Grand Marais Lake in Chippewa County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Grand Marais Lake lies within the bounds of Chippewa County, Michigan. The ground round it is lake country bush. Thessalon is the closest place, 12 miles off. Then Blind River, 35 miles, and Sault Ste. Marie, 42 miles. If this one is busy: Dawson Lake 2.2 miles away, 5.2 miles out stands First Lake, Second Lake 5.5 miles away, 6.5 miles out stands Spring Pond and Marl Lake 6.9 miles away. No boundary runs near, so the county rules hold throughout.

• Where to Fish on Grand Marais Lake

  No chart reached our records; the first cast is your sounding. The mouth fishes hardest when the run is at its strongest. Flats either side fish on the drop as bait is pushed off them. Chippewa County records list rainbow smelt, bloater, lake whitefish and alewife among the fish reported. The county figures include rivers and lakes alike. At Grand Marais Lake the water rewards a slow, careful approach.

• Seasonal Patterns

  July runs about 65°F on average, January about 15°F. The freeze arrives properly here and holds. The open season starts with the thaw, near enough mid April. The open-water window runs from around mid April to about early December in an average year. Fish feed hardest at the start and the close of the open season. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Grand Marais Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  No access rule appears in what we hold. Mapping records no facilities at all near this water. For the trout, small spinners and a box of nymphs cover both approaches. Where access is informal, keep it that way by behaving. Access can change hands, so last year's answer may not hold. Dawson Lake at 2.2 miles is the sensible second choice. None of that is settled for Grand Marais Lake in what we hold.