PORT SHELDON (PIGEON LAKE)

North Breakwater

Description:
The structure is 900 feet long. The north side features three fishing stations, each of which is about 35 feet wide. The first 850 feet of the south side supports a large warm-water discharge system; however, anglers can fish from the outer 300 feet. The final 50 feet of the breakwater is accessible on all three sides. Railings surround the entire structure.

Access:
Anglers walk 1/2 mile from the Consumers Energy parking lot to the breakwater along a fully accessible walkway that is 56 inches wide and features a 42-inch-high fence on both sides. The fence prevents people from trespassing.

Amenities:
Consumers Energy owns the property. The hard-surfaced parking lot, which has a barrier-free restroom, can accommodate 30 vehicles, including those with han-dicap permits. A 2-lane boat launch and additional parking are planned for the site. A DNR launch ramp is located off Lake Shore Ave. 1 mile away at the east end of Pigeon Lake.

South Breakwater

Description:
There is no public access.

What's Hot?
Many kinds of fish are attracted to the warm- water discharge. In spring, anglers take steelhead, brown trout, and coho and chinook salmon. These species, along with occasional smallmouth bass, walleye, and yellow perch are available in spring, summer and fall.

Tactics:
For salmon, spincast with Mainliner, Kastmaster, or Krocodile spoons in blue and silver, green and silver, or fluorescent orange. Steelhead and browns will hit the hardware as well as spawn, wigglers, and alewives and other cut bait fished off bottom. Shrimp, shiner minnows, and crayfish tails are rated perch baits. For walleye and smallmouth, use a crawler with harness containing a fluorescent-green blade or a 1¼4-oz. jig with minnow or ribbon leech.