Right or wrong, the state of Michigan often gets a mixed review when it comes to its reputation. Various portions of the state consist of large urban sections with diverse economic and ethnic culture. Like many large cities throughout the nation, it is common to have higher rates of violent crime in such areas. At one time, these cities were thriving industrial powerhouses. As manufacturing has left the state for various reasons the remaining images of abandon neighborhoods and factories provide the perfect backdrop for negative portrayals of formerly successful communities. On the other end of the spectrum, Michigan is also well known for its expansive wilderness and vast Great Lakes coastlines.
By using a combination of scientific research, public opinion, and personal experience, I took some time to compile a list of unique cities that have a reputation and history of violent crime. The website, www.neighborhoodscout.com uses a 100 point scale to rate a city’s crime rate. A 100 is the safest and a ONE being the worst. In addition, these cities also offer exceptional opportunities for the angling enthusiast.
So put your 9mm in your tackle box, and wear your Kevlar vest under that life jacket. We are going to review the 10 most dangerous fishing holes in Michigan!!!!
10. Alpena – Score Alpena at TWENTY FIVE on the safety curve. Your odds of experiencing issues with robbery or theft are actually pretty low here. What puts Alpena on the list are the impressively dangerous rates for murder and arson. Put on your flame retardant long johns and head to Alpena for great fishing. Thunder Bay, Thunder Bay River, Long Lake, Grand Lake, and Lake Huron make the city a sportsman’s paradise. Any species in Michigan can be found here and seasonal trout/salmon runs are excellent. Ice fishing is also popular in the area.
9. Port Huron – The border town of Port Huron comes in ranked at NINETEEN for safety index, which is relatively safe next to some of the others on the list. Studies show you may be less likely to be murdered, but you should make sure you lock your car since larceny rates are among the highest in the state. There are three main bodies of water in Port Huron. Lake Huron is well known for salmon, walleye, perch, and lake trout. The St Clair River offers excellent walleye, smelt, salmon, perch, bass, and sturgeon fishing. The Black River is home to the city’s many marinas and also a variety of fish species.
8. Battle Creek – The “Cereal City” comes in with a FOUR rating. This may be due the fact that the city boasts a rape and assault rate that is double the states average. While Battle Creek is not a coastal port city, it offers some excellent fishing from shore or vessel along the Kalamazoo River and Battle Creek River. Bass, pike, walleye, panfish, catfish, and carp can be found throughout the year and seasonal salmon and trout runs make the area very popular in the Spring and Fall.
7. Flint – Another manufacturing hub that has turned into a modern day ghost town is Flint. The city is listed with a rating of FOUR. It’s hard to find any national crime rankings that don’t include Flint among the worst of the worst. It’s difficult to determine the reason for the city’s dwindling population. One might blame the struggling economic climate, but it’s also hard to overlook the nation’s leading murder rate! From a sportsman’s perspective however, the city makes our list because of the Flint River, Kearsley Reservoir, and C.S. Mott Lake. Various species of fish can be found throughout the city, and seasonal trout and salmon bites can be very good for fly fishermen in the area.
6. Benton Harbor – Although the cities theft and burglary numbers were nothing impressive, Benton Harbor’s rape and assault ratios were as high as any in the state. Nestled next to St. Joe, they are often referred to as the “Twin Cities.” Being one of the smallest populations on our list, Benton Harbor rated out at an impressive TWO. Geographically, the city sits on Lake Michigan near the Indiana border. It is home to many charter boats that consistently catch salmon and perch. The St Joe River separates the Twin Cities. Walleye, bass, catfish, carp, and salmon are all popular fare during various seasons of the year.
5. Kalamazoo – Scoring very poorly in all crime categories, the home of Elvis scores a dangerous EIGHT rating for safety. Although parts of town near the many beautiful campuses are well kept and safe, there is no hiding recent crime rate increases in the city limits. The Kalamazoo River runs through town and offers seasonal salmon and trout fishing. Year round bass, panfish, catfish, and carp can also be found. Just outside of town, many other fish can be targeted in lakes like Morrow, Long, Eagle, and Campbell.
4. Saginaw – Saginaw saw massive population growth due to its proximity to Great Lakes Shipping. Automotive plants once flourished along the shores of the Saginaw River. Its per capita rating of SIX puts it well below the state’s average. Although some reports question the pollution factors within the rivers here, you cannot deny the fact that there are great angling opportunities in the city. The Saginaw River, Tittabawassee River, Cass River, and Shiawassee provide some fantastic walleye, bass, perch, panfish, catfish, carp, and sucker fishing. In addition, January through March are very popular for ice fishermen atop the rivers in town.
3. Pontiac – The city that General Motors forgot. Now home to the vacant Silverdome, Pontiac boasts a safety rating of NINE. Seemingly land-locked, this large city has an amazing number of small inland lakes that fishermen and boaters alike flock to throughout the summer months. Ice fishing in this area is extremely popular. Bass, panfish, perch, pike and more can be caught in waters such as Elizabeth Lake Rd, Cass Lake, Orchard Lake, Crystal Lake, Loon Lake, Sylvan Lake and more.
2. Muskegon – Coming in with a very dangerous rating of THREE out of 100, Muskegon has a reputation for danger. Being one of the largest cities in terms of population on Michigan’s west coast, it has its share of rough neighborhoods. From a fisherman’s point of view, Lake Michigan offers excellent salmon and lake trout fishing from Spring through Fall. There are also many lakes and rivers in and around the city. Muskegon Lake, Bear Lake, Mona Lake, and the Muskegon River offer tons of fishing opportunities. Walleye, bass, pike, catfish, perch, panfish, trout, salmon, and more can be found seasonally in these waters.
1. Detroit – The city that needs no introduction. Coming is with a FOUR rating out of 100, Detroit has been the whipping post for media outlets both nationally and even globally. What continually gets overlooked, however, is the fact that the Detroit River is considered one of the premiere walleye fishing waters in the world. With easy access to both Lake St Clair and Lake Erie, anglers fish this portion of the Great Lakes nearly 12 months out of the year. Aside from walleye, many seek perch, bass, sturgeon, salmon, musky, and more with tremendous success. When you consider the element of danger combined with the factors of incredible fishing it’s easy to see why Detroit is a clear cut number one our “Most Dangerous Fishing Holes,” list.
I would like to point out that I had some fun making this list. Believe it or not, it was hard to find ten cities that I could put on here. I am blessed to be able to travel and fish all over the state. I have been to every one of these cities, and I feel it is important to point out that I look forward to returning to each and every one of them…
Special thanks to,
www.neighborhoodscout.com
www.homesurfer.com
for crime data and information.
www.ultimatemichiganfishing.com
