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FRANKFORT
North Breakwater
Description
The structure is about 1,400 feet long and features a 7 1/2-foot-wide cement cap on the long outer portion, which also has a step-down ledge to each side. Disabled anglers are confined to the center cap area. Otherwise, this outer section, which begins at a bend in the structure, is accessible except it contains no railings. For safety, the City has installed ring buoys, which it removes in winter.
The first 112 feet of the breakwater is a straight section with a concrete cap that is 15 feet wide. Beginning about 325 feet from shore, the breakwater contains heavy riprap. The outer 30 feet around the lighthouse is clear.
Access
From SAC St., a portable, wooden walkway that is not barrier-free leads 200 feet to the structure.
Amenities
Anglers parallel park in 14 spaces on the south side of SAC Street. There are no facilities on site; however, a chemical toilet serves anglers who park in the lot at the west end of Main Street A half-mile to the east on the north shore of Lake Betsie is a municipal marina with barrier-free restrooms. A City-owned boat launch with barrier-free restrooms and a fish-cleaning station lies another quarter-mile east.
North Inner Pier
Description
The structure is about 400 feet long and varies from 11 to 14 feet wide at the top. An inside shelf 22 inches below the main surface is 40 inches wide and therefore not accessible to disabled anglers. From the beginning of the pier east to the Coast Guard Station at the Betsie Lake outlet, the top of the seawall is 40 inches wide, including a 24-inch-wide ledge.
Access
The City owns the shoreline property from the North Inner Pier to the North Breakwater, a distance of about 2,000 feet. Anglers may fish the surf in this stretch. To reach the pier, however, they must walk about 900 feet over sand from the parking lot at the end of Main Street.
Amenities
The paved lot accommodates 20 vehicles and is served by a chemical toilet.
What's Hot?
- Brown Trout
- Chinook Salmon
- Coho Salmon
- Menominee
- Northern Pike
- Smallmouth Bass
- Steelhead
- Yellow Perch
Frankfort is one of Lake Michigans best spots for brown trout and steelhead in spring. Summer anglers catch a few yellow perch, and the occasional northern pike and smallmouth bass. From mid August to mid September, chinook and coho salmon add to catches, along with menominee and browns in October. Steelhead fishing is often good until winter.
Tactics
Heavy casting spoons such as Mepps Syclops and K.O. Wobblers in bright colors with or without silver are good for trout and salmon. Salmon also sock Flatfish, Lindy-Little Joe Shadlings, Storm Thundersticks and Rebel Spoonbills in hot orange, yellow, or red colors. Bait anglers in fall use spawn, fished in the skein for browns and knotted into small bags for steelhead. Menominee fishermen rely on single salmon eggs or wigglers. For bait, tackle, and updated fishing information, contact The Tackle Box, 903 Main St. (231-352-5369). The Frankfort-Elberta Area Chamber of Commerce is at 515 Main St. (231-352-7251).
Stocking
The DNR annually releases an average of 14,000 brown trout yearlings to the harbor. Managers also stock yearling browns and occasional yearling steelhead at several upstream sites on the Betsie River.
Additional Information
Area Accommodations
Camping is available 4 miles south at Betsie River Campsite, 1923 River Rd. (231-352-9535), and Elberta Beach Camp Company, 601 Frankfort in Elberta (231-352-6480).
Map of Access Area & Driving Directions
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North Breakwater
From SAC St., a portable, wooden walkway that is not barrier-free leads 200 feet to the structure.
North Inner Pier
The City owns the shoreline property from the North Inner Pier to the North Breakwater, a distance of about 2,000 feet. Anglers may fish the surf in this stretch. To reach the pier, however, they must walk about 900 feet over sand from the parking lot at the end of Main Street.
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