Fishing Davis Lake in Houghton County, Michigan

• Overview

  Look for Davis Lake in Houghton County, Michigan. It stands 1,355 feet above sea level. Surface area runs to about 17 acres — small enough to read in one session. Compared with other Michigan water on our list, it sits high. Some 19 miles away sits Baraga, the nearest settlement. Then L'Anse, 20 miles, and Ontonagon, 33 miles. It lies deep inside the county rather than near an edge.

• Where to Fish on Davis Lake

  Without a survey to go on, judge depth from how the bank falls away. 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. Houghton County records list rainbow smelt, bloater and cisco among the fish reported. These are county-wide records, so not all of them will be in this water. Fish Davis Lake to its features, not to its size.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warmest month averages 65°F, the coldest about 11°F. A full turn of seasons, with the strongest sport on either side of summer. The lid usually sets by midwinter and gives way around late April. Ice usually gives way near late April, and forms again about late November. Fish feed hardest at the start and the close of the open season. Expect Davis Lake to follow that timing.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing in our records says who may fish here. The map shows no ramp or car park nearby, so this is a walk-in water. For walleye, a jig and minnow near the bottom is the standard; evenings beat middays. Where the road in crosses private land, ask first. Some stretches are reserved and marked as such on the ground. For a change of water, Barchard Lake is 0.2 miles distant. The position on Davis Lake is worth confirming on the day.