Canyon Lake, Michigan: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Canyon Lake sits within Marquette County in Michigan. Mixed forest runs right down to the water. L'Anse is the closest town at 26 miles. The big place round here is Thunder Bay, 124 miles distant. Nearest other option: Mountain Lake just 2.2 miles, Trout Lake out at 2.2 miles, Lake Ann just 2.7 miles, Cliff Lake out at 2.7 miles and Florence Pond just 2.7 miles. The county line is nowhere near, so one local authority covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Canyon Lake

  Nothing in our records gives a depth for this one. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Marquette County records list white sucker, yellow perch, rainbow smelt, smallmouth bass and northern pike among the fish reported. The list covers the county rather than this water alone, so treat it as a guide. Anyone new to Canyon Lake should walk it once before setting up.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The seasonal spread runs 14°F to 64°F. Hard water is a season in its own right here. After late April the shallows warm and the fish move up. Climate averages put the opening at about late April and the closing near late November. The open run goes from the thaw to the freeze, and April through October covers most of it. Canyon Lake fishes to that pattern most years.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access is not recorded for this water. Mapping records no facilities at all near this water. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. A phone call first saves an afternoon. Where the way in crosses private ground, ask first. Failing this one, try Mountain Lake, 2.2 miles away. Signs at Canyon Lake carry more weight than any list.