Higgins Lake, MI

About Higgins Lake

Higgins Lake is one of northern Michigan's most celebrated inland lakes, a large, exceptionally clear, deep-water fishery straddling Roscommon and Crawford counties. Covering roughly 10,000 acres with a maximum depth near 135 feet and a hard sand-and-gravel bottom, it has long been admired for water clarity that rivals far larger lakes. That cold, clean, well-oxygenated water is the key to what makes Higgins special: it is one of the few inland lakes in the state that supports a genuine two-story fishery, holding both cold-water species like lake trout in the depths and warm-water species like smallmouth bass and yellow perch along its extensive shoals.

Anglers know Higgins Lake first and foremost for its lake trout and its outstanding smallmouth bass, but it is equally famous as a destination for jumbo yellow perch and a popular ice-fishing lake in winter. Its sheer size, deep basins, and gin-clear water demand a finesse approach and reward anglers who pay attention to depth, structure, and light. It is a lake where electronics, light line, and patience matter more than brute force.

Fish Species

Higgins Lake supports a diverse mix of cold- and warm-water gamefish thanks to its depth and clarity:

• Lake trout — The marquee cold-water species, holding deep over the lake's main basins. Higgins is one of the better inland lake trout fisheries in Michigan.
• Smallmouth bass — Abundant and a major draw, smallmouth thrive on the lake's rock, gravel, and sand structure and fight hard in the clear water.
• Yellow perch — Higgins is well known for quality perch, including jumbos, which are a staple target both in open water and through the ice.
• Rock bass — Common around rocky structure and a reliable bite for anglers of all skill levels.
• Walleye — Present and pursued, often around low-light periods and structure edges, though not the lake's primary claim to fame.
• Whitefish and burbot — Cold-water species that share the deep basins; whitefish in particular draw a dedicated following.
• Largemouth bass, bluegill, pumpkinseed and other panfish — Found in the shallower, weedier bays and near-shore areas.

The standout reputation rests on lake trout and smallmouth bass, with jumbo perch a close and beloved third.

Best Seasons & Times

Spring: As ice goes out and water is still cold, lake trout can be caught relatively shallow before they slide deep, making spring one of the best windows to target them. Smallmouth move toward shallow gravel and sand flats as water warms toward spawning, offering excellent sight-fishing in the clear water. Perch group up and feed actively. Early morning and the warmest part of midday can both produce.

Summer: Stratification sets up and the cold-water species pull deep — lake trout and whitefish hold over the deepest basins, requiring downriggers, lead-core, or deep jigging to reach them. Smallmouth set up on mid-depth rock and gravel structure and drop-offs. In the extreme clarity, low-light periods at dawn and dusk are far more productive than bright midday sun. Night fishing can pay off for several species.

Fall: Cooling water pulls smallmouth and perch back toward feeding zones and turns on aggressive pre-winter feeding. Lake trout begin staging and become more catchable as they prepare to spawn over rocky shoals. Fall is a prime trophy window for both trout and big smallmouth.

Winter: Higgins is a major ice-fishing destination when safe ice forms. Perch are the bread-and-butter target through the ice, with anglers also pursuing whitefish, lake trout, and the occasional walleye. As always on a deep, clear lake, dawn and dusk are peak feeding periods. Always verify ice conditions before heading out — a large, deep lake can have variable and unreliable ice.

Techniques & Baits

Because of the lake's exceptional clarity, finesse presentations and light, low-visibility line consistently outproduce heavy tackle.

• Lake trout: In open water, troll the deep basins with downriggers or lead-core line using spoons, dodger-and-fly combos, or trolling plugs to reach suspended fish. Vertical jigging with heavy spoons or tube jigs over deep structure is also effective once you locate fish on electronics. In early spring and through the ice they can be taken shallower.
• Smallmouth bass: Drop-shot rigs, tube jigs, Ned rigs, and small soft-plastic craws worked along rock and gravel drop-offs are deadly. Live crayfish and nightcrawlers excel. In clear water, natural colors and a quiet approach matter. Topwater and jerkbaits can shine during low-light spring and fall windows.
• Yellow perch: Small jigs or hooks tipped with minnows, perch-eye, or wax worms fished near bottom over sand and gravel flats. In winter, small spoons and jigging minnows tipped with bait through the ice produce jumbos. Locate schools and stay mobile.
• Walleye: Work low-light periods with jig-and-minnow combos, crawler harnesses, or trolled crankbaits along structure edges and depth transitions.
• Whitefish: Light jigging spoons and small jigs tipped with bait over deep water, both open-water and through the ice.

Quality electronics to find fish and structure, and fluorocarbon or light line, are worth their weight on this lake.

Access & Launches

Higgins Lake is a large, popular lake with public access available to both boat and shore anglers. The state of Michigan maintains public boat launches on the lake, and there are state park lands and public-access points around its shoreline that serve anglers, swimmers, and boaters. The surrounding Roscommon-area communities offer the usual supporting services — bait and tackle, lodging, and resorts — common to a well-established northern Michigan fishing destination.

Because much of the shoreline is privately developed with cottages and homes, plan to launch from or fish near designated public-access sites rather than assuming open shoreline access. The lake's size means wind and boat traffic can be significant; smaller craft should watch the weather, and anglers fishing the deep basins should be prepared for open-water conditions. For exact launch locations, ramp details, and any parking or use fees, check current Michigan DNR and state park information before your trip, as facilities and fees can change seasonally.

Regulations & Licenses

A valid Michigan fishing license is required for anyone fishing Higgins Lake, and licenses can be purchased online or from local retailers. Michigan sets size, slot, bag, and possession limits that vary by species and can change from year to year, and certain species or seasons may carry specific rules. Cold-water species such as lake trout and whitefish in particular often have their own regulations.

Before fishing, review the current Michigan Department of Natural Resources fishing guide for the rules that apply to this lake and to each species you intend to target, including any seasonal closures, gear restrictions, and ice-fishing regulations. Practicing selective harvest and careful catch-and-release — especially for trophy smallmouth and lake trout — helps sustain the quality of this special fishery.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fish is Higgins Lake best known for?
Higgins Lake is best known for its lake trout and smallmouth bass, with jumbo yellow perch a close third. Its deep, exceptionally clear, cold water supports a true two-story fishery, holding cold-water species like lake trout and whitefish in the depths alongside smallmouth, perch, and walleye on the shoals.

How deep is Higgins Lake and why does that matter for fishing?
Higgins Lake reaches roughly 135 feet deep across its main basins and is about 10,000 acres. That depth and its cold, clean water are what allow it to hold lake trout and whitefish year-round. In summer those species pull into the deep basins, so reaching them takes downriggers, lead-core line, or deep vertical jigging, while smallmouth and perch stay on the structure and flats.

When is the best time to catch lake trout on Higgins Lake?
Spring and fall are prime. Right after ice-out the trout are often shallower and more catchable, and in fall they stage over rocky shoals before spawning. In summer they go deep and require trolling or deep jigging, and they can also be targeted through the ice in winter. Low-light periods at dawn and dusk are generally best.

What baits and techniques work best on Higgins Lake's clear water?
Because the water is so clear, finesse and light, low-visibility line matter a lot. For smallmouth, use drop-shot rigs, tube jigs, Ned rigs, and live crayfish or nightcrawlers on rock and gravel. For perch, fish small jigs tipped with minnows near bottom. For lake trout, troll spoons or dodger-fly combos deep, or vertically jig heavy spoons over the basins. Fishing dawn, dusk, or low light dramatically improves results.