WHITE LAKE

North Breakwater

Description
The structure is about 450 to 500 feet long and features a 25-foot-wide cement walkway without railings. It is connected to a 1,200-foot-long seawall that links White Lake with Lake Michigan. The seawall has rails and a concrete walkway that is 12 feet wide.

Access
Nine-acre Medbury Park extends to Lake Michigan. Both the breakwater and seawall are connected to this park or to State land east of the park and under lease to the City of Montague. The park is open from 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. daily.

Amenities
The paved public lot provides parking for 49 vehicles. Two spaces are handicap-only, and a barrier-free, vault-toilet building is provided. A short cement walkway links to the adjacent seawall and breakwater. Funding support was provided by the Great Lakes Fishery Trust.

South Breakwater

Description
The structure is about 600 feet long and 25 feet wide and features a cement surface without railings. It is connected to a 1,200-foot-long seawall with a 12-foot-wide cement walkway and railings that are 41 inches high.

Access
Anglers reach the seaway and breakwater via a railed and ramped walkway, which is fully accessible from the adjacent parking lot at White Lake Park.

Amenities
The free park is open daily from 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Other improvements include 27 parking spaces, two of which are barrier-free, and three chemical toilets, one of which is unisex and barrier-free. Funding support was provided by the Great Lakes Fishery Trust. The park features a lighthouse and maritime museum.

• Black Crappie
• Brown Trout
• Channel Catfish
• Chinook Salmon
• Northern Pike
• Smallmouth Bass
• Steelhead
• Walleye
• Yellow Perch

Tactics
Bait anglers use spawn bags or wigglers to still-fish along bottom for browns and steelhead. Spin casters sling K.O. Wobblers, Eppinger Devle Dogs and Little Cleos in orange and gold, blue and silver, and fluorescent colors. After-hours walleye anglers toss large floating Rapalas in the channel and retrieve them slowly. Night crawlers on a jig or harness are good for bass, walleye, and catfish. Perch hit live shiner minnows. For bait, tackle, and updated fishing information, contact Johnson’s Great Outdoors, 8868 Water St. across from the Wayside Inn in Montague (231-893-6688), or Armstrong’s Bait & Tackle, 200 Lake St., in Whitehall (231-894-6753). There is a public boat launch at the municipal marina in Montague, and four others are located on the south side of White Lake between Whitehall and White Lake Park. The White Lake Area Chamber of Commerce is at 124 W. Hanson in Whitehall (231-893-4585).

Stocking
The DNR annually releases an average of 18,000 brown trout yearlings to the channel. Managers also stock White Lake with walleye fingerlings and upriver sites with steelhead yearlings.

Additional Information

• White Lake Pier Expansion
• Montague Fishing Access
• White Lake Pier Expansion
• Fruitland Township Public Access (Construction and Contingency)
• Fruitland Township Public Access (Preliminary Engineering)

Area Accommodations
Camping is available at Jerry’s Campground, 4540 Dowling St. in Montague (231-894-4903).

Map of Access Area & Driving Directions

North Breakwater From US-31, exit at Montague, take Water St. to Dowling St., turn right 2 blocks to Old Channel Tr., and go about 3 miles to Lamos/Old Channel Tr. Turn left and drive 2 miles to Lau Rd., then continue 1¼2 mile to Medbury Park. Nine-acre Medbury Park extends to Lake Michigan. Both the breakwater and seawall are connected to this park or to State land east of the park and under lease to the City of Montague. The park is open from 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. daily. South Breakwater From US-31, exit on White Lake Dr. and proceed 4 miles to South Shore Dr. Turn left and go 4 miles to Murray St., then continue for 1.2 miles to White Lake Park. Anglers reach the seaway and breakwater via a railed and ramped walkway, which is fully accessible from the adjacent parking lot at White Lake Park.