Fishing Crater Lake in Ogemaw County, Michigan

• Overview

  Crater Lake falls in Ogemaw County, part of Michigan. It stands 1,224 feet above sea level. At 5 acres it is the sort of place you fish for an evening rather than a day. It is a small entry by Ogemaw County standards. For supplies, Mio is 9.2 miles out. Lansing sits 125 miles out, and it is the nearest city worth the name. The nearest boundary is well away, so one set of rules covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Crater Lake

  We hold no survey for this water; read the slope of the shoreline instead. The productive water is a rod length or two out, not a hundred. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Species logged across Ogemaw County include bluegill, rock bass, pink salmon and largemouth bass. Read it as a county summary, not a water-by-water list. Crater Lake fishes better once you know its edges.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The year swings from about 17°F in January to roughly 67°F in July. Seasons are distinct, and each one fishes differently. The lid arrives early and lasts until roughly mid April. Open water usually runs from mid April until about early December. Right after break-up, and again as the nights sharpen, is when to go. That is the shape of the year on Crater Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  We have no record of the rules that apply on this bank. Overnight stays are possible about half a mile out, where camping is mapped. A picnic spot sits half a mile from the bank. Local rules can differ across the county line, so check where you stand. Where tickets apply, they are sold in the nearest town rather than on the bank. Loon Lake at 0.4 miles is the sensible second choice. Confirm access to Crater Lake locally before you travel.