Fishing Clear Lake in Gogebic County, Michigan

• Overview

  Clear Lake sits in Gogebic County, out in Michigan. The country here is rolling bush. Roughly 38 acres: a morning covers one end, an afternoon the other. Bank access stretches around 1.1 miles in total. It sits higher than most water we list in Michigan. Some 23 miles away sits Eagle River, the nearest settlement. Then Iron River, 32 miles, and Stambaugh, Iron River, 33 miles. The line between counties passes nearby, which can change who manages the water.

• Where to Fish on Clear Lake

  No depth figure has reached our records, which makes a plummet useful. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. The productive water is a rod length or two out, not a hundred. Public occurrence data for Gogebic County names bluegill, yellow perch, walleye and largemouth bass. The list covers the county rather than this water alone, so treat it as a guide. At Clear Lake light and wind decide more than tackle does.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Climate normals give 65°F for July and 9°F for January. The middle months are generous; the ends are demanding. Hard water holds through the cold months, breaking up near late April. Break-up sits around late April on average, with the water closing again about late November. June through September is the settled part of the year, with the shoulders busier for fish. At Clear Lake the season follows that pattern closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  There is no clear statement anywhere on who can fish it. Records list it as a natural water body rather than an impoundment. Crooked Lake Boat Launch sits about half a mile away and carries the launch. A carry of half a mile from the nearest parking is the price of fishing here. Parking is often the real limit rather than the bank itself. Some ground is open by custom rather than by right, so tread carefully. Failing this one, try Kerr Lake, 0.4 miles away. Nothing here settles the position at Clear Lake for certain.