Crooked Lake Fishing in Schoolcraft County, Michigan

• Overview

  Crooked Lake falls in Schoolcraft County, part of Michigan. It lies 725 feet above sea level. Roughly 193 acres: a morning covers one end, an afternoon the other. With 3.8 miles or so of shoreline, boat anglers cover ground the bank cannot. On our Schoolcraft County list it sits near the top for size. You are 18 miles from Munising. Green Bay is the closest city, 140 miles away. No border sits close enough to matter.

• Where to Fish on Crooked Lake

  No published figure covers depth, so learn it as you fish. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Records held for Schoolcraft County cover rainbow smelt, alewife, bloater and yellow perch. Records at this level tell you what is in the area. The shape of Crooked Lake decides where the fish sit.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Climate records put July near 65°F and January near 15°F. The year runs cold to warm and back, with clear transitions. The lid usually sets by midwinter and gives way around mid April. Going by climate averages, expect open water from about mid April until roughly early December. The first weeks of open water and the last are the ones to plan for. That shapes the year on Crooked Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  We hold no note on access for this one. This is a natural basin, not a dammed one. Launching is at Steuben Lake Boat Launch, about half a mile away. There is a campsite 0.9 miles from the water. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Read any posted signs at the access point rather than assuming. Barbless rules turn up on managed water more often than not. Failing this one, try Steuben Lake, 0.9 miles away. Confirm before you fish Crooked Lake.