Grass Lake in Alger County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Grass Lake is one of the Alger County waters in Michigan. It stands 879 feet above sea level. At about 56 acres, a day is enough to walk the shoreline properly. A shoreline of some 1.8 miles keeps the choices simple. The nearest place of any size is Munising, 27 miles away. Further out sit Newberry (31 miles) and Manistique (40 miles). The nearest boundary is well away, so one set of rules covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Grass Lake

  No depth figure appears in our records, so the bank has to tell you. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Fish documented in Alger County include yellow perch, rainbow smelt and northern pike. Records at this level tell you what is in the area. On Grass Lake the obvious spot is not always the productive one.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect July to average close to 64°F, with January the cold end at about 16°F. Winter closes the water for a while, and the reopening is worth catching. Count on hard cover from midwinter, and open water from late April. Averages suggest open water from about late April through to roughly early December. The first weeks of open water and the last are the ones to plan for. It holds true on Grass Lake more years than not.

• Tackle & Baits

  No public source sets out the position on this bank. No dam controls it, and the level follows the season. Access points are not mapped for this water, which suits people who like quiet. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Where the road in crosses private land, ask first. Close seasons apply to some species and not others. Loon Lake sits 0.6 miles off and takes the overflow. Rules at Grass Lake are worth checking on the day.