Cherry Lake in Alger County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  This water sits in Alger County, Michigan. The setting is pine and birch. At roughly 12 acres, the whole thing is within casting reach of a single walk. Munising lies 10 miles from the water. The big place round here is Green Bay, 137 miles distant. Not far off: Halfmoon Lake 0.4 miles away, Island Lake some 0.4 miles off, Rock Lake 0.8 miles away, Hartney Lake some 0.9 miles off and Muddy Lake 1 mile away. No boundary runs near, so the county rules hold throughout.

• Where to Fish on Cherry Lake

  Nothing in our records gives a depth for this one. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. County-wide records name yellow perch, rainbow smelt and northern pike. Records at this level tell you what is in the area. At Cherry Lake the water rewards a slow, careful approach.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect July near 65°F and January near 15°F on the long-run figures. Winter puts a hard lid on this one. The lid usually sets by midwinter and gives way around mid April. Break-up sits around mid April on average, with the water closing again about early December. Reckon on open water from spring through to late autumn, with May and June the strongest. Cherry Lake fishes to that pattern most years.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access is not recorded for this water. A campsite lies half a mile away for anyone staying over. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. Look for a notice board at the entrance. Fishing rules and camping rules are set separately here. Should this one be busy, Halfmoon Lake is 0.4 miles off. Check the position at Cherry Lake before loading the car.