|
|
HOLLAND
North Breakwater
Description
About 900 feet of the 1,000-foot-long structure contains riprap. The first 300 feet features railings on both sides and a barrier-free cement walkway. The next 600 feet is not fully accessible to disabled anglers because the cement structure assumes a modified pyramid design with the flat top section being only about 3 feet wide. The lower shelves or walkways are only slightly wider, precluding wheelchair access. The final 100 feet is about 30 feet wide, affording anglers easy access to Lake Michigan on either side. There are no railings or any riprap in this outer section.
Access
The day-use area of Holland State Park provides access from a paved walkway that leads from the paved parking lot. The distance is about 1/8 mile. Hours of operation are 8:00 a.m. until dark, and anglers must affix a valid state park sticker to their vehicle windshield. Limited free parking is available outside the day-use area, about 1¼4 mile away, along the paved access route.
Anglers can also fish along 1,300 feet of channel connecting Lake Macatawa to Lake Michigan. A barrier-free, paved walkway leads from the Lake Michigan Campground unit of the state park to this area; otherwise the access route is across sand. A seawall of steel sheet piling protects the channel. Although guard rails are in place and the cement cap is 4 feet wide in some areas, it is not fully accessible to disabled anglers because several concrete benches must be negotiated. A single barrier-free restroom is located at the edge of the parking lot.
Amenities
This parking lot, and several others in the day-use area, can accommodate more than 700 vehicles, including those with handicap permits. Barrier-free rest-rooms and a food concession are available.
South Breakwater
Description
There is no public access. This structure and the channel seawall are on private property or located next to it.
What's Hot?
- Brown Trout
- Chinook Salmon
- Coho Salmon
- Freshwater Drum (sheephead)
- Smallmouth Bass
- Steelhead
- Walleye
- Yellow Perch
Anglers catch a veritable smorgasbord of species. Spring action is good for coho and chinook salmon, and summer anglers take smallmouth bass, walleye, and some yellow perch. Freshwater drum (sheephead) offer solid sport, too. From late July through mid September, salmon provide the excitement, along with occasional steelhead and brown trout.
Tactics
Most walleye and smallmouth are taken on night crawlers pinned to crawler harnesses or stand-up jigs. Hopkins spoons, tipped with minnows or fished clean, also rate. For perch, fish minnows or shrimp on a spreader or slider rig; for drum, use leaf worms or waxworms. Locals like Hot n Tots and other cranks in orange or
fluorescent colors for salmon. Few anglers fish spawn, which should take browns and steelhead. For bait, tackle, and updated fishing information, contact American Tackle Outfitters, just east of the park at 360 Douglas Rd. (616-392-6688), or The General Store, 256 Douglas Rd. (616-399-9370). A public boat launch is located 11¼2 miles east of the park entrance on Douglas Rd. The Holland Area Chamber of Commerce is at 272 E. 8th St. (616-392-2389), and the Holland Area Convention and Visitors Bureau is at 76 E. 8th St. (616-394-0000).
Stocking
The DNR annually releases to the Macatawa River an average of 100,000 chinook fingerlings, 10,000 steelhead yearlings, and 17,000 brown trout yearlings. Lake Macatawa sometimes receives walleyes.
Additional Information
Area Accommodations
Camping is available at Holland State Park (616-399-9390).
Map of Access Area & Driving Directions
|
|
|
North Breakwater
From US-31 north of Holland, take Exit #55 west 1 mile to
Douglas/Ottawa Beach Rd. Turn left and drive 7 miles to the Holland State Park entrance.
The day-use area of Holland State Park provides access from a paved walkway that leads from the paved parking lot. The distance is about 1/8 mile. Hours of operation are 8:00 a.m. until dark, and anglers must affix a valid state park sticker to their vehicle windshield. Limited free parking is available outside the day-use area, about 1¼4 mile away, along the paved access route.
Anglers can also fish along 1,300 feet of channel connecting Lake Macatawa to Lake Michigan. A barrier-free, paved walkway leads from the Lake Michigan Campground unit of the state park to this area; otherwise the access route is across sand. A seawall of steel sheet piling protects the channel. Although guard rails are in place and the cement cap is 4 feet wide in some areas, it is not fully accessible to disabled anglers because several concrete benches must be negotiated. A single barrier-free restroom is located at the edge of the parking lot.
|
|
