Fishing at Fishhook Lake, Alger County, Michigan

• Overview

  Fishhook Lake lies within the bounds of Alger County, Michigan. Everything around it is pine and birch. At 6 acres it is the sort of place you fish for an evening rather than a day. On size it sits at the modest end of our Alger County list. Nearest place of any size is Munising, 24 miles away. After that come Newberry at 34 miles and Manistique at 41 miles. Rules here are straightforward: one county, one set of rules.

• Where to Fish on Fishhook Lake

  Our records carry no depth, so judge it from the bank. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Open biodiversity records for Alger County list yellow perch, rainbow smelt and northern pike. Records at this level tell you what is in the area. On Fishhook Lake the first feature you find is usually worth a session.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Long-term averages put July at about 64°F and January near 16°F. Winter shuts the surface down for months. The lid usually goes in late April, which opens the strongest weeks of the year. Ice usually gives way near late April, and forms again about early December. September and October fish steadily right up to the freeze. On Fishhook Lake the same rules apply, with local timing.

• Tackle & Baits

  The rules here are undocumented as far as public sources go. Reserve land runs up to the bank here, so read the notices. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Bank access can be seasonal on ground like this. A polite question at the farm gate opens more banks than anything else. The nearest alternative is Ewatt Lake, 0.3 miles out. Nothing on Fishhook Lake should be assumed from this page alone.