SUMMARY
The Grand River in Eaton Rapids, Michigan is a popular fishing area for smallmouth bass, catfish, and panfish. Nearby activities include hiking, camping, and kayaking. Fishing tips include using live bait and fishing near structure. The best time to visit is in the summer months, with average temperatures ranging from 70-80°F.
FEATURED FISH - BLUE CATFISH
The blue catfish is considered an excellent food and game fish. It prefers clean, swift-moving waters where it feeds primarily on fish and crayfish. It is a strong, well-toned fish with a fine, delicate flavor. The following are fishing methods used to catch this fish: The blue catfish, the channel catfish, and the white catfish are the only three catfishes in the U.S.A. that have distinctly forked tails, setting them apart from the bullheads and the flathead catfish, which have squarish or slightly emarginate tails. The blue catfish can be distinguished from the channel and white catfish by its noticeably longer anal fin, which has a more even depth and a straighter edge than in the other two species. There are 30-36 rays in the fin, versus 24-30 rays in the channel catfish and 19-23 rays in the white catfish. Internally, the blue catfish can be identified by the fact that it has three chambers in the swim bladder, whereas the channel catfish has two chambers. All three forked tail species may be almost uniformly pale blue or silvery in color, though white catfish may show a more distinct difference between the bluish black and white belly. Channel catfish frequently have spots.
FISH SPECIES
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Largemouth Bass
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Smallmouth Bass
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White Bass
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Common Carp
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Channel Catfish
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Black Crappie
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Yellow Perch
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Northern Pike
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King Salmon
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Green Sunfish
NEARBY FISHING
Local Campgrounds
| Camping Area | Campsites | Reservations | Toilets | Showers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harrison Lake State Park | 200 | |||
| Pokagon State Park | 275 | |||
| Steuben County Park | ||||
| Hidden Diamonds City Park | ||||
| Kil-So-Quah - J. Edward Roush Lake | 90 | |||
| Ouabache State Park | 125 | |||
| Johnny Appleseed Park | 40 | |||
| Mary Jane Thurston State Park | 35 | |||
| Bixler Lake City Campground | 100 | |||
| Chain OLakes State Park | 410 |
