What is the best time of the year for someone who loves the outdoors? Speaking as someone who loves to hunt and fish, and who has had the privilege of going all around our great state, this simple question is rather hard to answer. For sportsmen and women around Michigan, each season is special and unique.
Winter
The frozen lakes that call us out onto the hard water are for sure special. Chasing smelt on Higgins Lake, or one of the many other ice fishing opportunities around the state, are a favorite. The annual pilgrimage to Black Lake, in hopes of spearing a sturgeon, is another highlight for many Michiganders. There’s also lots of hunting options during the winter, as fresh snowfalls create ideal tracking opportunities. Winter is a special time for the outdoor lover, no doubt.
Spring - Spring could clearly be made the favorite for many as the woods and water awake from their winter slumber. The rivers are ready for the trout fisherman and the spring turkey woods are full of thundering gobbles around both of our peninsulas. For those who are looking for excellent table fare, the morel mushrooms are also popping this time of year. Spring has a certain smell and feel, the promise of hope and things yet to come are all a part of this special season.
Summer
Is there anywhere on earth as great as a Michigan summer? I think not. We as Michiganders have a few month window of perfection. Fishing for salmon, walleye, and bass on the Great Lakes is a destination for folks around the world during the summer months. Our large inland lakes like Burt, Mullett, Houghton, Hubbard and Higgins are also popular destinations for anglers and families alike. There’s just so many places to see and experience, so many beaches to enjoy. Summer, although to short, has to be in the running for the best time of the year.
Fall
Winter, spring, and summer all have their redeeming qualities but there is one season that steals the show. The first cool breeze in early September reminds the sportsmen and women of what is about to happen again. It starts with some early waterfowling, followed shortly by the opening of small game season, bear season, and the youth deer season. By mid-September, rivers around the state will be full of thousands and thousands of salmon providing an incredible opportunity for anglers to target them however they choose! Deer season isn’t far behind and once October 1st rolls around, bowhunters flock to the woods hoping to fill a tag. Grouse and woodcock hunting also picks up this time of year, accompanied by the changing colors of leaves. The amount of things that fall brings the sportsmen is almost too much to handle. It is like drinking from a firehose! So much to do, if only October could be 90 days!
This fall is just starting to take shape, and as much as it’s hard to say goodbye to summer it’s so good to say hello to what has to be the best time of the year! To those of you who love the winter, she will be here soon enough. For the lover of the spring, her green will soon be back, we know. For the one who loves the summer, we get it, and we can’t wait to see her again. But – FALL, you have won the hearts of many. Fall brings out our best, its color and crispy leaves under foot reminds us of days gone by, and yet paints the pictures of days to come and adventures we have yet to have!
To view the fall 2024 issue of Partners magazine in its entirety, click here.
