Fishing Dawson Lake in Chippewa County, Michigan

• Overview

  Dawson Lake is listed under Chippewa County, Michigan. It sits at 591 feet above sea level. The water covers some 57 acres, so pick a bank rather than trying to cover it all. The bank runs about 1.4 miles all the way round, so one visit can cover most of it. It is low-lying compared with other Michigan water we list. Thessalon sits 11 miles from here and is the nearest stop. The nearest city of size is Greater Sudbury, 129 miles away. It lies deep inside the county rather than near an edge.

• Where to Fish on Dawson Lake

  Nothing we hold settles how deep this runs. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Fish documented in Chippewa County include rainbow smelt, bloater, lake whitefish and alewife. Those are county-wide records, so not every one of them will be in this water. On Dawson Lake that means starting tight and working out.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Averages here run 65°F at the top of summer and 15°F at the bottom of winter. The freeze arrives properly here and holds. The open season starts with the thaw, near enough mid April. Climate averages put the opening at about mid April and the closing near early December. September and October fish steadily right up to the freeze. At Dawson Lake the season follows that pattern closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  Our records carry no access rule either way. This is a natural basin, not a dammed one. This lies within protected land, so the rules will be stricter than usual. For the trout, small spinners and a box of nymphs cover both approaches. Take the rules with you rather than trusting memory. Keep proof of licence with you rather than in the car. Failing this one, try Grand Marais Lake, 2.2 miles away. Confirm before you fish Dawson Lake.