Fishing at Bates Lake, Iron County, Michigan

• Overview

  Bates Lake is an Iron County water, in Michigan. The bank is 1,604 feet above sea level. The water covers some 53 acres, so pick a bank rather than trying to cover it all. Compared with other Michigan water on our list, it sits high. Nearest place of any size is Iron River, 2.2 miles away. Stambaugh, Iron River lies 2.6 miles off, Crystal Falls another 13 miles. The nearest boundary is a fair way off.

• Where to Fish on Bates Lake

  There is no published depth for this one, so start shallow and work out. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. Iron County records list brown trout, yellow perch, northern pike and walleye among the fish reported. Take it as the county picture rather than a promise for this water. At Bates Lake light and wind decide more than tackle does.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The seasonal spread runs 9°F to 65°F. Seasons are distinct, and each one fishes differently. The freeze runs deep into the year, with break-up near late April. In an average year the thaw lands around late April and the freeze near late November. The weeks after the thaw and the ones before the freeze are the strongest. The season on Bates Lake follows the weather closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  The rules here are undocumented as far as public sources go. Nothing built is recorded close to the bank here. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Local rules can differ across the county line, so check where you stand. Signs go up and come down, so check on the day. The nearest alternative is Ice Lake, 1.2 miles out. Check the current arrangement for Bates Lake.