Gages Lake in Dickinson County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Gages Lake is a Dickinson County water, in Michigan. The surface lies 1,247 feet up. Crystal Falls lies 12 miles from the water. Beyond it, Iron Mountain at 13 miles and Kingsford at 14 miles. Also on the doorstep: Spirit Lake 2.3 miles away, Bush Lake within 2.4 miles, Mud Lake 2.6 miles away, Lost Lake within 2.8 miles and Jule Lake 3.2 miles away. A border sits close enough to be relevant to the paperwork.

• Where to Fish on Gages Lake

  Depth figures are not published for this one. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. Fish documented in Dickinson County include bluegill, walleye, yellow perch, brown trout and largemouth bass. Take it as the county picture rather than a promise for this water. Fish Gages Lake to its features, not to its size.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect July to average close to 66°F, with January the cold end at about 11°F. A hard winter is normal, and the thaw brings a strong few weeks. The freeze runs deep into the year, with break-up near mid April. Break-up sits around mid April on average, with the water closing again about late November. Look to early summer and the first cool weeks of autumn. Plan any trip to Gages Lake around it.

• Tackle & Baits

  The rules here are undocumented as far as public sources go. Formal access is not mapped, so the last stretch is likely on foot. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Rules for this water may differ from the county norm. Fishing rules and camping rules are set separately here. For a change of water, Spirit Lake is 2.3 miles distant. Signs at Gages Lake carry more weight than any list.