Forest Lake in Gogebic County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  The Gogebic County end of Michigan holds Forest Lake. Beyond the shoreline you have mixed forest. At 23 acres it is the sort of place you fish for an evening rather than a day. It sits higher than most water we list in Michigan. Start from Iron River, 22 miles down the road. Then Stambaugh, Iron River, 23 miles, and Eagle River, 32 miles. It sits near the edge of the county, so check which rules apply.

• Where to Fish on Forest Lake

  No depth figure has reached our records, which makes a plummet useful. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Species logged across Gogebic County include bluegill, yellow perch, walleye, largemouth bass and white sucker. The list covers the county rather than this water alone, so treat it as a guide. Fish Forest Lake to its features, not to its size.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Between January at about 10°F and July at about 64°F, the water has a wide range to work through. A hard winter is normal, and the thaw brings a strong few weeks. Ice is part of the season here, ending near late April. The lid tends to go about late April and return around late November. From the thaw to midsummer the fishing improves week by week. It holds true on Forest Lake more years than not.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing we hold confirms whether access is permitted. There is no mapped parking or launch nearby, which keeps numbers down. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. Season dates differ by species, so read the table. A polite question at the farm gate opens more banks than anything else. If the gate is shut, Bennett Lake at 0.4 miles is the nearest alternative. None of that is settled for Forest Lake in what we hold.