Burt Lake Michigan, MI

About Burt Lake Michigan

Burt Lake is one of Northern Michigan's premier inland fisheries, a large, deep, clear lake covering roughly 17,000 acres in Cheboygan County near the village of Indian River. It sits as the second-largest link in the famed Inland Waterway, a chain of lakes and rivers connecting Crooked Lake, Burt Lake, Mullett Lake and the Cheboygan River out to Lake Huron. The Sturgeon River and Crooked River both feed it, and the Indian River carries water on toward Mullett, giving Burt a steady flow of cool, fertile water and excellent fish movement throughout the system.

Anglers know Burt Lake best as a top-tier walleye and smallmouth bass destination, but it is a genuine multi-species lake with healthy populations of muskellunge, northern pike, yellow perch, rock bass and panfish. With a mix of expansive sand flats, weed edges, drop-offs and deep basins reaching well past 70 feet, it rewards anglers who learn its structure. Its size, clarity and varied habitat make it a popular open-water and hard-water fishery alike, drawing crowds for its winter perch and walleye action as well as its summer bass and muskie pursuit.

Fish Species

Burt Lake supports a strong, diverse gamefish community. The standouts are walleye and smallmouth bass, but several other species draw dedicated anglers.

• Walleye — The lake's marquee species, naturally reproducing and supplemented by stocking over the years. Burt produces both good numbers and quality fish, especially around sand-to-weed transitions and deeper structure.
• Smallmouth bass — Abundant and hard-fighting, thriving on the lake's rocky reefs, sand flats and weed edges. Burt is regarded as one of the better smallmouth lakes in the region.
• Muskellunge — Burt and the connected Inland Waterway hold a respected muskie fishery, including the Great Lakes-strain musky. Trophy potential is real for anglers willing to put in the hours.
• Northern pike — Common in the weedier bays and along cabbage edges, providing fast action and the occasional big fish.
• Yellow perch — A huge draw, especially through the ice, with schools roaming the deeper flats and basin.
• Largemouth bass, rock bass, bluegill and pumpkinseed — Rounding out the panfish and warmwater options around shallow weeds, docks and bays.

Best Seasons & Times

Spring: As the ice clears, walleye stage near the river mouths — the Sturgeon, Crooked and Indian Rivers — and along warming shoreline breaks. Smallmouth move shallow to stage and spawn on sand and gravel as water temperatures climb into the 50s and 60s. Pike are aggressive in the back bays right after ice-out. Low-light and after-dark periods are productive for walleye.

Summer: Fish spread out and use the lake's deeper structure. Walleye relate to weed edges, drop-offs and the basin, often biting best at dawn, dusk and into the night. Smallmouth hold on rock humps, reefs and deep weedlines. This is prime time to chase muskie along cabbage beds and over flats. Perch group up on the deeper sand flats.

Fall: Cooling water triggers some of the year's best fishing. Walleye and smallmouth feed heavily to put on weight, frequently in the same areas and catchable on bigger baits. Muskie anglers target this window hard, as fall produces many of the season's largest fish. Pike push back toward shallower cover.

Winter: Burt is a major ice-fishing destination. Yellow perch are the headline attraction, with anglers fanning out across the deeper flats and basin to find roaming schools. Walleye are taken through the ice at first and last light, and pike provide tip-up action over weed flats. Always confirm safe ice before heading out — a large lake like Burt can have inconsistent and current-affected ice near river mouths.

Techniques & Baits

Walleye: Trolling crawler harnesses and crankbaits along weed edges and drops covers water and locates fish during summer. Jigging with a leadhead tipped with a minnow or soft plastic works well in spring near river mouths and over structure. Slip-bobber rigs with leeches or minnows shine along weed lines, and lighted-board or night trolling can be deadly in the warm months. Live bait — leeches, nightcrawlers and minnows — is the backbone of the Burt Lake walleye program.

Smallmouth bass: Tube jigs, drop-shot rigs, Ned rigs and small swimbaits fished on rock, gravel and sand are consistent producers. Crayfish-imitating soft plastics match the forage well. In spring and fall, jerkbaits and crankbaits worked over flats and reefs draw aggressive strikes.

Muskie: Cast or troll large bucktails, gliders, rubber baits and big crankbaits along cabbage edges, over flats and near transitions. Fall is the time for oversized rubber and soft-tail baits. Always carry proper release tools — long-nose pliers, a big net and cutters.

Pike: Spoons, spinnerbaits and large soft plastics around shallow weeds; tip-ups with large shiners or suckers through the ice.

Perch: Small jigs and teardrops tipped with minnows, wax worms or spikes, fished near bottom on the deeper flats — open water in summer and through the ice in winter.

Access & Launches

Burt Lake is well served by public access. The Michigan DNR maintains public boat launches on the lake, and a state park on the southern shore near Indian River provides additional shoreline access, a beach and a launch area. Because Burt is part of the Inland Waterway, boaters can travel by water between connected lakes and rivers, making it possible to launch on one body of water and fish several. Marinas, liveries and small resorts in and around the Indian River area offer additional services, fuel and seasonal rentals. Shore and pier access is more limited on a lake this size, so a boat or kayak greatly expands your options. As always, confirm current launch availability and any seasonal conditions locally before your trip, and use caution navigating near the river channels and current-affected areas.

Regulations & Licenses

A valid Michigan fishing license is required for everyone of fishing age, and licenses are available online through the Michigan DNR or from local retailers. Burt Lake is generally managed under statewide inland-water regulations, but seasons, minimum size limits, daily bag limits and gear restrictions vary by species and can change from year to year — walleye, bass, muskellunge and pike in particular carry specific size and possession rules, and muskie fishing is catch-conscious with strict size minimums. Before keeping fish, check the current Michigan Fishing Guide for the season dates, slot and size limits, and bag limits that apply to Burt Lake and the Inland Waterway. Practice careful catch-and-release for muskie and oversized fish, and follow all consumption advisories published by state health authorities.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fish is Burt Lake best known for?
Burt Lake is best known for its walleye and smallmouth bass, both of which are abundant and high quality. It also has a respected muskellunge fishery, strong yellow perch and northern pike populations, and good panfishing, making it a true multi-species lake.

When is the best time to fish Burt Lake?
Spring (near river mouths after ice-out) and fall are the standout windows for walleye and smallmouth, with fall producing many of the biggest muskie. Summer offers great bass, muskie and night walleye fishing, while winter is a major ice-fishing draw for perch and walleye. Dawn, dusk and after dark are typically the most productive times for walleye.

Can you ice fish on Burt Lake?
Yes. Burt Lake is a popular ice-fishing destination, especially for yellow perch on the deeper flats and basin, with walleye at first and last light and pike on tip-ups over weed flats. Because it is a large lake fed by rivers, always verify safe ice thickness and stay clear of current near the river mouths.

Do I need a license to fish Burt Lake, and what are the limits?
Yes, a valid Michigan fishing license is required for all anglers of fishing age. Size and bag limits vary by species and change periodically, and muskie carries strict minimum size rules, so check the current Michigan Fishing Guide from the DNR for the seasons and limits that apply before keeping any fish.