Big Trout Lake, Michigan: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Big Trout Lake belongs to Chippewa County, Michigan. The setting is rolling bush on every side. At some 302 acres it is far too large to cover on foot in a day. The edge runs 2.9 miles or so, easy to work in an afternoon. On our Chippewa County list it sits near the top for size. For supplies, Cheboygan is 30 miles out. The nearest city of size is Greater Sudbury, 153 miles away. The county line is nowhere near, so one local authority covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Big Trout Lake

  We hold no depth figure for this one. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. Fish documented in Chippewa County include rainbow smelt, bloater and lake whitefish. Species recorded across the county may be limited to a few waters. On Big Trout Lake that means starting tight and working out.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Between January at about 17°F and July at about 66°F, the water has a wide range to work through. Seasons are distinct, and each one fishes differently. Ice is part of the season here, ending near mid April. Climate figures give an open season running mid April to early December. Spring is short and heavy here; autumn is longer and steadier. Anyone fishing Big Trout Lake regularly works to that calendar.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether the bank is open is not something our records settle. No dam controls it, and the level follows the season. The water borders Carl A. Gerstacker Nature Preserve, so reserve rules are likely to apply. Trout here take small spinners, spoons and, where fly water allows, a nymph or dry. Take the rules with you rather than trusting memory. Close seasons apply to some species and not others. Little Trout Lake, 0.8 miles away, makes the obvious fallback. Signs at Big Trout Lake carry more weight than any list.