How to Fish Mine Ponds in Michigan
Famous for its trophy fishing, Michigan offers four Great Lakes, more than 11,000 inland lakes, hundreds of rivers, streams, creeks and mine ponds. Fresh water containment ponds, remnants of mining operations, are located all across the Upper Peninsula of the Wolverine State. Many old ponds are a dangerous hazard. However, many have been reclaimed within state and federally-managed recreation areas to add to the abundance of fishing opportunities Michigan affords.
Things You'll Need
- Michigan plat map
- Fishing boat
- Fishing poles
- Jigs and bait
- Ice shanty
- Ice auger
Instructions
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Cast your line in the Groveland ponds. Located in Dickerson County near the abandoned Groveland Iron Ore Mine, the Groveland Recreation Area offers four man-made ponds, covering more than 600 acres. The ponds originally provided fresh water for producing iron ore pellets. Now they are diverse ecosystems supporting a rich population of bass, perch, crappie and bluegills. Launch your fishing boat at the newly constructed boating access sites. East Pond, West Pond and Island Pond have concrete boat ramps, gravel parking lots and restroom facilities, making the recreation area a favorite for family outings. Hiking trails, picnic areas and wildlife viewing are summer attractions. The road to the ponds is rough and requires a four-wheel drive vehicle. Because of the road condition, winter fishing is not recommended. Fishing from a boat or the bank, anglers use jigs, live bait (minnows, maggots or earthworms) or spinners to land record-setting catches. Fish the shallow waters at the edge of the ponds. The big bass hide in shadows of the bank vegetation.
The 5,637-acre recreation area is a part of the Copper County State Park, administered by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Environment (call 906-875-6622 for information on fishing conditions).
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Gene's Pond in the Copper County State Forest offers excellent fishing opportunities for northern pike, walleye, perch and bluegills. The 2.3-mile trail around the pond offers views of the old mining operations in the area. The county road to the pond is in good condition. Call 906-875-6622 for information. Fishing is free. The pond borders both Michigan and Wisconsin, so a fishing license from either state is acceptable.
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Set up a portable ice shanty during the cold winter months when the ponds are frozen solid. Auger a fishing hole and set your bait for perch, bass and crappie. Anglers report success on glow micro jigs and two-pound test line.
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Tips & Warnings
Michigan has a rich history of major metallic mining. The mining activites are focused in four main ranges. The Copper Mining District located in Keweenaw, Houghton and Ontonagon counties presents evidence of copper mining activities as long as 5,000 years ago. Today, copper continues to be produced. The Marquette Iron Range of Baraga and Marquette counties, the Menominee Iron Range of Iron and Dicerson counties and the Iron Range of Gogebic County complete the mining ranges. Fresh water containment ponds for mining operations in this vast area are numerous and sometimes an attractive hazard to Michigan fishermen. Only fish mine ponds open to the public. Do not trespass on private property. Mine sites that have not been cleared of dangerous obstacles or tested for water purity should not be used for fishing. Old mine sites present many dangers including cave-ins. Do not climb over fences or investigate mine shafts.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit fishing 1 image by Sorin Alb from Fotolia.com
