite in front of the scout camp slowed. Bass anglers did well throughout the lake with mostly largemouth taken. Bluegill fishing remained slow as water temperatures were about 63 degrees.
Posted by Department of Natural Resources (DNRE) of Michigan — Anglers caught a good number of crappie when drifting minnows or soft plastics in front of Indian Pete’s Bayou and the boy scout camp. Bass anglers did well with a good number of largemouth taken. Bluegills were not on the beds yet but should be shortly. Water temperatures were between 59 and 63 degrees with some warmer water in the bayous.
Posted by Department of Natural Resources (DNRE) of Michigan — Crappie were caught by those drifting minnows in front of Indian Pete’s Bayou and the scout camp. The bluegill and sunfish bite was slow but a few were caught near Tamarac Village and in front of the scout camp with crawlers or wax worms. The early season bass fishing was very good.
Posted by Department of Natural Resources (DNRE) of Michigan — Had very few anglers. Those that did make it out caught a few bass and the occasional pike. Bluegills along with a few perch and crappie were caught at the far south end near Tamarac Village. Those looking for perch on the north end had no luck. Water levels were still a few inches below the normal summer levels and the water was still cold at 48 degrees.
Posted by Department of Natural Resources (DNRE) of Michigan — The lower lake is completely open water. The upper lake still had ice which should be gone by the end of the week. There was about 100 feet of open water around the edge.
Posted by Department of Natural Resources (DNRE) of Michigan — The ice along the shore has deteriorated significantly, thus limiting access. All the access points have open water. Ice fishing could be done.
Posted by Department of Natural Resources (DNRE) of Michigan — Anglers were getting panfish a half mile east of Wilson Hill Park however the action was hit-or-miss depending on the day. The better bite was in the evening. A number of crappie were caught in the crappie hole off Lincoln Road. The fish were suspended 10 feet off the bottom in 35 to 40 feet and hitting teardrop jigs with plastics, spikes or minnows. A couple walleye were caught in the evening off Duneview Drive. For the most part, fishing was slow. The only consistent bite was small perch.
Posted by Department of Natural Resources (DNRE) of Michigan — Anglers were getting panfish a half mile east of Wilson Hill Park however the action was hit-or-miss depending on the day. The better bite was in the evening. A number of crappie were caught in the crappie hole off Lincoln Road. The fish were suspended 10 feet off the bottom in 35 to 40 feet and hitting teardrop jigs with plastics, spikes or minnows. A couple walleye were caught in the evening off Duneview Drive. For the most part, fishing was slow. The only consistent bite was small perch.
Posted by Department of Natural Resources (DNRE) of Michigan — The ice is NOT safe for vehicles. Fishing improved as anglers were getting 10-15 panfish along the east side which included bluegill, crappie, sunfish and the occasional perch. Most of the perch were small. Crappie anglers fishing between Indian Pete’s Bayou and the Narrows were taking five to 10 fish per trip in 30 to 37 feet. A couple decent catches of bluegill and sunfish were taken from the North Bayou. Those fishing the walleye grounds off Duneview Road managed to get a couple legal size fish though many were too small. Pike anglers did well along the upper lake with tip-ups or when spearing though some were too small.
Posted by Department of Natural Resources (DNRE) of Michigan — Anglers were using Wilson Hill Park to access the lake, though anglers are still being advised to use caution as there may be thin spots. Catch rates slowed, with most getting 10 fish or less. Though the numbers were down, the size of the fish has been decent, with a few big crappie mixed in with the bluegills. The perch were small at 3-5 inches. Those targeting pike had limited success, and many of those caught were undersize. A few walleye were caught. Near the South Bayou, anglers were struggling to find keeper-size bluegill.
Posted by Department of Natural Resources (DNRE) of Michigan — There was six inches of ice out of Wilson Hill Park but anglers should avoid walking west out of the launch as there was open water there as of Sunday. Those targeting panfish out of Wilson Hill Park did well. Limits or near limits of bluegill, and some nice size crappie, were caught. Anglers reported an abundance of under size yellow perch in the area. Small jigs tipped with a wax worm worked best. Those targeting pike had to sort through undersized fish to find anything legal to keep.
Posted by Department of Natural Resources (DNRE) of Michigan — Was not completely froze; as there was open water on the northern sections of both the upper and lower lake. The bayous were mostly frozen however there was still some open water because of the moving water. Extreme caution needs to be used. Expect more ice to be blown open with the windy conditions.
Posted by Department of Natural Resources (DNRE) of Michigan — Was producing some walleye and decent panfish action.
Posted by Department of Natural Resources (DNRE) of Michigan — Had more steelhead showing up but the bite will slow with colder temperatures. Try fishing the deeper holes until it warms back up.
Posted by Department of Natural Resources (DNRE) of Michigan — Should also have good steelhead fishing by the end of the week as rain and warmer temperatures get the fish moving.
Vaughn Flewelling of Hamlin Grocery — Fishing has been lighter the past several days, but seeing some nice bluegill and smaller perch. We had a good-sized walleye come in around dusk on Wednesday. There’s a about 1″ of slush on top of around 6″ of good ice. Still many people fishing, but biting has slowed down. If the expected nice weather happens this weekend, the catches should start kicking back in again. Hot tackle now is anything with a glow, anglers have switched to using red spikes. Stop into Hamlin Grocery for all your fishing supplies.
Vaughn Flewelling of Hamlin Grocery — Brandon Shinsky landed a monster 46-inch, 28-pound muskie using a seven-tine Wilson spear.
Vaughn Flewelling of Hamlin Grocery — People fishing on the Indian Pete Bayou on Upper Hamlin Lake are catching nice bluegill and small lake perch. At the Narrows, there have been several nice pick caught in the last couple of days, along with some walleye. At Wilson Hill Park, Victory Park, and the old boy scout camp, the bluegill grounds are producing good catches, right up to the limits. Nice bluegill sizes from 8-10″. Wednesday this week was a little slow but the pace picked up from Wednesday evening into Thursday with multiple people catching the limit. Please be mindful of the rules about limits as the DNR has been out in full force. The ice is good, about 6 inches or more, with some slushy areas. Quads and sleds have been out this past week. Stop into Hamlin Grocery for your bait and tackle. We have a great supply of new jigs, tungstens, wax rims, spikes, red spikes, and mousies. Live bait includes perch minnows, golden shiners, suckers, blues and decoys.
Advantage Marketing Staff — According to a local fisherman: On Upper Hamlin Lake, the bluegill bite was slow, although there were reports of limit catches last weekend. However, near the end of this particular fishing session, a 24″ walleye was caught on a tungsten jig and a red spike 200 yards from Wilson Hill Park in 12 feet of water. So get out, wet a line and enjoy the great outdoors.
Here you will find past fishing reports out of Hamlin Lake from the DNR, local charter boat captains and more!
This Hamlin Lake Fishing Map details what kind of fish you might catch in various sections of the lake. Helpful for all anglers.
If there’s one thing that Hamlin Lake is known for, it’s excellent fishing. Catch crappie, bluegill, and more across thousands of acres.
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