Fishing at Boot Lake, Alger County, Michigan

• Overview

  The Alger County entry here is Boot Lake, in Michigan. The ground around here is rolling bush. Roughly 105 acres: a morning covers one end, an afternoon the other. It ranks high for size among our Alger County listings. The town to know is Munising, 14 miles out. Further out sit Manistique (24 miles) and Gladstone (40 miles). It sits near the edge of the county, so check which rules apply.

• Where to Fish on Boot Lake

  Depth here is unknown, so count the lead down before committing. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. Fish documented in Alger County include yellow perch, rainbow smelt, northern pike, white sucker and rock bass. What holds for the county may not hold for this water. At Boot Lake the first feature you find is worth twenty minutes.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Temperature averages peak at 65°F in July and bottom out at 15°F in January. Winter closes the water for a while, and the reopening is worth catching. Winter locks it down, and mid April brings it back. From about mid April to around early December, expect open water on the long-run figures. The middle of summer slows a little, with dawn and dusk carrying it. On Boot Lake that shapes the whole year.

• Tackle & Baits

  No public source sets out the position on this bank. Boot Lake Boat Launch gives a made launch, half a mile off. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Take the rules with you rather than trusting memory. Barbless rules turn up on managed water more often than not. Should this one be busy, Little Boot Lake is 0.4 miles off. Confirm before you fish Boot Lake.