Fishing at Carter Lake, Alger County, Michigan

• Overview

  Michigan holds Carter Lake, in Alger County. Elevation runs to 922 feet. Small at around 18 acres: two anglers spread out cover most of it. The nearest town is Munising, 30 miles away. After that come Newberry at 31 miles and Manistique at 43 miles. Others worth noting: Bearfoot Lake roughly 0.7 miles, McKay Lake within 1.1 miles, Teal Lake roughly 1.2 miles, Cloverleaf Lake within 1.5 miles and Lake Nita roughly 1.5 miles. This one is safely inside the county line.

• Where to Fish on Carter Lake

  Depth here is unknown, so count the lead down before committing. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. Species logged across Alger County include yellow perch, rainbow smelt and northern pike. Species recorded across the county may be limited to a few waters. On Carter Lake that means starting tight and working out.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Averages here run 64°F at the top of summer and 16°F at the bottom of winter. The year runs cold to warm and back, with clear transitions. Once it clears, about late April, the fishing comes on quickly. Average temperatures cross freezing around late April in spring and again near early December in autumn. Look to early summer and the first cool weeks of autumn. Plan any trip to Carter Lake around it.

• Tackle & Baits

  No public source sets out the position on this bank. There is no mapped parking or launch close by, which usually means walking in. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Local rules can differ across the county line, so check where you stand. Some water is controlled locally without a sign saying so. Bearfoot Lake sits 0.7 miles off and takes the overflow. Nothing here settles the position at Carter Lake for certain.