Burt Lake, MI

About Burt Lake

Burt Lake is one of northern Michigan's premier inland fisheries, a sprawling, roughly 17,000-acre natural lake in Cheboygan County that anchors the famous Inland Waterway. Connected to Mullett Lake by the Indian River and to Crooked and Pickerel Lakes upstream via the Crooked River, Burt sits in a chain that lets boaters and fish move through a vast interconnected system. It is a relatively shallow, fertile lake by northern Michigan standards, with broad sand and gravel flats, weedy bays, and deeper basins that drop into the 60-foot range, giving anglers a tremendous variety of habitat to work.

Anglers know Burt Lake primarily as a top-tier walleye and smallmouth bass destination, with strong populations of yellow perch and a genuine shot at a trophy muskellunge. The lake's clarity, abundant baitfish, and extensive structure produce healthy, well-fed fish, and its reputation draws visitors from across the Midwest in both the open-water and hard-water seasons. With Burt Lake State Park on its southern shore and easy public access, it remains one of the most approachable big-water fisheries in the region.

Fish Species

Burt Lake supports a diverse, well-balanced fishery. The standout species anglers target most are:

• Walleye — The marquee fish here. Burt produces solid numbers of eating-size walleye plus the occasional heavyweight, relating to gravel bars, drop-offs, and the deeper basins.
• Smallmouth bass — Arguably the lake's strongest fishery. Hard sand-and-gravel flats and rocky structure grow strong, chunky smallmouth, and the clear water makes for exciting sight-fishing and topwater action.
• Yellow perch — Abundant and a favorite for panfish anglers and ice fishermen, with jumbo perch a realistic possibility over weed edges and flats.
• Muskellunge — Burt is part of the Inland Waterway's muskie range, and the lake gives dedicated anglers a real chance at a trophy fish.
• Northern pike — Found in and around weedy bays and the river mouths, providing fast action and good size.

Anglers also encounter largemouth bass in the weedier backwaters and bays, plus rock bass, bluegill, pumpkinseed, and other panfish. Cisco (lake herring) and whitefish inhabit the deeper, cooler water as well.

Best Seasons & Times

Spring: As the ice clears and water warms, walleye stage near the Indian River and Crooked River mouths and along gravel structure following the spawn, making for one of the most productive windows of the year. Smallmouth move shallow onto sand and gravel flats to spawn in late spring as water reaches the upper 50s to low 60s, and pike are aggressive in the shallow bays. Low-light periods and overcast days shine.

Summer: Fish settle into more predictable patterns. Walleye relate to deeper drop-offs, humps, and the main-lake basin, often biting best at dawn, dusk, and after dark. Smallmouth hold on rock piles and deeper gravel flats and respond well to early-morning topwater. Perch school over weed edges and flats, and summer is prime time to chase muskie around weed lines and points.

Fall: Cooling water triggers a strong feed. Walleye and smallmouth bulk up and can be caught shallower again as baitfish migrate, and fall is a classic trophy-muskie window as big fish feed heavily before winter. This is many veterans' favorite season for size.

Winter: Burt is a popular ice-fishing lake. Anglers drill for jumbo perch, walleye, pike (often on tip-ups), and panfish over flats and weed edges. Always confirm safe ice before heading out, as the connected river systems can create variable conditions.

Techniques & Baits

Walleye: Trolling crawler harnesses and spinner rigs over flats and along drop-offs covers water efficiently. Casting or trolling crankbaits at dawn, dusk, and after dark is deadly, and vertical jigging with a jig tipped with a minnow or soft plastic works on tighter structure. Night fishing shallow flats with stickbaits is a Burt Lake staple in summer.

Smallmouth bass: Tube jigs, drop-shot rigs, Ned rigs, and small swimbaits worked on sand and gravel produce consistently. In low light, topwater walkers and poppers draw explosive strikes over shallow flats. A live crawfish or leech under a slip bobber is hard to beat when fish are finicky in clear water.

Perch: Small jigs or hooks tipped with minnows, wax worms, or perch-meat over weed edges and flats; downsize and fish slow when they're picky. Ice anglers use small spoons and teardrops tipped with spikes or minnow heads.

Muskie: Large bucktails, glide baits, soft-plastic swimbaits, and topwaters cast around weed lines, points, and inlets; figure-eight every cast boatside. A heavy rod, fluorocarbon or wire leader, and proper release tools are essential.

Pike: Spoons, spinnerbaits, and large soft plastics in the weedy bays, or tip-ups with large minnows through the ice. Use a leader to prevent bite-offs.

Access & Launches

Burt Lake is well served by public access. Burt Lake State Park, on the lake's south end, offers a boat launch, camping, and shoreline access and is the best-known entry point for visitors. The Michigan DNR maintains public boat launches around the lake, and additional access exists via the connected Indian River and Crooked River for those exploring the broader Inland Waterway.

Because Burt is part of a navigable chain, boaters can travel between Burt, Mullett, Crooked, and Pickerel Lakes by water. The town of Indian River, between Burt and Mullett, provides marinas, bait shops, lodging, and supplies. Shore and dock anglers can find spots near the state park and river mouths. Confirm current launch availability, hours, and any parking or vehicle-permit requirements before your trip, as these can change seasonally.

Regulations & Licenses

A valid Michigan fishing license is required for everyone of licensing age, available online from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources or from local license dealers and bait shops. Walleye, bass, muskellunge, northern pike, and panfish are all subject to size, slot, bag, and seasonal regulations that vary by species and can change from year to year.

Some species (notably bass and muskie) have specific open seasons and minimum size limits, and muskie typically require special harvest tags and have strict length minimums. Before fishing, always review the current Michigan Fishing Guide from the DNR for up-to-date limits, seasons, and any water-specific rules. Practicing selective harvest and careful catch-and-release, especially for muskie and larger walleye and smallmouth, helps keep Burt Lake's fishery strong.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Burt Lake best known for catching?
Burt Lake is best known for walleye and smallmouth bass, with abundant yellow perch and a legitimate shot at trophy muskellunge. Its smallmouth fishery over the lake's sand and gravel flats is especially well regarded, and walleye draw anglers in both open-water and ice seasons.

When is the best time to fish Burt Lake?
Spring and fall are prime. After ice-out, walleye stage near the river mouths and gravel structure, while smallmouth move shallow to spawn in late spring. Fall produces the biggest fish, including trophy muskie, as everything feeds heavily before winter. Summer fishes well at dawn, dusk, and after dark, and winter ice fishing for perch and walleye is popular.

Can you catch muskie in Burt Lake?
Yes. Burt Lake is part of the Inland Waterway's muskellunge range and offers a real chance at a trophy muskie. Anglers cast large bucktails, glide baits, and topwaters around weed lines, points, and inlets, with summer and fall being the best windows. Use heavy tackle, a leader, and proper release tools, and check current Michigan muskie regulations, which include strict size limits and tagging requirements.

Do I need a license to fish Burt Lake?
Yes. Everyone of licensing age needs a valid Michigan fishing license, available from the Michigan DNR online or from local dealers and bait shops. Size, slot, and bag limits apply and vary by species and season, so review the current Michigan Fishing Guide before your trip.