Blue Lake Fishing near West Ishpeming, Michigan

• Overview

  In Michigan, Blue Lake belongs to Marquette County. The setting is rolling bush. Surface area is around 26 acres, which gives you real water without needing a boat. Compared with other Michigan water on our list, it sits high. The town to know is West Ishpeming, 3.7 miles out. Further out sit Ishpeming (4.2 miles) and Negaunee (6.1 miles). There is no boundary nearby to worry about.

• Where to Fish on Blue Lake

  Depth is not on record here, which means reading the ground instead. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. Marquette County records list white sucker, yellow perch and rainbow smelt among the fish reported. The county list is broader than any single water. On Blue Lake a short move beats a long cast.

• Seasonal Patterns

  On the long-term average, July reads 64°F and January reads 13°F. A hard winter is normal, and the thaw brings a strong few weeks. Count the season from break-up, usually late April. Averages suggest open water from about late April through to roughly late November. Fishing peaks soon after break-up and again before the cold returns. Plan any trip to Blue Lake around it.

• Tackle & Baits

  There is no clear statement anywhere on who can fish it. No built facilities appear in mapping around this water. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Rules for this water may differ from the county norm. Where the way in crosses private ground, ask first. The nearest alternative is Long Lake, 0.8 miles out. For Blue Lake, the notice at the access point is the final word.