Fishing in the Buchanan Area

Great Fishing Awaits You!

Bluegill, brown trout, carp, walleye, channel catfish, Chinook salmon, crappie, small mouth bass, large mouth bass, northern pike, rock bass, rainbow trout, steel head, suckers, and brown trout. 

St. Joseph River

For more than a quarter century, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has been planting Chinook salmon, steel head and brown trout in the St. Joseph River.  In combination with walleyes and the skamania stocking efforts, and abundance of other self-supporting species, this beautiful river provides a diverse year-round fishery.

The Buchanan Dam Fish Ladder was built in 1990.  The areas above and below the dam offer fishing piers and a boat ramp below the dam.  There is adequate parking.  Both fishing piers are handicapped accessible. 

For one of the finest trout and salmon streams in Southwest Michigan, try McCoy Creek, which empties into the St. Joseph River just above the dam on the Buchanan side of the river.  This one is for the hardy fishermen who want to “hike in”.  Park at the lot on Schirmer Parkway and take the trail to the creek.  Bring your waders and check with DNR for open times.  McCoy’s Creek is a designated trout stream.

Located on the big bend of the interstate St. Joseph River, Buchanan has excellent facilities for boating and river fishing.  Myriad lakes in the area provide additional boating, fishing and swimming sites.  Public access and launch sites on the St. Joseph River are located at St. Joseph River below the dam and on North Redbud Trail above the dam at Redbud Riverfront Park.