Fall - The Best Time of the Year for the Outdoors

One of the appeals of Michigan is our four seasons. The seasons offer up some of the best hunting and fishing opportunities in the Midwest. Winter has ice fishing, spring has turkey hunting and trout fishing, summer offers great inland lake bass fishing and big Great Lake salmon fishing. However, without question, any outdoors person would tell you that fall is the best time of year for hunting and fishing opportunities.

Fall is the best season because it provides so many opportunities to fish and hunt, all while enjoying the incredible fall colors. The weather is generally pleasant and predictable; it’s cool but not too cold.

With the exception of trout fishing on many streams ending on the September 30th, there are still several streams open all year, with inland lakes and the Great Lakes still available.

Additionally, hunting seasons open. September brings the openers of goose and small game season. October brings duck and pheasant season. Meanwhile, various seasons for deer hunting open with the youth, bow, and gun seasons.

Think of this. On a given day in October, an outdoor person’s itinerary in an area like West Michigan could be:

6:00 AM – 9:00 AM Bow hunt

10:00 AM – 12:00 PM Grouse hunt

1:30 PM – 4:00 Steelhead fishing

4:30 PM – 7:00 PM Back in the bow stand!

If one was in Northern Michigan, you would follow the same itinerary, just hit the AuSable River for some non-possession trout fishing. Or, if you were in Northeast Michigan, head out on Grand or Long Lake for walleye!

What a complete day! Only fall in Michigan brings such great opportunities.

While bow hunting and grouse hunting success is unique to each state and private game area you are hunting, fishing opportunities around the state can be checked regularly. Calling local bait shops is also a great way to check.

Additionally, go to the Michigan DNR fishing report for up-to-date fishing reports. For typical spots when the salmon and steelhead are running, be sure to check the Pere Marquette, Manistee, Betsie, and Little Manistee on the west side. On the Northeast side, check the Thunder Bay or Ocequoc river. And for a real adventure, head up to the Upper Peninsula to the Two Hearted River.

Get outside in the fall in Michigan – it is truly the best time of year to enjoy so many hunting and fishing adventures.