Catfish Slough near Manistique: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  Catfish Slough sits in Schoolcraft County, out in Michigan. Country round the bank runs to rolling bush. Surface area runs to about 13 acres — small enough to read in one session. It lies lower than most water we list in Michigan. Manistique sits 4.8 miles from the bank. Green Bay is the closest city, 136 miles away. This one is safely inside the county line.

• Where to Fish on Catfish Slough

  No figure exists for depth, so let the water show you. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Public occurrence data for Schoolcraft County names rainbow smelt, alewife and bloater. Records at this level tell you what is in the area. At Catfish Slough the water rewards a slow, careful approach.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Average temperature peaks around 65°F in July and bottoms out near 15°F in January. The season turns properly here, and fish follow it closely. The lid arrives early and lasts until roughly mid April. On average, mid April opens the water and early December closes it again. From the thaw to midsummer the fishing improves week by week. That shapes the year on Catfish Slough.

• Tackle & Baits

  We have no record of the rules that apply on this bank. Mapping shows no built access close by; expect to walk in from wherever you can leave the car. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. Read any posted signs at the access point rather than assuming. Some water is controlled locally without a sign saying so. Camp Number 11 Slough at 0.2 miles is the sensible second choice. Treat access at Catfish Slough as something to verify.