Circle Lake Fishing near Iron River, Michigan

• Overview

  Circle Lake lies in Iron County, in Michigan. Height above sea level is 1,690 feet. It covers about 6 acres, so this is small water you can walk round in under an hour. On size it sits at the modest end of our Iron County list. Start from Iron River, 10 miles down the road. Stambaugh, Iron River lies 11 miles off, Eagle River another 22 miles. The county edge is within a short distance of the bank.

• Where to Fish on Circle Lake

  There is no published depth for this one, so start shallow and work out. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Open biodiversity records for Iron County list brown trout, yellow perch, northern pike, walleye and white sucker. Take it as the county picture rather than a promise for this water. Fish Circle Lake to its features, not to its size.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Average temperature peaks around 65°F in July and bottoms out near 9°F in January. A hard winter is normal, and the thaw brings a strong few weeks. Count the season from break-up, usually late April. The season between ice runs from about late April to late November. June through September is the settled part of the year, with the shoulders busier for fish. That shapes the year on Circle Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access status is simply unknown for this water. No made access appears within a short radius, so plan to park on a verge and walk. 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. For a change of water, Gadwall Lake is 1 mile distant. Where Circle Lake is concerned, a local answer beats a written one.