Northern Pike

If you’re after Northern Pike in southern Michigan, Bronson could be a good starting point. While not known as a pike mecca, the area's interconnected lakes and waterways can hold some surprises. Focus your efforts on lakes with healthy weed growth and plenty of forage fish. Look for pike in areas adjacent to spawning grounds in early spring (ice-out to late April) and around weed edges throughout the summer and fall. Tip: Try fishing larger swimbaits or jerkbaits in areas where you suspect pike are ambushing prey. Consider exploring the chain of lakes connected to the St. Joseph River; these often hold pike that move between different habitats throughout the year. Many of the lakes around Bronson have public access points, but launch facilities can be limited, so be sure to check conditions before heading out. The pike in this region tend to be ambush predators, so focus on areas that provide cover and concealment.